New Covenant Theology

Well, so much for my two weeks off. By the grace of God I am ahead of where I need to be in my 2 -week study plan. A few months ago, I posted on Progressive Dispensationalism. What I'd like to know now is if there is reader out there who holds to New Covenant Theology?

Young Leaders in the SBC

Ben Brammer has updated his blog and has some good comments about young leaders in the SBC.

Click here for his post.

Power in the Pulpit

Eventhough I'm not writing anything, I decided I'd post this link. If something else seems good, I'll post that too. This is an article about expository preaching and the problem with preaching today.

Power in the Pulpit

Blog Break

For the next two weeks I will not be posting anymore on this site. I am about to embark on a major life change (prospective new church position) and I have many papers that I need to work on in order to graduate in May. In the meantime, check out the One in Christ blog. See you in two weeks!

Ben Brammer and Young Leaders

Check out my friend Ben Brammer's blog here on young leaders in the SBC.

Re-establishing Gospel Relevancy in Contemporary Ecclesiology

To many, the title of this paper may seem odd or even nonsensical. However, this issue has certainly become appropriate in the past thirty years and is growing even more so in the present age. More and more churches are grappling with the issue of how they can become more relevant to the modern, or post-modern (depending on whom you ask) culture. Whether the problem is due to over-saturation of churches, declining attendance numbers, old philosophies of ministry, or a reaction to boredom in the pews, a growing number of church leaders seem to be adamant that the Gospel is losing its relevancy. The aim of this paper is to state that the problem is not that the Gospel is losing its relevancy, but rather that the majority of preachers are not preaching the Gospel. The Gospel, if expounded correctly, is extremely relevant.

The “Problem” of Relevancy: North Point Community Church

There are two main advocates of the belief that the Gospel has lost its relevancy and consequently, needs to be repackaged and reorganized. The first proponent of this philosophy is the Willow Creek Association/North Point model. This paper will focus solely on the North Point model; however the Willow Creek model, as well as many others, are all loosely related.
In November 1995, Andy Stanley, son of First Baptist Church, Atlanta longtime pastor, Charles Stanley, announced to a gathering of people that, “Atlanta does not need another church. What Atlanta does need is a safe environment where the unchurched can come and hear the life-changing truth that Jesus Christ cares for them and died for their sins.”[1] With that announcement, Stanley created the culture that is North Point Community Church.

A quick dissection of the preceding statement leads to several immediate observations. First, is the startling assertion that the city of Atlanta does not need another church. Why not? He then states that instead of a new church, Atlanta needs something different: a safe environment, a seeker (unchurched) friendly atmosphere, and the news that Jesus Christ cares and loves people. With these statements, Stanley is obviously implying that the city of Atlanta, which is very similar to most Southern cities and towns, is overly-saturated with churches. He also is implying that the current churches are not safe, whatever that means, or are not welcoming the un-churched. Additionally, North Point apparently has no interest in the currently-churched. Furthermore, Stanley is claiming that traditional churches must not be getting the message across that Jesus cares for everyone and that He died for their sins. My immediate response to these assertions is that if there is any church that is indeed functioning in these ways, then they are not functioning biblically.

The model that Stanley has invented is an intriguing one. His belief is that to get the unchurched into church, one must first get them into the “foyer,” or entryway of the church. He does this through topical preaching of broad biblical themes. Many other churches have sense adopted this method and very seldom do they ever thoroughly expound Scripture. The foyer experience is “the first step, and it’s often your only chance to make your guests feel comfortable enough to return” states North Point’s website. The second step in the strategy happens after an unchurched person has felt comfortable enough in the foyer that he voluntarily moves into the “living room.” States the website, “This is where you connect with people like yourself. Smaller and more interactive than the foyer environment, these gatherings offer genuine opportunity to begin friendships...just like the living room in your home.” What exactly this experience encompasses, I am not sure. I believe it includes some type of fellowship activities. The third room in the house is the “kitchen.” Is this where the potluck takes place? Not in Stanley’s model. North Point’s website states, “Where do you end up when friends or family come over? The kitchen. This is where lasting friendships are made. And that’s the kind of environment we are striving for in our small groups.”[2] Hence the place where the Gospel is finally preached, maybe, is in the small group setting. Obviously, this approach is problematic and marginalizes the power of the Gospel.

The “Problem” of Relevancy: The Emerging Church

The second proponent of the belief that the preaching of the Gospel is not relevant is the Emerging Church culture. Who are these Christians? D.A. Carson has written a very informative assessment of this “conversation,” as Emergent leaders refer to their movement, in his book, Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church. As Dr. Carson points out, this movement is characterized by the term, “protest.” The leaders of this conversation are protesting against three areas of church culture. The first area they are protesting against it the established church itself. Many of the leaders come from “conservative, traditional, evangelical churches, sometimes with a fundamentalist streak”[3] and tend to vilify the church as an institution and are reacting against a perceived ecumenism. They despise structure and traditionalism.
The second protest is against modernism. The leaders of this movement simply believe that anything modern is extinct and state that people do not think along linear lines anymore. Therefore, a didactic sermon is not conducive to how people think or react. Finally, the third and most intriguing protest that encompasses this movement is a protest against the seeker-sensitive and/or the mega-church movement. Not only are the leaders of the Emerging Church movement rejecting the background by which they came, they are also rejecting the seeker movement, which, as noted above, is also trying to make the Gospel relevant to its audience. Therefore, the Emerging church movement is reacting against a reaction (the seeker movement) that the modern presentation of the Gospel has become irrelevant.

The Crossroads

With all of this being said, it is important to note that the “church” as we know it is
changing. There is a common thread that both the seeker movement and the Emerging Church movement have noticed and this is the fact that the traditional church experience has been deemed in-authentic. The problem with in-authenticity is an area which I believe both of these movements have correctly identified as being a problem with some traditional churches.
There are no doubt many churches where many visitors and church members have no idea what the church’s vision, mission, or reason for existing is. This factor is one of many that lead the two aforementioned movements to declare that traditional churches are not being relevant and not meeting the needs of the changing times. Indeed, the current generation of younger believers craves authenticity. I would agree with this claim. I crave authenticity as well. I do not enjoy going to a church service and cringing at the display of inauthentic traditions that seem out of place, out of date, and indeed, irrelevant.

However, the traditions are not the worst part. The worst part of these services are where the preachers dance around a text and deliver some type of “biblical” message that tries to meet perceived needs of the audience. The church member leaves the service with no real need of theirs having been met, and may not even be able to summarize what the preacher’s message was about. I went to a service a few years ago where the pastor’s message was entitled, “Why Christians Should Vote.” What does this topic have to do with the Gospel and what scripture is this based on? It is easy to see how members who grow up in churches that preach sermons like the one mentioned above, never have their real needs met by the thoroughness of the preaching of text-drive sermons, and therefore claim that the Gospel is irrelevant to them. Therefore, they believe, the Gospel must be repackaged and presented in a different light.

The Solution

I think Paul said it best: “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”[4] What our seeker-sensitive and emerging church brothers have hit on is very important. The current generation of younger believers are not having their problems met, and therefore solved, in the pulpit. Why not? Because many men occupying the pulpit are not preaching the Bible. Even at chapel, I have had the displeasure of sitting though many sermons which did not expound, illustrate, exhort, or apply the text to my life. The preachers did not make a biblical attempt to impart those divine words into my heart and mind.

If preachers will preach the whole canon of Scripture, the Gospel will indeed be relevant to the lives of its hearers. One can preach expositorily through books of the Bible, through passages dealing with major doctrines, and through topical expositions (for instance preaching a 6-week series on the family by going through the texts that discuss that topic). The beauty of the Bible is that through it, God has given us everything we need to sanctify our lives through reliance of Him and to further His kingdom. Not preaching the entirety of the Bible will indeed lead to irrelevancy in the pews.

[1] This quotation may be found at: http://www.joshhunt.com/mail82.htm.
[2] The preceding quotations may be found at the home page of North Point Community church: http://www.northpoint.org/home.
[3] D.A. Carson, Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church. (Grand Rapids: Zodervan, 2005), 14.
[4] 2 Tim. 4:2 (ESV).

Overcoming Fear, Worry, and Anxiety: Battling for our Faith (part 3)

III. Counseling Approaches

A. Resting in God’s Sovereignty: Does the counselee’s beliefs about God calm his fears, sooth his conscience, or direct and motivate him in the face of the troubles? The first question for the counselee to ask himself is, (1) Is God sovereign? Is He absolutely free to do whatever he wants? Furthermore, God’s character and power are what make Him God. (2) If God is sovereign, how can that help us overcome our fears? This doctrine can be one of the most comforting and enlivening truths one could ever know. The knowledge that God is in control will calm his greatest fears and cheer him during the most difficult trials. God’s sovereignty is the only safe harbor when we are assailed by the winds of fear, doubt, and worry.[1] God’s sovereign control of the world is the key to the counselee’s peace. God permits difficulties in our lives because he is interested in building our faith. He uses our fear to draw you to Himself and to change you. Through suffering, we are being made fit for Heaven.

B. Blessings from a Healthy Fear: In the counselee’s struggle to overcome fear, the one factor that will most enable him to grow will be the healthy fear of God. This kind of fear does not drive us away from God, but drives us toward Him. The only way to overcome fear is to replace it with the right kind of fear. The way for a counselee to overcome fear is to not run from it, but rather to press on in joyful obedience and faith in the face of it. Scripture states that there are benefits to fearing God. These benefits are wisdom, blessing, knowledge, strong confidence, a fountain of life, sleeping satisfied, stability, wealth of salvation, and not turning away from God.[2] Elyse Fitzpatrick developed an acrostic for fearing God. FEAR GOD means to Feed on his promises, Etch them on your heart, Adhere to His commands, Rest and Rejoice in His love, Go to Him in prayer, Order your day for Him, and to Depend on His strength.[3] Furthermore, the Holy Spirit who indwells all believers is daily empowering the counselee to obey. Charles Spurgeon stated, “When the heart is filled with the fear of God there is no room for other fears.”[4]

C. Love: The Opposite of Fear: The weapon in God’s mighty arsenal that helps the counselee over come fear is love. The opposite of fear is not confidence or peace, but rather love. The only way the counselee can cultivate the kind of love that he needs for God and others is by experiencing God’s love.

D. Growing in God’s Grace: Grace is God’s unmerited favor to those who have been saved and still, in their own strength, deserve only His wrath but have His favor instead. Sometimes people believe that God saves us by grace, but their growth and perspective after salvation is by their works. This is not true. God’s grace is a constant factor of His character. Part of God’s grace is that we learn to live holy lives, sometimes through suffering. The counselee will never suffer more difficulty than is necessary for His love to be known and enjoyed by him. That is the purpose of trials: to free the counselee from his ties to the earth.[5] As a counselee comes to understand God’s grace, he is no longer filled with fear, worries, and anxieties. His heart will become marked by a heart overflowing with praise. God’s grace overwhelms the soul, teaches the person to desire holiness, and floods the heart so that it continually splashes over with praise. Encourage the counselee to just rest in the cradle of God’s grace.

E. Growing in Faith: Faith is the knowledge of God’s character, the belief that He’s able to do all that He’s promised, and the trust to follow Him wherever He leads.[6] There is an acrostic (FAITH) that will help the counselee build his faith. “F” is for Founder: Jesus Christ is the Author of his faith – everything rests on His grace. Remember what is really important; not that the counselee’s faith seems strong to him, but that it is anchored in God’s character. “A” is for Attendance to the Word preached publicly and in your own devotions will cause your faith to grow. Remember, faith comes by hearing the Word. The letter “I” stands for Intimate Fellowship with the Lord through prayer and the ordinances. The letter “T” is for Trusting God instead of one’s feelings. Finally, the letter “H” is for Heeding God’s Word and obeying, especially when it seems impossible.

IV. Homework Assignments:
Growing in the trust of God is something the counselee must choose to do. The counselee can take time to meditate on a few of the following verses, 2 Chron. 14:11, Psalm 9:10, Psalm 22:4-5, 28:7, 62:8, Isaiah 12:2, 26:4, and 30:15.

Have the counselee take time to read Jonah’s prayer while he was in the fish’s belly. Have him re-write it in his own words. Have him remember that God is the same today, as He was in Jonah’s time. It is his delight to deliver the counselee from fear and set him free so that he can serve Him with joy.

If the counselee has problems with the fear of man, have him spend time praying for the person or people, asking God to give him a Christlike love for them which is a love that doesn’t concern itself with how others respond to the counselee.

Have the counselee make a list of his worries. Have him put a check mark next to those that aren’t in his power or his responsibility to do anything about. These are the concerns that he will need to pray about and leave in the hands of God. Have him put an arrow by those that he has responsibility for and make another list of these tasks that he needs to complete and pray about them as well.

Make a “thank” list. Have the counselee list ten things that he is most thankful for. Have him spend time in prayer thanking God for everything on the list. This will help him have faith that God is really in control and will help focus his thoughts on His kindness rather then on what he thinks he needs.

[1] Ibid., 128.
[2] Ibid., 148.
[3] Ibid., 149.
[4] Ibid., 157.
[5] Ibid., 187.
[6] Ibid., 202.

Christ the Lord is Risen Today!

"But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said." Matt. 28:5-6

This is the reason for our joy and existence. Let us meditate on this today.

"Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!"

Christ the Lord is Risen Today, Charles Wesley. 1739

Fear, Worry, and Anxiety: Battling for our Faith (pt.2)

B. The Sources of Fear

1. The Control Factor: Despite statistics that state that one has a much higher rate of dying in a car crash then in a plane crash, most people do not become as afraid of driving as they do while riding in a plane. What is the reason for this irrational fear? People are more comfortable driving because they feel like they are more in control then they are simply as a passenger in an airplane. This feeling of being in control of our own safety is sinfully comforting for all people. The feeling of not being in control is a major contributor to panic attacks. Panic attacks are difficult to deal with because it does not matter how many times the counselee tells himself not to be afraid or that he is not going to have another panic attack. In fact, the more the counselee focuses on trying to overcome the possibility, the more likely he is to have another one.[1] Another way that those who have suffered from panic attacks try to control their occurrences is to avoid places where the attacks have happened. Panic attacks happen in a downward spiral type of progression. (1) The desire to control some aspect of the counselee’s world leads to, (2) the realization that life is out of control, leading to, (3) the physical experience of fear, (4) leading to the desire to control the fear experience as well as the circumstances, (5) leading to anger, isolation, depression, and (6) a world that grows smaller and smaller and more and more out of control, (7) leading to increased efforts, and more fears and so on.[2] Where did this desire to be in control, to be like a god, originally come from? It had its birth in the Garden of Eden. Satan told Eve that if she ate the fruit she would “be like God.”

2. The Praise Factor: In John’s gospel, he stated that the Pharisees loved the approval of man rather then God. Thus, the problem of seeking praise from the world is a love problem. More then the approval of God, the Pharisees sought after the approval of man because it was them who they loved. The counselee can tell if he has an excessive love for what others say about him by the way he responds when he is criticized. If he is quick to defend himself, then he is addicted to the love of the world. However, if he makes room for God to defend him, then he loves God. Part of this love problem stems from a desire to be appreciated. This desire is very common. The counselee needs to try to realize that the only approval he needs is that of God and through Jesus Christ, God approves of the imputed righteousness he has received from his Savior. Instead of fearing the approval of man, the counselee should try to fear the approval of God.

3. The Perfection Factor: Many people have fear and anxiety because they try to be perfect. After all, God has commanded us that we be perfect as Jesus was. However, Jesus’ perfection is beyond our grasp. We can only have true perfection through Jesus Christ. Because of justification and sanctification there is a sense in where we are already perfect (justification) and another at which we are still striving for (sanctification). God’s commands are not burdensome. His yoke is easy. The counselee should realize that we only need to stand up to God’s standards and not man-made Pharisaical rules.

4. The Worry Factor: When a counselee worries, he is filled with unbelief that God will be able to work things out. In Matthew 6:25-33, Jesus addresses the issue of worry. He states that people should not need to worry because God will take care of our needs. After all, God takes care of the needs of the ravens. If God will take care of the ravens, surely He will take care of his children. In this passage, Jesus states that, (1) life consists of more then outward concerns, (2) that God cares perfectly for lesser creatures so it should be obvious that he cares for mankind, (3) worry does not have the capacity to change anything, (4) worry is a road sign that points toward a deeper problem: unbelief, (5) when we worry we’re acting like orphans, forgetting that God is our father, (6) worry proves that we are headed in the wrong direction and, (7) we can’t do anything about what may happen tomorrow. The apostle Paul had three steps to overcome worry, (1) pray about everything, (2) fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right, and (3) practice all you that learned.

Part three will discuss counseling approaches.

[1] Ibid., 55-56.
[2] Ibid., 57.

Fear, Worry, and Anxiety: Battling for our Faith

The following is counseling manual derived from Elyse Fitzpatrick's book, Overcoming Fear, Worry, and Anxiety.

1. Definition and Description of Anxiety, Worry and Fear

A. Definition: Fear, which worry and anxiety comprises, is defined as a “felt reaction to a perceived danger.[1]

B. Description: God has created us to respond quickly to danger. When our body feels that danger is imminent, it responds by releasing hormones. This in turn makes our blood pressure rise and our eyesight and hearing become more acute. This reaction gives us the ability to either fight what we are scared of, or flee the situation. However, fear reacts to a perceived danger. The danger that the body reacts to is entirely in the human mind, such as the feeling one has when he wakes up from a nightmare. Fear begins a vicious cycle of runaway thoughts, physical responses, imaginations, and neglected care of the body “that can serve to bring about more fear and heightened physical responses. It’s easy to see how the results of fear may create more fear leading to total slavery.”[2]

C. Development: Fear can become habitual, much like anything in life. Sometimes because of the habitual nature, fear may seem to come out of nowhere. This is called a panic attack. People who have experienced panic attacks report sudden occurrences of intense anxiety that do not seem to have any basis in their thoughts. The experience can be so baffling that the fear of it can easily become a controlling factor in the counselee’s life. Panic attacks are like jumping from the top of a flight of stairs to the bottom. Rather then taking a situation step by step (as we should when walking a staircase), the counselee jumps quickly from his initial thought to full blown panic.[3] This makes the counselee feel that his emotions are out of control or that he is going crazy.

II. Biblical Diagnosis and Explanation

A. Biblical People who Feared

1. Adam and Eve: Fear was first introduced into the human experience in the Garden of Eden. When God came looking for Adam after he and Eve sinned, the two of them were fearful so they tried to hide themselves from their Creator. However, even before this instance, fear played a part. What caused Eve to disobey God by eating the fruit? She may have feared that she was missing out on something better then what she currently enjoyed. We are not sure the exact reason but we do know that she was deceived and as a result sinful fear was introduced to humanity.

2. Abraham: Abraham had been promised by God that he would be the father of a great nation, as well as father of the Savior of mankind. However, as he and his wife Sarah grew in age, Abraham became fearful and his faith in God’s promises diminished. Furthermore, on two different occasions, Abraham lied to the rulers of Egypt about Sarah’s identity when he was passing through calling her his sister for fear that He may lose his life if they knew that she was really his wife. Because of Abraham’s sinful fear, he sinned against his wife, deceived rulers, was a source of trouble to them, and above all, dishonored God. Abraham’s fear was logical, but it was also sinful.

3. Sarah: Despite being promised by God that she would bear a son, as the years went by and her womb became barren, Sarah lost faith and began to be fearful that she would never have an offspring. Sarah gave her maid, Hagar, to her husband so that he might impregnate her and fulfill the promise. This act has become catastrophic as the children of Israel and the child of Hagar, which constitutes Ishmael’s descendents, have warred for centuries. However, despite their fears, God worked in mighty ways through Abraham and Sarah and can do the same for all believers.

4. Moses: As God outlined His plan for Moses to deliver his people, Moses became fearful. Even though God spoke to him from a burning bush and said that He would be with him, Moses still doubted God’s faithfulness by claiming that he was a poor speaker. As Moses considered God’s call he was bombarded with fears that he would be unsuccessful in his ministry. What was God’s response? God did not try to boost Moses self-confidence. Instead, God reminded Moses that he should put his trust in Him. God does not want believers to grow in self-confidence, but rather to grow in God-confidence, or faith in Him.

5. Saul: Saul was a fearful king. One time when Saul went to war against God’s enemies, he grew anxious and didn’t offer prayers and sacrifices for the people’s victory in battle so he broke God’s law and offered them himself. Furthermore, when Saul was anointed king, he was hiding among wagons and carts because he was in much trepidation about his calling. Saul’s main struggle, however, was with the fear of man. It is a common problem that many people face and the apostle Peter is a classic case.

6. Peter: After Jesus was arrested, three different people came to Peter and asked him if he knew Jesus. Afraid of what may happen to him, three times he denied that he knew his Lord and Savior. Many people are just like Saul and Peter. They know that God is there for them, but when the fear of man appears they neglect opportunities to share Christ for fear of what people may think.

Tomorrow, we will look at the sources of fear.

[1] Elyse Fitzpatrick, Overcoming Fear, Worry, and Anxiety, (Eugene OR: Harvest House, 2001), 14.
[2] Ibid., 17.
[3] Ibid, 19.

Express Lane at Target

I have no classes on Tuesday and have the mornings off, so after cleaning out my car I made a trip to Target to pick up some blank CD-R's, shampoo and for my wife, a 6 pack of root beer and bagel bites, both of which she has been having pregnant cravings for. After I picked up those four items, I proceeded to check out at the "10 Items or Less" aisle. As I was walking, a woman in a cart beat me to the the line, where she proceeded to unload somewhere between 30-40 items out of her cart (I lost count after a while).

Now, just a couple of years ago I would probably have said something to her like, "This lane is for 10 items of less, ma'am." And just a few months ago, I probably would have just mustered a very annoyed and angered look on my face, accompanied by some annoyed grunts.

However, instead of dwelling on this perceived injustice that was happening to me, I started thinking about how silly getting mad about this situation really was and picked up a People Magazine and started flipping through the pages to mainly try to forget about how I would be standing in line for 10 minutes when I was in the express lane and I only had 4 items.

After reading about American Idol contestant Kevin Covais' homecoming and a blurb about Mary Winkler, I put the magazine up as it was finally my turn.

Now, I'm not trying to toot my own horn here on how well I did, but it is wonderful to look back on one's life and see how God has consistently and thoroughly progressively sanctified me through the years. His goal is for us to become more like Christ. How you deal with life situations is evidence that the Spirit is working in your life.

Like I said, just a few years ago I would have been very angry and appalled at the "audacity" of a woman to do what she did. If she just had let me go first, I would have been finished in less then a minute...which I was. However, life is not about me. Life is about glorifying God. And it was evident in his eternal sovereignty and wisdom that God wanted me to go through that irritating situation for a reason. What reason? To glorify Him for how he Has changed my life. I could not have done it on my own, because I am a selfish sinner. God, however, pursues us and stays with us, and all trials, no matter how big or small, are for our benefit because they ultimately have the potential to glorify Him...if we let them.

A Playboy Turns 80

Playboy Hugh Hefner turns 80 this week. Dr. Al Mohler has written a very informing commentary on Hefner's legacy. In the following quote, Mohler makes a fine observation:

"Millions of American males gained their early conception of women and sex from Playboy and its pictures. Hefner sold America on a false and distorted vision of sex and a degraded vision of women as sexual playthings for male fantasies. The magazine does not present sexual reality and the truth about sexuality freed from moral constraints--it just rolls out a monthly issue filled with fresh pictures.

The playmates of the month are airbrushed into unreality, and their true selves are hidden from view. Their bodies are 'artistically enhanced,' and their services are merely for hire. This is a business, after all.

There is no truth in this presentation, other than the tawdriness of the entire enterprise. Hefner and his magazine mainstreamed pornography by selling America on the idea that women can be reduced to nothing more than visual images for male sexual fantasies. Hefner's women never age, never blush, and never say no. The men (and boys) who consume these images never have to grow up, even as their objects of lust never grow old."

Dr. Mohler is correct. Sadly, all across this nation, young boys find out about sexuality, not from their father explaining about the beauty of God-ordained sexual intercourse between a husband and a wie, but instead, from magazines that have been acquired from older kids, or older dads, that showcase a woman's outer (naked) looks, and not on a woman's real beauty which comes from within. It is ironic that in the age of 'liberation,' our society has made many men slaves to that which they desired have access.

Old Earth/New Earth?

Another article on the evolution/ID debate. Here is an interesting statistic:

"According to a 2004 Gallup poll, about 35 percent of Americans believe Darwin's theory is well supported by evidence, another 35 percent said it is not and 29 percent said they didn't know enough about it. "

Strange that eventhough only 35% of people accept Darwin's theory, it is taught pretty much as fact.

I'd be interested in some of the Christians who read this blog chime in on the new earth/old earth debate. I don't have a problem believing that God created a mature earth - one that was created to seem old and mature but is only 6,000 years old. After all, he created a fully mature Adam and Eve. This view would necessitate a literal 6-day creation period.

On the other hand, I'm not sure I am totally unconvinced in an old earth scenario that adheres to scientific data and that would suggest that God created the world and certain species evolved over time.

Christian brothers...thoughts?

Salvation Through Faith in Christ Alone (Romans 10)

In this passage of Scripture, Paul shows that the Jews did not have true faith in Christ for their sins. Instead, they trusted on their own righteousness rather than Christ’s. Paul shows us four reasons why faith in Christ is the only way.

1) Salvation through Christ requires belief (v.1-4)

a. Belief in the truth (v.1-2) – Paul desired that the Jews would be saved. He yearned in his heart for their salvation. Paul admitted that they had a belief in God but it was not according to the truth. They were misguided and this broke Paul’s heart. Likewise, today, there are people who think they are Christians but in reality, they lack the necessary requirement for salvation: belief in the truth.

b. Belief in God’s righteousness (v.3-4) – The Jews were ignorant of God’s righteousness, instead choosing to believe that their good deeds are good enough for salvation. Because of this they did not submit to God’s righteousness because Christ ended the ways of legalism. However, people today still put their trust in their ways and legalism abounds. However, salvation through Christ requires belief in God’s righteousness, not our own.

2) Salvation through Christ requires confession (v.5-13)

a. Confession of the mouth and heart (v.5-10) – Paul makes clear that true faith is manifested by stating that Jesus is Lord is not enough. One has to believe it in his heart. With the heart one is justified and with the mouth one is saved. What a startling statement. However, Paul makes it to make the point that confession only will not do because God knows our true hearts. Therefore, by stating that Jesus is Lord and believing in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead one finds salvation through Christ. Salvation through Christ requires confession of both the mouth and the heart.

b. Confession of the Lord’s name (v.11-13) – Everyone who believes in Christ will not be put to shame. However, to not believe in Christ is to be shamed. The evidence is there. The chance to accept Christ is there. However, to reject it after opportunities is shameful. The gospel is inclusive. The Lord is the Lord of all and makes no distinction between Jew or Gentile. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Salvation through Christ requires confession of the Lord’s name.

3) Salvation through Christ requires hearing (v.14-17) – Paul then starts to ask a series of questions. How are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? In order to call on Christ one has to believe, of course. Paul then asks, “and how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?” Obviously, in order to believe in Christ, one has to hear Him first. Paul then asks, “and how are they to hear without someone preaching? People, in this case the Jews, will not hear unless someone preaches Christ to them. It is our job as believers to do this. And finally, Paul asks, “and how are they to preach unless they are sent?” In order to preach to lost people, believers must be sent. Sent by whom? By God and by the church. Then Paul makes clear that the Jews will not all obey the gospel. This is true about everyone. The prophet Isaiah even stated this and he was sent to speak to the Jews. So faith comes from hearing, and one has to hear the Word of Christ spoken to them. Salvation through Christ requires hearing His Word preached.

4) Salvation through Christ requires acceptance (v.18-21) - Paul asks have they Jews not heard? He then quotes Scripture that indeed they have heard. He then states that Moses warned them and they did understand what would happen if they did not accept the truth. That is, God would them jealous. Paul then quotes Isaiah again and points out that Israel has rejected the truth and has been disobedient in doing so. The point of this entire passage is that salvation through Christ requires confession and belief in Christ and hearing His Word preached and accepting it.

It's a Boy!

The first one is a profile. As you can see, Jackon's little head is pushed up against the placenta because after seeing we were having a boy, my wife started to laugh and cry and he got jostled quite a bit. It was pretty humorous. The next picture, you can see his little arm. And the next one shows the evidence of a little 'boy part.' A little electronic finger and hand is pointing to it. The baby is due September 14.

The Myth of a Christian America

The editors of Leadership magazine have touched on something very crucial for the propagation of the Gospel. They include a snippet from a book by pastor Gregory Boyd. When Boyd announced to his church that America was not a Christian nation, 1000 people left the church. Here is some of what he said:

"What gives the connection between Christianity and politics such strong emotional force in the U.S.? I believe it is the longstanding myth that America is a Christian nation."

I've always agreed with this. To vote straight Christian does not necessarily mean that you should vote straight Republican. We should definitely vote along a Biblical worldview but a Biblical worldview is nowhere near 100% synonymous with a Republican worldview. Also:

"Instead of living out the radically countercultural mandate of the kingdom of God, this myth has inclined us to Christianize many pagan aspects of our culture. Instead of providing the culture with a radically alternative way of life, we largely present it with a religious version of what it already is. The myth clouds our vision of God’s distinctly beautiful kingdom and thereby undermines our motivation to live as set-apart (holy) disciples of this kingdom"

I can think of many pagan aspects of our culture that we have "Christianized." How about 4th of July celebrations at churches? One of my professors remarked that he went to a church service on the 4th and they had acrobats in red,white, and blue jumpsuits and tall Uncle Sam's walking around on stilts. What does that have to do with the Gospel? Boyd continues:

"The kingdom Jesus came to establish is “not from this world” (John 18:36), for it operates differently than the governments of the world do....To put it differently, the governments of the world seek to establish, protect, and advance their ideals and agendas. It’s in the fallen nature of all those governments to want to “win.” By contrast, the kingdom Jesus established and modeled with his life, death, and resurrection doesn’t seek to “win” by any criteria the world would use. Rather, it seeks to be faithful. It demonstrates the reign of God by manifesting the sacrificial character of God, and in the process, it reveals the most beautiful, dynamic, and transformative power in the universe. It testifies that this power alone — the power to transform people from the inside out by coming under them — holds the hope of the world. Everything the church is about, I argue, hangs on preserving the radical uniqueness of this kingdom in contrast to the kingdom of the world."

Alas, there is the main point. We are called to be faithful. Why do we witness to people about Christ? Why do we enage non-believers in evangelical and apologetic conversation? It is not because are seeking to push our beliefs onto other people. We do these things because God has called us to and because if we really love others as we "love" ourselves, which Jesus stated is the greatest commandment, then we will witness to people because of our love of them so that they may know the True Creator of the world and that they may be able to do what they were created to do: To glorify Him. Piper says it best, "We are most satisifed in Him, when He is most glorifed in us."

Syvelle Newton

University of South Carolina football player, Syvelle Newton, has been spotted around campus and spring practice sporting some very original hairdos. The following are two of the most recent ones. Which one does everyone like the best?

I call the one in yellow, "the schoolgirl."

I call the one in white, "the peacock."

I'm partial to the peacock.

Why should we submit ourselves to God? (James 4:1-10)

"What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"? 6But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."

In this passage of Scripture, James urges believers to submit themselves to God. Why should they submit themselves to God? They should submit themselves to God for four reasons:

1) Submitting to God reduces worldly passions (v.1-4)

a. These passions are at war with ourselves (v.1-3) – The reason believers fight with other believers is because of sin inside our hearts. Our sinful desires lead to quarrels and fights. Submitting to God in would help in disseminating these passions.

b. These passions are at war with God (v.4) – Loving the world means that one cannot love God. (1 John 2:15-17) Becoming a ‘friend’ with the world means we are not submitting ourselves to God, thus making us enemies with Him.


2) Submitting to God allows God’s grace (v.5-6)

a. God desires to give grace to believers (v.5) – God’s grace is available for us and His Spirit inside of us yearns for our allegiance and submission.

b. God decides to give grace to the humble (v.6) – It takes humility to bow down, worship, and submit to God. By doing this, He gives sanctifying grace to us and his grace does not flow as freely when proud people do not worship Him.


3) Submitting to God reduces Satan’s power (v.7) – By submitting to God, our allegiance is to Him and it will be easier for us to resist the Devil. By resisting him, he will flee from us.


4) Submitting to God allows proper worship (v.8-10)

a. We should come to Him (v.8a) – When we draw near to God, He is there waiting for us.

b. We should repent of our sins (v.8b) – We should clean our hands and purify our hearts when we come to worship our God.

c. We should understand our state (v.9) – We should understand our insignificance and our sinfulness when we come to God and weep because of our sinfulness.

d. We should humble ourselves (v.10) - Humble ourselves and God will exalt us. To be 'great' means to be a servant. (Mark 10:42-45)

The Idiocy of Evolution

It seems that public school teachers who teach nothing but Darwin's much debated theory of Evolution, are starting to feel a backdraft.

"About half of all Americans dismiss as preposterous the scientific consensus that life on Earth evolved from a common ancestor over millions of years. Some hold to a literal reading of Genesis: God created the universe about 6,000 years ago. Others accept an ancient cosmos but take the variety, complexity and beauty of Earth's creatures as proof that life was crafted by an intelligent designer."

Churches and pro-IT groups are helping kids think critically about supposed 'truth claims.'

"If a teacher is making a claim that land animals evolved into whales, students should ask: 'What precisely is involved? How does the fur turn into blubber, how do the nostrils move, how does the tiny tail turn into a great big fluke?' " said John Morris, president of the Institute for Creation Research near San Diego. "Evolution is so unsupportable, if you insist on more information, the teacher will quickly run out of credibility," he said."

One viewing of the National Geographic Channel's special, In the Womb, showcases evolution's flaws. The miracle of life is not an accident. To believe in evolution simply takes more faith then to believe in a sovereign creator. Personally, I do not have enough faith be an evolutionist.

The Sovereignty of God (Romans 9)

"I am speaking the truth in Christ--I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit-- 2that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

6But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." 8This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9For this is what the promise said: "About this time next year I will return and Sarah shall have a son." 10And not only so, but also when Rebecca had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad--in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call-- 12she was told, "The older will serve the younger." 13As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."

14What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! 15For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." 16So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." 18So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.

19You will say to me then, "Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?" 20But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this?" 21Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honored use and another for dishonorable use? 22What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory-- 24even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? 25As indeed he says in Hosea, "Those who were not my people I will call 'my people,' and her who was not beloved I will call 'beloved.'" 26"And in the very place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' there they will be called 'sons of the living God.'"

27And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved, 28for the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth fully and without delay." 29And as Isaiah predicted, "If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring, we would have been like Sodom and become like Gomorrah."

Israel's Unbelief 30What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; 31but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. 32Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33as it is written, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."

In this passage of Scripture, Paul talks about the sovereignty of God. We will see that God is sovereign in five ways. But first, what does sovereignty mean when it relates to God?

Definition: Wayne Grudem defines God’s sovereignty as his “exercise of power over his creation.” Furthermore, this relates to God’s providence in that he “is continually involved with all created things in such a way that (1) he keeps them existing and maintaining the properties with which he created them; (2) cooperates with created things in every action, directing their distinctive properties to cause them to act as they do; and (3) directs them to fulfill his purposes.” (Grudem)

1. God’s plans are sovereign (v.1-5) – Why did Paul have great sorrow in his heart for the Jews? The Jews had all the privileges that one needed from God. God chose them to be His people. He gave them the covenants, the law, worship, and promises of a Messiah. And most importantly, from their race, comes Christ, God in the flesh. For some reason, God chose Israel to carry out his plan and God’s plans are sovereign.

2. God’s choices are sovereign (v.6-13) – Not all who are Jews are real “Jews.” What does this mean? God selected certain Jews to fulfill his promise. Also, not all Jews had faith in God’s promise of Christ. God chose Isaac and not Ishmael, and God chose Jacob and Esau? Why? We don’t know but we do know that God has a purpose for everything and his choices for everything are sovereign.

3. God’s will is sovereign (v.14-18) – Are these things fair? Basically, Paul states that God can do whatever He chooses. He told Moses that He will have mercy on whoever He decides to have mercy on. God rose pharaoh up for the explicit reason of using him to glorify God. God’s will for whatever He desires, according to His character, is sovereign.

4. God’s power is sovereign (v.19-29) – Can people who were not given mercy by God complain against him? No. The created thing has no right to complain against the creator. Why would Paul refer to humans as a lump of clay which cannot make any decisions? Paul may have been referring to the hardness of Israel and how they are like lumps of clay and that God had blinded them on purpose, much like an inanimate object of clay cannot see. God has prepared the Jews for destruction in order to make the riches of his glory known through the Gentiles. Paul was using these terms, as William Barclay states, “out of anguish of heart” for his people, the Jews. With a heavy heart Paul surmises that God has used the Jews to bring God glory through their rejection of Him. God’s power is sovereign.

5. God’s grace is sovereign (v.30-33) – The Jews searched for righteousness by thinking it was something to be earned, or attained on one’s own merits. However, the Gentiles know that righteousness is something given to us from God, Himself. There is nothing that we can do to attain it. The Jews have stumbled over this fact: that one comes to righteousness through faith in Christ Jesus. God’s grace is sovereign.