Everyone Worships Something by Michael J. Penfold Everyone worships something, even atheists. Actually, especially atheists. Obliterating God from one’s life leaves a gargantuan hole that, consciously or unconsciously, God-rejectors cannot help but try to fill with meaningful God-substitutes. Nature abhors a vacuum. Now, here’s where it gets tricky. The substitute gods of secularism over-promise and […]
The Uniqueness of Christianity Audio presentation by Michael J. Penfold Apologetics 101 – PART 5 of 5 Consciously or not, every human being has a worldview; it’s the way they view themselves, the world and all of reality. That worldview has consequences, for what a person believes determines how they live. So what is the […]
The Rock of Scripture Audio presentation by Michael J. Penfold Apologetics 101 – PART 4 of 5 In 1890, British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, wrote a book about the Bible entitled “The Impregnable Rock of Holy Scripture”. Battering this rock over recent centuries has been Higher Criticism, one of the off-shoots of the Enlightenment. In […]
The Lie of Evolution Audio presentation by Michael J. Penfold Apologetics 101 – PART 3 of 5 The foundation upon which the secular and naturalistic worldview of the mainstream media, the mainstream political parties and the academic establishment rests, is Darwinism. While the Enlightenment got rid of Scripture and turned theists into deists, it was […]
The Folly of Atheism Audio presentation by Michael J. Penfold Apologetics 101 – PART 2 of 5 The Bible doesn’t beat about the bush. Twice over it says “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’.” In this presentation, Michael Penfold expounds this biblical conclusion, as he examines the folly of a […]
The Existence of Truth Audio presentation by Michael J. Penfold Apologetics 101 – PART 1 of 5 Pilate’s question is still the most fundamental of all: “What is truth?”. In this audio presentation, follow the trail of truth from the pre-modern era, through the modern era to the post-modern era of today. Learn how truth […]
I’m a Christian. Why should I get a COVID-19 vaccine? by David K. Vallance, M.D. (Ann Arbor, MI, USA) I have written this paper to address questions many believers have asked me about the new COVID-19 vaccines. I recommend getting a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can (unless you have had a serious allergic […]
No, Mr Dawkins, faith is not belief without evidence. by Michael J. Penfold Faith is anathema to outspoken atheist Richard Dawkins, who scornfully describes it as “blind trust, in the absence of evidence, even in the teeth of evidence”.1 Without evidence, faith is silly; with evidence, faith is superfluous. Game, set and match to atheism? […]
How Do You Know You Are Saved? by Michael J. Penfold Ask people who claim to be saved how they know they are saved, and you’ll receive a wide variety of answers. Some say “I just know”. If that’s your answer, may I kindly ask you exactly how you know? Without a valid basis for […]
Here’s a handy A4 chart containing a timeline of when Paul’s epistles were written, and how that fits with his 4 missionary journeys and his 3 trips to Jerusalem. Click here for a PDF copy or click on the chart below to open up a large jpeg copy: Michael J. Penfold
The Most Common Objection to God – Answered by Michael J. Penfold (To watch this as a YouTube video, click here) The most common objection to the God of the Bible is not “how did Noah get all the animals onto the ark?”, nor even “Where did Cain get his wife?”. Ask the average atheist […]
by Michael J. Penfold Elsewhere on this website I have written defending the truth that, in His incarnation, the Lord Jesus took of the substance of the virgin Mary (See Did the Lord Take Anything from Mary?). I briefly referenced some ‘Church history’ in that article, but I intend now to give a much fuller […]
Here’s a handy A4 chart outlining what the New Testament teaches about the content and communication of the gospel. The key take-away from the chart is: God has not only given us a message, but also a method for communicating that message. Click here for a PDF copy or click on the chart below to […]
What is Hypostatic Union? by Michael J. Penfold C.H. Mackintosh once remarked that, “The truth respecting Christ’s humanity must be received with scriptural accuracy, held with spiritual energy, guarded with holy jealousy, and confessed with heavenly power. If we are wrong as to this, we cannot be right as to anything.”[1] That being the case, […]
Here’s a handy outline of Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians in printable A4 chart form: Click here to view the Ephesians outline in PDF or click on the image below to view the Ephesians outline in jpg: Michael J. Penfold info@webtruth.org
Here’s a handy A4 chart outlining what the New Testament teaches about marriage, family and the home. Click here for a PDF copy or click on the chart below to open up a large jpeg copy:
Here’s a handy A4 chart outlining what the New Testament teaches about separation from the world in 5 aspects: ecclesiastical, social, political, marital and financial. Click here for a PDF copy or click on the chart below to open up a large jpeg copy:
Here’s a handy A4 chart outlining what the New Testament teaches about the nature, function and purpose of a local church. Remember, how a local assembly operates is a matter of principle, not preference, as shown by: 1 Cor 3.10 – which tells us to be careful how we build into an assembly 1 Tim […]
David Gelernter is what I would call a ‘rare bird’. An unconverted Western intellectual who rejects Darwin’s theory of evolution. Why highlight the story of a professor who gives up on Darwin but doesn’t become a “born again Christian”? Because that is not a good look for Darwinism, is it? One expects Christians to reject […]
It’s helpful, when commencing the study of a New Testament book, to read a summary of the book by an author who has passed that way before you. This article reviews 9 such ‘New Testament surveys’, highlighting their take on one particular book: the gospel of John. 1. A Guide to the Gospels (by W. Graham […]
The extreme perfection, complexity and beauty of the human eye – not to mention its dazzling array of utterly astounding functions and capabilities – is both a puzzle and a nightmare for Darwinists. A detailed evolutionary history of the human eye – that is, the mutational pathway from no sight to human sight – has […]
Eugene Higgins (New Jersey, USA) preaches a series of sermons on future events according to the Bible, from the second coming of Christ to the inauguration of the new heavens and the new earth, and everything in between. Clear, contextual and challenging, these Biblical messages will repay careful viewing. PART 1 – It’s the Road, […]
Is it right for a Christian to smoke, or to play the lottery, to watch movies, to follow sports, to play computer games or to be on social media? You will search in vain for a Bible verse that directly addresses these items – and for good reason. When God gave us His written revelation […]
Psychologist, author and Harvard professor Steven Pinker is one of the world’s leading atheists. In his book, Enlightenment Now (Penguin, 2018), he says: “Few sophisticated people today profess a belief in heaven and hell, the literal truth of the Bible, or a God who flouts the laws of physics.” Pinker is undoubtedly correct, and I […]
by Michael J. Penfold Some have suggested that the physical body of the Lord Jesus was directly created by God from nothing. No physical or genetic link existed between Christ and Mary because God created the Lord’s body without using a mother’s ovum, just as He had done once before, in a different manner, with […]
It would be a worthy goal for every believer to complete a verse by verse study of the following Bible books by the age of 30 (or within 10 years of being saved): One of the 4 gospels Romans 1 Corinthians Ephesians Hebrews These books provide a breadth and depth of divine revelation that is […]
The Bible Validates Itself John F. Parkinson The Bible needs no external authority to validate it. Scripture is self-authenticating and bears the unmistakable stamp of divine authorship, as John Parkinson explains in this helpful article: In our pluralistic age we often hear the Bible described as merely another source of divine inspiration alongside the sacred […]
Atheism is flourishing in the country of my birth. Though 100 years ago most people in the UK attended church, the current figure sits at around 6%. Compare that with the 14% who identify as “convinced atheists”. The ‘atheist percentage’ is considerably higher among the young, which indicates that within a generation the country whose […]
Dr David Vallance, a Christian medical doctor from Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, gives a Biblical perspective on the difficult and contentious issues of genetic engineering, designer babies, fetal harvesting and transhumanism. In the beginning, God directed Adam to subdue and rule the earth, and everything in it (Gen 1:28). In this “dominion mandate” the Lord […]
An American author wrote a book a while ago called “Stop Asking Jesus into Your Heart”. I have a slightly different plea: stop telling people to “ask the Lord to save them”. This 6-word-sentence is a favourite cliché of many a preacher, Sunday School teacher and Bible Camp leader. Closing a gospel presentation the audience […]
Chart of “the Kingdom of God in History and Prophecy” The subject of “the Kingdom” is a grey area in the minds of many Christians! For example, how would you answer the following questions?: What is the Kingdom of God? Is there a difference between the Kingdom and the Church? Is there a difference between […]
Is the Sabbath for today? by Michael J. Penfold The question of the Sabbath, and whether or not Christians are expected to observe it, is a huge issue in the minds of many people. The world’s largest Sabbath-keeping group is the 20-million-member 7th Day Adventist Church. Their Saturday Sabbath message is making headway on all […]
The Tragic Triumph of Experience Over Truth by Michael J. Penfold Across vast swathes of evangelicalism, doctrine and theology have become dirty words, while what “feels good” has won the day. Exposition has been surrendered to entertainment, preaching to performance, doctrine to drama, and theology to theatrics. As in modern politics, gut feeling has triumphed […]
It only takes a couple of minutes to download Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. You gain some connectivity, some fame and maybe even make some money. But there’s a downside. You lose your privacy, liberty, tranquility and sanctity, and may never get them back. All in 2 minutes. 1. Privacy Have you ever wondered […]
Two key chapters in the book of Daniel, Chs 2 and 9, outline the whole history of God’s dealings with His people Israel from hundreds of years BC, right through to the second coming of Christ and the inauguration of His millennial kingdom. Both of these pivotal prophecies were given before the events they predict […]
In an important article, Dr A.J. Higgins M.D. (New Jersey, USA) takes up the vital, foundationsl topic of the virgin birth of Christ: Apart from the resurrection of Christ, no truth is so maligned by the scientifically conditioned and rational mind as the virgin birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. While it is sung about […]
Charts of Biblical topics are incredibly useful additions to any Bible student’s library. Being able to view complex topics or themes in chart or table form can make all the difference between bewilderment and clarity in the realm of Bible doctrine! Here are the 5 best books of charts I have enjoyed using over the […]
In 1871, twelve years after his On the Origin of Species was published, Charles Darwin released another explosive book about evolution, The Descent of Man, in which he outlined his theory of human evolution, his main proposal being that mankind had evolved from “some lower form”. Humans are descendants of ape-like creatures, he claimed. Only […]
It is some years since I read ‘The God Delusion’ by Richard Dawkins. An erudite man, a lucid communicator and an eloquent writer, the world’s most famous atheist has a reputation as an outstanding logician. In classical logic, the law of non-contradiction states that “contradictory statements cannot both be true in the same sense at […]
Local Assembly Basics 8. The Local Assembly Fulfils the Divine Commission Our thoughts now turn to “the great commission” in which the Lord Jesus told his disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel, baptise the converts, and teach them to observe all things that He had commanded. Having looked at the […]
My Child Wants To Be Saved. What Should I Do? by Michael J. Penfold For parents who value the salvation of their children above and beyond everything else, there’s nothing more pleasing than to hear a child say, “Daddy/Mummy, I want to be saved”. Yet, precisely because the eternal welfare of their children is so […]
“Christian rock”, “Christian rap” and all other forms of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) have long since swept away all the early objections that were raised against it by conservative Christians in the 1960’s and 70’s. Hardly anyone talks about ‘worldly music’ anymore. The once radical – and still totally erroneous – idea that “all music […]
Local Assembly Basics 7. The Local Assembly Proclaims Divine Truth The relationship between “God and truth” seems obvious to most Christians. God is the source of truth, all truth is God’s truth, and without God there can be no truth. The concept of “the Bible and truth” is also widely appreciated. God, who is truth, […]
Should Christians Watch Movies? Michael J. Penfold If you a Christian who loves movies, here’s a challenge for you. Are you willing to consider the following five issues that might upset your viewing habits? Before watching a movie, consider: 1. Content The vast majority of Hollywood, Bollywood and the rest of the film industry’s content […]
Local Assembly Basics 6. The Local Assembly Provides Divine Care What a place the assembly is! – where God’s glory is preeminent; His presence is known; His wisdom is displayed; His rule is acknowledged, and His order of headship is honoured and displayed. We come now to a sixth purpose: the assembly is where God’s […]
Local Assembly Basics 5. The Local Assembly Displays Divine Order We take our leave of the subject of “lordship” to look now at “headship”. These two topics – both of which significantly impact assembly life and testimony – need to be carefully distinguished. Lordship has to do with rule; headship with role. Lordship emphasises supremacy […]
Local Assembly Basics 4. The Local Assembly Administers Divine Authority In previous articles we have examined a number of basic truths about the local assembly. First, He owns it. Second, He dwells in it. Third, He designed it. Now we come to a fourth fundamental consideration – He rules it. The Bible teaches that Christ […]
Local Assembly Basics 3. The Local Assembly Exhibits Divine Design We have seen that the Lord both owns the assembly and dwells in the assembly. Let us now consider the fact that He designed the assembly and that its order, structure and character showcase His wisdom. These three facts are placed side by side, in […]
Local Assembly Basics 2. The Local Assembly Manifests the Divine Presence Our thoughts now turn to a second fundamental purpose of a local assembly – it manifests the presence of God. Since the beginning of creation it has always been God’s purpose to dwell among His people. Adam and Eve heard God’s voice, knew His […]
Local Assembly Basics Introduction It’s common nowadays to ‘choose a church’ based on personal preference. If the kids’ programme is cool, the Pastor is easy to listen to and the band is trendy, what more could one want? However, in light of the fact that the Bible contains several epistles that give detailed doctrinal instructions […]
Is the Bible the Word of God? Audio presentation by Michael J. Penfold Is the Bible the Word of God? it reliable? Is it true? Is the Bible we have today the same as the one originally written? Can the Bible be trusted? Are there any proofs that can be offered? Can Christians claim with […]
“Speaking in tongues” has been a leading feature of the Pentecostal-Charismatic movement ever since its inception. The first supposed occurrence of “tongues speaking” in the modern era took place at 11.00pm on Jan 1st 1901 in Topeka, Kansas, USA, when Agnes Osman claimed to possess and use this gift. Aside from the historical fact that the […]
This article by Dr. A. J. Higgins M.D. (New Jersey, USA) tackles two epidemics of 21st Century western culture – gambling and alcohol – and examines them from a Biblical perspective. Any student of American history quickly recognises the name of Eliot Ness and his “Untouchables”, who enforced prohibition in Chicago during the 1930’s. Alcohol […]
Theologically sound, well-written books on the subject of election and predestination, that avoid the extremes of “limited atonement” (Calvinism) on the one hand, and the “falling away” doctrine (Arminianism) on the other, can be hard to come by. Listed here are 13 volumes that engage with the Biblical text using a proper grammatical-historical hermeneutic and […]
What is the Difference between Propitiation and Atonement? Samuel McBride This article was originally published as a book called Atonement – Old or New Testament Doctrine? It is taught by many that ‘atonement’ is an exclusively Old Testament idea that means to “cover sin up”, whereas ‘propitiation’ is a New Testament truth that enables the […]
George Cutting (1834-1934) was a faithful English evangelist and author, well known for writing the booklet Safety, Certainty and Enjoyment. His other lesser known work – but equally effective – is Light for Anxious Souls, which is reproduced below. This work will be a great help to anyone who is awake to both their condemnation […]
If you, or someone you know, is struggling to be saved, or is agonising with doubts about salvation, C.H. Spurgeon’s Around the Wicket Gate is just what you need. We urge anyone in soul trouble to carefully and earnestly read and meditate on these powerful Biblical insights for their eternal blessing: Around the Wicket Gate Awakening […]
David McAllister, a Bible teacher from Donegal, Ireland, takes up the topic of the vicarious death of Christ and asks “If Christ died for all, does that mean that everyone will be saved? And if not, why not?” The Scriptures teach that not everyone will be saved. The reason is that, in order to be […]
Did Christ Die for All? by David McAllister David McAllister, a Bible teacher from Donegal, Ireland, takes up the topic of the vicarious death of Christ and asks “For whom did Christ die? Was it for all or just for a select few?” According to one dictionary, the word “vicarious” means “acting or done for […]
God is Obvious by Michael J. Penfold From Augustine and Thomas Aquinas in the past, to Norman Geisler and William Lane Craig in the present, there has been a steady stream of formidable Christian apologists throughout history who have furnished the world with ample convincing arguments for the existence of God. Look out for the […]
by Alexander Marshall (1846-1928) This article has been a blessing to thousands of people over many years. In booklet form it has been published in more than 20 languages with over four million copies in print. It highlights around 30 questions, excuses and enquiries about the vital topic of God’s salvation and the way to heaven. In […]
In October 2015 a Christian apologetics conference on the subject of “Origins” was held at the Gospel Hall in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Over seven sessions, a wide range of fundamental issues were taken up by Michael Penfold, all relating to the question of origins. Session 1 dealt with The Origin of Truth. What is truth? […]
In October 2015 a conference on the subject of “dispensations and ages” was held at the Gospel Hall in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. Understanding the Bible’s dispensations greatly aids in appreciating its overall flow, structure and goal. These sessions will repay careful viewing. Dan Shutt opened the conference with “An Introduction to Dispensationalism”, outlining the concept of […]
This article by Dr. A. J. Higgins M.D. (New Jersey, USA) sets out the Bible’s teaching on the environment: Tree huggers, climate-change alarmists, green earth policies, zealous recyclers – we are inundated by the social movements of our day. Stay more than one night in a hotel and you have the option of reusing towels […]
One of the most neglected and least understood themes of the Bible is its programme of Divine Covenants. Ask the average Christian what he or she knows about the Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic and New Covenants and one is most likely to be met with a blank stare! Despite the somewhat complex nature of the […]
When God deals with mankind creatorially He sees but one group. He created humanity “of one blood” (Acts 17:26). There is but one human race, despite differences of colour, culture and creed. However, when God deals with men redemptively He sees two groups, the saved and the lost (John 3:36, Rev 22:11). Yet, when God […]
Chart of the 7 Dispensations The broad sweep of history is neither random nor chaotic. The Bible reveals that God is working all things after the counsel of His own will (Eph 1:11). He has superintended history in a series of ages or eras, and has allotted to each period a distinctive set of administrative principles. […]
This article by Dr. A. J. Higgins M.D. (New Jersey, USA) sets out the Bible’s teaching on debility and euthanasia: Shakespeare said it back in 1600: “Last scene of all, that ends this strange eventful history, is second childishness and mere oblivion, sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.” Solomon’s description in Ecclesiastes 12 […]
In his 2010 book, The Grand Design, Stephen W. Hawking deftly composes a sentence of staggering, perhaps unparalleled, sleight-of-hand proportions. “Because there is a law such as gravity,” he writes, “the Universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the Universe exists, why […]
5 Reasons Why Tongues Have Ceased Michael J. Penfold Millions of people around the world claim to have the “gift of tongues” and to be able to “speak in tongues”. That the Bible speaks of such a gift is beyond dispute. The New Testament books of Acts and 1 Corinthians contain historical and doctrinal information […]
So, you’re an atheist? Yes. Are you absolutely sure that God doesn’t exist? 100% positive? Totally beyond doubt? No, I didn’t say that. One can’t absolutely prove the non-existence of God, not in the sense of mathematical proof anyway. So you’re not really an atheist, you’re an agnostic. Well…I suppose so, if you put it […]
Do or Done? by Michael J. Penfold An examination of the world’s religions quickly reveals one stand-out fact. Whether Hinduism with its rituals, Islam with its pilgrimages, Roman Catholicism with its sacraments or evangelicalism with its “sinner’s prayer”, ultimately all religious want you to do something to get right with God. Your salvation, your forgiveness, […]
Should Christians Listen to Contemporary Christian Music? by Michael J. Penfold Lifest is an annual 4-day Christian music festival that takes place in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA, each July. It attracts around 20,000 attendees per day and features around 100 artists performing on 6 different stages. It is a member of The Christian Festival Association, a […]
Inner peace. Illusive, fleeting, easily disturbed. How to obtain it? How to maintain it? Meditation, drugs, religion, yoga, romance? Endless options, mixed success. There’s another kind of peace that’s more fundamental, more important. Objective rather than subjective; fixed rather than variable. You need it. Think about this. The opposite of peace is war. Ever since […]
How to Become a Christian by Michael J. Penfold The Bible is a living, powerful book. If you truly desire to be saved – to become a Christian – the best thing you can do is to read the Bible for yourself. People are saved “through the word of God” (1 Peter 1:23). Personal saving faith […]
At the beginning, God placed man in Eden’s paradise. The original creatorial order featured harmony between the Creator and His creation under the rule of Adam, heaven’s vice-regent on earth. Satan engineered a rebellion which resulted in Adam rejecting God’s authority. Adam shifted his allegiance from God to the arch enemy Satan, and since that […]
The Bible outlines two ways. Man’s way and God’s way – the way of lawlessness and the way of righteousness. These ways are opposed to each other. Indeed, one is a deliberate turning away from the other. Isaiah describes it well. “All we, like sheep, have gone astray, we have turned, every one, to his […]
Is “One Man Ministry” Scriptural? by Michael J Penfold A young man feels ‘called to the ministry’. His pastor recommends him to go to Bible College for three years to become fully equipped for his vocation. At college he is rigorously trained, his trial sermons are assessed and his final examination papers are passed. At […]
In the BBC series ‘Great Britons’ in 2002, Charles Darwin was listed as the 4th greatest Briton ever to have lived. In his contribution to the series, BBC correspondent and atheist Andrew Marr stated: “We have many local heroes; we have only one world changer. His name is Charles Darwin.” In a similar vein James […]
“If there’s a God, please lift that dustbin lid.” by Michael J Penfold The British TV series Dixon of Dock Green ran for an incredible 25 years. In 1990, the atheistic playwright behind it, Ted Willis, moved an amendment to the Broadcasting Bill in the British Houses of Parliament, hoping to pave the way for […]
What is Postmodernism? by Michael J. Penfold “What’s true for you may not be true for me,” encapsulates the postmodern idiom fairly well. Despite its recent origin, postmodernism currently dominates Western 21st Century media, academia, politics and much of ‘the church’. Statistics reveal that a majority of young people in the West hold to the […]
Arriving at a clear understanding of the true nature of salvation represents the first step in settling the question of eternal security. The Bible clearly teaches that at the very moment of genuine repentance and saving faith a sinner is: Converted – turned around (Acts 3:19) Reconciled – made at peace (2 Cor 5:19) Sanctified […]
Assessing contemporary praise and worship (CPW) is a tricky task for two major reasons. Firstly, the phenomenon is less than 60 years old, and secondly, it is a varied and constantly changing field of study. Yet, for all its variety, CPW exhibits four enduring features, which distinguish it from all that went before it, during […]
Contemporary Song Books Examined by Michael J. Penfold A hymn book and a Bible. For hundreds of years ‘the saints’ all carried them to church; but the 21st century finds most worshippers showing up on Sunday morning empty-handed. Only the preacher carries a Bible and the songs are on the big screen. In fact, in […]
Once a matter of life and death, transubstantiation is now generally a matter of indifference. Despite the fact that the process of transubstantiation apparently takes place 120,000,000 times a year (once at each Catholic Mass worldwide), many evangelicals have neither heard of the word nor know what it means. Even when they find out, they […]
The DaVinci Code – A Critique by Michael J. Penfold Dan Brown, author of best-selling novel “The DaVinci Code’, claims to know the truth about the greatest cover-up in human history. Though the information he discloses already existed in older non-fiction books such as ‘Holy Blood Holy Grail’ (Dell, 1983) and ‘The Templar Revelation’ (Simon […]
