THEOLOGY MATTERS 50

Getting the Gospel Right

What is at Stake? What are the Issues to Consider?
I. Defining Positions

A. Free Grace View - “The sole means of receiving the free gift of eternal life is faith in the
Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, whose substitutionary death on the cross fully satisfied
the requirement for our justification, and was raised bodily from the dead.”1

B. Lordship Salvation – “The Lordship view expressly states the necessity of acknowledging
Christ as Lord and Master of one’s life in the act of receiving Him as Savior. These are not
two different, sequential acts (or successive steps), but rather one act of pure trusting faith.”2

1. Deficiency in the Lordship Terminology – confusion in its usage

a. Objective Sense – All Orthodox Christians believe Jesus is Lord / God

b. Subjective Sense – Only some Christians believe submitting to the Lordship of

Christ in all areas of one’s life is essential at the moment of salvation.

2. “As defined by its own advocates, Lordship Salvation could more properly be called
‘Commitment Salvation,’ ‘Surrender Salvation,’ or ‘Submission Salvation’ since in
actuality the debate is not over the Lordship of Christ, but the response of a person to
the Gospel and the conditions which must be met for salvation.”3

3. One Qualification – Not everyone who invites people to “accept Jesus as your Lord and
Savior,” intends to use it in the way “Lordship Salvation” proponents mean.

C. Easy Believism / Cheap Grace / No-Lordship

1. Often disparaging titles are used by MacArthur and others against people of a Free
Grace position.

2. John MacArthur refuses even to acknowledge the title “Free Grace” He calls it “no-
lordship” movement.4

Free Grace Alliance, “Mission and Beliefs,” https://freegracealliance.com/mission-and-beliefs, (accessed, 5/14/2021).

1

Kenneth L. Gentry, “The Great Option: A Study of the Lordship Controversy,” Baptist Reformation Review 5
2

(Spring 1976): 52.

3
Bing, Charles C. Lordship Salvation: A Biblical Evaluation and Response. (Grace Life: Burleson, TX, 1997), 10.
4
John F. MacArthur, Jr., Faith Works: The Gospel According to the Apostles (Dallas: Word Publishing,
1993), 56.
THEOLOGY MATTERS 50

II. Two Key Issues

A. Must a Commitment Accompany “Saving Faith? – Front Loading the Gospel

B. Will a “True” Believer Persevere Until the End? – Backloading the Gospel

III. Questions to Answer

 What is the condition(s) for salvation?
 What is required to “prove” that you are saved or one of the elect?5
 What does repentance mean? And is it a requirement for salvation?
 Are there two types of faith, a faith that saves and one that does not?
 What is the role of works in salvation?

IV. One Area of Agreement!

 MacArthur writes, “It is essential that we who proclaim God’s Word from the pulpit preach
it clearly and accurately. If we confuse the message of the Gospel, whatever else we say
cannot undo the damage.”6

 Hodges writes, “So marvelous a message should always be proclaimed without ambiguity
and without compromise.”7

 Wiersbe writes, “Confusion about salvation means disaster, for the message of the Gospel
is a matter of eternal life or eternal death.”8

V. The Historical Development of the Debate

A. The first known use of the term “Lordship Salvation” is found in Eternity magazine in
1959.9

B. The Controversy of the Late 1980’s (Charles Ryrie and Zane Hodges [Dallas Theological
Seminary faculty], vs. John MacArthur)

1. Charles Ryrie, Balancing the Christian Life, 1969.10

5
This fifth point of Calvinism it the “Perseverance of the Saints.” This view teaches that those who are true believers
will persevere until their death and that they will not fall into sin for a prolonged period of time.
6
John F. MacArthur Jr., The Gospel According to Jesus: What Does Jesus Mean When He Says, “Follow Me”?,
(Zondervan Publishing: Grand Rapids, 1988), xvii-xviii.
7
Zane Hodges, Absolutely Free: A Biblical Reply to Lordship Salvation, (Zondervan Publishing: Grand Rapids, 1989),
xiv.
8
Warren Wiersbe, “Forward” in Charles C. Ryrie, So Great Salvation: What It Means to Believe in Jesus Christ.
(Dallas: Victor Books, 1989), 9.
9
This term was used in a debate between a Everett F. Harrison (Presbyterian) and John Stott (Anglican / Church of
England) theologian. Ironically, Stott represented the Lordship position.
THEOLOGY MATTERS 50

2. Zane Hodges, The Gospel Under Siege, 1981.11

3. John MacArthur, The Gospel According to Jesus, 1988.12

4. Charles Ryrie, So Great a Salvation: What It Means to Believe in Jesus Christ, 1989.

5. Zane Hodges, Absolutely Free: A Biblical Reply to Lordship Salvation, 1989.

6. John MacArthur, Faith Works: The Gospel According to the Apostles, 1993.

C. Wayne Grudem and the Free Grace Alliance

1. Wayne Grudem,13 “Free Grace” Theology: 5 Ways It Diminishes the Gospel, 2016.

2. Grant Hawley,14 ed. Free Grace Theology: 5 Ways It Magnifies the Gospel, 2016.

3. Fred Chay,15 ed. A Defense of Free Grace Theology: With Respect to Saving Faith,
Perseverance, and Assurance, 2017.

10
Charles Ryrie was the head of the Systematic Theology department at Dallas Theological Seminary at the time of
this controversy. He has also taught at the Word of Life Bible Institute on 21 different occasions, and his textbook, Basic
Theology is used in our classes here in NY and many other teaching sites. He has been promoted to Heaven.
11
Zane Hodges was also an influential professor at Dallas Theological Seminary. He was the chairmen of the New
Testament Department. He has been promoted to Heaven.
12
John MacArthur is the pastor of Grace Community Church, and Chancellor of The Master’s College and Seminary
in Sun Valley California. Prior to his articulation of his views on Lordship Salvation he spoke at the Word of Life Lodge.
13
Wayne Grudem is a Professor of Theology and Biblical Studies at Phoenix Seminary, the General Editor of the ESV
Study Bible and author of an influential Systematic Theology text used in many colleges and seminaries. He is a proud 5-
point Calvinist and a non-cessationist.
14
Grant Hawley is the Executive Director of the Free Grace Alliance. The Free Grace Alliance’s mission is “the clear
understanding, presentation, and advancement of the Gospel of God’s Free Grace.”
https://freegracealliance.com/mission-and-beliefs, (accessed, 5/16/2021).
15
Fred Chay is the Academic Dean of Grace School of Theology (Woodlands, TX). Prior to this he was a Professor of
Theology at Phoenix Seminary for 21 years, and a colleague and friend of Wayne Grudem’s for 13 of those years.
THEOLOGY MATTERS 50

Getting the Gospel Right

A Critique of “Lordship Salvation”
I. Beliefs of Lordship Salvation

A. Salvation and dedication is regarded as one act, not two subsequent steps.

1. This confuses/conflates Justification and Sanctification.

2. Those who “dedicate” their lives at a future date are often said to have gotten saved not
dedicated.

B. Repentance is defined as turning from all known sin and surrendering to the Lordship of
Christ.

1. Demarest writes, “We must call pre-Christians to embrace Christ as definitive Teacher,
as unique Savior, and as absolute Lord.”16

2. MacArthur states, “This means that to the best of their knowledge penitents will forsake
all known vice and cling to the Savior as their only hope of salvation.”17

3. Ryrie rightly responds to the likes of MacArthur and Demarest, “The direction of the
Gospel is from Christ to me. It is never from me to Him. I do not offer Him anything.
How could I? What could I possibly offer that would help meet my need? To offer the
years of my life is to offer something very imperfect and something, which can do
nothing to forgive my sin. To vow my willingness to change is to affirm something I will
not consistently keep; and even if I could, it would not remove the guilt of my sin.18

4. Dillow also responds, “Faith is redefined to include submission, and a man becomes
Christian not by “hearing” and “believing” but by believing and promising God he will
submit his life to Christ.”19

5. Ironside also agrees with Ryrie and Dillow, “The Gospel is not a call to ... amendment of
our ways, to make restitution for past sins, or to promise to do better in the future. These
things are proper in their place, but they do not constitute the Gospel; for the Gospel is
not good advice to be obeyed, it is good news to be believed.”20

C. There is saving faith and faith/belief that comes short of salvific (misinterpretation of James
2).21

16
Bruce Demarest, The Cross and Salvation, 270.
17
MacArthur, Faith Works, 77.
18
Ryrie, So Great a Salvation, 41.
19
Dillow, The Reign of the Servant Kings, 10.
20
Ironside, “What is the Gospel”
21
You can listen to Learn the Word Podcast #169 with Dr. Charlie Bing for an explanation of James 2 from a Free
Grace perspective. https://learn.wol.org/podcast/
THEOLOGY MATTERS 50

1. The issue is not whether someone has “enough” faith but whether the object of their faith
is correct.

2. The illustration given by James in chapter 2 is the belief of Demons, but this is not a
discussion about eternal salvation but rather salvation from the Judgment Seat of Christ.22

D. Perseverance of the Saints

 MacArthur writes, “Those who remain hardened in sin only demonstrate their lack of true
faith.”23

 Grudem states, “Only Those Who Persevere to the End Have Been Truly Born Again.”24

II. Problems with Lordship Salvation

A. Theological Problems

1. They confuse/conflate Justification with Sanctification

2. They do not fully understand Grace and make a similar mistake made by Arminians, The
Christian Church, Catholics (add Grace + something)

3. They hold to the Perseverance of the Saints and do not fully understand the deceitfulness
of the human heart – Christians are capable of committing the worst sins and continue in
them.

4. Assurance of Salvation is not based upon works (that’s entirely subjective anyhow); rather
assurance is based upon the promises of God.

 As Ryrie points out, “How can one quantify the amount of fruit to be truly a believer?
And how much of defection can be tolerated before wondering whether one has truly
believed?25

 1 John 5:12-13 “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God
does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of
the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

B. Exegetical Problems

1. They misunderstand the meaning of “repentance.” The word repent is not even found in
the Gospel of John, a Gospel that is focused on getting people to “believe that Jesus is

22
Weaver states, 😊 “If eternal salvation were the issue in question, demons would be a horrible example since the
object of their belief is not in the finished work of Christ. Rather, it is that there is one God, something that Jews, Muslims,
and Mormons believe (although they deny a triune God). Additionally, demons cannot be converted, their future judgment is
decreed.” Paul D. Weaver, “James” in Surveying Hebrews through Revelation, (Learn the Word Publishing: Schroon Lake,
NY, 2019), 50.
23
MacArthur, Faith Works, 192.
24
Grudem, Systematic Theology, 792.
25
Ryrie, So Great a Salvation, 47.
THEOLOGY MATTERS 50

the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John
20:31)

2. MacArthur, in his book Faith Works: The Gospel According to the Apostles, when
speaking of the necessity to completely surrender to Christ’s Lordship, rather than
dealing with the clear statements of the apostles, as his subtitle implies, he reverts back
to the difficult statements of the gospels. I agree with Dr. Pyne’s sentiment, “Perhaps
because of the absence of support from the apostles, MacArthur retreats to earlier
arguments from the gospels when defending the idea of dedication at conversion.”26

3. The greatest common denominator in all Gospel passages is “believe/trust.” See

Appendix: What is the Condition(s) for Salvation?

4. Repentance is not about “submission/surrender” but has to do with an understanding that

we have offended a holy God, which is the “preparation for the Gospel.”

Acts 20:21 “Testifying to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and
faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

5. They misinterpret the books of Hebrews, James, and 1 John and take them out of
context. (i.e., 1 John 2:19 is speaking of a group of false teachers, not individuals who
leave the church, and therefore were never believers. “They went out from us, but they
were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but
they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us.”)

C. Practical Problems

1. Lordship Salvation muddies the Gospel

2. In some manifestations of Lordship Salvation, there is virtually no assurance of Salvation

because it is viewed based upon subjective “works” rather than the promises of God.

3. Lordship Salvation can and often does become legalistic and judgmental, assigning to
some the designation of an unbeliever.

4. Children are thought by some Lordship Salvation people incapable of Salvation because
they don’t understand what commitment/surrendering requires.

26
Dr. Robert Pyne, “Lordship Salvation” (unpublished class notes in ST104 Soteriology, Dallas
Theological Seminary, Spring 2003), 107.
27
This is the 4th point in the WOL Statement of Faith.
28
This is the 5th point in the WOL Statement of Faith.
29
MacArthur, The Gospel According to Jesus, 28.
30
MacArthur, Faith Works, 140.
THEOLOGY MATTERS 50

Getting the Gospel Right

Articulation of a Free Grace Gospel

I. The Preparation for the Gospel

A. Every person born into the world has inherited a sin nature (Rom. 5:12a).

B. Every person born into the world has personally sinned (Rom. 5:12b).

C. We are all condemned before God (Rom. 3:10-11).

“We believe that all have sinned and are therefore guilty before God and are under his
condemnation.”27

II. The Content of the Gospel – “Good News”

A. Jesus is the Eternal God and Sinless Man (John 20:31)

B. Jesus died (1 Cor 15:3,4)

C. Jesus was buried (1 Cor 15:3,4)

D. Jesus rose again (Acts 1:3; 1 Cor 15:3,4)

III. The Response to the Gospel - A Lost person Must Trust/Believe/Have Faith in Christ’s finished
work, and that alone, as payment for sin.

“We believe that all who by faith receive Jesus Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit, therefore
children of God and eternally saved...”28

 See the Appendix: “What is the Condition(s) for Salvation?”

IV. Mischaracterizations of the Free Grace Position

A. The Free Grace view requires only mental assent.

 In The Gospel According to Jesus, MacArthur writes, “Those who hold to this view of
the Gospel teach that Scripture promises salvation to anyone who simply believes the
facts about Christ and claims eternal life.”29

 In Faith Works, MacArthur writes again, “… is not much more than a cursory nod of
the head. It is bare intellectual assent.”30
THEOLOGY MATTERS 50

 Ryrie responds, “Specifically, to believe in the Gospel is ‘to put one’s trust in’ the
Gospel. Being convinced of something or putting one’s trust in the Gospel could
hardly be said to be a casual acceptance of something.”31

B. Free Grace Theologians fabricated the category of “Carnal Christian”32

 MacArthur writes, “Almost all no-Lordship theology leans heavily on the notion that
there are three classes of humanity: unsaved people, spiritual Christians, and carnal
Christians. This was one of the planks in the no-Lordship platform that was laid by
Lewis Sperry Chafer. Chafer popularized the carnal-Christian idea in his 1918 book, He
That Is Spiritual.33

 Ryrie responds, “Notice that Paul does not merely say that Christians ‘can and do
behave in carnal ways’ he plainly states, ‘You are carnal.’ How then can one charge
that ‘contemporary theologians have fabricated an entire category for this type of
person?”34

C. Free Grace Theology is New

1. MacArthur ties it to Lewis Sperry Chafer founder of Dallas Theological Seminary.35

2. Grudem ties it to the influence of Zane Hodges a professor at Dallas Theological

Seminary.36

3. Chay provides clear documentation that both MacArthur and Grudem are demonstrably
wrong.37

D. Free Grace Theology Encourages a Lack of Commitment

1. MacArthur writes, “It promises them [sinners] they can have eternal life yet continue to
live in rebellion against God. Indeed, it encourages people to claim Jesus as Savior yet
defer until later the commitment to obey Him as Lord.”38

2. Not true, because Christ’s love constrains us!

31
Ryrie, So Great a Salvation, 30.
32
MacArthur, Faith Works, 124.
33
MacArthur, Faith Works, 124-125.
34
Ryrie, So Great a Salvation, 61.
35
MacArthur, Faith Works, 124-125.
36
Grudem, “Free Grace” Theology: 5 Ways It Diminishes the Gospel, 21. Grudem writes, “Where did the modern
Free Grace movement come from? As far as I can tell, it stems primarily from a minority view among the faculty members at
Dallas Theological Seminary. More particularly, it stems from an aggressive promotion of the Free Grace viewpoint by Zane
Hodges.” First of all, it should be noted that Grudem and MacArthur cannot both be correct. Secondly, Grudem is wrong
from a historical perspective as documented by Chay, thirdly, in my opinion, Ryrie’s So Great a Salvation was far more
influential than the writings of Hodges.
37
Chay, A Defense of Free Grace Theology, 29-31.
38
MacArthur, The Gospel According to Jesus, 15.
THEOLOGY MATTERS 50

2 Cor. 5:14-15 “For Christ’s love compels us, since we have reached this conclusion: If
One died for all, then all died. And He died for all so that those who live should no longer
live for themselves, but for the One who died for them and was raised.”

3. Not true, because the doctrine of the Judgment Seat compels us!
2 Cor. 5:10-11 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each
one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done,
whether good or bad. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men,”

4. Not true, because when we fully understand the Grace of God, serving Him is our
reasonable response of worship!

Rom. 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies
as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.”

V. Where Orthodoxy Meets Orthopraxy: What you REALLY believe impacts how your REALLY
behave

A. We invite people to respond to the Gospel by faith, not faith plus something
(commitment, baptism, sacraments, works, etc.).

 If you add anything to Grace alone, it is no longer Grace.

 If you add anything to the Cross, then the Cross was not sufficient.

 Every man-made religion boils down to works: do, do, do, Biblical Christianity is
about Grace: done, done, done.

B. Our Motivation is 1) the Love of Christ, 2) the Judgment Seat of Christ, and 3) our act of
worship (see verses above).

C. We believe children can understand the Gospel and be saved, and we invite them to make
a decision for Christ (Matt. 18:3).

D. Salvation begins the life-long pursuit of progressive sanctification. We cannot conflate

Justification and Sanctification.

1. We are continually dedicating new areas of our lives as the Spirit of God makes them
clear to us.

2. Therefore, dedication services are warranted and helpful.

E. Assurance of Salvation is possible and desired by God!

F.
THEOLOGY MATTERS 50
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THEOLOGY MATTERS

Appendix:
What is the Condition(s) for Salvation?
John 20:31 - Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not
recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of
God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

(98 x’s John emphasizes belief)

John 1:12 - Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to
become children of God—

John 3:15-16 - that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”16 For God so loved the world
that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal
life.

John 3:36 - Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,

John 5:24 - Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal
life…”

John 6:40 - For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall
have eternal life…

John 6:47 - Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.

John 11:25 - Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will
live, even though they die

John 20:31 - But these are written that you may believe[a] that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God,
and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Acts 4:4 - But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to
about five thousand.

Acts 8:37 - Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “I
believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

Acts 10:43 - All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives
forgiveness of sins through his name.

Acts 11:17 - So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ,
who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?

Acts 11:21 - The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to
the Lord.
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THEOLOGY MATTERS

Acts 15:7 - After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some
time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of
the Gospel and believe.

Acts 16:31 - They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your
household.”

Acts 18:8 - Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many
of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.

Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings
salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

Romans 3:22 - This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.

Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord.

Romans 10:9-10 - If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God
raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 4:5 - However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly,
their faith is credited as righteousness.

I Corinthians 15:1-2 - Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the Gospel I preached to
you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this Gospel you are saved, if
you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:11 - Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you
believed.

John 11:43 – 45 - When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The
dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus
said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come
to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him.

John 12:11 - for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their
faith in him.

Romans 3:22 - This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is
no difference between Jew and Gentile.

Romans 3:25a - God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his
blood—to be received by faith.
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THEOLOGY MATTERS

Bibliography
Free Grace Writings
Bing, Charles C. Lordship Salvation: A Biblical Evaluation and Response. (Grace Life: Burleson,
TX), 1997.

Chay, Fred. ed, A Defense of Free Grace Theology: With Respect to Saving Faith, Perseverance, and
Assurance. 2017.

Dillow, Joseph C. Final Destiny: The Reign of the Servant Kings. (Grace Theology Press:), 2018.

Hawley, Grant. ed. Free Grace Theology: 5 Ways it Magnifies the Gospel, (Bold Grace Publishing:
Allen, TX), 2016.

Hodges, Zane C. Absolutely Free: A Biblical Reply to Lordship Salvation. (Grand Rapids: Academie
Books), Revised Addition 1989.

________. The Gospel Under Siege: Faith and Works in Tension. (Dallas: Redencion Viva), 1992.

________. The Hungary Inherit: Winning the Wealth of the World to Come (Dallas: Redencion
Viva), 1997.

Lightner, Robert P. Sin, the Savior, and Salvation: The Theology of Everlasting Life, (Thomas
Nelson Publishers: Nashville), 1991.

Radmacher, Earl D. Salvation. Nashville: Word Publishing, 2000.

Ryrie, Charles C. Balancing the Christian Life, (Moody Bible Institute: Chicago, 1969).

________. So Great Salvation: What It Means to Believe in Jesus Christ. Dallas: Victor Books,
1989.

Walvoord, John F. Editor, Lewis Sperry Chafer Systematic Theology, Volume I (Victor Books:
Wheaton), 1988.

________. Editor, Lewis Sperry Chafer Systematic Theology, Volume II (Victor Books: Wheaton),
1988.

Wilkin, Robert N. The Road to Reward: Living Today in Light of Tomorrow, (Grace Evangelical
Society: Irving), 2003.
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THEOLOGY MATTERS

Lordship Salvation Writings

Demarest, Bruce. The Cross and Salvation: The Doctrine of Salvation, (Crossway Books: Wheaton),
1997.

Kenneth L. Gentry, “The Great Option: A Study of the Lordship Controversy,” Baptist Reformation
Review 5 (Spring 1976): 52.

Grudem, Wayne. “Free Grace” Theology: 5 Ways It Diminishes the Gospel, (Crossway Books:
Wheaton), 2016.

________. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. (Zondervan: Grand Rapids),

1994.

MacArthur, John. Faith Works: The Gospel According to the Apostles, (Word Publishing: Dallas),
1993.

________. The Gospel According to Jesus: What Does Jesus Mean When He Says, ‘Follow Me”?
(Zondervan: Grand Rapids), 1988.

Sproul, R.C. Reason to Believe. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1982.

Free Grace Commentaries

Hebrews

Allen, David L. Hebrews, The New American Commentary. Vol. 35 (Broadman and Holman
Publishing: Nashville), 2010.

Constable, Thomas L., “Notes on James,” https://planobiblechapel.org/constable-notes (accessed,

5/15/2021).

Pentecost, Dwight J. A Faith that Endures: The Book of Hebrew Applied to the Real Issues of Life.
(Discovery House Publishers: Grand Rapids), 1992.

Walvoord, John F. and Roy B. Zuck eds. “Hebrews” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (David C.
Cook: Colorado Springs), 1989.

1 John

Anderson, David R., Maximum Joy: First John–Relationship or Fellowship? (Grace Theology Press),
2013.

Constable, Thomas L., “Notes on 1 John,” https://planobiblechapel.org/constable-notes (accessed,

5/15/2021).
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THEOLOGY MATTERS

Hodges, Zane. The Epistles of John: Walking in the Light of God’s Love. (Irving: Grace Evangelical
Society), 1999.

Walvoord, John F. and Roy B. Zuck eds. “1 John” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (David C.
Cook: Colorado Springs), 1989.

James

Constable, Thomas L., “Notes on James,” https://planobiblechapel.org/constable-notes (accessed,

5/15/2021).

Hodges, Zane. The Epistle of James: Proven Character Through Testing. (Irving: Grace Evangelical
Society), 1994.

Walvoord, John F. and Roy B. Zuck eds. “Hebrews” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (David C.
Cook: Colorado Springs), 1989.