Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 18 minutes ago
In this episode of Critical Issues Commentary, Barb Gretch and Bob DeWaay continue their critique of John Mark Comer’s Practicing the Way, focusing on Comer’s teaching about salvation, forgiveness, and spiritual formation.
Bob examines Comer’s use of the Greek word sozo (“saved”) and explains why the biblical context of salvation points to rescue from God’s wrath through the substitutionary atonement of Christ. In contrast, Comer emphasizes gradual healing through confession and naming one’s woundedness within a community.
The discussion draws a sharp distinction between therapeutic spiritual formation and the Bible’s decisive teaching about conversion, justification, sanctification, and forgiveness. Bob explains that Christians are not left in an endless process of trying to overcome their woundedness. Scripture declares that those in Christ have been washed, sanctified, and justified.
Hebrews 10:11–14 is central to the discussion: Christ offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, and by that one offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. The hosts also examine John 3:36 and the Bible’s clear “either-or” categories—eternal life for those who believe in the Son, and God’s wrath remaining on those who reject Him.
Rather than an ambiguous process of spiritual healing, the gospel offers the decisive work of Christ: forgiveness, redemption, justification, and reconciliation with God through faith in Jesus Christ.
This is part 55 of a thorough critique of "Practicing the Way" by John Mark Comer, WaterBrook, 2024.
Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
In this episode of Critical Issues Commentary, Barb Gretch and Bob DeWaay continue their critique of John Mark Comer’s Practicing the Way, focusing on Comer’s teaching about salvation, forgiveness, and spiritual formation.
Bob examines Comer’s use of the Greek word sozo (“saved”) and explains why the biblical context of salvation points to rescue from God’s wrath through the substitutionary atonement of Christ. In contrast, Comer emphasizes gradual healing through confession and naming one’s woundedness within a community.
The discussion draws a sharp distinction between therapeutic spiritual formation and the Bible’s decisive teaching about conversion, justification, sanctification, and forgiveness. Bob explains that Christians are not left in an endless process of trying to overcome their woundedness. Scripture declares that those in Christ have been washed, sanctified, and justified.
Hebrews 10:11–14 is central to the discussion: Christ offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, and by that one offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. The hosts also examine John 3:36 and the Bible’s clear “either-or” categories—eternal life for those who believe in the Son, and God’s wrath remaining on those who reject Him.
Rather than an ambiguous process of spiritual healing, the gospel offers the decisive work of Christ: forgiveness, redemption, justification, and reconciliation with God through faith in Jesus Christ.
This is part 55 of a thorough critique of "Practicing the Way" by John Mark Comer, WaterBrook, 2024.
Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
