Does Ephesians 4:11 Establish a Doctrine of “The Five-fold Ministry”?
The same reasoning that develops a five-fold ministry doctrine from Ephesians 4:11 could develop a seven-fold or eight-fold ministry doctrine from other scripture verses.
Research resources on religious movements, cults, sects, world religions and related issues
Author: David Kowalski
David has worked as an English teacher (Abeka), high school administrator (ACE), in-school-suspension teacher (public school), Associate Pastor (two Assemblies of God churches), Senior Pastor (two Assemblies of God churches), and Bible College Professor (Global University).
Do the Sacrifices in Ezekiel 40-48 Pose a Problem for Evangelicals?
Since Christ's sacrifice for believers is said to suffice for our cleansing for sin, making animal sacrifices unnecessary, some people see the description of millennial sacrifices in Ezekiel 40-48 as contradicting New Testament teaching about the finality and sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
Responding Properly To People Who Leave Our Church
People leaving the church we pastor (or in which we otherwise serve) to attend a different one is often a test of our personal maturity and the orthopraxy of our church's ministry.
Cults and abusive churches hurt people as they transition to a different church. Biblical churches do not.
Cults and abusive churches hurt people as they transition to a different church. Biblical churches do not.
When Church Leaders Should Be Gentle and When They Should Be Stern
Many people who have taken to themselves the role of shepherding God's sheep use the rod and staff to beat the sheep when they should be gentle, yet they stand by idly when wolves attack the sheep.
Pseudo-Spirituality
Christians who think of themselves as more spiritual than common believers are usually less spiritual in the things that really matter to God.
Divorce and Remarriage: A Worst-Case Scenario
Though it is an unscriptural act to divorce without cause and subsequently remarry, the act involved does not result in an ongoing, sinful state.
Is the Confusion of Languages at Babel a Myth?
God's confusion of mankind's previously unified language at Babel (Genesis 11:1-9) is regularly criticized by skeptics. However, there is nothing in history or linguistics that genuinely contradicts the account.
A Testimony About Anti-Testimonies
"I used to be a deluded, ignorant, and hateful Christian like you until I learned to be better than you!" This is the essence of personal testimonies (variously called "deconversion stories," "ex-timonies," or "anti-testimonies") given by people who claim to have de-converted in some way from orthodox, Evangelical Christianity.
Why Whistleblowers are Often Ignored (Even in Christian Organizations)
It seems anytime revelations of sexual harassment or other misconduct in a corporate, government, educational, sports, entertainment, or religious organization surface, we learn that people who had tried earlier to expose the misconduct were ignored, their evidence was swept under the rug, and the whistleblowers were often punished in some manner.
This dynamic develops because the case is usually not handled by a truly neutral party and the group politics involved do not favor the whistleblower.
This dynamic develops because the case is usually not handled by a truly neutral party and the group politics involved do not favor the whistleblower.
Lessons Learned from Lying Leaders
Lying leaders inevitably hurt other Christians, bring reproach upon the Gospel, and bring both temporal and eternal harm to themselves. David Kowalski shares three major lessons he has learned from his exposure to lying leaders.
Some Red Flags When Evaluating a Ministry
It is helpful for Christians to know the signs of possible problems when assessing a minister or ministry.
Being Negative Is Not Always Bad
Truth is not measured by the pleasant feelings it elicits and truth-telling is not determined by the pleasantness of the sentiments expressed.
Whereas some Christians seem to think that the ultimate virtue is to be agreeable, God's, true spokespeople never sacrifice accuracy for agreeableness.
Whereas some Christians seem to think that the ultimate virtue is to be agreeable, God's, true spokespeople never sacrifice accuracy for agreeableness.
The Modern “Grace Message” — Revolution or Rebellion?
An old teaching has been recently reinvigorated.
Its advocates claim the teaching is a "grace revolution." But many critics see it as merely a fresh spin given to the rebellious, ancient heresy of Antinomianism.
Its advocates claim the teaching is a "grace revolution." But many critics see it as merely a fresh spin given to the rebellious, ancient heresy of Antinomianism.
Overcoming Sin by Confessing it to God
Let's agree with God about our sins that we may begin to break the cycle of sinful conduct in our lives.
Strengthened in the Inner Man
The Bible clearly commands us to change our sinful ways but also makes clear that we must rely on God's strength to do so.