Jesus and Compassion

Posted on February 16, 2023February 16, 2023 by markwchristy

In today’s hypersensitive, me-centered, feelings-driven culture, the biblical understanding of compassion has been all but lost such that anyone who dares to declare the truth, call sinners to repentance, and demand obedience from those who do repent is almost sure to be judged as one who lacks compassion. After this judgment is rendered, the one who dared to minister the gospel in this manner can be sure to face what is often felt to be a just sentence for their perceived error, that is a comp...

Is Gambling Wrong?

Posted on April 16, 2022April 16, 2022 by markwchristy

Mark W. Christy, PhD Those who have read the entirety of God’s Word know that it never says, ‘Thou shall not gamble.’ This being the case, it might be tempting to conclude that gambling is not a divinely prohibited activity. This approach to seeking counsel from God’s Word, however, is inherently flawed because the same reasoning could easily allow one to support all manner of substance abuse (other than alcohol). In this article, various teachings and principles will be extracted from Scrip...

The Stages of Christian Maturation according to John Newton: An Interaction with the Composer of the Famous Hymn Amazing Grace

Posted on March 1, 2022March 2, 2022 by markwchristy

By Mark W. Christy, PhD Over the course of three letters, John Newton set forth to establish three “stages” in the “progressive work of grace” within those who become true converts to the Christian faith.[1] For each stage, he offers what he believes to be the most common elements as he realizes that the Lord may work in unique and special ways as He seeks to mature those who are His. As a man of the Word, his stated goal was to draw his comments from what can be found in Scripture. In this ...

Evidence that Ananias and Sapphira were Saved

Posted on February 28, 2022March 1, 2022 by markwchristy

By Mark W. Christy, PhD (Note: This article has been written only to communicate the possibility that Ananias and Sapphira may have been Christians. Given the lack of definitive evidence, the case for their salvation remains a matter for open speculation.) Luke, in Acts 2:37-47, presents the first church as a utopia devoted to the love of God and each other, so much so that members “began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.” Wh...

Self-Centered Love in the Contemporary Evangelical Church: A Biblical Analysis of the Problem and Its Solution

Posted on January 16, 2022January 16, 2022 by markwchristy

By Mark W. Christy, PhD A constant theme throughout the New Testament is the love of Christ which He exhibited to all during His crucifixion. Alongside this is the accompanying call of Christ to His disciples whereby He commands them to exhibit such love. While all Christians are directed to adhere to His mandate, many Christians (and their churches) seem to exhibit more self-love than the sort of selfless love exhibited and commanded by Christ. With this in mind, this article will examine C...

God’s Call to Unjust Suffering: The Purpose that Rick Warren Overlooked

Posted on January 15, 2022January 15, 2022 by markwchristy

By Mark W. Christy, PhD In the second and third chapters of 1 Peter, the Apostle calls on believers to submit to civil authorities, employers, spouses, and to their fellow church members in accordance with their various roles. Within this discussion, Peter draws yet another purpose for believers: “For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly” (1 Pet 2:19; cf. 21-24).[1] To be clear, the Apostle plainly states that Chri...

Should Christians Require Repentance of Those Who Would be Forgiven?

Posted on December 23, 2021December 23, 2021 by markwchristy

By Mark W. Christy In Colossians 3:12-13 and Ephesians 4:32, Paul declares that Christians should have a heart that desires forgiveness of those who cause offense. In addition to a forgiving disposition, Paul adds that Christians should manifest forgiveness in line with the example of God Himself. Many Christians, aware of the biblical admonishments regarding forgiveness, often interpret these directives to be saying that those who are truly loving disciples of Christ must forgive others in ...

Confession and Commitment: The Marks of True Discipleship Based on Christ’s Words in Luke 14:25-35

Posted on December 22, 2021December 22, 2021 by markwchristy

By Mark W. Christy, PhD In modern times, evangelical churches have become increasingly focused on an overly simplified gospel which focuses exclusively on the procurement of a (verbal) believing response irrespective of a lasting change in disposition that increasingly mirrors the holiness of God. To support their efforts, they appeal to passages like Romans 10:13 where Paul writes, “if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, yo...

The Fall of the Pastorate: An Indictment against the Unbiblical Criteria Used in the Hiring of Pastors and a Call for Change

Posted on December 18, 2021March 30, 2023 by markwchristy

By Mark W. Christy, PhD Nowadays, every church (or so it seems) wants to be that next mega-church, and every pastor is often judged solely by the number of those in attendance. This hyper-focus on numerical results has coincided with a devaluation in the biblical appeals for Godly character, soundness in doctrine, and steadfastness in proclamation. Instead of these biblical qualities which should be exhibited by pastors and reproduced in the laity, the qualities that now achieve prominence i...

Can You, Like Paul, Say that Your Conscience Testifies with You?

Posted on December 11, 2021December 11, 2021 by markwchristy

By Mark W. Christy, PhD In Romans 9:1, Paul defends his integrity before the Lord, and then adds, “my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit.” How is it that Paul could use his own conscience as a part of his gospel witness? To answer this, this article will discuss the role of the conscience in one’s life, the hardening effect of sin upon it, the cleansing effect of the Word of God, and the call upon Christians to actively maintain a clean conscience so as to properly empower their...