Paul's Passing Thoughts

William A. (Bo) Grissom: God’s Sovereignty VS. Mankind’s Free Will

via 2014 Guest Speaker.

Speaker John Immel.

What is the Gospel? – Speaker: Andrew Young

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:1

It is a phrase with which everyone is familiar – “preach the gospel.”  It is a mandate given to believers.  Unfortunately, in modern Christianity, most professing believers do not really know what the word “gospel” actually means.  In this session, we will define the word “gospel” in Biblical terms.  We will answer the questions:  Did Jesus preach the gospel?  Who needs to hear the gospel?  Must a typical Sunday sermon include “a gospel message?”

The Justified Believer – Speaker: Andrew Young

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” ~ Romans 5:1

The majority of Christians fail to recognize the reality of what their true state is as a child of God.  “Religion” has only served to keep them in a state of perpetual and total “depravity”.  A Biblical understanding of justification is the remedy.  In this session we will examine what God calls a saved individual.  We will answer the following questions:  What is the basis for justification?  Is a believer truly “righteous”?  Why did James say that we are justified by works?

The Sanctified Believer – Speaker: Andrew Young

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, ‘Be ye holy; for I am holy.’” ~ 1 Peter 1:15-16

God saved us so that we could be like Him.  He would not have told us to do something that we could not do.  Yet failure in this area of the Christian life has become a source of discouragement for too many believers; even causing many to doubt their own salvation.  In this session we will underscore the importance of keeping sanctification distinct from justification.  We will answer the following questions:  Why do believers still sin?  Is there any merit in good works?  Is an apple tree still an apple tree in the winter?

2014.ttanc.com

My wife Susan has been researching the Puritans for several months in preparation for this year’s TANC conference. This has included the reading of eight books and numerous essays. The fact that none of them are mine reminds me of the Lord’s words, “A prophet is without honor in his own country.”

And that’s what makes our marriage very unCalvinistic. Susan and I agree on a lot, but what we agree on is the combination of two different perspectives that come to the same conclusion. I just cringe at the way the “Women of Faith” organization simply regurgitates the orthodoxy of their husbands.

I stand in awe of Susan’s desire to educate and serve people through diligent study, and look forward to her sessions at this year’s conference.

2014.ttanc.com  

paul