WE OFTEN DON'T ASK QUESTIONS for fear of looking foolish or maybe of giving offense. It's just easier to keep quiet. Have you ever experienced that in church situations where we're supposedly inquiring after the Word of God. It's been mine. And I know it's true of lots of others. As an answer to this dilemma, you are invited to this web site, where you can ask to your heart's content without any downside. I hope you will visit this site often and express your own comments and questions. Hey, we might get to be good friends.

Any answers you discover here are those I've found in regard to my own questions to discover what the Bible teaches. Your views and conclusions may sometimes differ from mine. Fine. Let's learn from each other, but let's do so humbly and respectfully with the Bible as our guide so that we may honor our Lord and Savior. My view takes the Bible literally, allowing for frequent symbolism and allegory it uses to point to literal truth. (After all, prophecy to date has been fulfilled literally, so why should we expect any change?) Of this I'm sure: to make God's truth our own takes no less than a hungry, humble, unbiased mind aided by the very spirit of God.

I mention this because it's often said that doctrine is divisive. That may be true in a way, but then what would we have to argue about? Is that bad? The apostle Paul argued a bit, didn't he? And what would we know about our faith? No, the Bible is all about doctrine, about truth we need to learn and make our own. That is the twofold purpose of this website —1) to explore doctrines and issues in a meaningful way to demonstrate the truth of God's Word, and 2) to encourage others to do the same. The articles are the result of much study over the years. Read them in any order you like although the way they are listed is suggested. You will find much repetition in them, but that may be helpful in grasping what is presented. Articles are divided under two headings, The Highway to Heaven, devoted to various doctrines and issues of faith, and Father/Son, an answer in the light of scripture to the Trinity doctrine.

The Highway to Heaven —to make Christ's words real in our life

These articles seek to whet your spiritual appetite. They will speak to those desiring strong meat, that is, "for those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (Heb. 5:13,14). That being said, there is much for honest inquirers and new believers desiring to become more familiar with essential doctrines. None of these articles represent the views of any particular church or persuasion. They are the result of my own personal quest to understand issues I had to struggle with. I suspect you may never have heard a sermon on many of them, and I believe you will find them intriguing.

Father/Son —an answer to the Trinity question

As an alternative to the Trinity doctrine, Father/Son presents an answer that solves countless questions and no end of confusion. Based on a solely Biblical perspective, it offers a new and exciting apprehension of God's relationship to His Son —the distinctive nature and role of each in working together to accomplish our common salvation.

The purpose is to paint a picture on a new, blank canvas. Much that distorts the word of God in our culture today must be wiped away. Just as Jesus exposed the traditions of the Pharisees that had obscured God's original purposes, so today we must clear away errors of tradition and look to the Bible alone. We must examine error arising from ill conceived theology and practice by the Church over the centuries. Truth often overlooked must be recognized. Some things may not be at once apparent. But the key pieces of this puzzle make a fascinating picture.

If unwilling to settle for hearsay, if you crave Biblical legs to stand on, you are invited to what is a labor of love with its goal of knowing eternal life as Jesus defined it in John 17:3, "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."

 

MY NAME is Larry Gibbons. I am no theologian and haven't much to brag about except maybe my age and the perspective that comes from it. My birth dates back to a year before the  great depression in 1929; and my life appears to be ending in times like it started, what with today's economic woes. After frittering away my first 30 years, God saved me in my sorry state and gave me a passion for searching Him out in the Bible. I had a host of questions, and in His own time and way, He gave me answers to share. I welcome your thoughts and comments in hopes we might each benefit.

Want to know what I believe? There is only ONE God, ONE baptism, and ONE Church, the body of believers who love the Lord Jesus Christ. Given a name above every name, He is the one to follow, not any man, no matter how esteemed. We in Christ are one. Although we may differ in understanding, if we are truly saved, we are never divided in our hearts. May we be quick to listen and slow to speak, as James says, so we may grow in maturity and agreement. Honest, thoughtful study of the Bible is the answer to the division among believers today. Surely it is "the inspired Word of God, profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness," as it declares. May we approach the Bible with a humble, teachable spirit, ready to accept what it teaches, willing to acknowledge our misconceptions and accept instruction so we "may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (IITim. 3:16)

My approach to the Bible is to take it at face value---much like we understand other speech and writing. I take it literally by far and large, recognizing its symbolism and allegories as pointing to literal truth. For instance, we find prophecy fulfilled in the same way it was given---literally. To turn difficult scriptures we may not understand into allegories as done by Augustine and other "Church fathers" has caused no end of misapprehension and confusion among believers.

Concerning doctrinal issues, I simply want to share insights gained that might profit others. I believe to the best of my heart they are in accord with the Bible; indeed, the scriptures are the source of my conclusions. However, in my lifetime I have been wrong a time or two, so I invite your comments and questions. I never want anyone say, "Because Larry says so." Please do not label me. I am what I am, one of a kind in Christ, wanting to know him in an ever more experiential way. I trust that may be the case with you.  The Bible says, "Iron sharpens iron." How great when believers engage in honest, earnest discussion! My aim is to encourage others' faith based on what God says rather than man.

My reason for questioning the trinity doctrine dates back to the late 90's when a pastor friend of mine, Harold DuRossette, of Kansas City, MO., challenged me. Although I had accepted the trinity pretty much without question, as I suspect most believers do, I had never really critiqued it, so I agreed to hear him out, and after about a year or so I had to agree with him. In succeeding years, he and I continued working together until his decease some time ago. This web is the final outcome of what we jointly created and other work I have since done. (Hopefully, this explains why authorship varies in different articles from the plural "we" to the singular " Although we were unaware of it at the time, we later found others whose conclusions were strikingly in agreement with our own. Most often, however, believers are hesitant to accept what differs from the popular orthodox view.  I will not argue the case. God has shown me that only He can make one see. I submit the articles on this web to simply put the ball in your court for you to examine. Decide for yourself