Where Have All the Spiritual Gifts Gone? - by Richard B. Gaffin Jr.

Found here. Our comments in bold.
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The author references many Scriptures, but only manages to quote snippets of three relevant verses. But those Scriptures don't bolster his position, rather, he derives his position first and attempts to make them fit.

The author's entire case rests on inference and supposition. We must consider this Bad Bible Teaching.

Lastly, the author never answers the question. "All" the spiritual gifts are not gone, only prophecy and tongues it seems. He never even discusses this, but focuses solely on these two gifts, likely because of their "supernatural" nature. However, all spiritual gifts are supernatural empowerments by definition.

And, apostleship is not a spiritual gift, apostles are appointed by God (1Co. 12:28).

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There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus - by Mike Ratliff

Found here. Our comments in bold.
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This is a truly perplexing presentation. Even with the plain text in front of him Mr. Ratliff keeps to his narrative. He correctly notes what a particular verse is explaining, then inexplicably tacks on in his Reformed/Calvinist doctrines as if we should blindly accept them. 

There is a veneer of scholarship here, but don't be fooled. Mr. Ratliff is teaching his doctrine, not the Bible.

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Stop asking about a Biden “cover-up” - by Robert Reich

Found here. Our comments in bold.

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Astonishingly, Dr. Reich sticks hard and fast to The Narrative, even though what he previously denied was happening with Biden's cognition has now attained the status of common knowledge. 

But to him it's still "so-called" and "alleged." 

He's spinning with all his might, trying to avoid acknowledging that we had a president that was incompetent to lead the nation, and he particpated in the gaslighting. Dr. Reich wants to talk about anything else. Particularly if it gives him an excuse to blast Trump again.

Dr. Reich is a calculating liar. He's sold his soul to The Agenda, and likely doesn't have any idea how ridiculous he sounds. Someone needed to tell Biden to stop, and someone needs to tell Dr. Reich to stop. 

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THEOLOGY JOLT - ARE THESE REALLY "THE LAST DAYS" ? - by Cindye Coates

Found here. Our comments in bold.
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This was posted by a Faceborg friend. It's an interpretation that's new to us so let's examine it. Analysis at the end.

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The Biden Scandal Goes Well Beyond the Aging Cover-Up - Jeet Heer

Found here. This far, far Leftist gets real about the continuing deception regarding President Biden's mental decline, which is quite astonishing. 

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Democrats have long needed an honest reckoning with Joe Biden’s failed presidency, which ended with his humiliating decision to abandon his reelection bid at nearly the last possible moment in July 2024—which in turn led to a hobbled campaign by Kamala Harris, and Donald Trump’s return to the White House. A disaster on that scale calls for at least some self-reflection. When dealing with a collective entity such as a political party, the minimum demand should be a thoroughgoing autopsy.

What Does a Discerning Person Do? - by Tim Challies

Found here. Our comments in bold.

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Tim Challies is a cessationist, which is a person who believes the "supernatural" gifts of the Spirit ceased after the death of the last Apostle. Yet he provides a very complete and very "supernatural" definition of this spiritual gift, the gift of discernment.

We should first note that all spiritual gifts are supernatural, not just gifts like prophecy, tongues, or healing. All spiritual gifts are Holy Spirit empowerments. The gift of hospitality is just as supernatural as the gift of miraculous powers. There is no difference, spiritually speaking. We should therefore be clear that the existence of any spiritual gift is evidence that the Holy Spirit still moves miraculously in the Church today.

If there is an inadequacy in Mr. Challies' explanation it would be he lacks an explanation of the use of the gift of discernment in discerning prophecy. Doubtless he doesn't believe in contemporary prophecy, but nevertheless the gift of discernment definitely comes to bear here:

1Co. 14:29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.

Our only other complaint is that Mr. Challies identifies seven categories of discernment, but only one is documented with Scripture. This is a serious fault.

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Letter to the editor: Use of term 'illegal alien' diminishes fellow human beings - by Julia Shaida

Found here. Our comments in bold.

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This letter writer regurgitates the typical leftist slogans, but she clearly hasn't thought about the issue past what she's read on some leftist website. A little bit of independent investigation might perhaps lead her to more relevant and correct information, such as

Longstanding Supreme Court precedent recognizes Congress as having “plenary” power over immigration, giving it almost complete authority to decide whether foreign nationals ( “aliens,” under governing statutes and case law) may enter or remain in the United States.

We don't wish to be disrespectful, but Ms. Shaida simply doesn't know what she's talking about.
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Is God Still Giving Men Revelation Today? - by Cooper Abrams

Found here. Our comments in bold.
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The author correctly describes revelation as "general" (the testimony of creation) and "special" (The things God speaks). However, he labors under the false idea that "special revelation" is synonymous with Scripture. This presumption, never documented, means he never gets to the point of even discussing the gift of prophecy.

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This Executive Order Reveals the Trump-Musk Endgame - by Elie Mystal

Found here. Our comments in bold.

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Mr. Mystal is a flame-thrower. Nothing else. He's not informative, thoughtful, or explanatory. He's not even reasonable. He has his template, which is that everything is about race, his race. He's a regurgitator of leftist talking points and bumper sticker slogans.

We have previously commented on his writing here and here.

Here's the list of the name-calling from today's article, perpetrated by Mr. Mystal:

authoritarian

misogynists 

provable racists

Hatred of:

• gay people
• trans people
• Latino people
• Muslim people
• truth
• science
• journalism
• fact-based reality

criminal junta

running a kleptocracy

fascism

megalomaniacal populists

exceptional thieves

lazy

powers of a king

stealing entire elections

That is his primary technique, to overwhelm the reader with incessant accusations and pejorative labeling. But while wading through the name-calling and leftist talking points is certainly difficult, tracking with the "logic" is even more so. Because government is his god, any cut whatsoever is unacceptable. Thus he finds himself in the position of defending unaccountable, unelected bureaucrats even while acknowledging they are obstacles to a free society. 

Further, it's certainly odd that a president devoted to cutting government spending and eliminating entire government departments could be accused of authoritarianism and accumulating power. But such is the mind of a Leftist.

Lastly, the real thrust of Mr. Mystal's screed is that he resents the fact that Republicans are in power, which means the Democrats lack the ability to enrich themselves by manipulating government power. That is, he's accusing Republicans of doing the very things his side has done for decades.

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Justice and Unconditional Forgiveness - by John MacArthur

Found here.

We have frequently taken issue with Dr. MacArthur's suspect teaching, but today we are happy to celebrate a very good article.

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Does Prayer Change Things? - by Tim Challies, excerpted from Sam Storms

Found here. Our comments in bold.

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At 625 words this article is too short. Not because it needs to explain more, but because it needs to document its claims. There are no Bible verses quoted, and the two referenced Bible verses are not even about prayer.

How is it possible to teach the Bible without quoting it? We must deem this Bad Bible Teaching.

What Sam Storms wrestles with is the cognitive dissonance between his Calvinistic beliefs and the biblical reality. The Calvinist thinks that God's sovereignty means He is required to determine the outcome of everything in advance. Thus he believes that prayer does not change God's mind. Prayer, in essence, is simply the articulation of that which agrees with what God long ago decided to do. 

What is this based on? Probably this verse: 

1Sa. 15:29 He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind.”

Yet in verse 35 we read, 

And the LORD was grieved that he had made Saul king over Israel.

He is not a man, i.e., He changes His mind in a way that is not like a man.

The biblical reality is that prayer implicitly is predicated on the fact that it obtains results. And there are times in the Bible where God actually relents from His course of action:

Ex. 32:14 Then the LORD relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

Ps. 106:45 for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented. 

Jer. 18:7-8 If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, 8 and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will

relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned.

Sam Storms would have it that God had already pre-planned His change of action at the beginning of time, so His relenting was already what He was going to do. There is no Bible verse that supports this nonsensical idea, but that is typical of the theological gymnastics Calvinism requires its apologists to do.

The reality is that we are commanded to pray with faith with an expectation that praying changes things:

Ja. 5:15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

He. 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

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The Problems with Personal Words - From God How People Become False Prophets to Themselves - by Bob DeWaay

Found here. Our comments in bold.

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The author operates according to some preconceptions. He lays out an elaborate, confusing train of "logic" that is based on these preconceptions. He leaps to assumptions and makes several undocumented claims, eventually winding up all twisted in a knot. 

We had hoped for an actual biblical case for the author's beliefs, but he never gets there. We must consider this Bad Bible Teaching.

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The Judgment Seat of Christ: A Life-Altering Allegory - By Elizabeth Prata

Found here. Our comments in bold.
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Ms. Prata assembles a fanciful story about encountering Jesus at the judgment seat. It is in no way biblical. That she would do so is a bit surprising considering how as a cessationist she opposes extra-biblical information.

Further, Ms. Prata sort of quotes Scripture but does not reference it. She appropriates these Scriptures to insert into her story, but the story is false.

We must deem this Bad Bible Teaching.

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Knowing the will of God isn’t a deep dark secret - by Marsha West

Found here. Our comments in bold.
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This is a confused and circuitous explanation, not grounded in Scripture, and nothing more than mere speculation. The author cannot cite a Scripture for her perspective, but instead infers and guesses, mostly relying on other Bible teachers to simply assert the same points she's making.

We must consider this Bad Bible Teaching.

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1967 Pontiac Lemans #2 - budget build - Episode twelve, surprises, final body prep and reassembly ***updated 6/20/25

 October 5th, 2024:

October 6th, 2024:

Episode one, introduction, here.

Episode two, disassembly and assessment, here.

Episode three, rough body work, here.

Episode four, quarters, here.

Episode five, toe panel, rockers, here.

Episode six, fenders, inner fenders, here.

Episode seven, the doors, found here.

Episode eight, tail light panel, hood, found here.

Episode nine, Hood, trunk, windshield gutter, cowl and firewall, heater box, found here.

Episode ten, Back glass gutter, grill, found here.

Episode eleven, headlight extensions, core support, roof, found here.

Episode twelve, final body prep and reassembly, found here.

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As of 6/11/25 I have finished the car to the stated goal, the major bodywork is done. On 6/2/25 I put the car up for sale. It is now available for you to purchase at $7500.00.

Jeremy Clarkson got scammed? - MurrayCampbell

Found here. A very good article.

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Jeremy Clarkson is a funny man. At times he’s crude and sometimes refreshingly honest in a nonconformist way. His latest opinion piece for The Times is pitching against French restaurants ripping off tourists, ‘These scams aren’t enough if you ask me. Gullible tourists are being sold cheap wine but why stop there‘. The piece is the work of an imaginative mind and with humorous analogies and a serious point as well. As he pokes the bear on scamming and the human ability to be conned, he throws out images like this one,

‘I could substitute the steak in the pie with chlorinated bear meat from Lithuania and no one would know.’

That’s funny. And depending on where you find yourself on the epistemic spectrum, you’ll either roll with Clarkson’s final jab or take offence. Or perhaps, like myself, you find yourself in a third space, namely, that was a rather naive take, Jeremy Clarkson.

He suggests (no doubt with a drop tongue in cheek),

‘Go big. That’s my message if you are considering becoming a celebrated conman. Take a lesson from the biggest fraudster of them all: Jesus. I can walk on water. My mum was a virgin and my dad’s God. And I’m going to start an industry selling this guff that will last for 2,000 years. Top man.’

I see angels everywhere - the gift of sight - Rethink

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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Crushed for Our Iniquities - by Kevin DeYoung

Found here. Our comments in bold.

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We have had opportunity to examine several of Mr. DeYoung's teachings, and we have been disappointed every time. True to his Calvinist/reformist roots, Mr. DeYoung relishes in the supposed punishment of Jesus at the hands of the Father.

This did not happen. There is no verse that even hints that the Father punished Jesus. This is important. We repeat. The Bible does not teach this.

However, there is one passage that has been used to suggest that Jesus was punished by the Father, Isaiah 53. That is the subject of Mr. DeYoung's article.

First, here's the whole passage:

What Is Covenant Theology? - by Stephen Myers

Found here.

In 968 words the author never defines what "covenant theology" is. He doesn't even tell us what a covenant is. Yes, he does say that it is "the effort to understand God and His relationship with His people through the lens of His covenant dealings with them." But one isn't permitted to use the word being defined in the definition. That's circular reasoning.

Further, the author manages to quote zero verses relevant to his thesis. Zero. He provides numerous verse references, but no actual Bible quotes that illustrate his perspective. How anyone can explain the Bible without quoting it is a mystery.

And, he doesn't contrast covenant theology with other perspectives. He tells us a benefit, "covenant theology helps us understand how an infinite, transcendent God can make a finite, sinful people His own," but is this benefit unique to covenant theology? Does covenant theology explain these things better? We don't know because he never tells us.

Lastly, we require the author to show relevance. This is an entire branch of theology with many intricacies. So why should we know it? How does it improve our obedience, service, or worship? What part of it leads to maturity of faith, generosity, or prayer?

Well, it doesn't. It's simply an empty intellectual exercise. We must deem this Bad Bible Teaching.

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Medicaid makes good health possible - Kaiser Permanente

Found here. Our comments in bold.
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It's no surprise that an "about us" page is completely self-serving. But it's more than telling people who they are. We suspect that Kaiser Permanente has a substantial financial stake in providing Medicaid coverage, and they're worried that Trump is going to fix the program, which for them represents the loss of a substantial revenue stream.

Self serving is an apt description, because they also trumpet their DEI program, going so far as to count up the number of diverse employees by category.

Astounding.

Kaiser Permanente isn't about providing care or helping people. They are about revenue, nothing more.

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He came to pay a debt he didn't owe. Because we owed a debt we couldn't pay.

 Found on Faceborg:

Transcript:

He came to pay a debt he didn't owe. Because we owed a debt we couldn't pay.

We have seen these kinds of statements many times, and it's simple enough to refute them. But this time we would simply say, "show me." Where in the Bible do we find that Jesus paid a debt? Where in the Bible do we find that we owe a debt? Who did Jesus pay? 

Chapter and verse, please.

Can Women Exercise Authority in the Church? - by John MacArthur

Found here. Our comments in bold.
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Dr. MacArthur repeats many of the well-worn Reformist/Calvinist points regarding 1 Timothy 2:11–12, a verse we have discussed elsewhere. But he also makes some truly astounding claims about both this passage and 1 Corinthians 14:33-40. 

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