Thursology

We’re in a mini-series about the Book of Life and the biblical theology of salvation. Dr. Dan is now dealing with questions related to what happens to those who’ve never heard the Gospel. In this session…we dive deeply into the (usually) unrecognized biblical truth that every person will be judged by the amount of light that they have. And this means that believers…whom God has given the great privilege of knowing the Gospel and having access to the Word…will be held accountable for that light. And…we’ll see how God will perfectly and impartially judge those who’ve never heard the Gospel by applying a judgment that takes into account the amount of light that they have. Dr. Dan will finish this mini-series by showing how the Word proclaims that God is preparing the hearts and minds of every human being to hear…and receive…the Gospel. The session ends with a challenge to every believer to be actively witnessing everywhere we go…and…to sacrificially support world mission efforts that help take the Message all over the planet…and to join the greatest global revival in all of human history.  Download notes here

We’re in a mini-series about the Book of Life and the biblical theology of salvation. And now Dr. Dan is dealing with important questions related to what happens to those who never hear the Gospel. This issue is of profound importance because it’s a major stumbling block to many non-believers…because they believe that it’s unfair that Christ is the only way to salvation. In this session, we'll look at the remarkable biblical understanding that even those who have never heard the Gospel…still have enough light to respond to God. And this means that no one who stands before Him at the Judgment will have an excuse if they haven’t responded to the light of the Law that He has written on their hearts..Download notes here

We’re in a mini-series about the Book of Life, from Revelation chapter 20. And this has led us to work through the biblical theology of salvation. And Dr. Dan has covered the issues of God’s sovereignty, human freedom, predestination, eternal security, and the Unpardonable Sin. But no series on salvation theology would be compete without dealing with the perennial question about what happens to those who never hear the Gospel. And in this session, we'll deal with a question that puzzles many believers: How did people get saved in the Old Testament? Join Dr. Dan as he unpacks the amazing biblical theology about how Jesus saved people...even before He came to earth as the Savior. Download notes here

We’re in a mini-series about the Book of Life, from Revelation chapter 20. And this has led us to work through the biblical theology of salvation. And Dr. Dan has covered the issues of God’s sovereignty, human free will, election, predestination, eternal security, and the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. But no series on salvation theology would be compete without dealing with the perennial question about what happens to those who never hear the Gospel. Since people can only be saved through Christ...if someone has never heard of Christ…are they lost by default? Join Dr. Dan as he unpacks the amazing biblical theology about how God desires to save…and offers His saving grace to everyone…in every age…in every place.Download notes here

In this remastered teaching on the Last Days…Dr. Dan continues an overview of the biblical prophetic timeline of what will happen at the end of time. We've covered the Tribulation and the Second Coming...and now we come to the 1000-year reign of Christ on the earth. In this session, we'll deal with the mysterious and controversial topic of the Millennium...and with a very common question in eschatology, "Why will there be a Millennium?" download notes here

In this remastered teaching on the Last Days…Dr. Dan continues an overview of the biblical prophetic timeline of what will happen at the end of time. This miniseries covers a high-level outline of the events that occur during the 7-year Tribulation, at Christ’s Return, and during the Millennium. This session focuses on what Jesus termed the “Great Tribulation”…the last 3½ years of the Tribulation…and then the Main Event…The Glorious Appearing of our Great God and Savior at His Second Coming. Download notes here

In this remastered teaching on the Last Days…Dr. Dan begins an overview of the biblical prophetic timeline of what will happen at the end of time. This miniseries will cover a high-level view of the events that occur during the 7-year Tribulation, at Christ’s Return, and during the Millennium…when Jesus will reign over the earth for a thousand years before the final consummation of the Age. Join us for this session where we see the Tribulation unfold in a verse (Daniel 9/27), in a chapter (Matthew 24), and in a book (Revelation) Download notes here

In this mini-series on salvation theology…we're looking at the complicated, but poorly understood, topic of “The Unpardonable Sin.” In this session, Dr. Dan deals with some of the important questions that the doctrines regarding the "Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit" bring up in the life of every believer. Even though this sin is probably very rare...it has significant implications that followers of Christ must pay attention to...implications that compel us to live a life worthy of our calling!!!   Download notes here

In Thursology’s 6th year, Dr. Dan is remastering and updating the early sessions. These teachings provide the foundation of the entire series about the Last Days and the Second Coming of Christ. This month…watch or listen as we learn about the “controversial” inclusion of the Book of Revelation in the Canon of Scripture…and why the entire message of the Bible collapses…and our hope and future vanish…without this Kingpin Book in the Biblical text. Also note that, on the 1st Thursday of each month, Dr. Dan continues the new miniseries on the Lamb’s Book of Life and the biblical theology of salvation. Download notes here

In this mini-series on the Lamb’s Book of Life and salvation theology…our recent sessions have looked at the various views of Eternal Security. But to really do the discussion of Eternal Security justice…you have to deal with the complicated, but poorly understood, topic of what has come to be known as “The Unpardonable Sin.” In this session, Dr. Dan will work through the Old and New Testament passages that elucidate what it means to “Blaspheme the Holy Spirit” and how, on the positive side, this doctrine calls us to walk closely with our Lord.Download notes here

Thursology is now in its 6th year…with the overarching theme being the biblical theology of the End Times. Given the vastness of biblical prophecy and the enormity of its implications, Dr. Dan is remastering and improving the early sessions…as they provide the foundation of the entire series about the Last Days and the Second Coming of Christ. Join these updated teachings for a deep-dive review of eschatology on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 630pm. Also, join Dr. Dan on the 1st Thursday of each month for the continuation of the new miniseries on the Lamb’s Book of Life and the biblical theology of salvation.  Download notes here

In our series on the Book of Life and salvation theology, we’re now working through the “P” of Calvinism’s TULIP: Perseverance of the Saints.” But many will be surprised to learn that Perseverance is NOT the same as what most people consider to be the doctrine of Eternal Security. In this session, we’ll hear from many Reformed theologians that Eternal Security is grounded solely in being elected. And…we’ll also hear the shocking fact that, since no one can know for sure that they’ve been elected until after they die, no one can have assurance of their salvation in this life. But then, in contrast, we’ll learn that the Scripture teaches over and over again that we can know…FOR SURE…that we’re saved. In this session…you’ll be shocked…and…encouraged!!!Download notes here

In our last session, we looked at the doctrine of Eternal Security and the many false teachings about this issue that are espoused in the church. In this session, Dr. Dan unpacks and corrects what he terms “Eternal IN-Security”…or the false doctrine of “Fragile Salvation Theology.” We’ll find how the Father relentlessly pursues His children when they stray…so that He can fulfill His amazing promise…that “He Who began a good work in you, will be faithful to carry it on to completion!!!” Tonight, we’ll also be challenged to make a New Year’s resolution that is consistent with our secure relationship with the Master: Living a life that affirms our deep commitment to following Jesus…not just as Savior…but also as Lord!!!Download notes here

Can a believer “fall from grace?”  Is “Once saved, always saved” a biblical doctrine? Are followers of Christ eternally secure??? Throughout church history, these have been some of the most controversial questions that believers have debated.  In this session, we’ve come to the part of the series on the Book of Life and salvation theology where we deal with the “P” in Calvinism’s “TULIP”: Perseverance of the Saints. We’ll now look at the controversies that surround the doctrine of eternal security…and answer these questions directly from Scripture.Download notes here

In this mini-series about the Book of Life and salvation theology…we’re dealing with the 5 points of the “TULIP” of Calvinism. And we’re now looking at the “I”…Irresistible Grace…that God…by His sovereign mandate…irresistibly FORCES saving grace upon those whom He elected. But in response to this doctrine…Dr. Dan unpacks how the Scripture clearly teaches that there are many things that God CANNOT do…BECAUSE He’s God.  That is…His perfect and balanced character prevents Him from doing many things that He COULD do with His power. In other words, He constrains Himself because of His perfect nature. And because of this…He doesn’t coerce humans into believing in Him…and He doesn’t force us to love Him. And so, the All-powerful God actually pleads with us to freely receive His grace…freely love Him…and freely obey Him!!!Download notes here

In this mini-series about the Book of Life and salvation theology…we’re dealing with the 5 points of the “TULIP” of Calvinism. And now we come to the “I”…Irresistible Grace. This is defined as, “God…by His sovereign mandate…irresistibly FORCES saving grace upon those whom He elected.” The implications of this Calvinist doctrine are profound…including how it brings into question why we need to witness…or why we send missionaries around the world. Because, if the doctrine of Irresistible Grace is true, then the elect will be saved…no matter what we do…and the un-elect will be lost…no matter what we do. Join Dr. Dan as he unpacks the biblical response to the concept of Irresistible Grace. Download notes here

In this mini-series about the Book of Life and salvation theology…we’re dealing with the 5 points of the “TULIP” of Calvinism. And now we come to the “L”…Limited Atonement. This Reformed doctrine holds that Christ only died for those whom the Father elected. But, as soon as you start digging into the Old and New Testament understanding of Atonement…you find a relentless affirmation that Christ died for all…for everyone…for the whole world. Join Dr. Dan as he unpacks the Word’s clarity on the fact that the Blood of Christ has been shed for all…and that the provision for salvation has been made for everyone.  Download notes here

In this mini-series about the Book of Life and salvation theology…we’re dealing with the Doctrine of Predestination. And amazingly, in this session…we find that the resolution of the tension between God’s sovereignty and human freewill is found in the life of Pharaoh and the plagues of Egypt. In the interactions between Pharaoh, Moses, and God…we see the affirmation that…despite Pharaoh’s freedom to obey or disobey God’s will…God would establish His purposes…either WITH Pharaoh’s obedience…or BECAUSE OF his disobedience!!!  Download Notes Here

In this mini-series about the Book of Life and salvation theology, this month, Dr. Dan dispels the error, taught by some, that Predestination is about personal salvation.  In fact…it’s not.  But…there IS a biblical doctrine of Predestination.  And in this session…we’ll find out the surprising biblical truths about what it REALLY means to be CHOSEN!!!   Download notes here

In this mini-series about salvation theology, we now turn to the biblical texts that bear directly on the doctrines related to the Lamb’s Book of Life.  And what we find is really unexpected!!!  Dr. Dan will show that what “Average Joe Calvinist”…AND…what “Average Joe Arminian” believe about the Book…are WRONG!!!  So…join us…and be ready to be surprised!!! Download notes here

In this mini-series about the Book of Life and salvation theology, we’re now working through the implications of the Calvinist doctrine of Unconditional Election (“Double Predestination”). In this session, Dr. Dan will give the biblical response to the Reformed theological contention that everything is pre-determined by God and that humans have no freedom to choose good or evil, love or hate, God or self. We’ll see that the Word teaches that the greatest privilege that humans have is to FREELY and WILLINGLY respond to the grace that God offers to all…and to CHOOSE to join Him in His great purposes.  Download notes here

In this mini-series about the Book of Life and salvation theology, we’re now working through the implications of the Calvinist doctrine of Unconditional Election (“Double Predestination”).  In this session, Dr. Dan will give the biblical response to the Reformed contention that everything is determined and that humans have no freedom to choose good or evil, love or hate, God or self.  We’ll see that the Word teaches that the greatest privilege that humans have is to freely and willingly respond to the grace that God offers to all…and to choose to join Him in His great purposes.  Download notes here

In Revelation 20, the Word reveals that…in the end…what ultimately matters is that a person’s name is in the Book of Life. In this series on the biblical theology of salvation, we’ll deal with the question, “Why, if God is absolutely sovereign and absolutely loving, EVERYONE isn’t saved?” The Calvinists’ response to this question is the idea that “God has TWO wills: One will of ‘desire’…and another will of ‘decree.’” In this session, Dr. Dan will give the biblical response…and show how the Scriptural concept of God granting humans the gift of genuine freedom and choice, resolves the irreconcilable contradiction that is created by the Reformed “Two-Wills” concept.Download notes here

In Revelation 20, the text speaks of the Lamb’s Book of Life and pronounces that…in the end…what ultimately matters is whether a person’s name is in the Book. In this series, Dr. Dan is unpacking the biblical theology of salvation. And this session focuses on answering the question, “Did God predestine who will be saved and who will be lost???” In response, we’ll begin looking at the two classical theological views about Election and Predestination.Download noteshere

In this session, we begin a new mini-series related to the Last Days. As the Book of Revelation ends…we find that…in the end…what ultimately matters is whether a person’s name is in the Lamb’s Book of Life. In this series, Dr. Dan will unpack the biblical theology of issues like God’s sovereignty “versus” human freedom, election, predestination, atonement, eternal security, backsliding, and the unpardonable sin. Join us as we work through the biblical theology of the profoundly important matters of salvation…that many believers have strong beliefs about…but have never actually wrestled with by exposing their opinions to the biblical texts that bring their opinions into question. Be ready to be challenged!!! download notes here

In our study on Laodicea…the lukewarm, compromising church of the Last Days, we will now see the powerful effect that the Remnant…the part-within-the-part-within-the-whole…can have on the world…and on the intermingled church.  In this study, Dr. Dan will unpack some amazing passage from the Song of Solomon and the Book of Genesis that reveal how much God loves us…and how much He desires for us to be purified and empowered…to help Him save His church…and His world!!!   Download notes here

In our study on Laodicea…the lukewarm, compromising church of the Last Days, we now come to a pervasive biblical concept of how God saves nations, and His people, when they have turned from Him. When the “part-within-the-whole” (Israel/the Church) intermingles with the world, then He uses a “part-within-the-part-within-the-whole” (The “Remnant”) to save the world. In this session, Dr. Dan shows how…when God must allow His people to be exiled because of their repeated disobedience…His righteous, set-apart Remnant becomes the powerful tool that He uses to carry out His salvation plan for the church…and for the nation. Download notes here

In Revelation 3, the final church…Laodicea…represents the lukewarm, compromising church of the Last Days. In this session, Dr. Dan continues the series with the “Prophetic Words” that reliably come to God’s people when they live in compromise. We’ve seen the link between the American Church today and the intermingled Hebrew nation that was exiled into Babylon. But remarkably…even if the church is headed into exile and persecution…there is actually hope in such calamity. It’s found in the biblical concept of “God’s Cycle of Redemptive Judgment.”  In this cycle…we see how God can even use pain…to save His people…to save…us!!!   Download notes here

In Revelation 3, the final church…Laodicea…represents the lukewarm, compromising church of the Last Days. In this session, Dr. Dan continues the mini-series with the “Prophetic Words” that reliably come to God’s people when they live in compromise. And he makes the link between the American Church today and the compromising Hebrew nation that was exiled into Babylon. And…remarkably…when God disciplines His wayward people by allowing the world to persecute them…He actually calls them to embrace their exile and to respond with deep repentance. But…the great news is…on the other side of exile comes grace, restoration, and redemption. And now God’s people…purified by going through “the fire”…are in a position to help God save His world!!! Download notes here

Many believe that the last church in Revelation, Laodicea, represents the lukewarm, compromising church of the Last Days. In this session, Dr. Dan continues the mini-series with the “Prophetic Words” that reliably come to God’s people when they live in compromise. And the next prophetic word is ominous: “Because of your repeated return the world’s ways…I am sending you into exile.”  This session faces the grim reality of the current status of the American church…and that the Lord may have to allow persecution and disruption of the church to finally get our attention.  But…the good news is…through exile…in the end…the Lord will save us…and use us to save our land!!! Download notes here

Many believe that Laodicea…the 7th church in Revelation 3…represents the lukewarm, compromising church of the End Times. In this session, Dr. Dan continues the mini-series with the “Prophetic Words” that reliably come to God’s people when they live like the world. And this month we find that…when God’s people PURSUE power…not only do they fail to gain WORLDLY power…they end up losing GOD’S power as well!!!  When the Disciples sought worldly authority…they lost power over the forces of darkness…and the forces of darkness gained power over them!!!  And they now had nothing to offer to those who were lost.  They no longer had the only power that would be able to deliver those who were imprisoned by their sin.  When the followers of Christ focus on who’s going to be in charge…and who gets the say-so…then we lose the only power that really matters. Download notes here

Many believe that Laodicea…the 7th church in Revelation 3…represents the lukewarm, compromising church of the End Times. In this session, Dr. Dan continues the mini-series with the “Prophetic Words” that reliably come to God’s people when they live like the world. And the next “Word” describes a recurrent error among God’s people when they become lukewarm: They place their hope in partnerships with political alliances…human government…and worldly power!  So, this session is a call for God’s people to return to a single-minded trust and dependence on God’s power alone. Download notes here

Many theologians believe that Laodicea…the 7th church in Revelation 3…represents the lukewarm church that has intermingled with the world that will be present during the End Times. In this session, Dr. Dan continues the mini-series with the “Prophetic Words” that reliably come to God’s people when they compromise and become like…or even worse than…the world. When the 8th Prophetic Word comes…it says that God’s people have become “worse than Sodom.”  And when this happens…the people of God have become disqualified from speaking truth to the world. Tonight, we wrestle with how God can reach a lost world…when His church has disqualified itself from speaking Truth. Download notes here

Revelation 2 & 3 are messages to seven 1st century churches in Asia Minor. In addition to being 7 extant churches at the time of John’s writing, many scholars believe that they represent 7 “eras” of the church…as it has progressed through the ages. And so…it appears that the End-Times church is the lukewarm church thathas intermingled with the world. In this session, Dr. Dan shows the parallel between the Southern Kingdom of Judah and what has happened in the American church. Using this parallel, we see how the 8 “Prophetic Words” to God’s people in the OT are directly relevant to the modern church…and establish a stunning warning to those who have become lukewarm. Download notes here

In Revelation 2 & 3, there are messages from Jesus to 7 churches. These represent specific churches of John’s day and also a description of 7 types of churches that have existed throughout Christian history. However, some theologians also believe that they represent 7 “eras” of the church…as it has progressed through the ages. And with that understanding, it points to the End-Times church being a very lukewarm church that’s intermingled with the world. In this session, Dr. Dan unpacks the implications of the Church of Laodicea…especially as it relates to the American church today.

Wars and rumors of wars!!! Pestilence…famine…pandemics…global distress. Are these the “Signs of the Times” that so many renowned authors and speakers have declared as the harbingers of Christ’s imminent return?  In this month’s teaching, Dr. Dan presents the biblical concept of the Signs of the Times…and the surprise that they’re not what most believers think.  He will present the dramatic contrast between the popular teachings…and what the Word actually says about “The Signs of the Times.” Download notes here

Have you ever been reading a prophetic biblical passage…and wondered where it fits into the Last Days? In this session, Dr. Dan will review how the timing of the End Times will unfold.  He will then present a series of hints to help identify where various prophetic passages fit into the Timeline. This session will be invaluable for those who have ever struggled with understanding how to place events from the Scripture into the timing of the End.  Download notes here

Many believers struggle with understanding how to fit together the timing of the various events of the Last Days. The Rapture (Pre, Mid, Post-Trib)? The Millennium (Pre, Post, Amillennial)? In this session, Dr. Dan gives an overview of how the various Rapture and Millennial views fit into the biblical understanding of the End Times. He also answers the commonly-asked question: “Why will there be a Millennium…what is its purpose?” Download notes here

In the Last Days, there will be huge, global wars. And at the center of these massive battles…will be the Nation of Israel. So…are the events we see going on in the Middle East harbingers of The End??? Join Dr. Dan in this session as he unpacks what Israel’s conflict could potentially mean from the perspective of biblical prophecy.  Download notes here

We’ve learned that 666…The Mark…will be far more than simply an identifier that allows people to buy and sell during the Tribulation. I will also mean being loyal to…and worshiping…The Beast!!! This week…we continue our miniseries on Worship…and we’ll find that idolatry isn’t just a thing of the past…but is all around us. And…we’ll be reminded of how subtle and “uneventful” the slide of a believer into pursuing counterfeit gods can be. Because…everyone worships something!!!  Download notes here

”666”…what will it mean??? Remarkably, many teachings about The Mark of the Beast have missed the main point of what Revelation teaches about it. Those who receive “The Mark” will actually worship the Beast…believing that he is the “savior of the world.” And for those who choose loyalty to the One True God…the price will be as high as it has ever been. So…how do we prepare our hearts and lives to refuse “The Mark” and to be faithful to Christ? Watch this session to see what the Word teaches about this important End Times question. Download note here

Much has been discussed, argued, and written about the Revelation concept of “The Mark of the Beast.” The Mark…”666”…becomes the symbol of the Antichrist’s economic control of the world during the last half of the 7-year Tribulation. But it also represents far more than that: Loyalty to the Beast!!! And…it spells certain death for the followers of Christ in the Last Days! However, in the end, there’s another issue that’s indelibly tied to The Mark. It’s actually the Main Point of The Mark…and…of The Revelation!!! Join us for Thursology…and you’ll find out what it is.  Download notes here

Tonight, we deal with some of the sticky philosophical issues related to Hell. Questions like, “How can you reconcile a loving God with an eternal Hell? The deep philosophical questions related to eternal judgment are not new. And the biblical and philosophical responses to these questions aren’t new either. In this session, Dr. Dan will present the insights from some great Christian philosophers…having condensed 100s of hours of reading…into just a few pages of notes. And we’ll find out, in this discussion, a truth that CS Lewis wrote: In the end, there will only be two kinds of people: Those who say to God, “Thy will be done,” and, those to whom God says, “Thy will be done.” Download notes here

Have you ever been bothered by the concept that there is a final judgment coming...and that some will be forever separated from God after that judgment?  And...have you ever grappled with the concepts of eternal punishment...and Hell?  In this month's teaching, Dr. Dan will deal with the issue of the fact that God has so much love for humans...and so much grace...and yet...there is still...Hell. Download notes here

Have you ever been confused by the various Judgments that will occur at the end of time?  This Thursday, join Dr. Dan in learning about the timing...the purpose...and the outcome of each of the Judgments that the Scripture says are coming. We'll focus specifically on the Sheep and Goats Judgment...and the Great White Throne Judgment that comprise the Final Judgments. In this teaching, we'll also see the implications for us, as believers, to be about the business of helping God to save His world!

Scripture teaches that we will ALL stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. In this session, we'll explore what the Apostle Paul meant in I Corinthians 3 when he said that "each one's works will be tested by fire." We'll also see how it could be that, if we "built our house" with "wood, hay, and straw"...our works will be "burned up." Dr. Dan will unpack the details of what the Word means that a believer could be saved..."yet, so as through fire." Then...we'll look at the Word's anticipation of the faithful believer receiving eternal rewards and "crowns" from our Savior...at the Believer's Judgment.download notes here

Many believers say things like, "In the end, all that matters is that my sins are forgiven and I get to have eternal life." Not only is this a remarkably self-centered perspective...it's biblically incorrect!!! Indeed, we (believers) will ALL stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. In this new mini-series, we will look at what Scripture teaches about the End Times Judgments. We'll start with the believer's Judgment (the Judgment Seat of Christ) and then will move on to the Great White Throne Judgment and the Sheep & Goats Judgment. This session gives the Lord's invitation to live THIS life in such a way...that it is transformative of what our experience will be...when we stand before Christ. Download notes here

Many people conceive of "This Life" and "The NEXT Life" as two disconnected realities. However, Scripture teaches that there is a flawless continuity between life before and after physical death. Hence, the absurd misunderstanding that I can love living MY way here...but since I was "Born Again"...when I stop breathing...I'll love living in Heaven where GOD'S will is ALWAYS done. The fact is, the only people who will love Heaven are those whose greatest delight is in pleasing God...BEFORE they go to Heaven. For...as CS Lewis said, "Even Heaven would be Hell for someone who demands THEIR OWN WAY!"

After Jesus returns, will there be any second chances to accept Him as Savior?  Or...will everyone's choice already have been made? This month we'll focus on the finality of people's decisions that will have been made when Christ comes back. We'll also deal with the many misunderstandings that surround the biblical teaching of WHY the choices that have been made at the time of the 2nd coming...are indelible and irreversible. Download notes here

This week, Dr. Dan will deal with the fact that, no matter how strongly a person believes their particular Rapture timing view...there are a lot of other believers who disagree with them.  This session will deal with the reasons why the Pre-Trib, the Mid-Trib, and the Post-Trib views have all flourished in the Church for centuries...and why God would leave something as important as the timing of the Rapture...up in the air!!!! Download notes here