Author Archive for: Dr. Alan Kurschner

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God’s Election and Reprobation in 2 Thessalonians 2:9–14

, , Christian Worldview, Exegesis, General Apologetics, Offense, Open Theism, Pastoral Theology, Reformed Apologetics, Reformed Baptist Issues, Theology Matters, Uncategorized

“The arrival of the lawless one will be by Satan’s working with all kinds of miracles and signs and false wonders, and with every kind of evil deception directed against those who are perishing, because they found no place in their hearts for the truth so as to be saved. Consequently God sends on them a deluding influence so that

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The Gospels Reading Plan for 2019+

The Gospels Reading Plan for 2019

, , Blog Stuff, Christian Worldview, Exegesis, General Apologetics, Godly Disciplines, Misc, Personal, Resources, Theology Matters

It is about that time of the year when we are introduced to creative ways to read our Bible for the next calendar year. Did you do it this year? This is my eleventh year encouraging others to take each day of the year to read and reflect on a single unit in the Gospels. Did you know there are

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Michael Kruger on Whether It Is a Waste of Time to Learn Biblical Languages . . .

, , Blog Stuff, Christian Worldview, Exegesis, General Apologetics, Godly Disciplines, Misc, Pauline Studies, Reformed Baptist Issues, Resources, Textual Issues, Theology Matters

A few weeks ago, a new crop of seminary students began the grueling month-long experience of Summer Greek. And, like all seminary students before them, they will begin to ask the question of why studying these ancient languages even matters. After all, a few years after graduation all will be forgotten. In the midst of a busy pastoral life, who

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A Short Reply to Brian Abasciano on John 3:16

, , Exegesis, General Apologetics, Reformed Apologetics, Reformed Baptist Issues, Theology Matters

James N. Anderson has replied to Abasciano here. I want to briefly illustrate Abasciano’s co-text myopia. Abasciano claims that πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων (pas ho pisteuōn, “whoever believes”) grammatically conveys indefiniteness. It actually does not, at least as it is realized in this particular discourse of John. If Abasciano wants to be consistent then he must conclude that John is teaching

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The Apostle Paul’s Simple Response to Brannon Howse

, , Christian Worldview, General Apologetics, Pauline Studies, Persecution, Uncategorized

There is a lot of fearmongering going on over at Brannon Howse’s “Worldview Weekend” ministry in recent times. Mr. Howse has been consumed by an unchristian fear, including his guilty-by-association conspiracy mind-set. The Gospel has been neglected and tarnished by Howse’s misguided, personal attack against James White and Alpha & Omega ministries. His thin-skinned, protracted assaults are only hurting Howse

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Does God Forgive the Unrepentant? – The Dubious Textual Variant, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing’

, , Christian Worldview, Godly Disciplines, King James Onlyism, Textual Issues, Theology Matters, Uncategorized

A few years back I posted an article explaining the weak textual evidence of Luke 23:34a, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” This week is Good Friday and many sermons will be using this verse, so I think it is appropriate to bring awareness of its textual nature. Whether you agree with me or

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What You NEED to Know about the Calvinism and Arminianism Debate

, , Christian Worldview, Exegesis, Reformed Apologetics, Reformed Baptist Issues

The Calvinism-Arminianism debate is substantially a debate between what is called “synergism” and “monergism.” For those who are new to this debate, the following is a primer on the two perennial branches of theological systems within Christianity. Or to put it another way, there are two very different ways for believers to understand their salvation. The first type is the

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The Difference in Jesus’ Divine Role Does NOT Indicate Inferiority of Nature

, , Christian Worldview, General Apologetics, Jehovah's Witnesses

There is a frequent assumption, and/or misunderstanding, that unbelievers frequently expresss about the Trinity. As a believer you should be aware of this. James White on occasion says: Difference in function does not indicate inferiority of nature. For many who deny the Trinity or the deity of Jesus, it is thought that since Jesus fulfilled a lesser (subordinate) role in

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A Tip on Getting Jehovah Witnesses to Take Your Literature

, , Jehovah's Witnesses

Jehovah Witnesses have been trained to refuse any literature when they are out witnessing. They simply will not take what you want to offer them. However, there is one thing they will take…and that is your phone number.  And there lies your strategy. Toward the very end (not beginning or middle) of your conversation with them, ask them if they would

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The Trendiest Current Fad in the Study of the Gospels and Historical Jesus: Social Memory Theory

, , Atheism, General Apologetics, Gospel/Jesus Studies

With respect to social memory theory, it is doubtful whether Ehrman is the appropriate and accurate authority to cite in terms of the scholarly research done on the subject. He may just be, as he has been before, trailing along in public support of the latest fad… In short, it is not a theory of history and cannot be used

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Did Paul ever meet Jesus and hear him teach? Yes, it is likely

, , Exegesis, General Apologetics, Pauline Studies, Theology Matters

David Yoon introducing a new book by noted New Testament scholar Stanley E. Porter, writes: “Our most prolific author, Stanley Porter, has another book published called When Paul Met Jesus: How an Idea Got Lost in History (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2016). Porter revives a theory set forth earlier by William Ramsay, Johannes Weiss, and James Hope Moulton, that Paul

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Why Divine Electing Love Requires Exclusivity

, , Reformed Apologetics, Uncategorized

In his The God of Israel and Christian Theology R. Kendall Soulen make a case why God’s love must be exclusive in his election of the physical people Abraham-Israel. The same principle can be applied to the Divine electing love of individuals—Jew or Gentile—who are in Christ. But why should God be a God of election at all? Does not God

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Preaching Jesus on the Jersey Shore

, , Christian Worldview, Persecution, Post-Evangelicalism, Reformed Apologetics

This is a brief clip from the street preaching ministry here in Jersey. I was told that this most recent preaching tour was more hostile than typical because people feel more emboldened to be intolerant toward Christians after the Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage. Nevertheless, a fellow came up to one of the preachers at the end and asked

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Street Preaching the Gospel to Muslims in Birmingham England+

Street Preaching the Gospel to Muslims in Birmingham England

, , Islam, Uncategorized

Robert Parker shares his recent street-preaching trip to England. Just a quick break down of my mission trip to Birmingham England. Statistics say more children are born to Islam than Christianity in Birmingham England. A team of preachers and myself across the states and England was led by Dale Mcalpine. We had a great opportunity to preach the gospel in

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Jesus’ Deity – Difference in Function Does Not Indicate Inferiority of Nature

, , Christian Worldview, Jehovah's Witnesses

There is a frequent assumption that unbelievers have about the Trinity. But if you are aware of this deep assumption by those who deny the deity of Christ, you can disarm them. James White has said: Difference in function does not indicate inferiority of nature. There is a built-in assumption for many that if Jesus possesses a lesser role than

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A Quick Tip on Doing Exegesis…

, , Exegesis

Exegesis (i.e. biblical interpretation) has never been about “possibility.” It has always been about “probability.” I frequently come across interpretive conclusions where the language of “possibility” is invoked, by both those who read Greek and Hebrew, and those who don’t. I have noticed that some use this ploy when they approach a text with a preconceived conclusion in order to

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Synergism Belongs in a Car Dealership, Not in Divine Salvation . . .+

Synergism Belongs in a Car Dealership, Not in Divine Salvation . . .

, , Christian Worldview, Reformed Apologetics, Reformed Baptist Issues

The “Calvinism-Arminianism” debate is substantially a debate between what is called “synergism” and “monergism.” For those who are new to this debate, the following is an instructive primer on the two perennial branches of theological systems in Christianity. Or to put it another way, there are two very different ways for believers to understand their salvation. In general, the first

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Pastors, Cut Your Sermon Prep Time in HALF! I Am Serious…

, , Exegesis, Resources, Textual Issues, Uncategorized

I want to piggyback on Michael Kruger’s “You Don’t Think Learning the Biblical Languages is Worth It? Think Again” and add a few comments of my own on the use of Biblical languages for pastors (and anyone who has a desire to learn them). 1. Pastors (I am not one) who actually know how to read the biblical languages (not

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A Biblical Case for Calvinism…

, , Exegesis, Reformed Apologetics

This article is worth printing out and giving to your Arminian friends! Many Arminians labor under the misapprehension that the case for Calvinism begins and ends with Rom 9. In my observation, that’s common due to their self-reinforcing ignorance of the exegetical literature. In this post I’m going to quote a number of Reformed prooftexts, in canonical order, then quote

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