Monday, July 31, 2006

The Marginalization of a Certain Belief - in Today's World?

On Dr. Al Mohler's website today, he entertains a shockingly narrow worldview of biblical scholorship. For the full article click here. Snippets:

"Michael V. Fox doesn't believe that faith-based scholarship of the Bible is possible--and he wants to see such scholars marginalized in the larger world of scholarship. In an essay posted at the Web site for the Society of Biblical Literature [SBL], Fox argues, "In my view, faith-based study has no place in academic scholarship, whether the object of study is the Bible, the Book of Mormon, or Homer. Faith-based study is a different realm of intellectual activity that can dip into Bible scholarship for its own purposes, but cannot contribute to it.

which led to...

""The best thing for Bible appreciation is secular, academic, religiously-neutral hermeneutic."

to which Mohler righly replies...

That is an astounding claim, and one that demands a far more developed argument and series of definitions. Does Fox actually believe in the myth of a "secular, academic, religiously-neutral hermeneutic?" Does he believe in the Easter Bunny?"

concluding with Mohler's thoughts:

"
All scholarship is based in some faith and deeply grounded in some set of presuppositions. For the vast majority of those engaged in academia today, that faith is some form of ideological secularism. Christian scholars should always be absolutely transparent and clear about their confessional commitments. As a matter of fact, this should be an absolute requirement of their confessional institutions. At the same time, we should never allow that those who hold alternative worldviews are any less ideologically or intellectually committed. The radical nature of Professor Fox's proposal indicates just how committed he is to his own faith--and how blind he is to his own faith-based perspective. Watch this debate with interest--it is not going away any time soon."

It's amazing the lengths that people will go to push a certain belief out of the realm of reason. Somehow, academia has degenerated to this form of exclusivism, despite existing in a society that has pluralistic answers for so many questions. One might as well re-name secular academia to "Buffet-style" academia because they seem to freely pick, choose, (and even dictate) what is able to be questioned, reasoned, and studied.

Saturday, July 29, 2006

Faith in the God Who Saves Us From Our Enemies pt. 3

Finally, the third action we are to take when attacks arise is we are to trust in the Lord.

3) When attacks arise we can trust in the Lord (v.21-38) – After we’ve stood firm in His promise to protect us, and sought him immediately and passionately, we are to trust that He will be there for us. There are two aspects of the Lord that we can trust in:

a.) We can trust in the Lord’s sovereignty (v.21-29)

After being sort of quiet through all of this, the Lord, the Lion of Judah, finally speaks. Look at verse 23: “Whom have you reproached and blasphemed? And against whom have you raised your voice? And haughtily lifted up your eyes? Against the Holy One of Israel!” There is no place for pride in this world because the Lord is sovereign and will not be blasphemed.

Furthermore, the Assyrians have mocked the Lord and boasted in all the things that they had done. Look at verse 24: Through your servants you have reproached the Lord,
And you have said, 'With my many chariots I came up to the heights of the mountains, to the remotest parts of Lebanon; And I cut down its tall cedars and its choice cypresses And I will go to its highest peak, its thickest forest. I dug wells and drank waters, and with the sole of my feet I dried up all the rivers of Egypt.'
Well, what does the Lord say about that? Verse 26: Have you not heard? Long ago I did it, from ancient times I planned it. Now I have brought it to pass, That you should turn fortified cities into ruinous heaps.

Illustration: Make no mistake, the only reason anyone in this world has any success at all is because the Lord has allowed him to. Why has Bill Gates made billions of dollars? Because the Lord has allowed him to. Why is George Bush our president? Because the Lord has allowed him to be. Why are bad things happening in your life? Because the Lord has allowed them to. Why has Clemson beaten Carolina 9 out of 10 times? Because the Lord has allowed them to. Why does the Lord do this? Because this life is not about us, it is about bringing glory to the one who created us and died for us so that we may have eternal life with Him!

The Lord is completely independent and ultimately holds all things in his hands, therefore we are to trust that when we are being attacked, God is in control of the situation. The final action we can take is to trust in the Lord’s promises.

b.) We can trust in the Lord’s promises (v.22-38)

Look at verse 32: For out of Jerusalem will go forth a remnant and out of Mount Zion’s survivors. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. The Lord has always made sure that there would be a remnant, because through this line of Jews, Jesus Christ was born and we are grafted into His family by his death on the cross.

Finally, look at verse 34: 'By the way that he came, by the same he will return, and he will not come to this city,' declares the LORD. For I will defend this city to save it for My own sake and for My servant David's sake.'"

The Lord promises that the king of Assyria will leave town by the same way he came in. And He will defend his city for His own and His own servant David’s sake. Why David? Because He promised David that the Messiah would come from his line and 700 years later that promise was fulfilled when Jesus Christ was born, lived, crucified, buried, and resurrected and is now seated at the right hand of God.

Illustration: I heard a story about a little girl who was brushing her hair and looking at herself in the mirror. The family was not planning on going anywhere so they asked her what she was getting ready for? She said, “I want to look pretty when Jesus comes back. He’s coming back and I want to be ready.”

That little girl was showing her parents in a visible way that she believed that Jesus kept his promise that he would return for his church. We can trust in the Lord’s promises – it only takes a child-like faith to do so.

When attacks arise, we can trust in the lord, seek the Lord, and stand firm in the Lord. But without Jesus, we are left to fend for ourselves in this world that controlled by Satan.

Thursday, July 27, 2006

SEBTS Bloggers

Southeastern Ph.D student, Nathan Finn has posted a list of bloggers with SEBTS connections. Go here to see.

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Andrea Yates: Insane or Evil?


Allow me to post a quick interlude before part three of my sermon is posted. Today, Texas woman and (former) mother of five children, Andrea Yates, was found NOT GUILTY of killing her five kids, even though she confessed, by reason of insanity. Rather then spend a worthless amount of time deciphering law and figuring out if she met the criteria for being deemed legally insane, I'd like to bring to the forefront a different issue: psychology.

The science of psychology has been given equal footing with the science of modern medicine. However, unlike modern medicine, no one can ever be proven insane, depressed, anxious, or any other of the hundreds of psychological disorders. How can you say that, you may ask? Well, for one, unlike discovering that someone has cancer, heart disease, lukemia, or any other biological or physical ailment, with psychological disorders there is no blood test (i.e. no certainty of any kind) that proves that someone suffers from a particular disorder. We can trust modern psychological disorder diagnoses about as much as I can trust my dog to tell me how to get to the Piggly Wiggly. A diagnosis is simply one person's opinion of one's mental state as being 'not normal...' what ever that is. I know no one who is completely normal.

What does this teach our society? If you commit a heinus crime, for any reason, commit that crime so over the top that no one would think that a 'sane' person could ever do it, and dodge a conviction, and go spend the rest of your life, maybe, in a mental institution.

One thing that I do believe of Yates: she claimed that she was possessed by Satan and I would have to agree with her...however, even that does not absolve someone of personal responsibility. Our country, in an effort to protect its citizens, is making the issue of personal responsibility null and void.

A biblical worldview clearly affirms that all people are sinners and all are capable of grievous evil and it is by God's common grace alone that sin has not completely swallowed the world up and spit it out.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Faith in the God Who Saves Us From Our Enemies pt. 2


2) When attacks arise we can seek the Lord (37:1-20) – When we are attacked by either Satan or people of this world, the very first thing we should is go to the Lord in prayer. Prayer is our direct line of communication with the Almighty God. We should use it and use it often. There are two ways we should seek the Lord.

a.) We should seek the Lord immediately (v.1-9)

Look at verse 1 of ch. 37:“And when King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth and entered the house of the LORD.” (v.1)

When Hezekiah heard the news his reaction was to let his emotions out and then seek the Lord in prayer. He is soberly realistic about what is about to happen and he turns to God in his hour of need. When we are under attack, it is completely appropriate to express our emotions. But then, after we have had time to vent, we should immediately seek the Lord.

The next thing Hezekiah did was he sent his top three officials to the prophet Isaiah. Hezekiah prayed to the Lord and then obviously felt that the Lord was leading him to His man, Isaiah.

Look at Isaiah’s reply in verses 6-7: Isaiah said to them, "Thus you shall say to your master, 'Thus says the LORD, "Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. Behold, I will put a spirit in him so that he will hear a rumor and return to his own land. And I will make him fall by the sword in his own land." (v.6-7)

Sure enough, as the Lord said, the king of Assyria heard a rumor that Ethiopia was attacking them and went home just as the Lord predicted. It’s funny at just the mention of a rumor, the big, bad, king of Assyria tucked his tail and ran home. Seek the Lord immediately and He will answer your prayer and watch His plan unfold. The second way we should seek the Lord is to seek the Lord passionately.

b.) We should seek the Lord passionately (v.10-20)

Again, Sennacherib sent a message to Hezekiah to not trust in his Lord. Again, he brings up their past conquests and claim that all of the other gods did not save the other countries. Even when our enemies are not attacking us face to face, they will still try to attack us from a distance. The Devil is persistent so we have to seek the Lord immediately and passionately.

Illustration: There was a pastor many years ago who had the reputation of being a gifted counselor. One day he was ministering to a poor and impoverished community. He came across a woman that was so depressed she could not get out of the bed. She cried to the pastor, “What shall I do? What shall I do?” The pastor, whose wife had died and left him widowed at an early age, told the woman the honest truth: He said, “You cannot do any better than to take all your sorrows to Jesus. You must tell Jesus.” Suddenly, the lady’s face lit up and she replied: “Yes! That’s it! I must tell Jesus!” The pastor came home and the woman’s words echoed in his ears as he wrote the lyrics to an old hymn:

I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!

I cannot bear my burdens alone

I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!

Jesus can help me, Jesus alone[1]

What did Hezekiah do this second time after getting this message? He went and told Jesus. Look at verse 16.

O LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, who is enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; and listen to all the words of Sennacherib, who sent them to reproach the living God. "Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have devastated all the countries and their lands, and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but the work of men's hands, wood and stone So they have destroyed them. "Now, O LORD our God, deliver us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, LORD, are God.

Hezekiah prayed to the Lord and extolled Him with praise and asked Him to listen to what Sennacherib was doing. When you are being attacked, it is not just you that the world and Satan are attacking; it is Christ they are attacking! Hezekiah prayed for the deliverance of the Jews for His glory so that His name would be exalted, not his own. When we pray for deliverance, pray that we will be delivered so that God may get the glory and not ourselves! This was Hezekiah’s prayer and it should be ours. When attacks arise, go and tell Jesus immediately and passionately.


[1] This quote was taken from Stephen Rummage’s new book on prayer, Praying with Purpose

Monday, July 24, 2006

Faith in the God Who Saves Us From Our Enemies (Isaiah 36-37) pt. 1


The following is part 1 of 3 of a sermon that I preached on Sunday. Enjoy.

Introduction: There was this one children’s Sunday school worker who was teaching the kindergarten class. The worker was teaching the children about who their enemy was. And she asked them, “Who is our enemy?” None of the kids answered. So, she said, “I’ll give you a hint: It starts with the letter “D.” Finally, one alert kid raised his hand and said, “I know! I know!” The teacher, relieved, said, “Wonderful, so who is our enemy?” The little boy replied: My dad says the democrats!

The Democrats, thankfully, are not our enemies. However, the Devil is, and He and His demons are always attacking us. Not only will be attacked in this life by the Evil one and his demons, but we will also be attacked by the world. 1 John says, Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.”

So, what are we to do when we, and our God, are attacked? How do we respond? How should we respond?

In this passage of Scripture in the book of Isaiah, we learn about how God rescued Israel and King Hezekiah from attack and imminent destruction by the enemy Assyrians.

Like in Isaiah’s day, we will be attacked by evil forces who claim that our God cannot help us and that our God is not powerful. However, God can deliver us from those who wish to destroy us, hurt us, and take us down.

What should we do when attacks arise? This passage of Scripture shows us three actions we can take when we are being spiritually attacked:

1) When attacks arise we can stand firm in the Lord (36:1-22) – When we are attacked spiritually from the Devil or from the world, the first thing we can and should do is stand firm. We are to stand firm on the rock of our salvation that is Jesus Christ Himself. We are to stand firm on the promise that Jesus has a plan not to harm us, but to bless us and to protect us. We are to stand firm on the fact that we have God Himself living in us and nothing that the world or Satan can throw at us is too much for us to bear. There are two times we need to stand firm:

a.) Stand firm when you are tested (v.1-10)

Look at verse 1: “Now in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, (senak´urib) Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and seized them. And the king of Assyria sent (RAB-shuh-kuh) Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem to King Hezekiah with a large army. (v. 1-2)”

The first thing that we notice is that Hezekiah has been ruling Judah for 14 years. And in those years, he, as well as the nation has prospered greatly. God has blessed this country primarily because Hezekiah was a righteous king who feared God. Hezekiah was a great man and had done great things for the Lord. But now, he is being attacked. Brothers and sisters, know that when things are going great in your life, you are a prime target for Satan and his demons to act through the world.

Look at verse 4: “Then Rabshakeh said to them, "Say now to Hezekiah, 'Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria, "What is this confidence that you have? "I say, 'Your counsel and strength for the war are only empty words.' Now on whom do you rely, that you have rebelled against me? (v.4-5)

This man, Rabshakeh’s name is a political title that was given to the king of Assyria’s top man. He is probably the governor or vice president of this empire. He has been sent to tell Judah to surrender to the Assyrians’ advances. He asks the Jews, “Who do you rely on? Who do you trust? The Hebrew word for ‘rely’ carries a meaning of to lie down on one’s face – in a sense, he is asking, “Who do you worship? Who do you depend on?”

When you are attacked spiritually, this world will try to make you depend on other people or objects outside of Christ. When attacks arise, what are we depending on? Are we putting our trust in worldly things when we are attacked? One only has to look at the world events to know that the world is full of sin and evil. North Korea is shooting missiles into the sea, Israel and Hezbollah are bombing each other. Insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan are still trying to kill in the name of Allah. Should we put our trust in the world? Are we putting our trust in the government? Are we putting our trust in the UN? Are we putting our trust in our money? Our health? Our good looks? Our acceptance in the right social circles? Our education? Are we trusting in these empty things that we cannot take to the grave with us? All of these things can be blessings and can make life easier but they will not save us when we come under attack from the world.

The only thing that can save us is putting our trust in a God who rescues us from our sins and our circumstances and who is our Savior, Redeemer, and Sustainer – the Lord Jesus Christ! When Satan comes knocking at your door, you have to STAND FIRM IN THE LORD when you are tested.

b.) Stand firm when you are tempted (v.11-20)

The next few verses tell of the Assyrians shouting to the Jews in their own native language, Hebrew, so that all the people would hear the Rabshakeh blaspheme the Lord. He even makes the false claim that Hezekiah cannot save them by trusting in the Lord. When you are attacked, the devil and the world will try to convince you that your God will not do as he says. Stand firm during this time.

Look at verse 16: “Do not listen to Hezekiah,' for thus says the king of Assyria, 'Make your peace with me and come out to me, and eat each of his vine and each of his fig tree and drink each of the waters of his own cistern, until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards.

Now, the Assyrians are trying to tempt the Jews and Hezekiah. The devil tempts us with things that we desire. This temptation sounds good to the Israelites. They do not want to starve. This reminds me of a scene in C.S. Lewis’ classic book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. (ROLL CLIP) Instead, when Edmund takes the bait, he finds himself imprisoned. Falling into Evil temptation will imprison us. Instead, we need to stand firm in our faith in the Lord when we are attacked and tempted.

'Beware that Hezekiah does not mislead you, saying, "(U)The LORD will deliver us." Has any one of the gods of the nations delivered his land from the hand of the king of Assyria? (v.18)

Rabshakeh then states that no other gods of other nations have saved them so why will the Lord be any different? (v.18-20) However the Lord is not just an idol – He is the Creator and will deliver you and do not let the world convince you otherwise.

Sunday, July 23, 2006

Biologist calls for scientists to pursue evidence of God with scientific rigor


It's always exhilirating to read of people coming to Christ. It is even more exhilirating to hear of people coming to Christ from the scientific community, especially those who were raised athiests. Thanks, Mom, for the link!

The following article was written for the AP. You can find the link here.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — He opened the session by improvising on hymns at the piano and concluded with a singalong on the guitar. In between, he delivered a compelling account of his unlikely conversion from atheism to evangelical Christianity.

The lanky, amiable personality wasn’t some traveling revivalist but one of the world’s leading biologists.

Francis S. Collins, who led the international Human Genome Project that mapped the 3.1 billion chemical base pairs in humanity’s DNA, has emerged as a surprise advocate for faith and for its compatibility with science.

He addressed the clash last weekend during a conference at Williams College sponsored by the C.S. Lewis Foundation. He pursues the theme again this week at a Calvin College convention of the American Scientific Affiliation, which affirms “the divine inspiration, trustworthiness and authority of the Bible” on faith and morals.

Collins’ most complete arguments appear in a new book, “The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief” (Free Press), which addresses two radically divergent audiences:

He asks scientific skeptics to investigate God with the same open-minded zeal they apply to the natural world, assuring them there’s no incompatibility between belief and scientific rigor.

He tells fellow evangelicals that opposition to evolution — whether the biblical literalism of creationists or “intelligent design” arguments — undermines the credibility of faith.

“It is time to call a truce in the escalating war between science and spirit,” in which the dominant voices have belonged to narrow, anti-God materialists and believers who spurn orthodox science, he says.

Raised by nonreligious parents, Collins turned into “an obnoxious atheist.” But as a medical student, he wondered why patients who were suffering and dying retained faith in God.

He realized that as a scientist, “you’re not supposed to decide something is true until you’ve looked at the data. And yet I had become an atheist without ever looking at the evidence whether God exists or not.”

He began looking, and early in the process read Lewis’ concise classic “Mere Christianity.”

“In the very first chapter,” he said, “all my arguments about the irrationality of faith lay in ruins.”

“For a scientist, it’s uncomfortable to admit there are questions that your scientific method isn’t going to be able to address.”

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

SC Preaching and Teaching Conference


Pastor Charles and I are currently attending the South Carolina Baptist Convention Preaching and Teaching Conference. Drs. Don Wilton, First Baptist Spartanburg, SC, and Stephen Rummage, Hickory Grove Baptist, Charlotte, NC are speaking and are doing a phenomenal job going through the Johannine letters. Dr. Wilton has blessed us by his years of wisdom in the pulpit and Dr. Rummage's expositions have been incredible. What a blessing!

Sunday, July 16, 2006

The Vain Search for Certainty


The following quote comes from an excellent article by Alister McGrath that Michael Estes recommended.

"The atheist’s argument goes like this: you want there to be a God. So you invent him. Your religious views are invented to correspond to what you want. But this line of argument works just as well against atheism. Imagine an extermination camp commandant during the Second World War. Would there not be excellent reasons for supposing that he might hope that God does not exist, given what might await him on the day of judgment? And might not his atheism itself be a wish-fulfillment? And as cultural historians have pointed out for many years, based on their analysis of European history from about 1780 to 1980, people often reject the idea of God because they long for autonomy—the right to do what they please, without any interference from God. They don’t need to worry about divine judgment. They reject belief in God because it suits them. That’s what they want. But that doesn’t mean that this is the way things really are."

I believe, and have for a long time now, this is why people refuse God, and ultimately Christ.

Friday, July 14, 2006

No More Censorship (sort of)


This moderating business takes too much time. Comment at your own risk.

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Movies


The movie industry is a multi-billion dollar behemoth that takes a lot of our money throughout the course of our lives. Movies, of course, range from lighthearted and safe (G) to mild (PG) to pushing the envelope (PG-13) to over the edge (R and above).

The question I would like to pose everyone is, in view of the dichotomous relationship between our Christian liberty and our Christian responsibility what should our movie-going standard be?

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Patterson Throws His Hat into the Ring


Not to beat a dead horse, but since people are still debating this alcohol issue, check out what Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary President Paige Patterson says on this issue here.

Among the highlights:

"At this point, however, a significant difference exists between what is permissible and what is best for the child of God. In addition to the constant clear identification of drunkenness as a highly disreputable and debilitating sort of sin, please note the following:

-- The Nazarite (one who was especially separated unto God) was prohibited from the use of wine altogether (see Numbers 6:3; Judges 13:4-7, 13-14).

-- In Jeremiah 35:1-10, the Rechabites are highly commended by God and by Jeremiah for their total abstinence.

-- John the Baptist, touted by Jesus as 'the greatest born among men,' was a total abstainer. He was evidently patterning his lifestyle after that of the Nazarite Law, and thereby expressing God's prescription for what is the best for a godly man. In fact, the angelic announcement to Zacharias prohibited John the Baptist from using any wine (Luke 1:15). Here also is noted the first specific contrast between the fullness of the Spirit and the use of wine. This contrast occurs again at Pentecost in Acts 2, and again in Ephesians 5:18.

In the three instances outlined above, the very significant question 'why' must be broached. Apparently of the three categories given -- prohibition, acceptability and God's ideal -- the above situations fall under the ideal of complete abstinence, and hence appear to be most acceptable to God."

Thursday, July 06, 2006

DMB and Christ


Over at Dr. Alvin Reid's new blog, there was a discussion about Southern Rock and secular song lyrics. I commented about how the Dave Matthews Band's lyrics usually have spiritual overtones. I discovered DMB as a freshman in high school when pop music started playing the "What Would You Say" single on the radio. I quickly discovered that DMB had older, independent albums and I started buying them. Their music was less complex in the early 90's and, in my opinion, DMB blossomed until around '99. On the Remember Two Things CD ('93) the last track is entitled "Christmas Song." Here are the lyrics (long):


She was his girl; he was her boyfriend
She'd be his wife and make him her husband
A surprise on the way, any day, any day
One healthy little giggling dribbling baby boy
The wise men came, three made their way
To shower him with love
While he lay in the hay
Shower him with love love love
Love love love
Love love was all around

Not very much of his childhood was known
Kept his mother Mary worried
Always out on his own
He met another Mary who for a reasonable fee,
less than reputable was known to be.

His heart full of love love love
Love love love
Love love was all around

When Jesus Christ was nailed to his tree
Said "oh, Daddy-o, I can see how it all soon will be
I came to shed a little light on this darkening scene
Instead I fear I've spilled the blood of my children all around"

The blood of my children all around
The blood of my children's all around

So I'm told, so the story goes
The people he knew were
Less than golden hearted
Gamblers and Robbers
Drinkers and Jokers, all soul searchers
Like you and me
Like you and me

Rumors insisted he soon would be
For his deviations
Taken into custody
By the authorities less informed than he.
Drinkers and Jokers all soul searchers
Searching for love love love
Love love love
Love love was all around

Preparations were made
For his celebration day
He said "eat this bread and think of it as me
Drink this wine and dream it will be
The blood of our children all around
The blood of our children's all around
The blood of our children all around

Father up above, why in all this hatred do you fill
Me up with love, love, love
Love love love
Love love was all around
Father up above, why in all this hatred do you fill
Me up with love, fill me love love love
Love love love
all you need is love
you can't buy me love
Love love love
Love love
And the blood of our children's all around.

Now this song is obviously chronicling the life of Christ. Most of what is written is fairly theologically sound. Matthews mentions that Christ met 'another Mary' and seems to imply that she was a prostitute. Who is this Mary? Well, contrary to popular belief, Scripture never mentions that Mary Magdelene was a prostitute.

Mary Magdalene has become confused with two other women in the Bible: Mary, the sister of Martha and the unnamed sinner from Luke's gospel (7:36-50) both of whom wash Jesus' feet with their hair.

Also, I don't think Jesus cried out "oh, Daddy-o," however, he did cry out "Abba" which some scholars have suggested means 'daddy.'

Aside from these, most of the story that Matthews portrays is accurate. However, one refrain leaves me puzzled:

"The blood of our children all around"

I'm not sure exactly what Matthews is getting at here. I'd like for any other DMB (or Christology) experts to shed some light on this.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Vacation Part Deux






























Here are some pictures from our mini-vacation this week. Since my wife is 30 weeks pregnant, this may be the last vacation we have for a while. The first picture is the property that I just bought in Sea Island, Ga...jk...that is the Seaside Golf Course. The next photos were at the beach following a spectacular fireworks show.

I had a seminary professor who said that instead of going on vactations, we should go on mission trips. I witnessed to one guy on the beach - does that count? ;-)

Sunday, July 02, 2006

Vacation!


For the first time in our marriage (over 2 1/2 years) my wife and I are going on a mini-vacation. We're leaving tomorrow morning for the beach and will be back Wednesday night. Therefore, there will probably be no posting until at least Thursday. Everyone have a great Fourth of July and be safe.

Saturday, July 01, 2006

Akin's Plea for Alcohol Abstinence


The SBC's resolution on alcohol continues to generate a lot of discussion. The following link appeared in the Baptist Press and is Dr. Danny Akin's more in-depth plea for alcohol abstinence. Here is the first part:

"I readily confess to a personal bias when it comes to the issue of alcohol.My wife Charlotte grew up in the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home because her parents were alcoholics. Her father died a lost alcoholic. Her mother, by God’s grace, was saved on her deathbed; the twin killers of alcohol and tobacco had ravaged her body. Today, Charlotte’s sister and brother are lost alcoholics and so are most of the rest of her family.My sister Joy and her husband Kevin King adopted a daughter born with fetal alcohol syndrome. She began life with this strike against her through no fault of her own.-- There are more than 40 million problem drinkers in America.-- Alcohol is the number one drug problem among teenagers.-- One in three American families suspects that one or more family members have a drinking problem. -- Misuse of alcohol costs our nation $100 billion a year in quantifiable cost. Because of these experiences and many more, I often have said that even if I were not a Christian I would have nothing to do with alcohol. There is simply too much sorrow and heartache connected to it. Avoiding this devastating drug is simply the wise thing to do."

The rest of the article may be found here.