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William Lane Craig on Matthew 27:52-53

Below is a clip from a debate between William Lane Craig and James Crossley. In the course of Craig's presentation, he referenced the resurrected saints in Matthew 27. At the Q/A time in the closing segment, a questioner appealed to Craig to explain his understanding of the resurrected saints about which Matthew mentions. Craig's answer is enlightening: Those who've kept up with my site know my appreciation for William Craig, even describing him as perhaps the foremost Christian apologist living today. However, in light of the recent Licona/Geisler-Mohler contention over... Read more →

Norm Geisler defends Al Mohler by Peter Lumpkins

Dr. Norman Geisler offered a stunning rebuttal to Mike Licona's critique of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary president, Al Mohler. Geisler concludes >>> Unfortunately, Mike Licona refers to Dr. Mohler and I as "detractors." In response, I would like to repeat that I have both love for Mike as a brother in Christ and respect for him as a scholar. However, I have a higher respect for the truth of God's inerrant Word and for my duty to defend it. And I am firmly convinced that the Gospel record is seriously... Read more →

Dr. Adam Harwood on Spiritual Condition of Infants by Peter Lumpkins

Truett-McConnell assistant professor of Christian Studies, Adam Harwood, says few things are "more painful or perplexing" than the death of an infant. Only recently did I profile Dr. Harwood's book, The Spiritual Condition of Infants: A Biblical-Historical Survey and Systematic Proposal . At no time have we needed tighter, more sophisticated, sober thinking about this issue. Sadly, some theologies offer no sure biblical-theological footing on the spiritual condition of infants Classic Reformed thought has been all over the map on the issue, from assigning non-elect babies to the fires of... Read more →

"Live Forever" by Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors

Check out the hit single by Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors entitled, Live Forever. All members of the band are dedicated Christian men and women. Especially note the drummer, my son-in-law, Jon Radford. God gave me two great sons-in-law for my baby girls (and a great daughter-in-law as well!). Enjoy... Read more →

Memo from Licona to Mohler and Geisler: "unpersuasive and misguided" by Peter Lumpkins

Mike Licona is not backing down. While he softened his wording found in his published book in the open letter to Norm Geisler, it seems he's once again taking a polarizing position on the Matthew 27:52-53 text. Indeed after going back and fairly well arguing strongly for his original position in his book, The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach, Licona boldly asserts >>> The calls of Drs. Geisler and Mohler for me to retract my opinion that it is possible Matthew intended for his readers to understand the... Read more →

SBC Voices and Calvinism by Peter Lumpkins

UPDATE: Brandon Smith (the author of the tweet posted in the body of this piece) responded to this post at SBC Voices. Apart from suggesting the portrayal here is a "typical shock jock post that [Peter Lumpkins] wrote about myself and Voices" (what he means I haven't a clue. I've never written about Smith so far as I know, and I rarely mention SBC Voices), Brandon Smith says of the slanderous tweet, it was "a joke based on Whosoever Will and does not actually refer to how I feel about... Read more →

Licona not an Evangelical Theological Society member?

We now learn Dr. Mike Licona is apparently not a member of the ETS. Does Dr. Geisler's argument still have merit? Certainly something to think about. With that, I am... Peter Read more →

Al Mohler vindicates Norm Geisler by Peter Lumpkins

For those who've pooh-poohed Dr. Norman Geisler's questioning of former North American Mission Board apologist, Mike Licona, concerning his entirely unacceptable view of the resurrection saints in Matthew 27:52-53, dubbing Matthew's meaning as little more than "special effects" which the Apostle “added” as a “poetic device” to show a great king had died (i.e. the “Son of God”), and consequently judgment awaited Israel (The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach, pp.552-553) need to listen carefully to Dr. Al Mohler in his latest post >>> The question of biblical inerrancy... Read more →

Mike Licona Responds to Norman Geisler by Peter Lumpkins

Apparently, Dr. Mike Licona has openly responded to Dr. Norman Geisler's public criticism. A copy of Licona's response is posted on Licona's son-in-law's site* (I could not locate it on Licona's site). Dr.Licona writes: An Open Response to Norman Geisler Norman Geisler has taken issue with a portion of my recent book, The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach, in which I proposed that the story of the raised saints in Matthew 27:52-53 should probably be interpreted as apocalyptic imagery rather than literal history. In response, Dr. Geisler has... Read more →

Christ's Death: designed for all, designed for some? (part II) by Peter Lumpkins

John writes: “He Himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only for ours but the sins of all the world” (1 John 2:2 NLT). In order to better grasp this verse, let’s consider a brief background of the Elder’s first little letter >>> Undoubtedly written by an eye witness of Jesus (1:1-4), most scholars seemingly attest to a date for it in the mid to late nineties A.D. And, though some have questioned whether John the Apostle penned it, Guthrie is surely right to insist “ it... Read more →

"Calminian" Good, "Biblicist" Better by Peter Lumpkins

Arminian theologian, Roger Olson, insists there is no such animal as a "Calminian". In fact, he unequiovocally states the "Impossibility of Calminianism." He writes >>> Nevertheless, in spite of the stark contrast between Calvinism and Arminianism on certain fundamental points of doctrine, many people try to force them into a hybrid: Calminianism. Classical Calvinists and classical Arminians agree that this is not possible... . On several crucial issues related to soteriology, then, no middle ground or hybrid between Calvinism and Arminianism is logically possible. Calminianism can only be held in... Read more →

Christ's Death: designed for all, designed for some? (part I) by Peter Lumpkins

One of the clearest expressions in Scripture pertaining to the infinite worth of Christ’s sacrifice is found in the Apostle of Love’s first little letter. He writes: “He Himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only for our sins but the sins of all the world” (2:2 NLT). This post is meant not to be an exhaustive exposition of this text. Rather, my desire is to allow the Word of God to simply speak for itself through honest evaluation of the text sufficiently showing John’s basic intent... Read more →

Worship is...Natural? by Peter Lumpkins

Here's a look at worship from the natural perspective...Enjoy! With that, I am... Peter Read more →