November 5, 2009
What is salvation? Seems like a simple question. Maybe, but maybe not. There are certainly uncomplicated aspects to answering the question, but a “comprehensive” picture is an integrated one that explores the question from various angles. The question may seem simple because it has often been answered simplistically. Or, perhaps better, it has often been […]
17 Comments | Theology | Tagged: Christology, Cosmic, Ecclesiology, Forgiveness, Kingdom of God, New Creation, Reconcilaition, Resurrection, Salvation, social justice, Soteriology', Transformation | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
June 16, 2009
[Note: I am attempting to keep these SBD installments under 2000 words each, but that is–of course–quite inadequate for the topics covered. Consequently, these contributions are more programmatic than they are explanatory or defenses of the positions stated. You may access the whole series at my Serial page.] The Father elects, redeems and saves in […]
8 Comments | Theology | Tagged: communal, Community, Declarative, Discipleship, Ecclesiology, Faith, Forgiveness, Glorification, Grace, individualism, Justification, Kingdom of God, Participatory, Salvation, Sanctification, Soteriology', Transformation, Trinity, Works | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
April 24, 2009
In my previous post I summarized the conclusions of Keith Stanglin in his recent book Arminius on the Assurance of Salvation: The Context, Roots, and Shape of the Leiden Debate, 1603-1609. In this post, I want to offer an extended theological comment on the nature of assurance for Calvinists and Arminians. I will indulge this […]
49 Comments | Theology | Tagged: Arminianism, Assurance, Calvinism, Faith, Grace, John Calvin, Salvation, Soteriology', temporary faith | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
April 21, 2009
I recently posted a brief statement on “Children at the Table” in which I suggested that the practice of sharing table communion with our children might be a good idea. One question this raises, among others, is the relationship of children to the kingdom of God. For our paedo-baptist friends, it is obvious. Children are […]
39 Comments | Theology | Tagged: Baptism, Children, Church, David Lipscomb, Ecclesiology, Salvation, Soteriology' | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
April 17, 2009
If the life and ministry of Jesus is our pattern, then we all fall woefully short. Consequently, whether it is conforming our character to the image of Jesus or embodying the ministry of Jesus through the church, we all–individuals and congregations–need divine mercy since we all fall woefully short of the image of God in Jesus. […]
15 Comments | Hermeneutics, Theology | Tagged: Antinomianism, Faith, Grace, Legalism, Libertinism, Patternism, Perfectionism, Salvation, Sanctification, Soteriology', Transformation | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
April 5, 2009
The last of the Passover Psalms, Psalm 118, is the one which the crowd that lined the streets of Jerusalem shouted to welcome Jesus (Matthew 21:9): “Hosanna!” and “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” They blessed the one who came to declare the name of the Lord, the one who came in the […]
3 Comments | Biblical Texts | Tagged: Assembly, Bible-Psalms, Deliverance, Lament, Palm Sunday, Psalm 118, Salvation, Songs | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
March 3, 2009
David Lipscomb, Queries and Answers, ed. by J. W. Shepherd (Cincinnati: Rowe Publishers, 1918), p. 53. Question: “May a person who believes his sins forgiven submit to a scriptural baptism while thus believing?” Answer: “There is something unscriptural in the case as presented; but what is it? Is it the baptism, or is it the […]
7 Comments | Stone-Campbell | Tagged: Baptism, David Lipscomb, Faith, Gospel Advocate, Obedience, Rebaptism, Salvation, Soteriology', Stone-Campbell | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
February 23, 2009
Alexander Campbell’s relationship with the Baptists is rather complicated. His Brush Run congregation petitioned for membership Redstone Baptist Association in 1815 and then was admitted in 1816. In 1823 Alexander Campbell, along with thirty members from the Brush Run church, planted a new congregation in Wellsburg, Virginia. That congregation joined the Mahoning Baptist Association in 1824. […]
13 Comments | Stone-Campbell | Tagged: Alexander Campbell, Andrew Broaddus, Baptism, Baptists, Experience, Faith, Holy Spirit, Justification, Pneumatology, Restoration Movement, Robert B. Semple, Salvation, Soteriology', Southern Baptists, Stone-Campbell | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
February 18, 2009
In my previous post, I repoduced two responses to a question asked by J. Wesley Smith of Lynchburg, TN, in 1905. He asked: “Is it right to make a knowledge of baptism for remission of sins a test of fellowship?” David Lipscomb, editor of the Gospel Advocate, answered in the negative and George W. Savage, […]
17 Comments | Stone-Campbell, Theology | Tagged: Baptism, Christology, Churches of Christ, David Lipscomb, Fellowship, George W. Savage, Grace, Hermeneutics, Obedience, Rebaptism, Remission of Sins, Restoration Movement, Salvation, Stone-Campbell | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks