Jesus is WHAT?

Students’ concerns over plagiarism by Tennessee Temple University President Danny Lovett ultimately led to his resignation from the school.

But Lovett, while acknowledging that he plagiarized some passages in his book “Jesus is Awesome,” said he was leaving the university anyway.

*source-http://bit.ly/lfDvIG

Ten Years Later

Ten years, one enlistment, one marriage, three deployments, and one family death later….

So, I did it…I graduated.  But to even use the pronoun “I” is deceiving. For I could not have reached this point without the encouragement and edification of my loving and devoted family and friends. Ever since I graduated high school I have had the loving support of those who wished this day upon me. 
As with anyone, a lot has changed and transpired since I last wore a cap and gown whilst marching down the aisle to repeated playings of “Pomp and Circumstance” ten years ago.
I enlisted in the military, got deployed a few times, lost touch with some very dear friends,made some new friends, met and married my lovely wife, got some good jobs, lost some good jobs, moved five times, lost my father at aged 49 due to cancer, and made the decision to get my Master’s degree and go back in the military as a Chaplain.
If you would have asked me ten years ago, I would have told you that in ten years I will be a law school grad working with the ACLJ in the realm of constitutional law, defending the rights of persecuted conservatives and Christians around the globe.  I never dreamed I would be where I am today.
But I am not sorry nor am I saddened.  Each and every decision, good and bad, has lead me to where I am today.  I have had the opportunity to befriend some amazing human beings with equally fascinating tales of life, love, and loss.
I have had the opportunity to marry and grow close to the most amazing and beautiful woman I have ever met. 
And I have been given the chance to become closer with my Savior, Jesus Christ, in a way I would have never done so had everything gone according to “my plans”.  It is oft overstated but still true…His ways are not our ways and He has great plans that we cannot even fathom. 
So once again, I thank any and everyone who helped make this day a reality.  Whether it was a kind word, a prayer, fiscal support, a chore done for me so that I could study,or a simple hug…I am humbled and blessed by your love. 

Glenn Beck and Liberty University

Once again the ad-hominems are flying my way simply because I disagree with a decision my school has made…so let’s take a peak at the evidence, shall we?

Soteriology-part 1

Every Thursday I bring adapted teachings that I hope will help you garner a deeper, richer, truer understanding of Christianity.

The following are adapted teachings from Dr. Elmer Towns, Co-Founder of Liberty University and Dean of the B.R. Lakin School of Religion.

What is Soteriology? It means the study of salvation (Soteria and logos being the root words). It has four aspects

1. Atonement-The historical accomp. of Jesus on the cross
2. Conversion-The human experience in salvation
3. Regeneration-The non-experiential results of salvation (God)
4. Union with Christ-Self-explanatory

The term “salvation” identified the change wrought in the life of one who “by faith” obtains the benefits of salvation of the death of Christ.

I found this next part to be of high importance, please read carefully

Salvation is both an instantaneous event and progressive experience in the life of the believer. In other words Salvation is in three tenses: We have been saved from the guilt and penalty of sin, we are being saved from the habit and dominion of sin and we will be saved at the Lord’s return from all bodily infirmities that are the result of sin.

So, have we been saved? Are there definitive markers in our life that show we are, what the Bible calls, “A new creature”? Have we been transformed by the renewing of our mind and are we no longer conformed to the hedonistic temporal pleasures of this world? Are we resisting and fleeing temptation? Are we living a life above reproach? Is our life more and more like Christ’s; or are we still living like the world? God has given us grace which is the opposite of what we deserve. What are we doing to repay Him? (I put we because I am asking myself these questions as well)

Tune in next Thursday for part 2-Calvinism as it relates to Soteriology; arguments for and against will be presented.