Resources by Topic: Doctrine and Theology

Despite my best attempts to be careful with Scripture, my understanding is far from complete and is without doubt incorrect in some areas. But if the reader diligently investigates the Scripture passages referred to in this summary, he may discover to his surprise (and either to his delight or discomfort) that some of his own notions and assumptions about heaven are in fact not biblical. In the process, he will gain a far greater understanding of this vital subject.

In his excellent book Bible Doctrine, Wayne Grudem says, “Common grace is the grace of God by which he gives people innumerable blessings that are not part of salvation. The word common here means something that is common to all people and is not restricted to believers or to the elect only.” 

Universalism originated in the Garden of Eden when Satan said ‘you will not surely die’ (Gen. 3:4). The appeal by Universalists to God’s desire to save all is unconvincing because the same God who reveals that He desires for everyone to be saved also reveals that not everyone is saved. Additionally, we must distinguish between God’s sovereign will (which God infallibly brings to pass in the world), and His permissive will (what He does not want in and of itself, but wills to occur in light of all of history considered together).

If you have a spirit friend who communicates with you, you are (or think you are) in fact “consulting the dead.” Even if he is coming on his own initiative, the spirit is disguising himself as someone who is being welcomed by you, instead of being told to stay away on the basis of the shed blood of Jesus.

Eternal rewards is a hot topic in the evangelical community, partly because some people think it is anti-grace and leads to works-righteousness to earn salvation. Nothing could be further from the truth, but that’s the perception.  

I believe that the Bible has greater authority than nature. Creation is “general” revelation only. The Bible is special, much more specific, revelation.

How do we stop the madness of pride and the insanity of sin? We stop it by raising our eyes toward heaven and by realizing that we are nothing and He is everything, and that the universe is not about what pleases me, but what pleases God. (This is an argument for starting each day in Scripture to recalibrate and make sure the compass is pointing true north, to the person of God.)

The Bible in its entirety is clear on sexuality. Words have meaning in context. 

Clearly, since the Holy Spirit is a member of the triune God, He will be present for all eternity, no doubt taking an active role in the creation and among God’s people. However, the Bible doesn’t specifically answer the question of exactly what His role will be.

The doctrine of Hell is suggested in the Old Testament, but it is much more clearly revealed in the New. Jesus said more about Hell than anyone.

Christ intercedes for us for the same reason we intercede for each other—we need help, we need God's power to resist temptation and live holy lives.

While there may be others we don't know of who God has created or will create in the future, we know the following will be in heaven...

It’s true that the ascension is a neglected doctrine. It was considered more important to earlier generations of Christians than it is today.
 One remarkable thing about the ascension is that it affirms Christ’s physical body went into Heaven following his resurrection. This is what the creeds call his “self-same body,” stating that likewise our self-same bodies will be restored in our resurrection.  

I don’t mean to be trite or cute, but after having considered who God is, the answer to this question is “because God didn’t want to.”