| Page 22

Theological Term of the Week: Preterition

Valerie Basham

August 8, 2016

This week’s term: Preterition – The non-activity or passiveness of God, by which He, according only to His sovereign will, passes over those who are not elected unto salvation, leaving them in their unregenerate and condemned state.

Last week’s term: Predestination – The eternal (pre-time) activities of God, designed to unfailingly bring the objects of His sovereign choice to the conformity to the image of Christ. It includes all things necessary to bring His saving purpose to complete fruition. Keep in mind that this English word is not used in scripture in relationship to damnation or eternal judgment.

Series on Calvinism: Parts 2 & 3

Valerie Basham

no comments

August 6, 2016

Three weeks ago, I shared that my husband has been teaching on the five points of Calvinism every Sunday afternoon. This is something that our church has believed since the 1970’s, and is a vital part of our history. It also so happens that currently many pastors are “taking up arms” against these biblical truths and posting their misinformation online.

Terry has believed these things for almost a decade, and fully understands the opposition to these truths since he used to be on the other side of the issue. You will not find a more interesting, thorough, thoughtful, or logical explanation of the Doctrines of Grace anywhere on the world wide web. Of course, I am a bit biased.

So, if you would like to know what Calvinism is from a Calvinist, then it was ordained from before the foundation of the world that you should be here! (Just a little Calvinist humor.) 😉

Here are the links to the audio:

Calvinism? (Overview of the five points)

Total Depravity

Deeper Into Depravity

I will be adding links to the sermons as they become available.

Thanks for reading, and may the Lord bless you.

Theological Term of the Week: Predestination

Valerie Basham

no comments

August 1, 2016

This week’s term marks one year of my series on theological terms. To read all of the to day, please go HERE. Thank you for reading and sharing!

This week’s term: Predestination – The eternal (pre-time) activities of God, designed to unfailingly bring the objects of His sovereign choice to the conformity to the image of Christ. It includes all things necessary to bring His saving purpose to complete fruition. Keep in mind that this English word is not used in scripture in relationship to damnation or eternal judgment.

Last week’s term: Reprobation – The state of man in his fallen condition and, in its final and ultimate stage, the effect of his being justly left by God to himself, and in that final condition, beyond design or possibility of help or salvation.

Dad Walked In

Valerie Basham

no comments

July 29, 2016

Twelve years ago today, I got the terrible news that my dad had suddenly gone to Heaven.

Just a few days ago, my sister was recalling how difficult it was for me to adjust to her move to Chicago when I was in fourth grade. I was so lonely for her. My school days were bleak, my nights were scary, and the days stretched out before me in an endless row of the mundane.

Into my loneliness stepped my father.

As Melanie and I were talking, I realized that it was at that time that I became so close to my dad. We had always shared a special bond, but it grew even more after Melanie left for college. Dad began taking me on bike rides. He asked for my help when working on the lawn mower or the cars, making me feel needed. He made the little errands out-and-about extra special by telling stories, listening to mine, pointing out the various types of wrenches, and of course, there was our staple: the hot fudge milkshake. Not chocolate – hot fudge. He lived joyfully and it was contagious.

The Lord has been so good to me. He gave me a wonderful sister, my best friend, for nine years. When she moved away, the Lord supplied me with a dad who called me his “partner”, who laughed at my jokes; who told me, “You can do anything you put your mind to”; a man who liked me just the way I was.

When the Lord called Dad home twelve years ago today, I was not alone. I have a husband who reminds me very much of a man he only knew for seven short years. Terry is my friend. He laughs at my jokes. He tells me, “You can do anything you put your mind to.” He is a man who likes me just the way I am.

I miss my dad very much, but even on this sorrowful anniversary, I am reminded of my faithful Heavenly Father who has not left me comfortless. (John 14:18)

When it felt as though all the world had walked out, Dad walked in. How I wish he could walk in just one more time.

With love,

Theological Term of the Week: Reprobation

Valerie Basham

no comments

July 25, 2016

This week’s term: Reprobation – The state of man in his fallen condition and, in its final and ultimate stage, the effect of his being justly left by God to himself, and in that final condition, beyond design or possibility of help or salvation.

Election – The activity of God in choosing out of Adam’s fallen and depraved race, certain individuals to eternal salvation and glory. This is absolutely unconditional, in that this choice, as revealed in scripture, is not based upon any seen or foreseen goodness in action or nobility of character, as the reason for those objects of choice to be chosen.

Series on Calvinism

Valerie Basham

no comments

July 23, 2016

There is a lot of information online these days against the Doctrines of Grace, also known as Calvinism. Unfortunately, most of it is very complicated, and yes, even inaccurate. If you are interested in knowing more about this important historical Baptist truth, my husband is doing a series on it each Sunday afternoon. You can tune in live to THIS PAGE each Sunday at 2PM or, you can listen to it here, as it is preached:

An Overview of Calvinism July 17, 2016

Thanks for reading,

An Interesting Observation

Valerie Basham

no comments

July 22, 2016

It’s been almost a year since I wrote THESE posts. I didn’t think they would be earth-shattering or cause any kind of stir, but I was wrong. I received several emails and private messages which corrected my error. I lost some friends on Facebook- some explained why they unfriended me, some didn’t. The original thread on Facebook had over 100 comments, some of them telling me that I really WAS a heretic, and they could fellowship with me no longer. One person told me my dad would be disappointed. My mother is not a confrontational person. I’m sure she wonders how in the world she ever had a child like me – outspoken, opinionated, and obnoxious. She has never mentioned any of the drama to me, but I think she reads my blog so she is aware. She wrote in my birthday card this year that my dad would be proud of me, and that she was proud of me. She underlined “proud”. If that isn’t an example of grace, then I don’t know what is.

The months rolled by. I tried explaining more of my position by writing THIS series. I don’t know if it really helped. In total, I lost about ten Facebook friends, but I gained 30 new ones. And I even got a few comments from people saying things like “I am reading and studying my Bible more since I read your posts.” Or, “Your posts were funny and they helped me.” That is a blessing to hear, and that’s what I was aiming for from the start.

But there was one extremely interesting observation:

In one year, I’ve had lots of negative feedback on my posts through email, Facebook, and comments here. I’ve heard more than one snippy sentence against the Doctrines of Grace made from pulpits, and more than one sermon against this historical Baptist position. I hear through the “grapevine” that other preachers talk about my husband in private, and sometimes in public, and boy, are they angry! But here’s the part worth noting: they don’t care enough to call. They don’t bother to drop by for a face-to-face conversation with us in love, in fear for our souls. This shows me that either they do not genuinely care about us or they don’t think it’s such a big deal after all. Either way, all of that negativity is instantly brought into perspective. If you love someone, you try to protect them, and help them, you don’t just talk about them. It’s easy to stand up and preach to those who agree with you, getting “amens” from the crowd; it’s a lot harder to look into the eyes of someone you care about and listen.

I’m only trying to stand for truth, for the Bible, and most of all, for salvation by grace alone through Christ alone. I trust the Lord to correct my error, not people who hide behind the Internet. I am on the Lord’s side, therefore, they that be with me are more than they that be with them. (2 Kings 6:16) I designed the image in this post as the wallpaper for my laptop when all the comments exploded. It has helped me to be reminded of just Who is with me.

May God show mercy and grace to my critics just as He has shown it to me.

With love,

Theological Term of the Week: Election

Valerie Basham

no comments

July 18, 2016

This week’s term: Election – The activity of God in choosing out of Adam’s fallen and depraved race, certain individuals to eternal salvation and glory. This is absolutely unconditional, in that this choice, as revealed in scripture, is not based upon any seen or foreseen goodness in action or nobility of character, as the reason for those objects of choice to be chosen.

Last week’s term: Depravity – The inherent condition of all Adam’s fallen race, in which every part and attribute of man’s being is deprived off the glorious state in which Adam was created. This depravity is total, not in its intensity, but in its extent. (Romans 3)

Now He Is Six

Valerie Basham

3 comments

July 14, 2016

Matt petting a baby kangaroo at the library.

Today, my youngest child turns six years old! He has brought joy to all of us.

His sixth birthday reminded me of this poem:

Now We Are Six – A.A. Milne

When I was one,
I had just begun.
When I was two,
I was nearly new.
When I was three,
I was hardly me.
When I was four,
I was not much more.
When I was five,
I was just alive.
But now I am six,
I’m as clever as clever.
So I think I’ll be six
Now and forever.

Even though I am a bit sad to see his baby days fading fast into the rear view mirror of life, I am also glad to see him grow. I enjoy hearing him talk, which is something I’m still waiting for someone to say about me. (haha)

Some things he has said:

“Is it illegal for kids to get a tattoo?” He asked me.
“Yes. But even if you could get one, they never come off! So I don’t think it’s a wise idea to get a tattoo.”, I said.
“You mean they use Sharpie?”

Yesterday at the library, he observed a tiny girl wearing a backpack that had a leash. Her grandmother was holding the leash. “That’s just cold.” He said. “She should be holding her hand.”

At lunch the other day, the girls were asking me if Matthew would get regular chores when he turned six. Matthew piped up and said, “Seriously, I need to start doing some work around here!” Of course, we all chuckled at his honesty.

He is known for saying, “On it!” when asked to do a job. He often says, “How’s my best mom?” when he sees me in the morning.

Yes, I do miss being able to rock him on my shoulder, but I also love feeling his arms around me.

Happy birthday to our sweet Matthew Ron!

With love,

Theological Term of the Week: Depravity

Valerie Basham

no comments

July 11, 2016

This week’s term: Depravity – The inherent condition of all Adam’s fallen race, in which every part and attribute of man’s being is deprived off the glorious state in which Adam was created. This depravity is total, not in its intensity, but in its extent. (Romans 3)

Last week’s term: Monergism – From Greek Mono (one or alone). Theologically, it is the philosophy or faith that God saves alone and completely apart from any cooperative human effort, not denying human submission or obedience, but asserting that those functions are effects of grace, not its causes.

Thanks for reading,