Bob Gonzales Teaches on The Doubting Believer (Luke 7:18-23)

Below is a sermon entitled "The Doubting Believer," which was preached by Bob Gonzales at Englewood Baptist Church in Englewood, New Jersey, on October 20, 2013. I highly recommend listening to the sermon, especially if you have struggled with doubts in your Christian walk. If you haven't yet struggled with doubt, then I highly recommend listening to this sermon in preparation for such times in the future. Here you will find healing balm from the Word of God for the doubting soul.

Does the Bible Teach That the Charismatic Gifts Are For Today?

Above is a debate between Dr. Sam Waldron, Dean and Resident Professor of Systematic Theology at Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary, and Matt Slick, President and Founder of the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry. They debate the question, "Does the Bible teach that the charismatic gifts are for today?"No matter which side of the issue you may be on, I highly recommend watching this debate, which is very instructive and helpful in seeking to understand the important issues involved. I think it may be the best debate I have seen on the issue, especially since it is between two men who share a commitment to Reformed theology. I also think that Sam Waldron won the debate. He did a much better job defending his "cascade argument" than Matt slick did in defending his position.

Jeff Johnson Discusses The Absurdity of Unbelief on Knowing the Truth Radio Program

Listen to Jeff's interview with Kevin Boling on the Knowing the Truth Radio Program as they discuss The Absurdity of Unbelief, Jeff's excellent new book on apologetics. I highly recommend the book as an outstanding example of presuppositional apologetics. Jeff ably demonstrates how all other worldviews but the Christian worldview are internally inconsistent and ultimately end in absurdity.

2016 "What is a Reformed Baptist?" Poll

Please check out the "What is a Reformed Baptist?" Poll on the right sidebar on this page (the red box with white type). I intend to conduct the poll for one year, and I am interested in how the Reformed Baptist community might answer this question. I have given four options for answers that I think basically sum up the various groups or individuals that I have found to be using the term.

Notice that for the sake of this poll I regard "substantial adherence" to the Baptist Confession of 1689 as adherence to the theology contained in it, but not so strictly that modifications or refinements are not welcomed if deemed Scripturally appropriate. I recognize that there is a fair amount of debate as to what "substantial adherence" should mean, but I hope I have phrased the question in such a way as to clarify what is intended for the purpose of this poll. The word substantial is taken here primarily to mean being largely but not wholly that which is specified, but it is also intended to emphasize  agreement concerning essential doctrinal matters while allowing differences on some matters deemed less essential to Scriptural orthodoxy. Thus one may be willing to modify the confession with regard to such things as the proper understanding of the Regulative Principle of Worship, Divine Impassibility, or the proper nature of Sabbath observance. The term modify is used here simply with the meaning make one or more partial changes to. I have included the example of impassibility in the text of the question below since that is a current topic of debate, in which some are arguing that a modification in the statement of the doctrine -- not a rejection of it -- should be allowed, and some are arguing against it. Here is how the question, along with the four possible answers, appears on the poll widget:

To regard oneself as a Reformed Baptist, one must ...

1) adhere at a minimum to a Calvinistic soteriology.

2) adhere at a minimum to a Calvinistic soteriology and to Covenant Theology.

3) adhere substantially to the Baptist Confession of 1689 (e.g. modify regarding Impassibility).

4) adhere strictly to the Baptist Confession of 1689.

I would appreciate the blog's readers weighing in and letting me know where they stand on this question. As for myself, although Immanuel Baptist Church, where I serve as the primary teaching elder, has adopted an amended form of the Baptist Confession of 1689 and essentially practices the third point of view, I personally think that all that should be required to adopt the label Reformed Baptist is to adhere at a minimum to a Calvinistic soteriology and to Covenant Theology, the second point of view. For an explanation of why I call myself a Reformed Baptist, see here.

I previously conducted a similar poll that finished back in February of 2008, and you may read the results here. If you read those results, you will also discover why I think that one may adhere at a minimum to a Calvinistic soteriology and to Covenant Theology and properly call oneself a Reformed Baptist.

The Absurdity of Unbelief by Jeff Johnson Is Available Now!

Today my blog partner, Jeff Johnson, announced on Facebook that The Absurdity of Unbelief, his new book on apologetics, is now available on Amazon.com. Here is the description of the book on the Amazon webpage:

Because all non-Christian worldviews are indefensible, it is not sufficient for skeptics to attack Christianity without also defending the foundation for their own unbelief. Everyone has a worldview, even atheists and skeptics, but only the Christian worldview is not self-contradictory. The Absurdity of Unbelief demonstrates why every possible reason for unbelief is irrational and ultimately meaningless by exposing the various self-refuting systems of thought in which these objections are rooted.

"Agnostics and atheists have been making a lot of noise in recent years, in spite of the fact that their belief systems are so obviously flawed. To counter their propaganda we need a flow of books exposing just how flimsy their arguments are. Jeffrey Johnson has chosen the word 'absurdity' to characterise these, and he has chosen well. Chapter by chapter he strips unbelief of any vestige of credibility, then shows with crystal clarity why the biblical case for God stands supreme when contrasted with all other philosophical and religious belief systems. I predict that this book will be as great a help to many of its readers as it has been to me, and I commend it warmly." John Blanchard

"As Christians struggle to hold onto a semblance of sanity in the midst of the collapse of Western morality and thought, a sound foundation upon which to stand in explaining our unwillingness to bow the knee to Caesar is a must. In The Absurdity of Unbelief, Jeffrey Johnson provides a clear and compelling case for the Christian faith, readable and usable for believer and unbeliever alike." James R. White

Having read the book myself, I highly recommend it as a must read on the subject. As I said in a post earlier this week, it as an excellent example of presuppositional apologetics. It is one of those books on apologetics that every pastor should read and have on his shelf for future reference.

The Absurdity of Unbelief by Jeff Johnson Is Coming in 10 Days!

Today my blog partner, Jeff Johnson, announced on Facebook that his new book on apologetics, entitled The Absurdity of Unbelief, "is currently being printed. The Official release date is Jan. 15, though the books should be ready for shipping before then. Take advantage of the 50% off pre-publication special that will continue for the next few days by filling out the contact information on this link below." Here is the link about which he spoke: The Absurdity of Unbelief.

As the link for the pre-publication page says, "Sign up to take advantage of the 50% discount. This does not obligate you in anyway, it simply ensures that you will receive the discounted rate. No payment is due until the time of shipping. You will be contacted a few days prior to the release date with shipping and payment options.." I have read the book, and I highly recommend it as an excellent example of presuppositional apologetics. It is one of those books on apologetics that every pastor should read and have on his shelf for future reference.