Category: Q&A

[This Q&A concerns the issue of monergism versus synergism. Those words are used to describe God’s action in the salvation of a person. If God acts solely and independently, that’s monergism. If He designed the process in such a manner that our cooperation is necessary, that’s synergism.] I recently received an email from a listener...

Q – I’ve been having discussions about Calvinism with a friend and he is very frustrated by the whole idea of Calvinism — it’s “unjust” and “unfair,” from his perspective, that God would only offer salvation to “some” and not “all.” I have to admit, I have struggled with this myself. I understand that all...

Q – I happened on to your website as I searched the web for “sacrifice.” I wondered whether I could discover the origin of sacrifice. It clearly does NOT have its origin in God. Jim – Well, I would contend that sacrifice actually did start with God. When Adam and Eve recognized their nakedness, they...

Q – I have a couple questions for you. After having a discussion with a family member, I need some help. We had quite a discussion on Heaven and Hell. This person thinks that Hell is figurative (along with most of the Bible). How do I help her with determining which verses are figurative and...

Jim – Oh, well now see, you’ve gone and done it. You’ve entered into one of my favorite arenas of life – Christian apologetics and doctrine. I always have time to unravel this type of Bible question. Q – I have forgotten a good response to the verse about God wills that no man would...

Q – I am totally enjoying the eschatology series. Jim – I’m glad. I find it to be very engaging material, and I figure it’s in the Bible for a good reason, so we certainly ought to take the time to explore it. Q – Anyway, I was listening to tape E-6 and you mentioned...

Because Grace Christian Assembly identifies itself as “A Sovereign Grace Fellowship,” we are often asked whether we are part of a recent movement called “Sovereign Grace Ministries.” The short answer is: No, we are not. While we are certainly proponents of any group of churches advancing Reformed Theology and while we do have a good...

Q – Could you sometime in the future, when you get time write up some commentary for your FAQ page on 1Timothy 4:10? I have a friend struggling with God’s Sovereign grace (Calvinism) and she asked me about this verse and I don’t know how to put what I think into words. Your other FAQs...

Q – Greetings! Jim – And, greetings right back atcha. Q – Pastor Jim, it was such a gift to be able to visit your beautiful church last Sunday. My spirit is very much fulfilled by your teaching. Thank you. Jim – You are too kind. The building is attractive because of all the work...

I recently received the following email: Q – Pastor Jim, This is in response to your Question and Answers on Baptism. The bible is clear that the new law did not take effect until the death on the cross. So you have to say that the thief died either under the new law or old...