Archive for Theology

The Incoherence of Liberation Free Will

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

I do not believe the concept of Libertarian Free Will has any philosophical or theological coherence. My purpose in this article is to lay out the contrast between Libertarian Free Will and the Biblical view often referred to as Compatibilist Free Will.

I want to ensure, especially when discussing this particular topic, that the terms I use are well defined up front. This will hopefully prevent the reader from falling into the danger of assuming his own definitions and therefore miss the impact of what is being said or develop a misconception of what is being communicated. Human beings, due to their fallen state (1 Corinthians 2:14, Romans 8:7-8), will invariably bring their own assumptions of their own abilities to a discussion of the will and therefore already have preconceived notions of what it means to “will” something. Clearly defining these terms as used in this article will hopefully allow me to more quickly get to the root of the issues addressed and the reader gains more benefit.

Read more

LBM Podcast 0059 – Joining BTWN and Theories of the Atonement of Christ

FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailIn this episode Jason first announces the news that this podcast is moving to the Bible Thumping Wingnut Network. This is the last published episode to this channel. After that Jason briefly discusses the Reformation and then goes into his presentation on the different Theories of the Atonement of Christ. This episode focuses on which theory fits the Biblical evidence and answers the question “How does a perfectly good, righteous and just God pardon guilty sinners without violating his own perfect justice?”

Links:

Theories of the Atonement Presentation

Video Podcast:

Audio Podcast:

Addressing errors in the Watch Tower publication “Should you believe in the Trinity”

FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailIn 1989 the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society published a pamphlet entitled “Should you believe in the Trinity” (link to pamphlet). That particular publication says there were 5 million copies published in English at that printing. I recently received a hard copy of this pamphlet from a fellow Christian that had an encounter with some JWs. He brought it to me because he had some questions about the claims that are made in the tract on page 7. His questions in particular were about the supposed citations from the Ante-Nicene church fathers.

 

This article is to address the egregious errors and atrocious scholarship that went into these citations. In fact the errors are so clear that the intention could have only been deception. I will address each of these supposed citations one at a time.

Read more

LBM Podcast 0053 – Debate “Is the doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints, Biblical?”

FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailIn this episode Jason Mullett and Paul Pavao debate the topic of the Perseverance of the Saints. With this thesis Jason takes the affirmative and Paul the negative. The episode starts with 10 minute opening statements by both Jason and Paul. After the opening statements they engaged in a free and open dialogue.

 

Links:

Christian History Calvinism Article

Video Podcast:

Audio Podcast:

LBM Podcast 0052 – Book recommendations. upcoming debate and two articles reviewed

FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailIn this episode Jason discusses some books that he recommends all Christians read. He discussed the upcoming debate with Paul Pavao on the doctrine of Perseverance of the Saints. Jason reviews an article by Conrad Murrell on Christian Government. Conrad’s makes many of the same mistakes that New Covenant theologians and Anabaptists make when it comes to the law of God. After that he goes into an article by Jeff Robinson entitled Meet a Reformed Arminian.

Links:

Christian Government – Conrad Murrell

Meet a Reformed Arminian – Jeff Robinson

Video Podcast:

Audio Podcast:

The Segregated Church

FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailThe Christian church has always been distinct in its function and organization compared to any secular institution. However, as times goes on and a younger generation rises to authority, its image is not much different from the world. The modern, hip, and all-inviting church—with its popular Christian music, trendy leaders, holy-ground coffee shops, and Pinterest-inspired nomenclature and decor—disregards the reverence due to God in order to accommodate a hoped-for popularity that is in no way indicative of any type or degree of commitment to Jesus Christ.
 
With the rise of the cool, there has been an increased trend to segregate congregants by age. Although this has been a common practice in Sunday school classes for many years, this burgeoning of youth groups, college groups, young-adult groups and small groups continues and shows no signs of stopping.
 
Read more

LBM Podcast 0050 – A critique of New Covenant Theology

FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailIn this episode Jason critiques New Covenant Theology, in particular the NCT view of the moral law. Is the threefold division of the law Biblical and historical?

 

 

 

Links:

The threefold division of the law – Jonathan F. Bayes

James M. Renihan – Sermon on NCT – 9/23/2005

Sam E. Waldron – Sermon on NCT – 10/7/2006

Video Podcast:

Audio Podcast:

LBM Podcast 0047 – Live discussion on the deity of the Holy Spirit with Carl Albert

FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailIn this episode of the LBM Podcast we have Carl Albert associated with the Israel Doctrine (loosely affiliated with the Hebrew Israelite movement) back again joining us for a discussion on the deity of the Holy Spirit. Jason defends the position that the Holy Spirit is indeed God and the 3rd person within the Trinity, Carl takes the position that the Holy Spirit is a created being specifically the angel Gabriel.

Video Podcast:

Audio Podcast:

A Response to Carl Albert at Israel Doctrine

FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailThis is a response to Carl Albert of Israel Doctrine. Carl put out a video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3fhcuICEFY) that was a follow-up to our discussion on Podcast 45.

Video Podcast:


LBM Podcast 0045 – Live discussion on the Trinity with an Israel Doctrine Proponent

FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailIn this episode of the LBM Podcast we have a guest (Carl Albert) associated with the Israel Doctrine (loosely affiliated with the Hebrew Israelite movement), join us for a discussion on the ontology of the God of the Bible. Jason defends the orthodox Christian view of the Trinity and Carl promotes his self proclaimed henotheistic view of the Godhead. Carl’s view might more accurately be described as ditheism instead of henotheism as he believes that there are two ontologically identical yet separate beings of God that are worthy of worship. He believes the Bible teaches there are two Gods. The discussion goes into the Biblical texts and into the distinction between being and person. The deity of the Holy Spirit is then discussed, Jason takes the position that the Holy Spirit is the 3rd person within the one being of God and Carl takes the position that the Holy Spirit is a created being specifically the angel Gabriel.

Links:

Carl Albert’s YouTube Channel
Carl Albert’s Beliefs
Logical Belief Ministries Statement of Faith

Video Podcast:

Audio Podcast: