Is ‘Backsliding’ Really a Thing?

By Aaron Blumer

An article at Proclaim & Defend last week raised the question “Do We Still Believe in Backsliding?” For me, the answer is, “Yes, but not in the way you mean.”

In general, we should describe the Christian life using biblical language in a biblical way. When we do that, we avoid a lot of misunderstanding or misemphasis. So, considering the topic of backsliding, we should start with three questions:

How does the Bible use the term “backsliding”? Given how the term is used, what does…

After the Victory . . . the Battle Begins (Part 1)

By Paul J. Scharf

On Mount Carmel, Elijah experienced one of the greatest spiritual victories recorded in all of Holy Scripture. His triumph over Ahab, Jezebel and “the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah” (1 Kings 18:19) devastated the wicked king and queen.

Ahab offered a muted response to his embarrassing defeat (e.g., 1 Kings 18:41-46), while Jezebel became infuriated (1 Kings 19:1-2). Like Satan himself, she manifested her darkest rage when she understood the certainty of her ultimate demise (1 Kings 21:23; 2 Kings 9:30-37; cf. Rom. 16:20; Rev. 12:12…

The Resurrection Body of Christ the Lord, Part 5

By John C. Whitcomb

Read the series.

National, ethnic Israel will turn to their long-rejected Messiah in genuine faith at least three years before they see Him at His second coming and at the inaugural banquet. By the midpoint of the 70th week of Daniel, 42 months before He returns to establish His kingdom, 144,000 Israelis will have been sealed by God—12,000 from each of the 12 tribes—to evangelize the entire world (Rev. 7:1-8; 13-14). The Messiah assured His disciples that “this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world…