Ecclesia Reformata

So Long for Now

2009-03-02T11:47:00.007-05:00

If you have wondered in past months as to when there would be a new post at Ecclesia Reformata, it should be obvious after nearly a year that posting has ceased. As a missionary of Biblical Ministries Worldwide (biblicalministries.org), I have been commissioned to plant a church, and begin a Bible institute to help prepare men for church planting and to provide seminary instruction in coastal Georgia, in addition to a full schedule of editing, writing, and speaking, so it is just not possible to continue regular posts (actually time was always an issue even in posting the few from March 2006 to May 2008). Thank you for your interest in this blog and I appreciate the good contacts I was able to make through it. If interested, you may always peruse Eternal Ministries (eternalministries.org) and Coastal Bible Chapel (coastalchapel.org). As for Ecclesia Reformata, so long for now.

Christ and Culture

2008-05-31T05:03:00.003-04:00

"There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence
over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all,
does not cry: 'Mine!'"

Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920)

Does Scripture Influence Society?

2008-04-30T22:56:00.000-04:00

Obedience to the Lord’s teachings and commandments has personal and social implications. True regeneration is a cultural event. Scripture presents two means of influencing society with God’s Word, each of which is necessary: holy lives and verbal proclamation. As God’s Word influences society, there should be a marked difference in society as a whole, and it should be a difference that even the unbeliever will notice, for light will not go unnoticed by darkness (cf. Matt 5:13-16). Social benefits are often the result of holy lives and verbal proclamation of God’s Word, but societal improvement is not the gospel the church is charged to proclaim. Social action apart from the biblical Gospel often prioritizes the conversion of social structures, as opposed to personal salvation in Christ alone, which supposedly reaches its climax in the complete inauguration of the kingdom of God. God does have a purpose for all creation, but it awaits the redemption of the body for the saints according to the will of God (Rom 8:18-23; Phil 3:20-21). Before the foundation of the world, God chose those “to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth . . . to share in the glory of [the] Lord Jesus Christ.” Therefore, the church is to “stand firm and hold to the teachings” of the Gospel and to do so “in every good deed and word” (2 Thess 2:13-17). When the church stands firm, God will be glorified and society will be better for it!

Denial of Christ Jesus as the Only Begotten

2008-03-31T23:18:00.002-04:00

The New Testament refers to Jesus as the Son of God in numerous references. It is true that the redeemed are also sons of God, and angels are also referred to as sons of God. However, Jesus is the Son of God in a unique way. He is the “only Begotten” Son (John 3:16). The Greek word translated “only Begotten” [Gk. monogenes] indicates Jesus’ uniqueness (i.e. He is the Son of God in a way no one else is). The angels are the sons of God by creation. Human beings are the sons of God by the new birth. Jesus is the Son of God because He had no human father (Luke 1:35).

There exist various forms of gennao (“begat”) in the Old Testament both in a literal sense (Deut 23:8) and metaphorical (Job 38:28). In Psalm 2:7, gennao is used to reference God’s relation to HaMaschioch; it refers there to an individual relationship (Acts 13:33; Heb 1:5). Christ’s Sonship is clearly connected to His Davidic kingship. It is plausible that in the application to the Messianic King the intention would be of “divine ‘adoption’ to sonship” (cf. Gal 4:5). If begat were understood to speak of Christ prophetically then the word would extend beyond the meaning of adoption.

In the New Testament, the word is used rather literally (Matt 1:1-16). However, the metaphorical usage is still extended greatly For example, in 1 Corinthians 4:15 the word is used in the sense of converts begotten to eternal life. Of equal similarity to monogenes is the word describing believers in their relationship to God (John 1:13; 1 Pet 1:3). In other words, Christians are tekna (“children”) of God (John 1:12).

In contrast to believers as tekna of God, Jesus Christ is the unique huios (“son”) of God. As the “Son of God” (huios theou), Jesus alone is in a unique relationship with God the Father, whereas those who enter a relationship of sonship by believing in the huios theou are but tekna theou. Christ’s relation is not by an act of generation, rather it is the continual enjoyment of a unique relationship to the Father (John 1:18).

Jesus is one with God as His only-begotten Son. This is the proclamation formulated by the Nicene Council in the following way: “ . . . and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages: Light of Light. True God of True God. Begotten not made. Of one essence with the Father. Through whom all things were made. . . . ” These lines speak about the Son of God, also called the Word or Logos of God, before His incarnation. There is but one eternal Son of God. There never was a time when there was no Son of God. This is specifically what the heretic Arius taught. It is the doctrine formally condemned by the first ecumenical council. The only begotten Son always existed, or rather more accurately always “exists” as uncreated, eternal, and divine.

A Powerful Exhortation from the Pen of Wycliffe

2008-02-29T17:00:00.000-05:00

"The true Christian was intended by Christ to prove all things by the Word of God, all churches, all ministers, all teaching, all preaching, all doctrines, all sermons, all writings, all opinions, all practices. These are His marching orders. Prove all by the Word of God; measure all by the measure of the Bible; compare all with the standard of the Bible; weigh all in the balances of the Bible; examine all by the light of the Bible; test all in the crucible of the Bible. That which can abide the fire of the Bible, receive hold, believe, and obey. That which cannot abide the fire of the Bible, reject, refuse, repudiate, and cast away. This is the flag which He nailed to the mast. May it never be lowered! . . .

A church, which does not honor the Bible, is as useless as a body without life, or a steam engine without fire. A minister who does not honor the Bible is as useless as a soldier without arms, a builder without tools, a pilot without compass, or a messenger without tidings. Stand fast on old principles. Do not forsake the old paths. Let nothing tempt you to believe that multiplication of forms and ceremonies, constant reading of liturgical services, or frequent communions, will ever do so much good to souls as the powerful, fiery, fervent preaching of God's Word. If men want to do good to the multitude, if they want to reach their hearts and consciences, they must attack them through their ears; they must blow the trumpet of the everlasting Gospel loud and long; they must preach the Word."

Would that more churches be convicted of the doctrines of grace, which communicate that God creates and sustains His church by Scripture alone!

Alcohol and the Church

2008-01-31T16:16:00.000-05:00

Our county will soon vote regarding an alcohol beverage-related referendum. Although the primary motivation for the referendum has been stated regarding tax dollars, it appears some would regard the issue religiously (in terms of whether the Bible prohibits or demands abstaining from any alcohol consumption; and therefore, should be opposed on that basis). There are indeed significant ramifications of the counsel and witness of the church both corporately and individually regarding this matter.

Prior to the 1800s, there was nearly universal agreement by every denomination of orthodox Christianity regarding the moderate consumption of alcohol for health and pleasure. Condemnation of the moderationist position is maintained through the capricious rejection of centuries of church history—and most importantly, the assertions of the Bible—by granting priority instead for an ascetic fundamentalism that is deemed a greater standard of holiness and prudence than the Bible.
The plain teaching of the Bible concerning the moderate consumption of alcohol should promote church integrity and unity rather than spirited disagreement that is often manifested in contention and strife among the body of Christ. The church’s unity in belief and practice must be based upon the Bible solely. To demand abstinence and prohibit moderate alcohol consumption as a matter of faithfulness to God not only conflicts with the biblical and historical record, but also would be indictments upon Old Testament saints, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Apostles, and unanimity of eighteen hundred years of church history. The prohibitionist position that all alcoholic beverages are inherently evil, and that any use is therefore sinful, pronounces a curse upon God’s blessing, and regards God’s blessing in this matter to be a curse. The abstentionist position often neglects Bible teaching of maturity and personal responsibility in regards to matters of church liberty. The Bible consistently condemns drunkenness (alcohol abuse) as sin, but never condemns use of alcohol (medicinally or moderately) as evil. Scripture declares that wine specifically is a good gift from God. The Bible and the entire Christian tradition have sternly condemned the sin of drunkenness (as should the church not only in our county, but also anywhere in the world). As a component of God’s creation, alcoholic beverages are something that may be enjoyed to the glory of God in moderation for both health and pleasure and with a thankful heart.

Do not suppose that abuses are eliminated by destroying the object which is abused. Men can go wrong with wine and women. Shall we then prohibit and abolish women? The sun, the moon, and stars have been worshiped. Shall we then pluck them out of the sky? Such haste and violence betray a lack of confidence in God. See how much he has been able to accomplish through me, though I did no more than pray and preach. The Word did it all. Had I wished I might have a started a conflagration at Worms. But while I sat still and drank beer with Philip and Amsdorf, God dealt the papacy a mighty blow. – Dr. Martin Luther

Christ and Melchizedek

2007-12-08T15:26:00.000-05:00

According to Hebrews 6:20, Christ “has entered [heaven] as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” Previously the writer of Hebrews declared, “He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek” (5:10). The mention of Jesus as “high priest” in 6:20 follows the initial declaration that the believer has eternal preservation because of Messiah’s eternal priesthood; the mention in 5:10 was briefly interrupted by the warning of apostasy. In 6:20, the writer now begins his theme that Messiah’s high priesthood is superior to the Aaronic priesthood.

Since his mention in Scripture is brief, Melchizedek is often considered an enigmatic figure. The only Old Testament accounts of Melchizedek are recorded in Genesis 14:17-20 and he is mentioned again in Psalm 110:4. He is not mentioned again until the Book of Hebrews. Nevertheless, God predestined the events of his life so he would be a type of the Messiah (cf. 7:3). According to Hebrews 7:1, Melchizedek was “king of Salem” (early name of Jerusalem), and “priest of the Most High God.” Abraham met him when returning from a military victory and “apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils” (7:2). Hebrews 7:7 records the significance of this tithe: “But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.” The tithe of Abraham to Melchizedek is expanded in Hebrews 7:4, 6, 8-10.

Levitical priests “have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people” (7:5). The Jewish people and priests trace their heritage to Abraham. When Melchizedek, “the one whose genealogy is not traced from them,” received the tithe from Abraham, the former had no genealogical relation to the chosen people. However, Abraham recognized a non-Jewish priest as his superior. In the Aaroninc priesthood, “mortal men receive tithes” (7:8) to continue the succession of the priests. Since there is no mention of Melchizedek’s death, his priesthood must be perpetual. Melchizedek received the Levitical tithes, which means the Aaronic priesthood paid tithes to him (7:9). The argument of Hebrews 7:11-20 is that a change in the priesthood has occurred. “Another priest . . . according to the order of Melchizedek” (7:11) is the Messiah; Messiah’s “indestructible life” (7:16) qualifies Him to be a Priest like Melchizedek. Psalm 110:4 confirmed the perpetual priesthood of Messiah.

The first coming of Messiah to Earth was to be obedient unto death. Since He was obedient and faithful unto death, Jesus became the sinner’s substitute under the wrath of God, but He is sinless, and therefore, rose from the grave and ascended to the Father, returning to the glory which He had with the Father before the world was created. Following His ascension, the Messiah entered the heavenly throne room and was declared the Son of Man (i.e., the Son relating to mankind who was a partaker of humanity; Heb 2:14). The Son of Man approached the Ancient of Days to be exalted and glorified (John 13:31-32; cf. Phil 2:8-11; Heb 12:2). Presently, the Son of Man is seated at His Father’s right hand (Psa 110:1) which occurred after He was presented as the Son of Man to His Father (Dan 7:13-14). Following the Son of Man’s presentation to the Ancient of Days (7:13-14), Christ entered the Holy of Holies through (by means of) His own blood, and is now seated at His Father’s right hand. All worldwide authority is given to Jesus, the Son of Man. The Father has divinely directed for the Son of Man to co-reign with Him over all creation (Psa 110:1; Dan 7:13-14; Eph 1:20-22). At the end of the age, the Son of Man will depart from the heavenly throne room of the Ancient of Days and will return to Earth in power and glory to reign historically and visibly as Messiah upon the throne of David.

The priesthood of Messiah assures the fulfillment “of a better covenant” (7:22) which means the realization of the Abrahamic, Land, Davidic, and New Covenants. Although “the former priests...existed in greater numbers,” the Messiah “holds his priesthood permanently” (7:23-24). God’s “oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever” (7:28). The oath of God was referenced in 7:21 which quoted from Psalm 110:4. Human priesthood has been replaced by a divine, perpetual priesthood of Messiah.

An Entertaining Video :-)

2007-11-30T11:42:00.001-05:00

P.S. The video is simply entertaining; it would be wonderful if psychologists actually advised people in this manner, as opposed to offering godless secularism.

Drive-Thru Church

2007-11-12T13:26:00.000-05:00

”For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Tim 4:3-4)

P.S. It is a parody of how many "churchians" think regarding the purpose of the body of Christ?

The Divine and Human Attitude in Evangelism

2007-11-10T22:59:00.000-05:00

When discussing evangelism, it seems important to begin with an understanding of both the divine and human attitude. In 2 Cor 5:16-21, the divine attitude is revealed. Verse 18 teaches that God is the Author of reconciliation; verse 19 teaches Jesus is the Agent of reconciliation; and, verse 20 teaches the Christian is the Ambassador of reconciliation. The responsibility and privilege of the Christian in God’s work of reconciliation could not be clearer. Furthermore, it is evident that evangelism begins with God. Evangelism is more about the glory of God than about those who are separated from Christ or those who are proclaiming the Gospel.

Romans 1:1-17 reveals the human attitude. The “I am” statements from the Apostle Paul should be true of every Christian. His statement “I am under obligation” in verse 14 stresses the responsibility to proclaim the Gospel. The “I am eager” statement indicates the proper attitude to characterize all Gospel preaching. The “I am not ashamed” statement indicates the proper testimony of every witness for Christ. These three statements should be characteristic of every Christian. The foundational attitudes taught in these verses should immediately result in the development of a strategy for proclaiming the Gospel.

Happy Reformation Day!

2007-10-31T12:22:00.000-04:00

The Reformation Polka
by Robert Gebel (oldlutheran.com)
[Sung to the tune of "Supercalifragilistic-expialidocious"]

When I was just ein junger Mann I studied canon law;
While Erfurt was a challenge, it was just to please my Pa.
Then came the storm, the lightning struck, I called upon Saint Anne,
I shaved my head, I took my vows, an Augustinian! Oh...

Chorus:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!

When Tetzel came near Wittenberg, St. Peter's profits soared,
I wrote a little notice for the All Saints' Bull'tin board:
"You cannot purchase merits, for we're justified by grace!
Here's 95 more reasons, Brother Tetzel, in your face!" Oh...

Chorus:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!

They loved my tracts, adored my wit, all were exempleror;
The Pope, however, hauled me up before the Emperor.
"Are these your books? Do you recant?" King Charles did demand,
"I will not change my Diet, Sir, God help me here I stand!" Oh...

Chorus:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation -
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!

Duke Frederick took the Wise approach, responding to my words,
By knighting "George" as hostage in the Kingdom of the Birds.
Use Brother Martin's model if the languages you seek,
Stay locked inside a castle with your Hebrew and your Greek! Oh...

Chorus:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation -
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!

Let's raise our steins and Concord Books while gathered in this place,
And spread the word that 'catholic' is spelled with lower case;
The Word remains unfettered when the Spirit gets his chance,
So come on, Katy, drop your lute, and join us in our dance! Oh...

Chorus:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation -
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!

The Illuminating Ministry of the Holy Spirit

2007-10-18T12:54:00.000-04:00

The Holy Spirit empowers the believer in his battle with the “flesh.” One of the ways the Spirit empowers the believer is by imparting spiritual truth and wisdom. “The Holy Spirit is the great Interpreter (John 16:13). Without Him all our efforts at fully understanding His Word are doomed to failure.” The Holy Spirit teaches the believer from the Word of God by illuminating the Scriptures. For example, 1 John 2:20 explains that believers will know the truth when they hear it because they “have an anointing from the Holy One.” According to 1 Corinthians 2:6-13, the Holy Spirit reveals “the depths of God” and enables the believer (“he who is spiritual”) to appraise all things (2:15). The result is that the believer is able to know the truth or will God as revealed in the Scriptures. Some have added “guidance in decision making” to the ministry of the Holy Spirit, but there does not appear to be any biblical evidence of that kind of guidance apart from the work of revealing and making plain the Word of God. The obvious question then is whether impulses and feelings come from the Holy Spirit independent of His use of the Word of God. There appears no such biblical evidence. The one exception is Acts 16:6-10 where the Holy Spirit intervened directly in the travel plans of the Apostle Paul. However, since the Acts 16 event was during the apostolic period (i.e. before the canon was closed), it cannot be cited as support for the normal manner in which the Holy Spirit illumines the mind or ministers to believers in the current time.

Songs of Churchianity

2007-09-21T16:05:00.000-04:00

A painfully accurate portrayal of what happens when worship is not about the glory of God.

When the "worship" service is all about one's preferences and singing of "God as my girlfriend," it certainly does portray the true nature of the heart. The modern therapeutic approach to Christianity certainly has created many false converts who view the local church as all about meeting one's felt needs.

Moral Dilemmas - Part III

2007-09-04T23:07:00.000-04:00

Joshua 2:1-24

God sent two spies into the land of Canaan before the armies of Israel crossed as a group. The spies were necessary before the whole of Israel entered the land. For instance, the spies were necessary to gather information. Joshua was wise in seeking information prior to any action. Even though God had promised help in the conquest of Canaan, he acted prudently by gathering all facts before making a decision for action.

The king of Jericho received word that the spies had entered the house of Rahab. Believing “they have come to search out all the land” (2:3), the king summoned Rahab to deliver the spies. In the process of their military expeditions, these men were unaware that God would bring them into contact with a person who needed spiritual encouragement. According to the testimony of Rahab (2:9-11), knowledge of God was widespread even in the city of Jericho. Rahab knew that God had given the land to the Jewish people. Consequently, she acted on this knowledge and confessed faith in the “LORD your God” (1:11). It was the evidence of her faith that she was willing to hide the spies in her home, and even lie about their presence in her home in an effort to save their lives (2:4-5). God commended Rahab for her faith in hiding the spies (Heb 11:31; Jas 2:25), yet the lie was a sin of weakness. Her desire to help the spies was just, but her lie was not.

Rahab lied to the soldiers concerning the men sent as spies, while helping the latter to safety. There is a seeming moral dilemma: (1) obedience to the soldiers as representative of the city government of Jericho, and (2) recognition of the sanctity of human life by not bringing the spies to the soldiers of Jericho. It is clear that Rahab lied, and she is nowhere commended for her falsehood. The deception by which she sought to avoid all suspicion of assisting the spies was not necessary. Rahab was rightly convinced that God would give the land to the Jewish people; therefore, any opposition to God’s plans would be futile.

In the account in Josh 6 (cf. Heb 11:31), God blessed Rahab for her faith and how she treated Israel. God rewarded her in spite of the fact that she lied rather than because of her lie. God not only spared her life, but also her family. Scripture does not say anything more about the lie, but it simply records what was done. The one quality that resulted in God’s blessing was Rahab’s genuine faith in Him. The “scarlet thread” was the evidence of her trust in the promise of deliverance.

Moral Dilemmas - Part II

2007-09-04T23:06:00.000-04:00

Exodus 1:8-22

Following the death of Joseph, “the sons of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly, and multiplied, and became exceedingly mighty, so that the land was filled with them. Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph” (1:7-8). The new king feared because “the sons of Israel [were] more and mightier than [the Egyptians]” (1:9). The first policy of the new king was to appoint “taskmasters over them to afflict them with hard labor” (1:11). The policy failed because “the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out, so that they were in dread of the sons of Israel” (1:12).

The second policy of the new king was to attack the children. Pharaoh instructed the Hebrew midwives, Shiprah and Puah, to kill all the male babies (1:15-16). It appears that the murder of the male babies was not to be necessarily obvious, but blamed on the difficulty of the birth (1:16). The female babies would not be a threat to the Egyptian dynasty, as they would likely serve the lusts of the Egyptians.

Moses told his readers that these two midwives had a fear of God, “and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live” (1:16). Whether the midwives were Egyptian or Hebrew is not clear. The midwives, nevertheless, understood the law of God and knew it to be more important to obey God than man. Shiprah and Puah would not violate the sanctity of life. These midwives could not obey the command of the king of Egypt. The moral dilemma for them was murder of the innocent and disobedience to government.

Nowhere does the passage state that the midwives lied to Pharaoh. When questioned concerning their obedience to the king’s command, the explanation was that the Hebrew women were athletic and vigorous, and gave birth to their children before the midwife could get to them. It is true that slave women were not as delicate as the women of Egypt, but had well toned muscles to deliver their babies much faster than women who live a sedentary style of life. The midwives succeeded in answering Pharaoh with this explanation. It is possible that the midwives could have delayed their birth, which would have given sufficient opportunity for both Hebrew mothers and babies, following birth, to be taken to some safe place.
God blessed the justice of the midwives (1:20-21), and “established households for them.” The midwives opposed the unjust government, which had no moral basis to commit murder. God rewarded the midwives’ just actions of disobeying the unjust command of Pharaoh.

Moral Dilemmas - Part I

2007-09-04T23:04:00.000-04:00

Genesis 12:10-20

Genesis 12 provides the account of Abram’s journeys to Egypt. God promised land to Abram and to his seed, but a famine resulted in Abram leaving the promised land. Abram went to Egypt to take refuge there until the famine had passed. The occurrence of the famine was to prove the faith and obedience of Abram.

The moral dilemma of journeying to Egypt is indicated by Abram’s fear that the Egyptians would be taken with the beauty of Sarai and kill him. The behavior of the Egyptians was certainly cause for a moral dilemma (Gen 19). Knowing they were a lustful people, Abram feared he would be murdered as Sarai’s husband, which would mean it would be free and lawful for one of the Egyptians to marry her. Abram’s resolution of the dilemma was for Sarai to say that she was his sister. There is a certain degree of truth in the statement since Sarai was his half-sister (11:29). However, the intent of Abram was to conceal truth and to deceive the Egyptians.

Based on the promise of 12:1-3, Abram should have trusted God to protect and care for him. One can certainly understand Abram’s fear but as a result of falling into unbelief, his actions were not just. It is probable that Abram did not understand the actual outworking and fulfillment of the promise that God had made with him. However, it was absolutely uncertain how Abram expected to keep his honor and possession of Sarai by stating that she was his sister. Being mindful of the promise of God, it would have been easier in Egypt for Abram to acknowledge Sarai as his wife.

The problem with Abram’s actions is that he should have never journeyed to Egypt. Though there was a famine in the land of promise, God could have supplied his needs (especially in light of the covenant with him). However, once in Egypt, Abram should have been mindful to not compromise his faithfulness to God. God could have protected Abram in Egypt so that Abram did not need to leave with the rebuke of Pharoah.

God had promised to raise a nation through Abram that would bring blessing to the world. Even though he acted in deception, God graciously protected the promise. The unjust actions of Abram could not deliver him from his deceptive actions. The account demonstrates that lack of justice is never a means to accomplish justice.

Even though Abram prospered from his injustice, his acquired riches from Egypt would provide continual problems with Lot, and then with Hagar. The esteem of God should be the most treasured possession of any believer. When the justice of God was not sought by Abram, the riches he acquired where a diversion from the glory of God.

War on Britain's Jews

2007-08-20T18:27:00.000-04:00

This is an excellent documentary by British journalist Richard Littlejohn concerning the resurgence of anti-Semitism (particularly in identifying the anti-Semitism of the Left). Should YouTube remove the videos, Daniel Chew of "Daniel's Place" (http://puritanreformed.blogspot.com/) has graciously imported the videos to his multi-blog at http://astronova.multiply.com/video.

Video 1

Video 2

Video 3

Video 4

Video 5

Video 6

Authentic Not Synthetic Evangelism

2007-08-17T08:05:00.000-04:00

In his work, Today's Gospel:Authentic or Synthetic, Walter Chantry reminded his readers:

A. Products of modern evangelism are often sad examples of Christianity.
B. Attention has focused on large crowds, thrilling choruses, emotional hype—a great deal of noise and dramatic excitement.
C. Evangelists today are making the dreadful miscalculation that sinners know who God is. They plunge into “five things God wants you to know.”
D. In the name of evangelicalism, there is too much preaching on the easy steps to heaven.
E. The empty phrase “accept Jesus as your personal Savior” has become a substitute for authentic repentance.
F. Though unintentionally so, deceit marks many modern invitations to Christ. Reminded of the sadness, loneliness, and discouragements, of life, sinners are invited to come to Christ, who will change all of that and put a smile on their faces. No suggestion is given that following Jesus is sacrificial and painful.
G. Today’s evangelicals propose three easy steps to heaven. It is as simple as A, B, C. Just accept, believe, and confess. A three-sentence prayer and you will be safe for eternity.

Chantry’s work did address evangelism abuses, but he also focused upon the positive dimensions of the authentic Gospel as outlined in Mark 10.

1. The Preaching of the Character of God (10:17-18)
2. The Preaching of the Law of God (10:19-21a)
3. The Preaching of Repentance Toward God (10:21a)
4. The Preaching of Faith Toward God’s Son (10:21b)
5. The Preaching of Acceptance With God (10:22)
6. The Preaching With Dependence Upon God (10:23-27)

Can the Emerging Church Get Any Worse?!?

2007-08-09T17:06:00.000-04:00

Although satirical from Next-Wave (http://the-next-wave-ezine.info/issue103/index.cfm), the magazine covers do seem somewhat consistent with the video below.

Emergents Blaspheme Baptism

2007-07-11T16:58:00.000-04:00

The newest postmodern trend, the Emerging Church, is now blaspheming baptism. Scott Hodge, lead "pastor" of The Orchard Church Community, has posted a "How To" baptism video. The "emergent baptism" reduces the holy and precious things of God to a BBQ pool party, implied nudity, and expletives. If even the "pastors" regard baptism as a joke, is it any wonder this "church" boasts of more than 80 people committed to be baptized? These boys have no reverence for God . . . they portray a counterfeit Christ and Gospel that is not much different than the foolishness and wickedness of this age. Unfortunately, this is yet another example of how unrelevant the Emergents are, as they trample under their feet the precious things of God.

Ethics and the iPhone

2007-07-06T09:39:00.000-04:00

As an avid Apple fan and user, the launch of the iPhone has received my attention. No, I will not be rushing to buy an iPhone. I find myself in ample agreement with Dr. Bruce Weinstein's excellent article for Business Week entitled "Ethics and the iPhone."

"Our society has devolved into a mass of turned-on, tuned-out, and plugged-in technophiles. Whatever distinction used to exist between public and private life is all but gone, as one can witness on any city street, bus, plane, or shopping mall. Waiting in line at the grocery store or post office used to mean striking up a conversation with the person in front of you. It now involves blurting the intimate details of one's love life into a cell phone for all to hear or scrolling through a playlist for just the right song, or surfing the Web for something we want but don't really need."

Dr. Weinstein calls this new type of behavior, "iSolation." He makes good points. I remember the days of actually talking with people while waiting in a line for a sporting event. There was a sense of community, which has been lost due to everyone being wireless. The shallowness of modern culture is a valid concern. Of equal concern is the loss of time to think (cf. Phil 4:8).

"When our brains are constantly stimulated by electronic data, they are, of necessity, precluded from taking anything else in, such as the random thoughts that can be the genesis of great ideas. The nonstop avalanche of images and sounds from electronic media (among other distractions) is a barrier, not a portal, to creativity."

Watch the Church Growth Movie

2007-06-25T21:41:00.000-04:00

http://www.oldtruth.com/blog.cfm/id.2.pid.239

Losing the Biblical Focus

2007-06-06T11:58:00.000-04:00

Some churches have lost their focus by designing their worship services for the very people, unbelievers, who are incapable of worshipping God. While no one would question these churches’ concern for lost people, their zeal for “winning souls” has replaced their zeal for the one thing that will outlast every other ministry—even evangelism—namely, worship of God. Other churches have lost their focus by building “miniature kingdoms” where Christians huddle to escape the “evil” influence found in public schools, athletic facilities, and other secular institutions. Every Christian is “safe” from the world’s influence but at the same time poorly equipped to be the salt and light Christians have been called to be. There is a need for more biblically based churches that will keep the “Greatest Commandment” the “greatest.”

As evident in the following quote, Robert Reymond (A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith) also stressed the priority of worship.

To worship God—that is the primary reason why the Christian should go to church. In today’s church climate this is a radical idea. Nevertheless, Christians should go to church, not to evangelize, not to provide a comfortable “consumer-friendly” setting for the unchurched, not even primarily for the benefit which fellowship with other Christians provides, and definitely not just for lectures and devotionals, but in order to worship God. Christians should also understand that evangelism and the missionary task are not the most important tasks the church has.

Such efforts exist among the nations, as John Piper argues in his Let the Nations Be Glad, only because worship of the true God among them does not! . . .

Anyone who will take the time to study the matter will have to conclude that worship in evangelical churches in this generation is, speaking generally, approaching bankruptcy. There is neither rhyme nor reason, much less biblical warrant, for the order of and much that goes on in many evangelical church services today. The fact of the matter is, much evangelical “worship” is simply not true worship at all.

For decades now evangelical churches have been conducting their services for the sake of unbelievers. Both the revivalistic service of a previous generation and the “seeker service” of today are shaped by the same concern—appeal to the unchurched. Not surprisingly, in neither case does much that might be called worship by Christians occur. As a result, many evangelicals who have been sitting for years in such worship services are finding their souls drying up, and they have begun to long for something else.

Accordingly, they have become vulnerable to the appeal of the mysterium of hierarchical liturgical services. This is why some today are “on the Canterbury trail” of defecting to Greek Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism. Others who have been simply spectators for years in their worship services are getting caught up in the people-involving worship of charismatic services. . . .

The Christian and Amoral Issues

2007-05-30T12:02:00.000-04:00

There are general principles in Paul’s advice to the Corinthians that should guide the Christian in regard to amoral issues. First Corinthians 8:1-13, 10:23-33 (cf. Rom 14:1—15:13) have much to say about different types of Christians. Therefore, in the context of the matter of meats sacrificed to idols (cf. 1 Cor 8:1), Paul stated, “Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one. . . . However, not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled” (8:4, 7). The consequences of the Christian who uses his knowledge without love for his brother is stated in 1 Cor 8:11-12. “For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. And thus, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.”

The first principle to recognize is that knowledge is the determining factor that separates these two types of Christians. The strong Christian is more knowledgeable in his theological insights in regard to amoral issues; the weaker Christian lacks knowledge and does not perceive the neutrality of certain practices. The strong Christian may not be a mature believer; that is, he may be knowledgeable, but may not be exercising it in love under the control of the Holy Spirit. The strong Christian can be arrogantly insensitive (8:1-3) and may act indifferently toward the needs of others in the church. Every local church is composed of Christians with equally diverse levels of insight and understanding. Therefore, sensitivity to one another is essential.

Paul inferred that many amoral issues exist, but should not be practiced if they cause harm to a fellow believer. Meat is food, wine is drink, and days are temporal limitations in and of themselves (Rom 14; Col 2:16). However, certain implicit connotations were inseparable from these temporal limitations that caused some Christians to react strongly against the use or recognition of them. The meat referenced had been sacrificed to idols and then sold for consumption (1 Cor 8:1-13; 10:23-33). Some Christians feared compromise and would only eat vegetables to protect themselves from eating such contaminated flesh. Charles Hodge suggested that the use of wine is similar to the issue regarding meat offered to idols. “They feared they might be led to use wine which had been offered to the gods; to which they had the same objection as to meat which had been presented in sacrifice.” The matter of days (cf. Col 2:16) referred to the legal requirements of the Mosaic Law in which certain days and times were considered holy and sacred; therefore, such days and times demanded restricted activity. It is clear that some Christians were strongly opposed to certain practices, while others had no hesitation. The point that Paul made is that these amoral issues are not inherently evil; it is the context that makes them questionable.

Often it is context that creates many contemporary problems regarding amoral issues. For example, Dr. Kevin Bauder has recently written a series [Kevin T. Bauder, “Fundamentalists and Theater,” 5 December 2006—16 January 2007 (forum on-line); available from http://www.sharperiron.org] that addresses many factors of the arts in general, and of theater in particular. Bauder objected strongly to movie attendance by many Christians. One objection is that the money exchanged for movie attendance supports the establishment. It is interesting that Paul never condemned the purchase of meat that had been sacrificed at the “meat market” (1 Cor 10:25), even though such a purchase would help to enable the lifestyles of the priests who performed the pagan rituals.

Although he stressed the responsibility of the strong Christian, Paul did not exclude certain amoral issues. First Corinthians 10:25-27 states that the eating of meat could be pursued, but one must be careful not to do it if a weaker brother may become aware of it. Scripture is not emphasizing hiding one’s actions, but the exercising of discernment. Christians can be involved in many amoral (“gray”) issues. Another principle to be noted is that a public expression of one’s involvements is not necessary. Many Christians fail to be prudent and make all their activities public knowledge. Conversely, if the Christian was to restrict his activities to those things that had mutual agreement, there would be nothing to do but merely eating and sleeping. Therefore, 1 Cor 8:13 must be balanced with 1 Cor 10:27.

Ultimately, one of the final principles that can be gleaned from Paul’s instruction to the Corinthians is that all activities must be determined with an eternal perspective. Many pursuits in life are amoral, but in light of the shortness of life and the impact that they may have upon others and oneself, it should be considered whether they are worthy pursuing (cf. Phil 1:9-10). Furthermore, “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify” (1 Cor 10:23). The priority in life is the spiritual welfare of each Christian. The unregenerate may exalt independence and isolation, but the church must earnestly guard themselves from such an attitude of selfishness. In the case of the strong Christian, he must not be arrogant, but loving; in the case of the weak Christian, he must not be critical, but understanding.

Joel Osteen reveals his complete ignorance of the biblical Gospel (cf. John 14:6; Acts 4:12)

2007-05-07T11:58:00.000-04:00

Joel Osteen's Scripture Twisting and Prosperity Gospel

2007-05-07T09:06:00.000-04:00

The Sins of Premarital and Extramarital Sex

2007-04-30T22:27:00.000-04:00

According to Scripture, sex is to be reserved for marriage. Sex was created by God as a vital aspect of the marriage relationship. The first command that God gave to Adam and Eve was to have sexual relations (Gen 1:28). Essentially, he repeated the command in Gen 2:24-25. The command of Exod 20:14 is “‘You shall not commit adultery.” The command against extramarital sex is repeated in Deut 5:18 because God does not want His people to misunderstand the importance of the command. Adultery is the sin of sexual indulgence with someone other than one’s own husband or wife. There is never a circumstance when extramarital sex is acceptable. God commanded His people not to “covet your neighbor’s wife” (Exod 20:17). Coveting a person that is not one’s spouse is often the result of looking, longing, and lusting. Therefore, God told His people, “Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you” (Prov 4:25). Looking often leads to longing, and the longing often leads to lusting. For this reason, Jesus said, “everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matt 5:28).

On the part of single people, sexual immorality is called fornication. Often fornication begins with a look or a touch; caressing, fondling, or petting typically leads an unmarried couple into fornication as it follows the look or touch. Fornication and adultery are among the sins that Jesus said come from the heart (15:19). The acts are evil and “defile the man” (Mark 7:20-23). Jesus did forgive the “woman caught in adultery,” as He will forgive those who repent of this sin, but His counsel is to practice this sin “no more” (John 8:4, 11). The biblical view of sex can be best seen in 1 Thess 4:3-8. This passage of Scripture stresses that anyone who has engaged in sexual immorality will suffer consequences. It is prudent and wise not to suffer the consequences of sin, which is why God warns against sexual immorality (1 Cor 6:13, 18-20).

Premarital and extramarital sex is a sin that affects the most important sexual organ that God has given. God desires His people to enjoy sex only in the bonds of marriage to protect the mind. Those who do not engage in premarital or extramarital sex usually have healthier marriage relationships because there is a mutual trust that has been established from the beginning of the relationship and that provides a strong foundation for a healthy marriage. Indeed, sex is a gift from God; for this reason, it is subject to God’s loving commands for its enjoyment. It is because God created sex that when a husband and wife experience it in accordance with God’s design, it is not only the best sexual experience, but also contributes to the best sexual development. Waiting to have sex until marriage and within the bonds of marriage also protects man and woman from fear. There is a peace of mind when one knows that the threat of sexually transmitted diseases is not possible because of sexual fidelity. Only those who have avoided premarital and extramarital sex can have this peace. God desires to protect man and woman from lacking the ability to discern the difference between love and sex. Although the world confuses love and sex, the Bible instructs, “‘You shall not follow the masses in doing evil” (Exod 23:2).

Certainly, a husband and wife in love do enjoy a sexual relationship that is unknown to most young people. Jacob, for example, labored fourteen years for his wife, Rachel, who he loved greatly (Gen 24:58; 29:20). Ruth was in love with Boaz, and he likewise loved her. The romance was clearly true love (Ruth 2). Premarital and extramarital sex distorts the ability to discern whether genuine love or whether emotions or hormones our directing one’s actions. God created sex and designed it to be enjoyed solely in the bonds of marriage for which it is intended. Anything that has a legitimate function and is abused, such as sex outside of marriage, will not function as the Creator intended or will lead to additional consequences. God’s desire is to protect His creation from the sin of sex outside of marriage, and the problems that such actions create. God’s best is to provide a member of the opposite sex within the marriage relationship because of His love for His creation. God gives His commands to obey for the benefit of humanity. Rejection of God’s design for sex is ultimately self-destructive. The biblical view of sex may not be popular in culture, but it is what is best for culture, families, and the nation.

Is It Ever Okay to Disobey?

2007-03-08T21:40:00.000-05:00

Participation of Christians in civil disobedience will customarily involve unlawful activity. Therefore, it will involve disobedience to civil law or a recognized authority. Response to this issue is important since the growth of government should be a concern to all Christians. For example, the twentieth century alone demonstrates death by government to an astonishing degree. R. J. Rummel, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Hawaii, documented these facts in his book Death by Government (1994). Death by government was a great wickedness of the twentieth century, but history demonstrates it cannot be regarded as new phenomenon. For example, 1 Sam 8 records republican Israel’s growth of government and accurately describes the relationship that would develop between the people and governmental bureaucracy.
First Samuel 8 is an accurate account of the great personal sacrifices when demand is made for the growth of government. Essentially, God warned the people that the government would seize their freedom, persons, and property. Although government was created by God to protect individual freedom, it does not always function in that fashion. Big government invariably exerts greater sovereignty over the people, which will lead to even more wrongdoing. The rise of totalitarian civil government is reminiscent of the godless rulers over Israel. Civil government is restricted to its God-given purpose of punishing wrongdoing (Rom 13); however, Christians have no other choice than disobedience when laws are made that violate God’s law.

If Christians ever engage in unlawful activity (civil disobedience) it must always be based on what Scripture teaches. Romans 13:1-12 teaches that the legal ordinances and statutes of the state must be obeyed because the powers are ordained by God. However, it would appear that Paul was referring to legitimate governments and just laws. There are illegitimate governments and unjust laws so that obedience to corrupt or immoral practices is not an option for a Christian. Obedience to the law of God may require participation in civil disobedience, and the Christian must be willing to accept the consequences of disobedience to the authority of the state. However, it must be undeniable that the only means of faithfulness to God is an act of civil disobedience.

God has commanded submission of the church to government regulations that undoubtedly propose to protect public health and safety (e.g. emergency power, fire extinguishers, vehicle emissions testing, etc.). However, God has not established the government to control or impede the beliefs and practices of His church, which would also include any of its ministries. God created the church and state with specific responsibilities; therefore, each is to function within the particular area that He has determined.

Scripture and Ethics

2007-02-12T20:52:00.000-05:00

John Jefferson Davis wrote, “By teaching foundational truths concerning the nature of God, man, good, and evil, and the meaning and destiny of human life, the Bible provides a basic world view within which the various data of the human sciences can be understood.” The foundation for any world view is epistemology. The importance of the Bible in Christian ethics is due to the limits of human knowledge. The final ground of knowledge and truth is the Bible. Truth is obtained from the inspired and inerrant Word of God.

Scripture is important in Christian ethics because truth is grounded in God’s person. The Gospel of John, for instance, is noted for its clear antithesis between light and darkness. The fact that sin exists is indicative of a corresponding standard of truth against which that darkness is measured. The immutable nature of God is the ultimate ground for all truth claims.

The fact that God has communicated truth to humanity also indicates the importance of the Bible for Christian ethics. Although mankind is created in the image of God, and the Fall has devastated the direct oneness and intimate fellowship mankind had with his Creator, the Bible communicates the truth that God uses general and special revelation to communicate to mankind. Whereas the general revelation reminds mankind that God exists, special revelation is God’s disclosure of specific truth.

Since God has communicated truth to humanity, this indicates that mankind is responsible to live in accordance with revealed truth. For example, John 5:24-29 communicates that choices made in the present will culminate in everlasting destinies. Man will either come to the “light” or remain in “darkness.” The fact that there is no middle ground stresses the importance of the Bible in ethics.

Light Up the Burner

2007-01-05T21:22:00.000-05:00

"Today Christian education should be our goal. As one of my colleagues says, It's like a big burner: the expository pulpit ministry is the center of the burner, and the complementary efforts with their greater participation possibilities form the outer rings of the burner. . . . Let's light up the big burner, not to make things hot for everyone, but to warm up the saints and condition the atmosphere. . . . In order to do this we must get back to the kind of expository teaching that is dedicated to lifting up and presenting the true sense of the text so that God can reach our wills through our minds" [Bob Smith, When All Else Fails . . . Read the Directions (Waco, TX: Word, 1974), 58].

The Church and the Word of God

2006-12-20T12:24:00.000-05:00

The church is an organism of the Word of God. The Word of God guides individuals to faith and repentance in Jesus Christ, and in life after they are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, and are made willing to trust in Christ alone for salvation. The Word of God gives the church life, direction and source for its message, and direction and source for its mission and ministry. In his work, Toward an Exegetical Theology, Dr. Walter Kaiser Jr. has stated,

In 1742 John Albert Bengel observed: "Scripture is the foundation of the Church: the Church is the guardian of Scripture. When the Church is in strong health, the light of Scripture shines bright; when the church is sick, Scripture is corroded by neglect; and thus it happens, that the outward form of Scripture and that of the Church, usually seems to exhibit simultaneously either health or else sickness; and as a rule the way in which Scripture is being treated is in exact correspondence with the condition of the Church." After more than two centuries we can affirm the validity of Bengel's warning. The Church and the Scripture stand or fall together. Either the Church will be nourished and strengthened by the bold proclamation of her Biblical texts or her health will be severely impaired.

The work of the pastor in the pulpit is of utmost importance to the overall proclamation ministry of his church, and, indeed, to the overall health of his church. The proclamation work of other staff members and church members will be affected by the quality of the pastor's pulpit ministry. Dr. Kaiser also stated correctly, "Should the ministry of the pulpit fail, one might just as well conclude that all the supporting ministries of Christian education, counseling, community involvement, yes, even missionary and society outreach, will likewise soon dwindle, if not collapse."

There is an important feature about the pulpit ministry of the local pastor that can be neglected, or it can be used as it is designed to be used, for the edification and equipping of the church to do the work of ministry.

In his 9 Marks of a Healthy Church, Dr. Mark Dever noted, "Too many churches misunderstand the priority that they are to give to God's revelation and to the nature of the regeneration He [God] offers therein. . . . The first mark of a healthy church is expositional preaching. It is not the high mark; it is far and away the most important of them all, because if you get this one right, all of the others should follow" [i.e. biblical theology, the Gospel, a biblical understanding of conversion, a biblical understanding of evangelism, a biblical understanding of church membership, biblical church discipline, a concern for discipleship and growth, and biblical church leadership].

Preach Christ

2006-12-09T17:33:00.000-05:00

The church preaches Christ, not self. It is essential to recognize postmodern trends that deny the Lord Jesus Christ will build His church by the agency of the Holy Spirit and by the power of the Gospel. Very simply, it is the Word of God building the church. The preacher exposits the point of the biblical passage to speak with the authority of God so the church may hear and heed God’s Word. Preaching is only with God's authority as the Word of God is handled aright. The church is continually conforming herself to God's mind. One must recognize the authority of God over the heart, mind, and soul. Whenever anything is substituted for the accurate teaching of Scripture, God's authority is usurped. Pride must never allow this, nor must it elevate one's own thoughts, or even using scores of illustrations and stories that are unrelated to explaining the meaning of Scripture and the mission of the church. Preachers are stewards who are to explain the meaning of the text of Scripture and exhort people to obey it. The problem is that many pastors fail to preach and teach the Word of God, and therefore, they abandon their authority from God. As a result, the church is not confronted with a word from God and the authority of God is not in the preaching, which is why the message receives little more than a yawn. What the church needs is more biblical, disciplined thinking through the preaching and teaching of God's Word. Western Christendom especially needs a deeper, more biblical knowledge of God.

When the accurate preaching and teaching of the Word of God is neglected, the work of the Holy Spirit is hindered. The church will be catapulted into the future only as she is carefully governed and powerfully driven by the Word of God. There is always a strong relationship between doctrine (orthodoxy) and application (orthopraxis) in Scripture. The foundation of orthopraxis is orthodoxy. If ever there is a problem with orthopraxis, it is inevitably a problem with orthodoxy, which is why the church needs more expositional preaching. Expositional preaching is the communicating of God's truth by God’s servant to meet the needs of God's people and to confront a godless culture. The church grows quantitatively and qualitatively through the systematic teaching of God's Word. The Holy Spirit creates and sustains the church by the Word of God (2 Kgs 22—23; Neh 8—9; Isa 55:10-11; Ezek 37:1-14; Matt 4:4; John 1:1, 4, 14; Acts 19:20; 20:32; Rom 1:16; 10:17; 1 Thess 2:13; Heb 4:12; Jas 1:18, 21; 1 Pet 1:23, 25). It is crucial to teach the church that God’s chosen method to bring new life is to use His Word, that is, the enunciation of God's words.

The Seriousness of the Pastorate

2006-11-10T12:22:00.000-05:00

The seriousness of the pastorate should not be underestimated, and should not only be undertaken with the conviction and evidence of God's calling, but also with the utmost seriousness as the shepherd of God's sheep. Who would want a doctor to perform surgery who has only gained experiential training? Is not the pastor a surgeon when he exegetes the living Word of God in the original languages? "The word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword." Without a knowledge of the original languages, one is left to interpret Scripture from a pragmatic base drawing on the accuracy of one's best conclusions. Supplementing the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit, the knowledge of the original languages provide a theological skeleton that is formed on the rigors of sound exegesis and is pounded out in dedicated study. . . . The church today has grown less interested in depth and fidelity to the Word of God. The new breed of pastors is being driven by passion, but a passion that is lacking in deep theological truth. The antagonism toward men being formally trained for ministry neglects the fact that so often popular Christianity is driven by subjectivity rather than a narrowly defined theology that identifies the Christian faith and stipulates the sort of academic and sensible relations that Christianity has with the world. Through God's grace, Christians should not only outlive non-Christians, but should also outthink them.

Reformation Day

2006-10-31T13:34:00.000-05:00

Happy Reformation Day in honor of Dr. Martin Luther and other Christians who were faithful against false doctrine and destructive practices in the name of Christ. Four hundred and eighty-nine years ago (31 October 1517 to be exact), Dr. Martin Luther tacked his 95 Theses on the church door of Wittenberg. He protested against the unbiblical teachings and practices that were prevalent in his day and called an obstinate Roman Catholic Church back to the essential truth of the gospel that we are justified by grace alone, through faith alone, on the Word alone, because of Christ alone, to the glory of God alone! Praise God for what He accomplished through His servants for the true proclamation of the gospel of salvation by grace through faith for Christ's sake. Still today we need another genuine reformation to right the wrong, make straight the crooked, and reclaim expository preaching of the absolute truth of God's holy Word. Let us never forget that all things are set straight in Christ. Pragmatics, seeker-friendly techniques, psychology in the church, ecumenism not built upon truth, the partnering with non-Christian entities to further the Gospel may appeal to a sense of religious jihad, but it cannot impact the life for eternity. May we pray that God would keep His church faithful to the proclamation of the true Gospel and declare it joyfully as the world wanders in its darkness and displays its wicked defiance of all that is good. Let us grab the hammer and nails again, and let us pound on Wittenberg's Door.

"By grace God's Son, our only Savior, came down to earth to bear our sin. Was it because of thine own merit that Jesus died thy soul to win? Nay; it was grace, and grace alone, that brought Him from His heav'nly throne."

Looking for Reformation Day activities? Click on the below links.

http://www.lovetolearnplace.com/SpecialDays/Reformation/activities.html

Looking for a Christian response to Halloween?

http://www.eternalministries.org/articles/halloween.htmll

What Constitutes Success for the Church?

2006-10-09T21:51:00.000-04:00

The whole question of what constitutes success for the church both corporately and individually needs to be constantly reexamined. How can the relative success of the church's ministry be evaluated apart from the light of eternity as revealed in God's Word? Who is to determine what is success? Was the cross of Christ a success? The world certainly did not think so. At the Judgment Seat of Christ, many supposedly Christian efforts will be evident as awful failures. Many do not understand that the only reason why there will be perfect doctrinal and organizational unity in heaven is because all error will be burned away by Christ (1 Cor. 3:13-15). Likewise, the reason why the early church experienced such beautiful unity was due to the fact that doctrinal and moral heretics either dropped dead (Acts 5:1-11) or were excommunicated (1 Cor. 5:5). The day of reckoning for the true church is always drawing near (1 Pet. 4:17-18), and then it will be evident that a believer will not be crowned ‚ "unless he competes according to the rules" (2 Tim. 2:5). Those who run in Christ's race (as Christians) must run according to Christ's rules, if they expect to receive a prize. Here the question is not speed or noise, but humble obedience. "Run in such a way that you may win" (1 Cor. 9:24).

The Newest Postmodern Fad

2006-09-25T15:58:00.000-04:00

Christian fads and trends will come and go. Just think of the recent crazes of your own lifetime. It seems, in their search to be relevant, many pastors and church leaders are always seeking new methods to grow the church. The contemporary church is inundated with those seeking new methods and means of church growth. Whatever pragmatic approaches allow one to accomplish church growth, it is accepted. However, time and again in the Bible, it is primarily the preaching of the Word‚ the enunciation of words‚ that God uses to draw the lost to Himself.

The latest postmodern trend was the purpose driven church. Today it is the Emerging Church. If you simply type "Emerging Church" into your favorite search engine, you will find numerous web pages stating that worship should be a holistic and mystical experience using candles, images, stained glass windows, and even darkness to promote spirituality. The emphasis in Emerging Churches is upon mystical and sensual worship experiences that foster unity, as opposed to doctrinal truth that divides. For example, one of the main leaders of the movement, Brian McLaren, has praised those who are seeking unity between Evangelicals and Roman Catholicism. It is no wonder then that McLaren expressed in his book, A New Kind of Christian, that the Bible should not be regarded as authoritative or infallible. The accepted practice in the Emerging Church is an image-driven message as opposed to a Word-driven message. Of course, such practices will only contribute to a great lack of discernment in the church, and acceptance of counterfeit Gospels resulting in unsanctified churches that do not edify and equip the saints for the work of ministry.

The past decade indeed has seen many fads and trends come and go. However, not all the styles are based upon sound, biblical doctrine. Actually, the reason for the plethora of so many styles in the church is that Christians have been vulnerable to "winds of doctrine" that have no biblical basis. According to Timothy, the last days would be characterized by "winds of doctrine" that are actually "doctrines of demons" which will influence Christians to apostasy and accept ideas that "tickle their ears" (1 Tim 4:1; 2 Tim 4:3).

Expositional Bible teaching is not the means of success in the Emerging Church. On the contrary, as Rick Warren wrote in the "Forward" to Dan Kimball's The Emerging Church: Vintage Christianity for New Generations, "Today seekers are hungry for symbols and metaphors and experiences and stories that reveal the greatness of God." Times are changing, and it is believed that the Emerging Church has the answers for this generation. However, what will emerge from this movement? Will it be a movement that values experience more than the Word of God?

Dan Kimball believes, "we must rethink virtually everything we are doing in our ministries." The reason is that spirituality in North America has changed drastically over the past decades. The term "post-Christian era" is now being used to describe the contemporary generation. Kimball began his book with a criticism of the modern "seeker-sensitive" movement that he stated was successful in attracting a generation of "baby-boomers" to Jesus with its sterile environment, loss of transcendence, and preacher-as-motivational speaker model. Kimball is correct that this church model creates a sense of consumerism among the congregation. Often when people leave a "seeker" church, the feeling is that they have attended a Broadway play. In other words, they have a program, an opinion about the show, and not much else. There is no genuine encounter with God, just an entertaining way to pass an hour. Kimball argued that the teaching in such churches is near its lowest point, as it has been become preaching like a "self-help guru Tony Robbins-like teaching with some Bible verses added." Those in attendance too often appear self-focused and the evangelism of the church is irrelevant and weak. For this reason, Kimball believes the church needs new pioneering methods to reach the current generation for Christ.

Kimball's greatest protest against the "seeker" movement is not that there is an antagonism toward biblical teaching or that the preaching is too shallow, but his criticism is that the movement is fundamentally irrelevant to the desires of today's generation. In other words, those in their 40s may enjoy clever dramas and skits, bright lighting, and singers in color-coordinated outfits, but today‚Äôs young people want something different. Today's young people desire "authenticity." They want a multi-sensory spiritual experience and to be reminded that Christianity is an ancient faith.

However, is the church to base its beliefs and worship on experience or the Word of God (cf. John 8:31-32, 43)? It should be obvious that the Emerging Church is experience based and not grounded in God's Word. Furthermore, God's Word is secondary to the primary emphasis upon sensual and experiential worship in the Emerging Church.

Certainly, one does not question the sincerity of the Emerging Church movement to evangelize the postmodern generation for they sincerely believe the movement is biblical and is what God would have them to do. One cannot argue with people's sincerity. What one can do is examine the emphasis and practices of the Emerging Church. One should also admit that worship is a fundamental of the Christian faith, but such worship must never supersede or be contradictory with God‚Äôs Word. An emphasis on extra-biblical experience that deviates from Scripture is certain to bring deception with it!

Dr. J. Gresham Machen's Response to Old Liberalism

2006-08-28T17:07:00.000-04:00

In the early 20th century, Dr. J. Gresham Machen responded to the old liberalism that promoted Christian life without much emphasis upon doctrine. Machen reminded the church that healthy doctrine leads to healthy righteous living, and healthy living is the result of healthy, or correct biblical doctrine. He wrote the following:

The facts that are rehearsed are not, indeed, bare facts, but facts with the meaning of the facts. "Christ died" is a fact; but to know merely that fact never did good to anyone; it never did anyone any good to know that a Jew, who was called Christ, died on a cross in the first century of our era. But it is not in that jejune [lifeless] way that the fact was rehearsed by the primitive Jerusalem Church; the primitive message was not merely that Christ died, but that Christ died for our sins. That tells not merely that Christ died, but why He died, what He accomplished when He died, but why He died, what He accomplished when He died, it gives not merely the fact but the meaning of the fact.

But when you say "fact with the meaning of the fact" you have said "doctrine." We have already arrived, then, at the answer to our question. Christianity at the beginning, we have discovered, was not a life as distinguished from a doctrine or a life that had doctrine as its changing intellectual expression, but just the other way around, it was a life founded upon a doctrine.

"Fire: the Want of the Times"

2006-08-02T17:30:00.000-04:00

Brethren, there is nothing in the gospel, apart from the Spirit of God, which can save a man, for man hates the gospel with all his heart!

Though the reasonableness of the gospel of Jesus ought to make the belief of it universal, yet its plain dealing with human sin excites deadly antagonism. Therefore, the gospel itself would make no progress were it not for the divine power.

There is an invisible arm which pushes forward the conquests of the truth. There is a fire unfed with human fuel, which burns a way for the truth of Jesus Christ into the hearts of men.

- Charles Spurgeon, "Fire: the Want of the Times"

Tom Carter, author of Spurgeon at His Best (Baker, 1988), wrote the following:

"Each time I read one of Spurgeon's sermons, I fall in love with preaching all over again. My faith is rescued from the temptation to consider the proclamation of God's truth irrelevant. . . . I'm also challenged to preach biblically. As I read between the lines of these sermons, I hear Spurgeon saying to me, 'As a preacher, your job is not to create your own material. Just discover what God has already said in his Word, and then relay that to your people.'"

Fulfilling the Great Commission

2006-08-01T17:04:00.000-04:00

The church only speaks with God's authority as she handles aright the Word of God. The church must conform herself to God's thoughts recognizing the authority of God over the heart, mind, and soul. Whenever anything is substituted for the accurate teaching of Scripture, God's authority is usurped. Pride must never allow this. Pastors especially are stewards who are to explain the meaning of the text of Scripture and exhort people to obey it. Expositional preaching is the communicating of God's truth by God's servant to meet the needs of God's people. Unfortunately, many postmodern trends being adopted by the church deny that the Lord Jesus Christ will build His church by the agency of the Holy Spirit and by the power of the Gospel. Very simply, it is the Word of God building the church. The church grows quantitatively and qualitatively through the systematic teaching of God's Word. The Holy Spirit creates the church by the Word of God (2 Kgs. 22-23; Neh. 8-9; Isa. 55:10-11; Ezek. 37:1-14; Mt. 4:4; Jn. 1:1, 4, 14; Acts 19:20; 20:32; Rom. 1:16; 10:17; 1 Thess. 2:13; Heb. 4:12; Jas. 1:18, 21; 1 Pet. 1:23, 25). When the church neglects the accurate preaching and teaching of the Word of God, the church hinders the work of the Holy Spirit. The church will be catapulted into the future only as she is carefully governed and powerfully driven by the Word of God.

Although evangelism and communicating to a lost person the reality of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone are vitally important components of the total responsibility of the local church, the church must be continually reminded that the New Testament places the utmost emphasis upon the feeding (teaching) of those who are already Christians! Indeed, it may be said that the indoctrination of converts in the whole counsel of God's Word is the basic New Testament pattern for world evangelization. Apart from this emphasis, Christian evangelism will soon become ineffective and superficial. Again, the Word builds the church. It is crucial to teach the church that God's chosen method to bring new life is to use His Word. If God's chosen method for building His church is replaced with man's thoughts and will, it will inevitably ensure the eternal futility of the church's work. Our primary method for fulfilling the Great Commission is to communicate the Word of God accurately and clearly as widely as possible.
As written in the introduction to Thomas Boston's classic, The Art of Manfishing: "The main way in which God advances conversion is through the sustained faithful of parents, friends, and church leaders witnessing, instructing, and encouraging informally, and of preachers expounding the gospel from Scripture in worship contexts." Can it be any clearer? PREACH THE WORD!! HEED THE WORD!!

Calvary Chapel Discontinues Rick Warren's Books

2006-07-17T15:34:00.000-04:00

In a good move, Calvary Distribution has discontinued Rick Warren's Purpose-Driven book and other related products because "the teachings and positions of Rick Warren have come into conflict with . . . Calvary Chapel." View the notice at http://www.calvaryd.org/assets/uploads/RecallonStorms.pdf.

Evangelism and Discipleship

2006-06-28T16:39:00.000-04:00

Acts 1:8 states that every Christian has been given a command to be a witness for Christ. Mark 16:15 states each Christian has been commissioned to make known the Gospel message to the unsaved of every generation. However, the greatest reason why we should witness for Christ is that He commanded it of us. The Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20) is not a challenge or an option; it is the Lord Jesus Christ's command to the disciples of every generation.

The fundamental imperative of the Great Commission is to make disciples. The Greek indicates an imperative of command, which means literally "to make a disciple of, teach." Matthew 28:19 in the KJV reads "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations." The word teach means literally to "make disciples" as in the NASB. The Greek word meaning "to make a disciple of, teach" is the only verb in the commission; therefore, it emphasizes the most important detail of the passage. The words go and baptize in verse 19 and the word teaching in verse 20 are all participles, which means they inform us how we are to make disciples, how we are to teach. Before one can become a disciple, he or she must first understand the Gospel, which is the need for evangelism and is certainly implied in the word go.

On a basic level, the Greek word translated as "disciple" means to believe another's doctrine. However, there is a much deeper meaning, which is not only to learn but also to commit oneself as the teacher's follower in both doctrine and lifestyle. Furthermore, the word for "disciple" refers to the individual as an adherent who receives the teaching communicated to them and makes it their standard of conduct. What is the curricula then for this teaching?

Second Timothy 3:16 states that the result of the inspiration of Scripture is to make it "profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness." Teaching is a synonym for doctrine. It is undoubtedly mentioned first because a Christian's understanding (doctrine) must chronologically and logically precede practice of the Christian life. It is crucial to living the Christian life. Doctrine without practice is dangerous. However, practice without doctrine is deadly. We cannot isolate doctrine from the practical, which would cause both to suffer. Sound doctrine is essential. The remaining three ("reproof, correction, and training in righteousness") of the four profitable uses of the inspired ("God-breathed," as literal as though God had a physical body and spoke the words of Scripture through His mouth) Scripture are the corollary (i.e. the effect, the result) of sound doctrine. The desired result (verse 17) is "that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." Paul commended Timothy because he continued in the things he learned, and internalized the learning (i.e. the learning became a part of his life). Timothy was committed to the sound doctrine he had learned from childhood.

Perseverance of the Saints

2006-05-30T23:50:00.000-04:00

Scripture does not teach that obedience in the Christian life is optional because saving faith will manifest itself in a fruitful life. The doctrines of grace do not accommodate man's sin and lack of repentance as evident in an idle life. If a professed Christian distinctly and deliberately declares to know God's will and is not obedient to it, Scripture will not pamper his confession of faith. The duty of the church as a messenger of the Gospel is to assure such individuals they are not saved. The Gospel is not magnified or God glorified by telling the world they may be saved by simply accepting Christ as Savior, and still being wedded to their idols, and their hearts may still remain in love with sin. To teach that the Gospel does not change lives is to pervert the Gospel, insult Christ, and turns the grace of God into lasciviousness (or an excuse to sin).

No, the term "eternal security" is a more cultural term which often leads to a misconception of surety of ultimate salvation to the exclusion of the character of one's life. Security of the believer should not be thought as surety of salvation to the exclusion of one's character; rather, assurance of salvation is best expressed by the term perseverance which indicates effort toward sanctification. Of course, Romans 8:1 states, "There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus‚" because justification is a once-for-all act on the part of God. However, it is impossible for a person who is truly justified to continue in sin (cf. Rom 6). Justification is the judicial basis for the practical work of sanctification. Assurance of salvation is the result of believing salvation is by grace; it is unconditional justification meaning salvation is permanent (1 John 5:13-21). Perseverance of the saints is related to election, justification, and sanctification. All whom God "foreknew‚" and "predestined‚" are "also glorified" (Rom 8:29-30). Therefore, justification is unconditional and nothing can revoke it (8:31-39). God "began a good work" within the believer, and He "will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" (Phil 1:6; cf. Rom 8:28).

Easy Believism

2006-04-30T12:32:00.000-04:00

The Remonstrance was a reaction to Calvinism. Just as Calvinists articulated five points, so did the Arminians. Although it is possible that 5 point Arminians exist today, this blogger has never encountered one. With that thought in mind, it is perhaps safe to say that 5 point Arminianism is a minority view among those who would claim to be Arminian. Arminianism today preaches a Gospel that states one can choose or reject Christ, and reject the Holy Spirit. The belief also contributes to pragmatic altar calls and easy believism. One of the most influential Arminians today encourages readers to simply "receive and believe" and "quietly whisper the prayer that will change your eternity." No mention is made of obedience, and this is very typical of Arminian teaching. It may be that the Remonstrants believed in the necessity of obedience, but Arminianism today is a gospel of choice that has caused tremendous confusion and has created havoc in the churches. Perhaps this is one reason so many entertain doubt and have been baptized multiple times.

The Model Church

2006-04-10T15:03:00.000-04:00

In 1 Thessalonians 1:3, the genitives ‚"of faith," "of love," and "of hope" are characterized by the generating principles of "work," "love," and "steadfastness," which set their mark upon each of the genitives. Therefore, work is produced by faith; and is characteristic of faith. Labor is prompted by love; and is characteristic of love. Steadfastness is marked by hope; and is characteristic of hope. Verses 3-4 contain the great triad of Christian graces that are evident of the model church.

A successful church before God must possess three virtues: faith, love, and hope. Churches today rarely measure success in terms of these virtues. Perhaps one reason is that the virtues are difficult to measure. Another reason may be that these virtues are the sovereign work of God, and none in the church can receive recognition for their existence.

These three virtues are the environment by (out of) which authentic quantitative and qualitative growth and ministry emerge. Certainly there is a kind of growth and ministry that can emerge as the result of human ability and effort, and this can cause a church to be self-satisfied as the leaders and congregation outwardly credit its growth and ministry to God but inwardly are prideful of their own achievements. Nevertheless, God does not credit its perceived success, because it is not His work. Growth and ministry that is the result of human ability and effort will breed pride, and pride will in turn breed all manner of internal problems and ultimate failure.

If the managerial models of Pepsi increased sales from 2 Pepsis to 5 million, and this same model was superimposed upon the church, and it caused growth from a handful of people to tens of thousands, is it safer to conclude that God grew Pepsi's business or that managerial techniques grew these so-called churches? Modern church growth methods, which are often touted as possible revival, often function on their own abilities and efforts, and consequently they are not churches by God's definition.

A Giant of the Faith Has Gone Home!

2006-03-01T14:59:00.000-05:00

With great sadness and loss, and with a sense of a void, that will be felt for years to come, it is announce the homegoing of Dr. Henry M. Morris last night. He had in recent days suffered a series of debilitating small strokes, and passed into the presence of his Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday evening (25 February). He was alert to the end, and more details may be found at www.answersingenesis.org. As many Christians already know, he was the founder of the Institute for Creation Research and many other organizations that have been left with his magnificent imprint for the truth of God's Word. He also was the co-author with Dr. John Whitcomb of The Genesis Flood (1961) which truly introduced creationism on a worldwide scale. Dr. Morris recently contributed the introduction and a chapter to Dr. Bigalke's new book, The Genesis Factor, which is to be released by Master Books in Winter 2008. Many will remember him for his commentaries on Genesis, Revelation, Job, and many other sections of Scripture. His daily devotional called "Days of Praise" is still used by thousands. Probably no author has written so succinctly in single-page challenges from God's Word, yet has contributed dozens of articles, books, and comments on TV and radio over the last 40+ years. This man, as no other, has left a legacy that will LONG be remembered among those who have found their refuge in Jesus Christ, and who find the only book God ever wrote as the one source of all truth forever.

We will all miss this 87 year young expositor, scientist, theologian, husband, father, and leader of men. From his textbook classic on Hydrology while at Virginian Poly to his pioneer efforts to form a graduate level Institute for Creation Research, perhaps no other saint of God has contributed more, but exhibited no greater example of a Christian in humility, meekness, sound and well-reasoned thinking, as well as a heart to see others come to know the truth he found in the Bible as a unique book composed over a 2,000 year period accurate in every respect in all areas upon which it speaks: history, science, anthropology, theology, geography, and the many corollary disciplines. We will miss him. Good bye, Dr. Morris. We will reunite with you soon, and talk of the many things for which you fought and won, if not immediately, ultimately in the presence of God Himself.

Why not visit the website of Institute for Creation Research (http://www.icr.org/), and learn more about the tremendous legacy of Dr. Morris, and the work that continues because of his commitment to the inerrancy and inspiration of Scripture? Truly, Dr. Morris started the race well and he finished well (cf. 1 Cor. 9:24-27; Phil. 3:12-21). Not all Christians will have such a remarkable legacy as Dr. Morris, but every Christian has been gifted by the Holy Spirit for service. How would God use you to impact your community for His glory?