By Mark W. Christy, PhD John MacArthur, in a sermon entitled “The Distinctive Qualities of the True Christian, Part 3” offers five non-proofs of salvation: “a past supposed conversion event,” moral living, “head knowledge,” “religious activity,” and “service in the name of Christ.”[i] Relying on Philippians 3:3, he argues that true Christians long (in their hearts) to glorify, praise, and serve God. They rejoice in Christ and desire to see Him exalted among people. Finally, he contends that ...

By Mark W. Christy, PhD According to David Wells, the rise of psychology in contemporary Christianity has prostituted the gospel in at least three ways.[i] First, it has given rise to the idea that people are ultimately good. In other words, they have the capacity within themselves to return to perfect wholeness through the tools offered by psychology. With such a view, sin is no longer seen as an obstacle in one’s plight toward self-actualization. Given psychology’s presupposition that huma...

By Mark W. Christy, PhD Modern psychology holds that people essentially exist to have their needs and wants met so as to attain unto a state of satisfaction. This has only led to a rise in self-fulfillment being the chief aim for many if not most. Unfortunately, the Church often allows itself to be polluted with this worldly philosophy by focusing its message on felt needs whereby the individual self becomes central in worship. Typically, this is all done in name of evangelism under the bann...