"Teachings on the Practical
Principles of Sonship"

Last Updated: 5-21-2011

In case this is your first time visiting our site, please allow me to make a proper introduction. We are Terry & Tykie Crisp, from Dawson GA USA. Tykie and I are not affiliated with any particular denomination, and we're certainly not ambitious to acquire a following of our own. We're simply members of the body of Christ, who love the Lord, and who love the fellowship of His people!

Our purpose in posting our messages on the internet is to share the practical truths of sonship with those who are moving beyond the basic principles of the doctrine of Christ, and are "going on unto perfection" (that is, to spiritual maturity; Heb. 6:1). While we make no claims of having already attained, or of having already apprehended that for which we were apprehended of Christ (Phil. 3:12-14), it is our conviction that even now, God is preparing a people who shall "henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine...but [who shall] grow up into Him in all things" (Eph. 4:14-15). According to the Phillips Translation of Romans 8:19-21, all of nature is waiting on tiptoe to see such a people... a people who shall be instrumental in rescuing the whole of created life from the tyranny of change and decay, and who will ultimately enable it to share in that magnificent liberty that alone belongs to the children of God. What a wonderful vision this is!

Before we recommend our writings, let it be clearly understood that we believe in the absolute and singular Lordship of Jesus Christ. As Peter said in Acts 2:36, "God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, BOTH LORD AND CHRIST." In light of this Lordship which Jesus alone possesses, Paul was inspired to refer to Him as "the blessed and only Potentate... dwelling in the Light which no man can approach unto" (1 Tim. 6:16). In other words, the deific state in which Jesus dwells is absolutely unapproachable by anyone or anything that belongs to the created realm (and that includes the new creation realm ---ref. 2 Cor. 5:17).

Throughout Paul's preaching, there was never to be any confusion about the uniqueness of Jesus, or about where the emphasis belongs. He was careful to point out, "It is not ourselves that we proclaim; we proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as servants, for Jesus' sake" (II Cor. 4:5 NEB). He could not have made himself any clearer than this. And yet, it was this same Paul who also described Jesus as being "the firstborn of many brethren." (Romans 8:29. This verse from the New English Bible states that Jesus is "the Eldest among a large family of brothers." We like that!) Notice here that in the course of this statement, the apostle gave Jesus the preeminence, by referring to Him as our Elder Brother. But it's also worth noting that in the process of doing so, he also drew attention to a vast company of sons among whom He stands in the midst. Ah, beloved, this is no small matter... and definitely not a thing to be overlooked! You see, as Lord, Jesus is one with Divinity. But as Christ, He is one with humanity. And, praise God, He is not ashamed to call us His brethren (Heb.2:11)! This is the context in which Paul declared our sonship, and we humbly profess the same.

1 John 3:1-2 states that now are we the sons of God, even though at present, it does not yet appear what we shall be. And 1 Cor. 15:47-49 tells us that the Lord has predestined that we should grow up, and be conformed to the fully matured and perfected image of His Son. That there is a process by which He shall accomplish this, we can be sure. But we can be equally sure that "He Who began this good work in you will continue until the Day of Jesus Christ... developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you" (Phil. 1:6, Amp.) This is His purpose, this is His plan, and He will bring it to pass!

We are aware that, despite such plain passages of Scripture, there are still some who feel that this teaching somehow takes away from the centrality of Jesus, or that it brings Him down to our level. Quite the contrary! While there are certainly misrepresentations of it (as there are of every true Word that the Church has received from God), the message of sonship, when properly presented, and properly understood, actually brings glory to His name. It declares, not only that JESUS IS LORD, but also that He is the Federal Head of a corporate, many-membered Body known collectively as CHRIST (both Head and Body; ref. 1 Cor. 12:12). This declaration, dear friend, is our hope, and the purpose of our writings. We pray that you'll be blessed, enlightened, and encouraged by what you read.

For a humorous introduction to the message of sonship, we suggest that you read our little allegorical story, entitled "Ebb & Flo." And for those who've encountered some of those strange fringe beliefs that claim to be associated with sonship (but are not), you might enjoy reading the second installment of the "Ebb & Flo" series, entitled "Adventures with the Cascades."

(You may go to any of these articles by simply clicking on their titles.)

If you're interested in the purpose behind sonship, then you'll benefit
from reading our message,

"So Send I You"

And finally, another introductory article worth recommending is entitled,

"Sonship---Why?"

This short message by Ray Prinzing also presents the purpose for sonship
in a very clear and concise way.
(Posted with the permission of the author)

You can also access more than fifty other articles we've written
(including our current series, entitled, "Zarah and Pharez")
by going to our Writings Page. Simply click on the icon below.

Go to our Writings Page

If you'd like to be added to our regular mailing list (sent out absolutely free of charge) simply send your name and postal address to:

Good Seed Publications
c/o Terry & Tykie Crisp
672 Goodman Rd.
Dawson, GA. USA. 39842

or, you can just e-mail us at:
TCrisp4448@aol.com

Well, thanks for visiting with us. We do hope that you'll come back again!

Oh, and don't forget to visit
our LINKS page.
We think you'll enjoy it!