Jack Weaver (Please note: Jack Weaver, founder of this website, passed away in January, 2015. We are grateful for the life of Jack, and are comforted knowing that he is now in the presence of the Lord).
NOT “BALANCED” BUT HONEST.
Jack is 84 year old, has been a narrow-minded conservative for over 50 years, Conservative Christian since 1964. Been through the political and religious wars — and praying for the new generation of Conservatives Christians to hold the line on God’s Biblical doctrine of salvation by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ alone.
We appreciate your comments on articles written here. When you link to the friendly URLs in our Friends list, please let us know if you find any teachings, language or insinuations that seem inappropriate or crude.
Thank you, Jack
My one prayer is that you would know for sure: How to have Eternal life
===== Added 9/12/2013=====:
{We are so pleased to have John added to our staff, one more administrator at ExP. Those of you who follow ExP know John’s passion for the clarity and simplicity of the Gospel of God’s Grace – Salvation in Jesus Christ alone! Welcome, John.}
Hi,
My name is John. I was almost 50 before I understood and believed the gospel of Jesus Christ. Prior to coming to faith in Christ, I had believed certain biblical truths. I knew that Jesus was God in the flesh, that He died for our sins and was raised from the dead. I knew that He was necessary for my salvation, but didn’t quite understand that He was sufficient, without any promises or performance on my part. I remember reading somewhere online that I didn’t have to repent of my sins to receive eternal life. I mused on that, and thought to myself “if that were true, then Jesus would just give me eternal life, with no cost or obligation on my part.” After thinking about that, it dawned on me that it was true. And that is when I received eternal life.
About a year later, I began commenting on Notes From A Retired Preacher (aka “expreacherman”), which was founded by the late Jack Weaver. Jack invited me to become a co-administrator in 2013. After Jack passed away, I became the main administrator for the site that he founded.
I am married with two grown children. I worked in accounting and finance for thirty five plus years, and received a BS in Business Administration. I don’t have any formal Bible training, but I love to share the simple gospel message.
I am glad you have joined us today, and hope that you will visit often.
Thanks. John
Notes From A Retired Preacher 
John,
Your treatise on the 1,2,3 is a great learning tool. Thank you
With your permission, I would like to use it as an article post and attribute it to you (John). It is too good an article to be limited to just this “About” page. If you consent I will try to post it later today or tomorrow.
In Christ eternally, Jack
Califgracer, feel free to use the 1, 2, 3 test. Thanks. John
John,
I really like your 1, 2, 3 test. It’s succinct and it really gets to the point. I might borrow it sometime, with your permission. Lordship salvation teaching fails all three, every time!
Blessings,
Bruce
John,
Thanks — and yes, most of us who believe in the Biblical Free Grace Salvation are indeed saddened.
Your analysis is absolutely ON Target and very well stated. I know from your previous comments you have been confronted with these lies in churches for years. Congratulations for getting Salvation in Christ alone so very clear!!!
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
Jack, as I read these comments, I am saddened by how many souls are damaged by bad teaching, such as turn from sins for salvation, commit for salvation, or work for salvation. If one applies any of these teachings to clear Biblical doctrine, they cannot survive. I like to think of it this way:
1. Is it consistent with salvation by grace through faith?
2. Is it consistent with eternal security?
3. Is it consistent with the doctrine of assurance?
None of the works-based systems of salvation pass these tests. If one believes he must modify his behavior (or promise to modify his behavior) or do anything as a requirement to becoming saved or staying saved, he is trusting in works and not trusting in Christ.
Moreover, if one believes that acts of righteousness are in any way evidential of saving faith, he would always look to himself and his works to justify himself.
Yes, Pearl, we see!!!
I noticed several years ago that Joni, in spite of their good social works, misinterpreted and taught the word “repent” in salvation as turning from sin.
So sorry to see their ministry going further astray with Chan.. He is like a bad virus — shows up everywhere and is deadly.
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
😦 See?!
Pearl,
Joni Earekson Tada, whom I have much respect for great mission work that she has done through her organization, also was one of the endorsers of the book “Crazy Love,” by Francis Chan. I was saddened when I read her endorsement.
Fascinating testimony, Heather. Thanks for sharing that.
John Piper (whom I’ve never read nor heard) is also popular with non-reformed folk (Joni Earekson Tada, at her blog, says he is one of her favorite writers). This is just one facet which perplexes me surrounding the whole Lordship lump. I think one of the appealing traits of it is “intellectualism” found in many “deeper life” teachers. I’ve been discouraged by how many of these rub shoulders with fringe mystics and legalists, all the while preaching “Not I, but Christ!” Confusing to say the least, and yet, very subtle as Heather noted.
Heather,
Thanks so much for your story.. and unfortunately, what happened to you happens to way too many today.
We are very happy you are here with us and able to be comforted by the Truth of Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.
We pray you will subscribe to “New Posts” on the Blog as well as “Comments” so you may participate and learn Bible Truths.
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
Yes, it does, thank you! I believe everything you’re saying, and it’s like a breath of fresh air. I grew up with these truths and I really had no idea at the time that I was drifting away from them. It was a very gradual process for me as I got involved in the Y,R,R movement. It really makes me think of the old adage, “Truth out of balance leads to heresy.” I started out with just seeing God’s power to change people’s hearts and open their eyes to the Gospel (which I still believe He is able to do, thank goodness He can!). But I had a pastor who had recently been “converted” to Calvinism. He was NOT the “YRR type” (coffeeshops and cool haircuts, etc.). He was very serious about the Bible – Greek, Hebrew, etc. He had majored in Bible at Pensacola Christian College and gone to Bible college in Michigan. I think it was at neither of those places that he came to this belief. It was his father-in-law, primarily, who convinced him. Anyway, our family and the pastor and his wife were very close and we talked about the amazing power of God to change hearts and lives. I was very interested in theology (theological “systems”), and over time, through what my pastor and I talked about, I became acquainted with TULIP and eventually bought into the whole thing. I was also reading a LOT of John Piper books and sermons at the time, which I’d been introduced to through another source. Anyway, all that to say that it was very gradual and I didn’t realize at all what the implications could be of some aspects of it. I think that must be the case with lots of people still caught up in it. Besides, our family was fairly conservative so I had always struggled with not being “cool.” I felt like I was finally part of the “cool” group, but without sacrificing my desire to follow Christ. I did meet lots of wonderful people who loved the Lord. I just tell you all this to give you insight into how this can happen to people (or at least how it happened to me).
Heather,
I just wanted to add a word or 2. Brother Bruce did a masterful job of presenting the genuine Good News of the gospel of the grace of God, I could add nothing to that. I did want to add, that since the cross has changed EVERYTHING, we who have trusted Christ now forgive as we HAVE BEEN forgiven (Ep.4:32). Our salvation is received ONLY through a faith that WORKETH NOT (Rom.4:4-6). Also the main thing I wanted to add was that in the dispensation of Law that came to an end at the cross (Rom.10:4) the main thing is that it brings the knowledge of sin. (Gal.3:10; Jas. 2:10) Why is this? Paul told us in Gal.3:24, it was our schoolmaster that brought us to Christ for eternal salvation! Commitment salvation forces us to dwell on OUR faith, OUR repentance, OUR commitment, when the Gospel, even the law itself, forces us to run to Christ the only & perfect Remedy for sin. Now we’re no longer to be dwelling on self, because the Ransom has been revealed! We’re now to be focusing our gaze on HIM (Heb.3:1; Col.3:1-4). I trust this helps some & that it’s not confusing. We’ll pray for you & your friends. Thank God you’re a FORMER y,r r w! May the Lord bless you, Heather.
Thank you very much for taking the time to respond. Please pray for my restored faith, hope, and joy, as well as for my friends and those in my church family who are blind to the implications of this way of thinking. And that I would have wisdom to know what to do in those relationships.
Heather
Heather, I have one additional recommendation for you. Please buy and read Dr. Tom Cucuzza’s book, “Secure Forever: God’s Promise or Our Perseverance?” See the picture and link in the upper right column for details. You won’t be disappointed!
Hi Heather,
I’m so glad that you found this site. Thank you for sharing honestly about your struggles with Reformed/lordship faith teaching. Please feel free to ask questions and invite your friends to join us; there are many here who can help you to sort things out.
First, let’s get the basic gospel message clear and simple: Acts 16:31 says, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ Jesus alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Notice that the clear gospel message of 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 is the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. There are no good works on our part required in any of these clearcut texts. Romans 4:5 confirms this. Placing one’s trust and faith in Christ alone (in His finished work on the cross on our behalf) is all God requires—Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. And once we are saved by faith in Christ Jesus, the Father and the Son both keep us eternally in their firm grasp (John 10:27-30). Once saved we can never lose our salvation. Eternal life is by definition eternal, for ever and ever.
Now, regarding Matthew 18, the parable of the unmerciful servant, keep in mind that parables are generally designed to illustrate one central point; they are not intended to speak to all areas of theology. In other words, don’t try to make them “walk on all fours.” One of the main fallacies of lordship salvation teaching is that it attempts to interpret most of what is taught in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) as if it speaks of salvation. This is improper exegesis; the Synoptics speak mostly of discipleship (the process of growing and maturing in Christ), NOT salvation. The parable of the unmerciful servant is designed to illustrate the principle of forgiveness. It is not speaking about salvation. The true believer in Christ has experienced the most infinite incredible forgiveness from the Author of forgiveness, Christ Jesus. God’s positional forgiveness is eternal; it can never be lost. In view of God’s unlimited forgiveness of our sins, including the sins that we will continue to commit in the future, we out of total gratitude to God, should be/ought to be forgiving to other people as well. What if we are not forgiving toward others? What if we harbor unforgiveness and anger in our hearts toward others? Does this make us lose our salvation or does it mean that we were never saved to begin with? OF COURSE NOT! Salvation is eternal. We can never lose it. What we can lose, however, is the joy and fellowship of the Lord in our own lives. If uncorrected, this can lead to bitterness of spirit, separation from fellowship with other believers, a hindering of spiritual growth and a distancing of oneself from intimate fellowship with God.
I hope that these thoughts have been helpful. May the Lord bless you as you continue to walk with him.
I’ve been reading this for quite a while and it has been encouraging to me. I am a FORMER “young, restless, Reformed” young woman who went through (is going through) a terrible experience with doubting my salvation because of the doctrine of perseverance. However, most of my friends my age are still Reformed and/or confused. They love the Lord and I believe are truly saved, but they attend various college ministries that all seem to teach a mixture of truth (salvation by faith alone apart from works) and error (but your works prove whether or not your faith is real). Tonight I went to one of those meetings at the invitation of one of my friends. The college minister taught on Matthew 18, the parable of the unmerciful servant. The last verse, “My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart” was not really explained, except to say we MUST forgive. The implication was that if we don’t, we will either lose our salvation (as the unforgiving servant seems to do in the parable), or, more likely – considering what seems to be the theological leanings of the college minister – prove that we never were truly saved to begin with. I came home and have scoured the internet looking for “free grace” explanations of this passage, but I found hardly any. The couple that I did find did not seem to really deal with the harshness of the passage, just saying that as Christians, this is just saying that we will continue to feel bad because we are out of fellowship with God when we don’t forgive. I can agree with that from personal experience, but it just doesn’t seem to be what the text is saying. I am struggling myself with this and also wanting to be able to give an answer to my friend about why I disagree with the interpretation that was given. Do you have any answers for me about this passage?
Greetings David:
Thanks for your kind words! We’re glad that you discovered this site. Feel free to comment any time. It sounds like you have an excellent awareness of the dangers of lordship salvation and Calvinist “tulip” teaching.
Great Site. I know exactly what you mean by “having been through theological wars”. My wife and I recently had to leave a megachurch in which the Elder Board was “hiding” Limited-Atonement believing Calvinists. They’ve used every weapon against us, but in the end one of the Pastors “resigned”. We have learned a great deal about how Elder Boards conceal information from congregants indeed.
Hi Mike,
Thanks for dropping by.
Sorry but we don’t update our readers by email.. We have a search box up at the top right column of the posts… use that to search the Blog for info and be updated to your heart’s content. Or you may subscribe to the Blog posts and to individual post comments.
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
New here please update me via email.
Just happened onto your blog too. I’m a young Pastor in Northern Wi and I’ve been blessed reading some of your blogs. Keep us young Pastors in prayer. Seems like false teaching is being accepted more and more in the evangelical church today. 2 Tim 3:16
Pastor Jason
http://www.ottercreekcf.com
Thanks Wise Mary…
Appreciate your visit and comment. No doubt the Lord has blessed us above and beyond anything we could think or ask.
I pray the same for you.
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
Hi Jack,
I came across your blog and the Spirit of God rejoiced within me. You are a very nice man i suppose!!! God bless you and may He shine His face upon you!
Mary
Bro David,
Let us not plod but run the race with joy.. knowing the end…
Hebrews 12:1
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, “
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
Thank you bro. Jack, yes there are many, kinda like the Lord told Elijah He had reserved Himself 7,000 in Israel that hadn’t worshiped Baal! Unfortunately I don’t always feel as faithful as I should, we’ll keep plodding with His grace!
Bro. David —
You forgot one more.. (and there are many).
David Wyatt !!!
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
Wow, Hank Lindstrom & Yankee Arnold! Along with bro. Jack, 3 faithful men of God! One in Heaven & 2 still fighting the good fight of faith. Praise the Lord for those faithful witnesses He gives us!
Bruce,
Thanks so much for dropping — at the Lord’s leading.
So glad you knew Hank Lindstrom and happy you are now with Yankee and Betty. Tell them “Hello” for us. He is a great Bible teacher and witness. When he worked for me, he is responsible for me getting a real burden for souls. He IS a faithful witness.
BTW, the Motor Home belongs to the Lord. He just let us use it for a while and now the same for Yankee and Betty.
Thanks for dropping by.
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
Jack & Shirley,
I ran across your website by the Lords direction. What a blessing it is.
I have been so blessed. I was lead to salvation by Dr. Hank Lindstrom of Calvery Community Church, Tampa, Fl. We were close friends up till his death Oct. 2008. He was such a blessing to me & many others as you know a great soul winner. After a year without a Pastor at Calvery Com. Church Dr. Ralph “Yankee” Arnold became our Pastor. Another wonderful blessing he and wife Betty. So I have seen your RV a number of times and she is in good hands, and so am I.
Bruce Saul
Just ran across this from Bookwormroom, and jumped directly to the “Eternal Life for You” post, and the “Are You Insane” posts. Both of these are great! Keep the good work–I’ve scheduled a post linking over to your “Eternal Live for You” post on Monday.
Russ
Bless you guys for the wonderful ministry that you have. I pray that God will keep you safe and strong as you lead others to the narrow gate!
David and Virginia,
Dr. Stanford would love to hear from you.. He loves to speak to others about things Biblical, especially prophecy and soulwinning.
In Christ eternally,
ExP(Jack)
That is so wonderful bro. Jack, to be able to still interact with the man who led you to Christ! I also have that blessing, since that man is my Dad. He is the greatest believer I know, besides my very patient wife! I may even email bro. Stanford myself! God Bless & thank you for your ministry bro. Jack. I greatly appreciate you.
Virginia,
Your point is well taken — but remember, without Christians there would be no Disciples. The “feel good religions” we see preached today are not Biblical.
There are many Christians but few Disciples (followers). We cannot make disciples of those who have never trusted Christ as Savior.
I thank the Lord that the man who led me to Christ, was not interested in making me a disciple until I trusted Christ as my Savior. Such would be a false salvation based on following Christ as my Example rather than trusting Christ as my Savior. Commitment salvation or lordship salvation is not God’s salvation.
But once a person makes that decision to trust Christ, he SHOULD do good works for the Lord — he should be a Disciple, Ephesians 2:10. Some believers do so but many don’t — however they are still Heaven bound by God’s Grace (undeserved mercy) through faith. That is the essence of Grace.
I pray that every person who trusts Christ as Savior would become a disciple and try to lead others to Christ. Just think of the world-wide effect that would have!
There are too many “Secret Service” Christians. No one but the Lord and they themselves know they are believers.
We should witness of our Savior to all we meet and pray they will believe in Christ… and then we pray they dedicate their life to study the Word and then become an active soul-winning follower of Christ.. like the Apostle Paul, for instance. That is a lofty goal!!!
You may email the man who led me to Christ 44 years ago. He would love to hear from you. He is now 91 years old, Dr. A. Ray Stanford, Rstan289@aol.com
I pray the Lord will continue to bless you and Don.
In Christ eternally,
ExP(Jack)
Jack and Shirley,
I believe too many people are being led astray, by men and women that are preaching “the feel good gospel,” so as to build the numbers in their church, in the place of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
My thought is we need more Disiples, not more christians.
What are you thought’s on that?
God bless,
Virginia
Virginia,
Glad you found us and we pray you will check out all of our blog postings.
Yes, we need folks in our Republic to trust Christ — then to realize the importance of sharing that Great News.
I have fear that ours is no loner a “Christian” country.. and we should pray for a change of mind (repentance) for our citizens. Change from “religion” to faith in Jesus Christ.
In Christ eternally,
ExP(Jack)
Jack and Shirley, I found you as I was searching a site on Ronald Reagan. God takes me to some very interesting places. My husband and I are also in our mid seventies and love the Lord. America is a heavy burden on our hearts, we are going to God every day for the church to come to repentance and revival. The future of America depends on this. 2Chronicles 7:14, We are praying that pastor’s in every church will start a speacial hour of prayer at least once a week, for REPENTANCE and REVIAL for America!
God bless,
Virginia
iam so blessed by your ministy May God richly bless you.
Jack and Shirley, I appreciate your site, I am a current pastor here in the ultra-liberal city of Madison Wi. Our gracious Lord Jesus has given us several open doors here to proclaim the gospel and teach His Word, and we are seeing lives changed through the power of the Holy Spirit. Along with that, of course there is spiritual opposition, but we are not ignorant of the enemys’ devices, nor of the weapons of our warfare, and so I would ask, as your brother in Christ, when you go before the throne of grace to remember us in your prayers.
I too am narrow and conservative, my wife Candy and I are raising 7 children here, and covet any prayer support we can garner.
Love, in Christ, Jeff
GREETINGS JACK AND SHIRLEY:
AT 65, WHEELCHAIR BOUND (MS), SHORT ON SCRIPTURE, LONG ON CARING, DRIVEN BY THE MERCIFUL BLESSINGS OF OUR LOVING LORD AND MASTER. I AM COMPLETING THE RENOVATION AND MODIFICATION OF A 30 FT. SOUTHWIND IN HOPES THE LORD WILL USE MY WIFE AND I IN A SIMILAR METHOD AS HE DID YOURSELVES.
ANY ADVISE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. GODS CONTINUED LOVE AND PEACE TO YOU,
RON AND MINNIE SCOTT
Also “retired,” but only 73. Doing what little I can to help other Christians learn about their Jewish roots.
Brian,
Thanks for dropping by my blog..
I appreciate your offer to cross-post with ChristianDads. .
However, I did not find any indication of a statement of faith on the web site. If you have read my posts you can see that I am just as I advertised — old, narrow-minded and Conservative in my theology. I visited the links of all the contributors to your community and was able to glean some inkling of their theological stand. You might concur that my theological stand will not agree with some of them.
In particular, one writer’s bio was somewhat shocking to be posted on a Christian web site… I will quote it:
“I am passionate about Hollywood and the Celebrity scene. Not to mention I’m a huge fan of gossip and smut.”
Obviously such a philosophy is a bad influence on dads or kids and is certainly not what I see as Christian advice or thought.
Thanks again for the offer to post and I pray that somehow your web site community can lead many dads and kids to Christ and encourage believing Dads to do the right thing before the Lord.
In Christ eternally by God’s Grace and my choice,
Jack
Hi Jack,
I’ve been reading your blog off and on for the last month or so. I was curious if you would consider also writing for ChristianDads.com? We use wordpress also. So you could just double post your thoughts. In return you would your own page on ChristianDads with your bio information and link to your main page.
Thank you for your consideration.
Blessings,
Brian Lis