Michael Horton based the imputation of righteousness- Christ’ perfect righteousness being transferred upon believers- on Paul’ usage of one word, λογιζομαι in Romans 4, and his citation of Gen. 15:6: ‘The Reformation view of justification…it requires a further point: namely, imputation as the way in which God gives this righteousness or justice to the ungodly through faith. The …
Category Archives: Uncategorized
‘I boast in my weakness’ 2Corinthians 11
It is common to hear Christians and preachers saying ‘I boast in my weakness’, meaning ‘I boast in my moral weakness’. They think that their current moral weakness highlights God’s mercy and grace (their definition of grace). They boast about currently being sinners yet God still loves them and saves them regardless of their works …
the Reformers’ prejudice against James 2:24
Theology is like a jigsaw puzzle (picture credited to Charles Hamm): if it is right, everything should fall in its right place, every piece should fit well with one another. All the truths should respect and uphold each other. If someone insists on his/her own theology by throwing away some pieces, or by squeezing some …
Continue reading “the Reformers’ prejudice against James 2:24”
Jesus has risen! he has risen indeed… what does that mean?
Jesus’ resurrection is celebrated by many throughout the ages. It certainly is an important event, and means a lot to many. What does it mean to you? Perhaps, let’s put is this way, what should it mean to us according to God? according to Jesus? Let’s consider Thomas’s encounter with the risen Lord. Now [on the …
Continue reading “Jesus has risen! he has risen indeed… what does that mean?”
Is the good news of Jesus Christ ‘God saves regardless of what we do’?
The common preachers’ clichés In many churches, preachers use clichés such as ‘God saves you regardless of what you do’, ‘God saves you without you doing anything’ or ‘none of our works can save us’. I have listened to these all my Christian life, since I was a teenager being evangelised. According to these preachers, …
Continue reading “Is the good news of Jesus Christ ‘God saves regardless of what we do’?”
Does ‘salvation by grace’ mean no need to work for salvation? An Exegesis of Ephesians 2:8-10
It is crystal clear that in Eph 2 Paul is emphasising that salvation is by grace: ‘by grace you have been saved’ (v5 and repeated in v8). Our big question is what does that mean? Does it mean, as most Protestants claim, that God does not require his people to work to be saved? What …
“Is Pastoral care nothing more and nothing less than an aspect of discipling? No!”
I argue against the statement “pastoral care is nothing more and nothing less than an aspect of discipling”. Firstly, I will discuss the nature of pastoral care from the perspective of soteriology and establish its distinction from discipling. The second major section of this essay is to argue that pastoral care is not a means …
Does the Bible really say ‘do not worry about anything’?
Last week, I listened to a sermon on one verse in the Bible, Philippians 4:6. The good thing about it, is that it is simple, easy to understand. The preacher gave a clear and simple message, that Paul exhorts believers not to worry. He used Jesus’ own saying ‘do not be anxious’ in the Gospel …
Continue reading “Does the Bible really say ‘do not worry about anything’?”
how did the term ‘the Great Commission’ come about?
Matthew 28:16-20 ‘Make disciples’ is considered ‘the Great Commission’ by most Protestant Evangelical churches. ‘Making disciple’ is also referred to as ‘discipling’. It encompasses the sharing and the strengthening of Christian faith; some refers to it as the two e’s: evangelism and edification. Many Protestant denominations, pastors and ministers set ‘making disciples’ as ‘the vision …
Continue reading “how did the term ‘the Great Commission’ come about?”
Yesterday, my family went on a protest against the refugee policy of our government. This sermon on 8:18-22 I preached explains why.
I have been to a few church camps. We have stayed in Rathane, along Port Hacking River, gorgeous place. I always remember its name, Rathane…Rat and Methane… doesn’t quite match the beauty. We have stayed at Tabourie Bay, another beautiful spot. The last time, we went to this place that has that giant water slide …
Dudley's blog 