Calvinism or Arminianism?The debate between Arminianism and Calvinism, which concerns God's sovereignty and man's free will, is one of the most divisive in the church today. Rather than being an honest, respectful dialogue among brethren, this debate has led to an unhealthy compartmentalization within the Body of Christ. Sadly, this has resulted in much vital … Continue reading The Calvinist/Arminian Controversy
Category: James H Boyd Gospel Ministries
Troubling Bible Passages 1: Slavery
Those who use slavery in an attempt to discredit the Bible overlook a number of important facts.
Snakes and Scripture
Boop! My daughter Ember and I are reptile enthusiasts. We currently have two pet snakes, a ball python named Hershey and a Saharan sand boa named Pumpkin. Hershey Pumpkin Both species are nonvenomous, small to moderately sized and are usually very docile (although Pumpkin does occasionally have his sassy moments). In fact, ball pythons are … Continue reading Snakes and Scripture
Doctrine and the Christian Life
Originally published on James and Dave's Bible Page Jesus answered them and said "My doctrine is not mine, but His that sent me." (John 7:16) But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine. (Titus 2:1) Mention the word "doctrine" among church circles, and you will get a variety of different responses. On one hand, … Continue reading Doctrine and the Christian Life
First, the Bad News
Originally published on James and Dave's Bible Page Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard once observed that "Most of us read the Bible the way a mouse tries to remove the cheese from the trap without getting caught." (1) Certainly, the Bible can be approached from a number of angles. Each day, it is read by millions … Continue reading First, the Bad News
The Word of Faith Controversy
I come from a Word of Faith background and this is a transcript of a sermon I preached during that time. While I no longer actively identify with the Word of Faith label, I have also been careful not to go too far in the opposite direction. In spite of some excesses, the movement has … Continue reading The Word of Faith Controversy
Receiving God’s Forgiveness
Transcript of a Sermon Preached at Morgan County Correctional Facility in Wartburg, TN Friends, the great equalizer in all of our lives is our desperate need for God's grace, mercy and forgiveness. If someone forgives you a $100 debt, that means they have to cover that debt with $100 of their own money. I want … Continue reading Receiving God’s Forgiveness
Alcohol: To Imbibe Or Not To Imbibe?
The issue of alcohol has always been a controversial one within the Christian community. Did Jesus make, or advocate the use of, intoxicating wine? Is having an occasional drink really that big of a deal? These are certainly valid questions that committed Christians have asked over the years. Beliefs and practices among individuals vary. Baptists, … Continue reading Alcohol: To Imbibe Or Not To Imbibe?
Preachers and Politics
Should ministers run for political office? I write this only a few days after longtime Christian broadcaster and former presidential candidate Pat Robertson passed away. As people remember his legacy, both the positives and the negatives, I thought it would be a good time to revisit some of the issues regarding the role of the … Continue reading Preachers and Politics
Heaven, Hell, Eternity and You
Transcript of a Sermon Preached at Morgan County Correctional Facility in Wartburg, TN on Sunday, June 4th 2023 God is a relational God. Keep that in mind as we go through this message. Everything with God comes down to relationship, especially when we think of eternity and the afterlife. Turn with me to Ecclesiastes 3:11 … Continue reading Heaven, Hell, Eternity and You