“The gospel is not an invitation to accept Jesus into our hearts, it’s a proclamation that Jesus has already accepted us into His heart.” Like a kind father, Don Keathley Don touches on the goodness of our Father, Jesus as perfect theology, grace, our union, our identity, how to approach scripture, and the lie of eternal conscious torment.

QUOTES

“Behavior follows identity. The key to everything is identity. When we come into an understanding of divinity as identity; that we really are partakers of the divine nature; that just opens up the door to wholeness.”

“A holiness lifestyle is a natural response to wholeness.”

“If all died in Adam, then all certainly have been made alive in Christ.”

“I don’t consider myself a universalist but I do consider myself an inclusionist. I believe we are included in the death burial and resurrection of Jesus.”

“The gospel is not an invitation to come and accept Jesus into your heart, it’s a proclamation that Jesus has already accepted you into His heart.”

“In my experience, people have never heard the gospel, they’ve heard a transactional message where salvation is a transaction, they’ve heard a decisional Christianity. They have never heard the good news, they have never heard the gospel that they are already accepted they are already included, now awaken to who you already are.”

For more on Don Keathley
YouTube
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Podcast intro and outro music by Wilde Assembly

Derek Turner Follower of Jesus, in love with @sarahjturner, father to @caro.turn & @kaaatters, owner of Milo, pastor @rivercharlotte. Amazed by Grace
www.rivercharlotte.com

Jason Clark is a writer, speaker, and lead communicator at A Family Story ministries. His mission is to encourage sons and daughters to grow sure in the love of an always-good heavenly Father. He and his wife, Karen, live in North Carolina with their three children.

34 Comments

  1. Cheryl

    This is huge battling to wrap my mind around it .

    Reply
    • Jason Clark

      Ha, I know the feeling!

      Praying grace and wonder over you today!

      Reply
  2. Lisa Couture

    Awesome interview and our Papa is only GOOD.

    Reply
    • Jason Clark

      Thanks, Lisa, it was a joy talking with Don and super encouraging! Papa is only good! Amen. Grace over your day.

      Reply
  3. Maggie Whitaker

    I have only just found Rethinking God with Tacos and I’m afraid that as a Brit and a vegetarian, the drooling over tacos is a bit lost on me. However what I do love and resonate with are your guest speakers and I was so blessed to hear Don Keathley on your show. Don’s teachings have changed my life and the fruit is freedom, love and mercy. The Gospel !
    May you guys be blessed in all that you do and thank you for bringing these Life speakers all together in one place. I’m working my way down the list 👏👏👏

    Reply
    • Jason Clark

      Haha, I’ll have to look into what the UK has to offer in the realm of vegan tacos and get back to you. Glad you found us and that the podcast is encouraging! Grace and joy as you make your way down the list – blessings!

      Reply
  4. Beth Aderholt

    Learned grace over the years….Malcolm Smith, Major Ian Thomas, Bob George, Steve McVey, Joseph Prince, etc., etc., but I heard something new in this. Chewing on it.

    Reply
    • Jason Clark

      Those are some giants in grace! Thankful for every one of them!

      Reply
  5. Quentin Griesel

    Having gone through some of his teaching he gets some right but unfortunately on this one his been led by a fleshy thought. Abraham believed in God and it was credited to him as righteousness. The new covenant was already preached 430 years before the old. Jesus became the reality of this new covenant and just like Abraham its about believing in Jesus and what he accomplished for us on the cross and resurrection. We received spiritual blessings not earthly blessings in heavenly places not earthly places that means our co crucifixion and co resurrection and seated position in Christ. Just look at the unbelieving world do you see Christ in them?? Paul says over and over in the epistles that faith in Christ is necessary for salvation. There are just too many verses about believe in Jesus to come up with this theology. Yes i also think too much theology especially from reformers like Calvin is unnecessary and nobody has all the right theology. But on the gospel its a no brainer why did Paul say when he visited churches he came to only preach and know one thing among them Christ and him crucified. Why would that be his mission if everyone was saved and included its a lie from the pit of hell. Yes its not fair but its man’s pride and human wisdom that keep them from salvation. His teaching is just like Francois du Toit who wrote possibly the worst new testament translation ever he puts his theology in to the text. I have no doubt that Don and all universalist are probably saved because they believe the gospel but they then come up with a thinking that no believe in the gospel is all right for everybody else. This world is has a CEO named satan and many children of wrath just read Revelation that the sheep and goats will be seperated by God the sheep to everlasting life and the goats the everlasting condemnation that sounds like the lake of fire. For more sound teaching visit Dr Andrew Farley on The Grace Message in my opinion of 3 years watching 1000’s of grace teaching i found little error in his theology and its not difficult just biblically sound.

    Reply
    • Tom NeSmith

      When I decided to believe in God one night, I had no clue about Christian theology. It was blaring brass and crashing symbols to me. I simply decided to believe in God… and was baptized in the Holy Spirit a la Acts 2. When that happened, I had no clue about the Holy Spirit much less a “baptism” in the Holy Spirit. I had evangelical friends… and I told them about my decision. In the course of conversation, I mentioned weird words that came into my head right after I decided to believe in God. They realized I had no clue about those words and read Acts 2 to me. They were in awe about my HS baptism especially since I knew nothing about it. I was in awe because this thing that happened to me was written about in Acts. This totally opened me up to Jesus.

      Now… how’s that for a backwards salvation story. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Quentin Griesel

    Men like Don, Steve McVey, Francois du Toit, Paul Young writer of the Shack follow “Trinitarian Theology” (not the doctrine of the divine trinity). The concept of Trinitarian inclusionism. Its says all mankind are already saved. They just don’t know it and the “good news” is to teach the masses they are already saved. This is serious error. Believe in the Gospel is necessary.

    Reply
    • Jason Clark

      Hey, Quentin,

      I appreciate your thoughts and the time you took to write. I imagine we agree on much, but I am all in on trinitarian Theology and am so thankful for men like Don, Steve, Francios, and Paul, who aren’t just teachers but friends of God. I have met them all, and the last two I’ve spent some time with – I can speak to the kindness and transformative grace in their lives.

      You know a man by his fruit, not just his theology – and brother, the fruit is so good!

      Just wanted to let you know – grace!

      Reply
    • John

      Quentin,
      Thank you for speaking truth to a lost world.

      Reply
      • Joseph Luna

        Hi Jason, I have followed Malcolm Smith’s teachings for about 39 years, but I can’t get anyone from their office to respond to my inquiry about his beliefs about inclusionism. At least Don Keathley is upfront in what he believes which I respect a lot, although I do not agree with it. In the case of Malcolm, he has left the door open for conjectures that need to be clarified.

        Would you or someone else from your staff be kind enough to direct me to the right person who will be willing to clarify his position?

        Thank you and God bless,

        Joseph

        PS I apologize in advance for any trouble I may be causing.

        Reply
        • John

          Joseph Luna,

          I would encourage you not to get your hopes up on hearing back from Malcolm Smith. He’s too busy running with the Wolfpack. He will never admit to his Universalist/Inclusionist beliefs. However, please do pray for him, Keathley, McVey, Clark, and others who are believing Jesus Christ lied when he said in Matt 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”

          John

          Reply
    • Faithful Believer

      Thank you, Quentin, you made really good points that cannot be ignored. I was born again and baptized in the Holy Spirit back in 1984, and ever since my life was changed completely even though the Lord had to work in me to rescue me from all the garbage that had been dumped on me since childhood. He has spoken to me quite a few times, and the excellent work that He began in me will be completed on the day of Jesus Christ (when he calls me home).

      Salvation cannot be automatic because we are made in the image of the likeness of God (Gen. 1:26), which requires a response of faith to what Messiah has accomplished in His death, resurrection, ascension, and in the sending of His Holy Spirit. Romans 8:9 states that he who doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him. So, could the wicked will be saved when all their lives they have rejected the Lord? Will God force them to believe and thus rape them spiritually? Did God rape Mary, the young virgin by forcing her to get pregnant by the Holy Spirit? Didn’t she give the Lord permission for His will to be done in her?

      LSB Lk 1:38 “And Mary said, “Behold, the slave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. “But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been done by God.”

      Blessings from on high, brother,

      FB

      Reply
  7. Joseph W Luna

    I’m interested in learning about your understanding of the eternal destiny of the wicked. I’m speaking about people who have willfully rejected the good news of Jesus Christ, and who die in their sins. What happens to them, eternally speaking, knowing what Jesus said in Mat. 25:41?

    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Truthful believer

      I have heard hundreds and hundreds of Malcolm’s messages, teaching, and preaching, and I have yet to hear that there is no hell and that all the world will be saved in the end. On the contrary, he has preached against universalism by stating that hell is the garbage dumpster of the universe reserved for the devil and his angels, including those who made a covenant with him by rejecting the pure gospel of Jesus Christ. I have followed his teachings since 1984, and I have so many CDs and a couple of DVDs that are beyond anything I have ever heard about the gospel from anyone else… ever!

      Have you ever attended one of his seminars or webinars? I went to hear him preach and he kept me on the edge of my seat while tears ran down my face as I drank mana from heaven. My theology comes from his teachings, and from 39 years of reading and studying God’s word.

      I trust Malcolm Smith’s teachings, but I will never believe everything he says without comparing it with the scriptures. In fact, I disagree with the date that the book of Revelation was written. He says it was written around AD 95 but my reading over and over again (about fifty times), I discovered that it was written around AD 68-69 right before the tearing down of the city of Jerusalem, and the destruction of the temple of the Jews which officially ended the old covenant. The Lord judged the Jews that were still under the law of Moses in AD 70 while those who killed the Lord (the leaders of the Sanhedrin) were also judged (Rev. 1:7).

      I’m not blind, but I do recognize the truth when I hear it.

      Rest assured, I’m not blind.

      Agape,

      TB

      Reply
  8. John

    It’s sad you find the need to delete comments that shed light on the heresy of the teachings of those of Don Keathley, Dr. Steve McVey and others.

    “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
    ‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭36‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

    Reply
    • Jason Clark

      Hey, John

      I delete comments for a handful of reasons. When one condemns another human being to hell, I feel at liberty to delete the comment.

      I appreciate you have a different god lens, and I can appreciate your reasoning and scriptural interpretations, but calling people heretics and condemning them to hell is not a conversation, it’s arrogant cruelty.

      That’s why I deleted your post.

      Reply
      • John

        Jason,

        I pray you will open God’s word and see what He has to say on condemnation. Hell is certainly NOT an illusion, as Keathley clearly states in his book. Keathly, Mcvey, Smith, Young and the “professors” at Global Grace are straight up Universalists/Inclusionists. This IS NOT Biblical. It’s twisting God’s word.

        I would encourage you to read this: https://www.gotquestions.org/parable-sheep-goats.html

        John

        Reply
        • Truthful believer

          John, in your previous comment you mentioned Smith alongside Don Keathley. Smith as in what? If you meant Malcolm Smith, I assure you that he believes in the justice of God and in hell. He has preached about this topic in his teachings of the “Attributes of God and clearly stated that if God is not just, eternally speaking, He would be denying who He is.

          As a preacher and teacher, he is invited to preach in some churches that preach another gospel, yet he goes to these places to preach the truth regardless of what they believe. Paul the apostle did the same thing when he went to the synagogues to preach the gospel regardless of what the Jews believed. In some places he was accepted, in others, he was rejected.

          Does it make sense?

          Reply
          • John

            Truthful Believer,

            To answer your question, No…it really does not make sense.

            Malcolm Smith says he’s preached the gospel for over 70 years. As Christians, we are instructed in 2 John 10-11 to not promote false teachers or even allow them in. Malcolm has aligned himself with Keathley, McVey and several others. I believe he completed a 2 day seminar with these two this month.

            A few times I have heard Malcolm speak he mentions that he hates the word Repentance. Jesus instructed us & preached repentance in Mark 1:14-15
            John preached repentance. Mathew 3:2
            Peter preached repentance. Acts 2:38
            Paul preached repentance. Acts 17:30

            Malcolm believes the same false doctrine that McVey, Young, Keathley, and those at at Global Grace Seminary promote. They claim it’s not Universalism. They have simplify remained it Inclusionism.

            The way they interpret 2 Corth 5:19 gives this away. “ALL” does not mean ALL. Paul was talking to ALL those in Christ. In this case, it was The Church of Corinth.

            2 Peter 2 paints a very dismal picture for false teachers. “For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved.”

            The entire epistle of Jude is dedicated to exhorting Christians to “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” Of false teachers, Jude says:

            “Certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ…Woe to them!”

            Be a Berean! Don’t take them at their word. Read and study God’s word and not through a paraphrase translation like the Mirror Translation or Passion. Use the ESV, KJ, or NASB.

            Praying the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit remove the scales from those who read and follow HIS word.

            John

  9. Truthful believer

    Can anyone from the leadership of this group explain the following scripture?

    John 3:34-36 (LSB)
    “For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.
    35“The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand.
    36“He who believes in the Son has eternal life, but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

    Reply
    • Truthful believer

      John: I am a Berean, believe me, I detest false doctrines, but I will not condemn anyone for their beliefs. Malcolm hates the word “repentance” because it comes from Latin which does not truly reveal the true meaning of the word, Instead, he uses the word “metanoia” (a radical change of mind). He has taught this over and over again, perhaps you missed it.

      I have a question, how do you know that Malcolm has joined the likes of Don Keathley and William Paul Young? Can you please let me know how you found out? Is Malcolm part of the leading team or is he just included in some of their conferences?

      Regards,

      tb.

      Reply
      • John

        TB-
        I am joyful you detest false doctrine but sad to know you do not condemn it. Jesus did and warned of false teachers as well as Paul. Paul actually called several out by name. ( 2 Tim 2:16-18)

        As stated, the word “repentance” in the Greek is “Metanioa.” I am not clear on why Malcomb hates this word. Does he know of a better word? Repentance means we are truly sorry for what we have done (not just the consequences) and that we want to change our behavior going forward. This is the same as “Metenoia,” It means to switch from a outlook that esteems sin to one that considers it abhorrent. To have true repentance/metenoia one must have feelings of remorse and regret.

        Malcolm stated in one of his recordings I listened to that, “You are not a sinner by nature.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00HKedhH5h0&t=3543s Malcomb Smith Webinar #364 (57:12 mark) TB, this is false doctrine. The most hated of all Christian doctrine is that everyone is a sinner. “The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil.” – Jesus Christ (John 7:7) Why all the Hate towards Jesus as He mentions again in John 15: 18? Because Jesus testified that we are all sinners…we are evil. This is the most hated Christian doctrine, the doctrine of Total Depravity. The doctrine that declares that the entire human race is sinful. The dominate sin in man is pride and we will create whatever image of ourselves that escapes ultimate condemnation. Total depravity is that the sinful human race, on our own, is unable and unwilling to come to Christ and we are hostile to His message. “For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment.” Isaiah 64:6 This is where the Gospel starts…by one knowing we are sinners in need of a Savior. This is so offensive and so many and it’s not preached in too many “evangelical churches” anymore. Most would, a thousand times over, prefer to find a false religion that does not speak of this truth of our total depravity.

        What do we say after pointing people to the fact they are sinners? Share John 1:12 ” But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” “Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:5 The sinner must come to the recognition of who he is and cry out for salvation, which is a gift of grace. The only thing a sinner can do is to cry out like the man in Luke, “God, be merciful to me a sinner.”

        Malcolm states in his same lecture that, “angels do not delight in your eyes being open….they look in confusion.” This is completely contrary to God’s word. Luke 15:10 “In the same way I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” -Jesus Christ

        This link should answer your last question: https://globalgraceseminary.net/professors/ I found this out with a simple Google search.

        I pray you (as well as those who read this) will see and know the truth…the truth that sets one free.

        John

        https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/universalism-and-hell

        Reply
      • John

        TB-
        I shared my answers as well as the Gospel earlier today. The moderator will not allow the truth to be shared. Maybe we will connect by some other means.

        John

        Reply
        • Jason Clark

          John,

          Three things –

          First, your last post was automatically held for review by the firewall settings that warn me about potential spam. I think your post was likely automatically held because of all the links.

          Second, I have a personal relationship with most of the fellas you have taken issue with. I am thankful for their pursuit of Jesus and the revelation and grace they have shared with the world.

          While I don’t agree with everything they believe, I can speak to the fruit of their ministry in my own life. And you know a tree by its fruit.

          Third, I can appreciate we have different and even opposing “God lenses,” but I have little patience for “heretic hunters.” And it feels like you have come to this page to do just that. And this is not the place to do that.

          None of these men are here to engage with you. This page is for the podcast, you’re free to share your thoughts about this podcast, but, otherwise, I’d ask you to take your list of “fasle teachers” elsewhere.

          Thank you.

          Reply
        • Truthful believer

          John: I condemn false teachings, but I do not condemn the ones who have fallen into a doctrinal lie because I am not their judge. We have all been deceived once, and who knows if some of the things we believe need some refinement. This does not mean I will break bread with them or fellowship with people that believe in Adventism, legalism, etc.

          My e-mail is Solitary-pawn@outlook.com

          Please send me a short e-mail, I have some questions to ask you about Malcolm.

          God bless,

          Your brother in Christ,

          tb

          Reply
  10. John

    Jason,

    First, the links I included were of Malcolm Smith’s Youtube teaching #364 where he is teaching doctrinal error stating, “you are not a sinner by nature.” It’s sad to know you’re too immature to understand total depravity and accept the truth that I pointed to in several verses of scripture.

    Second, if you lie with dogs, you’ll get fleas. The fruit you speak of from these men is rotten. “As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly” (Proverbs 26:11).

    Third, my prayer is that you and those Universalists/Inclusionists you promote will REPENT! Hell is NOT an illusion.

    John

    Reply
    • Truthful believer

      John: You must be a Calvinist because total depravity is the brand mark of the Reformed. As for “sinful nature” there is nothing in the scripture that states that. What we read is that we battle against the lusts of the flesh that procudes all kinds of evil behavior.

      Since I am not Reformed, it would be better that you don’t send me an e-mail to discuss the teachings of Malcolm Smith because your condemning attitude comes from your false religion.

      Sorry, I’m not getting out of frying pan to fall into the fire.

      Take care,

      tb

      Reply
      • John

        TB-

        Here’s a one verse, New Testament commentary on the event that happened in the garden in Genesis 3. “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned—” Romans 5:12

        When Adam sinned, every human that has walked, or will walk, this earth are Adam’s progeny. Don’t believe Satan’s lie when he asks, “Did God really say….”

        ‭‭Grace & Peace,
        John

        Reply
        • Truthful Believer

          Dear John: I agree with your take on Gen. 3 and Rom. 5:12, but sinful nature is not part of the language of the scriptures, otherwise, no one could be saved. The heart of sin is found in our flesh which we are commanded to put to death (Col. 3:5-8; 9-10) or better, make a bold statement as Paul did, “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me, and the life that I now live in the FLESH, I live it by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20).

          Don Keathley has a series on hell where he adamantly states that the noun “hell” does not appear in the NT. The KJV and other translations mistranslated this noun. He goes on to explain the real meaning of Gehenna and Hades. He is partially correct, but what he failed to tell his audience in his series “Hell’s illusion” is that the WRATH of God is all over the scriptures.

          “The WRATH of God is against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness… (Rom. 1:18). The same principle can be applied to man’s “sinful nature” because it is not in the Bible. What is in the Bible is the FLESH, so the works of the flesh appear everywhere in the NT. This is why the most rotten of sinners can hear the gospel and embrace Christ’s salvation after he realizes how desperate he needs Him. Well, this is how I see it.

          The Lord be with you, brother,

          TB

          Reply
  11. Joseph W Luna

    Could anyone tell me what is the general belief of the final judgment of the wicked? This question is for Don Keathley and those who have similar beliefs.

    Thank you so much for responding,

    God bless,

    Joseph

    Reply

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