Can You Lose Your Salvation? What the Bible Says About Eternal Security: Justification - by Virgil Walker

Found here. Our comments in bold.

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This author attempts to explain the fifth petal of the Calvinistic TULIP:

(T) otal Depravity

(U) nconditional Election

(L) imited Atonement

(I) rresistible Grace

(P) erseverance of the Saints

The perseverance of the saints (eternal security) is based upon the assumptions of these five interrelated doctrines. The author believes a Christian cannot lose his salvation, and this is because of the unstated belief that God chooses those who will be saved (the U in TULIP).

The author makes a big noise for his doctrine, but it's really an exercise in futility. First because there is no such thing as being absolutely certain of one's salvation, and second because the doctrine makes no difference in any privilege or obligation of our faith.

And the author never deals with the other side of the issue, a Christian deciding to forfeit his salvation. This is not losing one's salvation, this would be rejecting it.

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Inspired or not inspired? Jude and the prophecy of Enoch among others

Recently we've been reconsidering many of the things we thought we understood regarding doctrine and faith. We have begun to question certain beliefs, church structures, and practices of the western church. Too often we have discovered unbiblical doctrines and activities. This causes us concern. We have deemed this our “rethink.”

Our questions include, how did we arrive at our doctrines? Does the Bible really teach what we think it teaches? Why do churches do what they do? What is the biblical basis of church leadership structure? Why do certain traditions get entrenched?

It's easy to be spoon fed the conventional wisdom, but it's an entirely separate thing to search these things out for one's self. In the past we have read the Bible with these unexamined understandings and interpreted what we read through those lenses. We were lazy about our Bible study, assuming that pastors and theologians were telling us the truth, but we rarely checked it out for ourselves.

Therefore, these Rethinks are our attempt to remedy the situation.

We should note that we are not Bible scholars, but we believe that one doesn't need to be in order to understand the Word of God.
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What Does the Bible Say about Women Pastors? - by Guy Waters

Found here. Our comments in bold.

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The quick answer is, nothing. The Bible has nothing to say about women pastors. 

This Bible teacher attempts to explain 1 Timothy chapter two, particularly vss. 11 and 12. He sort of quotes it, but it's piecemeal and spread all over his presentation. So we shall do the author's job and quote the entire chapter:

1Ti. 2:1-15 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men — the testimony given in its proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle — I am telling the truth, I am not lying — and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.

8 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. 9 I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. 11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.

13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But women will be saved through childbearing — if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

Now with the entire passage before us, we shall not allow the author to impose his will upon the narrative.

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Bad worship songs - I Will Follow Jesus, by Circuit Rider Music

From time to to we examine the lyrics of worship songs. Our desire is not to mock or humiliate, but rather to honestly examine content with a view to calling forth a better worship expression.

With the great volume and variety of worship music available, none of us should have to settle for bad worship songs. We should be able to select hundreds or even thousands of top notch songs very easily.

What makes a song a worship song? Is it enough to contain words like God or holy? How about vaguely spiritual sounding phrases? Should Jesus be mentioned?

We think an excellent worship song should contain the following elements:

• A direct expression of adoration (God, you are...)
• A progression of ideas that culminates in a coherent story
• A focus on God, not us
• Lyrics that do not create uncertainty or cause confusion
• A certain amount of profundity
• A singable, interesting melody
• Allusions to Scripture
• Doctrinal soundness
• Not excessively metaphorical
• Not excessively repetitive
• Jesus is not your boyfriend

It's worth noting the most worship songs contain at least something good. That is, there might be a musical idea or a lyric that has merit. Such is the case with this song, I Will Follow Jesus.

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