For the past few weeks, I’ve been reading a lot about reformed theology more particularly Calvinism. I got interested more about the subject when I started listening to the great expository preachers of today such as John MacArthur, John Piper, Paul Washer and others. I was intrigued why their theology was deep. Their verse by verse preaching style blessed me a lot mainly because it was filled with the Holy Spirit’s power and because of this it is scholarly, thorough and very expository. I discovered that they were staunch Calvinist. Coming from a church with a very strong Arminian or should I say quasi-Arminian background we were “brainwashed” to be allergic to the words “Calvinism” or “election.” But I have changed these past few years in terms of my theological standing and I am a bit more Calvinist than Arminian, so I decided to do an in-depth study on the subject. So for the past few months, I’ve been devouring a lot of books and materials on Calvinism and Reformed Theology. … [Read more...]

Today, there is a negative attitude towards the study of doctrine. This is understandable but not excusable. It is understandable because emphasizing doctrine has led to fruitless intellectualism, a proud and unloving attitude, fruitless speculation and unnecessary divisions. Also, studying doctrine demands hard work and change which many are not willing to make. It is inexcusable because the gospel we Christians are to proclaim and the faith we are to defend are rich in doctrinal content and Christian unity cannot be preserved and promoted apart from the study of doctrine. Also, how we worship and live depends on what we believe. For these reasons, we call on men in the pastoral ministry, those training for the ministry, and any key men in the church who preach God's Word to join us as we study the Doctrine of the Christian Life. The following topics will be covered in 12 sessions: - Introductory Perspectives,  - Effectual Call  - Regeneration  - Conversion  - … [Read more...]

One of the biggest problem of evangelical Christianity today is that there is that the gospel presentation is being diluted. There's little or no presentation of repentance of sin and surrendering your life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. A lot of those who present the Gospel ask people to make Jesus their Savior, but do not emphasize that when becoming a Christian is a complete and total surrender of their lives to Jesus Christ. Hence we see a lot of alleged conversion when the truth of the matter is a lot of people never really understand that being a Christian is a life commitment for Jesus Christ. Jesus himself said this that if anybody wants to become his disciple he is to deny himself, take up his cross and follow him. He asked the rich young ruler who was asking him how to obtain eternal life to acknowledge his sinfulness and follow him. Everywhere you read in the Gospels, Jesus preached a Gospel of commitment, a Gospel of complete surrender to his will. This is the Gospel … [Read more...]