This is the third in a series of columns on the inspiration, inerrancy, infallibility, and sufficiency of Scripture. When Christians say the Bible is true, we often use terms to describe the manner in which God has spoken to us through His written Word. One such term is “infallible.” But what does that mean? Incapable of error By infallibility, we mean the original manuscripts are incapable of error. This is because the Bible is inspired, or God-breathed, resulting in “autographs” that … [Read more...]
The inerrancy of Scripture
This is the second in a series of columns on the inspiration, inerrancy, infallibility, and sufficiency of Scripture. When Christians say the Bible is true, we often use terms to describe the manner in which God has spoken to us through His written Word. One such term is “inerrant.” But what does that mean? Freedom from error The inerrancy of Scripture means the Bible is fully truthful in all of its teachings. P.D. Feinberg writes in the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, inerrancy is … [Read more...]
The inspiration of Scripture
This is the first in a series of columns on the inspiration, inerrancy, infallibility, and sufficiency of Scripture. When Christians say the Bible is true, we often use terms to describe the manner in which God has spoken to us through His written Word. One such term is “inspired.” But what does that mean? God-breathed The apostle Paul writes in 2 Tim. 3:16, “All Scripture is inspired by God …” The phrase “inspired by God” comes from the Greek theopneustos. It means “God-breathed” and … [Read more...]
Six similarities of Islam and Mormonism
Satan is clever but not original. He cannot create, procreate, raise the dead, or inspire Scripture. But he can take things God created for good and twist them for his evil purposes. He is especially proficient in false religions, from Algard Wicca to Zoroastrianism. While the world’s wayward faiths are diverse, the evil one’s fingerprints are on all of them. To illustrate, let’s look at similar patterns in two very different belief systems: Islam and Mormonism. It would seem these … [Read more...]
Mo. Baptists defending the faith in 2016
Thanks, Missouri Baptists, for defending the Christian faith this year through the MBC’s apologetics ministry. A few metrics in the paragraphs below illustrate the degree to which you have sought to fulfill Peter’s exhortation to “always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you … with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15-16). New resources In 2015 the MBC released two timely new resources: What Every Christian Should Know about Islam and … [Read more...]
Four examples of where the New World Translation gets it wrong
This is the last in a three-part series on Jehovah’s Witnesses Jehovah’s Witnesses regard The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures as “an accurate, easy-to-read translation of the Bible” (jw.org). What many don’t realize is that four of the five men on the translation committee producing the complete 1961 edition had no Hebrew or Greek training whatsoever. The fifth, who claimed to know both languages, failed a simple Hebrew test while under oath in a Scottish court. What all … [Read more...]
10 key biblical doctrines denied by Jehovah’s Witnesses
This is the second in a three-part series on Jehovah’s Witnesses. Read part one: Who are Jehovah's Witnesses. The Baptist Faith and Message, available as a free download from sbc.net, features a more complete treatment of Christian doctrines and includes multiple Scripture references. Our Jehovah’s Witness friends deny at least 10 key biblical doctrines. This is due in part to their reliance on The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, which we discuss in the next column. 1. The … [Read more...]
Who are Jehovah’s Witnesses?
This is the first in a three-part series on Jehovah’s Witnesses They come to your door well-prepared, using familiar terms like Jesus, kingdom, and faith. Their smiling faces and leading questions make it easy to agree with them. You might even let them start a Bible study in your home. They are sincere, committed to their beliefs, and faithful in their endeavors. They are seeking the truth, believe they have found it, and are eager to share it with you. They are Jehovah’s Witnesses. … [Read more...]
Why non-westerners reject the gospel
Missionaries to Muslims often report resistance to the gospel message – not because Muslims reject Jesus as a great prophet, but because the Qur’an denies the doctrines of original sin and the atonement. The idea of natural-born sinners runs counter to the Islamic belief that man is basically good but ignorant of Allah’s will. This may be overcome by repeating the shahada – “There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah” – and by embracing the five pillars of Islam. In … [Read more...]
Conversation with a gay friend: Biblical answers with ‘gentleness and respect’
This is the last in a series of columns about same-sex attraction, adapted from the new MBC resource, “What Every Christian Should Know About Same-Sex Attraction,” available in print at mobaptist.org/apologetics and in Kindle format at Amazon.com. A few years ago I joined leaders of a Christian non-profit organization in a meeting with executives of a Tennessee TV station. They were preparing to launch a new program catering to the LGBT community. We asked them to reconsider. Among the TV … [Read more...]
Conversation with a gay friend: Biblical answers with ‘gentleness and respect’
This is the last in a series of columns about same-sex attraction, adapted from the new MBC resource, “What Every Christian Should Know About Same-Sex Attraction,” available in print at mobaptist.org/apologetics and in Kindle format at Amazon.com. A few years ago I joined leaders of a Christian non-profit organization in a meeting with executives of a Tennessee TV station. They were preparing to launch a new program catering to the LGBT community. We asked them to reconsider. Among the TV … [Read more...]
Some of you were like this
This is the seventh in a series of columns about same-sex attraction, adapted from the new MBC resource, “What Every Christian Should Know About Same-Sex Attraction,” available in print at mobaptist.org/apologetics and in Kindle format at Amazon.com. Six passages of Scripture speak directly to the issue of same-sex conduct. This column offers a brief survey of two New Testament texts: 1 Cor. 6:9-11 and 1 Tim. 1:9-11. These passages address moral issues facing the congregation at Corinth … [Read more...]
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