Friday, February 27. 2009
Many Evangelicals have their heads in the sand or blinders over their eyes these days. They are interested only in their "personal relationship" with Jesus and quite willing to let the President and Congress shape the future of our Country. Other Christians actually believe that what is happening is wonderful because they believe it is the responsibility of Civil Government to provide for education, welfare, health care, banking, housing, jobs, energy, biotechnology and our waistlines, too. Some Evangelicals do not know what the Bible says about any of these things but agree with warnings and solutions being offered by conservative, but secular, radio and TV hosts and writers.
It is inconceivable that God has not revealed His will about all of this. It is inconceivable that He has no Word to guide us as citizens through the turmoil which engulfs us these days. It is inconceivable that there is no Scripture to help us formulate public policy and by which we can analyze our new President's initiatives.
Continue reading "CHANGING THE COUNTRY"
Wednesday, February 25. 2009
One of the most popular "Christian" books ever is "The Shack". Many churches are using it for discussion groups during Lent. Evangelical Pastors I know think it is wonderful and highly recommend it. Reviewers are ecstatic in their praise. Many claim the book has radically changed their lives for the better. However, it is full of serious unscriptural teaching and should be read, if at all, with a prayer for spiritual discernment.
Many who wouldn't recognize the beliefs and values of the so-called Emergent Church will find them in the pages of this book. Solid believers will begin their reviews saying, "I know there are yellow flags and I have serious problems with the doctrine in the book", but go on to say, "nevertheless, I love the book and found it so freeing." That is the word used often. In the book, as in the Emergent Church literature, relationships trump doctrine. What is most important is love, acceptance, affirmation, forgiveness and reconciliation. They find all of that in this book and that is what really matters to those who love the book, even if it is unsound in its teaching about God, the Trinity, Salvation and the Scripture. (What does that say about people in general and contemporary evangelicals in particular?) Here is an excellent, extensive review of the book that should serve as a guide if you are spending time in the Shack.
http://www.challies.com/media/The_Shack.pdf
Tuesday, February 24. 2009
My wife and I enjoyed pancakes and a good time with friends at our church last night, but we will not be attending the Ash Wednesday Service tonight. We do observe Lent and part of that of course is remembering our sins and our mortality. That is what is behind the use of ashes- we were created from the earth. When we are buried we return to the earth. Clergy say "Ashes to ashes" and sprinkle dirt on our caskets at the grave. Remembering that, ashes are smudged on the foreheads of worshipers during the Ash Wednesday Services. This is the symbolic beginning of a period of Lent which includes fasting, self denial and spiritual discipline in preparation for Good Friday. All of that is beneficial (it is like Advent before Christmas). The ritual is not a Sacrament or Ordinance. It dates back to maybe the 8th Century. The use of ashes as a sign of sorrow or repentance, however, is found in Scripture.
Isaiah 58:4-6 (New International Version)
4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed
and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD ?
6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke? Receiving ashes is a tradition in Catholic type churches. We have known innumerable Roman Catholics who go to get their ashes sometime during the day and then wear them at work. To us, this has always seemed like a ritual done by people as, at best, just something that they do out of religious custom or obligation. Knowing these co-workers, the act never seemed to be evidence of contrition or repentance of sin or awareness of mortality, let alone the beginning of a period of self-denial. Of course, I could be quite mistaken about that. I'm sure there must be exceptions. But it is enough to dissuade me from participating. But the clincher is the fact that the Gospel reading for the Service every year includes these words of Jesus-
16 ‘whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matt 6:16-18
What matters is what is in the heart and mind of the worshiper, not what is on the forehead. The latter can never be a substitute for the former.
Monday, February 23. 2009
According to several recent surveys by Barna Group and others. a large majority of Protestant youth drop out of church before age 23. Some return after 30, but most do not. They join an ever increasing percentage of Americans who have no church background at all. These kinds of statistics fuel the Emerging Church Movement. EC Leaders and their books insist that America’s churches must seek new ways to reach these young adults. If we don’t, they will not only not be saved, but churches as we know them are doomed to dry up and die. We all know churches which are doing exactly that. The Emergent Movement is (or was) basically an evangelistic movement as in the name “Youth for Christ”. Understand this is where we must begin our study of the Emergent Movement (the actual name is changing or varied and some are now dropping the Emergent label altogether, but the phenomena labeled by it continues to grow world-wide). Read more on my website here
Saturday, February 21. 2009
Jeremiah 6
16 This is what the LORD says:
"Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'
17 I appointed watchmen over you and said,
'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!'
But you said, 'We will not listen.'
18 Therefore hear, O nations;
observe, O witnesses,
what will happen to them.
19 Hear, O earth:
I am bringing disaster on this people,
the fruit of their schemes,
because they have not listened to my words
and have rejected my law.
Saturday, February 21. 2009
PLEASE NOTICE THE 3 ICONS AT THE TOP OF THE ESSAYS PUBLISHED ON MY WEBSITE. http://www.reformedliving.org YOU MAY VIEW THE ARTICLES IN FULL PAGE SIZE BY CLICKING ON THE PDF ICON. YOU MAY ALSO PRINT OR MAIL ARTICLES! Thanks! ENJOY
Friday, February 20. 2009
I have just posted a new extensive Essay on my website (Reformedliving.org- click on the link in the column at the right). It is entitled, Reaching the Emergent Generation.
Friday, February 20. 2009
I have not been posting to this Blog lately for three reasons: 1. Busy writing sermons for supply preaching 2. Busy with writing an extensive Essay for my website 3. Disengagement with current news events. Almost everything I read about in the news, especially coming out of Washington, is just far too distressing and upsetting to me. Engaging it with this Blog is futile. I feel like I am watching the Titantic of our Nation sinking and I am helpless to do anything. I pray that God will have mercy and intervene. With Him there is Hope. I am turning my energies to study and write of things other than the obama-nation before me. I hope and pray these other things I write will help with what is wrong in the long run.
Saturday, February 7. 2009
Strangely, I find little interest among Evangelicals generally in the Law of God. On this subject, they usually repeat this dictum as their reason: "No one is saved by the works of the Law" and this one: "we are saved by grace alone through faith in Christ alone". I agree with these dicta. I am not saying anyone is saved by obeying the Law.
On the other hand, when the topics of capital punishment, abortion, homosexuality and "gay marriage" come up (among others) I find that Evangelicals are quick to use verses they find in the Law to condemn these things. How do we explain this inconsistency and apparent contradiction? We are confusing the uses of the Law.
The Law contains symbolic acts, rituals, especially animal sacrifices, which pre-figure and illustrate the future work of Christ. These parts of the Law are no longer in effect (they have been "fulfilled"). Then there are those verses that spell out moral and ethical behavior ("You shall not steal"). Such laws are considered restraints upon sin in society in general. These laws are usually used (very selectively) to bring conviction of sin and thus to lead unsaved sinners to Christ for forgiveness. But these verses have never been annulled. They still stand as God's Norms for how His Covenant People are to conduct their lives, privately and publicly. They teach Christians what it means to be righteous and holy before the Lord. (It just won't do to say, "I just follow Jesus" or "All we need is love"). This latter use of the Law is the one being neglected or denied by Evangelicals. That is wrongheaded and that is the problem I write to redress (See the Essays on my website). Never have Christians needed to know and obey the Law of God more than now. The attitude we should have is this one, as expressed in Psalm 19-
The law of the Lord is perfect
and revives the soul;*
the testimony of the Lord is sure
and gives wisdom to the innocent.
The statutes of the Lord are just
and rejoice the heart;*
the commandment of the Lord is clear
and gives light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean
and endures for ever;*
the judgments of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
more than much fine gold,*
sweeter far than honey,
than honey in the comb.
Wednesday, February 4. 2009
Our local DPW has a hard time keeping our streets clear after snow and ice storms. They always do the main roads first and leave the side roads till later- much later, if ever. Seem like most of us have the main roads of our lives clear and passable most of the time. Our troubles come on the side streets we take and the pot holes that we do not deal with till later- if ever.
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