Dear readers, this book has come to a close, but your spiritual journey has not. I desire to include some helpful quotes, websites, resources, and songs, which not only helped me write this book, but also were God’s tools to encourage and strengthen my growing faith in my personal heavenly citizenship. Typically, this would be the place in the book for references and citation. I am not neglecting that necessity or scholastic obligation. On the contrary, for purposes of this book, I would like to take a step further, to break down what resources are behind this book so that you can do further personal research or find additional encouragement if you so desire.
Here are the websites from which I found inspiration and direction
1. Augustine. "Sermon 21 on the New Testament." New Advent, www.newadvent.org/fathers/160321.htm.
(This is a Catholic website through which you can view the original version of St. Augustine of Hippo’s long sermon on the issue. Note: I’m not theologically comfortable with the website content itself (especially its indulgence ads based on the myth of purgatory), but it is a platform through which I was able to access this historic and helpful Christian document in its entirety.)
2. Black, Chuck. The Kingdom Series. Multnomah, 2006.
(This is the allegorical novel series that sparked my husband and my first “real conversation”.)
3. Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/quotes/423945-cheap-grace-means-grace-sold-on-the-market-like-cheapjacks.
(Here is a quote about what it truly means to receive God’s grace. It’s best known for its two key phrases “cheap grace” and “costly grace”.)
4. Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. The Cost of Discipleship. Touchstone, 1973.
(This book is where I found the reference for cheap grace and costly grace.)
5. Bunyan, John. "I Will in No Wise Cast Out." Puritain Board, puritanboard.com/threads/i-will-in-no-wise-cast-out.53042/.
(This is a quote with which I fell in love in my teen years and has been a great source of comfort to me. It’s a real gem in the context of this book because it’s written by someone who had struggled with wondering if he had committed an unpardonable sin.)
6. Graham, Billy. "What Is the Unpardonalbe Sin?" Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, billygraham.org/answers/what-is-the-unpardonable-sin-i-am-afraid-i-may-have-committed-it.
(This is a question and answer style article on “the unforgivable sin” from an Armenian leaning viewpoint.)
7. Kirk, Charlie. "Charlie Kirk Vs 20 Liberal College Students Surrounded." Podcasts.Apple.Com, 13 Jul. 2025, podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/charlie-kirk-vs-20-liberal-college-students/id1811866283?i=1000717042859.
(Listening to this recording was what taught me the value of “defining terms”, something that I wanted to do early on in this book.)
8. Piper, John. "God Strengthens Us Through Others." Desiring God, vol. April 4rth, 2024, https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/god-strengthens-us-through-others.
(This sermon first introduced me to the history of the hymn “We Rest on Thee”, a hopeful and helpful anthem about resting in the Lord.)
9. Piper, John. "What Is the Unforgivable Sin?" Desiring God, 9 Jan. 2008, www.desiringgod.org/interviews/what-is-the-unforgivable-sin.
(This one is a helpful take on briefly explaining what Jesus meant about a sin that would not be forgiven, from a Calvinist perspective.)
10. Piper, John. "Will God Forgive My Worst Sin?" Desiring God, 12 Sept. 2024, www.desiringgod.org/interviews/will-god-forgive-my-worst-sin.
(This is John Piper’s response to someone who directly asked about the “unpardonable sin”. It is both practical and insightful.)
11. Piper, J. (2004). When I Don't Desire God. Crossway Books.
(This book was pivotal in my journey through anxiety, depression, and fear of being unpardonable. I’d highly recommend it as a must read if you’re looking for practical Biblical remedies for any kind of gloom.)
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