Doctrines of Grace – Total Depravity (Radical Corruption)

Calvinists affirm above all the absolute sovereignty of God—in creation, in providence, and most pivotally, in the salvation of sinners. This foundational truth sets the trajectory for what are known as the Five Points of Calvinism, or more properly, the Doctrines of Grace. These five theological anchors—Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and…

Doctrines of Grace – An Overview of Calvinism

The Doctrines of Grace, aka the Five Points of Calvinism, are a concise summary of Reformed soteriology. These doctrines address how God saves sinners, highlighting divine sovereignty, human inability, and the effectiveness of Christ’s atonement. They are represented by the acronym TULIP: Historical Development Prior to the Reformation Though fully articulated during the Reformation and…

Sola Fide – Justification by Faith Alone

The greatest question a human soul can ask is not how to find success, live longer, or even be happy—it is this: How can a sinner be made right with God? The doctrine of justification by faith alone provides the answer. It lies at the heart of the Christian gospel, distinguishing biblical Christianity from every…

Sola Gratia – Salvation by Grace Alone

Sola Gratia is a Latin term meaning “grace alone.” It declares that salvation is a gift from God—unearned, unmerited, and undeserved. The doctrine affirms that sinners are saved solely by the sovereign grace of God and not by any human effort, merit, or cooperation with divine assistance. In English, it is often rendered “by grace…

Soli Deo Gloria – To God Alone Be the Glory

“Soli Deo Gloria” is a Latin phrase meaning “To God Alone Be the Glory.” It expresses the conviction that all glory, honor, and praise belong to God alone, in every sphere of life and salvation. This principle was a pillar of the Protestant Reformation and served as both a doctrinal truth and a rallying cry…

Solus Christus – Christ Alone

The Protestant Reformation of the 16th century was not merely a political or ecclesiastical revolution; it was a rediscovery of the Gospel. Central to that rediscovery was the affirmation of five foundational truths—Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, Solus Christus, and Soli Deo Gloria. Each of these solas addressed a specific error or corruption within…

Sola Scriptura – Scripture Alone

The Protestant Reformation was more than a religious revolt—it was a return to foundational truths that had been buried under centuries of human tradition and ecclesiastical corruption. Among the central convictions of the Reformers was the doctrine of Sola Scriptura, Latin for “Scripture alone.” This doctrine was the formal cause of the Reformation, the very…

Five Solas Overview – A Return to Biblical Christianity

The Protestant Reformation was not simply a protest—it was a return. The Five Solas are the backbone of that return, standing as a theological and spiritual revolt against centuries of accumulated human tradition. To understand their meaning and enduring importance, one must first examine what they opposed. The story begins in the heart of medieval…

Essential Christianity – In Adam or In Christ – Two Humanities, Two Destinies

From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture presents a cosmic contrast: the fallen race in Adam and the redeemed race in Christ. These are not just categories of behavior but categories of being—two humanities, two representatives, two covenants, two destinies. Every human being is either in Adam by physical birth or in Christ by spiritual birth. There…

Essential Christianity – Original Sin

Original sin refers to the inherited sin nature and guilt that all human beings possess as a result of Adam’s first act of disobedience in the Garden of Eden. It is not merely Adam’s sin, but a condition and legal standing passed down to all his descendants. This doctrine teaches that humanity is not born…

Essential Christianity – Salvation by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ Alone

Salvation by grace through faith alone is the cornerstone of Biblical Christianity. It declares that fallen humanity is reconciled to God not by moral effort, religious ritual, or human merit, but solely by God’s unearned favor (grace), received through personal trust (faith) in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8–9 states: “For…

Essential Christianity – The Doctrine of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is not a peripheral teaching but a central, non-negotiable doctrine of the Christian faith. From the earliest creeds of the church to the eschatological hope of believers today, the return of Christ stands as a cornerstone of Christian hope, judgment, and consummation. In an age of scoffers and skeptics…

Essential Christianity – The Work of the Holy Spirit

The work of the Holy Spirit refers to the personal and divine activity of the third Person of the Trinity in the world and particularly in the life of believers. The Holy Spirit is not merely a force or an influence, but God Himself, eternally coequal with the Father and the Son. His ministry includes…

Essential Christianity – Union with Christ

Union with Christ is one of the richest and most comprehensive doctrines in the Bible, encompassing the entire scope of redemptive history and every stage of the believer’s salvation. To be “in Christ” is not a metaphor or merely a legal status—it is a spiritual, covenantal reality that defines the believer’s entire identity and destiny.…

Essential Christianity – the Bodily Resurrection of Christ and the Believer

The bodily resurrection refers to the literal, physical rising of a person from the dead to a glorified, imperishable life. Central to Christian doctrine is the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after His crucifixion, which serves as the firstfruits and guarantee of the future resurrection of all who are united to Him by…

Essential Christianity – the Atonement of Christ

The atonement of Christ is the central doctrine that explains how sinners are reconciled to God through the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ. According to Scripture, Jesus bore the punishment due to sinners, fully satisfying divine justice and making peace between God and man. Key theological terms include: The 1689 London Baptist Confession, Chapter 8,…

Essential Christianity – The Virgin Birth

The doctrine of the virgin birth teaches that Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary without a human father. This was a supernatural act of God that ensured Jesus would be fully God and fully man, sinless and qualified to be the Redeemer of humanity. This doctrine…

Essential Christianity – the Humanity of Christ

The humanity of Christ affirms that Jesus of Nazareth, the eternal Son of God, became truly and fully human. Without ceasing to be God, He took on a real human nature—body, mind, emotions, and will. This doctrine teaches that Jesus was like us in every respect, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). His humanity is not…

Essential Christianity – The Deity of Christ

The doctrine of the Deity of Christ affirms that Jesus Christ is truly and fully God, co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. This means Jesus possesses the fullness of the divine nature (homoousios—of the same substance as the Father), has always existed as God, and is to be worshiped,…

Essential Christianity – The Trinity: One God in Three Persons

The doctrine of the Trinity stands at the heart of historic Christianity. It is not a speculative theological construct, but a vital, worship-shaping, gospel-defining truth revealed progressively and clearly throughout Scripture. Though the word “Trinity” does not appear in the Bible, the reality it describes permeates the pages of both Old and New Testaments. In…

Essential Christianity – an Overview

Throughout church history, believers have faced countless challenges to their faith—from heresies in the early church to modern assaults on biblical truth. Yet across the centuries and denominations, certain truths have always defined the boundaries of true, biblical Christianity. These are not peripheral preferences or denominational distinctives, but the essential doctrines—the non-negotiable foundations that all…

Provisionism vs. Reformed Baptist Theology – A Comparison of Two Views on Salvation

In American evangelicalism today, there is a heated discussion over how salvation actually works. One group, often referred to as Provisionists, emphasizes God’s love for all people and each person’s ability to respond freely to the Gospel. The other group, Calvinists, highlights God’s sovereignty in salvation, His eternal election, and the human inability to choose…

Israel – the Land and the People

The land of Israel is arguably the most contested strip of earth in human history. From the days of Abraham to the modern era, this narrow land bridge between continents has been at the center of divine promises, prophetic fulfillments, and fierce geopolitical disputes. Yet beneath the political and military turmoil lies a theological reality…

Silencing the Saints – Why the Church Must Speak Boldly in the Marketplace of Ideas

In an age where falsehoods are shouted with confidence and truth is whispered with fear, the Church must reexamine its calling. While many Christians are faithful in personal devotion and fellowship within their congregations, a troubling pattern has emerged: a retreat from the public square. We are told to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians…

Should a Local Church Join a Denomination?

When a local church joins a denomination, it enters into a broader system with shared resources, doctrinal standards, and often mutual accountability. This may seem wise and efficient—and historically, it often has been. But the very structure that allows for cooperation also creates a single entry point for corruption. Progressive ideologues or theological liberals need…

The Unpardonable Sin – A Biblical and Theological Examination from Mark 3

The concept of the “unpardonable sin” is perhaps one of the most sobering and misunderstood teachings in the New Testament. Rooted in Jesus’ response to the accusations of the scribes in Mark 3:22–30, this warning has gripped the minds and hearts of countless believers. Some fear they may have committed it, others wonder if certain…

The Cosmological Argument – Why the Universe Needs God

There are only a handful of questions as foundational as this: Why is there something rather than nothing? For many centuries, thoughtful men and women across cultures have wrestled with the origin of the universe. Atheists today may dismiss the question or appeal to vague scientific unknowns, but Christians have long offered a clear, rational…

From Rome to Regeneration – A Better Testimony Than Returning to Tradition

In the face of disillusionment with modern evangelicalism, some Protestants—especially young men—are leaving their churches and embracing Roman Catholicism. Their stories often sound similar: “I wanted depth,” “I wanted history,” or “I was tired of emotionalism and needed something structured.” What they find in Roman Catholicism is a system rich in ritual, hierarchy, tradition, and…

Are Christians Criticizing Gender Ideology Unloving?

In an Easter editorial, a local newspaper editor-in-chief lamented Christians who criticize gender ideology, implying such objections are inherently unloving. This claim is not just a misunderstanding of Christian theology and ethics; it represents a deeper cultural confusion about what love truly is. Christians who confront the destructive lies of gender ideology are not engaging…

Who’s to Blame for Our Suffering—Adam, God, or Ourselves?

The problem of suffering has haunted humanity since the dawn of time. Who’s responsible? Many lay the blame at the feet of God—if He is good and all-powerful, why does He permit so much pain? Others shift responsibility to Adam, the first man, whose disobedience brought sin and death into the world. Still others reject…

One Word, One Lord – Why the Collapse of Free Speech in the UK Reveals the Need for a Christian Consensus

Western nations, and the United Kingdom in particular, are suffering under the weight of an ideological contradiction. On one hand, multiculturalism promises pluralism, tolerance, and social cohesion. On the other, progressive elites increasingly police speech, suppress dissent, and enforce ideological conformity. This is most vividly seen in the realm of free speech—where different groups (Christians,…

A House Divided – The Tragic Compromise on Abortion Within Seventh-day Adventist Institutions

Seventh-day Adventists are widely known for advocating clean living, obedience to God’s commandments, and the pursuit of truth. They emphasize health, education, and morality. Yet a profound contradiction lurks beneath this moral exterior: the official positions and practices of many SDA-affiliated hospitals permit the performance of elective abortions—including abortions based on rape, incest, and congenital…

Criminalizing Biblical Counseling – The Rising Global Threat Against Christian Counselors Who Oppose Gender Ideology

What was once considered the compassionate, biblically faithful ministry of pastors and Christian counselors—offering hope, prayer, and moral guidance to the confused and hurting—is increasingly being labeled “conversion therapy” and even “hate speech.” Nowhere is this more evident than in discussions surrounding gender dysphoria. From state laws in the United States to sweeping federal criminal…

National Blessing and National Judgment – Deuteronomy 28 and the American Decline

Deuteronomy 28 stands as one of the most solemn and sobering chapters in all of Scripture. It spells out, in plain terms, the blessings that would come to ancient Israel if they obeyed God’s covenant, and the curses that would come upon them if they disobeyed. While these promises and threats were covenantal in nature—specifically…

Is the Roman Catholic Church the One True Church?

The Roman Catholic Church boastfully claims to be the one, true, apostolic Church established by Christ Himself—outside of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation. This assertion is foundational to Rome’s self-identity, institutional authority, and sacramental theology. Catholics believe that through the unbroken succession of bishops from Peter to the present pope, Rome alone…

Christianity Changed the World for the Good: Even Secular Historians Are Starting to Admit It

The narrative of Christianity’s impact on civilization has been under assault for decades, particularly in Western academic circles dominated by secularism and postmodernism. Yet, a curious shift is occurring. A new breed of secular and even atheistic historians are reevaluating the legacy of Christianity—not as an oppressive superstition, but as the foundational moral engine behind…

The Persecution and Genocide of Nigerian Christians – A Historical and Ongoing Tragedy

Christian persecution in Nigeria has deep historical roots, dating back to the rise of Islamic jihads in the 19th century, most notably the Sokoto Caliphate (founded in 1804), which spread Islam through conquest across northern Nigeria. With British colonization, Christian missionary activity increased in the south and central regions, while Islam retained dominance in the…

Is It Christian Nationalism the Left Fears—Or Simply Christianity?

The term Christian Nationalism has rapidly become a buzzword in American political discourse, especially among the Left and progressive elites. It is frequently used as a pejorative, meant to conjure fears of authoritarianism, theocracy, and a loss of pluralistic freedom. But a crucial question remains largely unanswered: is it really Christian Nationalism that the Left…

Prophets, Politics, and the Christian Voice – A Call to Courageous Engagement

In today’s turbulent political landscape, Christians face mounting pressure to either stay silent or to engage poorly. Some within the Church argue that believers should avoid public discussions about politics altogether. Others speak with bitterness or vulgarity, reflecting not the Spirit of Christ but the spirit of the age. In a society that is rapidly…

Father’s Day and the Fatherless Crisis in America

Each year, on the third Sunday in June, Americans observe Father’s Day—a holiday intended to honor the vital role of fathers in family life and society. But in today’s cultural climate, the idea of fatherhood is not merely neglected—it is actively undermined and maligned. What began as a day to recognize paternal love, strength, and…

Christians, Don’t Turn a Blind Eye to Abortion

How could the German people under Hitler tolerate a government-sponsored genocide that murdered over 10 million souls? How could so many citizens claim ignorance when the smoke of burning bodies drifted over towns, when trains rolled past villages packed with human cargo bound for extermination? Historians have debated the scope of public awareness, but a…

The Forgotten Hours of Prayer – a Timely Remedy for a Prayerless Church

In a world obsessed with productivity, efficiency, and constant noise, the idea of pausing to pray at designated hours may seem quaint, even impractical. Yet the ancient practice of observing fixed times for prayer is not a human invention—it is rooted in the Scriptures, developed through centuries of Jewish and Christian tradition, and can serve…

Francis Schaeffer Encounters an Iglesia Ni Cristo Adherent

Francis Schaeffer was no ordinary theologian. Dressed in knickers and often sporting a goatee, he was as much a cultural philosopher as he was a Christian apologist. His greatest work, however, was not in lecture halls or on debate stages—it was in the cozy mountain chalet of L’Abri (“The Shelter”) in Huémoz, Switzerland. There, he…

Biblical Christianity vs. Iglesia Ni Cristo – a Worldview Comparison

Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), or the “Church of Christ,” is a religious movement founded in the Philippines in 1914 by Felix Y. Manalo. Manalo, born into a Catholic family in 1886, explored several denominations—Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Seventh-day Adventist—before claiming a special calling as the last messenger of God in the last days. He officially…