Resources by Topic: Doctrine and Theology

I can certainly identify with many of your doubts and questions regarding God’s sovereignty, our free will, etc. Although I was raised in a strong Christian family, I went through a couple of years of intense skepticism and cynicism when I was younger.

I highly recommend David Augsburger’s The Freedom of Forgiveness. Also, Philip Yancy’s What’s So Amazing about Grace?, which shows us how God’s forgiveness of us should result in our forgiveness of others. 

I contacted my pastor about using a bulletin insert regarding Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. He responded by saying “the Lord has called us to keep things simple, and focus on the Bible.” How would you respond to this?

This passage demonstrates what is often true—if we misunderstand one biblical doctrine, we will inevitably misunderstand others. 

This is not a complete answer about tongues, but some quick thoughts.

I am disappointed with God because I sincerely want Him to work in my life to bring about the fruit of the Spirit, but I don’t see Him doing that. I want to experience His power in my life and let the Holy Spirit control me.

The following material was originally part of my book The Grace and Truth Paradox.

Nineteenth century London pastor, preacher and writer Charles Haddon Spurgeon was a Calvinist. As such, he was opposed by anti-Calvinists and a variety of non-Calvinists. He recognized their salvation and sincerity, but believed their view of God was often too small, and hence their view of man too big.

Think about the person you would most want to spend time with. Who would that person be? Your favorite singer, author, or athlete? Your best friend who moved away? A family member who’s already died? Many Christians would say they’d want to spend time with Jesus. They’d want to see the Savior who created them, died for them, and made their life in Heaven possible—the one who loves them more than anyone else.

This is a classic question, and you are not the first to propose it. The answer is two-fold, one from God’s view, and one from man’s view.

As I say in the introduction to Heaven, readers should carefully examine God’s Word and evaluate the book’s claims accordingly (Acts 17:11). If they do, I believe they will discover that the great majority of the book is solidly grounded in Scripture.

Question from a reader: On page 174 of Heaven you talk of the thrill of seeing Jesus in Heaven. You say, “Being with him. Gazing at him. Talking with him. Worshiping him. Embracing him. Eating with him. Walking with him. Laughing with him.” But how will millions of resurrected believers be able to do this? Do we take turns?

Truth is rooted in the eternal God who’s all powerful and unchangeable. Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is Truth” (John 17:17).

In adoring the providence of God, we are apt to be struck with what is new and out of the usual course, while we too much overlook long, habitual, and uninterrupted mercies.