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Is the doctrine of eternal punishment in hell consistent with the idea of a good and loving God?
The word “propitiation” is a strange and interesting word. It is worthy of our study and attention.
It is not an uncommon thing that a Bible verse, which seems so simple, can be so deep and brimming with meaning. Such surely is the case with the apostle John’s tender message in 1 John 2:1-2. In this week’s Penpoints, we contemplate this thrilling passage.
What is the law of sin (Rom. 7:25) and what is the “law written in their hearts” (Rom. 2:15)?
The book of Romans is magnificent in that it reveals so many aspects of the “righteousness of God” (1:16-17).
Righteous is the state or quality of being right. (a) Only Deity is righteous in the absolute sense (Rom. 3:10). To speak of the righteousness of God is to affirm his absolute morality, and the expectation he entertains for purity in those fashioned in his image (Gen. 17:1; 1 Pet. 1:15). God will...
Retribution will be the dispensing of the "wrath of God," as an expression of divine justice, upon those who have persisted in wicked rebellion against their Maker. The expression "wrath of God" is found about twelve times in the English Bible. One term in the Greek N.T., that suggests the divine...
This is a specific time determined by God for the vindication of divine operation. Acts 17:31 is a very comprehensive passage in this regard: (a) A day of judgment has been "appointed." (b) The entire "world" will be judged (cf. Gen. 18:25; Mt. 25:32; Rev. 20:11-12). (c) Judgment will be accordin...
From the Greek word eschatos ("last") comes "eschatology," a study of "last things" (e.g., the second coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, the judgment day, the end of the world, heaven, and hell). Eschatology has to do with the consummation of God's redemptive scheme. The following el...
The Hebrew term yom, with its Greek equivalent, hemera, typically signifies a unit of time determined by the full rotation of the Earth upon its axis. That is its meaning in Genesis 1, concerning the "days" of the creation week. Exodus 20:11 makes this clear, as its meaning is the same as the Sab...
One of the most dominant themes in the New Testament is the second coming of Christ. Over the centuries, numerous false ideas have confused many regarding earth’s final event. Here are some facts about our Lord’s return...
Wayne Jackson’s recently published book, Before I Die — Paul’s Letters to Timothy and Titus, is receiving a popular response. The author has provided a sample from Paul’s final words to Timothy.
There is a popular view that heaven will be on earth after our planet has been purged by fire at the end of time. This theory is wholly without merit and results from a failure to understand the symbolic nature of several passages of scripture.
Grace is one of the most thrilling terms in scripture. It is a tragedy of no small magnitude that it is so perverted by the religious world. What does the Bible really teach about the amazing favor of God?
In what seems to be a rather blunt statement, Paul wrote to the Roman Christians, “Let God be found true, but every man a liar.” (Romans 3:4). What is the meaning of this challenge?
In a micro-exclamation of praise, Paul has captured the whole of redemptive history — Heaven’s operations on behalf of Adam’s fallen children. It yet leaves us stunned!
A recent news item highlighted a case where an inmate was refused the privilege of being immersed for the remission of his sins. A chorus of sectarian voices argued that “hard cases” like this negate the belief that baptism is a necessary condition for salvation. Is this quibble valid?
The most common impression of Jesus is that of a loving, tender, compassionate Savior. But there is another side to that “coin” — the one portrayed in Revelation 19:11ff.
Truth is objective reality. No matter how I may feel about it, two plus two is not “three to me.” If that is how I feel about the equation, in reality, I am just plain wrong! In relation to God as our Creator and Redeemer, we must come to a knowledge of the truth, believe the truth, and obey the ...
What will be the ultimate fate of those who never have a chance to hear the gospel of Christ? This is a question with which every sensitive soul struggles.