I was born and raised in northern Illinois, and living there now. But having lived in Texas, I’m definitely a Texan at heart. My favorite city is San Antonio, where we used to live. My favorite place is the Riverwalk, where my wife and I have very fond memories. We have 4 kids and 4 grandkids. I’ve been a lifelong fan of fitness and sports, especially college sports. I’m primarily a Longhorns fan, but I also like Baylor and Iowa State. However, I’m discovering that the older I get and the closer I get to meeting my Savior, the less important sports are to me. I’m living more and more with eternity in view. You may read what I believe under “What I Believe.” But briefly:
—Not a theologian, BUT I’m wired that way.
—Calvinist, but NOT a fully Reformed Calvinist, and NOT a Presbyterian.
—Essentially in agreement with Baptist Covenant Theology, but NOT a Baptist.
—I embrace the five solas of the Reformation: Saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, via Scripture alone, to the glory of God alone.
—I believe God’s plan for Israel is fulfilled in Christ and His Church. Therefore, I’m NOT a dispensationalist.
—I believe in the Kingdom of Christ, but NOT in a premillennial kingdom of this world.
—I believe in the return of Christ, but NOT to reign over this world, but to escort us into the Eternal Kingdom.
—Calvinist, but NOT a strict determinist. While God is sovereign and moving everything along according to a grand plan, He is NOT the originator or cause of sin and evil in the world. That comes from within the sinful heart of people themselves.
—I believe in the eternal punishment of sinners, but NOT in eternal conscious suffering, but that sinners suffer temporary punishment, and then ultimately perish (body, soul, spirit)—that to “perish” actually means to perish.
—Calvinist, but NOT complementarian.
—Egalitarian, but I do NOT support the idea that it includes same sex relationships.
—Cessationist regarding the miracle gifts of the Spirit, BUT in places where Christianity and the Bible are outlawed, I believe God can and does use any gift He sees fit—because in such situations, it’s much like the early Church where the NT Scriptures were still being written. I believe God does whatever He needs to do to get the gospel to His elect.
—Patriotic (Navy vet), but I do NOT support Christian Nationalism! CN is NOT Christian. It’s antithetical to the primary mission given to us by our Lord in Matthew 28:19-20.
If you care to read an expanded version of what I believe, you’ll find that under “Systems of Theology—My Position.”
A little more background about myself: I came to faith in Christ when I was 16 years old via the classic gospel tract titled “God’s Simple Plan of Salvation.” Since that time I’ve always understood the value of using gospel tracts to share the message about Christ, and have used them throughout my life. You’ll find a few on this website. When I was 18 or 19 my love for God’s Word began to develop, and so I’ve been a lifelong student of the Bible. I’ve written verse by verse commentaries on Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Revelation. However, they are not published. While I don’t have the credentials of a theologian, I study hard to try and make up for it. However, I want to finish my life with more of a focus on spreading the gospel, and not so much on theology. I’m seeking a better balance between the two. I want to make a difference in people’s lives for all eternity. Theological studies and discussions between Christians are interesting and necessary, but they don’t get anyone into Heaven.