I just finished reading an article on the Baptist Press that talks about a new book coming out regarding worship. You can read the article here, but allow me to quote the part that caught my eye and, quite frankly, sorta irked me:
"Combining a mix of Bible stories, personal testimonies and wisdom learned, Harland and Moser write about how believers can make worship come alive in their own lives and ultimately in their churches. Worship, they emphasize, is not just something to do in Sunday morning services. And it's not just something to read about in the Bible."
I have a novel idea...how about if we let Christians worship and stop encouraging non Believers to come to church? This way, the goats among us can stop working so hard at worshipping God and the rest of us can focus completely on Him! After all...come on, if you are one of those described by the authors, and you have trouble making "worship come alive in [your] own [life]," then maybe some serious self examination is in order!
But wait...it gets better! Note this next paragraph:
"Spending time in God's presence -- getting to know Him in the most intimate parts of our heart and soul -- gives us the foundation to really believe all He has planned for those of us who love Him and are called according to His purpose," they write. "There is no substitute for time spent in God’s presence."Unfortunately that time often gets whittled away in a busy life, Harland and Moser write, as Christians live in a world full of things that compete for their attention and their worship."
Nothing terribly wrong here right? I mean, it's totally true that nothing can take the place of spending time in the presence of God. Indeed, everyone should spend daily time in the Word of God, the means we have been given by which to enter into His presence! And it's true that Christians certainly face many distractions as we seek to worship God. Still...I cannot agree that anything is so distracting that it is any true competition in our lives against the worship of God! Are the authors seriously suggesting that these distractions can truly trip us up? Maybe the false convert, but the Christian? The one bought by the blood of Christ and redeemed by His sacrifice on the cross? This is one who can be distracted by the foolishness of the world? Have we truly arrived at a place in the life of the church where false believers are so common and in such powerful positions that we cater to their weaknesses? God forbid!
Next, however, the authors say this (be ready to have your mind blown away!):
"Jesus dealt with the same situation in Matthew 4:8-11, Harland and Moser point out."
Ummm...no He didn't. Let me pause to re-read that passage; in fact, read along with me:
Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
Did I miss something? Is it me, or does Jesus seem completely focused to you too? Distracted? Absolutely not! Where is the picture in this passage showing Jesus as being distracted? From what the authors say next they try to make a godly application but they've already messed the entire passage up by comparing Jesus in this passage to over stimulated Christians who have trouble opening up their Bibles! But let's be fair...maybe the context of the passage shows Jesus in this way, and they are therefore totally justified in presenting this picture. Let's see shall we?
These are the first seven verses of this passage:
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘ He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘ In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’”
Did you catch it? Neither did I. It seems to me Jesus is led by the Spirit here, fasts for forty days and forty nights in order to have full communion with the Father, and when approached by a haughty Satan, immediately dismisses him by quoting Scripture. If you ask me, that seems like a pretty focused Jesus wouldn't you say?
Such a stunning display of expository genius, however, does not get past the people at Lifeway, and so anyone wanting to read the book can also purchase an 8 week study and music CD as a companion! What a deal! I don't know about you, but I sure do wish those who say we need to be in the Word more would actually encourage their churches to open up their Bibles and study the Word!
But hey, I'm old fashioned that way.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Profaning That Which is Holy
This Christmas I received a book from my sister in law called “The Expository Genius of
John Calvin” by Steven J. Lawson. I have been wanting this book forever so am very happy with it, and I definitely plan on reviewing this book. First off, however, I want to share a couple of thoughts I had as I read the first chapter.
In this chapter, Lawson describes an incident that occurred after Calvin had excommunicated a particularly nasty group of “believers.” He excommunicated them in the sense of denying them the sacrament of communion. Well these people, who practiced sexual immorality as a matter of course, were upset and petitioned the civil authorities of Geneva. Here is how Lawson describes it:
“…Through the underhanded influence of the Libertines, the City Council overrode the church’s decision, and Berthelier [leader of the false believers] and his associates came to church to take the Lord’s Supper with swords drawn, ready to fight.”
Let me take a moment to comment on this little passage. First of all, notice the importance placed upon the Lord’s Supper at this time! False though they were in their professed faith, these people realized that it was a privilege to partake of the Supper…that it was set aside for those who are true Believers…it is not something to be cast before the swine. To make a quick analogy to our own time, can you see why those who are pushing for same-sex marriage are so adamant? Why they are appealing to the judicial system to override the people, and why they are using this sword to come before the church and demand the “right” to marry? Yes, they realize that marriage is a sacred thing, don’t be fooled into thinking otherwise. And like the sexual libertines of Calvin’s day, these modern libertines want to transform something sacred into something common. They want to make of marriage something it is not and never has been, and they want to do it on their own terms rather than accepting the consequences of following their chosen lifestyles.
We see in this narrative also the danger of permitting the state to rule the church. No matter how much the revisionists cry out, our Constitution forbids Congress from interfering in the worship of citizens…NOT citizens of faith from exercising their political rights. Regardless of how often the propaganda machine of the liberal Left lies about it, our nation was indeed founded upon Christian principles. We certainly should permit everybody to worship as they please. But let us not fear expressing our national heritage by wishing someone a “Merry Christmas” or by having monuments to the Ten Commandments. Indeed, the idea that we should neglect the Christian religion for fear of offending Muslims, Jews, or anyone else is as absurd as an American Christian moving to a Muslim nation and demanding that it put away its Muslim heritage because it offends him or her. In fact, those who doubt the tolerance of Christianity should move to an Islamic nation and start making such demands. They’ll soon find out how peaceful and loving Islam can be!
But okay, back to the passage from the book. Here come these men, willing to use violence in order to receive the sacrament of the Supper! How did Calvin react?
“…With bold audacity, Calvin descended from the pulpit, stood in front of the Communion table, and said, “These hands you may crush, these arms you may lop off, my life you may take, my blood is yours, you may shed it; but you shall never force me to give holy things to the profaned and dishonor the table of my God.” Berthelier and the Libertines withdrew, no match for such unflinching convictions.” [emphasis mine]
We all know, of course, that it could easily have ended with Calvin’s death. God had sovereignly decided to spare Calvin, but he himself would have had no idea of this! Calvin would not be forced to give communion to those who practiced wife-swapping as a form of worship, and he was not afraid to die for His God. What was he afraid of? Of defiling that which was holy.
Brothers and sisters…what about us?
How do we approach the holy things of God?
I give thanks to God for His mercy, because I know that I am like Berthelier too many times…coming to the table in sin and not repenting of it first! Not only do I not know if I would defend the table with my life…I myself defile it!
Let us make a pact, dear brethren, to fully examine ourselves every day. Let us look at ourselves and see whether at that moment we are walking in obedience to our Lord and Savior. If we are not, and yet we partake of the Lord’s Supper, then how can we claim to honor the holy things of God? Do we not align ourselves right next to those who are profane? May God forbid it.
“Therefore, whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” (emphasis mine)
-1 Corinthians 11:27-29
John Calvin” by Steven J. Lawson. I have been wanting this book forever so am very happy with it, and I definitely plan on reviewing this book. First off, however, I want to share a couple of thoughts I had as I read the first chapter.
In this chapter, Lawson describes an incident that occurred after Calvin had excommunicated a particularly nasty group of “believers.” He excommunicated them in the sense of denying them the sacrament of communion. Well these people, who practiced sexual immorality as a matter of course, were upset and petitioned the civil authorities of Geneva. Here is how Lawson describes it:
“…Through the underhanded influence of the Libertines, the City Council overrode the church’s decision, and Berthelier [leader of the false believers] and his associates came to church to take the Lord’s Supper with swords drawn, ready to fight.”
Let me take a moment to comment on this little passage. First of all, notice the importance placed upon the Lord’s Supper at this time! False though they were in their professed faith, these people realized that it was a privilege to partake of the Supper…that it was set aside for those who are true Believers…it is not something to be cast before the swine. To make a quick analogy to our own time, can you see why those who are pushing for same-sex marriage are so adamant? Why they are appealing to the judicial system to override the people, and why they are using this sword to come before the church and demand the “right” to marry? Yes, they realize that marriage is a sacred thing, don’t be fooled into thinking otherwise. And like the sexual libertines of Calvin’s day, these modern libertines want to transform something sacred into something common. They want to make of marriage something it is not and never has been, and they want to do it on their own terms rather than accepting the consequences of following their chosen lifestyles.
We see in this narrative also the danger of permitting the state to rule the church. No matter how much the revisionists cry out, our Constitution forbids Congress from interfering in the worship of citizens…NOT citizens of faith from exercising their political rights. Regardless of how often the propaganda machine of the liberal Left lies about it, our nation was indeed founded upon Christian principles. We certainly should permit everybody to worship as they please. But let us not fear expressing our national heritage by wishing someone a “Merry Christmas” or by having monuments to the Ten Commandments. Indeed, the idea that we should neglect the Christian religion for fear of offending Muslims, Jews, or anyone else is as absurd as an American Christian moving to a Muslim nation and demanding that it put away its Muslim heritage because it offends him or her. In fact, those who doubt the tolerance of Christianity should move to an Islamic nation and start making such demands. They’ll soon find out how peaceful and loving Islam can be!
But okay, back to the passage from the book. Here come these men, willing to use violence in order to receive the sacrament of the Supper! How did Calvin react?
“…With bold audacity, Calvin descended from the pulpit, stood in front of the Communion table, and said, “These hands you may crush, these arms you may lop off, my life you may take, my blood is yours, you may shed it; but you shall never force me to give holy things to the profaned and dishonor the table of my God.” Berthelier and the Libertines withdrew, no match for such unflinching convictions.” [emphasis mine]
We all know, of course, that it could easily have ended with Calvin’s death. God had sovereignly decided to spare Calvin, but he himself would have had no idea of this! Calvin would not be forced to give communion to those who practiced wife-swapping as a form of worship, and he was not afraid to die for His God. What was he afraid of? Of defiling that which was holy.
Brothers and sisters…what about us?
How do we approach the holy things of God?
I give thanks to God for His mercy, because I know that I am like Berthelier too many times…coming to the table in sin and not repenting of it first! Not only do I not know if I would defend the table with my life…I myself defile it!
Let us make a pact, dear brethren, to fully examine ourselves every day. Let us look at ourselves and see whether at that moment we are walking in obedience to our Lord and Savior. If we are not, and yet we partake of the Lord’s Supper, then how can we claim to honor the holy things of God? Do we not align ourselves right next to those who are profane? May God forbid it.
“Therefore, whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” (emphasis mine)
-1 Corinthians 11:27-29
Thursday, December 18, 2008
"A Primer On Worship and Reformation: Recovering the HIgh Church Puritan" by Douglas Wilson
isbn #978-1-59128-061-3
It has been awhile since I received this advanced copy from LibraryThing and I thought I'd better get on the ball and post the review I promised to do! I have now read the book two times (it's a small book) and I must say I am not exactly sure how to review it, but here goes:
This will be a small review consisting of the following:
1) What I appreciate about Doug Wilson's book
2) What I disagreed with Doug Wilson about
3) Why I recommend it...sort of!
1) What I appreciate about Doug Wilson's book
Many years ago when I was a student at the University of Idaho, I attended a conference called "The Wars of America from a Christian Perspective." That was not the exact name, but it was pretty close to it. At any rate, it was then that I first came to know Doug Wilson and since then I have had the opportunity to read much of what he writes in his magazine "Credenda/Agenda." When I say I came to know Doug Wilson, by the way, I don't mean that I know him personally but that I have heard him speak and have read his writings before!
Anyhow, I like much of what Wilson says and writes, and this book was really no different. His humorous and quite apt discussion (critique) of "christian" marketing and its consumers was right on target, and I especially liked what he wrote on pages 11-12 of the book, where he discusses the Veggie Tales phenomenon. He says:
"And then there are the Veggie Tales. What is the issue here? That would become abundantly clear if someone seriously suggested a Veggie Tales version of Beowulf, or Lord of the Rings, or Prince Caspian. Modern evangelicals are reverent of everything except their religion. Just try to picture Aragon as a cucumber. What does that do to the ethos of the thing? Or imagine Aslan as a beet. "We couldn't do that! It would wreck the story! I see. Apparently, as far as modern evangelicals are concerned, the Bible doesn't have a story to wreck. If misguided evangelicals were to try to bridge current tensions by making a Veggie Tales version of the Koran, they would all now be in hiding because of the fatwa declared against them. In short, the Muslims would respond with outrage over what had been perpetrated on their holy book. But we are not outraged for two reasons- first, we are clueless, and second, we did it to ourselves."
Ouch. That is so very true, and I appreciate Wilson's courage in saying so.
I also appreciate his calling the Church to a reformation, if you will, in how we worship the Lord. I found his book much more helpful in this area than I did Michael Horton's "A Better Way."
2) What I disagreed with Doug Wilson about
Okay, this is not going to be some big interaction with passages from Wilson's book in which I attempt to refute any specific stance. On the contrary, it boils down to this...Doug Wilson is Reformed in the full sense of the word while I am a self described Reformed Baptist. What this means is that I don't see eye to eye with Wilson in regards to a convenantal (sp?) view of Isreal and the church, therefore I cannot embrace much of what he says. This does NOT mean, however, that what he has to say is not valuable. And anyone who is Reformed and/or leans towards a Reformed and Covenantal (sp?) view of Scripture will be more than pleased with this book. As it is, I am pleased with most of what Wilson has to say, and so...
3) Why I recommend it...sort of!
I do not hesitate to recomment this book to any and all readers, then leave it up to that reader to decide how much of it they will take in. To be quite frank, you do not at all need to be Reformed to enjoy the book, nor is it imperative that you be Reformed to appreciate and value what Doug Wilson has accomplished. I can certainly say that I am pleased to have this little book in my collection and can see how I will refer to it often when I am preparing studies!
It has been awhile since I received this advanced copy from LibraryThing and I thought I'd better get on the ball and post the review I promised to do! I have now read the book two times (it's a small book) and I must say I am not exactly sure how to review it, but here goes:
This will be a small review consisting of the following:
1) What I appreciate about Doug Wilson's book
2) What I disagreed with Doug Wilson about
3) Why I recommend it...sort of!
1) What I appreciate about Doug Wilson's book
Many years ago when I was a student at the University of Idaho, I attended a conference called "The Wars of America from a Christian Perspective." That was not the exact name, but it was pretty close to it. At any rate, it was then that I first came to know Doug Wilson and since then I have had the opportunity to read much of what he writes in his magazine "Credenda/Agenda." When I say I came to know Doug Wilson, by the way, I don't mean that I know him personally but that I have heard him speak and have read his writings before!
Anyhow, I like much of what Wilson says and writes, and this book was really no different. His humorous and quite apt discussion (critique) of "christian" marketing and its consumers was right on target, and I especially liked what he wrote on pages 11-12 of the book, where he discusses the Veggie Tales phenomenon. He says:
"And then there are the Veggie Tales. What is the issue here? That would become abundantly clear if someone seriously suggested a Veggie Tales version of Beowulf, or Lord of the Rings, or Prince Caspian. Modern evangelicals are reverent of everything except their religion. Just try to picture Aragon as a cucumber. What does that do to the ethos of the thing? Or imagine Aslan as a beet. "We couldn't do that! It would wreck the story! I see. Apparently, as far as modern evangelicals are concerned, the Bible doesn't have a story to wreck. If misguided evangelicals were to try to bridge current tensions by making a Veggie Tales version of the Koran, they would all now be in hiding because of the fatwa declared against them. In short, the Muslims would respond with outrage over what had been perpetrated on their holy book. But we are not outraged for two reasons- first, we are clueless, and second, we did it to ourselves."
Ouch. That is so very true, and I appreciate Wilson's courage in saying so.
I also appreciate his calling the Church to a reformation, if you will, in how we worship the Lord. I found his book much more helpful in this area than I did Michael Horton's "A Better Way."
2) What I disagreed with Doug Wilson about
Okay, this is not going to be some big interaction with passages from Wilson's book in which I attempt to refute any specific stance. On the contrary, it boils down to this...Doug Wilson is Reformed in the full sense of the word while I am a self described Reformed Baptist. What this means is that I don't see eye to eye with Wilson in regards to a convenantal (sp?) view of Isreal and the church, therefore I cannot embrace much of what he says. This does NOT mean, however, that what he has to say is not valuable. And anyone who is Reformed and/or leans towards a Reformed and Covenantal (sp?) view of Scripture will be more than pleased with this book. As it is, I am pleased with most of what Wilson has to say, and so...
3) Why I recommend it...sort of!
I do not hesitate to recomment this book to any and all readers, then leave it up to that reader to decide how much of it they will take in. To be quite frank, you do not at all need to be Reformed to enjoy the book, nor is it imperative that you be Reformed to appreciate and value what Doug Wilson has accomplished. I can certainly say that I am pleased to have this little book in my collection and can see how I will refer to it often when I am preparing studies!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
How Do You End an Argument? Call Your Opponent a Legalist!
Many years ago when I taught adult Sunday school at a church in North Idaho I tried to include Scripture memorization as part of our class structure. Mind you, the class was made up mostly of married couples, ranging in ages from the mid twenties to late thirties, and there were about 6 couples plus a few single people. At any rate, I soon found myself facing a minor rebellion when some people took offense at my obvious attempt to impose my legalism upon them. Some people stopped coming to class and others refused to participate, which was fine since it was always proposed as a voluntary thing in the first place! Another little bit of background information is that our class was about one hour and fifteen minutes, so there was plenty of time to review a few verses together AND open up our Bibles to study from the text (we were studying Genesis at the time). And finally, one significant if baffling factoid is that many of the people in the class were involved with the AWANA program, where...ummm...kids are expected to memorize Scripture! And, oh yeah, one member was also the director of the Baptist Student Ministry on the college campus! Go figure.
Well after a number of weeks of this, I set aside the regular lesson to address the concerns of the people in the class. I took as my text for that morning John 14:15, in which Jesus declares that if we love Him we will keep His commandments. I won't repeat the entire lesson here but I tied it into the need to memorize Scripture as a means of remaining obedient. For example, as we face particular temptations, having memorized Scripture which addresses that sin issue will help us to avoid committing it. Well the class never jumped onboard with my idea, and we did indeed lose members to other classes...but that was fine. Others joined, and while my class never grew to its former size, it was made up mostly of people who were of one mind. As a side note, however, I will point out the focus of SBC churches by mentioning that within weeks I'd been moved to a tiny cramped room in the back of the church...my former room being taken over by a class that was much smaller than mine! :)
Well...this entire point serves as a mere introduction to a fantastic post by those pesky Pyromaniacs, who have once again written such an excellent post that they leave me no choice but to link to them and encourage my few readers to head on over there and check it out!
So please do so by following this link! And if you get a chance, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.
Well after a number of weeks of this, I set aside the regular lesson to address the concerns of the people in the class. I took as my text for that morning John 14:15, in which Jesus declares that if we love Him we will keep His commandments. I won't repeat the entire lesson here but I tied it into the need to memorize Scripture as a means of remaining obedient. For example, as we face particular temptations, having memorized Scripture which addresses that sin issue will help us to avoid committing it. Well the class never jumped onboard with my idea, and we did indeed lose members to other classes...but that was fine. Others joined, and while my class never grew to its former size, it was made up mostly of people who were of one mind. As a side note, however, I will point out the focus of SBC churches by mentioning that within weeks I'd been moved to a tiny cramped room in the back of the church...my former room being taken over by a class that was much smaller than mine! :)
Well...this entire point serves as a mere introduction to a fantastic post by those pesky Pyromaniacs, who have once again written such an excellent post that they leave me no choice but to link to them and encourage my few readers to head on over there and check it out!
So please do so by following this link! And if you get a chance, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Who is Truly Intolerant?
...then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.."
- Revelation 20:4
I just watched a video posted on a martyr's website that literally brought me to tears. I won't post a link because the scenes were terrible and my sons and some of their friends read this blog.
What prompted me to write this post was that the scenes of martyrdom shown on the video were largely of Christians enduring persecution in the Muslim world. It made me so upset to think that today in our secular America we are equated with Muslim extremism simply for truly believing in the Word of God. Yet not a word of condemnation from the secularists of our world against the treatment of Believers in the nations governed by Islam. No, instead we are attacked as fundamentalists...as if our fundamentalism was no different than that of those who strap explosives to themselves and kill in the name of their god.
I suppose, to be fair, that our fundamentalism is really scary though...for the fundamentals of our faith tell us to love and honor our God...to do good works in His Name. To love our neighbors and turn the other cheek when persecuted. Scary isn't it? We might actually convince people that they should give from what they have been blessed with. I guess that's just as scary as the peace loving people of Islam killing those among themselves who convert to any faith and away from Islam. I suppose that Christians peacefully protesting abortion is just as scary to the secularists as a Muslim beheading Christian converts and beating Christian missionaries.
Commit this day, those of you who are numbered among the Believers, to pray for our brethren around the globe who are encountering persecution. Lift up an amen for those who convert to the faith, who truly count the cost (as my family learned in Church yesterday...where our missionaries celebrated the new birth of a former Muslim and now sister in the Lord). Don't forget to thank God that He has so far protected us from similar persecution...or actually maybe we should be ashamed that we are not counted as worthy enough to endure it.
- Revelation 20:4
I just watched a video posted on a martyr's website that literally brought me to tears. I won't post a link because the scenes were terrible and my sons and some of their friends read this blog.
What prompted me to write this post was that the scenes of martyrdom shown on the video were largely of Christians enduring persecution in the Muslim world. It made me so upset to think that today in our secular America we are equated with Muslim extremism simply for truly believing in the Word of God. Yet not a word of condemnation from the secularists of our world against the treatment of Believers in the nations governed by Islam. No, instead we are attacked as fundamentalists...as if our fundamentalism was no different than that of those who strap explosives to themselves and kill in the name of their god.
I suppose, to be fair, that our fundamentalism is really scary though...for the fundamentals of our faith tell us to love and honor our God...to do good works in His Name. To love our neighbors and turn the other cheek when persecuted. Scary isn't it? We might actually convince people that they should give from what they have been blessed with. I guess that's just as scary as the peace loving people of Islam killing those among themselves who convert to any faith and away from Islam. I suppose that Christians peacefully protesting abortion is just as scary to the secularists as a Muslim beheading Christian converts and beating Christian missionaries.
Commit this day, those of you who are numbered among the Believers, to pray for our brethren around the globe who are encountering persecution. Lift up an amen for those who convert to the faith, who truly count the cost (as my family learned in Church yesterday...where our missionaries celebrated the new birth of a former Muslim and now sister in the Lord). Don't forget to thank God that He has so far protected us from similar persecution...or actually maybe we should be ashamed that we are not counted as worthy enough to endure it.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
When the Holy Spirit Does Not Do It's Job...Call Evangelist Steve Hale!
The current issue of Baptist Press (the newspaper of the Southern Baptist Convention) includes an article by professional evangelist Steve Hale which is titled "Evangelism in Action: Evangelists key to helping Southern Baptists win lost..." I'd like to spend a little bit of my time discussing this article because to be honest, it really annoyed me. The title alone was enough to make me cringe, but I decided to hold in the retching and read the entire article. I should have not held it in.
As most of you know, I was a Southern Baptist until about one year ago; I would still be a Southern Baptist if I had not been told, after attempting to confront a sin issue, that I might need to make a "hard decision" and find another church for my family. Despite this, I hold the Southern Baptist in high regard even if I have some serious concerns about the direction in which the Convention is heading, especially its rabid anti-Calvinism (sure to become even more problematic under the leadership of Johnny Hunt, anti-Calvinist extraordinaire!). I mention this only so you know that I don't search out things to complain about regarding the SBC, but when something like this (Hale's article) pops up and is given the authority of the Convention...then yes, I feel it is important to speak out against it.
On to the article:
Hale begins by bemoaning the lack of baptisms within the churches of the SBC, stating that "10,000 of them [churches] baptized no one last year and another 11,000 baptized less than six. Sixty percent of our 43,000 churches failed to baptize one teenager last year. In fact, if a church baptized 29, it was in the top 2 percent of the entire denomination."
Don't get me wrong here...I am all for baptizing new Believers. But if we should be wailing about any lack it should be about the lack of true expository preaching in the pulpits of the SBC! And if churches baptize people just to place a check mark on their little tally book then they are in SIN! Baptize those who confess with their mouths and believe in theirs hearts that Jesus Christ is Lord! Oh oh. Did I just say "Lord"? Sorry, that can no longer be taught can it? He is Savior first but not necessarily Lord. At least that's what too many SBC churches seem to be teaching! To their shame.
Back to my point though...if a church baptizes ONE person in a year, and that is a true convert, then the church is doing well. If a church baptizes 29 and 25 of them are not following the Lord a year, and the other 4 are so-called carnal Christians...what is the benefit to those false converts? They have been deceived into thinking themselves saved, but unless they truly repent at some time, they will not enter into the presence of the Lord!
But okay...let us go with Hale's argument. SBC churches are not baptizing enough (the only way to tell whether a church is fulfilling the Great Commission apparently). What is the solution? Hale has it!
"...if you were to ask most of our Southern Baptist evangelists, it would not be uncommon for them to see 29 professions of faith in a four-day revival meeting. If, indeed, a church can see more people saved in four days by utilizing a vocational evangelist than in an entire year, then why are local church revivals not being scheduled by the hundreds and why are evangelists not being utilized as in days past?"
There are many problems with this paragraph...but I want to address only two. 1) scheduling revivals? Isn't this the biggest problem we have? Thinking we can schedule a revival? Yet this is one of the biggest fallacies embraced by the SBC! The word revival means bringing "restoration to life, consciousness, vigor, strength, etc." and "an evangelistic service or a series of services for the purpose of effecting a religious awakening: to hold a revival." See the problem? The Holy Spirit is the One who brings revival! Not man. Yet too many churches, especially in the SBC, act like they've called upon God, told Him when to show up, then called a special paid person to come and bring special messages (and apparently powers) that will cause the Holy Spirit to do His job!
Sorry...it does not work this way. And it is Arminian theology that leads pastors and evangelists to think it can be done. Because, after all, it is WE who save people, right? Wrong.
Another thing, the evangelist (the kind that Hale would have us bring into churches anyhow) offer up an emotional appeal to people without calling them to repentance! Those numbers he says the evangelists are responsible for are the very ones who fall away soon after the evangelist leaves to some other church! At the SBC church I attended, I was present when Hale came to "evangelize" our church. I even agreed to be one with whom those who came forward would speak to after they came to speak with the pastor and Hale. Was it our unsaved neighbors and relatives who flocked down the aisles to repent of their sin? No. It was, for the most part, people who'd been in the church most of their lives! They came to "rededicate" their lives to Christ, but even though they agreed to enter into discipleship studies, I never was able to meet with the person I prayed with! And it was not through lack of trying to make myself available and constantly offering to change my schedule in order to meet! So if what happened at my church was indicative of what happens everywhere Steve Hale goes, then it's no wonder I pray to the Holy Spirit and not Hale for the salvation of my loved ones who do not know the Lord!
Steve Hale then makes a pitch for the professional evangelist (and by the way, in case you missed it...he is one). He says that to do without the professional evangelist is to ignore the clear teachings of Scripture. After all, these penniless evangelists are doing without in order to bring the Word to the lost...oh wait a minute..no they are not (more on this later).
Steve says, "those men who leave their families week after week to reach souls for Christ see the difference that revivals make in the life of a church.Yet, the perception is that "nobody" ever schedules a revival anymore. And to be sure, most do not. Consequently, the spiritual terrorist and all of his demonic cohorts are successfully eliminating God-called evangelists from the evangelical landscape."
Okay...if Hale is going to point out how much the evangelists suffer by being away from family...let's examine the martyrdom of these men. My experience when these men come to a local church is that they ask for a certain amount of money...and it's not traveling expenses we're talking about. That is extra. Oh yeah, they make demands as to which hotel they will stay at too. And are these evangelist going to the lost? No, they are coming to a church, where they want YOU to bring the lost in. But hold on, I guess in coming to churches they really are coming to the lost nowadays, since the idea taking hold among evangelicals is that church is for the lost. Forget about the fact that in the NT the Christians met to have fellowship, break bread, and be taught! Apparently the early Christians didn't realize the house church was for the lost!
"Our churches have never been in such dire need of a strong prophetic word from a fearless man of God who will address the issues of carnality and lukewarmness with the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The need for the hour is for all of us who name the name of Jesus to be called to prayer with expressions of repentance."
Yeah...I call them the teaching elders of our churches, don't you? At least that is they way it should be.
But Hale is right about one thing...these men are rare. And when they show up, we accuse them of being too legalistic. What? He wants us to read our Bibles? To apply it to our lives? Get rid of him!
Well, I know I have been a bit harsh here. But realize that what he has written is representative of what is wrong in the SBC. If he'd written this article on his website (find it, I'm not linking it here!) I would not care, but it being published by the Baptist Press indicates that the leadership in the SBC agrees with it! And there are too many people I love within SBC churches...some of whom read this blog. I cannot remain silent.
God bless.
As most of you know, I was a Southern Baptist until about one year ago; I would still be a Southern Baptist if I had not been told, after attempting to confront a sin issue, that I might need to make a "hard decision" and find another church for my family. Despite this, I hold the Southern Baptist in high regard even if I have some serious concerns about the direction in which the Convention is heading, especially its rabid anti-Calvinism (sure to become even more problematic under the leadership of Johnny Hunt, anti-Calvinist extraordinaire!). I mention this only so you know that I don't search out things to complain about regarding the SBC, but when something like this (Hale's article) pops up and is given the authority of the Convention...then yes, I feel it is important to speak out against it.
On to the article:
Hale begins by bemoaning the lack of baptisms within the churches of the SBC, stating that "10,000 of them [churches] baptized no one last year and another 11,000 baptized less than six. Sixty percent of our 43,000 churches failed to baptize one teenager last year. In fact, if a church baptized 29, it was in the top 2 percent of the entire denomination."
Don't get me wrong here...I am all for baptizing new Believers. But if we should be wailing about any lack it should be about the lack of true expository preaching in the pulpits of the SBC! And if churches baptize people just to place a check mark on their little tally book then they are in SIN! Baptize those who confess with their mouths and believe in theirs hearts that Jesus Christ is Lord! Oh oh. Did I just say "Lord"? Sorry, that can no longer be taught can it? He is Savior first but not necessarily Lord. At least that's what too many SBC churches seem to be teaching! To their shame.
Back to my point though...if a church baptizes ONE person in a year, and that is a true convert, then the church is doing well. If a church baptizes 29 and 25 of them are not following the Lord a year, and the other 4 are so-called carnal Christians...what is the benefit to those false converts? They have been deceived into thinking themselves saved, but unless they truly repent at some time, they will not enter into the presence of the Lord!
But okay...let us go with Hale's argument. SBC churches are not baptizing enough (the only way to tell whether a church is fulfilling the Great Commission apparently). What is the solution? Hale has it!
"...if you were to ask most of our Southern Baptist evangelists, it would not be uncommon for them to see 29 professions of faith in a four-day revival meeting. If, indeed, a church can see more people saved in four days by utilizing a vocational evangelist than in an entire year, then why are local church revivals not being scheduled by the hundreds and why are evangelists not being utilized as in days past?"
There are many problems with this paragraph...but I want to address only two. 1) scheduling revivals? Isn't this the biggest problem we have? Thinking we can schedule a revival? Yet this is one of the biggest fallacies embraced by the SBC! The word revival means bringing "restoration to life, consciousness, vigor, strength, etc." and "an evangelistic service or a series of services for the purpose of effecting a religious awakening: to hold a revival." See the problem? The Holy Spirit is the One who brings revival! Not man. Yet too many churches, especially in the SBC, act like they've called upon God, told Him when to show up, then called a special paid person to come and bring special messages (and apparently powers) that will cause the Holy Spirit to do His job!
Sorry...it does not work this way. And it is Arminian theology that leads pastors and evangelists to think it can be done. Because, after all, it is WE who save people, right? Wrong.
Another thing, the evangelist (the kind that Hale would have us bring into churches anyhow) offer up an emotional appeal to people without calling them to repentance! Those numbers he says the evangelists are responsible for are the very ones who fall away soon after the evangelist leaves to some other church! At the SBC church I attended, I was present when Hale came to "evangelize" our church. I even agreed to be one with whom those who came forward would speak to after they came to speak with the pastor and Hale. Was it our unsaved neighbors and relatives who flocked down the aisles to repent of their sin? No. It was, for the most part, people who'd been in the church most of their lives! They came to "rededicate" their lives to Christ, but even though they agreed to enter into discipleship studies, I never was able to meet with the person I prayed with! And it was not through lack of trying to make myself available and constantly offering to change my schedule in order to meet! So if what happened at my church was indicative of what happens everywhere Steve Hale goes, then it's no wonder I pray to the Holy Spirit and not Hale for the salvation of my loved ones who do not know the Lord!
Steve Hale then makes a pitch for the professional evangelist (and by the way, in case you missed it...he is one). He says that to do without the professional evangelist is to ignore the clear teachings of Scripture. After all, these penniless evangelists are doing without in order to bring the Word to the lost...oh wait a minute..no they are not (more on this later).
Steve says, "those men who leave their families week after week to reach souls for Christ see the difference that revivals make in the life of a church.Yet, the perception is that "nobody" ever schedules a revival anymore. And to be sure, most do not. Consequently, the spiritual terrorist and all of his demonic cohorts are successfully eliminating God-called evangelists from the evangelical landscape."
Okay...if Hale is going to point out how much the evangelists suffer by being away from family...let's examine the martyrdom of these men. My experience when these men come to a local church is that they ask for a certain amount of money...and it's not traveling expenses we're talking about. That is extra. Oh yeah, they make demands as to which hotel they will stay at too. And are these evangelist going to the lost? No, they are coming to a church, where they want YOU to bring the lost in. But hold on, I guess in coming to churches they really are coming to the lost nowadays, since the idea taking hold among evangelicals is that church is for the lost. Forget about the fact that in the NT the Christians met to have fellowship, break bread, and be taught! Apparently the early Christians didn't realize the house church was for the lost!
"Our churches have never been in such dire need of a strong prophetic word from a fearless man of God who will address the issues of carnality and lukewarmness with the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The need for the hour is for all of us who name the name of Jesus to be called to prayer with expressions of repentance."
Yeah...I call them the teaching elders of our churches, don't you? At least that is they way it should be.
But Hale is right about one thing...these men are rare. And when they show up, we accuse them of being too legalistic. What? He wants us to read our Bibles? To apply it to our lives? Get rid of him!
Well, I know I have been a bit harsh here. But realize that what he has written is representative of what is wrong in the SBC. If he'd written this article on his website (find it, I'm not linking it here!) I would not care, but it being published by the Baptist Press indicates that the leadership in the SBC agrees with it! And there are too many people I love within SBC churches...some of whom read this blog. I cannot remain silent.
God bless.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving!
It is late at night and another Thanksgiving is almost over. Before I head to bed and close out this day, however, I want to say that today was a particularly special day for me. First of all, I felt so very thankful to God for giving me the wonderful family that I have. My wife and I have been married 17 years and she remains my best friend in all the world. Our marriage is strong and while we have had our share of problems (like all couples), it is clear to me that my wife loves me and I hope and pray she always knows I love her also.
I also have four wonderful sons who bring great joy to my life. The oldest also brings plenty of near heart attacks (he's learning to drive!), but I will forgive him for this since he is otherwise such a good kid. All of my sons, in fact, are good kids and I am confident that they will be servants of the Lord all the days of their lives.
Another particular blessing this year is the presence of my dear sister in law in our home. She is living with us now and I hope that she chooses to stay with us until the day some lucky man steals her away from us. Her presence with us has been so thoroughly enjoyable and I am so happy that far more than being my sister in law, she is my sister in the Lord.
All of us had a good meal today, and we played a couple of games, watched a movie, and just enjoyed the company of one another. What a perfect day!
Thank the Lord for the gift of salvation
Thank the Lord for His sovereignty in all things
Thank the Lord for the work of the Spirit in our lives
The following is what we read before the meal:
Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.
- Psalm 100
I also have four wonderful sons who bring great joy to my life. The oldest also brings plenty of near heart attacks (he's learning to drive!), but I will forgive him for this since he is otherwise such a good kid. All of my sons, in fact, are good kids and I am confident that they will be servants of the Lord all the days of their lives.
Another particular blessing this year is the presence of my dear sister in law in our home. She is living with us now and I hope that she chooses to stay with us until the day some lucky man steals her away from us. Her presence with us has been so thoroughly enjoyable and I am so happy that far more than being my sister in law, she is my sister in the Lord.
All of us had a good meal today, and we played a couple of games, watched a movie, and just enjoyed the company of one another. What a perfect day!
Thank the Lord for the gift of salvation
Thank the Lord for His sovereignty in all things
Thank the Lord for the work of the Spirit in our lives
The following is what we read before the meal:
Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.
- Psalm 100
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Pyromaniac Dan Phillips Issues THE challenge! :-)
There is a really fun post over on the Pyromaniacs blog, and the discussion itself is fun to follow! And when I say fun I really mean it. It's gonna make you wish you'd thought of it! Now go over there and read it!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Dr. Albert Mohler on President-elect Obama
All day I have had different thoughts about what I wanted to say regarding the results of this election and I'd planned on posting on it tonight. I am still doing so, of course, but I took a moment to head over to Dr. Mohler's blog and read his post for today. All I can say is wow. Dr. Mohler is truly a man of God and he has said what was on my mind way much clearer than I could ever hope to do so.
There is one thing I would like to say which he wrote about also, but all day one of the thoughts going through my head has been that despite my wishing he had not won, it is truly amazing to consider that America will have a Black President in January. This is a truly historic event that I honestly did not think I would ever live to witness. And it is definitely true that his election lends credence to the American belief that anyone can be President. For this I am grateful. And as Dr. Mohler states, I will give Obama the allegiance and respect he deserves as my President while opposing any and all measures that I am Biblically commanded to do so. We truly can do no less.
At any rate, I completely stand behind every one of Dr. Mohler's words and I hope that my dear friends and family will read his post, which you can find here.
Finally, I want us to remember that God is always in control. There are some I know who despair over the results of this election. I say why? God has not been cast out of heaven has He? So I leave you, my brethren, with this little gem from Psalm 2 that I love to read over and over. It reminds me always of the fact that God is always the Sovereign...no matter what men may think!
"Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure: “Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion.”
-Psalm 2:1-6
There is one thing I would like to say which he wrote about also, but all day one of the thoughts going through my head has been that despite my wishing he had not won, it is truly amazing to consider that America will have a Black President in January. This is a truly historic event that I honestly did not think I would ever live to witness. And it is definitely true that his election lends credence to the American belief that anyone can be President. For this I am grateful. And as Dr. Mohler states, I will give Obama the allegiance and respect he deserves as my President while opposing any and all measures that I am Biblically commanded to do so. We truly can do no less.
At any rate, I completely stand behind every one of Dr. Mohler's words and I hope that my dear friends and family will read his post, which you can find here.
Finally, I want us to remember that God is always in control. There are some I know who despair over the results of this election. I say why? God has not been cast out of heaven has He? So I leave you, my brethren, with this little gem from Psalm 2 that I love to read over and over. It reminds me always of the fact that God is always the Sovereign...no matter what men may think!
"Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure: “Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion.”
-Psalm 2:1-6
Monday, November 3, 2008
A New Beginning
I have decided to write this evening on something I've never written before...mainly because the entire focus of my blog has been to share some of my studies and also opinions on various issues...from a theological perspective.
Tonight, however, I am going to share with you about a much more personal issue, even challenge. Now what I am going to share is nothing my dear readers don't already know (I am assuming here that my regular readers are my friends and family), but it is time I just laid it all on the table and just open up. Ready? Okay, here goes:
I am in the process of reading a book on losing weight and it sort of inspired me to become more dedicated. As you are aware, I am a big guy...and I know, you are thinking to yourselves, "but "enoch_elijah", you are the manliest of men and your muscular physique is the envy of all men!" Or something like that. But the reality of the situation is that while I concede that I am indeed quite masculine, my physique can better be described as...uhmmm...let's see...squishy. I have struggled with my weight ever since I was in my mid teens and I am now in my mid thirties! So, my goodness, enough is enough! And yes, I know that if I manage to lose the weight I'd like to lose, that my wife may be devastated because there will be less of me to love, but she'll just have to realize that we must settle for quality over quantity!
So what am I going to do? Well, for one thing, the book talks about food addiction and I must admit that what it had to say struck a nerve. And to be honest, I don't even know if this will work, but what's the worst that could happen? I mean, aside from suffering extreme humiliation as all of you mock me in a few months when I've not only failed to lose, but actually gained more weight! Let's try to avoid that ok? Back to the book though...it mentions in there keeping a record of everything you eat and what time you did so. This way you can see when you are eating and how much. Identifying the problem is the first step right? We'll see. So that's what I'm going to do. My modest goal is to lose 15 lbs. by my 36th birdthday, only a couple of months away. 7 1/2 lbs. a month...I think it's attainable! So pray for me, that the Lord will provide the willpower necessary to bring about a change in my eating habits. I'm even going to stop eating the sunflower seeds I am eating as I type! And by that I mean I'm going to stop right now, not that I'm giving them up forever. After all, I'm not a fanatic!
So what do I hope to weigh by my birthday? How about 267? Yes, I weigh 282 right now. Don't judge. ;-)
Yes, that is me in the picture...when I was 14! You must admit, despite the weight I have managed to retain the roguish good looks through the years!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Selected Scriptures- Bible Study
As promised, I am posting here the lesson I presented to the young men who came to participate in Saturday's sword tag. I hope you enjoy!
NOBODY IS BEYOND THE REACH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
ACTS 6:8-15
ACTS 7:51-60 & 8:1A
ACTS 9:1-22
ACTS 7:51-60 & 8:1A
ACTS 9:1-22
I. Prayer
2. Study
Ask) Can someone name some pretty terrible person…someone who has done terrible things, either in history or in our present times.
Ask) How would you feel if you were before such a person?
Today we are going to look at the experience of Stephen, we will look at the manner of his death…but our focus will not necessarily be Stephen. Before I give too much more away, let us begin.
Read Acts 6:8-15
Ask) What kind of man was Stephen?
Discuss
Throughout most of chapter 7 we will see Stephen bravely confront the Jewish council, declaring to them the Truth and holding them accountable for rejecting Jesus! [here we see the truth of human responsibility clearly taught.]
Ask) How do you think the council will respond?
Read Acts 7:51-60
As) Why do you think the council reacts against the message of Stephen this way?
Read 1 Peter 2:7-8
The world does not want to hear the Truth! But we are not called to spread the Word only to those we think will respond lovingly to us…no, far from it. We spread the Gospel to all men. THAT is the only thing we are called to do. We are not to concern ourselves with how they will respond! Indeed, we read in 1 Corinthians 3:5-7 that it is God who gives the increase!
And in this passage we learn something else…we are ultimately of no account in the actual salvation of men. But God has chosen to use us to bring in the lost sheep, so we are faithful to the calling. And we never know how someone will respond do we?
Will we be received with kindness and enthusiasm?
Will we be mocked and scorned?
And as rare as it may be in this country…will we be killed for the sake of His Truth?
And why are we faithful even unto death?
We DON’T know who will respond!!!!!!
Indeed, let us look here again at the text:
Read Acts 7:58 and 8:1A
Ask) Do you know who this Saul is?
Discuss
Now…
Read Acts 9:1-22
Did you catch verse 22?
This Saul is now proving to others that Jesus is Christ!! The very same one that consented to the death of Believer is now himself preaching the TRUTH!!!
Ask) Do you think Stephen knew this would happen?
Of course not…all he knew was that he faced a hostile crowd, and he probably guessed what his ultimate fate would be, but he did not hesitate. And his words did not contribute towards the weakening of Saul’s opposition to the Truth. It took the supernatural act of God to bring Saul into the fold. It always does…it may not always be as spectacularly as with Saul, but it is ALWAYS a supernatural act when men come to faith.
Little brothers, we don’t know, and we cannot know, who will be saved and who will enter into eternal damnation.
But we do know that not one man is beyond the reach of the Holy Spirit. And God, in His infinite wisdom, has chosen to use men to accomplish His work of salvation. Therefore, go out and boldly proclaim the Gospel. Who knows whether your words might be used by God to bring someone to salvation.
Ask) What do I hope you will take away from this lesson?
Two things:
1) Nobody is beyond the reach of the Holy Spirit
2) Proclaim the Truth boldly for the sake of the lost and, more importantly, for the love of God
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Teaching Young Men
Today we had the sword-tag group out and it was lots of fun...and even a bit humiliating to realize that at the age of 35 I am having trouble keeping up keeping up with the young teens. ;-)
We had a total of 7 kids today (ranging from 13-16) and spent two hours fighting mighty battles. About halfway through we stopped for our Bible lesson and I taught through the book of Acts, specifically chapters 6-9. I will have to wait until tomorrow evening to post the lesson because I am having problems connecting to the internet on my computer (I am posting these comments on my sister in law's laptop). We had a great time, even with me as the only adult male! A good friend of mine will soon have the weekends open, and when he's able to attend I have promised (threatened?) the teens with some adult vengeance for the sheer humiliation they dealt me today!
Well, I just want to say to my dear friends and family...Happy Reformation Day! It has now been 491 years since that faithful day on which good 'ol Martin Luther went and thought he'd start a debate and instead started the Reformation! I hope I'm around in 2017 when we celebrate the 500th year! It should be fun...but I guess that even if I've gone on to be with my Lord I won't be complaining, right?
Go forth and gather with the saints tomorrow as we join to lift up the name of our King!
We had a total of 7 kids today (ranging from 13-16) and spent two hours fighting mighty battles. About halfway through we stopped for our Bible lesson and I taught through the book of Acts, specifically chapters 6-9. I will have to wait until tomorrow evening to post the lesson because I am having problems connecting to the internet on my computer (I am posting these comments on my sister in law's laptop). We had a great time, even with me as the only adult male! A good friend of mine will soon have the weekends open, and when he's able to attend I have promised (threatened?) the teens with some adult vengeance for the sheer humiliation they dealt me today!
Well, I just want to say to my dear friends and family...Happy Reformation Day! It has now been 491 years since that faithful day on which good 'ol Martin Luther went and thought he'd start a debate and instead started the Reformation! I hope I'm around in 2017 when we celebrate the 500th year! It should be fun...but I guess that even if I've gone on to be with my Lord I won't be complaining, right?
Go forth and gather with the saints tomorrow as we join to lift up the name of our King!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Making It Acceptable by Calling it "Christian"
I had an interesting invitation today on my LibraryThing account today that left me just a tad confused. Somebody commented on my profile, saying that they thought I'd enjoy a new group they've started called "Transsexuals for Christ." lol
Now anyone who knows me is free to take a look at my library, and if you can figure out why exactly they were led to believe that I would even consider joining such a group, please share that with me!
The invitation did make me think, however, about how all kinds of groups that lead lifestyles contrary to the teachings of Christ are so set upon claiming His name for themselves. Why is that? Seriously, if you want to take part in such behaviors, that is up to you. But don't try to justify your behavior by pasting the word "Christian" in front of your group name! I know that all of us have some area in our lives that we just don't seem to have complete control over...that challenges us daily even. None of us who call Jesus Lord, however, would try to excuse their behavior by suddenly saying, "hey, it's not really a sin! I'm a "Christian" gambler, or a "Christian" adulterer! ;-)
No, whatever struggles we face, let us strive to defeat them for His glory and through His grace. Don't call it what it is not.
Now anyone who knows me is free to take a look at my library, and if you can figure out why exactly they were led to believe that I would even consider joining such a group, please share that with me!
The invitation did make me think, however, about how all kinds of groups that lead lifestyles contrary to the teachings of Christ are so set upon claiming His name for themselves. Why is that? Seriously, if you want to take part in such behaviors, that is up to you. But don't try to justify your behavior by pasting the word "Christian" in front of your group name! I know that all of us have some area in our lives that we just don't seem to have complete control over...that challenges us daily even. None of us who call Jesus Lord, however, would try to excuse their behavior by suddenly saying, "hey, it's not really a sin! I'm a "Christian" gambler, or a "Christian" adulterer! ;-)
No, whatever struggles we face, let us strive to defeat them for His glory and through His grace. Don't call it what it is not.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
I was really struck this morning by the power of these words, and they made me think of something from last night. At the time I was working out at the gym...those of you who know me are well aware that I put plenty of effort into maintaining the incredible physique with which God has gifted me! Okay, not really, the truth is that my body is more of a giant cathedral than a humble temple and I'm trying to downsize...but that's not the real issue here so let's move on. ;-)
While at the gym, I happened to walk near a group of fellow Hispanic guys who were talking about someone else they knew, mentioning that this individual was a member of La Raza. Now, to any conspiracy buff who may be reading this, La Raza does not refer to some secret club of Hispanics whose ultimate goal is to "reconquer" the Southwest for Mexico. While that makes for great scare tactics, Christians should let go of such silliness. But I digress again. What the unintentional eavesdropping made me think about was my own life. You see, when I was a young teen I used to swell with pride at the thought of being a member of La Raza, the People. To be a part of some kind of brotherhood was humbling, even if most of our time and energies was then spent in trying to beat the living daylights out of those poor fellow brothers who happened to claim some different affiliation (okay, gang).
What about now? Well, I've matured that's for sure. I still am very proud of my heritage...it will always be a part of me. But far more important than anything else to me is my Christian heritage. I am proud to be a slave to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Nothing else matters more to me than this, no other identification causes me more joy. To be called by His name is my greatest desire, and to serve Him all the days of my life is my ultimate goal. Family, work, all else comes as a distant second in my affections. And why is this? Why, if not for the simple truth that upon being sealed by the Holy Spirit I became a new creation. Whereas I was once spiritually dead I am now alive. Whereas I once despised and considered it a weakness to believe in God, now I consider it a joy to be called a fool for Christ.
These were my thoughts today, and even now as I prepare for bed I think about who I used to be and marvel at what He has made me. Truly it is He that gives the increase, for there is no other way to explain how the person I used to be has become the person I now am.
Thank you Lord Jesus!
I was really struck this morning by the power of these words, and they made me think of something from last night. At the time I was working out at the gym...those of you who know me are well aware that I put plenty of effort into maintaining the incredible physique with which God has gifted me! Okay, not really, the truth is that my body is more of a giant cathedral than a humble temple and I'm trying to downsize...but that's not the real issue here so let's move on. ;-)
While at the gym, I happened to walk near a group of fellow Hispanic guys who were talking about someone else they knew, mentioning that this individual was a member of La Raza. Now, to any conspiracy buff who may be reading this, La Raza does not refer to some secret club of Hispanics whose ultimate goal is to "reconquer" the Southwest for Mexico. While that makes for great scare tactics, Christians should let go of such silliness. But I digress again. What the unintentional eavesdropping made me think about was my own life. You see, when I was a young teen I used to swell with pride at the thought of being a member of La Raza, the People. To be a part of some kind of brotherhood was humbling, even if most of our time and energies was then spent in trying to beat the living daylights out of those poor fellow brothers who happened to claim some different affiliation (okay, gang).
What about now? Well, I've matured that's for sure. I still am very proud of my heritage...it will always be a part of me. But far more important than anything else to me is my Christian heritage. I am proud to be a slave to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Nothing else matters more to me than this, no other identification causes me more joy. To be called by His name is my greatest desire, and to serve Him all the days of my life is my ultimate goal. Family, work, all else comes as a distant second in my affections. And why is this? Why, if not for the simple truth that upon being sealed by the Holy Spirit I became a new creation. Whereas I was once spiritually dead I am now alive. Whereas I once despised and considered it a weakness to believe in God, now I consider it a joy to be called a fool for Christ.
These were my thoughts today, and even now as I prepare for bed I think about who I used to be and marvel at what He has made me. Truly it is He that gives the increase, for there is no other way to explain how the person I used to be has become the person I now am.
Thank you Lord Jesus!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Luke 4:1-12 (for kids)
I prepared this lesson for our children's Sunday school class and it went exceptionally well. The 8 kids (ranging in ages between 6-10) had lots of questions and made some very profound comments as well. Anyone who does not think young children have the intellectual capacity to take in Biblical lessons without having to draw a picture or watch a movie are just plain wrong!
Here is the lesson (presented on 10.11.08)
Here is the lesson (presented on 10.11.08)
Jesus in the Wilderness
Ÿ Lesson
Read Luke 4:1-4
Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’”
The Holy Spirit is one of the Persons who makes up our Triune God
To be filled with the Holy Spirit means to be controlled by God
Ask: Who is Satan?
Satan is the Devil. He is the enemy of God and of all of mankind. Satan wants to cause man to sin, using various temptations and lies. He is, indeed, the father of lies.
We see that Jesus is fasting while in the desert, going without food for 40 whole days!
Ask: Could Jesus have done this?
Of course! For Jesus performed greater miracles in order to establish His claims!
Ask: How would turning stone into bread have been a sin?
Jesus’ miracles were performed to attest to His divine nature and the Truth of His claims…to establish the Gospel. He would not be honoring the Father by using His power selfishly.
When Jesus said “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God…” what did He mean?
He meant that the Word of God…the Old Testament at this time…taught that being fed spiritually was more important than being fed physically. Think about it…what happens if you don’t eat? Eventually you will die!!
If being fed spiritually is more important than keeping yourself physically alive, then it is obvious that studying the Word of God is VERY important!
Ask: What can WE do to help fight off temptation?
We can memorize the Word of God so that when we are tempted to sin we will remember it and obey it!
Remember that Satan will always use our weaknesses to tempt us, but God’s Word will always be able to help us if we have it hidden in our hearts.
Read Luke 4:5-8
Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”
Ask: What did Satan want Jesus to do?
Satan wanted Jesus to worship him instead of the Father!
In 2 Corinthians 4:4 we are told that Satan is the god of this world! Therefore he had the power to offer up the kingdoms to Jesus…except that Jesus being the One True and Living God was Master of all things! Even of Satan!
Think about this too: Jesus came to earth as a man in order to establish His kingdom, a spiritual one in the hearts of men. Jesus did not need the physical kingdoms of men when He came to redeem people from every kingdom!
Jesus says to Satan, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”
The Word of God commands us to worship only God and Jesus correctly reminds Satan of this! Basically, He tells Satan to “shut up!”
Read Luke 4:9-12
Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: ’He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you,‘ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’”
Jesus would have been testing God, and our faith demands that we always trust God, no matter what our circumstances are.
Did you notice that Satan used Scripture to tempt Jesus? There are many people today who, like Satan, will use the Bible incorrectly in order to mislead you. The only way we can defend ourselves is to know the Bible even better than they do!
James 4:7 tells us that if we resist the devil, he will flee from us!
Isn’t that a wonderful promise? No matter how powerful Satan is, we as Christians have the power to make him run away from us!
Are there any questions or comments?
Let us pray
Monday, October 13, 2008
A Better Way: Rediscovering the Drama of God-Centered Worship by Michael Horton
isbn #0-8010-1234-1
Well this is going to be one very short book review! As some of you may know, I have been reaidng this book for quite some time and I have finally finished it. It is not that the book is boring or that I disagreed with much of it, but this was a real challenge for me to complete. This is not to say that I intend to get rid of the book, for I found it valuable and will probably refer to it again in the future. The problem, I think, is that Horton's presentation was rather dry. I've read books by Horton before, and this is not something I've encountered in his writings before...so it's sadly ironic that I should find a lack of true passionate writing in a book dedicated to (as the subtitle states) "rediscovering the drama of God-centered worship"!
As with all reviews ever written by anyone, this is my own opinion and it may be that someone else may find the writing filled with zeal! I certainly don't suggest that anyone NOT read this book, for as I've already stated before, it contains valuable information. Also, Horton does excel at bringing complex arguments to the level of a simple reader such as myself. I was able to follow his arguments and overall I found myself agreeing with his critique of what passes for worship in too many churches today.
Another thing that Horton does well in this book is to unapologetically examine the typical components of a service and compare them to what the Bible teaches. Where Horton lost me, through no fault of his own I might add, is when he makes his defense of infant baptism. I say that this is through no fault of his own for he clearly states in his book that he is writing from a Reformed position, whereas I identify myself more as Reformed Baptist, holding to believer's baptism and a premillenial eschatology. One thing I found out through this book is what our Reformed brethren believe about communion. As a baptistic leaning individual, I hold to the idea that communion is done as a remembrance of what Jesus has done for us on the cross. Horton's explanation, however, left me confused as to how exactly the Reformed view of communion differs from the Catholic view. If you are curious, pick up the book and read pages 116-118.
Despite this, (perhaps because of this) I found "A Better Way" to be valuable and thought-provoking. Perhaps I'll wait a few months and pick the book up again to give it a new try. Either way, I recommend it with only slight hesitation. Besided which, our Reformed brethren can never be accused of taking the Word of God lightly, and Horton proves true to this in his book.
Well this is going to be one very short book review! As some of you may know, I have been reaidng this book for quite some time and I have finally finished it. It is not that the book is boring or that I disagreed with much of it, but this was a real challenge for me to complete. This is not to say that I intend to get rid of the book, for I found it valuable and will probably refer to it again in the future. The problem, I think, is that Horton's presentation was rather dry. I've read books by Horton before, and this is not something I've encountered in his writings before...so it's sadly ironic that I should find a lack of true passionate writing in a book dedicated to (as the subtitle states) "rediscovering the drama of God-centered worship"!
As with all reviews ever written by anyone, this is my own opinion and it may be that someone else may find the writing filled with zeal! I certainly don't suggest that anyone NOT read this book, for as I've already stated before, it contains valuable information. Also, Horton does excel at bringing complex arguments to the level of a simple reader such as myself. I was able to follow his arguments and overall I found myself agreeing with his critique of what passes for worship in too many churches today.
Another thing that Horton does well in this book is to unapologetically examine the typical components of a service and compare them to what the Bible teaches. Where Horton lost me, through no fault of his own I might add, is when he makes his defense of infant baptism. I say that this is through no fault of his own for he clearly states in his book that he is writing from a Reformed position, whereas I identify myself more as Reformed Baptist, holding to believer's baptism and a premillenial eschatology. One thing I found out through this book is what our Reformed brethren believe about communion. As a baptistic leaning individual, I hold to the idea that communion is done as a remembrance of what Jesus has done for us on the cross. Horton's explanation, however, left me confused as to how exactly the Reformed view of communion differs from the Catholic view. If you are curious, pick up the book and read pages 116-118.
Despite this, (perhaps because of this) I found "A Better Way" to be valuable and thought-provoking. Perhaps I'll wait a few months and pick the book up again to give it a new try. Either way, I recommend it with only slight hesitation. Besided which, our Reformed brethren can never be accused of taking the Word of God lightly, and Horton proves true to this in his book.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Brief Thoughts on Acts 5:29-42
"...Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ."
- Acts 5:29-42
This last Wednesday at church we had a discussion of this passage and I did not get an opportunity to share some of the thoughts that went through my head as I considered this passage...so of course I've decided to share them here! ;-)
The part that makes me stop and think is the section in bold above. Everyone credits Gamaliel with incredible wisdom and forethought over his advice, but long ago I read something in a commentary that made me stop to think more closely about it. If we consider it from the long term perspective about how God indeed used Peter "and the other apostles" to bring about His plan for the church, then of course Gamaliel was right. His comment, however, is not the point of the passage, and to place too much emphasis on it can be a bit misleading.
Allow me to explain...
When we turn Gamaliel's comment into the primary teaching of this wonderful passage we set upon a path that leads to all kinds of erroneous thought. For example, if we take the comment at face value, what does it say about such things about Mormonism? Or Watchtower? For all intents and purposes, these are extremely successful movements. Does it follow, therefore, that they are of God? Well only in the sense that God is fully sovereign and that nothing happens outside of His eternal purposes. This does not mean that they are pleasing to Him or that in opposing their false teaching that we are placing ourselves against God! There are many things that purport to be Christian, that attempt to be defined as mainstream Christianity, but they are not. To say that what is successful must be of God is to open ourselves up to such foolishness as that which comes out in the form of the emergent church movement. To embrace it is to give credence to the idea that if we want to "grow" our churches we must adopt business models instead of Biblical Truth!
When one considers the success of Christianity in our day and age (any day and any age actually), then we must look at whether it embraces Biblical doctrines and upholds the five solas (sola scriptura; sola fide; sola gratia; solus Christus; soli deo gloria). Numbers are great, but only if they reflect a redeemed people rather than "seekers"; programs can be beneficial, but only if their purpose is to minister to the sheep and not to attract those ever important numbers. So success from a Christian perspective does not look at all like what the world considers success...and sadly, it does not look like what too many within the church would declare as successful!
Disagree if you must, it is possible (not likely though- ha ha) that I am wrong. But at least give it some thought.
God Bless
- Acts 5:29-42
This last Wednesday at church we had a discussion of this passage and I did not get an opportunity to share some of the thoughts that went through my head as I considered this passage...so of course I've decided to share them here! ;-)
The part that makes me stop and think is the section in bold above. Everyone credits Gamaliel with incredible wisdom and forethought over his advice, but long ago I read something in a commentary that made me stop to think more closely about it. If we consider it from the long term perspective about how God indeed used Peter "and the other apostles" to bring about His plan for the church, then of course Gamaliel was right. His comment, however, is not the point of the passage, and to place too much emphasis on it can be a bit misleading.
Allow me to explain...
When we turn Gamaliel's comment into the primary teaching of this wonderful passage we set upon a path that leads to all kinds of erroneous thought. For example, if we take the comment at face value, what does it say about such things about Mormonism? Or Watchtower? For all intents and purposes, these are extremely successful movements. Does it follow, therefore, that they are of God? Well only in the sense that God is fully sovereign and that nothing happens outside of His eternal purposes. This does not mean that they are pleasing to Him or that in opposing their false teaching that we are placing ourselves against God! There are many things that purport to be Christian, that attempt to be defined as mainstream Christianity, but they are not. To say that what is successful must be of God is to open ourselves up to such foolishness as that which comes out in the form of the emergent church movement. To embrace it is to give credence to the idea that if we want to "grow" our churches we must adopt business models instead of Biblical Truth!
When one considers the success of Christianity in our day and age (any day and any age actually), then we must look at whether it embraces Biblical doctrines and upholds the five solas (sola scriptura; sola fide; sola gratia; solus Christus; soli deo gloria). Numbers are great, but only if they reflect a redeemed people rather than "seekers"; programs can be beneficial, but only if their purpose is to minister to the sheep and not to attract those ever important numbers. So success from a Christian perspective does not look at all like what the world considers success...and sadly, it does not look like what too many within the church would declare as successful!
Disagree if you must, it is possible (not likely though- ha ha) that I am wrong. But at least give it some thought.
God Bless
Monday, September 29, 2008
Youth Sunday School Lesson 09.28.08
Yesterday I had the privilege of teaching the youth Sunday school class and I had an attendance of ten kids. The class is going through the book of Genesis and they are currently studying about Noah and the Flood. Because of this, I decided I would revamp some of the lessons I've presented in other classes and present a brief study on the subject of the goodness of God. The following is what I came up with:
I. Praises & Prayer Requests
I know that you are reading through the book of Genesis in this class.
Well, I’m not here to give you the answer to those questions at this time. But I am here to discuss a concept with you that is crucial if we are going to read through OT passages. This is the concept of theodicy.
Ask) Does anyone know what this word means?
Theodicy refers to a specific branch of theology and philosophy that attempts to reconcile the existence of evil or suffering in the world with the belief in an omniscient, omnipotent, and omnibenevolent God...it is a defense of the goodness of God (this definition taken from wikipedia, found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodicy)
God is good
God is holy
God is Sovereign!
THEODICY
September 27th, 2008
[A study by Ezequiel Luna...using commentaries by
Albert Barnes, Matthew Henry, & John Gill]
September 27th, 2008
[A study by Ezequiel Luna...using commentaries by
Albert Barnes, Matthew Henry, & John Gill]
I. Praises & Prayer Requests
II. Study
I know that you are reading through the book of Genesis in this class.
Ask) How far along are you?
Ask) Have you ever read passages that confuse you, especially in the OT? Passages that speak of God killing people…of God ordering others to kill. How do we make sense of such passages?
Well, I’m not here to give you the answer to those questions at this time. But I am here to discuss a concept with you that is crucial if we are going to read through OT passages. This is the concept of theodicy.
Ask) Does anyone know what this word means?
Theodicy refers to a specific branch of theology and philosophy that attempts to reconcile the existence of evil or suffering in the world with the belief in an omniscient, omnipotent, and omnibenevolent God...it is a defense of the goodness of God (this definition taken from wikipedia, found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodicy)
You see, to fully understand the OT, we have to have deeply ingrained in our minds a few of the most fundamental teachings of Scripture:
God is good
God is holy
God is Sovereign!
Before we begin, I know that even while understanding these teachings…we still would like to have answers. I’m not saying these concepts should make you set aside those questions…far from it. All I mean is that when you come across difficult passages, you interact with them while having these truths in your mind. To do so will save you a lot of heartache and plenty of doubt.
Indeed…the important thing is to understand the character of God and the truth of His Word, otherwise you will often agonize over biblical concepts because you have not even accepted some of the most basic truths.
Let me make an agreement with you…if you want to discuss some difficult passages, write them down. Give them to me at the end of class, and I will study them out and next time I have the privilege to teach I will address those topics!
For now, let us begin:
GOD IS GOOD
Read Psalm 33:5
The word of the Lord is right. Anything God tells us is true and right...whatever it may be, if it comes from Him...then it is right. It is His nature to love righteousness...because righteousness flows from Him. Note that "the earth is full" of His goodness.
Ask) What does this mean?
It means that even in this fallen world, full of sin and sinners, it is a measure of His goodness that we can enjoy anything good...because we are undeserving of His goodness. The fact that we enjoy breathing...that there is beauty in the world...that we can laugh and love...all of this points to the goodness of God. Indeed, the goodness of God, according to Psalm 52:1, "endures continually." In other words...FOREVER!
Read Psalm 107:1-3,8
Note verse 8 especially. What does the psalmist desire? That "men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness." Such a simple thing...yet at one time or another...we all have failed or WILL fail at this. There will come a time in our lives, if not yet, when something will happen that will cause us to have the audacity to say unto God, "How dare you!" Instead of thanking the Lord for His many blessings, which we DO NOT DESERVE... we will dare to demand that He always bless us. And why is this? Because we think that God owes us something!
Indeed we will forget that God is good and does only good! [this last being a paraphrase of Psalm 119:68]
(discuss...mention Job and my own experiences in this)
Thinking of God being good...our pleas should echo that of the psalmist in Psalm 143:10, where we read this: "Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good." We want to be taught His will because we recognize that He is indeed good!
Ask) Is there anything that God can do that is NOT good? Can we lay any evil at His feet?
Before anyone answers this, Read Psalm 145:17
Ask) In which of His ways is God righteous?
Ask) In which of His works is God gracious?
ALL OF THEM!
Before moving on, lets quickly look at the following:
Nahum 1:7
Matt 19:17
Romans 2:4
Finally, read 1 John 1:5
We need to embrace without a shadow of a doubt that God is perfect. Nothing can be added to Him to make Him better...He cannot be improved upon because as He is He is perfect. We cannot add one iota to His greatness.
So, then. The way I see it is this: the fact that we don't suffer every moment of our lives. The fact that goodness exists at all in the creation attests to the simple, irrefutable fact that God is good. Is God to blame when sufferings and sorrows exist? No! We are to look to Him in gratitude that the stench of our sin does not cause Him to blot out our very existence!
The following is from C. H. Spurgeon:
"When others behave badly to us, it should only stir us up the more heartily to give thanks unto the Lord, because He is good; and when we ourselves are conscious that we are far from being good, we should only the more reverently bless Him that He is good. We must never tolerate an instant's unbelief as to the goodness of the Lord; whatever else may be questioned, this is absolutely certain, that Jehovah is good; His dispensations may vary, but His nature is always the same."
Any questions or comments?
GOD IS HOLY
Read:
Exodus 15:11
Psalm 30:4
Psalm 103:1, 8-10 (note especially verse 10...relates to His goodness towards us!)
Isaiah 6:3-5
Revelation 15:4
One of the greatest demonstrations of God's holiness is seen at the cross. As we read in Mark, Jesus was crucified because of sin. Sin is so distasteful that it's presence in His Son caused Him to turn away for that one awful moment in time! He punished Jesus for OUR SINS! He didn't just say..."oh boy...you guys sinned, I'll just forgive you anyhow...No, SOMEONE had to pay the penalty and that Someone was the Lord Jesus Christ!
Read Proverbs 3:32, Psalm 5:4-6, and Psalm 7:11-17
Arthur Pink says the following:
"God hates sin. The sinner can be forgiven, but sin is NEVER overlooked. the sinner is forgiven because his sin has been punished in Another."
We know who that Other is, don't we?
According to Hebrews 9:22 "without shedding of blood there is no remission of sins."
So then, who is our Holy God?
We could never have invented Him! Why is that?
To man, sin is crime. When we think of sin, we think rape or murder. Prostitution, child molestation, etc...everything else is a defect, a mistake. We imagine for ourselves a god who "winks" at our little indiscretions. we see Him as laid back, a god who will let bygones be bygones. But this is NOT the God who is revealed in the Holy Scriptures! This true and living God scares us...He makes us uncomfortable...He hates sin so much He WILL NOT overlook it!
His holiness demands that atonement come through the shedding of blood.
This is the Holy One of Israel! But again, this Holy God is also a good God! (discuss Genesis 3)!
Because of what He and He alone has done, we are "accepted in the Beloved."
GOD IS SOVEREIGN
Read the following:
Psalm 115:1-3
Psalm 135:1-6
Isaiah 40:13-18
Isaiah 45:5-7, 9-10
1 Timothy 6:13-16
What right did Israel have to conquer and kill the Canaanites?
None except that they were commended to do so by Almighty God.
What right do husbands have to ask that a wife be subject to him?
None, except that God so appointed it and ordained it.
We should obey all commands that come from a holy God because ALL human responsibility is based on and subject to divine Sovereignty...and NOWHERE do we see divine Sovereignty as subject to the human will.
The following is from R. C. Sproul:
“God never condemns the innocent. He never clears the guilty. He never punishes with undue severity. His justice is perfect justice. [But] God does not always act with justice. Sometimes He acts with mercy. Mercy is not injustice...Mercy manifests kindness and grace and grace.” [His mercy is that He accepts the substitution of Christ]
“All men die...because we are all under the death penalty for sin...Was it evil for God to impose the death penalty for all sin? If you say yes, be careful. If you say yes, you are saying it as an expression of the very fallen, sinful nature that exposes you to the death penalty in the first place. If you say yes, you slander the character of God. We must not say yes. We must say no and say it with conviction...[For] sin is cosmic treason. Sin is treason against a perfectly pure Sovereign. The issue is not why does God punish sin, but why does He permit the ongoing rebellion of man...the supreme folly is that we think we will get away with our revolt.”
Finally, realize that God did not choose Israel and condemn the Canaanites because Israel was better than the Canaanites.
Read Deuteronomy 9:4-6
And also, realize another thing: There were indeed countless women and children in Canaan...but none were innocent. Just as it was God’s right to destroy all of humanity but one family during the Flood, so it was His right to destroy the guilty in Canaan.
R. C. Sproul reminds us that if we want to express our moral outrage, it should be directed at Golgotha where Jesus died! And this moral outrage, this righteous finger pointing of ours should be directed at the guilty ones! Ourselves!
Questions or comments?
Before we end, let me tell you about a man. This man’s name was Horatio Spafford, and he wrote a song we’ve often sung here in church.
Mr. Spafford lost his only son in 1871...then that same year in the Great Chicago Fire of that year, he lost his business and was ruined financially. Two years later, building his business back up, he planned a vacation with his wife and four daughters. They were going to go to Europe but he had to stay behind for business reasons. The ship sunk, and only his wife survived.
Mr Spafford sailed to meet his wife…and as they passed the spot where the ship had sunk, he was inspired to write the song I want to read to you. When he was asked how he was doing, he is said to have replied, “it is well with my soul, which became the title to this song.
Listen closely:
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,Let this blest assurance control,That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole,Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:If Jordan above me shall roll,No pang shall be mine, for in death as in lifeThou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,The sky, not the grave, is our goal; Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, Even so, it is well with my soul.
The next time we experience troubles, let us remember a great man of faith like this, and let us consciously make the effort to focus on His goodness and His holiness when we are instead tempted to ask...“how could you, God?”
Let us close with prayer
Saturday, September 27, 2008
I'm Not Done Blogging Quite Yet!
It has been 16 days since my last post so I thought I'd better write something to let everyone know I'm still planning on posting regularly and that I have not given up on it! ;-)
Tomorrow I will be teaching in the youth Sunday school (jr. and sr. high) on the topic of Theodicy. They are currently going through the book of Genesis but I thought I'd go with this while the regular teacher is away. In any case, I will post that study tomorrow afternoon. Another topic I will post on in the coming days is my book reviews. As some of you may know, I am reading through Michael Horton's "A Better Way" which deals with worship. I am almost done with it but I confess it's taken me a long time to get through it. The book itself is good, great in many areas, but my heart has not been in it for some reason. I have vowed to myself that I am going to reread every one of my theology books one by one and I will only read one at a time so it's been frustrating because I normally read two or three books simultaneously...but I want to do it one at a time so that I can review every one of them! Oh well, i'm going to focus on finishing it and if the Lord wills it I will post a review of it by the end of the week at the latest!
One final thing...for you book lovers out there. Go to www.paperbackswap.com and sign yourselves up! It is an awesome site. You basically agree to give up any books you post, and mail them to whomever requests them, at your cost. In return, if you see a book you want, you request it and it gets sent to you...FREE!!! Every time you send one of your books, you can order another one! And when you first sign up, if you post 10 books, you get two credits for free! I've already sent out three of my books and ordered two...how exciting!
Well enough advertising, or else I might have to ask them to hook me up with some more credits! ha ha!
I'll post more later!
Tomorrow I will be teaching in the youth Sunday school (jr. and sr. high) on the topic of Theodicy. They are currently going through the book of Genesis but I thought I'd go with this while the regular teacher is away. In any case, I will post that study tomorrow afternoon. Another topic I will post on in the coming days is my book reviews. As some of you may know, I am reading through Michael Horton's "A Better Way" which deals with worship. I am almost done with it but I confess it's taken me a long time to get through it. The book itself is good, great in many areas, but my heart has not been in it for some reason. I have vowed to myself that I am going to reread every one of my theology books one by one and I will only read one at a time so it's been frustrating because I normally read two or three books simultaneously...but I want to do it one at a time so that I can review every one of them! Oh well, i'm going to focus on finishing it and if the Lord wills it I will post a review of it by the end of the week at the latest!
One final thing...for you book lovers out there. Go to www.paperbackswap.com and sign yourselves up! It is an awesome site. You basically agree to give up any books you post, and mail them to whomever requests them, at your cost. In return, if you see a book you want, you request it and it gets sent to you...FREE!!! Every time you send one of your books, you can order another one! And when you first sign up, if you post 10 books, you get two credits for free! I've already sent out three of my books and ordered two...how exciting!
Well enough advertising, or else I might have to ask them to hook me up with some more credits! ha ha!
I'll post more later!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Christianity and Hell
I'm taking a quick break here at work so I headed over to Dr. Albert Mohlers blog and read a pretty eye opening post there. I'm adding it here so that anyone interested will read it...and actually I would highly recommend that you do. If you are willing, I'd love to know your thoughts in the comments section here! ;-)
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Brief Thoughts on Genesis 15
Those of you who know me well are aware that the book of Genesis is among my favorite books in Scripture. In addition to this, chapter 15 has to be among my favorite chapters from Genesis! The reason is quite simple...it serves to remind me of the awesome trustworthiness of God. I know that I can rely upon Him to remain true to the promises He has made; true to His covenants. And so it is that I know that my relationship with Him cannot be severed by my stupidity or by my failure to fully ignore this body of flesh in which I dwell.
Indeed, if my salvation depends on myself, then I am eternally lost! I have recently come across people who believe they are unable to sin, indeed that they are holy as God is holy. I don't share their views...the children of God sin, did not David have a man killed in order to cover up his lust? Was he not a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14)? Indeed he was. Therefore it seems to me that it was a good thing for David that God had chosen him, or David's actions would have separated him from God forever! Likewise, in my own life...I see that I am so unworthy of His mercy, of His grace. I could catalogue the number of sins I am guilty of on this day alone! Don't worry, I won't actually do so, but I hope you understand what I mean!
So yes, when I read the book of Genesis, it is such a joy to turn to Genesis 15:17 and read that "...it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces."
I could go on and on about the meaning of this verse, but I've already done so on a different post. Suffice it to say that it ranks right up there with Romans 8:38-39 as far as giving us assurance of salvation. So as I get ready to head to bed, I do so with a heart at rest.
My God is worthy of trust. For while God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
Amen!
Indeed, if my salvation depends on myself, then I am eternally lost! I have recently come across people who believe they are unable to sin, indeed that they are holy as God is holy. I don't share their views...the children of God sin, did not David have a man killed in order to cover up his lust? Was he not a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14)? Indeed he was. Therefore it seems to me that it was a good thing for David that God had chosen him, or David's actions would have separated him from God forever! Likewise, in my own life...I see that I am so unworthy of His mercy, of His grace. I could catalogue the number of sins I am guilty of on this day alone! Don't worry, I won't actually do so, but I hope you understand what I mean!
So yes, when I read the book of Genesis, it is such a joy to turn to Genesis 15:17 and read that "...it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces."
I could go on and on about the meaning of this verse, but I've already done so on a different post. Suffice it to say that it ranks right up there with Romans 8:38-39 as far as giving us assurance of salvation. So as I get ready to head to bed, I do so with a heart at rest.
My God is worthy of trust. For while God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
Amen!
To: Anonymous Re: last post
Dear Anonymous:
I want to begin by thanking you for taking the time to read and comment on my blog. As one who blogs “just for the fun of it,” it is always exciting to know someone other than my immediate family is reading it!
Though we obviously differ as to the actual intent of the ACLU’s actions here (protecting our constitutional rights vs. suppressing the will of the people), I agree completely with you regarding the makeup of the organization, meaning that it is indeed made up of people from all walks of life and geographical locations, including our own Nampa, Idaho. So when I used the term “outsiders” you are correct in bringing me to task for that comment, and I apologize for it (and chalk it up to rhetorical passion!). I will not remove it from the post for the sake of maintaining the flow of the discussion, but I stand corrected on that. As to the rest, again, we differ as to our opinions of what the actions of the ACLU intended to accomplish, but if you were to read my post a second time perhaps you’ll see (I hope) that the issue at hand, for me anyhow, is the involvement of the ACLU at all.
I won’t bore you by repeating everything I wrote, but to me this is problematic because I do indeed feel it is an unwarranted intrusion into the authority of local governing entities. I will point to the actions of those who wanted the books removed and remind you that they did not turn to lawsuits when the decision of the board went against them. Admittedly they did not move on and focus their energies on spreading the Gospel, but that is neither here nor there. They continued to try to influence the Board through other means, and while we can debate forever and ever whether they should have done this, I suspect you and I would agree on that issue! Again though, my premise is that turning to the legal system to handle an issue such as this one does indeed represent uncalled for intimidation, because whether or not it was the local members of the ACLU that took this to that next step, it used the impressive powers of the ACLU to do so.
Whether this is in defense of the constitutional rights of all citizens is debatable for two reasons:
1) I don’t think most people consider their rights to have been violated…only those who felt they “lost” with that last decision from the Board.
2) Even though you seem to imply by your wording that the Board is unfamiliar with the Constitution (“All the ACLU did was remind the board of the first item on the addendum to that obscure document called the Constitution”), I myself am not. Nor do I believe the Board members themselves are unfamiliar with it, for my experience with every one of them is that they are highly intelligent and caring members of the community…exercising their authority and fulfilling their roles as each is led by his/her conscience to do so. Whether one agrees with their decision or not, it is unfair to characterize them as something they are not. Those on both sides of the issue are wonderful people and I appreciate one and all of them.
At any rate, the 1st amendment to that wonderful document you cite is as follows:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
-Constitutional Amendment I (Bill of Rights) ratified December 15th, 1791
Here is where the problem lies…looking at the portion in question here, “…abridging the freedom of speech…” it is difficult to determine what exactly freedom of speech means. Certainly the Founding Fathers were confused about it as much as anyone else, as witnessed by the true examples of 1st amendment violations exhibited by them…including shutting down opposition newspapers! Talk about censorship! :-)
All I mean by pointing this out is that nobody can say emphatically that the Board made an “indefensible decision” because it is actually not clear that sequestering books constitutes a 1st amendment violation. I personally don’t think it even constitutes censorship, for the reason I mentioned in my post. Isn’t this, in part, one of the reasons the ACLU may have been so quick to attempt a lawsuit? Not merely to make the Board reverse its decision but to take this, hopefully, to the Supreme Court so that a murky issue can be clarified? I think so, but I could be wrong. And again I refer to my main concern…that this is a local issue and should remain so.
I hope this kind of clarifies where I was coming from. I do welcome any questions you may have as to my views, or if you’d like me to clarify anything I’ve said.
Before ending this comment (can it be a mere “comment” if it has more than two paragraphs? ;-) I do want to address your second paragraph. I have never written anything regarding the Ten Commandments issue but I did write the following as a result of the last incident at the library:
http://luna4him.blogspot.com/2008/03/christian-behavior-in-public-arena.html
Although you end the paragraph by stating that you would not accuse me of that which you wrote, you kind of did. You said that "it seems a tad hypocritical for a self-professed Christian to call the ACLU bullies when they approached the library board, yet it's perfectly acceptable for a radically conservative Christian group to do do the same thing to the library board, and for Christian activists to sue a city to impose its will on local government by forcing it to place the Ten Commandments monument in the park." I must assume I am that "self-professed Christian" in question. But it's okay because I myself have written pretty strong stuff before and made general assumptions that turned out not to be true. We all do it, so I accept that you are not actually lumping me in with those whom you mention! ;-)
Whether it is the ACLU or a Christian group, I do NOT think lawsuits are the way to go. I have been wronged before, for matters which I would have been justified in seeking legal resolution, but I do not believe it is right for me as a Christian to sue for my "rights." My trust must always be in God alone. Indeed, one of my biggest concerns with the whole Ten Commandments monument issue was summarized quite nicely by one of my heroes, Dr. Albert Mohler (President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary), who preached a series on the Ten Commandments and referred to all the nationwide legal battles over public diplays of the Ten Commandments. He said that he suspected that those most zealously guarding our religious "freedom" were also the ones least likely to be able to recite the Commandments if asked to do so.
Based on my personally knowing some of those who were active in the Boise incidents, I would agree with his suspicion. How much better if we as Christians actually focused on sharing the Gospel rather than fighting for our "rights" through the court systems! A society will not be made more holy by legal rulings...only by the change that Christ alone brings. But I digress...
I hope this adequately adresses any concerns you may have had. I have noticed that while preparing this response to you that I've received two more comments! Wow...when I write on Biblical issues I don't get this kind of response! Maybe I should change my focus and write on more politically revelant issues from now on! ;-) Nah...
Thank you again for having read my blog!
I want to begin by thanking you for taking the time to read and comment on my blog. As one who blogs “just for the fun of it,” it is always exciting to know someone other than my immediate family is reading it!
Though we obviously differ as to the actual intent of the ACLU’s actions here (protecting our constitutional rights vs. suppressing the will of the people), I agree completely with you regarding the makeup of the organization, meaning that it is indeed made up of people from all walks of life and geographical locations, including our own Nampa, Idaho. So when I used the term “outsiders” you are correct in bringing me to task for that comment, and I apologize for it (and chalk it up to rhetorical passion!). I will not remove it from the post for the sake of maintaining the flow of the discussion, but I stand corrected on that. As to the rest, again, we differ as to our opinions of what the actions of the ACLU intended to accomplish, but if you were to read my post a second time perhaps you’ll see (I hope) that the issue at hand, for me anyhow, is the involvement of the ACLU at all.
I won’t bore you by repeating everything I wrote, but to me this is problematic because I do indeed feel it is an unwarranted intrusion into the authority of local governing entities. I will point to the actions of those who wanted the books removed and remind you that they did not turn to lawsuits when the decision of the board went against them. Admittedly they did not move on and focus their energies on spreading the Gospel, but that is neither here nor there. They continued to try to influence the Board through other means, and while we can debate forever and ever whether they should have done this, I suspect you and I would agree on that issue! Again though, my premise is that turning to the legal system to handle an issue such as this one does indeed represent uncalled for intimidation, because whether or not it was the local members of the ACLU that took this to that next step, it used the impressive powers of the ACLU to do so.
Whether this is in defense of the constitutional rights of all citizens is debatable for two reasons:
1) I don’t think most people consider their rights to have been violated…only those who felt they “lost” with that last decision from the Board.
2) Even though you seem to imply by your wording that the Board is unfamiliar with the Constitution (“All the ACLU did was remind the board of the first item on the addendum to that obscure document called the Constitution”), I myself am not. Nor do I believe the Board members themselves are unfamiliar with it, for my experience with every one of them is that they are highly intelligent and caring members of the community…exercising their authority and fulfilling their roles as each is led by his/her conscience to do so. Whether one agrees with their decision or not, it is unfair to characterize them as something they are not. Those on both sides of the issue are wonderful people and I appreciate one and all of them.
At any rate, the 1st amendment to that wonderful document you cite is as follows:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
-Constitutional Amendment I (Bill of Rights) ratified December 15th, 1791
Here is where the problem lies…looking at the portion in question here, “…abridging the freedom of speech…” it is difficult to determine what exactly freedom of speech means. Certainly the Founding Fathers were confused about it as much as anyone else, as witnessed by the true examples of 1st amendment violations exhibited by them…including shutting down opposition newspapers! Talk about censorship! :-)
All I mean by pointing this out is that nobody can say emphatically that the Board made an “indefensible decision” because it is actually not clear that sequestering books constitutes a 1st amendment violation. I personally don’t think it even constitutes censorship, for the reason I mentioned in my post. Isn’t this, in part, one of the reasons the ACLU may have been so quick to attempt a lawsuit? Not merely to make the Board reverse its decision but to take this, hopefully, to the Supreme Court so that a murky issue can be clarified? I think so, but I could be wrong. And again I refer to my main concern…that this is a local issue and should remain so.
I hope this kind of clarifies where I was coming from. I do welcome any questions you may have as to my views, or if you’d like me to clarify anything I’ve said.
Before ending this comment (can it be a mere “comment” if it has more than two paragraphs? ;-) I do want to address your second paragraph. I have never written anything regarding the Ten Commandments issue but I did write the following as a result of the last incident at the library:
http://luna4him.blogspot.com/2008/03/christian-behavior-in-public-arena.html
Although you end the paragraph by stating that you would not accuse me of that which you wrote, you kind of did. You said that "it seems a tad hypocritical for a self-professed Christian to call the ACLU bullies when they approached the library board, yet it's perfectly acceptable for a radically conservative Christian group to do do the same thing to the library board, and for Christian activists to sue a city to impose its will on local government by forcing it to place the Ten Commandments monument in the park." I must assume I am that "self-professed Christian" in question. But it's okay because I myself have written pretty strong stuff before and made general assumptions that turned out not to be true. We all do it, so I accept that you are not actually lumping me in with those whom you mention! ;-)
Whether it is the ACLU or a Christian group, I do NOT think lawsuits are the way to go. I have been wronged before, for matters which I would have been justified in seeking legal resolution, but I do not believe it is right for me as a Christian to sue for my "rights." My trust must always be in God alone. Indeed, one of my biggest concerns with the whole Ten Commandments monument issue was summarized quite nicely by one of my heroes, Dr. Albert Mohler (President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary), who preached a series on the Ten Commandments and referred to all the nationwide legal battles over public diplays of the Ten Commandments. He said that he suspected that those most zealously guarding our religious "freedom" were also the ones least likely to be able to recite the Commandments if asked to do so.
Based on my personally knowing some of those who were active in the Boise incidents, I would agree with his suspicion. How much better if we as Christians actually focused on sharing the Gospel rather than fighting for our "rights" through the court systems! A society will not be made more holy by legal rulings...only by the change that Christ alone brings. But I digress...
I hope this adequately adresses any concerns you may have had. I have noticed that while preparing this response to you that I've received two more comments! Wow...when I write on Biblical issues I don't get this kind of response! Maybe I should change my focus and write on more politically revelant issues from now on! ;-) Nah...
Thank you again for having read my blog!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
The ACLU and the Nampa Public Library
Let me begin this short post by apologizing ahead of time for taking a small detour away from thoughts on Biblical issues. I am asserting my rights as the writer to diverge from it in order to quickly comment on something that has happened at work which is really troubling to me. You see, the Nampa Public Library, for which I work, has returned some controversial books on sexuality to the shelves. You may be surprised to know that this does not trouble me as much as another issue which I will address in just a moment. For now, however, please read the aricle in the Idaho Press-Tribune, found here
Now then, a number of years ago the library was approached by concerned citizens and asked to remove the books because they were considered pornographic in nature. I suspect that another major motivator was the presence of one book in paritcular since it had to do with homosexuality. Because I hold to the Bible as the literal and revealed Word of God, I believe the best way to impact our society is by sharing Christ and making disciples of all people, NOT by forcing others to believe as we do; but be that as it may, the citizens exercised their rights to protest the books in question. While many of my co-workers and others immediately took up the cry of censorship, I believe this is an exaggeration. Censorship is given different definitions by different groups depending on their own agenda, but traditionally censorship has been the action of the government attempting to ban material by preventing its access by any means. This was not the case here at all. Access to the books would be limited at the library but nobody can truly censor books from everywhere else, only a government can do that. Besided which, all citizens have the right to express concern, to challenge books, and to have a voice in the decisions of their government, local or federal. So while I disagreed with the manner in which the books were challenged (there were many exaggerations and even complete falsehoods were used to justify the attack on the books...unfortunately by many people I attended church with at the time), I have never thought that those who brought the challenge were wrong in doing so...even if I do think there were confused as to their duties as Believers.
At any rate, the Board at that time voted to keep the books in the collection because of the library's mission statement and collection development policy. In many ways, they were right to do so. I don't say I agree with the decision made, but I can see why they made it. So at that time many people celebrated the "defeat of censorship" or were saddened by the "defeat of family values," the label applying to which side you were on, of course. Regardless though, a local board made a decision and that is as it should be.
Fast forward to June of this year, when a Board made up of a couple of different members once again faced a challenge to the same books, brought up again by the same people. This time, however, the Board moved to sequester the books in the Director's office and then change the collection development policy to prevent pornographic books from being selected. I lost no sleep over the removal of the books, but I was still concerned over the Board's decision, but only because they should have changed the policy first and then allowed the books to remain until they could be weeded out if they were not being circulated (which is our policy with all books). Again though, a local board made a decision and some people were sad but others were happy. And now, as you know if you've read the article linked above, the books are once again on the shelves (as of today).
Here is my issue: However chaotic local government can be, and however much people on either side of an issue will fight within the community, it is at the local level that these things belong. The ACLU, however, has come into a situation and unilaterally decided for everyone what is right and what is wrong! This really makes me upset. Whether for good or bad, our local governing entities have the right to make decisions for which we elect them, but outsiders come into a community and decide it does not matter how people feel about an issue so long as they know what is right and what is wrong. Rule by judicial fiat in other words. And now, while many of my co-workers will rejoice that the books are back on the shelves, our local autonomy has been washed away because a powerful lobby has used its wealth to intimidate into compliance our Board of Trustees. I wish they would have been willing to take this all the way to the Supreme Court, but I cannot judge them too harshly for not doing so. The members did what they felt was the right thing to do, and I respect that. But I do not have any respect for the bullies of the ACLU...and as for those who are all too happy over the decision, I can only think of that scene in "Revenge of the Sith" (come on, it's a GREAT movie!) when the empire is declared...and Mrs. Skywalker turn to her retinue and says, "Is this how democracy dies? To the sound of applause?" (I know, it's not an exact quote!) This is exactly how I feel. Again, democracy is messy, but it is about what the people want, not what lobbies determine is best.
Those are my thoughts.
Now then, a number of years ago the library was approached by concerned citizens and asked to remove the books because they were considered pornographic in nature. I suspect that another major motivator was the presence of one book in paritcular since it had to do with homosexuality. Because I hold to the Bible as the literal and revealed Word of God, I believe the best way to impact our society is by sharing Christ and making disciples of all people, NOT by forcing others to believe as we do; but be that as it may, the citizens exercised their rights to protest the books in question. While many of my co-workers and others immediately took up the cry of censorship, I believe this is an exaggeration. Censorship is given different definitions by different groups depending on their own agenda, but traditionally censorship has been the action of the government attempting to ban material by preventing its access by any means. This was not the case here at all. Access to the books would be limited at the library but nobody can truly censor books from everywhere else, only a government can do that. Besided which, all citizens have the right to express concern, to challenge books, and to have a voice in the decisions of their government, local or federal. So while I disagreed with the manner in which the books were challenged (there were many exaggerations and even complete falsehoods were used to justify the attack on the books...unfortunately by many people I attended church with at the time), I have never thought that those who brought the challenge were wrong in doing so...even if I do think there were confused as to their duties as Believers.
At any rate, the Board at that time voted to keep the books in the collection because of the library's mission statement and collection development policy. In many ways, they were right to do so. I don't say I agree with the decision made, but I can see why they made it. So at that time many people celebrated the "defeat of censorship" or were saddened by the "defeat of family values," the label applying to which side you were on, of course. Regardless though, a local board made a decision and that is as it should be.
Fast forward to June of this year, when a Board made up of a couple of different members once again faced a challenge to the same books, brought up again by the same people. This time, however, the Board moved to sequester the books in the Director's office and then change the collection development policy to prevent pornographic books from being selected. I lost no sleep over the removal of the books, but I was still concerned over the Board's decision, but only because they should have changed the policy first and then allowed the books to remain until they could be weeded out if they were not being circulated (which is our policy with all books). Again though, a local board made a decision and some people were sad but others were happy. And now, as you know if you've read the article linked above, the books are once again on the shelves (as of today).
Here is my issue: However chaotic local government can be, and however much people on either side of an issue will fight within the community, it is at the local level that these things belong. The ACLU, however, has come into a situation and unilaterally decided for everyone what is right and what is wrong! This really makes me upset. Whether for good or bad, our local governing entities have the right to make decisions for which we elect them, but outsiders come into a community and decide it does not matter how people feel about an issue so long as they know what is right and what is wrong. Rule by judicial fiat in other words. And now, while many of my co-workers will rejoice that the books are back on the shelves, our local autonomy has been washed away because a powerful lobby has used its wealth to intimidate into compliance our Board of Trustees. I wish they would have been willing to take this all the way to the Supreme Court, but I cannot judge them too harshly for not doing so. The members did what they felt was the right thing to do, and I respect that. But I do not have any respect for the bullies of the ACLU...and as for those who are all too happy over the decision, I can only think of that scene in "Revenge of the Sith" (come on, it's a GREAT movie!) when the empire is declared...and Mrs. Skywalker turn to her retinue and says, "Is this how democracy dies? To the sound of applause?" (I know, it's not an exact quote!) This is exactly how I feel. Again, democracy is messy, but it is about what the people want, not what lobbies determine is best.
Those are my thoughts.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
"Christian" Chat Rooms and Discussion Boards
Well today is the last day of August and it strikes me that this has been one quick summer! I realize that as we get older time seems to speed up for us but still...
In my own life, many of you know that I have been going through quite a bit in the last couple of months. Well while the worst of that situation appears to be over, it is not completely over nor will it truly be over for the next three years! Unfortunately we live in a wicked society, but this gives me all the more reason to be in the Word and remain faithful to my God! I will not sit down to rest from the battle while the enemy indeed seeks to devour the followers of our Lord!
But aside from that quick update, my purpose in writing tonight is to share a brief thought I've had over the last few weeks. As you know from my blog, I have an account with LibraryThing (you can see the widget that shows my books on the right of my posts). Well I have catalogued all my books on theology and am seriously contemplating doing the same for my books on history and my novels. The only thing that has kept me from doing this so far has been that my widget is on this blog and I don't want my books on WW2 or my novels to show up on my blog! But I may do so anyhow and then remove the widget...we'll see. If I do leave it on the blog just don't be surprised when you start seeing Louis L'Amour novels show up from time to time! lol
Back to my thesis here though...on my LibraryThing account I joined a Christian discussion board and over the last few months I have been reaffirmed in my belief that the vast majority of those who refer to themselves as Christians are not truly saved nor do they even pretend to acknowledge that there is such a thing as the Word of God! They act like members of the Jesus Seminar, deciding for themselves what they will and what they will not believe! So many times I have attempted to engage someone in discussion about some theological point, or about some passage of Scripture in the OT and then found out that the person or persons I was communicating wth did not even believe the passage could really be real or have any possible application to our "modern" times. Only one God and one Mediator (Jesus)? Ha! I must be very arrogant to believe such a thing! Homosexuality, abortion, lust...dare I call these sins? Well I must be a very judgmental person! Does the Bible teach what I have declared? No, and if it appears to do so then it is either my misinterpretation or the Bible is wrong on the issue! After all, it was written by mere men, right?
How sad, no? Due to this, I have shaken the dust from my sandals and have decided not to engage in discussion with these groups of people. Does this mean I don't want to stand firm for Biblical Truth? Not at all. But allow me to give you an example of what my thinking is. Back when I was teaching Sunday school, one of my great joys was to present the Scripture and then discuss the passages with people. Not because I thought we could see what we "thought" the passage was saying but because my hope was to teach and to correct misunderstandings that people had about the Word. But what if someone came into my Sunday school class and denied the authority of Scripture? Or denied the doctrines of the Trinity, eternal security, Deity of Christ, etc...? I tell you honestly right now that I see no reason why in
Sunday school we need to pause the teaching in order to address these people who would voice such thoughts. I say set the question aside and meet with the person one on one later on. Sunday school is, as shocking as it may sound, for the teaching of the Believer!
If ever again it pleases my Lord to permit me to teach His Word, I will continue to teach with this foremost in my mind: there are Truth's that must be assumed. What I mean by this is that when I come before a Sunday school, I have the right to assume that those sitting with me acknowledge the basic Truth's of Christianity. For someone to say they are a Christian and deny these is for them to expose themselves for what they are: Non Believers. NOT Christians. For them, I need to present the Gospel and explain to them their need for a Savior. And this I am happy to do one on one with them. But as I've said often before, if the person devoid of faith in Jesus Christ comes into our churches and our Sunday school classes, let them listen in silence and let them ask questions of the pastor and teacher later on. And most of them do...remain silent that is. For it is my experience that those who speak up with their doubts in the midst of a class are those who wish to attack God Himself. They don't really want answers...they want to present their own worldview and mock Christianity! Fine. Let them mock it all they want, just not in the assemblage of the saints!
In my own life, many of you know that I have been going through quite a bit in the last couple of months. Well while the worst of that situation appears to be over, it is not completely over nor will it truly be over for the next three years! Unfortunately we live in a wicked society, but this gives me all the more reason to be in the Word and remain faithful to my God! I will not sit down to rest from the battle while the enemy indeed seeks to devour the followers of our Lord!
But aside from that quick update, my purpose in writing tonight is to share a brief thought I've had over the last few weeks. As you know from my blog, I have an account with LibraryThing (you can see the widget that shows my books on the right of my posts). Well I have catalogued all my books on theology and am seriously contemplating doing the same for my books on history and my novels. The only thing that has kept me from doing this so far has been that my widget is on this blog and I don't want my books on WW2 or my novels to show up on my blog! But I may do so anyhow and then remove the widget...we'll see. If I do leave it on the blog just don't be surprised when you start seeing Louis L'Amour novels show up from time to time! lol
Back to my thesis here though...on my LibraryThing account I joined a Christian discussion board and over the last few months I have been reaffirmed in my belief that the vast majority of those who refer to themselves as Christians are not truly saved nor do they even pretend to acknowledge that there is such a thing as the Word of God! They act like members of the Jesus Seminar, deciding for themselves what they will and what they will not believe! So many times I have attempted to engage someone in discussion about some theological point, or about some passage of Scripture in the OT and then found out that the person or persons I was communicating wth did not even believe the passage could really be real or have any possible application to our "modern" times. Only one God and one Mediator (Jesus)? Ha! I must be very arrogant to believe such a thing! Homosexuality, abortion, lust...dare I call these sins? Well I must be a very judgmental person! Does the Bible teach what I have declared? No, and if it appears to do so then it is either my misinterpretation or the Bible is wrong on the issue! After all, it was written by mere men, right?
How sad, no? Due to this, I have shaken the dust from my sandals and have decided not to engage in discussion with these groups of people. Does this mean I don't want to stand firm for Biblical Truth? Not at all. But allow me to give you an example of what my thinking is. Back when I was teaching Sunday school, one of my great joys was to present the Scripture and then discuss the passages with people. Not because I thought we could see what we "thought" the passage was saying but because my hope was to teach and to correct misunderstandings that people had about the Word. But what if someone came into my Sunday school class and denied the authority of Scripture? Or denied the doctrines of the Trinity, eternal security, Deity of Christ, etc...? I tell you honestly right now that I see no reason why in
Sunday school we need to pause the teaching in order to address these people who would voice such thoughts. I say set the question aside and meet with the person one on one later on. Sunday school is, as shocking as it may sound, for the teaching of the Believer!
If ever again it pleases my Lord to permit me to teach His Word, I will continue to teach with this foremost in my mind: there are Truth's that must be assumed. What I mean by this is that when I come before a Sunday school, I have the right to assume that those sitting with me acknowledge the basic Truth's of Christianity. For someone to say they are a Christian and deny these is for them to expose themselves for what they are: Non Believers. NOT Christians. For them, I need to present the Gospel and explain to them their need for a Savior. And this I am happy to do one on one with them. But as I've said often before, if the person devoid of faith in Jesus Christ comes into our churches and our Sunday school classes, let them listen in silence and let them ask questions of the pastor and teacher later on. And most of them do...remain silent that is. For it is my experience that those who speak up with their doubts in the midst of a class are those who wish to attack God Himself. They don't really want answers...they want to present their own worldview and mock Christianity! Fine. Let them mock it all they want, just not in the assemblage of the saints!
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