Author: PastorJim (Jim McClarty)

Q – Here is a question that is constantly swimming around in the churches and theological seminaries. I imagine you have answered this repeatedly as well and I would love to hear your answer. Question: What’s the deal with women teaching? Can they? Should they? Why do they? What scriptures do you walk them through?...

Q – I recently started listening to your messages on your website. Now I’m reading your articles. Thank you for making so much teaching available. I’m learning so much that I never knew before. But, I have a question. When I’m listening to you, sometimes people in your congregation interrupt and ask questions or make...

Q – Regarding last week’s message that I downloaded [“Arguments Against The Perseverance of the Saints” Dated: August 25, 2002]. If I understand this correctly, you’re saying that the Bible says that saying we have free will is considered a false gospel, correct? Jim – First off, I’m glad that you’re availing yourself of the...

I was recently asked to submit an article to an on-line theological journal that should be available this summer. The entire journal is devoted to the question of eternal security, with some 75 authors writing on assigned topics. Inasmuch as other authors tackled the apologetic issues associated with the doctrine, my task was to assume...

Q – I recently read through By Grace Alone and I liked it a lot. I grew up in Nashville and attended a United Methodist Church. I loved Sunday School and our youth group but I could not stand going to church services because I couldn’t get much of anything out of them. No matter...

Q – What does the verse “Many are called, but few are chosen” mean? Jim – Ok, admittedly this is one of Jesus’ more cryptic statements. So, it has to be understood within its context. Of the four gospel writers, only Matthew records this saying of our Lord, but he records it twice. The first...

Q – Pastor Jim, Hi! This e-mail has been so long in coming, but I wanted to let you know that I thoroughly enjoyed your church when I was able to visit. A quick question that should probably be obvious to me, but I’m needing clarification. Who should we pray to? When I pray, I...

Q – Did you grow up Calvinistic? Jim – No. I was completely unfamiliar with the whole Calvin/Arminian debate prior to attending the church in Franklin. I was having lunch with the pastor and telling him about the church in Los Angeles where I had served as an intern when he said, “It sounds like...

Q – My question is: would you elaborate on Luke 1:5-46 and Ephesians 1:3-13, as far as the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit? Please consider: 1. Being Filled with the Spirit, and 2. Being sealed with the Spirit. Jim – Sure I will! 🙂 This is a very good question because there...

Q – I recently had a conversation with a person who said, “I believe that God wants everyone to be saved. That’s what is says in the Bible.” What do you say to that? Jim – Not to sound unkind, but I’d say, “I don’t care what you ‘believe.’ It only matters what God believes...