From the Pulpit

Is God the Center of Your Life?

2011-06-20T10:12:00.003-04:00

This week's blog posts will be on the subject of centering one's life around God. When the Israelites finally crossed over the Jordan River and set foot upon the promised land that God had given to them, Joshua led them to renew the covenant that God had made with them. Because of the Lord’s faithfulness in fulfilling all of his good promises to the Israelites, Joshua issued the entire nation a very simple challenge:

14Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods of your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:14-15, ESV)

If you are a Christian, if you really claim to follow Christ, do you live like it? I’m not just saying what you do in public..but in your home life? Are you completely devoted to God because of what Jesus Christ has done in your life?

One reason why so many families are dysfunctional is because God is not the center of the household. We spend most of our time sleeping, working, watching television, and on the internet. Do we ever just unplug and study the Bible together and worship God together? In order to do so we need to destroy and desert those things in our life that are keeping us from worshiping our God in Spirit and in Truth as well as discipling our families. Quiet times are necessary. But so are communal times with family. How is your life centered around God? Is it? During this week we'll look at three things we must do as families and individuals in order to truly center our lives around God.

Tedd Tripp on Formative Instruction

2009-03-09T15:19:00.001-04:00

Thank God for His Law (1 Tim. 1:8)

2006-11-08T10:43:00.000-05:00

"But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully," (1 Tim. 1:8)

Paul is stating here that the law is good if used correctly. In other words, the God's law is beneficial for our lives when it is used for its purpose. Romans 7:12 says, "Therefore, the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good."

How is that? Well, since God created us, He knows exactly what we were created to do, which is to glorify Him. God's law, which is written on our hearts, in addition to being found in His Word, is there to protect us. It's interesting to really think about what the 10 Commandments are all about:
1) "No other Gods before Him." God says to make no other gods before him because he knows that we will be prone to do just that. Any Christian will tell you that we all struggle with putting other things in our lives ahead of God and when we do our lives start to spin out of control because we were created to put God first in our lives.

2) "No Idols" - Like the first commandment, we are guilty of serving the created things rather then the Creator himself. (Rom. 1:25) God knows that this also is a path that leads to unfulfillment because we were created to only serve the Lord.

3) "No taking the Lord's name in vain" - By bringing disripute on God's name we are slandering ourselves since we are made in our creator's image. Most importantly, we are cursing our loving lifeline.
4) "Remember the Sabbath" - God knows that we cannot work 7-days-a-week without getting rundown. We need a day of rest to re-charge our batteries and to, most importantly, thank God for all of the good things He has given us in our lives.

5) Honor Your Father/Mother" - At this commandment, God's law switches to our horizontal relationships, or our relationships with mankind. Previously, the first four commandments focused on our vertical relationship with God Himself. God gives us a special blessing if we honor the God-ordained people that he has put in our life to watch over us. Even if they have been horrible parents, we are still to honor them because that brings glory to God and he has made us with a natural love towards our parents that when we suppress harbor unforgiving thoughts that are disastrous for our lives.

6) "You shall not murder" - To kill is to kill God's creation which is to kill's part of God's image.

7) "You shall not commit adultery" - God has created sex and marriage to be between a man and a woman. He has chosen this relationship to be the foundation that a family is laid upon and society is birthed from. When we get out of line in these type of relationships we are living outside of God's revealed will of what is best for our lives.

8) You shall not steal" - Stealing is taking what is not our own and hurts other people deeply.

9) "You shall not bear false witness" - Decieving people and being untruthful is the opposite of who God is: Truth Himself.
10) "You shall not covet" - To covet is to tell God, "I am not satisfied with what you have given me and I want more." To covet makes us forget God's blessings and make us think that we deserve more then what we have when He has given us all that we need.

What's important to note is that these commandments were given because we are all prone to do the opposite. God knew this so he gave us a standard to live by to protect us and bring glory to Him. Therefore, to the law is good if used correctly.

A Plea Against Biblical Ignorance (1 Tim. 1:7)

2006-11-07T17:14:00.000-05:00

"...desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm," (1 Tim. 1:7, NKJV).

In verse 5, Paul stated that the commandment of God was to love each other from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith. One of the consequences of not loving in this way was that some had turned aside to idle talk and had strayed from the faith (v.6).

Verse 7 states that another consequence of not heeding sound doctrine was that they desired to be seen as teachers, but because of the lack of their knowledge of doctrine they had no idea what they were even teaching.

I think a good number of our Southern Baptist churches have men who desire to be teachers of the Bible but are ignorant of what they speak because they are not biblically literate or they do not know the chief doctrines of the faith. Pastors everywhere should reinforce doctrine in their churches so that our they are not filled with teachers who do not possess the unenviable attribute of "ignorance on fire."

SEC South Park

2006-11-07T10:50:00.000-05:00

If anyone is familiar with the cartoon South Park and is familiar with SEC football, this picture should make you laugh. Click on the picture for a closer view.

Vote Naturally Tomorrow

2006-11-06T15:35:00.000-05:00

As we come one day closer to election day, I'd like to post Dr. Norman Geisler's "two declarations."

The first decleration is the Divine Lawgiver View which is based on natural law - which states that that all human beings are aware of certain laws that exist for the purpose of governing human conduct and protecting the rights of individuals. This is the context that our country was founded on. This declaration is also known as The Declaration of Independence:

"We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men." (Unshakable Foundations, p.200)

Nowadays, however, our culture has eschewed the historically universal belief in a natural law to that of a positive law...meaning that man has posited or made morality. Essentially, our country has a Naturalistc Evolutionist view of things, which can also be known as The Declaration of Contingency. Indeed, if the D of I were written today it would sound more like:

"We hold these relative truths to be self-evident, that all Homo sapiens have evolved slowly; that they are endowed by nature with certain contingent and relative rights; that among these are the right to kill their babies, the right to full autonomy and the right to pursue what makes them happy. That to create and secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Homo sapiens." (Unshakable Foundations, p.200)

Vote based on the only law that makes sense and won't lead to the degredation of human life and society...the natural law.

Stray Sheep will Talk (1 Tim. 1:6)

2006-11-06T11:58:00.000-05:00

"...from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk," (1 Tim. 1:6, NKJV)

In verse five, Paul stated that the purpose of God's commands is to love from a regenerated and thus, pure, heart, as well as a good conscience and a sincere faith that only the Holy Spirit can give. However, there will always be those in the church, who, either because they are unsaved or because they are living a carnal life, will cause disputes in the church and continue to talk about things that have no eternal or kingdom significance.

Many churches get involved in petty arguements and disagreements centering around personal preference as opposed to biblical commands. Paul is warning Timothy, as well as pastors everywhere, that there will always be thoes "idle talkers" in the church who have strayed, missed the point, and have turned away from sound doctrine. Because of this, it is the pastor's duty to constantly teach and reteach sound doctrine in order to correct the stray sheep and protect the ones that are prone to wander away from the flock.

In a day where many churches simply ignore doctrine, these words from Scripture should be well heeded.

True Love (1 Timothy 1:5)

2006-11-04T18:35:00.000-05:00

"Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith," (1 Timothy 1:5, NKJV)

Paul states that the purpose of this divinely-inspired and directed letter (v.1) is that all believers would be filled with love. Where does love come from? Love comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.

Jeremiah 17:9 states, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?"

If the heart is deceitful and sick how can a brother love others with a pure heart? The only way one's heart can become pure is by being washed and cleansed through the blood of Jesus. When one accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior by asking forgiveness of sins and placing their faith in Him, he is regenerated and becomes a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17).

Because of this, it is possible for one to love with a pure heart, a good conscience, and a genuine faith. These three attributes are only possible by regeneration. Paul commands Timothy to ensure that the Ephesians (as well as church members today) are living Spirit-filled lives instead of sin-filled ones.

No Other Doctrine (1 Tim. 1:1-4)

2006-11-03T13:42:00.000-05:00

I've never been one for Scripture memory. Why? Well, (1) I'm lazy, and (2) even though there is much value in memorizing Scripture, I never enjoy learning "parts" of ideas. Therefore, I am making myself memorize Scripture in a way that will make sense to me. Dr. Andrew Davis, pastor of First Baptist Durham, NC has a wonderful (and relatively easy) way to memorize entire books of the Bible. It seems like a chore, but with just a little time and dilligence it can be done. And what a blessing it can be!

I've chosen the book of 1 Timothy to memorize. Because I don't have the best memory and have a nack of proctrastinating, I'm going to use my blogalism to make me accountable. Therefore, six days a week, I'm going to be posting my verse for that day, followed by a short "Charlienopsis" of how the Apostle Paul's words apply to us today. Because I'm already into my 4th day, today I'll cover 1:1-4.

"1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope, 2 To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. 3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith." (NKJV)

It's interesting to note that Paul claims apostleship via a decree from God our Savior and Jesus Christ our hope. It is clear that the Spirit guided Paul to write this letter or else he was one card short of a full deck. This letter is addressed to Timothy, who Paul calls his "true" son in the faith.

After wishing Timothy blessings in the name of the Father and our Lord, Paul dives right into to the message and a main reason for the letter: Teach no other doctrine! In fact, the NLT says that Paul wanted Timothy to "stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth." Timothy is to rebuke those who are wasting people's time with "endless geneologies," which meant that people were boasting about who they were and from what backgrounds they come from to try to show people how important they were in the faith. Does anything like that happen today? I think I've heard some conversations before that went like this: "Well, my father has been a deacon for 40 years and I was raised in this church," or "My family donated this building to the church so we can't move."

Paul is quick to point out to Timothy that this type of babble causes disputes and tears down, rather then builds up the church. Timothy is to ignore and rebuke these dissenters who are more interested in building up their name rather than building up the name of Christ and likewise grow people in the faith. What word for us to hear today!

Which 'Jesus' do you Serve?

2006-11-02T11:37:00.000-05:00

Michael Estes at In Christ Alone has an intriguing critique of emerging church and liberal eccelsiology centered around arguments made by Schaeffer and Calvin.

Baptism Video

2006-11-01T13:45:00.000-05:00

This following link was e-mailed to me by my father. After watching it, I'm not sure if it was really funny or really disturbing. Watch it and you'll see what I mean.

Baptism Cannonball

What Constitutes a Just War?

2006-11-01T13:01:00.000-05:00

My good friend, the right reverend, Michael Estes (by the way, check out his recent post on evolution, Christianity, and civil rights), e-mailed me seven criteria for a just war that made up one day while laying on his hammock. They are as follows,

1. Right or legitimate authority - In other words, don't follow Hitler into war.
2. Just cause
3. Right Intention - Go to war to bring about peace.
4. Last Resort - All other measures of diplomacy have been exhausted.
5. Proportionality - Use only enough force to win, don't annihilate the enemy just defeat them.
6. Reasonable chance of success (Luke 14:31)
7. Minimize the neagtive effects - in your country and theirs

The question I will seek to answer, based on these primeses, is, "Did the US go to war with Iraq on just war terms?" Keep in mind these are answers to this question at the time of the invasion of Iraq, c. March, 2003.

1. Right or Legitimate authority - I believe at the time GWBush provided this.

2. Just Cause - I believe that existed as well, at the time. Now...not sure.

3. Right Intention - Yes, we did go to war to bring about peace to the region.

4. Last Resort - All other measures of diplomacy had more then been exhausted.

5. Proportionality - The US is guilty of abiding by this premise in too many ways, unfortunately.

6. Reasonable Chance of Success - I would say so.

7. Minimize the negative Effects - Yes, the US tried.

However, as time has ticked, and we are still in Iraq, I would say that #2 (Just Cause) is debatable. It has now been readily argued that there were no WMDs in Iraq and that issue was one of the main driving points for invasion.

Also, #6, as Michael points out, is pretty up in the air as well.

My Friends are Famous

2006-10-31T21:54:00.000-05:00

This is wild...the writer's host in this story, Drew Toney, has been one of my best friends since we were 8. I know some of the people in this article. Anyone who follows SEC football will find this article amusing.

ClayNation Dixieland Delight College Football Tour: UT at South Carolina

Tithing: Net, Gross, and How Much?

2006-10-31T19:33:00.000-05:00

It seems most every Christian has an opinion (usually a highly emotional one) on the issue of tithing. The New Testament never explicitly commands tithing (the practice of giving 10% of one's income to God) as was the case in the Old Testament. Scripture does state that,

"Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7, ESV).

The practice of tithing, however, still remains a good "starting point" on giving to the Lord's church. The controversy remains, however, whether one should tithe on one's gross total income before taxes are taken out, or should one tithe after the taxes are taken out of one's income and given to the government?

Dr. Mark Coppenger has an insightful view on this issue. You may read the article in its entirety here. Coppenger says:

"By my light, if we net-tithe, then we give the government the "first fruit" of our increase, and then the church gets a cut of the leftovers. But when you tithe the gross, you say, in effect, to the state, "Whatever you do, I’m giving first to the Lord, and then you can do as you wish to what remains. If that puts me in a bind, so be it, but your tax policies will not determine my manner of churchmanship."

Tithing as a manner of churchmanship is a good idea. Likewise, continuing with the rest of 2 Corinthians 9, verse 8-9 state, "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, 'He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.'" (ESV)

Therefore, how much should one tithe? One should tithe as much as one wants to be blessed by God. And by using the terminology, blessed, I am not referring to exlusive financial blessings. God blesses in more ways then purely monatarily. So, brothers and sisters in Christ, give abundantly and freely because God loves and blesses the cheeful giver with what is sufficient through His grace.

Happy Reformation Day

2006-10-31T11:04:00.000-05:00

Nathan Finn has an informative post on lessons that Southern Baptists can learn from our fathers of the Reformation. His fourth and fifth points are especially exemplary.

Prayer Request

2006-10-31T10:58:00.000-05:00

Please pray for Andrew Kinard, the brother of one of my wife's closest friends. He was severely injured while on duty with the Marines while in Iraq.

Not Your Ordinary Afternoon in Ministry (But Should Be)

2006-10-30T22:24:00.000-05:00

A good friend of mine, Rev. Andrew Winburn, told me an encouraging story that happened to him earlier today that I feel that all people in ministry should hear. I asked him for permission to post this incredible story and he gladly put his story into words:

"All throughout seminary I was taught how to go out of the church doors and engage lost people who have never heard the story of Jesus (thanks, Dr. Reid). No theology degree could have prepared me for what happened today.

Just when I thought that my week was overloaded with church work, God showed me that He is in control and offered an opportunity that will encourage any man called by God. My church work is done out of my home office—but today I stopped by the church and the phone went “Ring, Ring:” the voice on the other end of the line wanted to talk with a young pastor…and he wanted to meet in person.

The voice on the other line said, 'Before we meet, I want to let you know that I am 24 years old and just came to Columbia from Brooklyn. Last night I read from the book of John in the Gideon Bible at this cheap hotel and I have questions. I’m wearing a yellow shirt and a green book-bag.'

Wow!!! Someone from the big city of New York called my little church in South Carolina and wanted to know how to have a personal relationship with Christ. I called one of the deacons and we proceeded to break a few traffic laws in route to the food court at the mall where Rob was going to meet us (safety in numbers).

Rob hadn’t shaved in a few days and probably hadn’t eaten in more.

'So tell me what’s up Rob,' I questioned.

'My girlfriend and I broke up,' He said. 'I went to college here so I caught a bus down from Brooklyn. None of my friends from college will let me stay with them—they have changed. My mom lives in Charlotte but we don’t get along anymore. Things aren’t good. But I read John in that Gideon Bible last night. I’ve heard about this personal relationship with Jesus thing but I don’t have it.'

Silence. I’m shocked and so is the deacon.

I asked some more questions, explained the Gospel to Rob, and told him my story. I told him how Christ changed my life and how Jesus Christ is my personal Lord and Savior.

'I want that,' he said. 'Tell me how to have Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior.'

Right there in the food court at the mall in Columbia, Rob, with tears in his eyes and a smile on his face, met Jesus.

I got him some food, we talked for a long time, and I took him to the bookstore.

'I want you to have your own Bible,' I told him.

“Well, all I have is what I am wearing and this book-bag. No Money.”

“I’m buying,' I said.

'Wow, thanks. Then get the cheapest one.'

Rob then spoke words that I wish most people in SBC churches could say: 'Andrew, you told me how the blind-man was changed by Christ, how people noticed, and how he then told them about Christ. That happened to you. Now I have been changed by Christ. I want my mom to see. Jesus is the first step in repairing our relationship. Will you take me to the bus station? I need to go to Charlotte.'

That was the best money I have spent in a while and the happiest I have been after accomplishing no 'church work' on a day that I had more to do than time to do it.

Rob will call me again and I will encourage him and offer him discipleship. And the next time my week is in overload with 'church work' I will remember Rob…and remember that God has called me to spread the Gospel and make disciples."

What a wonderful and true story! What a blessing the Gideons are who tirelessly place Bibles in every nook and cranny in the world. Also, this story is a testimony of how we are all just pieces of the puzzle that is God's amazing plan to redeem humanity. He chooses us and tells us where to go and uses us in this time of history to accomplish his plan. Wow!

Church Discipline: But for what Exactly?

2006-10-27T21:49:00.000-04:00

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, located in Fort Worth, Texas (where I attended for one semester), recently held a conference entitled “Maintaining the Integrity of a Local Church in a Seeker Sensitive World: The Baptist Perspective on Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and Church Discipline." You can read the entire summary here.

Among the scholars present were Drs. Gregory Willis, Mark Dever, Daniel Akin, Stanton Norman, John Hammett, Jason Lee, Emir Caner, and Malcom Yarnell. I'm sure it would have been an excellent conference to attend.

One of the issues discussed was that of church discipline. The topic of church discipline has become more prevalent over the last few years and more churches are going back to the historical (and biblical) practice of enacting church discipline.

Willis stated, that church discipline "is the canary in a coal mine. When the canary in a coal mine keels over, catastrophe impends. When church discipline is lost, catastrophe impends.”

According to Wills, church discipline among Baptists began to decline in the late-19th century and early-20th century. Willis attributed the decline to the rise of pragmatism, individualism and secularization into modern society and culture. He also stated that the decline in discipline also permitted liberalism to make inroads into many Baptist churches.

While I agree that church discipline is a much needed biblical tool that shows love, accountability, and eccleiastical committment, there does not seem to be much unilateral discussion on what exactly should be "disciplined."

There is a substantial amount of biblical instruction on how to inact discipline. For instance, Jesus words, recorded in the gospel of Matthew 18:

"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector." (v.15-17, ESV).

Also, in 1 Corinthians 5 Paul begins to shed some light on what should be disciplined:

"But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler--not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. "Purge the evil person from among you" (v.11-13, ESV).

In case you are keeping a running tally, that means that any church member who is in unrepented sins of sexual immorality, greed, idolatry, reviling (without doing a word study, I'm not exactly sure of what this is), drunkneness, or cheating (swindling), should be disciplined.

It is no secret that many churches now are discipling their members, the loving and biblical way. My question is - How does one decide on what exactly should be disciplined? How does one decide greed, for instance?

Discipline seems obvious for adultery and drunkennes but the other sins are somewhat vague. If one were to take it extremely literal, I suppose most everyone in the church would undergo some type of discipline! Again, I am for this biblical practice, but how does one practically decide on what exactly to practice it on?

A Successful Costume Party

2006-10-26T10:40:00.000-04:00

Last night at our AWANA meeting at the church, we had a costume party. I told the kids last week that they were able to wear anything they'd like, except of course scary/goulish costumes that further the demonic spirit of Halloween. This would include scary costumes such as vampires, ghosts, witches, and Borat.

Well, the question was asked, "Charlie, what if someone shows up wearing one of these costumes?" Well, I said of course, we will not tell him/her to leave. Instead, we'll have to just let the little child stay, even though we would not approve of the costume.

Well, of course, a little girl came with a witch outfit on. So, what did we do? You guessed it! We tarred and feathered her and marched her around the church grounds with torches.

Piper = Bad?

2006-10-26T10:32:00.000-04:00

My good friend Drew Jones posted this link on his blog first. Check it out...it'll make you laugh even if the sinfulness of humanity doesn't normally do that for you.

Who's bad?

Emily's Blog

2006-10-25T16:52:00.000-04:00

My wife stunned me today when she said that she would like to enter the blogosphere and have a blog dedicated to new mothers. Her blog is here:

More Precious then Jewels

She'll have regular updates and pictures of the baby. All of you guys who have little ones (or soon to be little ones) let them know about my wife's site. She's worried no one will read it and I of course told her that that wasn't true!

On Ordination

2006-10-25T11:02:00.000-04:00

I had the privilige to go to the ordination of a good friend of mine yesterday. So far, I have been to three ordination councils (including my own) and they were all vastly different. I know this difference is what some would call a hallmark of being a Southern Baptist, but I'm not so sure that historical attribute is very wise. Allow me to explain.

My ordination was, in my opinion, fair. I was ordained at the church where I currently serve. The Director of Missions for the local assocation was there, as was another area pastor and all the deacons of the church. After figuring out that I was not a heretic, my question and answer session quickly went the route of "what are you going to do for our church?" This was fine for me.

A few months later I went to an ordination council at a church across town. The makeup of men in the room was similar to my council. Only, this church was ordaining a former staff person. After over an hour of questioning, it was evident that this candidate, who is about 20 years my senior, did not have a working knowledge of any major doctrine and left me even questioning his salvation. Believing that God is the "most high" is not a sufficent answer to "What does it take for one to be saved." My pastor and I were the only lone dissenters and the council ordained this man to be a preacher of the Gospel because he "meant well" and had a "good heart."

The council I went to yesterday (in a neighboring city) was even more different. The questions were tougher and the candidate knew his stuff and it wass probably run the way a council should be run.

This all leads me to ask the question: "Should the Southern Baptist Convention have some type of standard for ordaining ministers?" If we did, how would we do it with 40,000 churches across the country? I know it is not a part of our tradition to do so (which doesn't make it wrong or right), but I feel that some action needs to be made.

Like I said, I've been to two councils that were run sufficiently. However, I've also been to one that would make most Christians cringe. Whether it be an associational, state, or convention-wide process, something needs to be done because the convention is running the risk of sending out un-qualified people who will ultimately lead sheep to danger.

This is Your Day!!

2006-10-23T14:27:00.000-04:00

There was a pamphlet in my church box today sent by Ann Lee Ministries. It claims (I realize a piece of paper cannot make a 'claim') that she is coming back to the Sumter area, "by popular demand."

She advertises that this meeting will be a Miracle Service on Friday Night, October, 27th. I'm sorry, I didn't realize that one could plan when miracles would happen - especially the day and time.

The pamphlet also says:

"This is your night! Come expecting your miracle for healing, for financial blessing, for whatever you need from God!"

Ok...miracle healings...there is Scriptural warrant for that. What there is not Scriptural warrant for, is wholesale heal-fests. If someone had that kind of power, they ought to be going to hospitals every second of their day.

- financial blessing - Does God want us to be rich? Scripture states that "the love of money is the root of all evil" and Jesus said himself it is hard for the rich to come to Him. But once we have Him, he'll make us more money! I don't think so...

- whatever you need from God - really? God, I need the Gamecocks to win this week, can you do it? God, I need some of my hair to grow back. God, I need more money....I don't think so. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS NOT ABOUT WHAT WE GET FROM GOD....it's about glorifying Him.

God is not some genie in a bottle that grants your every wish. People like Ann Lee (who has appeared in Benny Hinn Magazine) are giving people false hope. Ann, if you could really heal people, why don't you do what Jesus and the Apostles did and go find the people to heal and not hold a "dynamic service" where they have to come to you.

This kind of stuff is not new of course....in fact its getting old.

This Week's Sign That Jesus is Coming Back Soon

2006-10-19T13:39:00.000-04:00

Joel Osteen now has a board game.

I first noticed this story on Russell Moore's blog. But, its definitely worth re-hashing since Dr. Moore was more then kind.

Listen to this heretical game description:

The game is, "an entertaining and educational way to take inventory of yourself and accountability of your actions. Climb the mountain as you

• Enlarge Your Vision

• Develop a Healthy Self Image

• Discover the Power of your Thoughts and Words

• Let Go of the Past

• Find Strength Through Adversity

• Live To Give

And • Choose to Be Happy

Each new plateau represents a challenge and a chance to open up and experience these steps first hand as you learn to live Your Best Life Now."

I really don't know what to say about this other then, "WHAT?!" Only a few of these 'goals' are even close to being biblical. But even then, I'm sure its all about what we've done, as opposed to what Jesus has done for us. How is Christianity, the fact that God sent his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die for our sins, that we are redeemed by the power of his blood shed on the cross - a game? It's not...it's real life and it's not to be marketed.

Hounds? Release...

Geisler on Agnosticism

2006-10-19T10:23:00.000-04:00

This post is in response to the comments made in the last one. In Foundations, Geisler states this (my paraphrase):

Agnostocism means literally ‘no knowledge.’ This view as promulgated by Immanuel Kant. It teaches that although we know that reality exists, that reality in itself cannot be known by human reason. We only see reality as it appears to us.

Later, Kant’s followers stated that if we cannot know whether or not our ideas correspond to reality, then all truth must be relative to the individual way our minds interpret reality. Hence, the modern view of truth called relativism (all truth is relative) in due time gave rise to pluralism (all views are true).

Kant's fundamental flaw is his claim to have knowledge of what is unknowable. If it were true that reality cannot be known, no one, including Kant, would know it. If knowledge about reality is impossible for everyone, then it must be impossible for Kant. If reality were actually unknowable, how would Kant know this was true?

Furthermore, in relation to relativism and pluralism, Geisler states,

"It makes no sense to say that relativism or pluralism represents a better way to view reality than a view taht believes in absolutes, unless these views are being compared with some absolute fixed point or standard. Without a fixed point, it only makes sense to say that these views are different from each other and that no one view is any better than another view. Hence, relativists and pluralists cannot logically label a view incompatible with their view as wrong; they can only logically say that the other view is different. Yet the minute they decided they are right and that those who believe in absolutes are wrong, they must logically conclude that some absolute standard exists, even if they do not verbally admit it. Consequently, relativsm and pluralism cannot be true. " (p.47)

Feed Me, Seymour

2006-10-18T14:07:00.000-04:00

David F. Wells, Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts, has written an excellent critique of modern, as well as postmodern, culture's effect on society as a whole. Here is a snippet on his view of technology, which was birthed from capitalism, which came along side a modern culture buttressed by the ideas of the thinkers of the Enlightenment:

"Capitalism requires the pervasive presence of technology, and technology is a two-edged sword. On the one hand, it has allowed us to transcend our world, to achieve what was unimaginable only a short time ago, to effect an unparalleled degree of efficiency in the production of the goods which fill our malls and showrooms, an elevation in their quality, a new array of medical procedures, more information, and more information spread more rapidly. Today, as Zygmunt Bauman asserts, there 'are more - painfully more - possibilities than any individual life, however, long, adventurous and industrious can attempt to explore, let alone to adopt.' On the other hand, what began as teh physical conquest of our world by technology, teh annihiliation of space and time, the control of some of nature's forces, and the exploitation of its resources, has now become a profoundly psychological reality. The benefits of technology all come packaged in values - values which are natualistic and materialistic. These fill the air, quite literally, all the time. We find no solitude. We have no escape. The experience of this new culture is intense and intrusive in wyas that older cultures never were."

How true is this statment? In other words, yes, technology has made our lives "easier" in the respect that there is more convenience and pleasure. However, technology (and indirectly capitalism) while not being negative in themselves, have so absorbed our 21st century society to where we literally could not function without it. Indeed, if capitalism did not continue to grow, businesses continue to make more money, stock markets continue to rise, and inflation continue to bulge, we'd be in trouble. Capatalism, and technology, are animals that have to be fed in order to survive. We must feed them - and we do feed them. However, lost in this feeding frenzy, is a realistic view of...well, reality. Our reality has become feeding an animal that, if he doesn't eat, will not only die of starvation, but will cause the server (us) to die as well.

We do live in a world, where, for the first time in history, we have no place of solitude and no escape.

However, there is one place of escape and solitude and rest: the arms of our loving Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. When Christians take a step back and realize that life is not about 'feeding the beast,' or 'more, more, more,' we realize that God has created us to serve Him...and not humanity. We are to serve the Creator and not the creation. Indeed, serving the creation makes us slaves to the creation, which is no life at all.

Differences in Worldviews

2006-10-17T13:49:00.000-04:00

Norman Geisler on worldviews: (Unshakable Fondations, pp. 53-60)

"There are seven worldviews: theism, atheism, pantheism, panentheism, deism, polytheism, and finite godism. We know that all of these views have permeated our culture and exist, in one form or another, on virtually every secular college or university campus in North America and much of the rest of the world."

However, Geisler mentions that there are three predominate worldviews which exist in our culture: atheism, pantheism, and theism.

Atheism:

"Atheism believes that no God exists, either beyond the universe, or in it. The universe or cosmos is all there is or ever will be; it is self-sustaining. Some of the more famous athiests were Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzche, Sigmund Freud, and Jean-Paul Sartre. Their writings have had a tremendous influence upon the world. These men expressed their views in different ways, but all of them held to the basic belief that God does not exist. Some of the main tenets are as follows:

God – He does not exist; only the universe exists
Universe – It is eternal; or it randomly came to be
Origin of Humanity – We have evolved, are made of molecules, and are not immortal
Destiny of Humanity – We have no eternal destiny and will be annihilated
Origin of Evil – It is real, caused by human ignorance
Destiny of Evil – It can be defeated by man through education
Basis of Ethics – They are created by, and grounded in, humanity
Nature of Ethics – They are relative, determined by situation

Pantheism:

"The belief that God is the universe...For a panthiest there is no creator beyond the universe; creator and creation are two different ways of viewing the same reality, and ultimately only one reality exists, not many different ones. God pervades all things and is found within all things. Nothing exists apart from God: God is the world and the world is God; God is the universe and the universe is God. People hold to different kinds of pantheism, which are respresented by certain forms of Hinduism, Zen Buddhism, and the New Age. Their views differe as to how God and the world are identified, but they all believe that God and the world are one. Some of the main tenets are as follows:

God – He is one, infinite, usually impersonal; he is the universe
Universe – it is an illusion, a manifestation of God, who alone is real
Origin of Humanity – The human’s true self is God.
Destiny of Humanity – Our destiny is determined by karma/cycles of life.
Origin of Evil – It is illusion, caused by errors of the mind.
Destiny of Evil – it will be reabsorbed by God
Basis of Ethics – They are grounded in lower manifestations of God.
Nature of Ethics – They are relative, transcending the illusion of good and evil.

Theism:

"The worldview that holds to the belief that the world is more than just they physical universe (atheism). At the same time, theists do not accept that idea that God is the world (pantheism). They believe in the existence of God and see His existence as the essential component of the theistic worldview. Thesists are convinced that the universe had a supernatural First Cause who is indefinitely powerful and intelligent. This God is a personal God, separate from the world, who created the universe and sustains it. Thesists believe that God can act within the universe in a supernatural way. The traditional religions of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity represent theism. Some of the main tents are as follows:

God – He is one, personal, moral, infinite in all his attributes
Universe – it is finite, created by an infinite God
Origin of Humanity – We are immortal, crated and sustained by God.
Destiny of Humanity – By choice we’ll be either eternally with or separated from God.
Origin of Evil – It is privation or imperfection caused by choice
Destiny of Evil – It will ultimately defeated by God
Basis of Ethics – They are grounded in the nature of God
Nature of Ethics – They are absolute, objective, and prescriptive.

In relation to the question of "Truth", Atheists state that truth is relative and their are no absolutes (although that idea is a 'truth' and 'absolute' in itself, thus self-defeating.) Pantheists state that truth is relative to this world (which is still not logical). Theists believe that there is one truth - an absolute truth - that exists and Theists seek to know it.

"What is Truth?" - Pontius Pilate

2006-10-13T17:17:00.000-04:00

I just finished taking my young adults' Bible study class through a 12-week study of the doctrine of God. It's always refreshing when they ask for the notes from a class that they missed! My goal is to eventually take them through every major doctrine. However, seeing as how theology can become onerous at times, between each doctrine I am going to teach something different.

Two weeks ago I gave the class a survey as to what they would like to learn next. To my surprise, it was a tie between Christian philosophy/apologetics and a unit on marriage and family. Because M and F may get a little controversial, I've decided that we'll tackle (form-tackle) X Ph. first. I'm using a potpourri of sources, and Norman Geisler and Peter Bocchino's Unshakable Foundations is one. Here is a snippet from their book on the topic of the search for Truth:

"The word philosophy comes from two Greek words: phileo, "love," and sophia, "wisdom." It is interesting to note that phileo signifies the kind of love that one has for a friend; the true philosopher loves wisdom as if it were a close friend...

"Philosophy is an effort to engage in rational and consistent examination of the truth claims of any system of belief. Yet if truth does not exist, why bother with philosophy? Think of all the philosophers and philosophy books in the world today. If the academic discipline of philosophy is devoid of truth, then philosophers are in a vain pursuit. Something must be seriously wrong with philosophers who write and speak about the love of a close friend who does not exist!

"The first major assumption that needs to be made by everyone searching for answers it that true answers can be found. Some people do deny that true answers exist. The problem with their view though, is that they assume this view to be true: if it is true, it is self-defeating. If they believe that all views of reality are false, then their view must also be false, for if it were true, then all views would not be false. To deny the existence of truth is to affirm its existence - truth is inescapable! Therefore, the affirmation that true statements can be made about reality is a rationally justifiable one." (32-33)

I'll probably be posting clips from this book, as well as from David Wells' Above All Earthly Pow'rs.

Before I let you quit reading, check out the second doctrine of God quiz: This one may not be as cut and dry among readers...

1) According to a literal interpretation of the “days” in the Bible, the earth seems to be how many yeas old:

a) 2-3.5 million

b) 500,000-750,000

c) 10,000-20,000

2) True or False: God controls every aspect of our lives

3) True or False: We are 100% responsible for our actions and decisions

4) What is one purpose of a miracle:

5) Yes or No: There are such things as false miracles

6) True or False: Prayer does not change the way God acts

7) Effective prayer is made possible by:

a) God the Father

b) Jesus Christ

c) The Holy Spirit

8) True or False: Angels can be in more then one place at a time

9) What is an example of a purpose that the angels serve?

10) True or False: Satan and demons were created evil

More Jack

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

At my wife's request, here is some more pictures of her "Boo-Boo:" Picture one is naptime with his daddy. Picture two is a solo shot. Picture three is Jackson in a daze. And picture four is he and his aunt, K-Dub.

In Christ Alone

2006-10-09T14:11:00.000-04:00

In the last couple of years, old hymns have been coming back in vogue. Part of the reason for this renaissance is that some of these hymns are rich in theology. As these hymns are put to modern, 'contemporary' arrangements, there have been a few old songs that have been re-discovered. For some reason, In Christ Alone, had been left out of the Southern Baptist hymnals for over fifty years. Luckily, music leaders have rediscovered this inspired gem and what a blessing this redisovery has become. One of my fondest memories at seminary was when I was at my graduation where 2,000 men and women sung all four stanzas in what seemed like perfect unison. How wonderful it is to hear people singing about their unified blessed hope. It was a little taste of our heavenly future. In Christ Alone is one of my all-time favorites:

"In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand "

What's it Take to be Fired?

2006-10-05T10:10:00.000-04:00

BP has an article about pastoral staff dismissals over the last year. Throughout the over 40,000 Southern Baptist churches in America, 1,300 pastors were canned. What are the top five reasons for firing a pastor (any position)?

1. Control Issues - Who's going to run the church? Well, for starters, Christ. But after him, it's the pastor. Before all of my Baptist brothers scream "Congregationalism!" let me preface by saying, yes, the church votes, etc. However, final authority should always, in my opinion, be left up to the pastor. Additionally, he should go along with what the church votes on unless its unbibilical or unethical. This is sad. The inability to get along with anyone is generally because one person is acting in sin. Take for instance the relationship between me and my pastor. If we don't get along about an idea, I humbly follow his lead, since he is the pastor. What's hard about that? The problem is that too many pastors get worked up over methadology then baptizing and discipling. As a result, selfish pride ends up contributing to the number one reason for getting fired by a church. Another problem is the 'board of deacons' (unbiblical) is often constituted by men who should not be in that position. My church is not like this, fortunately.

2. Poor People Skills - This is also sad. I don't know what to say about this other then pastors need to try to talk to their members instead of holing themselves up in their studies all day long.

3. Churches' Resistance to Change - Not surprising. Not much to say here other then pastors - take it slow and don't push.
4. Leadership style being too strong - this is all probably relative. What is 'too strong?'

5. Churches already in conflict when pastor arrives - always a tough situation.

There a couple of disturbing trends. For the first time ever, Sexual Misconduct cracked the top 10 at number 8. The internet has enabled sexual misconduct to become more prevelant in churches. Before the internet, to be fired for sexual misconduct meant the pastor did one of a few things. Now, "sexual misconduct" could include a wide number of activities, thanks to the WWW. Even so, this is a sin that is killing the convention and seems to be on the rise. Accountability is a must.

Disagreement over Doctrine entered the top 20 for the first time at no. 12. I feel quite strongly that this has something to do with the rise of Calvinistic influence in the convention. A lot of this could be cured if pastors and staff were upfront about their beliefs when talking to pulpit committees.

All in all, it's always interesting, and disturbing, to hear about what is costing pastors their positions.

The Marginilization of Planet Pluto

2006-10-01T22:06:00.000-04:00

For some reason, I'm really irritated that Pluto is not considered a planet anymore. All through my public schooling I was taught that the planets were (closest from the Sun) Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars...asteroid belt...Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Anyhow, the powers that be in the wild world of science have all of a sudden decreed that Pluto is no longer a planet...and really ticks me off. I'm not sure why though...it's just unsettling. Who decides that Pluto is no longer a planet? Who has that kind of power? I'm still going to consider Pluto a planet regardless.

This decision has far-reaching implications. Did you know that elements (remember the Periodic table?) 92, 93, and 94 are named uranium, neptunium, and plutonium respectively?

So why was Pluto said not to be a planet?

Well, apparently, the IAU has three main conditions to meet in order for a piece of rock to be called a planet:

1. The object must be in orbit around the Sun (check)
2. The object must be large enough to be a sphere by its own gravitational force. It's own gravity should be strong pull it into a sphere. (Hydrostatic equilibrium) (check)
3. The object must "clear the neighborhood" around its orbit. (Houston, we have a problem).

Apparently, Pluto is a little slow (not that there's anything wrong with that) at clearing its neighborhood

Alan Stern has stated that this new definition of a 'planet' would also exclude Mars, Jupiter, Neptune...and Earth.

Astronomer Mike Brown said, "through this whole crazy circus-like procedure, somehow the right answer was stumbled on. It’s been a long time coming. Science is self-correcting eventually, even when strong emotions are involved."

Well I'm glad that science eventually self-corrects itself. Maybe it'll self-correct itself on more important issues in the future.

Why, TO? A lesson from Ecclesiastes

2006-09-27T10:13:00.000-04:00

Note: When this post was first written, disputes over the validity of Owens' hospital trip being an attempted suicide were not current. Since this time, there are disputing reports of why Owens went to the hospital.

As I was eating my cereal this morning, I heard the news that NFL superstar wide receiver and Dallas Cowboy, Terrell Owens, was taken to the hospital Tuesday night after an apparent suicide attempt.

Owens "attempted suicide by overdosing on pain medication, even putting two more pills into his mouth after fire rescue personnel arrived, The Associated Press reported Wednesday citing a police report.

A Dallas police report released Wednesday morning said Owens told rescue workers "that he was depressed." The report was first released by WFAA-TV.

The rescue worker "noticed that [his] prescription pain medication was empty and observed [Owens] putting two pills in his mouth,'' the police report said.

The worker attempted to pry them out with her fingers, then was told by Owens that before this incident he'd taken only five of the 40 pain pills in the bottle he'd emptied. The worker then asked Owens "if he was attempting to harm himself, at which time [he] stated, 'Yes.'"

Whenever one hears of a famous person attempting suicide, the question, "Why?" usually comes to mind. Not too many years ago, Deion Sanders, the elite superstart in the NFL in the 1990s attempted suicide while at the top of his game. There are many more instances of this kind of action throughout history. Why? Doesn't TO have everything in life he could need? He has plenty of money, a high-profile job, fame, fortune...why suicide?

The Bible has a pesonal account of someone who was more famous and had more fortune then TO. While his account never mentions attempting suicide, listen to these words from King Solomon, who was known to be the riches, and wisest, king in the history of Israel.

"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher, "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless."

What does a man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun? Generations comes and generations go, but the earth remains forever." (Ecclesiasters 1:1-2)

Solomon tried making the thirst for knowledge all about life:

"I thought to myself, 'Look, I have grown and increased in wisdom more then anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me...then I applied to myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind." (Ecc. 1:16-17)

Solomon tried making the thirst for pleasure all about life:

"I thought in my heart, 'Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.' But that also proved to be meaningless. I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly - my mind still guiding me with wisdom...I undertook great projects...I built houses...I made gardens...I owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem...I amassed gold and silver for myself...I acquired a harem as well...Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun." (Ecc. 2:1-11)

After everything was weighed in the balances, Solomon was left with just this conclusion:

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgmnt, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." (Ecc. 12:13-14)

10 Questions with Dr. Frank Catanzarro

2006-09-22T16:25:00.000-04:00

This week's interview is with Dr. Frank Catanzarro. Dr. Cat, as his students call him, is a professor of Bibical Counseling at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC.

1) Briefly tell us about your life before Christ became your Lord and Savior, how you came to know Christ, and how your life has been changed since Christ.
FC: I was saved at the age of 6 so there is not much to tell before I came to Christ. He called me into the ministry at age 14. I responded positively, but when I went to college I became rather rebellious and didn’t think much about the Lord and the things I knew He wanted me to accomplish. It’s a familiar story, but a sad one nonetheless. At the age of 25, I began to take seriously the call of God on my life and began to pursue His path. I am grateful that He has allowed me to be involved in ministry all these years and my prayer is that my life will honor Him in all ways.

2) In your opinion, what is the most crucial inner-denominational subject facing the SBC today?

FC: There are many subjects being discussed in the SBC today. Among those topics are Ecclesiology, the place of Calvinism, and Ecumenism, just to name a few. I really believe that there is an issue that we should be discussing, but I don’t hear much about it. That issue is the problem surrounding the fact that very few Southern Baptists ever attempt to lead someone to Christ and even fewer actually do. We have all kinds of programs designed to train people in evangelism, but when I go and preach in various churches, I hear little about it. It could be a problem of perception on my part, but it does concern me. I just wonder how we can have such great news for folks and continue to be so timid in our approach to sharing it. I know that we have had challenges and emphases in the Convention concerning this, but it just doesn’t seem to translate into action. Is there a philosophical problem among the churches relative to evangelism? I just don’t know. I would like to hear more preaching about it and I would like to see more people being challenged to respond in worship services.

3) You are a professor of biblical counseling at SEBTS. What is the biggest challenge that you face on a day-to-day basis in your field of study?

FC: The biggest challenge, I believe, for the biblical counselor is remaining true to the Word and not allowing the influence of culture to infiltrate the counseling. We want to glorify God and point people to Him. Because I see biblical counseling as being intensive discipleship, the Word of God and His Spirit are vital to all I do. Counseling truth mandates that the Spirit of God empower that truth in the life of the believer. So my first role is to be an evangelist to those who do not believe and then to be a discipler to those who do. Sometimes it’s easier to try and be a problem solver, but that’s not really what we are called to do. In a practical sense that is occurring, but really we should be pointing people to Christ because in Him are found the long-term answers.

4) Briefly explain how biblical counseling is different from Christian psychology.

FC: Truly Christian psychology is biblical counseling. The term psychology really refers to the study of or care of the soul. So a truly Christian psychology would be informed by distinctively Christian principles. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Many today who refer to themselves as Christian counselors or Christians psychologists are Christian people practicing secular principles. So for me the distinctive that separates a biblical psychology or a biblical counseling ministry from other forms of counseling is a biblical world view that informs everything that is done in the counseling room.

5) Is there a specific area of biblical counseling that you are most interested in?

FC: I am interested in everything the Bible has to say about the problems that people face. The ministry the Lord has given me has seemed to be directed into the area of crisis intervention. That’s a broad category that includes many things. I guess the vast majority of my work is in the areas of marriage and family and intervening in the crises of what people experience in those contexts.

6) A lof Christians, when faced with deep spiritual problems, consult psychologists first. Why do you think they do not first consult their church pastors?

FC: Well there could be many reasons behind this. Some are afraid of embarrassment because their pastor knows them so well. Some may not trust their pastor to keep things confidential. Some don’t believe that pastors have sufficient training that would enable them to help in times of need. Another reason people often by-pass the church is because there is a prevailing trust in those who are considered specialists in certain fields. We seem to believe that if a person has a certification in certain areas, they are by default better qualified to help. Another reason is that churches encourage people to go outside the church in times of crisis. We have come to believe, or at least communicate the fact that the community at large is better equipped to handle the problems people face in life. In many ways the Church has given our ministry of soul-care over to the community. I apologize for a short answer to a complex question.

7) Who has had the biggest influence in your life in respect to your spiritual and scholastic journey?

FC: In my spiritual life, my grandfather was a huge influence. He taught me a great deal about the Lord and about walking faithfully with Him. Academically, my wife has probably been the great influence and encouragement. She encouraged during times of trial and has been such a faithful companion throughout the 25 years we have been married.

8) What is your favorite book of the Bible?

FC: It’s hard to say…favorite. I do love the book of Esther and my favorite character of the Bible, I think, is Joseph (the father of Jesus). His obedience is a tremendous testimony and glorifies God.

9) What city had the best canoli that you've ever eaten?

FC: Boston.

10) What's the biggest difference between someone from New York and someone from South Carolina?

FC: New Yorkers like cannolis…South Carolinians like banana pudding

Mohler on "Need-Preaching"

2006-09-20T14:01:00.001-04:00

The following cut and paste is especially significant becaues the majority of Evangelical churches take this approach. Dr. Al Mohler on preachers preaching to the people's "felt needs:"

"The idea that preaching should be addressed to the self-perceived "needs" of the congregation is now well ingrained in the larger evangelical culture. The argument behind this is almost always missiological -- just preach to the needs people already feel and then you can point them to a deep need and God's provision of the Gospel.

There are several basic flaws with this approach. In the first place, our "needs" are hopelessly confused -- even hidden from us. As a matter of fact, the knowledge of our deepest needs is a secret even to ourselves until we receive that knowledge by the work of the Holy Spirit and the gift of Scripture. This is God's mercy -- that we should come to discover our most basic need.

Second, our perceived or felt needs almost always turn out to be something other than needs -- at least in any serious sense. We have wants and desires and concerns, but most of these are not genuine needs that lead to desperation -- the kind of needs that remind us constantly that we lack all self-sufficiency. To the contrary, most of us feel quite self-sufficient. Thus, the needs we feel are the "needs" characteristic of apathetic affluence, romantic aspirations, and spiritual emptiness.

Third, preachers who believe they can move the attention of individuals from their "felt" needs to their need for the Gospel will find, inevitably, that the distance between the individual and the Gospel has not been reduced by attention to lesser needs. The sinner's need for Christ is a need unlike all other needs -- and the satisfaction of having other needs stroked and affirmed is often a hindrance to the sinner's understanding of the Gospel.

William H. Willimon, bishop of the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church, spoke to the futility of felt needs preaching in a recent interview in Leadership [interview not available online]. His words are worth notice:

Jesus doesn't meet our needs; he rearranges them. He cares very little about most things that I assume are my needs, and he gives me needs I would've never had if I hadn't met Jesus. He reorders them.

I used to ask seminarians, "Why are you in seminary?" They'd say, "I like meeting people's needs." And I'd say, "Whoa. Really? If you try that with the people I know, they'll eat you alive."

Now, if you're a pastor in Honduras, it might be okay to define your ministry as meeting needs, because more people in Honduras have interesting biblical needs – food, clothing, housing. But most people in the churches I know get those needs met without prayer. So they've moved on to "needs" like orgasm, a satisfying career, an enjoyable love life, a positive outlook on life, and stuff the Bible has absolutely no interest in.

Those are strong words -- and words we all need to hear.

What Mohler does not give is the alternative to need-based preaching. I submit to you that the alternative to need-based preaching is...need-based preaching. That Christ is the only one who knows our needs and can meet our needs. Submitting ourselves to the authority of Scripture through expository preaching is paramount...what a novel concept!

New Church Website

2006-09-19T11:18:00.000-04:00

The director of media at my church, Jeff Scruggs, has recently completed the overhaul of our church website here at Crosswell Baptist. Check it out - Crosswell Baptist Church

4% of SB Pastors "don't know"

2006-09-18T18:21:00.000-04:00

BP had an interesting article today citing that 10% of Southern Baptist pastors considered themselves to be 5-Point Calvinists, or, more simply, Calvinists. 85% of SB pastors claimed not to be Calvinists, 1% did not answer and 4% said that they did not know. Of all of these numbers, only one is disturbing to me and that is the fact that 4% of pastors did not know if they were 5-Point Calvinists or not. Are you kidding me? I guess 4 out of every 100 pastors either a) do not care about theology, or b) are simply ignorant. Any SB pastor should at least know what Calvinism is and somewhere along the line think to themselves, "that's where I stand," or "that's not me."

As for me, I am not a '5-point Calvinst." I'm closer to a 4. Therefore, I would be in the 85% of pastors that claimed not to be a Calvinist...but at least I know that I am not. I wonder how those 4% of pastors did in their Systematic Theology classes? Since how we live our lives in practice should be a result of applying our theological beliefs, when one does not have an opinion on the doctrines that the TULIP touches (doctrines of God, Salvation, Man, etc) that leaves one to wonder what are they preaching?

Jackson Charles Wallace

2006-09-14T19:18:00.000-04:00

Tuesday, September 12, 2006, Jackson Charles Wallace came out of his mother's womb. Even though he has existed for over 9 months, Tuesday was the day he made his entrance onto the grand stage of life. Emily had a wonderfully easy birth as God answered all of our prayers and is still showering us with blessing after blessing. What a wonderful God we have.

10 Questions with Dr. Alvin Reid

2006-09-11T09:42:00.000-04:00

This week's interview is with Dr. Alvin Reid, the Bailey Smith Chair of Evangelism at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. I had the privilege of taking Dr. Reid's Intro to Evangelism class back in '03.

1) Briefly tell us about your life before Christ became your Lord and Savior, how you came to know Christ, and how your life has been changed since Christ.

AR: I met Christ at age 11, August 1970. I was at a small church that exploded in the Jesus Movement. Seeing the hippies radically changed made the most immediate impact. Jesus changed my life and I have never gotten over it!

2) In your opinion, what is the most crucial inner-denominational subject facing the SBC today?

AR: Things must change. We have seen a resurgence in biblical conviction without which I doubt we would be having this conversation. Now we need a resurgence of biblical practice. The biggest issue facing us in my view is how to help churches create a CULTURE where God is exalted, sacrificial living is expected, and lost people of all stripes are loved. A program will not solve the issues facing us; but leadership can, which is why I teach.

3) You have a lot of experience working with youth and have been outspoken about how youth should be utilized in every aspect of the church, most importantly evangelism. What are some specific activities youth can be involved in to help build Christ's Kingdom?

AR: Well I wrote a whole book on that called Raising the Bar, and it has been amazingly well received by youth pastors and pastors. In a nutshell: biblically youth are not children finishing childhood, they are young adults moving toward full adulthood. We should be raising an army not pacifying babies. Youth will rise to the level we set and the example we live. That does not mean cut out fun--I love to have a good time! But it does mean helping them see that it is really fun to see friends get saved. Youth need the wisdom of the aged, so they do not need to be the deacons or pastors, but they can do so much of the work of the church. Look at how Mormons with a false gospel use youth as their missionary force.

4) You are the Bailey Smith Chair and Professor of Evangelism and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. What is the most mind-blowing thing the Lord has shown you in your last couple of years in your field of teaching?

AR: That God could use someone like me, an insecure, nervous young person, to train many of the leaders of our convention in the years to come in evangelism. I am still awed that I get to do what I do. Our great God is amazing.

5) Many Christians seem to have the most trouble witnessing to family members. What advice can you give those people about how to approach a lost family member?

AR:Look at some of Thom Rainer's research on this. He has found that family members, especially wives with unsaved husbands, can have a significant impact evangelistically. 1 Peter 3 gives insight also--our lifestyle must match our words. And never underestimate the mighty power of prayer.

6) Postmodernism is one of the buzzwords of the day. In your opinion, does a post-modern mindset exist in rural towns, just big cities, or even at all?

AR: Certainly in the great cities of America, moreso than the rural communities. That is an almost impossible question to answer briefly so let me be a shameless self promoter and mention I talk about that in my book Radically Unchurched: Who They Are and How to Reach Them (Kregel). :-)

7) Who has had the biggest influence in your life in respect to your spiritual and scholastic journey?

AR: No one person. Well, my wife Michelle would be the one. She has always been so supprotive of whatever I felt God was calling us to do. Also Russ Bush, Paige Patterson, Roy Fish, Malcolm McDow, Danny Akin, and lots of my peers.

8) What is your favorite book of the Bible?

AR: Philippians.

9) What's the most glaring difference between SEC and ACC football?

AR: SEC is better.. I am an ACC fan now (GO HEELS) but I am an ACC fan.

10) "What do you want on your tombstone?"

AR: Lover of God, lover of his family, and lover of people.

What is the central focus of child-rearing?

2006-09-08T16:48:00.000-04:00

In the book, Shepherding a Child's Heart, author Tedd Tripp states, "The central focus of child-rearing is to bring children to a sober assessment of themselves as sinners."

There's a statement that you don't hear everyday. Children are sinners. Anyone who has ever raised children (not me, yet) or has worked with children (that's me) can understand the truth behind Tripp's statement. He continues:

"They must understand the mercy of God, who offered Christ as a sacrifice of sinners. How is that accomplished? You must address the heart as the fountain of behavior, and the conscience as the God-given judge of right and wrong. The cross of Christ must be the central focus of your child-rearing." (p.120)

This quotation brings to bear the central issue I believe of why people accept or reject Christ. People accept Christ because they realize that they are sinners, not 'good people' who are in need of a savior to rescue them from this lifestyle.

People reject Christ because...they either a) don't think they are sinners, b) don't think they need a Savior, or c) don't want a Savior.

Either way it is enlightening to read a 'how-to' on child-rearing with the Cross of Christ as the center of parenting.

Witnessing 101

2006-09-07T20:03:00.000-04:00

Baptist Press has an article on two Oklahoma Baptists, Chris Forbes and Alan Quigley, who recently shared Christ with 20,000 people over a 10-state area in only 14 days.

"On Aug. 18, Quigley and Forbes left Oklahoma City in a specially-painted pick-up truck on a road trip with a goal of making 10,000 evangelistic contacts. They focused on rest areas, truck stops, tourist sites and other places where people gather, and they handed out tracts, Bibles, water bottles and key chains to raise awareness of Jesus.

We figured it was 10,000 times easier to share the Gospel than most people thought,” Quigley said. “But we found it was 10,000 times easier than we thought.”

This article especially resonates with me because this weekend begins a 9-week journey where I'm going to be leading the church through The NET evangelistic program during the Sunday night service.

Those unfamiliar with The NET will learn that this program focuses on relational witnessing (sharing Christ with those you know and are building relationships with) and the sharing of one's personal testimony. Pray for our church that they, as well as myself, will be re-energized and burdened for the hearts of the lost of the Sumter community.

One aspect of The NET that I love is that it is built around one's testimony. People can argue Scripture and theology all they want, but they can't argue the supernatural experience of one's coming to know Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Fat Baptists

2006-09-06T20:54:00.000-04:00

Here is a sad article found at Baptist Press:

"BAPTISTS AMONG MOST OBESE -- The Chicago Sun-Times ran a column Aug. 25 deriding Baptists -- and especially Southern Baptists -- for being guilty of gluttony as they avoid other sins such as drinking and smoking.

“America is becoming known as a nation of gluttony and obesity, and churches are a feeding ground for this problem,” Ken Ferraro, a Purdue sociology professor said, according to a column by Cathleen Falsani.

Ferraro studied the correlation between religious behavior and body mass index, and his most recent study was published in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion earlier this summer.

About 27 percent of Baptists, including Southern Baptists, North American Baptists and fundamentalist Baptists are obese, Ferraro found, making them the most overweight group of religious adherents in America.

“Baptists may find food one of the few available sources of earthly pleasures,” Ferraro said, which has led to overeating becoming the “accepted vice.”

Food plays an important social role in most Baptist churches, Falsani noted, drawing from her experience growing up in a Southern Baptist church. From the coffee and doughnuts on Sunday morning to the potluck dinners and ice cream socials, Baptists seem to get their fill of casseroles, pudding, fried chicken and sweet tea.

By contrast, about 1 percent of the Jewish population and less than 1 percent of other non-Christians including Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists are obese. Daniel Sack, a historian and author in Chicago, told Falsani the reason may be that American Christians don’t have any dietary behavior codes."

What does everyone think about this? Could it be true that because Southern Baptists take such a strong stand on alcohol and other drugs that over-eating is taking up the slack?

Stay Tuned

2006-09-06T09:39:00.000-04:00

A new interview is on its way.

Quiz Time!

2006-09-01T16:21:00.000-04:00

My Sunday school class is halfway through learning about the doctrine of God. Here is their quiz for this upcoming Sunday. (Those who answer correctly get a gift from the Dollar General store). Anyone think they can answer these? No cheating...By the way these are heavily influenced by Grudem.

1) What are three ways that we can know that God exists?

2) True or False: God has a beginning

3) True or False: God needs mankind

4) True of False: God the Father is invisible

5) Omnipotence means God is:

6) Omniscience means God is:

7) Give an example of one of God’s moral attributes:

8) The persons of the Trinity could be said to be Equal in essence, different in ______

9) "Ex Nihilo" means ________

10) What was the main reason that God created the universe?

Grudem on Evolutionary Theory

2006-08-31T14:47:00.000-04:00

I have been going through the Doctrine of God with my Sunday School class the last few weeks and this week we are talking about creation. Wayne Grudem has an interesting inference on this topic dealing with evolutionary theory:

"If in fact life was not created by God, and if human beings in particular are not created by God or responsible to him, but are simply the result of random occurrences in the universe, then of what significance is human life? We are merely the product of matter plus time plus chance, and so to think that we have any eternal importance, or really any importance at all in the face of an immense universe, is simply to delude ourselves. Honest reflection on this notion should lead people to a profound sense of despair.

Moreover, if all of life can be explained by evolutionary theory apart from God, and if there is no God who created us (or at least if we cannot know anything about him with certainty), then there is no supreme Judge to hold us morally accountable. Therefore there are no moral absolutes in human life, and people's moral ideas are only subjective preferences, good for them perhaps but not to be imposed on others. In fact, in such a case the only thing forbidden is to say that one knows that certain things are right and certain things are wrong.

There is another ominous consequence of evolutionary theory: If the inevitable processes of natural selection continue to bring about improvement in life forms on earth through survival of the fittest, then why should we hinder this process by caring for those who are weak or less able to defend themselves? Should we not rather allow them to die without reproducing so that we might move toward a new, higher form of humanity, even a 'master race?' In fact, Marx, Nietzche, and Hitler all justified war on these grounds."

Pat Summerall: From Addicted to Redeemed

2006-08-29T20:18:00.000-04:00

For sports fans, Pat Summerall's voice is as recognizable as that of the president of the United States. I grew up listening to Summerall and his long-time color man, John Madden. Little did I know that for years Summerall was addicted to alcohol. A few years back, Summerall recalls what freed him from that life of sin:

"'My thirst for alcohol was being replaced by a thirst for knowledge about faith and God,' Summerall writes. 'I began reading the Bible regularly at the treatment center, and it became a part of my daily routine. The more I read, the more I felt a void in my life that needed to be filled.' Summerall’s book is his life’s story -- from his childhood days in Florida, to his college years in Arkansas, to his professional football career, to his experience in the broadcast booth. It’s entertaining and interesting, and sports fans will find it enjoyable. But most of all, Summerall’s book is a story of redemption, and how a man who nearly threw his life away found it restored through Jesus Christ."
The full story can be found here.

14 Questions with Ben Brammer

2006-08-25T14:00:00.000-04:00

Rev. Ben Brammer, Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, NC and a Ph.D student in Preaching at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary has been kind enough to take part in this week's interview.

1) Briefly tell us about your life before Christ became your Lord and Savior, how you came to know Christ, and how your life has been changed since Christ.

BB: I grew up in a pastor's home where the Word was preached and I observed my parent's love for Christ. At age of 14, I realized I needed to make Jesus my personal Lord and Savior at Camp Heritage in SC (That is the former resort of Jim Baker). I am living the abundant life God has promised me in Christ Jesus and cannot wait until the day I will see His face and behold His glory.

2) You are the Lead Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, NC. How would you describe your church?

BB: Calvary is a middle class church located in a medium sized southern city. Before the summer hit we were averaging around 300 in worship. Plus we have plenty of shut-ins that I visit and love on. Thus, there are about 400 people I am responsible for. Including myself we have two other full time staff plus a support staff of two.

We are striving to have a missions (depending on your definition) mindset in several ways. We have about 4-5 trips planned next year with the goal of having 20 percent of our membership going. Calvary has a good past (one of the primary obstacles hindering a healthy future) and an excellent dose of pastoral leadership and preaching (Dr. David Nelson, Dr. Stephen Rummage, Dr. Cky Carrigan, and Dr. Mark Howell, who is Paige Patterson's son-in-law).

One of the obtacles in growing a church in Rocky Mount is that there are plenty of doctrinally sound churches in the area. However, plenty of Christians throughout Rocky Mount believe that doctrine is all that matters. There are a lot of churches who are not reaching people for Jesus, not going on mission trips, etc. In other words, while a lot of churches and their pastors hold to inerrancy of Scripture, there seems to be no urgency to reach the lost among the majority of them. Or, if they are witnessing they are using tried and failed methods of reaching people. I want people to think creatively in reaching people.

3) You are doing your Ph.D in preaching. What is the most mind-blowing thing that God has taught you through this area of study?

BB: That being a good communicator is only part of being an excellent preacher. I have realized that I can craft and deliver a great sermon without being holy. God can use a poor communicator who is holy and has a hot heart for Him. However, God will not use a great communicator who has no holiness.

4) What/who is your dissertation about?

BB: My general direction is the ethics of persuasion. I hope to provide biblical and ethical guidelines for persuasion in the Christian pulpit.

5) What element of preaching do you feel is extremely important but is at this time, however being currently neglected in the pulpits today?

BB: Creativity in delivery style (not going beyond one's own personality) coupled with solid exposition of the biblical text. I often see one or the other. I hardly observe a preacher being himself while properly exegeting the text. Too many Southern Baptist preachers sound the same! We need to stay true to who God made us and to the biblical text.

6)What do you think is one of the most critical issues facing Southern Baptists today?

BB: Pastors need to be soul-winners. We need revival. Everything else is just periphial. There are too many issues being discussed because there has not been true revival among our pastors and churches.

7) Your father-in-law is Frank Page, the president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Use four words to describe the man that He is.

BB: Godly, conservative, hilarious, humble

8)Both of our wives recently graduated with their masters' degrees from Southeastern. How important do you feel is it for pastors/teachers' wives to have a grounded and solid theology and why?

BB: Every wife is not going to have the opportunity that our wives had. But it is very important that all minister wives support their husband and have some knowledge of the things he cares about. Some wives look at the ministry as something their husband does. Further, the minister's wife is going to face pressure (depending on the church) and they need to have the proper biblical perspective of their role and of their identity in Christ.

My wife ministers to pastor wives all the time and encourages them to be themselves and not the former pastor's wives, and/or not who they were told they were supposed to be at seminary. Charlotte Akin (Daniel Akin's wife) is a tremendous example of this. She followed Dorothy Patterson (a women who many young girls would imitate) and realized that she could never fill her shoes. Instead, Mrs. Akin wore her own shoes, stayed true to herself, and is a wonderful example of a graceful woman who loves her husband, people, and the Lord.

9) Let's say that Dr. Paige Patterson is playing Dr. Danny Akin in Street Fighter II. Which character does each person pick and who wins?

BB: Dude I never played fighting games. They were boring. Now Mario Kart, thats a different story. Patterson would win because he is in Texas now. Patterson would be Super Mario and Akin would be Baby Mario.

10)Who has had the biggest influence in your life in regard to your spiritual and scholastic journey?

BB: My father, Dr. Chris Brammer has the biggest influence in my life spiritually. He is the quintessential man of God. Every morning when I woke up to go to school, I would see him praying on the couch. Pretty awesome. Concerning academics, I would say Dr. Akin. Being his grader/fellow for two yrs before I moved was an awesome opportunity to see his passion for academic excellence. Also, Dr. McDill has pushed me to my limits and he stretches me often.

11) What is your favorite book of the Bible?

BB: Revelation. I can preach on it and because nobody can really understand it, no one can tell me I was wrong! :-)

12) Which is best - Vinegar, Mustard, or Ketchup-based barbecue?

BB: Whatever my wife makes...

13) Vanilla Ice or Snow?

BB: Vanilla Ice. Though Toby Mac has much more talent.

14) If you could have the privilege of preaching in any location/pulpit in the world, where would it be?

BB: At Calvary Baptist Church. This is where God has placed me. For me to dream would be to desire, to desire would be to covet, to covet would be to sin.

SEC Fantasy Football?

2006-08-24T13:21:00.000-04:00

Somehow I have found time to organize an SEC college fantasy football league. (It's really not that hard and there are plenty of internet how-tos). It will be run on a blogger site. Right now we have 6 teams. I'd like to get anywhere between 8-12. Although, with 12 we may have to expand to an ACC/SEC deal. Any readers out there are welcome. The only requirement is that you will check your team weekly. E-mail or comment if interested. C'mon, McFeely, I know you'd be game for this.

Newsboys Song of the Day - Breafkast

2006-08-24T11:51:00.000-04:00

No doubt one of the most different songs ever, Breakfast:


"Hold the milk, put back the sugar
They are powerless to console
We’ve gathered here to sprinkle ashes
From our late friend’s cereal bowl.

Breakfast Clubbers, say the motto
That he taught us to repeat:
“You will lose it in your gym class if you wait til noon toeat”.

Back when the Chess Club, said our eggs were soft
Every Monday he’d say grace and hold our juice aloft
Oh, none of us knew his checkout time would come so soon
But before his brain stopped waving, he composed this tune:

Chorus:
WHEN THE TOAST IS BURNED
AND ALL THE MILK HAS TURNED
AND CAPTAIN CRUNCH IS WAVING FAREWELL
WHEN THE BIG ONE FINDS YOU MAY THIS SONG REMIND YOU
THAT THEY DON’T SERVE BREAFAST IN HELL

Breakfast clubbers, drop the hankies
Though to some our friend was odd,
that day he bought those pine pyjamas
His check was good with God

Those here without the lord,
How do you cope?
For this morning we don’t mourn
Like those who have no hope

Oh rise up, Fruit Loop lovers-
Sing out sweet and low
With spoons held high
We bid our brother “Cheerio!"

SBC Interview Series

2006-08-24T11:48:00.000-04:00

I haven't forgotten. I have some guys lined up so there should be one posted pretty soon.

The Gift of Singleness

2006-08-21T22:37:00.000-04:00

Dr. Andreas Kostenberger has written a delightfully insightful piece on the subject of singleness. Among the highlights:

"...as Jesus taught, in the final state people will no longer marry but be like the angels in heaven (Matt. 22:30). That is, all of us will spend eternity as singles! When I did research on this chapter for God, Marriage, and Family, I was surprised to find that there is in Scripture a trajectory, or development, from singleness being rare and highly undesirable (OT) to singleness being presented as advantageous for kingdom service and as a divine gift (NT) to singleness being the universal state of humanity in heaven."

A very good read from a very gifted scholar.

Women Teachers in Church

2006-08-21T14:01:00.001-04:00

Drew Jones has opened a potential can of worms. Feel free to give your input. Also, check out his blog. It is laced with good humour (Being British-minded, he'll like the added 'u').

Why do Non-Christians Marry?

2006-08-16T11:46:00.000-04:00

The Washington Times reports that Hillary and Julie Goodridge, the namesake couple in the landmark lawsuit that introduced same-sex "marriage" in Massachusetts two years ago, have separated.

The dissolution of this particular couple's relationship is particulary surprising to me because the article also reports that the couple had been together for 17 years prior to tying the knot. Then they got married and two years later, the marriage is over. It is beyond the scope of this post to postulate about the legality and morality of same-sex unions. I'd like to turn my attention, instead, to the issue of seperation and divorce. At the end of the article, the author reports that only 45 of the over 7,300 homosexual marriages have ended. That's about a 0.6% breakup rate. However, it's only been about 2 years. It remains to be seen if the homosexual divorce/seperation rate will become equal to the heterosexual one over an extended period of time, say 30 years.

This leads me to my question: It seems that in the secular world, as well as the world of some professing Christians, marriage seems to doom couples' relationships - especially those who have lived together beforehand according to various research. With that said, why would anyone in their right mind want to get married? Why not just live together? What are the beneifts of marriage (besides lower taxes)?

Now, before you think I've lost my marbles (which I have by the way) I believe that Christian people should marry because it is certainly God's intention and God's plan. But, for someone who does not believe in the fact that the Bible is God's Word (and I'm taking a leap here that those homosexuals who marry do not hold the Bible in as high esteem as I do based on their actions), why marry?

If I was not a Christ-follower, I certainly would not be married at age 27. I would be living the life of a Sex and the City episode and date around, because, hey - you only live once. However, I do believe in God and that Christ came to seek and save what was lost and that he was crucified, buried, and rose again according to the Scriptures, and what the Bible postulates and decrees. Therefore I know that a marital and monogamous relationship with one woman is the ideal relationship on earth because it 1) reflects Christ's relationship with His church, 2) provides a safe, structured enviornment for raising children (another command of God), 3) ensures no STD's, and the psychological issues that go with having multiple sex partners, and 4) it sanctifies the couple.

And upon experiencing marriage for over 2.5 years, I know how wonderful it can be if it is centered around Christ. Any other marriage where Christ is not the center should be doomed to failure because of our selfishness and sinfulness. And Christian-based marriages do have problems and some end in divorce. (Although, I still firmly believe that divorce can be dodged 100% of the time if both people are willing to change themselves). Maybe I'm wrong here and I'm just more selfish then other people.

With that said, why do you think non-Christians marry?

14 Questions with Nathan Finn

2006-08-14T20:54:00.000-04:00

Southeastern Seminary Ph.D student, Nathan Finn, was kind enough to be the first person to particpipate in the SBC Interview series. He has given some wonderfully insightful answers that we can all learn from...including some fun stuff:

1) Briefly tell us about your life before Christ became your Lord and Savior, how you came to know Christ, and how your life has been changed since Christ.

NF: I grew up in a Christian home, but the church I attended did not teach the gospel. When I was nine years old I attended a confirmation class and was immersed, but I did not understand what the Bible taught about the work Christ undertook on our behalf. I still believed that good people would go to heaven and bad people would go to hell. Naturally, I tried to be good, but all I did was become an expert hypocrite. I could talk church lingo, but I was just as rotten, lustful, cheating and self-centered as I had always been. I was still lost. When I was fourteen, my family joined a Southern Baptist church that clearly preached the gospel. I began to understand what it meant to be a Christian, though I continued to wrestle with the claims of Christ. Finally, about two weeks after I graduated from high school, I repented of my sin and believed in Christ as my Lord and Savior. Since that time, I have continued to grow in my understanding of the Christian faith. I know that I have been accepted by God, despite my sin, because Jesus paid the penalty for my sin 2000 years ago. I know that my righteousness is found in Christ, who is perfect, and that God is causing me to become more righteous, more like Christ, the longer and longer I live. Though I still sin every day, my love for Christ and his church is always growing, and I know that God is not finished with me yet. I look forward to seeing how God continues to shape my life, and the thing I want most in this world is to live my life in submission to Christ, who is my Lord.

2) You are the associate archivist at SEBTS' seminary library. Briefly tell us what that job entails.

NF: I am the primary institutional historian at our seminary, which entails a number of responsibilities. First, I serve as the curator for the seminary’s collection of historical documents. These documents include institutional material, Southern Baptist material, rare books and the personal papers of prominent Christian leaders. Second, I serve as the chief preservationist of these materials. All of these historical items must be preserved, and it is my job to make sure they are. Third, I serve as the campus’ quick-reference historian about the institution. I work with the records of our seminary’s history every day, so I know a good deal about the unique history and vision of SEBTS. Finally, I assist faculty and students with historical research, especially related to SEBTS or the SBC in general.

3) You are doing your Ph.D in church history. How did you come to the conclusion that God was calling you to study and teach in that specific area?

NF: About the same time I became a Christian, I sensed God was calling me into ministry. When I was a junior in college, God used an Old Testament professor to awaken me to the possibilities of teaching as a ministerial calling. I have always been interested in history, so once I began taking church history courses I knew I had found my niche. I have considered other fields over the years, but my strong conviction that God is providentially guiding history to a specific conclusion, all for his own glory, has always brought me back to history. The passage in Scripture that most inspires me in this calling is Galatians 4:4, which says God sent Christ to be born of Mary in “the fullness of time.” In other words, at just the right time—not a day earlier or later—God sent his Son into this world to save this world through his sinless life and atoning death. Because God is Lord of human history, I believe this “fullness of time” factor is a very real part of that history. My heart’s desire is to show students how God has worked through fallen humans, institutions, governments, doctrines and philosophies to move his creation to its final conclusion: a new heaven and a new earth, under the rule of Christ, perfect and without sin, all to his glory.

4) What/who is your dissertation about?

NF: My dissertation will focus on the ministry of John R. Rice, who was an important leader in the Fundamentalist movement of the mid-20^th century. He was a tireless evangelist, publisher, author and institution-builder. He developed a large network of likeminded Fundamentalists. He experienced controversy with groups as diverse as liberal Protestants, Southern Baptists, Communists, African Americans and Billy Graham. He is an important and interesting figure, and only a handful of historians have ever looked at the enormous influence he exercised over conservative Protestants from the 1930’s to the 1970’s.

5) The old adage of history is, "those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it." In your opinion, what events in Church, as well as Baptist history, are so critically important that we as Southern Baptists must learn from them in order to advance God's Kingdom?

NF: Wow, that’s a great question. I think one lesson we need to learn from church history is that the church is not ultimately a power base, but the people of Christ. During the middle ages, the institutional church’s leadership was much more concerned with the degree of secular power it exercised than the spiritual nurture of its people. Though I am a political conservative, I see elements in the so-called Religious Right that seem to be wrestling with this temptation to equate the value of Christianity with the amount of power or influence it exercises in our culture. Christianity is of infinite value no matter what the Supreme Court may decide and Christ will one day rule this world no matter who wins the 2008 presidential election. A lesson from Baptist history is that our identity matters, and when that identity is compromised, our Free Church vision of the Christian life suffers. Liberal Southern Baptists began to redefine what it meant to be a Baptist between about 1880 and 1940. They interpreted Christian freedom through the lens of Enlightenment individualism. At the same time, they played down historic doctrines like believer’s baptism by immersion and regenerate church membership. So in a strange twist, you now have moderate and liberal Baptists who claim to be the “real” Baptists, but they have members in their churches who have never been baptized! Even worse, the commitment to a very individualistic idea of freedom and autonomy has led to many moderates who reject or redefine historic Christian doctrines. Baptists need to remain committed to our historic vision of the Christian life, which means looking to the time before theological progressives hijacked our denomination (and other Baptist denominations) a hundred years ago.

6) What do you think is one of the most critical issues facing Southern Baptists today?

NF: I can think of two critical issues. One is the identity issue mentioned above. Too many Baptist churches are flirting with the idea of allowing non-Baptized members to join their churches. Others are adopting hierarchical leadership styles that conflict with our historic commitment to congregationalism. Still others are functionally jettisoning the idea of regenerate church membership by not safeguarding the gospel, or baptizing three year olds, or not practicing church discipline, etc. We have become a very pragmatic denomination, and I think we need to have a renewal of “authentically” Baptist churches, even if that means rejecting popular methods like CEO-pastors, ruling elders, young childhood baptisms or gospel presentations that do not emphasize sin. A second critical issue is determining the limits of denominational cooperation. Because every Baptist church is autonomous, there is a wide variety of theological and methodological beliefs in the SBC. There are Southern Baptists who are revivalistic, Calvinist, Arminian, Charismatic, Emergent/Emerging, Willow Creek, family chapel, outreach center, open membership, Landmark and even a few moderates. Some of these practices/beliefs are acceptable and some are not. I do not pretend to know the answer, but Southern Baptists must decide what the appropriate parameters of cooperation are, or we will continue to bicker endlessly over issues like Calvinism, speaking in tongues and Emerging churches. How can we include the niches that need to be included (in my opinion) like Calvinists, Landmarkers, revivalists and some conservative Emerging types while rejecting inappropriate niches (in my opinion) like Arminians, open membership, moderates and the left-wing of the Emergent crowd?

7) You have attended both Southern and Southeastern seminaries. In your opinion, how are they different and how are they similar? Same with the professors.

NF: I get asked this question all the time. The thing to remember is that the schools are much more similar than they are different. Both schools are vigorously committed to evangelism and missions. Both schools use the Abstract of Principles and the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 as their confessions of faith. Both schools could be considered academically rigorous, though I have had very easy and very difficult professors at both schools. Both schools are generally Calvinistic, though neither school mandates a commitment to “five point” Calvinism. The biggest differences are in history/culture. Southern has a rich history. The school is almost 150 years old, and there is a strong academic tradition that has always been a part of the school’s identity. Southeastern is a younger school—less than 60 years old. Southeastern was really only a little over a generation old when the whole direction of the school radically shifted. If Southern is exciting because of its rich heritage and commitment to an historic vision, Southeastern is exciting because it has the feel of a “new” seminary that is still casting its vision for the future. The professors I had at the two schools were very comparable, especially in the theological and biblical areas.

8) Your wife is a student. My wife also graduated with an M.Div. How important do you feel is it for pastors/teachers' wives to have a grounded and solid theology and why?

NF: This is another great question. I think it is important for a minister’s wife to share in her husband’s sense of calling. Not every wife will earn a seminary degree, but all should desire to learn as much as they can about the Bible, theology and other areas of importance. In local churches, a minister’s wife has the opportunity to minister to the other women in the church, children, etc. Not every pastor’s wife will be a gifted teacher, but all need to be ready to encourage or mentor others by bringing Scripture to bear on critical issues. I think that all believer’s should be taught theology, but it is especially important for pastor’s wives to know these things so they can serve alongside their husbands and model for others what it means to think “theologically” and have a Christian worldview.

9) Who would win at Mario Kart - Dr. Mohler or Dr. Akin? Also, which driver would they choose?

NF: If they played, Dr. Mohler would win because I saw a Campus Crusade video onetime that convinced me he can win any competitive event. But they would never play because Dr. Mohler could not choose Carl F. H. Henry as his character. Dr. Akin would choose a Gumba because he’s short.

10) Who has had the biggest influence in your life in regard to your spiritual and scholastic journey?

NF: That is a great question. Theologically, the living individuals who have influenced me most are Drs. Russell Moore and Danny Akin. I have also been strongly influenced by Mark Dever’s understanding of Baptist ecclesiology. The dead theologian whom I have been most influenced by is the great English Baptist pastor/theologian Andrew Fuller. I also enjoy reading the Puritans. Scholastically/intellectually, I have been influenced by a number of historians, including Doug Weaver (a college professor), Greg Wills and Tom Nettles (SBTS) and my Ph.D. mentor, Keith Harper. I have also been strongly influenced by the writings of religious historians like George Marsden, Barry Hankins and Ernest Sandeen.

11) What is your favorite book of the Bible?

NF: John’s Gospel

12) Do you absribe to the northern or southern Galatian theory? (Just kidding)

NF: The “othern” theory.

13) If the Southern Baptist Convention fell apart over night and did not exist anymore, which denomination would you join?

NF: This is not a fair question to ask a Baptist historian! I would join another conservative Baptist denomination, of course!

14) Finally, who is going to win the SEC in football this year?

NF: I wish with all my heart it was going to be the University of Georgia. But alas, in the dark of night, my greatest fear is that the accursed University of Florida will arise Phoenix-like from the ashes and win the championship this year. It is these types of questions that cause me to thank God that he is sovereignly in control of history, even when we have trouble interpreting his good purposes in seemingly evil events!

Amen to that!

SBC Interview Series

2006-08-14T11:22:00.000-04:00

A feature that I would like to incorporate on this blog in the future is a weekly interview with a teacher/pastor/student/professor/laymen affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. I feel that it is most important to hear where people are coming from and really find what the heartbeat of our convention is saying (or pumping for that matter).

Most of you do not know that I have a background in journalism where I was the sports editor of The Gamecock newspaper at the University of South Carolina. Needless, to say I was the lone Christian/Evangelical Southern Baptist voice on the entire staff. However, I loved those people on staff. There were a couple of conservatives (Brock, that's you) but most of them were pretty much what we would call far lefties. Despite their views these people were genuinely searching for truth and they respected my beliefs and I respected their views. However, I always tried to put Jesus in my speech because I knew that the most unloving act was to have the greatest gift in the world in my possession and not try to give it.

Alas, I digress. The point of this tangental diatribe is that I love(d) being a journalist. Editing was hard and it cost me some hair. I loved asking questions and learning about people...not just 'getting' the story. I hope that these interviews will be something that we all can learn from and increase our faith in our hope and savior, Jesus Christ.

The first interview will be up as soon as the interviewee (sp?) completes his questions. Stay tuned!

Newsboys Song of the Day - In Christ Alone

2006-08-13T14:13:00.000-04:00

This really isn't a Newsboys song. This is an old hymn, which, for some reason, fell out of the Baptist Hymnal for years and years. This is probably one of my top 5 favorite hymns of all time.

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my
strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights
of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when
strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in
the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took
on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of
love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to
save
'Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath
of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the
ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He
rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's
curse has lost it's grip on me
For I am His and He is
mine
Brought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of
Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of
man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Till He
returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ
I'll stand

Newsboys Song of the Day

2006-08-11T11:41:00.000-04:00

Chorus
when we don´t get what we deserve that´s a real good thing, a real good thing,
when we get what we don´t deserve
that´s a real good thing, a real good thing

born to sin
and then get caught
all our good deeds
don´t mean squat

sell the Volvo
shred the Visa
send the cash to Ma Theresa
great idea
the only catch is
you don´t get saved
on merit badges

- Chorus -

doctor´s coming
looking grim
"Do you have a favorite hymn?"

check your balance through the years
all accounts are in arrears
guilt is bitter
grace is sweet
park it here
on the mercy seat

- Chorus -

J.C. Wallace - 35 Weeks

2006-08-10T18:11:00.000-04:00

Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, here are some pictures of little Jack. Oops, his name is Jackson. But, I told my wife that, around the guys, he's going to be Jack. In the middle picture you can tell that he already has stuck his foot in his mouth, - a common Wallace trait.

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you,when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance;in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them. (Psalm 139:13-16)"

Newsboys Song Lyrics of the Day

2006-08-09T22:13:00.000-04:00

What do you think of when you hear the name of the band, the "Newsboys?" Really good praise songs? What about the '90's? I think of odd song lyrics set to really catchy beats. This is the first of a daily post that will be entitled, "Newsboys Song Lyrics of the Day." Read them and draw your own conclusions:

she's been dazed and induced
wants a part-time God
for the private use
but she won't take a stand
'cause she might get tagged
as a closet Jesus Fan

Chorus
SIGN ON
THE TIME IS DRAWING NEAR
THIS IS SURELY A BANNER YEAR
TO BE A PUBLIC WITNESS
SIGN ON
THE LINES ARE DRAWN AND CLEAR
THERE'S NO STRADDLING FENCES HERE
WE'RE GOING PUBLIC WITH THIS

he's displaced and unglued
scared that faith in God
could be misconctrued
but the cross makes him wish
that this spine was more
than a school of jellyfish

- Chorus -

Why Do We Believe in God?

2006-08-09T16:56:00.000-04:00

Here's a good answer courtesy of Michael Estes

The Competing Eschatologies of Islam and Christianity

2006-08-07T18:39:00.000-04:00

One attribute of Islam that I did not existed realize was that their (or some sects') eschatological belief (or how the world will end and man will be ultimately saved), is very similar in theory as that of those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Baptist Press has the entire article here.

This is what is scary about what is going on in the Middle East right now: "Among the nearly 68 million people in Iran, the vast majority are Muslim who place their hope not in modern-day politics or rulers but in a person who walked the earth centuries ago and is promised to return."

Sounds like Christ, doesn't it?

“Both Islam and Christianity have a very well-defined eschatology, or period of the last days; both of them cannot be correct …,” said William Wagner, senior professor at Golden Gate Baptist

Wagner is simply acting in accordance with the law of non-contradiction that states that if something is right and another thing is wrong, then both can't be right (although they may be both be wrong). These are interesting beliefs and similarities of Islam since Christ came 600 years before Mohammed founded Islam.

The article further states, "A majority of Shiite Muslims traditionally believe that the '12th Imam' (Islamic religious leader), born in 868 A.D., was placed by God into hiding (known as occultation) until the day of judgment. Southern Baptist author and evangelist Anis Shorrosh explained that many Shiites also refer to the 12th Imam as the Mahdi, an Arabic word that generally references a messiah, or a guide.

'This man will come to show them the way, because the prayer of every Muslim five times a day … ends with "Show us the right path, not the path of those who have incurred your anger or those who are lost, but those upon whom grace has come,"' Shorrosh said."

A lot of the fear in this current Mideast situation centers around the fact that if there is a WWIII, then the world will have to choose sides. America seems to be leaning towards Israel while other G8 countries (France, Russia) seem to be supporting Iran (which supports Syria whch supports Hezbollah, the rogue terrorist group). Why is this something to be concerned? Iran has nuclear weapons. Plus, this is what the Iranian leader stated about the end times:

"Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been cited by various news sources as not only believing in the eventual return of the Mahdi, but that the return is near and that it is the responsibility of the Iranian government to prepare the country for his return.

'Belief in a savior is universal,' BBC News quoted Ahmadinejad as saying in January. 'It is the pivot of our beliefs as Muslims and Iranians. We believe that an offspring of the prophet, may peace be upon him, will be the ultimate savior. His name and attributes are clear. He will come and will administer ultimate justice.''"

Furthermore,

"Although Shiites and Sunnis often battle against each other, as is currently the case in Iraq, Wagner noted common efforts among both groups of Muslims to destroy Israel, which is a critical part of Islam taking control in the world and thus ushering in the Mahdi.

'They feel like one of the major blocking points is Israel, and that is one reason why they feel like they must destroy Israel,” Wagner said.'"

What is a Christian supposed to take from all this: Well, for starters, we can be certain that Christ will come back (as oppesed to the Mahdi) for several reasons:

1) The Holy Spirit (God Himself) testifies to this in every believer's spirit that this is true

2) The Bible is EXTREMELY more reliable then the Qu'ran - or any ancient book (non-religious or not) that has ever been written. Most of the Qu'ran was written on leaves, branches, anything that Mohammad had at his disposal when he received his visions.

3) The God of Mohammed has no mercy. Islam, since its inception, has been spread by fear. Christianity has been spread (with exception of the Catholic period, or, as Luther called it, 'The Babylonian Captivity of the Church,' )by people coming to a realization that Jesus Christ has died for their sins so that they may find the grace and mercy of God. All a Muslim has is hope that he lived a good enough life to maybe make it into Heaven.

Praise God for His revelation that all men have a chance to accept or reject. That is a just God.

The Barbarian Call (Part 2 of 4)

2006-08-07T14:11:00.000-04:00

In E. McManus' second chapter of his book, The Barbarian Invasion, he turns his attention to John the Baptist and describes how John, while being called by Jesus Christ the "greatest" man to be born of woman, was a true barbarian of the faith, despite being an outcast, the antithesis to organized religion and dressing funny and eating weird things.

This chapter is refreshing because it paints an accurate portrait of what it means to follow Christ. So much of what we hear and see on television today makes it seem that following Christ is an easy path. If only we were to follow christ and give money to the church then all of our troubles would vanish. While it is true that by following Christ we will be filled with joy and our lives, in the long run, will be more content, a true Christ follower is not always going to be living "high on the hog" (that means 'living the good life' for all of you non-Southerners).

McManus states that while John was imprisoned, awaiting death at the hands of Herod, Jesus was out doing miracles and saving people. Did John ask, "what about me?" No. About John, McManus states:

"Jesus very well knew the fate that John would face. Even then Jesus understood His purpose was to save us not from pain and suffering, but from meaninglessness. For Jesus, John was exactly where he needed to be, fulfilling God's purpose for his life. Why would he save John from that?" (p. 31-32)

So much of Christianity has been institutionalized. There is not much 'counting the cost' anymore. One joins a church, sits back, and waits for the blessings to start rolling in. Why was Peter hung upside down on a cross? Why did John the Apostle not die the same death? He lived to be in his 90's. Why do some Christians get Peter or Paul's life and not John's? McManus entertains this idea and states:

"This is the sticky part of the barbarian call. It's not fair or equitable. When you hear the call, when you follow the call, you must recognize that it is a life-and-death proposition. When you understand what Jesus means when He says that you must follow Him, you finally realize that this is not a cattle call. He is not calling you to the same life that everyone else will live. He's not even calling you to the same path that every follower of Christ will walk. Your life is unique before God, and your path is yours and yours alone. Where God will choose to lead you and how god chooses to use your life cannot be predicted by how God has worked in the lives of others before you. Jesus' respones to Peter was a straight-forward as it could possibly get: "If I want John to live and you to die, what is that to you? Your part is to follow me. My part is to lead the way." (p.36-37)

It is that 'risky' type of obedience that Jesus expects of all of us as we strive to follow Him.

The Barbarian Invasion (Review Part 1)

2006-08-04T14:56:00.000-04:00

"The greatest enemy to the movement of Jesus Christ is Christianity" - Erwin McManus

A couple of months ago my pastor handed me a book entitled, The Barbarian Way by Erwin Raphael McManus. After looking at the cover (don't ever judge a book by its cover!) and reading the author's bio, I immediately passed the book off as some post-modern, emerging church gar-bage that I didn't care to read. However, a few weeks ago, as I looked at the book occupying the same spot on my desk as it had been doing for a month now, I figured I'd at least give it a shot and see if I could glean some good ideas out of it. After reading through half of the book, I must say my opinion of it, and McManus, is very surprising: with this work, the author is on to something.

The book is about "unleashing the untamed faith within." At first I thought this idea was going to be similar to Eldredge's Wild at Heart, which has certain premises that I heavily disagree with. However, it's not. McManus claims that to live as a Christ-follower (he does not like to use the institutionalized word "Christian") is to live a "barbaric life." What does that mean? Well, that question is what the book is about. The work is divided into four parts. This post will deal with the first one.

Chapter One is entited "The Barbarian Invasion" where McManus introduces his ideology. He immediately got my attention by stating that he has an exact replica of the sword that Sir William Wallace used during his revolution, hanging in his house. I thought to myself, "Self, is he really going to compare being a Christian to what William Wallace (my long long ancestor) fought for? That's kind of...well, barbaric." McManus' point here is that "if you are a follower of Christ, then you are called to fight for the heart of your king (which is what the Scots did after Wallace and (later) King Robert the Bruce's death)." McManus states: "It's hard to imagine that Jesus would endure the agony of the cross just to keep us in line. Jesus began a revolution to secure our freedom." What freedom is this? I suspect he is talking about freedom from the bondage of this sinful world which we live in.

McManus then notes: "Perhaps the tragedy of our time is that such an overwhelming number of us who declare Jesus as Lord have been domesticated - or, if you will, civilized...we have lost the passion and power of that raw, untamed and primal faith." I think McManus makes a valid point here. Historically, the church has always seemed to drift into a big, fat, vat of complacency when times are good.

The following thought, however, is an even more excellent one: "The barbarian way is about love, intimacy, passion, and sacrifice. Barbarians love to live and live to love. For them God is life, and their mission is to reconnect humanity to Him (bold mine). Their passion is that each of us might live in intimate communion with Him who died for us. The barbarian way is a path of both spirit and truth. The soul of the barbarian is made alive by the presence of Jesus."

The final paragraph of the first chapter is my favorite and sets the tone for the rest of the book and shows the heart of McManus in this work: "Jesus is being lost in a religion bearing His name. People are being lost because they cannot reconcile Jesus' association with Christianity. Christianity has become docile, domesticated, civilized. We have forgotten that there is a kingdom of darkness stealing the hopes and dreams and souls of a humanity without God. It is time to hear the barbarian call, to form a barbarian tribe, and to unleash the barbarian revolt. Let the invasion begin..."

Next post - Part 2 - The Barbarian Call

Clemson Promo

2006-08-03T15:49:00.000-04:00

While we're on the subject of university promotional videos, check out Clemson University's:

The "Greatest" University of All Time

Appalachian State Promo Video

2006-08-02T21:38:00.000-04:00

I'm always one for a good laugh. In fact, while I was still a babe in Christ, during high school, my personality pretty much consisted of making fun of people on a consistent basis. It wasn't until 12th grade that I realized that aspect of my being probably wasn't the best personality trait for a child of God. Anyway, check out this promotional video for Appalachian State University. I'm wondering if this is even real. If it is, I hope it was not made in the last 15 years.

ASU IS HOT HOT HOT

The Wisdom of God in a "Wise" World

2006-08-01T11:11:00.000-04:00

In this day and age of religious pluralism and syncretism Christ-followers often find themselves battling the ideas of the age. Even though we know the Truth, which has set us free from our sin and ourselves, we still hit barriers as we seek to obey the Great Commission. However, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 states very clearly that this is all part of God's plan. While I do not preach from the following translation, sometimes its good to read familiar passages from a fresh perspective (New Living Translation):

"18I know very well how foolish the message of the cross sounds to those who are on the road to destruction. But we who are being saved recognize this message as the very power of God. 19As the Scriptures say,

"I will destroy human wisdom
and discard their most brilliant ideas."

20So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world's brilliant debaters? God has made them all look foolish and has shown their wisdom to be useless nonsense. 21Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never find him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save all who believe. 22God's way seems foolish to the Jews because they want a sign from heaven to prove it is true. And it is foolish to the Greeks because they believe only what agrees with their own wisdom. 23So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended, and the Gentiles say it's all nonsense. 24But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the mighty power of God and the wonderful wisdom of God. 25This "foolish" plan of God is far wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God's weakness is far stronger than the greatest of human strength."

Christ is the wisdom of God - what an incredible thought! I suppose in our entire lives we will never be able to grasp the fullness of that statement. God, in His infinite wisdom, has chosen to use our 'foolish' preaching to save humanity. As Jonathan Akin has brilliantly written about on his blog, it takes child-like faith and understanding to come to Christ, not winning philosophical debates or backing your opponent (the person you are evangelizing) into a corner. And unless we approach Christ's throne with a childish humility, rather then on resting on our own 'wisdom,' we are doomed for failure. We do not enter Heaven with our chests poked out or with haughty eyes, we enter in the Spirit of Paul's words in Romans:

"Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are his riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods!" (NLT)

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

2006-07-31T12:42:00.000-04:00

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.

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

2006-07-29T13:50:00.000-04:00

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.

SEBTS Bloggers

2006-07-27T09:50:00.000-04:00

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

Andrea Yates: Insane or Evil?

2006-07-26T20:49:00.000-04:00

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.

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

2006-07-25T22:22:00.000-04:00

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

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

2006-07-24T09:59:00.000-04:00

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.

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

2006-07-23T16:19:00.000-04:00

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.”

SC Preaching and Teaching Conference

2006-07-18T18:22:00.000-04:00

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!

The Vain Search for Certainty

2006-07-16T16:11:00.000-04:00

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.

No More Censorship (sort of)

2006-07-14T18:46:00.000-04:00

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

Movies

2006-07-13T10:09:00.000-04:00

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?

Patterson Throws His Hat into the Ring

2006-07-09T22:00:00.000-04:00

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."

DMB and Christ

2006-07-06T12:56:00.000-04:00

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.

Vacation Part Deux

2006-07-05T23:12:00.000-04:00

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? ;-)

Vacation!

2006-07-02T22:25:00.000-04:00

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.

Akin's Plea for Alcohol Abstinence

2006-07-01T11:44:00.000-04:00

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.

The Purpose of This Blog

2006-06-29T10:12:00.000-04:00

Since I am now at a new chapter in my life, I feel it is necessary to re-establish what exactly the purpose is of this blog. Often, a blog's original vision gets distorted or changed as it becomes more widely read. Since From the Pulpit's inception, the purpose has never changed:

"What an avenue to share the everlasting, life-changing message of Jesus Christ! My focus on this website will be to share with the world my views on the theological, cultural, and moral issues of the day. My primary goal is for others to come to the revelation and knowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord."

Discussion is nice and always welcome (indeed, some bloggers will post anything for the sake of discussion), but any discussion that I feel impedes my goal of growing people in the knowledge of Jesus Christ will be censored. That is why I have decided to moderate comments. If your comment does not appear, it has been censored for one of the following reasons:

1) It is incendiary, or antagonistic in nature and seeks only to belittle the blogger or another participant.

2) It uses inappropriate language for any reason (archaic Bible translations not included)

3) It fosters a spirit of discord of any kind.

This is a Christian blog. Therefore, it's primary goal is to bring glory to God. As Christians, we are called to do everything in a most excellent way - including our speech. Anything that does not bring glory to God will not be tolerated. There are many many many sites in the blogosphere (many of them Christian) which foster and even encourage this type of behavior. From the Pulpit will not be one of them.

Therefore, I encourage my readers, church members, and friends to freely read the blog and comment and participate in discussion. Differing views are welcome! However, if the discussion turns to one of not glorifying God it will be stopped.

As the associate pastor at a wonderful church, it is my goal to help lead those members into an edifying and encouraging walk along their spiritual journey and this blog will part of that process.

Monkey Business

2006-06-28T09:19:00.000-04:00

A few weeks earlier, this blog was in a discussion about homosexuality and I proposed that if homosexual marriage was legalized, other "marginalized" groups would start crying: "What about us?"

Well, as predicted, the ball has already started to roll in other parts of the world on this issue and this one specific group can't even speak the words to ask the aforementioned question:

"Spain's parliament is to declare support for rights to life and freedom for great apes on Wednesday, apparently the first time any national legislature will have recognized such rights for non-humans.

Parliament is to ask the government to adhere to the Great Ape Project, which would mean recognizing that our closest genetic relatives should be part of a "community of equals" with humans, supporters of the resolution said."

(press here for link to story)

Al Mohler brought this to attention on his blog, and I thought it was appropriate enough to include it on mine. The day that apes are recognized as our equal is a sad, and confusing, day. The unborn baby (who will eventually be a person, although I say he is one from conception, but is incapable of voicing an opinion) and the silent elderly (who were once capable of voicing an opinion but for whatever reason are invalid) are not seen as equals and in some cases have no rights, but there is a movement to make apes be seen as such?

By the way, if humans evolved from apes, why are their still apes? As my dad used to always say, "they may have come from apes, but I sure didn't."

Jesus Loves Porn Stars?

2006-06-26T10:08:00.000-04:00

Over at almohler.com, Dr. Mohler wrote a blog entry on a news story that appeared on ABC Word News Tonight. The issue: Jesus Loves Porn Stars. A pastor in L.A. goes to porn conventions and sets up a booth and passes out Bibles (The Message paraphrase) with a cover that says "Jesus Loves Porn Stars." I was somewhat surprised to read Mohler's opinion on this topic.

"I have no doubt that Jesus loves porn stars, and the Bible is perfectly clear in its grace-filled message that Christ came to save sinners. Jesus ate with notorious sinners and engaged in conversation with them. Yet, the presence of a Christian ministry within the confines of the Erotica Expo is a step beyond the example of Jesus, I would argue. There is a difference between talking to a prostitute about the Gospel and entering a brothel -- much less buying a booth."

I'm not convinced there is a difference between Jesus eating with a group of sinners and Jesus engaging with a like group of sinners on their turf. During the video, the pastor comments and says something to the effect of "We're the only ones out here doing this. If anyone has any ideas of how else to do this, let me know." I commend the pastor and am not convinced that what he is doing is wrong. Here is a subset of sinners who are mired in a sin that enslaves them and can potentially destroy their lives. Handing out KJV Bibles to them on the street may not have as much effect as showing them that you love them, coming where they are and giving them a Bible that they may be more likely to look through, read, and undestand. Obviously, if there is a Christian brother who struggles with porn, he should not participate in the evangelistic ministry. Comments?

Rice at the SBC and Ethnic Evangelism

2006-06-23T11:56:00.000-04:00

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice spoke at the SBC last week. Al Mohler notes:

"Anyone with the slightest sense of historical perspective—or a sense of irony—must have caught the profound meaning of that moment. There stood a descendant of slaves addressing the spiritual descendants of slaveholders. A denomination birthed in the context of racism and slavery found a moment of genuine pride and delight in welcoming the first African-American woman to hold the highest appointive office in the nation’s government. Furthermore, the messengers rose to their feet when Secretary Rice spoke of the nation’s resolve to oppose and eradicate slavery wherever it may be found. "

To echo Mohler's comments, I agree that Rice's presence was a monumental and hopeful glimpse of the future of the SBC - where peoples of all colors can take a stand for the Gospel.

This brings to light another issue. Some church growth gurus stand by the "homogenous unit principle" that state that like people should evangelize other people of similarity. Therefore, a rich person would have more effect sharing the Gospel to another rich person. A poor person " " a poor person. Does this principle translate into race? Our church has a few black couples and I wonder if they would have more impact reaching the black community of Sumter then I would? Comments, questions, sarcastic remarks are welcome.

Millie Boo Update

2006-06-21T09:32:00.000-04:00

She's home! Last night the doctors released MB and she's doing great. She can't do any roughhousing (which is her favorite activity) or jump off couches or anything because that could cause internal bleeding during the next three weeks. She's on a vitamink k supplement pill as well.

The doctors and nurses are shocked at how quickly she recovered. The prognosis was grim Sunday night. What a wonderful God we serve who is in control and whose hand governs the entire world. He allowed MB to see a Christian vet who did all he could to save her life. Also, what a wonderful God he is as he answers our prayers according to his perfect will for His glory alone. Thanks again to all those who prayed. Now my wife will not go into premature labor lamenting her doggie's situation!

Akin on Alcohol

2006-06-20T11:29:00.000-04:00

I received this in my email account at SEBTS yesterday. I think it comes at an appropriate time. He discussed various issues that came about at the convention and here is his stance on alcohol.

"It was the case that this convention did speak to the issue of alcohol. Some persons expressed surprise that a number of individuals spoke against it. I was not surprised, though I was disappointed. I have observed for some time a growing emphasis on our “liberty in Christ” that I fear neglect of our “responsibility in Christ.” Therefore, let me say several things that I hope are biblical and balanced in assessing the issue. I pray you will hear my heart.

First, Southern Baptists since the late 1800’s have addressed the danger of alcohol with right at 60 resolutions. Beginning as a grassroots movement we have spoken with one voice pointing out the risks of alcohol consumption and the wisdom of abstinence in this area. We did so again in Greensboro with an 85-90% vote according to the chair.

Second, arguments that a total abstinence position is an extra-biblical tradition rooted in legalism are simply false. Now, let me be fair. Does the Bible by direct command condemn the use of alcohol in every instance? The honest answer is no it does not. Jesus clearly turned water into wine (John 2). However, this is where contextual and principle considerations must be engaged. The ancient Hebrew context and the 21^st century American context do not have a one to one correspondence in this area. The distilled liquor manufactured today most closely corresponds to the “strong drink” which is consistently condemned in Scripture. My friends Bob Stein (in an article in C.T.) and John MacArthur (in a 3 part sermon series) provide irrefutable evidence of this. Further, Paul’s guidelines for the gray areas of life are helpful at this point. Does this action help me? (1 Cor. 6:12) Can this action enslave me? (1 Cor. 6:12) Could this action be a stumbling block to a fellow believer (1 Cor. 8:13) or an unbeliever (1 Cor. 9:19-22; 10:32-33)? These principles could be summarized in the maxim: “love for others regulates my liberty.” It is certain the alcohol industry has visited immense sorrow and heartache on millions. I will choose not to put one dollar in their pocket. It also is certain that if one never takes the first drink they will never become an alcoholic. The wisdom of this is self-evident.

Third, some draw an analogy with gluttony and point out 1) we don’t have the stomach (pun intended!) to address this, and 2) like gluttony, the issue is moderation. However, logic and experience refute this argument. I would agree we should address the sin of gluttony and perhaps even do so by resolution. But, no one even potentially becomes intoxicated by eating too much, and we do not lose thousands of lives each year because of DUG (Driving Under Gluttony).

No, the use of alcohol in most contexts ignores the biblical principles of wisdom and witness. Can I say it is a sin in every instance to take a drink? No. Can I say it is unwise? Yes. John MacArthur puts it well. Can I take a drink? Yes. Should I take a drink? No. I am grateful that our new President, Dr. Frank Page, served on this year’s Resolution Committee and helped draft resolution #5. I am glad to stand side by side with him and brothers like R.G. Lee, W.A. Criswell, Adrian Rogers, Jerry Vines, Paige Patterson, Chuck Kelly, Phil Roberts, Jeff Iorg, Richard Land, Bobby Welch, Morris Chapman, James Merritt, Johnny Hunt, John Piper, and John MacArthur and a host of others in opposing the evils of alcohol and promoting the wisdom of total abstinence. I promise our alumni, students and supporters that as long as I am president of this seminary, we will be vigilant and passionate in taking a stand against alcohol. We will do so not because of legalism, but because of love."

Pray for our Millie Boo

2006-06-19T10:26:00.000-04:00

We had to rush our little dog, Millie Boo, to the emergency vet last night. After running tests they came to the conclusion that she ingested rat poison. She was pretty far along in the process and the doctor gave her a 50/50 chance of survival last night. To those who know us, you know that Millie Boo is like a daughter to us and she is only a year old.

Rat poison is deadly to animals because it depletes their Vitamin K, thus not allowing their blood to clot, which means the animal bleeds to death internally. After taking an x-ray, the doctor said that there was not that much blood in her lungs (which is great) and that they would start with a blood transfusion immediately. They took blood from a nurse's dog that was there, and throughout the night gave Millie new blood and injections of Vitamin K.

At 8 this morning, the doctor was more positive and said that Millie Boo was doing "great" and that she was playful and energetic. This may mean that her new blood is clotting which will cure her. We will know for sure if she'll make it at 4 pm today when they run the blood clot test. Please pray for her and my wife who is 28 weeks pregnant. She does not need this stress.

Mohler: Compassion and Courage Needed With Homosexuals

2006-06-18T14:22:00.000-04:00

While we're on the topic of homosexuality, Dr. Al Mohler has some insights about how Evangelicals should display both courage and compassion to those who struggle with this sin.

"The times demand Christian courage. These days, courage means that preachers and Christian leaders must set an agenda for biblical confrontation, and not shrink from dealing with the full range of issues related to homosexuality. We must talk about what the Bible teaches about gender--what it means to be a man or a woman. We must talk about God's gift of sex and the covenant of marriage. And we must talk honestly about what homosexuality is, and why God has condemned this sin as an abomination in His sight.

Courage is far too rare in many Christian circles. This explains the surrender of so many denominations, seminaries, and churches to the homosexual agenda. But no surrender on this issue would have been possible, if the authority of Scripture had not already been undermined.

And yet, even as courage is required, the times call for another Christian virtue as well--compassion. The tragic fact is that every congregation is almost certain to include persons struggling with homosexual desire or even involved in homosexual acts. Outside the walls of the church, homosexuals are waiting to see if the Christian church has anything more to say, after we declare that homosexuality is a sin.

Liberal churches have redefined compassion to mean that the church changes its message to meet modern demands. They argue that to tell a homosexual he is a sinner is uncompassionate and intolerant. This is like arguing that a physician is intolerant because he tells a patient she has cancer. But, in the culture of political correctness, this argument holds a powerful attraction.

Biblical Christians know that compassion requires telling the truth, and refusing to call sin something sinless. To hide or deny the sinfulness of sin is to lie, and there is no compassion in such a deadly deception. True compassion demands speaking the truth in love--and there is the problem. Far too often, our courage is more evident than our compassion."

Redefining Marriage: Polyamory

2006-06-17T22:40:00.000-04:00

In the quest to legalize homosexual marriage, there are groups of practicing homosexuals who are in polyamorous relationships: those with two or more partners. In his revealing article, Kelly Boggs notes correctly that if and when homosexuals gain license to legally marry, other advocates of alternative forms of relationships will start to cry "what about us?" and politicians, fearful of being labled a 'bigot' will cave in to their demands.

Alcohol Use and the SBC

2006-06-15T18:30:00.000-04:00

There was a resolution passed this week concerning alcohol consumption and SBC leadership.

"When the back-and-forth on alcohol finally ended, the messengers passed with about a four-fifths majority a resolution not only opposing the manufacture and consumption of alcohol but urging the exclusion of Southern Baptists who drink from election to the convention’s boards, committees and entities. Like other resolutions, it is not binding on SBC churches and entities."

Those who were in favor of the resolution were Jim Richards, executive director of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention and a messenger from First Baptist Church of Fort Worth, Texas, who introduced the bill. He stated, "While there may be liberty, we cannot violate [the admonition in 1 Corinthians 8 that] says our liberty can become a stumbling block. … [T]he use of alcohol as a beverage can and does impede our testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ,” Richards said in support of his amendment. “[O]ur leaders should take the high road in our walk with the Lord Jesus.”

Also in defense of the resolution was committee member Dwayne Mercer, pastor of First Baptist Church in Oviedo, Fla. He said he appreciates “the fact that people become alcoholics because they drink too much alcohol, my parents always taught me, ‘If you don’t take the first drink, you don’t have to worry about taking the last.’”

In oppostion of the bill was Tom Ascol, pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, Fla., and executive director of Founders Ministries, a Southern Baptist organization that advocates reformed theology, referred to an New Testament account of Jesus at a wedding as his rationale.
“Christ turned water into wine,” Ascol said.

Benjamin Cole, pastor of Parkview Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, said he does not advocate the drinking of alcohol but he feared the convention was in danger of “misstepping” if it adopted “a position that is contrary to what the Bible teaches in the flexibility of the scriptural admonitions as they relate to the consumption of alcoholic beverages.”

Cole’s father died at the age of 39 from a liver disease brought on by alcoholism.

“My father did not die because he drank alcohol; my father died because he drank alcohol in excess,” said Cole, who said as a 13-year-old he cared for his father during the last six months of his life.
Jeff Young, pastor of Corinth Baptist Church in Ravenna, Texas, said the older members of the SBC had won the battle to proclaim the Bible is “authoritative and sufficient, but when we pass extra-biblical resolutions such as this, we pull the rug out from underneath that teaching.”

I'd be interested in hearing what people think about this.

New SBC President Frank Page

2006-06-13T21:38:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to Dr. Frank Page of Taylors First Baptist in Taylors, SC for being elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention. I know he will do an excellent job leading the convention for this year. I am not sure when the last time was (Richard Furman?) where a South Carolina pastor was elected president. If anyone knows, let me know.

God is in Control (Mark 4:35-41)

2006-06-11T22:20:00.000-04:00

Introduction

In this passage of Scripture, Jesus shows his power and sovereignty over creation by calming the storm that worried the disciples. Just as in the days of the disciples, Jesus has the power to calm the storms of our lives as well. He is sovereign and is completely in control of our lives. How is Jesus in control of our lives? He is in control in three ways:

1. God is in control of our lives in that he allows our troubles (v.35-36)
Look at verse 35. “That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side. Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.”

The disciples had just spent the afternoon listening to Jesus teach about the kingdom of God. The disciples were witnesses to four parables. Jesus taught about how the kingdom of God was like a farmer planting seed in a field. He taught that there were four different kinds of seed. Some people are like the seed sown along a path where birds eat it up. Some people are like seed sown on rocky places where there is not much soil and had no root and withered as soon as they sprouted. Some people are like the seed which fell among thorns meaning that when they grew they were strangled by the deceitfulness of the world. And some people are like the seed sown on good soil which grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, even a hundred times. Unfortunately, the disciples did not understand this parable and Jesus had to explain it to them.

Jesus also taught that day about a lamp on a stand. He taught that you place a lamp on a stand so that its light can be seen; not under a bowl or a bed. After all, Jesus said, whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. He then urged the disciples to consider carefully what they heard and that whoever has will be given more and whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. He then taught that the kingdom of God is like growing seed that is ready to harvest. And finally he taught how the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed which is the smallest seed in the region but when it grows it becomes the largest plant. He was concerned that the disciples did not understand the parables because the parables were meant for those who had ears to hear.
Understandably the disciples’ heads were spinning. Here was hard teaching being given in parables, not to mention a lot of information. The disciples did not understand all of them. Is there ever anything that you don’t understand in the Bible? Are their things that you do not understand about the Christian life? I hope you all say ‘yes’ to that question. There are things we will never understand in this life. Jesus knew this and decided to take the disciples across the lake to teach them a lesson. Sometimes, like the disciples, we may have all the head knowledge in the world about who Jesus is and what the kingdom of God is, but if we don’t have faith, all the knowledge in the world is worth about as much as what’s inside my new green hirby-kirby. Jesus also knew that on that lake where the disciples were getting ready to go, there would be a fierce storm. He needed to take the disciples across the lake and into that storm for a reason.

What reason? Why would Jesus take the disciples through such a storm? Sometimes the Lord needs to take us through troubles in our life because we may not be ready for future situations that he has for us. Little did the disciples know that after they crossed the lake, there would be a demon-possessed man waiting for them. His name was “Legion” because he had so many demons inside of him. No amount of chains could hold him down and no amount of men could keep him subdued. He was terrorizing the entire region.

But the main reason that God allows our troubles is to increase our faith. Jesus is in control of our lives in that he allows us to go through troubles because He loves us and knows that our faith falters all the time.

When I lived in Texas, I attended a church that was about a 45-minute drive from where I lived. On the way back from a Saturday night service, I drove through a storm that had a previous history of producing tornadoes. Hail rained down on my car and it was probably one of the most frightening experiences of my life. My car was getting blown off the road and hail was breaking people’s windshields and denting peoples’ cars. I know that I will go through many other storms in my life. However, I know that what I drove through that night was pretty bad and I probably won’t have to drive through anything like that again. God saw me through it and taught me a lesson. He let me know that He was in control and the main reason He sent me through that storm was so that I would know that He is capable of keeping me secure. Sure, cars around me were dinted and windows were crashed but my car was as good as new. God is in control of our lives. And sometimes he allows us to go through troubles to get us where he wants us to be in our spiritual lives.

2. God is in control of our lives in that he understands our troubles (v.37-38)

Look at verse 37. “And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up.” Picture the scene if you will for a moment. Jesus has just finished teaching the disciples all about the Kingdom of God. Now he has told the disciples that he would like to get on a boat and cross the lake. He did not tell the disciples why. They did not ask, “Why?” They simply obeyed. Had they known what Jesus knew, they probably would not have followed Him. Jesus, being fully God and fully man knew full well that there was going to be a fierce storm later that evening. The Greek word for this phrase, “fierce gale” is very interesting. This phrase is not describing a single gust of wind, nor a steady blowing wind. When Mark uses this word, he is describing a storm breaking forth from black thunderclouds in furious gusts, with floods of rain, and throwing everything topsy-turvy and out of control. Imagine this if you can: you are in a boat, in the middle of a lake and you look out and you see this storm forming. You realize it’s going to be bad. You can feel your heart starting to beat a little faster. Then it starts to rain, and the wind picks up and it rains harder. The boat is then flooding. Pretty soon the you can hardly stand up. You are battening down the hatches. It is thundering and lightening constantly and waves of water are partnering with the rain and the boat is filling with water. Where is the captain of this ship? Where’s Jesus? Where is He? Where is Jesus in my trouble? Does he care? Is he there? “Where’s Jesus?” one disciple asks. The other one says, “I don’t know I can’t find him!” Furiously, amidst all of the chaos of their present trouble they finally find Jesus Look at verse 38. “Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion.” Jesus was there on the ship the whole time and he was sleeping. Sleeping? How can Jesus be still when we’re going through so much trouble?

Look at the next part of the verse: “and they woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" Do you not care, Jesus? God, are you out there? My life is in a tailspin, God. I lost my job, God, where are you? My husband left me, God, where are you? My child was killed by a drunk driver! Where are you God?” God is in the stern, asleep on a cushion. How can he do that? God, do you not care that I am perishing? Do you not care about me, God? Do you not?

Fortunately, He does. God is in control and he understands our troubles. He can relate. Like the disciples, Jesus is there with us when we go through troubles. During the midst of the storm, Jesus is there…in the stern, not stressing out, but in quiet control.

My wife’s grandmother passed away on 6-6-06 earlier this week. She suffered for almost 10 years in a nursing home with Alzheimer’s disease not knowing what was going on. Some days she knew your name, others she did not. She was such a sweet woman, before the disease, I’m told. She had a rough life though. Some people in her life treated her wrong and she went through some disheartening situations. But she was a dedicated believer, who served God all of her life. She never talked bad about anyone. She never was anyone’s enemy. Where was God? God, do you not care that this great saint of a woman has struggled all of her life and this is how you repay her? By letting her suffer? What is God’s reaction to our storms? Well, know that God understands our troubles. How can he possibly do that? Don’t forget, Philippians two says that God came to earth in a human form but was 100% God. Jesus made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant. Being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient even to death! Christ suffered in the ultimate way! He was crucified on a sinner’s cross to die the death that was meant for us! God understands. He is in control and He understands our troubles because He has been in our shoes.

3. God is in control of our lives in that he calms our troubles (v.39-41)

Not only does God allow our troubles and understand our troubles, God, praise His name, calms our troubles. Look at verse 39. “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” The first thing I want to point out to you here is that when the disciples realized that they were perishing and that they could not save themselves, they cried out to the Lord. “Lord, save us, we are perishing!” What did Jesus do? He saved the disciples. He arose from his slumber and spoke into the wind - “Quiet! Be still.” And what did the storm do? It stopped. God is in control of the weather. And if God can control the weather, He can take control of our lives if we ask him to.

The Bible is filled with natural illustrations of people crying out to God. Listen to David in Psalm 34: “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.”

Look at verse 40. This is the most important verse of this section. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" The disciples were obviously afraid of the weather. Jesus states that their fear is something else. Their fear is a lack of faith in who Jesus is. It is lack of faith that Jesus is God. It is a lack of faith that God can take care of them. Do you ever doubt God’s care? I know I do. The fact that we doubt God’s care for us is why he sends us through troubles.

Romans 5 states, “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings.” Rejoice in our sufferings? Why would we do that? The next part of Romans tells us: “Because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope.” When we go through troubles, we develop perseverance that enables us to undergo future troubles. Through the perseverance that we build, our character is molded into the image of Christ, which is His goal for us. And when our character is molded into the image of Christ, our hope, meaning our bedrock faith, increases. That is the reason for our trials: so that ultimately God will get the glory.

Look at the last verse, verse 41. “They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!" Who is this? Who has the power to calm the storms? Even the wind and the waves obey Him! Who is it? It’s Jesus! Jesus Christ who is the Son of God and God Himself who is in control over all creation.

God is in control of our lives in that he allows our troubles, he understands our troubles, and the calms our troubles.

Conclusion

I’m sure everyone in this room is experiencing a trouble or a trial of some kind. I ask you tonight to lay that burden at the feet of Christ. Call out his name and He will hear you. Why will he hear you? He’ll hear you because by crying out to Him you are showing to Him that you have faith in Him as Lord. The disciples made many mistakes and were confused often through Jesus’ ministry. They lacked faith a lot. And these guys actually walked beside Jesus. Therefore, don’t feel bad if your faith falters. All of our faith falters at some time. Just call on God to forgive your unbelief and to rescue you from your longsuffering and He will do that. He promises us this in this book.

Maybe tonight, you have realized that you need to give Christ total control of your life. You’ve been trying to do things your own way for too long and your troubles have just increased. God wants you to place your burden at his feet. During the invitation hymn if you’d like to do that tonight, feel free to come down here at the alter and give those troubles to Jesus.

Maybe, tonight, you have realized that you have been living your life without Jesus. Take some time tonight to ask Jesus to forgive you of your unbelief and your sins and He will take that burden away from you just as easy as you ask him to. He sent his Son for you so that you can have eternal life. He loves you. The time is now, ask Him into our life.

Finally Set-up

2006-06-11T21:46:00.000-04:00

Well, my wife and I are finally getting settled into our new house. I'll update soon.

More on the Calvinsm Debate

2006-06-05T18:54:00.000-04:00

Marty Duren, over at SBC Outpost, has written a very informative and insightful critique of the Calvinist/Non-Calvinist debate that is ever growing in the SBC. Among the highlights:

"We now find ourselves in a position of continual accusation, misrepresentation, frustration and aggravation. Hyper-calvinism is used as a caricature of actual Calvinism, while Arminianism is thrown around like we just merged with the UMC. It does seem to me that a few from both sides tend to be just a little too reactionary."

I think this statement paints a very accurate picture of what is going on in our beloved convention.

Akin on Calvinism

2006-06-01T15:20:00.000-04:00

The Olive Press Online has a very revealing and informative interview with SEBTS President Dr. Danny Akin. One of the questions that OP posed Dr. Akin was centered around Calvinism and its perceived threat to the SBC.

OP: Is Calvinism a threat to the evangelistic fervor of the SBC? Why or why not?

Dr. Akin: Let me begin by clearly stating that I am not a 5 point Calvinist, but I do not believe that Calvinism as a theology is the real threat to the evangelistic fervor of Southern Baptist churches. I think the greatest threats to evangelism in Southern Baptist life are cold hearts, laziness and a lack of priority on the Great Commission. For whatever reason, we have become indifferent to the destiny of the souls of lost men and women. As a denomination, we need to be far more aggressive in carrying out evangelism and missions. With that said Calvinists “with an attitude” are not helpful, but neither is a dispensationalist with an attitude. And, there is an extreme form of Calvinism that is not good for the work of God’s kingdom. That type of Calvinism will never be at home in the Southern Baptist Convention. There is, though, a healthy reformed theology that recognizes and affirms the great mystery between God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility to repent and believe the gospel, and that is very much a part of our Southern Baptist heritage. I am not in favor of trying to excise out of the Southern Baptist Convention a healthy reformed theology. I actually think its presence is quite beneficial. Personally I affirm the great “solas” of the Reformation. I believe that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for the glory of God alone. The tent of Southern Baptist doctrine is well-defined by the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, and under that theological umbrella there is room for diversity in terms of methodology, size of churches and even emphasis. The crucial issue for us at this particular time in our history is that we are intentionally biblical in everything that we do. We must always be Scripture-driven and Scripture-guided.

Dr. Akin's response is one of Christian maturity. I am not a 5-point Calvinist either. However, I agree that Calvinism has brought a lot of issues back into perspective, such as the comforting doctrine of God's sovereignty. It is good to hear of a leader in the convention who neither advocates a complete overhaul of the SBC to Calvinism or seeks to squash any Calvinistic thought at every turn.

Pregnancy and a Consistent Ethic of Life

2006-05-31T18:40:00.000-04:00

SEBTS Ph.D. student, Nathan Finn, wrote an interesting article on Christian parents having a consistent ethic of life. He notes that when a Christian couple learns of their pregnancy, they have a decision to make: (a) tell everyone they know about the pregnancy immediately, or (b) wait until the 'risky' first trimester is over so that if the child does die in the first 12 weeks of being in utero, the couple will not have to tell everyone they have previously told about the death of their unborn child.

Finn advocates, "If life begins at conception, then we are parents as soon as a child is present in the womb. Birth obviously changes many things, but it does not increase the “aliveness” of the child. If life begins at conception, then miscarriage is death, and like all other human death, it should be mourned over and recognized as evidence of the fall. Should miscarriage happen, we would want the body of Christ to grieve with us just as if we had lost a toddler or a teenager.

If life begins at conception, then when we pray for our baby, we are not praying for our future child. We may be praying for the future birth of our now-living child, but the baby is just as much alive and a part of our lives as if he or she were currently in Leah’s arms.

If life begins at conception, then the process of raising our child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord has already begun, even if just in the form of praying for the baby and maintaining godly personal and family disciplines that the baby will one day be included in and taught to apply personally.

If we as Christians truly believe that all of human life is sacred, then we need to quit acting like the world when we talk about pregnancy. That fetus is a baby is a child is a person who is created in the image of God. While being sensitive to the innumerable people who have suffered tragedy during pregnancy, we need to encourage each other to publicly rejoice in new life as soon as we are aware of it. We need to jettison all future tense language when referring to our status as parents, because if there is life in the womb, then we are parents in the present."

I think Finn makes a good point when he mentions that it is beneficial to have people praying for the health of the baby. My wife and I found out a month before the Finns of her pregnancy and we told family and close friends because we wanted them praying for us and the baby. Therefore, if something happens to the baby in utero, then our Christian brothers and sisters can be there for us and help us mourn and "weep with those that weep" (Rom. 12)

Graduation Confusion

2006-05-29T22:09:00.000-04:00

I'll give a chestbump and a high-five to the person who can give the best caption to this picture of me and my wife from graduation.

Moving!

2006-05-29T14:22:00.000-04:00

I'm still here. After a whirlwind of a weekend that saw my wife and I graduate from seminary, we now have 8 days left in Raleigh before our big move. Most of this Memorial Holiday will be spent packing and boxing and sweating. Pray that I don't hurt myself tapeing down boxes.