Another thoughtful reader suggested... READER>> I know that you want your book, Optimism Out of Control , to stand on Scripture alone, but I think that it would be helpful to include citations from other Christians over the past 2,000 years who have thought what you are thinking. It would remove this objection to your book: "If you're right, then has this gone unnoticed for 2,000 years until Jeff Martin came along?" ME>> Excellent suggestion.... read more.

Jesus Christ is your savior, my savior, and the savior of all mankind! So what does it mean to hope in him? Titus 2:11-14 (WEB), 11) For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12) instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age; 13) looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great... read more.

Another questioned... READER>> How can you say Revelation 21:8 does not apply to humans? If you say that only fallen angels are sentenced to the Lake of Fire, since when were demons cowardly, unbelieving, vile, murderers, sexually immoral, magicians, idolaters, and liars? This is clearly speaking about human unbelievers. ME>> This is a most excellent question. Here is Revelation 21:8 (WEB) again, But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and... read more.

One thoughtful reader writes... READER>> In summary, thanks for sending your article and reading my response (below). I hope it is helpful and that you can see why I do not agree with your conclusions, based on the Scriptures. ME>> You are welcome. Fair enough. READER>> I don't see Scripture indicating that I need to worry "whether I am part of the elect or not." Rather, I just need to believe in the Lord Jesus... read more.

Jesus Christ is your savior, my savior, and the savior of all mankind! So what does it mean to imitate him? 1 John 3:1-3 (WEB) says, 1) See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn’t know us, because it didn’t know him. 2) Beloved, now we are children of God, and it is not yet revealed what we... read more.

One Pastor strongly objected... READER>> Is all mankind elect? NO! ME>> Dear Pastor, Thank you for your study of election that you emailed to me. Thank you also for taking the time to fully understand my view. I have no desire to break with tradition unnecessarily. When one does break with tradition, there are often misunderstandings. Yet you have not misunderstood. Second, thank you for not ignoring this difference. I was short sighted in thinking... read more.

Another objected... Reader> [You originally said that Satan and his angels are eternally damned. However consider] Isaiah 65:25, 11:6-10. There are several other scriptural passages indicating God will bring even the ultra-rebel dragon back into loyalty, too. Me> Let's consider those passages. Isaiah 65:25 (WEB), 'The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. Dust will be the serpent’s food. They will not hurt nor destroy in... read more.

I have asked you to consider why you are reading this book. You should ask me why I am writing this book! What is my answer? I am writing this book to clarify the gospel of Jesus Christ from current confusion. The Old Testament man, Job, had big questions for God. Three people, speaking volumes, tried to counsel him. After all their words, his questions remained. Likewise, we have a great need to understand Christian... read more.

John 3:16 is the most famous verse in the entire Bible. And anyone familiar with John 3:16 would naturally say that my entire thesis is unbiblical and unfounded. John 3:16 is commonly understood by all to mean that eternal salvation has been offered, but is only granted to those believing in Jesus. John 3:16 (WEB) says, For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him... read more.