Theological Articles
BIBLE
- The Bible and its Inspiration, A United Methodist Perspective
- Bible Versions- The KJV
- Bible Versions- Worshiping The KJV
- Bible Versions- Additions and Subtractions
- Bible Versions- Choosing A Translation
- Building the Canon
- The Corinthian Church
- Do The Meek Inherit the Earth?
- Doing the Word
- The End Again
- Giving as a Means of Grace
- God's Grace Is Sufficient (Dr. Neal's Coming Out Sermon)
- God's Purpose (Romans 8:28-30)
- Gospel of Judas: About the Manuscript
- Hate
- Idioms in the Bible 1
- Idioms in the Bible 2
- Inerrancy and Other Gods
- Inspiration 1
- Inspiration 2
- Jonah The Wimp (Jonah 4:2-3)
- Led by the Spirit (Galatians 5:14-15)
- Lying to God (Acts 5:3-5)
- Nehushtan: Despising the Grace of God (Luke 3:14-16)
- Of Camels and Needles (Mark 10:21-27)
- The Pastor's Bible Study on The Synoptic Gospels
- The Rape of Tamar
- The Second Tithe
- Self-Avowed Practicing Gentiles (Galatians 3:23-29)
- Steadfast Love of Lord
- The Tithe Within Christian Giving
- The Triple Victory: Jesus' Temptations in the Wilderness. (Luke 4:3-11)
- Typological Interpretation
- Welcoming All God's Children (Mark 9:33-37)
- What Does the Bible Say About Homosexuality? (Romans 1:18-23)
- What's An Ebenezer?
- When Was Jesus Born?
- You Know That I Love You (John 21:15-17)
GENERAL THEOLOGY
- Active Faith
- Capital Punishment
- Christology 1
- Christology 2
- Confession and Forgiveness
- The Confessional
- The Consistent Witness to the Resurrection
- Elder's Orders: Answers to Theological Questions
- Footwashing As A Means of Grace
- For the Sake of the Gospel (Mark 8:27-30)
- Fulfilling the Scripture (Luke 4:18-21)
- God is Not Distant (Joel 2:28-32)
- Gossip
- Good Works
- Gospel of Judas: The Manuscript and its Gnostic Influences
- Glorious Grace (Ephesians 1:7-8)
- Grace
- The H Word: Questions about Hell (Mark 9:44-48)
- He Descended to the Dead (1 Peter 3:18-22)
- The Imprint of God (Hebrews 1:3)
- Incarnational Theology
- The Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 3:1-6)
- The Message of Jesus (Mark 1:29-39)
- Omnipotence 1
- Omnipotence 2
- On The Creeds
- One In Christ
- The Parable of the Loving Father (Luke 15:11-32)
- The Paralysis of Sin (Mark 2:2-12)
- The Resurrection
- Sainthood
- Sanctification and Healing
- Sanctification by Faith
- Theological Terms
- To Measure A Pastorate?
- The Virgin Birth
- Weeping Outside the Tomb
- Wellness as a Means of Grace
- Why A Virgin Birth?
- Why Go To Church?
- The Wind Blows: Questions about the Trinity (John 3:8)
SACRAMENTAL THEOLOGY
- Baptism
- Baptism and Remembrance in the UMC
- The Baptism Filter
- Come, Be Transfigured
- Come Sinners to the Gospel Feast
- Confession and Communion
- Fuel For Christian Living (Hebrews 4:16)
- Incarnational Theology
- The Jesus Bread (John 6:31-51)
- Jesus Keeps the Party Going! (John 2:1-11)
- Online Communion Experiment - Remarks for the Methodist Commission on Online Ministries
- Online Holy Communion: Theological Reflections Regarding The Internet and The Means of Grace
- Questions Regarding The Reserved Sacrament And the Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church
- The Real Presence in Holy Communion
- Spiritual Drinking Problem (John 7:37-38)
- Typology and the Real Presence of Jesus in Holy Communion
- Why Was Jesus Baptized? (Mark 1:7-11)
- Worthiness to Receive: Frequency of Communion
WESLEYAN THEOLOGY
- Arminianism
- Branches of the True Vine: The Church as a Means of Grace (John 10:4-6)
- Confirmation as a Means of Grace
- Fellowship and Worship as a Means of Grace
- Healing as a Means of Grace
- Marriage and Ordination as Means of Grace
- Prayer as a Means of Grace
- Repentance and the Inner Change (Luke 24:26-48)
- The Sacraments as Means of Grace
- Sanctification and Healing
- Sanctification by Faith
- Scripture as a Means of Grace
- Wellness as a Means of Grace
SPIRITUALITY
- A United Methodist Pastor Comes Out
- All Hail the Plainclothes Santas!
- Catholic Stuff
- Colors and Seasons
- The Dark Night of the Soul (John 10:11-18)
- Dogs, Little Boys, and Grownups
- Do Not Lose Heart (2 Corinthians 4:13–5:1)
- Don't Despise God's Grace (John 3:14-16)
- Five Mile
- Following Jesus (Mark 1:17-20)
- Fr. Paul Wessinger
- God in the Silence (1 Kings 19:11-13)
- Hidden Behind the Paneling (1 Corinthians 12:3-13)
- Holy Presence
- Holy Space
- How I Prepare To Preach
- If God Promises to Heal Me, Why Am I Not Healed?
- Let Our Prayers Rise: The Use of Incense in the Church
- The Look of Peace
- Love One Another: Why I'm a United Methodist (John 15:9-17)
- Mountain Climbing
- Nightmares and Sabbath-Keeping
- Obeying Jesus (Mark 1:22-28)
- On Prayer
- Prepared and Cross-Checked
- Questions Lead to Faith (John 20:24-39)
- The Relativity of Time
- Sanctification and Healing
- SSJE and Fr. Eldridge Pendleton
- Skipping Stones
- Spiritual Drinking Problem (John 7:37-38)
- Stepping on LEGOs
- Teach Us To Pray - The Lord's Prayer
- These Articles and Prayer
- Tiggert's Paws
- Traveling With Tigert
- Waiting Means Serving (Psalm 130:5-6)
- Weary in Well Doing
- What Defiles Us? (Mark 7:14-23)
- What's Love Got To Do With It? (John 21:14)
- Where Pets Come From
- Why Go To Church?
- Why Vestments?
ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS
- Advent Confessions
- All Hail the Plainclothes Santas!
- Emmanuel: God with us
- The Meaning of Advent
- When Was Jesus Born?
- Why Was Jesus Born?
- Overshadowed (Luke 1:25-38)
The Angels of Advent Series:
LENT AND EASTER
- Lint or Lent
- Temptations
- Carrying Our Cross (Mark 8:31-38)
- True Contrition
- Why We Prepare In Lent
- The Meaning of Repentance (Luke 13:1-5)
- The Resurrection
- The Triple Victory: Jesus' Temptations in the Wilderness (Luke 4:1-13)
- Forgiveness and Doubting Thomases (John 20:19-29)
- Death Has Been Swallowed Up By Victory (Isaiah 25:6-9)
- Welcoming Salvation (John 12:12-16)
- Jesus Cleanses the Temple (John 2:13-22)
LGBTQIA Advocacy
- A United Methodist Pastor Comes Out
- What Does the Bible Say About Homosexuality (Romans 1:18-23)
- God's Grace Is Sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:7b-10)
- Self-Avowed Practicing Gentiles (Galatians 3:23-29)
- A Statement in Defense of Same-Sex Marriage Rights in the UMC
- Homosexual Christians: What the Bible Does NOT Say (PDF)
The Reverend Dr. Gregory S. Neal is the Senior Pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in Des Moines, Iowa, and an ordained Elder of the North Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church. A graduate of Southern Methodist University, Duke University, and Trinity College, Dr. Neal is a scholar of Systematic Theology, New Testament origins, and Biblical Languages. His areas of specialization include the theology of the sacraments, in which he did his doctoral dissertation, and the formation and early transmission of the New Testament. Trained as a Christian educator, he has taught classes in these and related fields while also serving for more than 30 years as the pastor of United Methodist churches in North Texas.
As a popular teacher, preacher, and retreat leader, Dr. Neal is known for his ability to translate complex theological concepts into common, everyday terms. HIs preaching and teaching ministry is in demand around the world, and much of his work can be found on this website. He is the author of several books, including Grace Upon Grace: Sacramental Theology and the Christian Life, which is in its second edition, and Seeking the Shepherd's Arms: Reflections from the Pastoral Side of Life, a work of devotional literature. Both of these books are currently available from Amazon.com.
As a popular teacher, preacher, and retreat leader, Dr. Neal is known for his ability to translate complex theological concepts into common, everyday terms. HIs preaching and teaching ministry is in demand around the world, and much of his work can be found on this website. He is the author of several books, including Grace Upon Grace: Sacramental Theology and the Christian Life, which is in its second edition, and Seeking the Shepherd's Arms: Reflections from the Pastoral Side of Life, a work of devotional literature. Both of these books are currently available from Amazon.com.