Friday, November 30. 2007
Many Christians are disturbed about a movie coming out soon: The Golden Compass. They have very legitimate concerns. Here is a well reasoned and sensible article about how we can approach this movie. He says, "fear not". Read the entire article to understand why. He advocates an approach which requires not only wisdom and grace, but also education and sophistication on the part of the viewer and very careful, thoughtful guidance by parents with their children who may view the film- a very tall order. If these essentials are missing, better advice would be to skip [but not condemn] the movie. It is very well done. The problem comes from getting hooked and making folks want to see the two films which will follow and which could be unsettling for people who do not have the critical tools of the CT Reviewer http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/commentaries/fearnotthecompass.html
Friday, November 30. 2007
The building that once was home to Springfield’s only Christian Bookstore is expected to soon become the site of a Starbucks! This will provide grounds for Pastoral Pundits to percolate for their next homiletical brew, whipped up with the milk of the Word.
Thursday, November 29. 2007
A Reader, commenting on my post below, asked a good question. Here is my reply. I am posting it here so that more than he will read it.
Are you saying God's wrath was expiated with only the physical punishment Jesus endured on the cross?
God’s wrath is the emotion of great displeasure: anger [controlled and directed, not irrational rage] directed toward sin; it also can mean punishment, as a consequent of the anger]
Christ’s offering of himself on Calvary was a propitiation of God’s anger- it placated (appeased) Him. Christ’ death also expiated the cause of the anger, our sin- it put an end to our sin and guilt, it removed it from His sight (thus we say, “our sins are covered by the blood of Jesus“)
Continue reading "BOOK BANNED IN BOSTON, Part 2"
Wednesday, November 28. 2007
Our local paper has a monthly page featuring the opinions of teens from local middle and high schools. This week 17 of them answered the question, “Who is a good Teacher?”
At first glance, it seemed almost all of them answered, “The ones who make the lessons or class fun.” But what makes for fun in the class room? I reread their comments more closely.
Laughter, for sure; but their involvement and participation in class makes for “fun”. They like teachers who like their subject and like teaching it. They like teachers who show interest in their students and care how they are doing. They absolutely do not like lectures (boring!) They like teachers who act out roles or parts that illustrate the lessons, as well as demonstrate practical application, and who use a lot of visual aids or “games”. Several said they do not like teachers who are pushovers or not strict and let kids get away with nonsense.
Does any of this also apply to Sunday School teachers and to Preachers?
Wednesday, November 28. 2007
In the very center of Springfield is a park. At one end of it is a large, magnificent church building. It is 188 years old. The congregation is 370 years old- this is its 4th Meeting House. On January 1st the doors will be boarded up and the church dissolved. The number of members has dwindled to less than 100 and they no longer can maintain this historic building. When it was dedicated in 1819, there were 3000 people present.
Continue reading "LOCAL CHURCH CLOSES DOORS AFTER 370 YEARS"
Wednesday, November 28. 2007
The Founder of Springfield (named after his home town in England) was William Pynchon. There is an Episcopal Church building here that is a duplicate of his home parish church [Anglican- he was a Puritan] and a statue of him is next to the main City Library.
In 1650, he wrote “The Meritorious Price of our Redemption” in which he .. condemned especially the doctrine that Christ suffered the wrath of God and the torments of hell to pay man's debt to his Creator. The Massachusetts General Council members [the Legislature] read the book, considered it to be heretical, and ordered it burned immediately on the Market Place at Boston. It was the first book “banned in Boston“.
Continue reading "THE FIRST BOOK BANNED IN BOSTON"
Tuesday, November 27. 2007
According to Rev 20:2, Satan is bound, but- he is not destroyed, only restricted. According to Rev 13 and 17, Satan exercises control over the world through three agents: the Anti-Christ (which is totalitarian government, hence our serious concern about ever increasing “Big Brother” government and the “Welfare State”, in which government becomes “god” in the lives of people); the False Prophet (the propaganda arm of the State, which works to promote and justify the influence of the State to its citizens. This agent is often a Church or Church Leaders which sell the need of Big Brother to the masses, when it preaches the Social Gospel); and finally, Babylon (which is hedonistic, materialistic society).
Continue reading "SATAN SMILES"
Tuesday, November 27. 2007
Occasionally, I express my frustration with some church matter and have been told to “live with it!”. That can be wise advice about some things, especially about those things we have no control over and can do nothing about. Yes, we all need to learn to accept such things and live with them. But then there are those things that must not be tolerated and can be changed. There are matters which we must not cave in on and the advice to just “live with it” is terrible.
Of course, wisdom is needed to tell the difference; but God help those of us who know what is right and do not do it (or at least put up a good fight).
Tuesday, November 27. 2007
Twice, I have outlined on this Blog what I believe are the key Biblical qualifications for the best candidate for President (of course, there is also the need for personal character and integrity, trustworthiness and honesty, intelligence, leadership ability, speaking ability and, oh yes, elect-ability). Those Biblical qualifications include being pro-life and pro-traditional marriage (i.e.- the marriage of a man and a woman)
Foreign Policy, particularly waging some kind of war against radical Islam is not one of the Biblical qualifications.
Continue reading ""EVANGELICALS AND EVIL EMPIRES"- 2 APPROACHES"
Tuesday, November 27. 2007
Jer 23:1 KJV Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. 2 Therefore thus saith the LORD God against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away,
and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
3 And I will gather the remnant of my flock … and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
4 And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.
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