Augustus Toplady (1)

Here are some of the heterodox things spoken by Toplady: Mr. Whitefield cannot but stand highest on the modern list of Christian ministers. England has had the honor of producing the greatest men in almost every walk of useful knowledge. At the head of these are, 1. Archbishop Bradwardin, the prince of divines. 2. Milton, [...]

Glorying in their shame

“But the feast now being half over, Jesus went up to the temple and taught. And the Jews marveled, saying, How does this One know letters, not being taught? Jesus answered them and said, My doctrine is not Mine, but of the One who sent Me. If anyone desires to do His will, he will [...]

Fain feign

“And yet hypocrites would fain, by means of tortuous windings, make a show of being near to God at the very time they are fleeing from him. For while the whole life ought to be one perpetual course of obedience, they rebel without fear in almost all their actions, and seek to appease him with [...]

Some kind of zeal

“They deem it enough that they have some kind of zeal for religion, how preposterous soever it may be, not observing that true religion must be conformable to the will of God as its unerring standard; that he can never deny himself, and is no specter or phantom, to be metamorphosed at each individual’s caprice. [...]

Between the dead and the living

As I was reading the following passage of Scripture I thought of the work of Jesus Christ and how His work is what makes the difference between the spiritually dead and the spiritually living. Similar passages that point to the efficacious nature of the work of Christ on behalf of His people are found in [...]

Ransom

“A man cannot at all redeem a brother, nor give to God a ransom for him, for the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceases forever, for he shall yet live forever; he shall never see corruption” (Psalm 49:7-9) Chris: Those who believe Jesus Christ died for everyone without exception would concede that [...]

The Word of the Cross

“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to announce the gospel, not in wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ be made of no effect. For the Word of the cross is foolishness to those being lost, but to us being saved, it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:17-18). If [...]

Fashionable Calvinism

The following is a guest post (this was written by Marc Carpenter): Just Slide On Over … [The following is a literary illustration with an extended metaphor known as an analogy or parable. As in all cases with such a method of illustration, the metaphor will break down at some point, since there is not [...]

Letter to Tim Challies of challies.com

The following is a guest post (written by Marc Carpenter): Hi, Tim – I’m new to this site, but in my brief perusal of it, I found three instances in which you used the argument that “perfect doctrinal orthodoxy” or “understanding many of these things” is not a “prerequisite for salvation.” Here are the quotes [...]