Covenant Theology and Calvinism’s Hidden Gospel
By: Brenda Nickel Some Christians see no problem in attending a Reformed church not realizing that in doing so, they run the risk of connecting with some aspect of Covenant theology. This system of theology, primarily found in Reformed circles, is based on three speculative covenants not found in the pages of scripture. These additional covenants that reformed scholars insist are present in the Bible must be inferred by extracting meaning from the... Read More
Simply Salvation
Today I saw a news article about a Pentecostal snake handler who was killed when one of his snakes bit him and he refused treatment. He thought that since he’d shown so much “faith” in handling these deadly creatures, God would save him. Too often people fall for these kinds of lies. They think they have to perform this ritual, or that ritual, or go to a certain number of church services, or say enough prayers, et cetera. Then... Read More
The Slandering of Mark Cahill
By: B. Nickel Reader, beware. There’s a trick being played on you by Tony Miano and Matt Slick in their invective against Mark Cahill. You know the drill. People with an “axe to grind” crossing the line and in the process of defending their position, reveal how weak it is by the tactics they employ. In desperation, these men have reacted to non-existent provocation. They beat the drums as if the enemy is in the camp when, in reality,... Read More
The Withering Flower – The Fad of TULIP Theology 10
Why would Paul preach the gospel to everyone if: 1. He knew Jesus didn’t die for everyone? 2. He knew God doesn’t love everyone? 3. He knew they didn’t have a choice unless God gave it to them? Also, why would Paul even say, “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from... Read More
“What about the Gospel of Judas?”
Last September I witnessed at the Blue Springs Festival which is held every year. A fall festival of food, carnival rides and lots of opportunities to speak with people about eternity. While I was there I had a long conversation with a young man named Chris. He worked at one of the booths. He seemed open about talking about the things of God so we had a long conversation. One thing he kept bringing up was the Gospel of Judas. He wanted to... Read More
The Withering Flower – The Fad of TULIP Theology 8
Now, with all of that said, let me restate the three main points: 1. My God loves everybody, equally at all times, the god of 5 point Calvinism does not. Therefore we serve a different God. Some will say that God loves everyone, He just loves the elect more. That is favoritism and God plainly says that He is not a respecter of persons so this contradicts Scripture. The Bible says God is Love not that God is different types of love. Also, let... Read More
The Withering Flower – The Fad of TULIP Theology 7
5. Perseverance of the Saints is another deception. Most people think it is Eternal Security, but, that just isn’t the case. As I stated before, because 5 point Calvinists believe that God shows His irresistible grace to totally depraved people whom He has unconditionally elected before time, Calvinists have no choice but to believe that it is impossible for a genuinely-saved person to forfeit his salvation. This is what the Calvinistic doctrine... Read More
“Descent Into Error” Part 5
Continued from “Descent Into Error” Part 4 The Bible as a spell-casting device At one point it was decided, without me knowing it, to do what Tony Miano was doing in his sector of the witnessing universe. Tony suggested that Christians read sections of the bible to a crowd. This he called Project Ezra. He got the idea from reading Nehemiah where the law was read to the people and 1 Timothy 4:13 which says to read the bible publicly. ... Read More
“Descent Into Error” Part 4
Continued from “Descent Into Error” Part 3 Love Waxes Cold – To The Unsaved I noticed over time the goals of evangelism changed in the group from “loving the lost” to “elevating Christ’s name and being obedient.” Whether someone receives Christ or not didn’t matter as much as elevating Christ’s name by venturing out into the world. They think everything they do is about God’s sovereignty,... Read More
“Descent Into Error” Part 3
Continued from “Descent Into Error” Part 2 Judgement without Discernment Occasionally debates would arise about Calvinism. During different debates the group argued “the issues of Calvinism are not important, what is important is if we all believe in the essentials.” The essentials they listed are things like the Trinity, the resurrection of Christ, Christ is God, faith alone, the bible alone, Christ is the only way to... Read More
“Descent Into Error” Part 2
Continued from “Descent Into Error” Part 1 Mottos to live by? If you listen to enough preachers or read enough eventually you will adopt some of their catch-phrases. Things like “The Word of God is like a lion. Let it out of its cage and it will take care of itself” or “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies” by Charles Spurgeon or some quote from John MacArthur or Paul Washer. Phrases... Read More
“Descent Into Error” Part 1
This is the true story of a witnessing team’s birth and its subsequent fall into the errors of Calvinism by some of its members. I decided to write this as a warning to others who may be involved with Calvinists who evangelize or who may be on the verge of embracing the doctrine. Looking back on my experience I am amazed at the subtle shift in behavior, doctrine, interpretation, attitude and mindset of the group due to Calvinism. Its interesting... Read More
Calvinist Critiques of Mark Cahill; Calvinism Weighed and Found Wanting
By: Brenda Nickel Recently, Calvinist bloggers have been less than charitable to their one time friend in evangelism, Mark Cahill. Having thoroughly embraced the belief system of Calvinism, and feeling strong obligation to defend its understanding of God and the gospel, these men put out an ‘all points bulletin’ throughout the blogosphere warning of disagreement among the brethren. Completely offended that someone could possibly disagree... Read More
The Withering Flower – The Fad of TULIP Theology 5
In Summary: 1. Although most of us would agree man is dead in sin, it is not to the point of not understanding the Law and the Gospel. They like to quote here 1 Cor 2:14 that says, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” The problem with using this verse is that you are ripping it out of it’s context. Look at... Read More
The Withering Flower – The Fad of TULIP Theology 2
Are You a Calvinist or a Confused Arminian? The Problem of the 1,2,3, and 4 Pointers Let me address this by allowing Calvinists to answer this question. While reformed theology is gaining popularity, it is also causing quite a bit of confusion. Because most “Christians” do not accept all points of this theology, they do try to compromise by saying they believe in some of them. Most will say that they are two or three or four point Calvinists.... Read More
The Withering Flower – The Fad of TULIP Theology 1
Introduction It is with great sorrow and heaviness of heart that I write this book. It is my intention to give a sound, Biblical defense of the truth against the heresy of 5 point Calvinism. My prayer is that all who read this will fully and prayerfully consider what is being argued and will, with honesty of heart; study this issue out unto its fullest understanding. Set all the commentaries, books, ideas, and influences of all these teachers aside... Read More
The Repercussions of the god of the Calvinist
Chapter III in the Westminster Catechism, titled, “Of God’s Eternal Decree” states, I. God from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely, and unchangeable ordain whatsoever comes to pass; yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin, or is violence offered to the will of the creatures; nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established. Question: What does the word... Read More
Witnessing Tips: Mormons
Basics about Mormonism: Taken from http://www.letusreason.org/LDS15.htm On almost all points from the beginning of God and man in the Garden of eden to the after life they have a different view than the Holy Scriptures. They believe man is a spirit creature finding his origin in heaven before coming to earth. That Christ is also in the same class as man as well as the spirit brother of Lucifer, therefore we are all spirit brothers. They teach that... Read More
Witnessing Tips: Jehovah’s Witness
Tips for Witnessing to Jehovah’s Witnesses Basics about JW’s: Satan is the originator of the idea of the Trinity. The Father is the supreme God whose real name is Jehovah. Jesus is a created being known originally as Michael the Archangel; he is “a god,” not Jehovah. Jesus only rose spiritually, not bodily, from the dead. The Holy Spirit is the impersonal active force of God. Only the anointed class (or little flock) numbering... Read More
