Cage Free Theology
"Cage Free Theology" is a weekly Bible Q&A discussion with two Baptist, Calvinist, and Premillennial, pastors.
As Spurgeon said, there's no need to defend a lion in a cage; simply open the cage door and the lion will fend for itself! We don't defend a preconceived system of theology, we just let the Bible speak for itself, and we go wherever a literal hermeneutic takes us.
The hosts are pastors Clint Archer (MDiv, ThM, DMin, PhD) and Will Brannon (MDiv, DMin), based at Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama.
They both trained at The Master's Seminary and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and between the two of them they have nearly 30 years of full-time ministry experience. Much of that has involved fielding questions from new believers, old believers, and unbelievers, and then sharing what the Bible has to say on a wide array of topics.
They will cover subjects with their engaging and light-hearted banter, including explaining theology, offering interpretations of various difficult Bible passages, discussing counseling scenarios, and even the nuts and bolts of ministry and expository preaching. (Clint occasionally digresses about how animals should live cage-free while Will reminds him of the appeal of meat!)
Each episode addresses one main question, without rambling or irrelevant interjections, to equip listeners to answer questions they have, or questions they get asked by friends. Subscribers get to send in their questions too!
Jesus came to set us free, so beware of manmade cages!
Cage Free Theology
Episode #063: Calvinism Explained - Perseverance Of The Saints
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
This episode concludes the "Tulip" series on Cage Free Theology, we’re diving into the "P": Perseverance of the Saints. Hosts Clint and Will clarify why this doctrine is more than just the "once saved, always saved" cliché. They explore the vital tension between God’s sovereign preservation and the believer’s call to holiness, offering deep comfort for the struggling Christian and a sobering look at what it means to truly belong to Christ.
We tackle the tough questions:
What’s the difference between "Once Saved Always Saved" and biblical perseverance?
How do we handle the "Tears" among the "Wheat" in the local church?
Why is our security 100% based on His faithfulness, not our own?
If you’ve ever wrestled with your assurance or wondered about those who walk away from the faith, this episode is for you.
Tune in to find comfort in the promise that "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion."
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👇 Jump to moments (chapters):
0:55 - A "nutshell" definition
1:55 - Perseverance vs. "Once Saved, Always Saved"
4:04 - The faithfulness of God—not the strength of the believer—is the anchor of security
5:38 - The Role of the Believer and working out your own salvation
6:50 - A look at Colossians 1:22-23
8:10 - Why the 5 Points Stand Together
11:25 - Apostasy - people who "fall away"
14:02 - Wheat and Tears
17:07 - Thistles and Church Membership
19:13 - Recommended Resources
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📖Scriptures And References Mentioned In This Episode:
Jude 1
1 Thessalonians 5:23–24
Philippians 1:6
Philippians 2:12–13
Hebrews 12:14
1 Corinthians 10:13
Colossians 1:22–23
Romans 8:30
James 2:19
1 John 2:19, 25
Romans 8:38–39
Matthew 13:24–30
1 Corinthians 5
1 Thessalonians 5:14
BOOKS FOR BEGINNER:
-The Five Points of Calvinism: Defined, Defended, and Documented * Editors: David Steele, Curtis Thomas, and Lance Quinn.
-Chosen by God R.C. Sproul
BOOKS FOR INTERMEDIATE:
-The History and Theology of Calvinism Kurt Daniel
BOOKS FOR ADVANCED:
-From Heaven He Came and Sought Her David & Jonathan Gibson (Editors)
John MacArthur: Sermon series on the TULIP (The Doctrines of Grace) is a great audio resource for those who prefer listening while driving.
