Looking to government to solve your problems is making government a "god".
Government seeks to eliminate all "gods" before it. Otherwise, you can believe what you want, as long as government is the ultimate authority.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Friday, June 08, 2012
when you care enough to tell the truth
Giving people a helping hand is great.
However, how helpful is it to provide temporal assistance to someone without sharing the Gospel of turning away from sin (repentance) and turning toward salvation found only in Jesus the Messiah?
So often, when we help someone it is just so that we can feel better about ourselves.
Most of us are helping others to alleviate our own sense of guilt. That is not love.
Once the guilt is assuaged, we then pat ourselves on the back and smugly reflect on how "good" we are.
Assistance without the Gospel is is akin to giving someone icewater on thier way to hell.
Heaven forbid that we should share the truth with someone. Telling someone the truth is more likely to alienate you and make you the target of ridicule.
The truth does not make us any friends. If we tell someone the truth, well, it might offend them and they may not like us.
So, for selfish reasons we hold back the truth and try to selfishly assuage our guilt by throwing money at the problem.
Always maintain an eternal perspective. Ask yourself, how much will this temporary circumstance really matter 10,000 years from now?
If you truly love and care about someone, then you should be VERY CONCERNED about where they will be spending ETERNITY before you concern yourself with where they will spend the night or get their next meal.
Providing food, clothing, and shelter to those in need is a great draw for getting people's attention.
But, the assistance should not be a goal in and of itself.
It should be an avenue to the goal of sharing the Gospel. That should always be the drive and focus.
However, how helpful is it to provide temporal assistance to someone without sharing the Gospel of turning away from sin (repentance) and turning toward salvation found only in Jesus the Messiah?
So often, when we help someone it is just so that we can feel better about ourselves.
Most of us are helping others to alleviate our own sense of guilt. That is not love.
Once the guilt is assuaged, we then pat ourselves on the back and smugly reflect on how "good" we are.
Assistance without the Gospel is is akin to giving someone icewater on thier way to hell.
Heaven forbid that we should share the truth with someone. Telling someone the truth is more likely to alienate you and make you the target of ridicule.
The truth does not make us any friends. If we tell someone the truth, well, it might offend them and they may not like us.
So, for selfish reasons we hold back the truth and try to selfishly assuage our guilt by throwing money at the problem.
Always maintain an eternal perspective. Ask yourself, how much will this temporary circumstance really matter 10,000 years from now?
If you truly love and care about someone, then you should be VERY CONCERNED about where they will be spending ETERNITY before you concern yourself with where they will spend the night or get their next meal.
Providing food, clothing, and shelter to those in need is a great draw for getting people's attention.
But, the assistance should not be a goal in and of itself.
It should be an avenue to the goal of sharing the Gospel. That should always be the drive and focus.
my criteria for charitable giving
1. Must be used toward a biblical purpose (ie: taking care of widows and orphans, feed and cloth the destitute and hungry)
2. Sharing the Gospel of turning from sin and turning to the salvation found only in Jesus the Messiah must be the central purpose, the food and other items are just the draw.
3. Over 95% of the funds collected must verifiably go toward #1 and #2 and not to "administrative costs" (someone's pocket)
2. Sharing the Gospel of turning from sin and turning to the salvation found only in Jesus the Messiah must be the central purpose, the food and other items are just the draw.
3. Over 95% of the funds collected must verifiably go toward #1 and #2 and not to "administrative costs" (someone's pocket)
Wednesday, June 06, 2012
The Harbinger
I just completed listening to the Harbinger on audiobook.
Some have criticized Cahn's book, but their criticism makes it clear they have not thoroughly read the book or listened to the author's explanation of it. I have yet to find a solid criticism, and instead have only seen circumstantial and knee jerk attacks by those who are trying to hock their wares.
I strive to be someone who is very picky about what I read and quick to point out the rampant apostasy, false prophets, and misinformation that clouds the truth. I did not get the least impression that this book was trying convince anyone of replacement theology.
Cahn, himself a Jew and Messianic Rabbi, has stressed several times both in the book and in interviews that he does not believe in replacement theology (that America, the church, or anything else has replaced Israel) or that the Isaiah 9:10 is a prophecy written just for America or anything of the sort.
What he is uncovering is that there was a pattern in Israel's judgement that seems to be repeating itself in actual recorded events surrounding 9/11 (and yes, they are all verifiable in news stories, pictures, and video of actual events).
While I agree that the fictional backdrop might cause confusion for some, the point was to arouse people to investigate further for themselves, repent, and turn to God -- not make a "thus says the Lord" declaration.
(NOTE: I don't receive anything for my comments on this book)
Some have criticized Cahn's book, but their criticism makes it clear they have not thoroughly read the book or listened to the author's explanation of it. I have yet to find a solid criticism, and instead have only seen circumstantial and knee jerk attacks by those who are trying to hock their wares.
I strive to be someone who is very picky about what I read and quick to point out the rampant apostasy, false prophets, and misinformation that clouds the truth. I did not get the least impression that this book was trying convince anyone of replacement theology.
Cahn, himself a Jew and Messianic Rabbi, has stressed several times both in the book and in interviews that he does not believe in replacement theology (that America, the church, or anything else has replaced Israel) or that the Isaiah 9:10 is a prophecy written just for America or anything of the sort.
What he is uncovering is that there was a pattern in Israel's judgement that seems to be repeating itself in actual recorded events surrounding 9/11 (and yes, they are all verifiable in news stories, pictures, and video of actual events).
While I agree that the fictional backdrop might cause confusion for some, the point was to arouse people to investigate further for themselves, repent, and turn to God -- not make a "thus says the Lord" declaration.
(NOTE: I don't receive anything for my comments on this book)
Monday, June 04, 2012
freedom and liberty
Is there a difference between freedom and liberty?
Often the words freedom and liberty are used interchangably. From time to time, they may carry with them different connotations or distictive definitions based on an author's intent.
Typically, if a distinction is drawn, freedom is typically tied to a person's belief or feeling about their circumstances.
In contrast, liberty is typically tied to a person's ability to perform certain actions.
Some progressives might say that "We want to protect freedom to worship".
This may sound good, but a freedom to believe something or worship is something is quite different than the liberty to act on those beliefs.
For example, you may have the freedom to believe that "Jesus is the only way".
However, as currently exists in many countries, you do not have the liberty to share that belief with others.
Often the words freedom and liberty are used interchangably. From time to time, they may carry with them different connotations or distictive definitions based on an author's intent.
Typically, if a distinction is drawn, freedom is typically tied to a person's belief or feeling about their circumstances.
In contrast, liberty is typically tied to a person's ability to perform certain actions.
Some progressives might say that "We want to protect freedom to worship".
This may sound good, but a freedom to believe something or worship is something is quite different than the liberty to act on those beliefs.
For example, you may have the freedom to believe that "Jesus is the only way".
However, as currently exists in many countries, you do not have the liberty to share that belief with others.
Friday, June 01, 2012
essentials
I have heard it said: "Let us unite on the essentials and have grace on the non-essentials"
I agree with that. But, then the discussion turns to the question of "What are the essentials that we are supposed to unite on?"
The Bible may not tell us everything there is to know, but it does tell us everything we NEED to know.
My observation thus far has been that there are many things in the Bible that are crystal clear.
There are also some things that require time, study, and spiritual discernment to understand. These things best understood by "getting to know" God and His nature.
Additionally, there are some things that are prophetic and "sealed" (their meaning is not clear) right now, but will become clearer as we approach the in the time for which they were written.
The more essential it is, the clearer it is stated and the easier it is to understand. Since we are to recieve the kingdom of God as a little child (Luke 18:17, Mark 10:15), then the essentials should be simple enough for a child to understand.
If you have to really do some hard core gymnastics to stretch it beyond its obvious meaning, your doing it wrong. We get into trouble when we put our own pet theories, traditions of men, and doctrines of demons ahead of the simplicity of God's Word.
We must unite around the truth, even if the truth is sometimes hard to take. The key is for us to submit ourselves to the truth as reavealed in the Bible.
I agree with that. But, then the discussion turns to the question of "What are the essentials that we are supposed to unite on?"
The Bible may not tell us everything there is to know, but it does tell us everything we NEED to know.
My observation thus far has been that there are many things in the Bible that are crystal clear.
There are also some things that require time, study, and spiritual discernment to understand. These things best understood by "getting to know" God and His nature.
Additionally, there are some things that are prophetic and "sealed" (their meaning is not clear) right now, but will become clearer as we approach the in the time for which they were written.
The more essential it is, the clearer it is stated and the easier it is to understand. Since we are to recieve the kingdom of God as a little child (Luke 18:17, Mark 10:15), then the essentials should be simple enough for a child to understand.
If you have to really do some hard core gymnastics to stretch it beyond its obvious meaning, your doing it wrong. We get into trouble when we put our own pet theories, traditions of men, and doctrines of demons ahead of the simplicity of God's Word.
We must unite around the truth, even if the truth is sometimes hard to take. The key is for us to submit ourselves to the truth as reavealed in the Bible.
Why the Government Fears Veterans
It has been a recurring theme in history that a government uses the youth of a generation as tools to further its own agendas and protect the wealth of the elite. Once the veteran is no longer useful, the government is quick to break its promises of pensions, health care, and benefits to those who have given so much.
http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/revwar-77.htm
March 15, 1783 - General Washington gathers his officers and talks them out of a rebellion against the authority of Congress, and in effect preserves the American democracy.
June 24, 1783 - To avoid protests from angry and unpaid war veterans, Congress leaves Philadelphia and relocates to Princeton, New Jersey.
1894 - Coxey's Army was a protest march that included disgruntled Civil War veterans who marched on Washington to claim benefits. It was the second year of a four-year economic depression that was the worst in United States history to that time. It was the first significant popular protest march on Washington and the expression "Enough food to feed Coxey's Army" originates from this march. Named after Jacob Coxey, a Civil War veteran.
1922 - Mussolini, a former socialist coalesced the Fascist party around a cadre of disgruntled war veterans and nationalists, organized into paramilitary gangs, known as squadri fascisti, who fought in the streets with communists and socialists and protested against the peace treaties and the weakness of the parliamentary government.
German Workers Party (DAP) was made up primarily of disgruntled World War I veterans. The DAP would later evolve into the National Workers Socialist Party (Nazi) and would recruit former World War I soldiers, to whom Hitler as a decorated frontline veteran could particularly appeal.
1932 March of the Bonus Army - a group of disgruntled World War I veterans marched on Washington, D.C., to demand a "bonus" promised to them for their military service, few could have foreseen the turbulence that lay ahead. Determined to ensure that the military would make good in delivering the funds promised, the 45,000 war veterans set up camp and refused to budge. When two tense months had passed and Congress refused to immediately pay the bonus, general Douglas MacArthur and officers Dwight D. Eisenhower and George S. Patton Jr. led the U.S. Army in driving the veterans from Washington with tear gas, tanks, and saber-wielding cavalrymen before burning the protestors' camp to the ground. Though the bonus would be paid off four years later to the benefit of some four million veterans, the historical march on Washington, D.C., laid the groundwork that would eventually influence the WWII GI Bill, cement the rights of citizens to assemble, and petition the government, and serve as one of the first occurrences of large-scale integration in a time where racial relations were an extremely sensitive issue.
http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/revwar-77.htm
March 15, 1783 - General Washington gathers his officers and talks them out of a rebellion against the authority of Congress, and in effect preserves the American democracy.
June 24, 1783 - To avoid protests from angry and unpaid war veterans, Congress leaves Philadelphia and relocates to Princeton, New Jersey.
1894 - Coxey's Army was a protest march that included disgruntled Civil War veterans who marched on Washington to claim benefits. It was the second year of a four-year economic depression that was the worst in United States history to that time. It was the first significant popular protest march on Washington and the expression "Enough food to feed Coxey's Army" originates from this march. Named after Jacob Coxey, a Civil War veteran.
1922 - Mussolini, a former socialist coalesced the Fascist party around a cadre of disgruntled war veterans and nationalists, organized into paramilitary gangs, known as squadri fascisti, who fought in the streets with communists and socialists and protested against the peace treaties and the weakness of the parliamentary government.
German Workers Party (DAP) was made up primarily of disgruntled World War I veterans. The DAP would later evolve into the National Workers Socialist Party (Nazi) and would recruit former World War I soldiers, to whom Hitler as a decorated frontline veteran could particularly appeal.
1932 March of the Bonus Army - a group of disgruntled World War I veterans marched on Washington, D.C., to demand a "bonus" promised to them for their military service, few could have foreseen the turbulence that lay ahead. Determined to ensure that the military would make good in delivering the funds promised, the 45,000 war veterans set up camp and refused to budge. When two tense months had passed and Congress refused to immediately pay the bonus, general Douglas MacArthur and officers Dwight D. Eisenhower and George S. Patton Jr. led the U.S. Army in driving the veterans from Washington with tear gas, tanks, and saber-wielding cavalrymen before burning the protestors' camp to the ground. Though the bonus would be paid off four years later to the benefit of some four million veterans, the historical march on Washington, D.C., laid the groundwork that would eventually influence the WWII GI Bill, cement the rights of citizens to assemble, and petition the government, and serve as one of the first occurrences of large-scale integration in a time where racial relations were an extremely sensitive issue.
Isaiah 9:7-21
The Lord sent a word against Jacob,
And it has fallen on Israel.
All the people will know—
Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria—
Who say in pride and arrogance of heart:
“The bricks have fallen down,
But WE will rebuild with hewn stones;
The sycamores are cut down,
But WE will replace them with cedars.”
Therefore the Lord shall set up
The adversaries of Rezin against him,
And spur his enemies on,
The Syrians before and the Philistines behind;
And they shall devour Israel with an open mouth.
For all this His anger is not turned away,
But His hand is stretched out still.
For the people do not turn to Him who strikes them,
Nor do they seek the Lord of hosts.
Therefore the Lord will cut off head and tail from Israel,
Palm branch and bulrush in one day.
The elder and honorable, he is the head;
The prophet who teaches lies, he is the tail.
For the leaders of this people cause them to err,
And those who are led by them are destroyed.
Therefore the Lord will have no joy in their young men,
Nor have mercy on their fatherless and widows;
For everyone is a hypocrite and an evildoer,
And every mouth speaks folly.
For all this His anger is not turned away,
But His hand is stretched out still.
For wickedness burns as the fire;
It shall devour the briers and thorns,
And kindle in the thickets of the forest;
They shall mount up like rising smoke.
Through the wrath of the Lord of hosts
The land is burned up,
And the people shall be as fuel for the fire;
No man shall spare his brother.
And he shall snatch on the right hand
And be hungry;
He shall devour on the left hand
And not be satisfied;
Every man shall eat the flesh of his own arm.
Manasseh shall devour Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh;
Together they shall be against Judah.
For all this His anger is not turned away,
But His hand is stretched out still
Thursday, May 24, 2012
unity
Unity is a good thing, but compromising the truth for the sake of unity destroys your foundation and leaves you standing on the shifting sands of incomplete and fallible human "wisdom".
If we are to have unity, let us be united around the truth.
tolerance
We go around proudly touting of how "tolerant" we are. We stick our noses in the air with smug superiority and look down on anyone who is not as refined, intellectual, hip, and tolerant as we are.
Tolerance, in the classical sense, is not a terribly bad thing. Basically, the concept of not shooting someone in the head just because you don't agree with them is a good thing. Classical tolerance did not prohibit people being critical of other beliefs, it just meant that you wouldn't beat up or kill someone just because of those differences.
Today, it is not enough to have the civil freedom (at least for the time that we have it) to believe what you want and live without fear of being imprisoned or killed just for your beliefs.
The problem comes in that the modern definition of tolerance has become more about permitting, accepting, affirming, encouraging, experimenting with, and even adopting what someone else believes or how they behave rather than just live and let live.
This just demonstrates how well we have been indoctrinated and trained to believe that tolerance is a virtue.
The wrong understanding and overemphasis on tolerance is by design. It destroys our willingness and ability to take a stand for the truth out of fear of being ridiculed and accused of being "intolerant".
If you will not stand for the truth, then you will fall for any lie.
Tolerance, in the classical sense, is not a terribly bad thing. Basically, the concept of not shooting someone in the head just because you don't agree with them is a good thing. Classical tolerance did not prohibit people being critical of other beliefs, it just meant that you wouldn't beat up or kill someone just because of those differences.
Today, it is not enough to have the civil freedom (at least for the time that we have it) to believe what you want and live without fear of being imprisoned or killed just for your beliefs.
The problem comes in that the modern definition of tolerance has become more about permitting, accepting, affirming, encouraging, experimenting with, and even adopting what someone else believes or how they behave rather than just live and let live.
This just demonstrates how well we have been indoctrinated and trained to believe that tolerance is a virtue.
The wrong understanding and overemphasis on tolerance is by design. It destroys our willingness and ability to take a stand for the truth out of fear of being ridiculed and accused of being "intolerant".
If you will not stand for the truth, then you will fall for any lie.
Neo Babylon
European Parliment building in Brussels
Artist conception of Tower of Babel
Coincidence?
And curious that they would choose symbolism from Revelation 17 concerning a woman riding a beast...
Artist conception of Tower of Babel
Coincidence?
And curious that they would choose symbolism from Revelation 17 concerning a woman riding a beast...
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Five Stages of Persecution
Stage one: Label the opposition
Stage two: Marginalize the opposition
Stage Three: Vilify the Opposition
Stage Four: Pass laws criminalizing the activities of the opposition
Stage Five: Enforce the new laws against the opposition
- John Loeffler
Stage two: Marginalize the opposition
Stage Three: Vilify the Opposition
Stage Four: Pass laws criminalizing the activities of the opposition
Stage Five: Enforce the new laws against the opposition
- John Loeffler
Friday, April 20, 2012
rot from within
Persecution against Bible believing Christians will not come as much from outside the church as it will come from the compromise, new age, social justice “Christians”.
Monday, April 09, 2012
Easter in the Bible!
For all those scribes and pharisees who say that easter is a pagan holiday, here ya go. Easter is in the Bible!
Acts 12:4
And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. (KJV)
Um, wait a minute... let's look at it in context...
Acts 12:1-5
Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
Notice here, it wasn't Christians who were keeping "Easter", it was King Herod who was a known pagan...
Of course, it is probably more appropriate that the word here be translated at Passover rather than easter, as it is in most other literal translations. Since Herod (who was an Edomite appointed by Rome to rule over Israel) was looking for ways to gain favor with the Jewish leadership, it is more likely that his staff would observe the Passover Sabbaths and not do business during that time.
It is true that many people have been worshiping a pagan “holiday” that God never directed them to do. Throughout scripture, God repeatedly reveals that He hates the pagan “grove” worship of Ishtar and other false gods.
Meanwhile, we ignore the feast day of Passover that God did establish. Jesus and His disciples all kept Passover (Matt 26; Mark 14; Luke 2, 22; John 2, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19; 1 Cor 5:7), and it was during the Passover Sedar (meal) that Jesus revealed the true meaning behind it... that it was fulfilled in Him.
Food for thought...
Acts 12:4
And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. (KJV)
Um, wait a minute... let's look at it in context...
Acts 12:1-5
Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
Notice here, it wasn't Christians who were keeping "Easter", it was King Herod who was a known pagan...
Of course, it is probably more appropriate that the word here be translated at Passover rather than easter, as it is in most other literal translations. Since Herod (who was an Edomite appointed by Rome to rule over Israel) was looking for ways to gain favor with the Jewish leadership, it is more likely that his staff would observe the Passover Sabbaths and not do business during that time.
It is true that many people have been worshiping a pagan “holiday” that God never directed them to do. Throughout scripture, God repeatedly reveals that He hates the pagan “grove” worship of Ishtar and other false gods.
Meanwhile, we ignore the feast day of Passover that God did establish. Jesus and His disciples all kept Passover (Matt 26; Mark 14; Luke 2, 22; John 2, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19; 1 Cor 5:7), and it was during the Passover Sedar (meal) that Jesus revealed the true meaning behind it... that it was fulfilled in Him.
Food for thought...
No one left to speak up
“In Germany they came first for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist. Then they came for the Jews and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for Catholics, and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me and by that time no one was left to speak up.”
Rev. Martin Neimoller, a German pastor arrested by the Gestapo in 1937.
Rev. Martin Neimoller, a German pastor arrested by the Gestapo in 1937.
Friday, March 30, 2012
visualize whirrled peas
Visualization can be a useful tool. When you read a novel, you picture what is happening. Architects use it to design a building in their head. Athletes and dancers might mentally walk through routines. These are fine, good, and healthy uses of the imagination that God has given us.
There is, however, a line we should not cross. The problem comes when you use visualization in a spiritual context. That is the point where you cross over into the occult and it becomes an open door for the demonic. It is not a tool for creating anything, visualizing a conversation with "Jesus", getting God to do something, or to create or "attract" health and wealth.
There is, however, a line we should not cross. The problem comes when you use visualization in a spiritual context. That is the point where you cross over into the occult and it becomes an open door for the demonic. It is not a tool for creating anything, visualizing a conversation with "Jesus", getting God to do something, or to create or "attract" health and wealth.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Revolutionary War Propaganda
Most of the founding fathers where enlightenment thinkers. A handful were (based on their writings and actions) believing Christians such as Noah Webster, Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams.
Others were sympathetic to Christianity, however they mixed the holy (God's wisdom from scripture) with the profane (Greek, humanist, pagan, and enlightenment philosophy). They would pick and choose from various wisdom literature sources including the Bible, Voltaire, John Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu, Freemasonry, etc.
You will often find men such as Gouverneur Morris, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams making public comments, speeches, and legislation that would include Christian friendly terminology. Then their private letters would reveal their condescending ridicule and even open hostility toward the Christian faith.
To reconcile this difference, you only need to realize that human nature has not changed over the last 6,000 years. Politicians back then are the same as politicians today. They will say whatever it takes to get people to follow them.
It is not strange that their public and on record remarks are very carefully worded so as not to offend Christians. The vast majority of the colonists at the time of the Revolution were Christian. The Puritans and Pilgrims were Christian and purposefully came to the new continent for the purpose of spreading the Gospel and living out their Christian faith. They wanted a Christian Nation, and this is evident by the charters of the various colonies and constitutions of the various states. They intended to establish Christianity as the official religion of their colonies.
The Enlightenment thinkers, however, leveraged the differences between the various denominations to include language in the founding documents of the federal government for "religious freedom". In the minds of the general Christian populace, this meant that not one denomination would be superior or enforce it's distinctions over another. In the minds of the Enlightenment philosophy, religious freedom meant freedom for all religions with the ultimate goal of freedom from religion.
Some were openly hostile to Christianity such as Thomas Paine. Yet, Thomas Paine used very Christian language in Revolutionary War propaganda such as "Common Sense". Yet in his other works such as "The Age of Reason" it is very clear that he is very anti-Christian. It is interesting to note that Thomas Paine was a Mason and lived with a man who was a member of the Bavarian Illuminati. Paine was not out to inspire a Christian revolution, he was motivating Christians to support and participate IN the revolution.
Now don't think that I'm trying to say that our country is bad or the Constitution is a bad thing, etc. As far as human governments go, it is about as good as it could possibly get. I support the Constitution and believe that it is the only thing (besides God's intervention) standing between us and a socialist tyrannical government. However, I do not need to "Christianize" the Constitution or our federal government system in order to believe that it is worth protecting. There are good and valuable things in our founding documents, but they are not scripture. The Founding Fathers are great men who risked (and lost) much, and we owe them a debt gratitude, but they are not saints or demigods.
Others were sympathetic to Christianity, however they mixed the holy (God's wisdom from scripture) with the profane (Greek, humanist, pagan, and enlightenment philosophy). They would pick and choose from various wisdom literature sources including the Bible, Voltaire, John Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu, Freemasonry, etc.
You will often find men such as Gouverneur Morris, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams making public comments, speeches, and legislation that would include Christian friendly terminology. Then their private letters would reveal their condescending ridicule and even open hostility toward the Christian faith.
To reconcile this difference, you only need to realize that human nature has not changed over the last 6,000 years. Politicians back then are the same as politicians today. They will say whatever it takes to get people to follow them.
It is not strange that their public and on record remarks are very carefully worded so as not to offend Christians. The vast majority of the colonists at the time of the Revolution were Christian. The Puritans and Pilgrims were Christian and purposefully came to the new continent for the purpose of spreading the Gospel and living out their Christian faith. They wanted a Christian Nation, and this is evident by the charters of the various colonies and constitutions of the various states. They intended to establish Christianity as the official religion of their colonies.
The Enlightenment thinkers, however, leveraged the differences between the various denominations to include language in the founding documents of the federal government for "religious freedom". In the minds of the general Christian populace, this meant that not one denomination would be superior or enforce it's distinctions over another. In the minds of the Enlightenment philosophy, religious freedom meant freedom for all religions with the ultimate goal of freedom from religion.
Some were openly hostile to Christianity such as Thomas Paine. Yet, Thomas Paine used very Christian language in Revolutionary War propaganda such as "Common Sense". Yet in his other works such as "The Age of Reason" it is very clear that he is very anti-Christian. It is interesting to note that Thomas Paine was a Mason and lived with a man who was a member of the Bavarian Illuminati. Paine was not out to inspire a Christian revolution, he was motivating Christians to support and participate IN the revolution.
Now don't think that I'm trying to say that our country is bad or the Constitution is a bad thing, etc. As far as human governments go, it is about as good as it could possibly get. I support the Constitution and believe that it is the only thing (besides God's intervention) standing between us and a socialist tyrannical government. However, I do not need to "Christianize" the Constitution or our federal government system in order to believe that it is worth protecting. There are good and valuable things in our founding documents, but they are not scripture. The Founding Fathers are great men who risked (and lost) much, and we owe them a debt gratitude, but they are not saints or demigods.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Primary Focus
Yet again questions such as: "should Christians run for office" and "should Christians engage the culture" have come up.
The answer is: Yes, of course
The Bible says we should be salt and light, and not to hide our "light" under a basket. We should engage society and stand against social evil, government corruption, abuse, crime, etc. Christians should run for political offices, vote, participate in petitions, awareness drives, defend the victimized, help the widows and orphans, etc.
However, these activities should never replace, take away from, or supersede
#1 Our personal relationship with God (including reading the Bible, prayer, gathering together)
and
#2 Our primary mission, while we are here, is to share the gospel and make disciples.
All other activities should flow naturally out of our walk with God. As our hearts are molded more and more in the likeness of His heart and nature, sin becomes more and more offensive to us. That SHOULD drive us to take a stand against the evil system of the world.
The thing to remember is that the only PERMANENT way to effect society is by changing the hearts of individuals, one at a time.
You can't change hearts by signing petitions, participating in a pep-rally, getting someone elected, or passing bills. While these things are all good things to do, they cannot effect a lasting change. Only sharing the good news about Jesus and the heart transforming power of the Holy Spirit can make an eternal difference.
The answer is: Yes, of course
The Bible says we should be salt and light, and not to hide our "light" under a basket. We should engage society and stand against social evil, government corruption, abuse, crime, etc. Christians should run for political offices, vote, participate in petitions, awareness drives, defend the victimized, help the widows and orphans, etc.
However, these activities should never replace, take away from, or supersede
#1 Our personal relationship with God (including reading the Bible, prayer, gathering together)
and
#2 Our primary mission, while we are here, is to share the gospel and make disciples.
All other activities should flow naturally out of our walk with God. As our hearts are molded more and more in the likeness of His heart and nature, sin becomes more and more offensive to us. That SHOULD drive us to take a stand against the evil system of the world.
The thing to remember is that the only PERMANENT way to effect society is by changing the hearts of individuals, one at a time.
You can't change hearts by signing petitions, participating in a pep-rally, getting someone elected, or passing bills. While these things are all good things to do, they cannot effect a lasting change. Only sharing the good news about Jesus and the heart transforming power of the Holy Spirit can make an eternal difference.
Friday, March 16, 2012
America IS Mentioned in Bible Prophecy!
Zechariah 14:2
I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city.
Joel 3:2
I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land.
I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city.
Joel 3:2
I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Is it Biblical to make pledges and oaths? Part 1
Before the kids participated in the Lord's supper, I researched and we did a week long "unit study" about it. We did the same before the kids were baptized. It was very important that they not participate in these ordinances "unworthily" (without understanding the complete meaning and context of what they were doing and being able to participate willfully and knowingly).
I had planned to do this concerning things like the "Pledge of Allegiance", since I had brought up the question at one point in a past conversation -- but, had not gotten around to this. This is the start of correcting that. Hopefully a conclusion can be prayerfully reached that is subject to the authority of scripture and the guidance of the Holy Spirit toward all truth. (I continue to dig into this though, and welcome input from anyone who has found examples from the Bible that I have not yet run across, and all assertions are subject to what the entirety of scripture has to say about it.)
Does the Bible direct us to make pledges or explicitly say that oaths and pledges are OK?
There are many examples where God creates covenants such as the covenant of marriage, the covenant between God and Abraham, and the multitude of promises throughout scripture.
Most of the oaths made in the Old Testament initiated by men were made without God's direction and turned out badly. Since God holds us accountable to our oaths, the biggest lesson is not to enter into an oath lightly and not without considering the cost and/or consequences. A good example includes where God held Saul and all of Israel accountable for a promise Joshua made to the Gibeonites several generations before.
So far I have not found any New Testament examples of oaths or pledges initiated by believers. (Although, people are still held accountable for what they say -- just ask Ananias and Sapphira).
I realize that there were various confessions of belief (probably not the same thing as an oath) developed in later times by the church to counter various heresies that crept in; but, for the purposes of this study, I am mostly concerned with what God has revealed in scripture and not inventions of men.
Are pledges and oaths such as the Pledge of Allegiance (to the U.S. Flag), the Pledge to the Christian Flag, the Pledge to the Bible, or even by extension the "vows" said in a marriage ceremony the same as to "swear by" as referenced by Jesus and James?
Matthew 5:33-37
Again, ye heard that it was said to the ancients: Thou shalt not swear falsely, but thou shalt pay to the Lord thine oaths; but I -- I say to you, not to swear at all; neither by the heaven, because it is the throne of God, nor by the earth, because it is His footstool, nor by Jerusalem, because it is a city of a great king, nor by thy head mayest thou swear, because thou art not able one hair to make white or black; but let your word be, Yes, Yes, No, No, and that which is more than these is of the evil.
James 5:12
And before all things, my brethren, do not swear, neither by the heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath, and let your Yes be Yes, and the No, No; that under judgment ye may not fall.
It seems that the actual sin here is blasphemy by taking of the Lord's name in vain. That "swearing by God" or by "anything" at all (since it all belongs to God and isn't yours to swear by) is the problem and not as much making the oath, pledge, or promise.
In context, Jesus is demonstrating several instances of the law being followed "to the letter", but additionally God looks on our hearts and motivation. For example: adultery and murder are not just the physical acts, but start in the heart with lust and hatred. Of course, Jesus did not say it was "OK" to commit murder if you didn't hate. Murder is still a crime, but so is hatred of other people (we should still hate sin - Rom 12:9).
Similarly, we will still be held accountable by God for breaking oaths, pledges, vows, covenants and promises -- but even beyond that, it is sinful to casually invoke God as surety that what you are saying is true, or that you will do what you say. We are instructed to simply keep our word and let our "yes be yes, and no be no".
* Could the "so help me God" in some oaths of office or service possibly be the same as "swearing by God"? (question to ponder and address at some future date; initially I would say "not unless the oath is taken casually" which is all too often the case)
Conclusions
1) I currently do not see in the Bible where God expresses commands, encourages, or says it is "OK" to make pledges
2) Pledges that include a "swear by ___ " clause are not to be made.
3) I currently do not see in the Bible where God explicitly tells us not to make pledges (except in the case of #2 above)
4) We should not make pledges casually, lightly, without understanding, and/or without counting the costs and consequences.
5) We will be called into account for every idle word and held accountable for every pledge we break (Matt 5:33, Matt 12:36)
Part 2 coming (eventually)...
Future installments will look into the history behind the Pledge of Allegiance, what it means, and other questions including...
- Can you be a Christian and choose to say the Pledge? (Yes)
- Can you choose to opt out of saying the Pledge and still be a Christian and a patriot? (Yes)
- Why bother about this at all?
- Can the words pledge, oath, vow, promise, covenant, etc be used interchangeably or are there sufficiently significant differences in the scriptural meanings?
- Is it idolatry to pledge to a flag, book, or anything other than God?
- What is the true origin and purpose of the Pledge of Allegiance? Is the pledge a patriotic duty or socialist indoctrination tool?
(No kidding, look it up for yourself. When was it written? Who was the author? What was the purpose?)
(No kidding, look it up for yourself. When was it written? Who was the author? What was the purpose?)
- Should children who do not yet understand the meaning, purpose, and consequences of the Pledge be led to say it?
- We are to train a child in the way they should go. Does this mean train them how to think or what to think (or both)?
- Some people say "positive peer pressure" is a good thing. The problem is that it is still conditioning kids to go along with the crowd. It works fine while they are in a "good" crowd, but then they do not have any personal character to guide them in times when they are in a "bad" crowd.
- Is having children mindlessly parrot a "pledge" really teaching "patriotism" or conditioning them to go along with the crowd?
- Anything done without faith is sin (Rom 14:23). If someone is not fully convinced in their hearts and minds (consciously, confidently, knowingly, and willfully) concerning the pledge, they should not be made to say it. (Romans 14). This should not be an excuse in the long term, a person who is not fully convinced one way or another is still responsible to "do their homework" and make a decision.
- A person who puts God first can still be proud to be an American, proud of our nation's history, heritage, and accomplishments, yet disagree with some of the actions of segments within our culture and government.
- If you want to be a true rebel, take a stand for God against the corruption of the world system which is at odds against Him. (James 4:4) Jesus said, "you are either for me or against me" (Lk 9:50, Mt 12:30) and you "cannot serve two masters" (Mt 6:24, Lk 16:13).
- Should we just blindly follow the flag wherever it goes or would a true American patriot be willing to stand (nonviolently) against a tyrannical government that is godless, lawless, and/or when it takes actions contrary to God's law?
- The only way to make a lasting impact on a culture is to change hearts. The only way to change hearts is to share the Gospel.
- I do not know of any groups or movements among Christians to stop saying the pledge. I am given to understand that Jehovah Witnesses abstain from any pledges other than to God. They may have a point, but I'm not Jehovah Witness, nor am I an authority on what they do or do not believe.
- Should we just blindly follow the flag wherever it goes or would a true American patriot be willing to stand (nonviolently) against a tyrannical government that is godless, lawless, and/or when it takes actions contrary to God's law?
- The only way to make a lasting impact on a culture is to change hearts. The only way to change hearts is to share the Gospel.
- I do not know of any groups or movements among Christians to stop saying the pledge. I am given to understand that Jehovah Witnesses abstain from any pledges other than to God. They may have a point, but I'm not Jehovah Witness, nor am I an authority on what they do or do not believe.
Monday, February 13, 2012
can't handle the truth
True Bible-believing Christianity has always been the minority and even small compromises 30 years ago have big ripple effects today. (Mat 7:13)
Folks today want candy-coated, feel good, pop-psychology messages that tickle their ears and they will not hear the truth (2Tim 4:3).
Unfortunately, so many preachers are lured by the easy money they get by delivering these false messages. (2 Peter 2:1-3)
Folks today want candy-coated, feel good, pop-psychology messages that tickle their ears and they will not hear the truth (2Tim 4:3).
Unfortunately, so many preachers are lured by the easy money they get by delivering these false messages. (2 Peter 2:1-3)
given over
A nation gets the government it deserves.
The lack of any viable Presidential candidates is further evidence that since this nation overall has turned its back on God, God has given this nation over to its own vile affections. (Romans 1:21-32)
If the people of a nation cannot rule themselves, then the nation gets an oppressive government (Prov 28:2).
The lack of any viable Presidential candidates is further evidence that since this nation overall has turned its back on God, God has given this nation over to its own vile affections. (Romans 1:21-32)
If the people of a nation cannot rule themselves, then the nation gets an oppressive government (Prov 28:2).
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Wait Upon God
If we wait upon God, there is no danger. If we rush on, He must let us see the consequences of it.
--J.N. Darby
--J.N. Darby
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Thee, Thou, Thy, Thine
It is interesting that our modern culture thinks itself so "smug" and "evolved". However, the English language has actually "devolved" and lost much of its fidelity.
This is evident in particular in the King James Bible. People freak out nowadays when they hear "thee" and "thou". The truth is, thee and thou are much more specific than the vague, ambiguous "you" we have replaced them with. Thee and Thou are actually the singular forms of "you", referring to a specific one being addressed to the exclusion of others. Instances of "you" refer to a plural group.
Here are some verses where it makes a significant difference:
Excerpted from http://ecclesia.org/truth/thou.html
Verses expressing the Importance of "thou, thee, thy and thine."
Exodus 4:15, "THOU shalt speak ... I will be with THY mouth...and will teach YOU what YE shall do."
"Thou/Thy" refer to Moses himself, but "You/Ye" refer to the entire nation of Israel.
Exodus 29:42, "…I will meet YOU, to speak there unto THEE."
The "You," referring to the children of Israel, is explained in the following verse, but "Thee" refers to Moses, who had the holy privilege of hearing the words of God directly (Leviticus 1:1).
2 Samuel 7:23, "And what one nation in the earth is like THY people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for YOU great things and terrible, for THY land, before THY people, which THOU redeemedst to THEE from Egypt."
Here David prayed to God in the second person singular, but referred to the people of Israel as "You." What confusion could result if this important distinction were done away? It could be incorrectly thought that David was praying in part to the nation, or that the land belonged to the people and not to God.
Matthew 26:64, "Jesus saith unto him, THOU has said: nevertheless I say unto YOU, hereafter shall YE see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven."
"Thou" refers to the High Priest, but "You/Ye" include all those who were standing there in addition to the high priest.
Luke 5:24, "But that YE may know…I say unto THEE…take up THY couch, and go into THINE house."
"Ye" refers to the crowd, but "Thee/Thy/Thine" refer only to the man with palsy.
John 3:7, 11, "Marvel not that I said unto THEE, YE must be born again."
The message was spoken to the individual Nicodemus ("Thee"), but obviously has wider application to all those who desire to follow Christ ("Ye").
John 14:9, "Have I been so long time with YOU, and yet hast THOU not known me?"
The "You" refers to the crowd, but "Thou" is addressed specifically to only one man, Philip.
1 Corinthians 8:9-12, "…this liberty of YOURS....If any man see THEE which hast knowledge... through THY knowledge...but when YE sin."
The plural forms "Yours/Ye" refer to the liberty and sin of all believers in Christ as a whole, but the singular forms "thee/thy" refer only to those individual believers that find themselves in this particular circumstance.
Full article:
http://ecclesia.org/truth/thou.html
This is evident in particular in the King James Bible. People freak out nowadays when they hear "thee" and "thou". The truth is, thee and thou are much more specific than the vague, ambiguous "you" we have replaced them with. Thee and Thou are actually the singular forms of "you", referring to a specific one being addressed to the exclusion of others. Instances of "you" refer to a plural group.
Here are some verses where it makes a significant difference:
Excerpted from http://ecclesia.org/truth/thou.html
Verses expressing the Importance of "thou, thee, thy and thine."
Exodus 4:15, "THOU shalt speak ... I will be with THY mouth...and will teach YOU what YE shall do."
"Thou/Thy" refer to Moses himself, but "You/Ye" refer to the entire nation of Israel.
Exodus 29:42, "…I will meet YOU, to speak there unto THEE."
The "You," referring to the children of Israel, is explained in the following verse, but "Thee" refers to Moses, who had the holy privilege of hearing the words of God directly (Leviticus 1:1).
2 Samuel 7:23, "And what one nation in the earth is like THY people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for YOU great things and terrible, for THY land, before THY people, which THOU redeemedst to THEE from Egypt."
Here David prayed to God in the second person singular, but referred to the people of Israel as "You." What confusion could result if this important distinction were done away? It could be incorrectly thought that David was praying in part to the nation, or that the land belonged to the people and not to God.
Matthew 26:64, "Jesus saith unto him, THOU has said: nevertheless I say unto YOU, hereafter shall YE see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven."
"Thou" refers to the High Priest, but "You/Ye" include all those who were standing there in addition to the high priest.
Luke 5:24, "But that YE may know…I say unto THEE…take up THY couch, and go into THINE house."
"Ye" refers to the crowd, but "Thee/Thy/Thine" refer only to the man with palsy.
John 3:7, 11, "Marvel not that I said unto THEE, YE must be born again."
The message was spoken to the individual Nicodemus ("Thee"), but obviously has wider application to all those who desire to follow Christ ("Ye").
John 14:9, "Have I been so long time with YOU, and yet hast THOU not known me?"
The "You" refers to the crowd, but "Thou" is addressed specifically to only one man, Philip.
1 Corinthians 8:9-12, "…this liberty of YOURS....If any man see THEE which hast knowledge... through THY knowledge...but when YE sin."
The plural forms "Yours/Ye" refer to the liberty and sin of all believers in Christ as a whole, but the singular forms "thee/thy" refer only to those individual believers that find themselves in this particular circumstance.
Full article:
http://ecclesia.org/truth/thou.html
Monday, January 23, 2012
duh...
II Cor 12:7-10
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Why are so many "Theologians" confused about what the "thorn in the flesh" is that Paul references?
The answer is right there in verse 10, it is things suffered for the sake of Christ.
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Why are so many "Theologians" confused about what the "thorn in the flesh" is that Paul references?
The answer is right there in verse 10, it is things suffered for the sake of Christ.
Friday, January 20, 2012
sowing discord
Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV
There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
Romans 16:17-18 ESV
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
The ones that sow discord are the ones that create obstacles with contrary doctrine. It is not the folks who are holding fast to the Bible that are causing discord, it is the ones who are promoting false doctrines....
There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
Romans 16:17-18 ESV
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
The ones that sow discord are the ones that create obstacles with contrary doctrine. It is not the folks who are holding fast to the Bible that are causing discord, it is the ones who are promoting false doctrines....
Friday, January 13, 2012
is it marriage?
Two people "living together" is not marriage, it is fornication.
I have not seen where in the Bible that God explicitly prescribe a particular ceremony or ritual for marriage, other than it being a covenant between a man and a woman.
If a man and woman mutually agree to consider themselves married before the Lord and and present themselves as married publicly, then who are we to say that they are not married in the sight of the Lord?
Now, having established that, to be above reproach and "obey the laws of the land", then it would be best to publicly contract the marriage (at least obtain a marriage license). You can then quell any questions and present the best witness.
If you truly love someone, care about them, and are committing yourself to them, then why would you not publicly contract the marriage? In this way you can legally protect your mate if something happens to you.
Often at this point, people start giving the following rationalizations:
Rationalization: I want to keep my options open
Response: It is pretty obvious if you feel this way that you are not in a marriage covenant, you are shacking up and if you do "exercise" your options it is adultery.
Rationalization: If we get married we stand to lose disability, social security, welfare, trust fund, alimony, etc
Response: Then you are lying and living a lie. I don't see in God's word where He would honor something mixed with lies.
I have not seen where in the Bible that God explicitly prescribe a particular ceremony or ritual for marriage, other than it being a covenant between a man and a woman.
If a man and woman mutually agree to consider themselves married before the Lord and and present themselves as married publicly, then who are we to say that they are not married in the sight of the Lord?
Now, having established that, to be above reproach and "obey the laws of the land", then it would be best to publicly contract the marriage (at least obtain a marriage license). You can then quell any questions and present the best witness.
If you truly love someone, care about them, and are committing yourself to them, then why would you not publicly contract the marriage? In this way you can legally protect your mate if something happens to you.
Often at this point, people start giving the following rationalizations:
Rationalization: I want to keep my options open
Response: It is pretty obvious if you feel this way that you are not in a marriage covenant, you are shacking up and if you do "exercise" your options it is adultery.
Rationalization: If we get married we stand to lose disability, social security, welfare, trust fund, alimony, etc
Response: Then you are lying and living a lie. I don't see in God's word where He would honor something mixed with lies.
forgive 70 times 7
Forgiveness restores relationship, prevents you from holding a "grudge", and eliminates the need to take "revenge".
However, forgiveness does not mean to restore trust. Trust is earned.
If a person has been abusive or untrustworthy, we can and should forgive.
However, don't leave yourself in a vulnerable or dangerous situation - that would be foolish. Forgiveness does not mean that you need to be a doormat.
However, forgiveness does not mean to restore trust. Trust is earned.
If a person has been abusive or untrustworthy, we can and should forgive.
However, don't leave yourself in a vulnerable or dangerous situation - that would be foolish. Forgiveness does not mean that you need to be a doormat.
false humility
So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.
Col 2:16-19
Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.
Col 2:16-19
Thursday, January 12, 2012
tickle my ears
We love to have our ego "petted" when people comment on how open minded and tolerant we are.
We get such a charge out of this, we forget to ask, "Does God approve of what I believe?"
We get such a charge out of this, we forget to ask, "Does God approve of what I believe?"
Friday, January 06, 2012
Does a "Miracle" Settle It?
No, antichrist will perform miracles and deceive many. (Matthew 24:24)
Anything that contradicts Scripture is not from God.
"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed" (Gal. 1:8-9)."
Anything that contradicts Scripture is not from God.
"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed" (Gal. 1:8-9)."
Thursday, January 05, 2012
Difference Between Faith and Mental Assent
Charles Blondin, AKA The Great Blondin, was a 19th century French acrobat and tightrope walker. In 1859 he became the first person to traverse 1100 feet across the 160-foot high gorge beneath Niagara Falls on a tightrope. In a demonstration of his skill, he then did it several more times including being blindfolded, pushing a wheelbarrow, wearing stilts, and carrying a man on his back.
After demonstration of his skill it is easy for many people to believe that Blondin could cross the wire with a person riding on his back.
It is a totally different thing to be trust him enough for you to be the volunteer to be carried on his back across the chasm...
no other way
Folks hem haw around when confronted with "how can you say yours is the right way and condemn everyone else to hell"
The thing is, it is not about you or me. It is about the truth of God's word. It will not be my beliefs and standards or your beliefs and standards that we will be judged by.
It is God's standard that we will be held to on that day. He has revealed His standard in scripture.
Don't respond and try to defend "your point of view", just refer folks to God's word.
My confidence is NOT in myself, "my beliefs", or "my way". It is not about me at all.
Instead my confidence is God's Word and what truth God has chosen to reveal to us through scripture in a way we can understand.
Don't hem haw around, remember, this is your opportunity to present the Gospel.
The thing is, it is not about you or me. It is about the truth of God's word. It will not be my beliefs and standards or your beliefs and standards that we will be judged by.
It is God's standard that we will be held to on that day. He has revealed His standard in scripture.
Don't respond and try to defend "your point of view", just refer folks to God's word.
My confidence is NOT in myself, "my beliefs", or "my way". It is not about me at all.
Instead my confidence is God's Word and what truth God has chosen to reveal to us through scripture in a way we can understand.
Don't hem haw around, remember, this is your opportunity to present the Gospel.
Friday, November 04, 2011
Man of Lawlessness
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
(Picture courtesy of my daughter who completed it as a project for her Bible class)
Thursday, September 15, 2011
do you "feel" saved?
Salvation is NOT an experience...
Granted some people may report that they had some life altering experience or great emotional upheaval when they were saved. That is all well and good for those who have had an experience.
The thing to avoid is putting your faith in "experiences".
The problem comes when:
1) People don't think they were saved because they didn't have an experience
-or-
2) People think they are not saved because they do not continue to "feel" saved.
How do you know you are saved?
Because the Bible tells you so!
All you need is to put your trust in what the Lord has told us!
Granted some people may report that they had some life altering experience or great emotional upheaval when they were saved. That is all well and good for those who have had an experience.
The thing to avoid is putting your faith in "experiences".
The problem comes when:
1) People don't think they were saved because they didn't have an experience
-or-
2) People think they are not saved because they do not continue to "feel" saved.
How do you know you are saved?
Because the Bible tells you so!
All you need is to put your trust in what the Lord has told us!
Mark them which cause Divisions
I hear a lot of folks say that it is wrong to "cause divisions" by pointing out something that is "wrong" or be "negative" in any way.
These folks will get in your face and say "the bible says to 'mark them which cause divisions'".
Unfortunately, this is a classic example of taking a verse out of context and not even quoting the entire verse...
Romans 16:17
Now I beseech you, brothers, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them.
Notice that the ones who are causing divisions are the ones spreading false doctrines or teachings contrary to the simplicity of the gospel, not the people who are telling the truth.
"Mark them" means to point them out for the purpose of avoiding them.
We are admonished in the Bible to "prove all things and hold fast to that which is good" (1Thes 5:21). We can test any teachings using the light of scripture. We are then charged by scripture to point out those who teach false doctrine so that people will know to avoid them.
This is neither "positive" or "negative", it is just sticking to the truth.
These folks will get in your face and say "the bible says to 'mark them which cause divisions'".
Unfortunately, this is a classic example of taking a verse out of context and not even quoting the entire verse...
Romans 16:17
Now I beseech you, brothers, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them.
Notice that the ones who are causing divisions are the ones spreading false doctrines or teachings contrary to the simplicity of the gospel, not the people who are telling the truth.
"Mark them" means to point them out for the purpose of avoiding them.
We are admonished in the Bible to "prove all things and hold fast to that which is good" (1Thes 5:21). We can test any teachings using the light of scripture. We are then charged by scripture to point out those who teach false doctrine so that people will know to avoid them.
This is neither "positive" or "negative", it is just sticking to the truth.
Friday, September 02, 2011
Taking America Back... to where?
Taking America Back... to where?
It is a mistake to think that we can somehow "Take America Back" or return America back to some imaginary "Christian Roots".
That is not our focus. Jesus did not say "Go and make all nations Christian", He said "Go and make disciples of all nations."
Our federal government has never been a "Christian" government. There at times have been very moral and christian men in various offices, and many of our laws have a footing in selective Biblical principles -- however, our federal government is a product more of "new Atlantis" Enlightenment thinking than anything else.
This is not necessarily a bad thing, as long as the government is limited to very specific roles and the people in general have liberty.
The only good thing about the "good old days" of post revolutionary America was that there was LESS government involvement and MORE freedom.
The thing that we definitely do not want is a government that legislates and enforces morality. The problem is, whose morality should the government enforce? It may be a great thing to have the government enforce a morality you agree with today. But, once the government has that power, what happens when the next guy takes office and starts implementing a morality you don't agree with?
The key is always LESS government authority, and ideally a government that can only exercise those powers granted it by the Constitution.
The one thing the founding fathers definitely got right was that ALL government is bad, but having at least SOME government is unfortunately necessary.
The thing to keep in mind is that the system of this world is at enmity (actively opposed or hostile) against God. (Ps 2:1-3; Eph 6:12)
According to the Bible, this world system will continue to wax worse and worse as the time approaches for the return of Messiah. A Bible believer should see these signs and look up, and realize that our time is short.
An Example
It was not BECAUSE of the government that the Bible was used in schools up until the 1960s, it was BECAUSE of government involvement that the Bible was taken out of schools.
Bibles were used in schools because the schools were managed by the local people who had children attending there, and the local populace was generally Christian or at least had a Judeo-Christian foundation.
We do not need to return the government to being "christian", we need to cut the role of government back, so that we have the FREEDOM FOR US TO BE CHRISTIAN.
We get the government we deserve.
Proverbs 28:2 says When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.
It is when the general population has a relationship with God and adheres to the Bible that the people are able to rule themselves and so make a government for themselves that allows them to do so.
A people with a strong moral foundation do not need a government to control every detail of their life.
Instead of focusing all of our time advocating for people to adopt a particular political platform, the very best thing we can do is to preach the Gospel and introduce people to Jesus. It is only the Gospel that can change people's lives and thereby influence the culture.
Unequally Yoked
Any "movement" that does not have the true Gospel at it's center and the Bible as it's "plumb-line" is a tool of this current world system that is governed by the "god of this world".
We as Christians are not to have fellowship with darkness or be unequally yoked to unbelievers (2Cor 6:14)
Do any of these ecumenical movements advocate the preaching of the Gospel? No, of course not, it might offend someone. All these various ecumenical movements are just a distraction from what we really need to be doing.
Why harp on this?
Currently we are seeing many spiritual and "conservative" leaders compromising their beliefs in order to join together with organizations and movements that promote some of the issues they have in common. Anything less than spreading the Gospel and making disciples is just a waste of time and a distraction.
What to do
First things first. Before engaging in any political activities, be sure that we are putting a priority on learning the bible, spreading the Gospel, and making disciples.
Put spiritual duties ahead of civic duties. Only after we have prioritized our time with God can we have proper wisdom and discernment to engage the political system.
- Stay informed, however put all the information from the various voices out there through the test of scripture.
- Vote in all elections!, write your representatives and newspapers, speak out, blog, and, if called, run for public offices.
- Don't compromise Biblical truth in order to join with a political, ecumenical, or quasi-religious group.
It is a mistake to think that we can somehow "Take America Back" or return America back to some imaginary "Christian Roots".
That is not our focus. Jesus did not say "Go and make all nations Christian", He said "Go and make disciples of all nations."
Our federal government has never been a "Christian" government. There at times have been very moral and christian men in various offices, and many of our laws have a footing in selective Biblical principles -- however, our federal government is a product more of "new Atlantis" Enlightenment thinking than anything else.
This is not necessarily a bad thing, as long as the government is limited to very specific roles and the people in general have liberty.
The only good thing about the "good old days" of post revolutionary America was that there was LESS government involvement and MORE freedom.
The thing that we definitely do not want is a government that legislates and enforces morality. The problem is, whose morality should the government enforce? It may be a great thing to have the government enforce a morality you agree with today. But, once the government has that power, what happens when the next guy takes office and starts implementing a morality you don't agree with?
The key is always LESS government authority, and ideally a government that can only exercise those powers granted it by the Constitution.
The one thing the founding fathers definitely got right was that ALL government is bad, but having at least SOME government is unfortunately necessary.
The thing to keep in mind is that the system of this world is at enmity (actively opposed or hostile) against God. (Ps 2:1-3; Eph 6:12)
According to the Bible, this world system will continue to wax worse and worse as the time approaches for the return of Messiah. A Bible believer should see these signs and look up, and realize that our time is short.
An Example
It was not BECAUSE of the government that the Bible was used in schools up until the 1960s, it was BECAUSE of government involvement that the Bible was taken out of schools.
Bibles were used in schools because the schools were managed by the local people who had children attending there, and the local populace was generally Christian or at least had a Judeo-Christian foundation.
We do not need to return the government to being "christian", we need to cut the role of government back, so that we have the FREEDOM FOR US TO BE CHRISTIAN.
We get the government we deserve.
Proverbs 28:2 says When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.
It is when the general population has a relationship with God and adheres to the Bible that the people are able to rule themselves and so make a government for themselves that allows them to do so.
A people with a strong moral foundation do not need a government to control every detail of their life.
Instead of focusing all of our time advocating for people to adopt a particular political platform, the very best thing we can do is to preach the Gospel and introduce people to Jesus. It is only the Gospel that can change people's lives and thereby influence the culture.
Unequally Yoked
Any "movement" that does not have the true Gospel at it's center and the Bible as it's "plumb-line" is a tool of this current world system that is governed by the "god of this world".
We as Christians are not to have fellowship with darkness or be unequally yoked to unbelievers (2Cor 6:14)
Do any of these ecumenical movements advocate the preaching of the Gospel? No, of course not, it might offend someone. All these various ecumenical movements are just a distraction from what we really need to be doing.
Why harp on this?
Currently we are seeing many spiritual and "conservative" leaders compromising their beliefs in order to join together with organizations and movements that promote some of the issues they have in common. Anything less than spreading the Gospel and making disciples is just a waste of time and a distraction.
What to do
First things first. Before engaging in any political activities, be sure that we are putting a priority on learning the bible, spreading the Gospel, and making disciples.
Put spiritual duties ahead of civic duties. Only after we have prioritized our time with God can we have proper wisdom and discernment to engage the political system.
- Stay informed, however put all the information from the various voices out there through the test of scripture.
- Vote in all elections!, write your representatives and newspapers, speak out, blog, and, if called, run for public offices.
- Don't compromise Biblical truth in order to join with a political, ecumenical, or quasi-religious group.
The Gospel will never be "Popular"
The message of the gospel will never be popular in the world because "the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness....unto the Jews [it is] a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness...." (1 Corinthians 1:18,23).
Furthermore, rather than drawing the multitudes to Christ by example, Scripture states, "...all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12).
Jesus declared, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you" (John 15:18-19).
-T. A. McMahon
Furthermore, rather than drawing the multitudes to Christ by example, Scripture states, "...all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12).
Jesus declared, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you" (John 15:18-19).
-T. A. McMahon
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Gifts of the Holy Spirit 2 of 2
Who benefits from the Gifts of the Holy Spirit?
They are for the edification of the church (1Cor 12:17; 14:12)
All too often we think that the "gift" is given to us so we can use it. You can know this is wrong by where the "focus" lies. The focus is on the self.
Love focuses on others.
Really it is the Holy Spirit using us to manifest His blessing on someone else.
For example, a "gift" of healing is a benefit to the person who is sick, not the willing vessel through whom the Holy Spirit ministered healing.
We are motivated to be willing vessels through love.
I do not find anywhere in the Bible where we are supposed to be spending ANY TIME "finding" our gifts...
All I find in the Bible is that we are to love God, and love one another, and by that love we are willing to be used by God as He purposes...
So while it is important that we are aware of the gifts and even desire their manifestation, we do not need to spend any time hung up on figuring out which gift we have. Instead, we can spend our time in God's word and being willing vessels to be used by God has He wills.
They are for the edification of the church (1Cor 12:17; 14:12)
All too often we think that the "gift" is given to us so we can use it. You can know this is wrong by where the "focus" lies. The focus is on the self.
Love focuses on others.
Really it is the Holy Spirit using us to manifest His blessing on someone else.
For example, a "gift" of healing is a benefit to the person who is sick, not the willing vessel through whom the Holy Spirit ministered healing.
We are motivated to be willing vessels through love.
I do not find anywhere in the Bible where we are supposed to be spending ANY TIME "finding" our gifts...
All I find in the Bible is that we are to love God, and love one another, and by that love we are willing to be used by God as He purposes...
So while it is important that we are aware of the gifts and even desire their manifestation, we do not need to spend any time hung up on figuring out which gift we have. Instead, we can spend our time in God's word and being willing vessels to be used by God has He wills.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
How can we know God?
There are really only two possible religions
1. God is not personal (god is a force or consciousness) or god is personal and has chosen not to reveal himself to us. It is impossible for us to know god, so we worship a god of our own imagination. All variations that spring from this are man-made religions. There are no absolutes, we make our own rules, and are ultimately our own "god".
2. God is personal. Because we as finite beings cannot possibly understand God on our own, He has chosen to reveal Himself to us in a way we CAN understand. We learn about Him and develop a trusting relationship with Him through His revelation of Himself to us. We come to Him on His terms and are accountable to His standard.
1. God is not personal (god is a force or consciousness) or god is personal and has chosen not to reveal himself to us. It is impossible for us to know god, so we worship a god of our own imagination. All variations that spring from this are man-made religions. There are no absolutes, we make our own rules, and are ultimately our own "god".
2. God is personal. Because we as finite beings cannot possibly understand God on our own, He has chosen to reveal Himself to us in a way we CAN understand. We learn about Him and develop a trusting relationship with Him through His revelation of Himself to us. We come to Him on His terms and are accountable to His standard.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit 1 of 2
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are:
1. Not at our command, they are manifestations of the Holy Spirit as He wills
2. Not signs to unbelievers, it is for edification of believers (the church). The gifts of the Holy Spirit are foolishness to unbelievers and like casting perls before swine.
3. They are manifested as the Spirit directs, or in other words, as the Holy Spirit determines they are needed.
We get too hung up on TV personalities thinking that for the Holy Spirit to be working in our lives that we should be at some "level of faith" such that we are manifesting the gifts of the spirit on command.
More often than not, the TV personalities are manifesting occultic "miracles" and not the working of the Holy Spirit. You can know them by their fruits, and whether they drawing attention to themselves or to Jesus.
The truth is, all we are to do is desire the gifts, be willing vessels, and be motivated by love to help other believers. When there are times that a manifestation of a Gift would benefit a believer, then we trust that the Holy Spirit will manifest it through us. We are basically "out of the loop" in deciding when and where a gift manifests, it is only important that we desire to be used.
1. Not at our command, they are manifestations of the Holy Spirit as He wills
2. Not signs to unbelievers, it is for edification of believers (the church). The gifts of the Holy Spirit are foolishness to unbelievers and like casting perls before swine.
3. They are manifested as the Spirit directs, or in other words, as the Holy Spirit determines they are needed.
We get too hung up on TV personalities thinking that for the Holy Spirit to be working in our lives that we should be at some "level of faith" such that we are manifesting the gifts of the spirit on command.
More often than not, the TV personalities are manifesting occultic "miracles" and not the working of the Holy Spirit. You can know them by their fruits, and whether they drawing attention to themselves or to Jesus.
The truth is, all we are to do is desire the gifts, be willing vessels, and be motivated by love to help other believers. When there are times that a manifestation of a Gift would benefit a believer, then we trust that the Holy Spirit will manifest it through us. We are basically "out of the loop" in deciding when and where a gift manifests, it is only important that we desire to be used.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Religious Left
Religious Left started by Judas Iscariot
"Should not this expensive perfume have been sold and the money given to the poor?"
Judas was trying to tell Mary what to do with HER money, when all along it was just a ploy for HIM to get HIS hands on it.
"Should not this expensive perfume have been sold and the money given to the poor?"
Judas was trying to tell Mary what to do with HER money, when all along it was just a ploy for HIM to get HIS hands on it.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Deliberate Connotative Transfers (Puns)
Q: You know what a kilobyte and a megabyte is. What is a Moabite?
A: It's a Lot.
Q: Where did Cain get his wife?
A: He married his brother's sister because he was Able.
I've been asked if I take the Bible "literally". This is often a trap, as there are many literary devices used in Scripture.
Where the Bible gives accounts of historical events, yes it can and should be taken literally.
Where the Bible employees poetry, such as Psalm 91 where it says that God has wings and feathers, it should be taken figuratively.
The problem with liberal theology is that they want to "spiritualize" and "allegorize" everything. When you do that, you can make the Bible say anything you want.
A: It's a Lot.
Q: Where did Cain get his wife?
A: He married his brother's sister because he was Able.
I've been asked if I take the Bible "literally". This is often a trap, as there are many literary devices used in Scripture.
Where the Bible gives accounts of historical events, yes it can and should be taken literally.
Where the Bible employees poetry, such as Psalm 91 where it says that God has wings and feathers, it should be taken figuratively.
The problem with liberal theology is that they want to "spiritualize" and "allegorize" everything. When you do that, you can make the Bible say anything you want.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
80% of lemmings can't be wrong
I've heard folks say that they rely on the statistics for what is true. How can a majority of people be wrong? How comes the Bible goes against the "common intuition" of man?
This actually proves the Bible as true!
Scripture says that the heart of man is decietful. Man has a fallen natutre. The wisdom of man is at odds with the wisdom of God. God uses the simple to confound the wise, that no man can take credit.
Jesus said that the path to destruction is wide and many travel it, while the path to life is narrow and there are few that find it.
Keep in mind that in spite of Noah spending 100 years building the Ark and preaching to the people of the day, nobody got on the boat except Noah's 8 member family.
This actually proves the Bible as true!
Scripture says that the heart of man is decietful. Man has a fallen natutre. The wisdom of man is at odds with the wisdom of God. God uses the simple to confound the wise, that no man can take credit.
Jesus said that the path to destruction is wide and many travel it, while the path to life is narrow and there are few that find it.
Keep in mind that in spite of Noah spending 100 years building the Ark and preaching to the people of the day, nobody got on the boat except Noah's 8 member family.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
What about those who have not heard?
What about people living in remote places where they never hear the gospel?
This is a good question that I often hear, and often ponder myself. While I don't have an answer that will satisfy most people, here is what I have found so far in scripture...
1. People don't go to hell because they havn't accepted Jesus, they go to hell because of sins they have committed. Jesus came to save the world, but people still choose to reject Him. (Romans 6:23)
2. Everyone is without excuse, because the evidence for the Creator can be clearly seen in His creation. (Romans 1:20)
3. God foreknows who will respond to the Gospel, and He arranges for them to learn what they need to know about God. (Romans 8:29, 11:2) All who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21, Romans 10:13)
How can a loving God send anyone to hell? He doesn't send anyone to hell. God is not willing that any should perish. (2Peter 3:9) Hell is the alternative to being in God's direct presence for those who willingly reject God. God originally created hell for the rebellious angels (Matthew 25:41) and hell was enlarged to accommodate rebellious man. (Isaiah 5:14) The truth is God Himself, motivated by His Love, took our place and died for our sins so we would not have to go to hell.
The real question, is how can anyone reject a Loving God?
This is a good question that I often hear, and often ponder myself. While I don't have an answer that will satisfy most people, here is what I have found so far in scripture...
1. People don't go to hell because they havn't accepted Jesus, they go to hell because of sins they have committed. Jesus came to save the world, but people still choose to reject Him. (Romans 6:23)
2. Everyone is without excuse, because the evidence for the Creator can be clearly seen in His creation. (Romans 1:20)
3. God foreknows who will respond to the Gospel, and He arranges for them to learn what they need to know about God. (Romans 8:29, 11:2) All who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21, Romans 10:13)
How can a loving God send anyone to hell? He doesn't send anyone to hell. God is not willing that any should perish. (2Peter 3:9) Hell is the alternative to being in God's direct presence for those who willingly reject God. God originally created hell for the rebellious angels (Matthew 25:41) and hell was enlarged to accommodate rebellious man. (Isaiah 5:14) The truth is God Himself, motivated by His Love, took our place and died for our sins so we would not have to go to hell.
The real question, is how can anyone reject a Loving God?
Friday, June 03, 2011
Man in Charge
Power corrupts [man], and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Power attracts corrupt power-hungry men the way a lamp attracts moths.
The more centralized and concentrated the power, the more corrupt the men in charge.
In a nation, the leaders tend to be the most corrupt and power-hungry in that nation.
Once we have a world governance body, the men in charge will be the most corrupt in the world.
Power attracts corrupt power-hungry men the way a lamp attracts moths.
The more centralized and concentrated the power, the more corrupt the men in charge.
In a nation, the leaders tend to be the most corrupt and power-hungry in that nation.
Once we have a world governance body, the men in charge will be the most corrupt in the world.
Monday, May 09, 2011
What God says about rejoicing over the fall of an enemy
“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him.” (Proverbs 17:17-18)
“Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord God, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?” (Ezekiel 18:23)
“Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’ (Ezekiel 33:11)
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? … Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:44-48)
“Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord God, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?” (Ezekiel 18:23)
“Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’ (Ezekiel 33:11)
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? … Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:44-48)
Thursday, May 05, 2011
First Sign of Falling Away: Ingratitude
For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Romans 1:21
Romans 1:21
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Titanic Freedoms
"... Here is the reason why we have a moral breakdown in every area of life. The titanic freedoms which we once enjoyed have been cut loose from their Christian restraints and are becoming a force of destruction leading to chaos. And when this happens, there really are very few alternatives. All morality becomes relative, law becomes arbitrary, and society moves toward disintegration. In personal and social life, compassion is swallowed up by self-interest. ..."
Dr. Francis A. Schaeffer
Proverbs 28:2
For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
The consequence of a nation transgressing against God is that the people of that nation will suffer under the hand of many rulers (police state).
Dr. Francis A. Schaeffer
Proverbs 28:2
For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
The consequence of a nation transgressing against God is that the people of that nation will suffer under the hand of many rulers (police state).
Saturday, April 23, 2011
The Dangers of "Seed Faith"
"Seed Faith Prosperity" is a false teaching that in order to receive anything at all from God, one must first donate money, known as a 'seed-faith' offering. You reap what you sow, the claim goes. In this case you must send your money to - usually - a televangelist, some of whom promise a 'hundred-fold return.'
If this scam worked as advertised, televangelists would be sending you money.
The concept of the seed faith offering was invented by James Eugene Ewing, who has long run a direct mail scam that has gone under many names but mostly known as "St. Matthew's Churches".
In 1968, when Oral Robert's donations were down due to his joining the United Methodist Church, Ewing sold his program to Oral Roberts and Robert's ministry doubled its income within 1 year. This was so successful, that many other ministries began adopting this methodology.
Just because something is "successful" by the world's standards, that does not necessarily mean that it meets with God's support or approval.
Though "successful" in making the promoters of this lie very wealthy, it is a very thorough perversion of God's Word. The "seed" talked about in the bible is not money.
In the Bible (Luke 8:11) Jesus Himself explains that the "seed is the Word" and it is sown into different types of soil which represents the hearts of men. (see Luke 8, Matthew 13).
Promoters of the lie of "seed faith" just seek to take your money and make merchandise of you.
2 Peter 2:3
And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
We are not to take things related to God and use them as a source of profit for ourselves.
John 2:16
And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.
If a ministry is truly spreading God's Word and is working within God's will, then the ministry should not need to beg for money.
People hear the message that they can get rich by giving money to such and so ministry. When that doesn't happen, they think that everyone who talks about God is just a charlatan, so they close their hearts and ears. All that these so-called ministries do by preaching "seed faith" is to inoculate and harden people's hearts against the Gospel.
Additional reading:
http://www.raptureready.com/rr-evil.html
If this scam worked as advertised, televangelists would be sending you money.
The concept of the seed faith offering was invented by James Eugene Ewing, who has long run a direct mail scam that has gone under many names but mostly known as "St. Matthew's Churches".
In 1968, when Oral Robert's donations were down due to his joining the United Methodist Church, Ewing sold his program to Oral Roberts and Robert's ministry doubled its income within 1 year. This was so successful, that many other ministries began adopting this methodology.
Just because something is "successful" by the world's standards, that does not necessarily mean that it meets with God's support or approval.
Though "successful" in making the promoters of this lie very wealthy, it is a very thorough perversion of God's Word. The "seed" talked about in the bible is not money.
In the Bible (Luke 8:11) Jesus Himself explains that the "seed is the Word" and it is sown into different types of soil which represents the hearts of men. (see Luke 8, Matthew 13).
Promoters of the lie of "seed faith" just seek to take your money and make merchandise of you.
2 Peter 2:3
And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
We are not to take things related to God and use them as a source of profit for ourselves.
John 2:16
And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.
If a ministry is truly spreading God's Word and is working within God's will, then the ministry should not need to beg for money.
People hear the message that they can get rich by giving money to such and so ministry. When that doesn't happen, they think that everyone who talks about God is just a charlatan, so they close their hearts and ears. All that these so-called ministries do by preaching "seed faith" is to inoculate and harden people's hearts against the Gospel.
Additional reading:
http://www.raptureready.com/rr-evil.html
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
fiery trials
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy
1 Peter 4:12-13
1 Peter 4:12-13
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
Storm Preparation
It is easier to build before the storm comes, rather than try and build during the storm.
http://shapedbytruth-prepare.blogspot.com/
http://shapedbytruth-prepare.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
America in Trouble
This is a persuasive speech my daughter wrote as an assignment in Jr. High school.
There are many evidences that America is in trouble. A close look at threats to our national security, the dumbing down of our education system, and the constant erosion of our freedoms will reveal the dangerous path our country is on.
There are many things in today's world that pose a threat to our national security. The worst threats are caused by our own irresponsibility. At the present time our economy is on a down hill spiral. The runaway spending by our government is creating debt of historic proportions. To find examples of this overspending one needs to look no further than the 89 percent increase in expenses in running capitol hill. They have spent $51 million of taxpayer's money on electricity, $3.27 million for office supplies, and over $4.6 million on sewer and water. To top it off, over $200 thousand dollars was spent on bottled water in just the first quarter of this year alone!
Another example of government funding irresponsibility involves a study called “Malt Liquor and Marijuana: Factors in their Concurrent versus Separate Use”. This study pays people to drink beer and smoke marijuana, all at taxpayer's expense!
And, these are just a few of many examples of the government's out of control spending. Run away spending has caused America's debt to soar over the last few years. In 2007, the debt was $8.67 trillion. As of Tuesday, October 26th, it was over $13.6 trillion. This amounts to every citizen owing a debt of $43 thousand dollars – yes, every student in this classroom currently owes $43 thousand dollars, and we don't even have jobs yet!
Currently, our economic system is being kept afloat by other countries funding our debts. For example, China has bought over $867 billion of our debt and is the biggest foreign holder of U.S. Treasuries. On August 9th, a Chinese general implied economic retaliation against America over a U.S. Carrier in the Yellow Sea when he said: “Imagine what the consequence will be if China’s biggest debtor nation challenges its creditor nation.” As the proverb goes: “the borrower is slave to the lender”. With most of our manufacturing jobs going overseas and our liabilities being controlled by other countries, we are finding ourselves more and more at their mercy. This poses a clear and present threat to our national security.
An area that has also become a part of America's downfall is the education system. The history that is being taught today isn't always the whole story. Many of the founding fathers have become just a bunch of names on some document whose identities, ideas, and beliefs have been lost. Many people are never taught the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence. An example of this is that many people are taught and believe that the only reason the 13 colonies separated from England was because of taxation without representation. However, the real reason they separated from England was due to England's abuse of governmental powers. In fact, in the Declaration of Independence, abuse of governmental powers was mentioned 11 times more often that taxation without representation, which was only mentioned once out of 27 reasons.
Kids nowadays are taught more about political correctness and environmental stuff than they are taught reading, writing, and math. Now these kids are growing up and becoming teachers, and principals. So now we have people who don't even know how to write, read, and do math teaching kids how to write, read, and do math. An example of this has to do with a principal of a middle school. He does not think that the kids in his school need textbooks. So he writes and sends out a memo defending his policy of not providing textbooks for his students. What is so bad is that in his memo he made a lot of spelling and grammar mistakes and he could not even even support his topic. Because of America's declining education system, there are kids in junior high and even in high school, that still do not know how to read or write. Kids that do not know reading, writing, and math are at a disadvantage in today's world.
A final example of how America is going the wrong way is that U.S. Citizens are loosing more and more of their freedoms – and often giving them up willingly. Every day our freedoms are being challenged. For example, we have increasingly intrusive firearm registration and restrictions on ownership, all in violation of our constitutional right to keep and bear arms. Similarly, our freedom of speech is being silenced because of the fear that someone might be offended by what we have to say.
A clear demonstration of how our freedoms are being legislated away was with healthcare reform. Most everyone agreed that we needed changes made to the healthcare system. However, what they stuck into the bill that was passed does little to truly address the problem. For example, the bill forces people, just because they are a member of society, to buy a service that is regulated by the government. Additionally, in section 9,006 of the healthcare bill there is a policy that has credit card companies sending credit card transaction records to the IRS. This begs the question: What business does the IRS have in knowing what we buy with credit cards? And, what exactly does this have to do with healthcare?!? We all wanted healthcare reform, but we ended up giving up our freedom and still not getting the reform we needed.
Benjamin Franklin wisely said: “Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”
Our irresponsibility threatens our national security. The dumbing down of our education system handicaps future generations. And, the constant erosion of our freedoms will lead to tyranny. Any reasonable person, when presented with these facts, should come to the conclusion that America is indeed in trouble.
There are many evidences that America is in trouble. A close look at threats to our national security, the dumbing down of our education system, and the constant erosion of our freedoms will reveal the dangerous path our country is on.
There are many things in today's world that pose a threat to our national security. The worst threats are caused by our own irresponsibility. At the present time our economy is on a down hill spiral. The runaway spending by our government is creating debt of historic proportions. To find examples of this overspending one needs to look no further than the 89 percent increase in expenses in running capitol hill. They have spent $51 million of taxpayer's money on electricity, $3.27 million for office supplies, and over $4.6 million on sewer and water. To top it off, over $200 thousand dollars was spent on bottled water in just the first quarter of this year alone!
Another example of government funding irresponsibility involves a study called “Malt Liquor and Marijuana: Factors in their Concurrent versus Separate Use”. This study pays people to drink beer and smoke marijuana, all at taxpayer's expense!
And, these are just a few of many examples of the government's out of control spending. Run away spending has caused America's debt to soar over the last few years. In 2007, the debt was $8.67 trillion. As of Tuesday, October 26th, it was over $13.6 trillion. This amounts to every citizen owing a debt of $43 thousand dollars – yes, every student in this classroom currently owes $43 thousand dollars, and we don't even have jobs yet!
Currently, our economic system is being kept afloat by other countries funding our debts. For example, China has bought over $867 billion of our debt and is the biggest foreign holder of U.S. Treasuries. On August 9th, a Chinese general implied economic retaliation against America over a U.S. Carrier in the Yellow Sea when he said: “Imagine what the consequence will be if China’s biggest debtor nation challenges its creditor nation.” As the proverb goes: “the borrower is slave to the lender”. With most of our manufacturing jobs going overseas and our liabilities being controlled by other countries, we are finding ourselves more and more at their mercy. This poses a clear and present threat to our national security.
An area that has also become a part of America's downfall is the education system. The history that is being taught today isn't always the whole story. Many of the founding fathers have become just a bunch of names on some document whose identities, ideas, and beliefs have been lost. Many people are never taught the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence. An example of this is that many people are taught and believe that the only reason the 13 colonies separated from England was because of taxation without representation. However, the real reason they separated from England was due to England's abuse of governmental powers. In fact, in the Declaration of Independence, abuse of governmental powers was mentioned 11 times more often that taxation without representation, which was only mentioned once out of 27 reasons.
Kids nowadays are taught more about political correctness and environmental stuff than they are taught reading, writing, and math. Now these kids are growing up and becoming teachers, and principals. So now we have people who don't even know how to write, read, and do math teaching kids how to write, read, and do math. An example of this has to do with a principal of a middle school. He does not think that the kids in his school need textbooks. So he writes and sends out a memo defending his policy of not providing textbooks for his students. What is so bad is that in his memo he made a lot of spelling and grammar mistakes and he could not even even support his topic. Because of America's declining education system, there are kids in junior high and even in high school, that still do not know how to read or write. Kids that do not know reading, writing, and math are at a disadvantage in today's world.
A final example of how America is going the wrong way is that U.S. Citizens are loosing more and more of their freedoms – and often giving them up willingly. Every day our freedoms are being challenged. For example, we have increasingly intrusive firearm registration and restrictions on ownership, all in violation of our constitutional right to keep and bear arms. Similarly, our freedom of speech is being silenced because of the fear that someone might be offended by what we have to say.
A clear demonstration of how our freedoms are being legislated away was with healthcare reform. Most everyone agreed that we needed changes made to the healthcare system. However, what they stuck into the bill that was passed does little to truly address the problem. For example, the bill forces people, just because they are a member of society, to buy a service that is regulated by the government. Additionally, in section 9,006 of the healthcare bill there is a policy that has credit card companies sending credit card transaction records to the IRS. This begs the question: What business does the IRS have in knowing what we buy with credit cards? And, what exactly does this have to do with healthcare?!? We all wanted healthcare reform, but we ended up giving up our freedom and still not getting the reform we needed.
Benjamin Franklin wisely said: “Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”
Our irresponsibility threatens our national security. The dumbing down of our education system handicaps future generations. And, the constant erosion of our freedoms will lead to tyranny. Any reasonable person, when presented with these facts, should come to the conclusion that America is indeed in trouble.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Christianity Rotting from Within
Main areas in which the church is under attack from within...
1. Liberation Theology / Social Gospel / Green Gospel
2. Dominion Theology / Kingdom Now / Latter Rain / Manifest Sons of God
3. Emerging Church / Pagan Spirituality / New Age / Mysticism
4. Universalism / Ecumenicalism / Syncretism / "Chrislam"
5. Happiness Gospel / "Seed Faith" - Give to Get - Greedy Gospel
1. Liberation Theology / Social Gospel / Green Gospel
2. Dominion Theology / Kingdom Now / Latter Rain / Manifest Sons of God
3. Emerging Church / Pagan Spirituality / New Age / Mysticism
4. Universalism / Ecumenicalism / Syncretism / "Chrislam"
5. Happiness Gospel / "Seed Faith" - Give to Get - Greedy Gospel
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Born This Way
We are indeed born into sin and the flesh...
However, God does not leave us that way.
He made a way for us to be born again of the spirit.
However, God does not leave us that way.
He made a way for us to be born again of the spirit.
Monday, March 07, 2011
Intelligence
"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction."
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Does Your Church Practice Astrology?
I was surprised when my daughter showed me a survey she got from her Sunday school class concerning a program called "S.H.A.P.E."
I recognized it immediately as while I was in the Air Force we went through a program in the mid-1990's that was then called "Total Quality Management" (TQM) that used a very similar survey. Over the years, the same TQM program has undergone many name changes (currently called AFSO21), even though the methods and materials are the same.
This program is geared toward "evolutionary" changes to business processes to promote "continuous improvement". One aspect of this program is for organizational members to take personality surveys and teaches them a psychological system to promote "self-knowledge" so they know where they fit within the organization and then "self-improvement" by knowing and overcoming their weaknesses.
Part of this psychological system uses personality profiles that goes under many names and forms including Myers-Briggs, Ned Herrmann’s Whole Brain, DiSC assessment, the Keirsey Temperament Sorter, and Galen’s four temperaments.
I did some digging, and It turns out this program is currently being employed at many Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) churches and is based on a book available at Lifeway by Erik E. Rees called SHAPE
While the program I went through did not have the "friendly" animal names, the handout my daughter recieved would categorize the participants personality as one of "four temperaments" as follows:
Occultic Origins
Empedocles (495-425 B.C.) taught concerning the four elements and how they related to cosmology and personalities of the gods and goddesses. Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.) expanded on Empedocles and taught on the four humors and he is generally credited with the "humoural temperament theory of personality", since he connected the types with both mental and physical states. While Hippocrates focused on applying these concepts to treatment of physical ailments, Plato (427-347 B.C.) would begin applying the concepts of the four humors to treatment of mental ailments.
Plato’s student Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) would continue in this vein, but it was Claudius Galen of Pergamum (A.D. 130-200) who wrote more fully on the relationship between humors and temperaments. He sought to explain emotional and behavioral differences between people and to develop treatments that would be suitable to those of varying temperaments. It is Galen's work from which we get "Galen's four temperaments" described earlier.
According to R. W. Coan's entry "Personality Types" in the Encyclopedia of Psychology (Volume 3, 1984, p. 24):
And K.J. Shapiro's entry "Temperaments" in the Encyclopedia of Psychology (Volume 3, 1984, p. 410):
In his book Psychological Types (Princeton University Press, 1971, p. 531.), Carl G. Jung, clearly notes the relationship between astrology and the four temperaments. He says:
The signs of the zodiac further refine and break down each of the four elements into "trigons" or "triplicities" as follows:
For a greater detailed description of the link between the four temperaments and astrology, see the e-book by Martin and Deidre Bobgan at this link:
http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/e-books/4temp-ebk.pdf
It is interesting to note that Erik Rees is a pastor and leader of the Ministry S.H.A.P.E. Discovery Teams at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church. (http://www.shapediscovery.com/author.php)
It is evident that Rees has relabeled TQM with christian-ese terminology and made it palatable for the church. It is also a book recommended to be used in conjunction with a Purpose Driven Life.
This program is a very subtle way to introduce astrology, psychology, Rick Warren's program, and Total Quality Management into mainline evangelical churches.
Turns out there are many variations of this program all using the same features, just repackaged under different names.
After speaking with my in-laws who live in another state, their church (also a SBC church) is doing a program called P.L.A.C.E. which follows the same purpose-driven, TQM model and uses the same personality assessment with the 4 DISC personality types (Choleric, Melancholy, Sanguine, Phlegmatic) as the S.H.A.P.E. program.
It is great to encourage people to particpate in the ministry. However, considering that these programs are targeted to new believers and new church members, it is taking these folks and using psychological profiling (which can only measure attributes of the "flesh") and tries to involve them in the ministry of the church so they are more likely to continue attendance (translate: church growth). This, combined with slogans such as "if you can read, you can lead", is how we end up with "carnal christians" leading other "carnal christians" in feel good cliques (er, I mean "life groups").
I don't find where this is based on anything in the Bible. What happened to discipleship, Bible training, and concepts such as sanctification? I thought that we needed to be transformed by the renewing of our minds and the washing of the word (Eph 5:26; Rom 12:2)? While God can use us at all stages of development, everything I find in the Bible talks of finding leaders who are of good reputation, full of the Spirit, and wisdom (Acts 6:3). Programs such as S.H.A.P.E. and P.L.A.C.E. do none of that.
Great Articles:
Discard the DiSC
http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/discarddisc13_5.html
Personality Cult
http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/personality_cult13_2.html
More Information:
http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/e-books/4temp-ebk.pdf
http://www.pamweb.org/missionsbk_online.html
http://www.shapediscovery.com/
http://www.placeministries.org/
http://www.worldviewweekend.com/book/chapter12.shtml
http://www.worldviewweekend.com/worldview-times/article.php?articleid=3377
http://www.ericbarger.com/pdl/Examining_The_Purpose_Driven_Philosophy-by_Eric_Barger_All_rights_reserved_copyright_2006,_2007.pdf
I recognized it immediately as while I was in the Air Force we went through a program in the mid-1990's that was then called "Total Quality Management" (TQM) that used a very similar survey. Over the years, the same TQM program has undergone many name changes (currently called AFSO21), even though the methods and materials are the same.
This program is geared toward "evolutionary" changes to business processes to promote "continuous improvement". One aspect of this program is for organizational members to take personality surveys and teaches them a psychological system to promote "self-knowledge" so they know where they fit within the organization and then "self-improvement" by knowing and overcoming their weaknesses.
Part of this psychological system uses personality profiles that goes under many names and forms including Myers-Briggs, Ned Herrmann’s Whole Brain, DiSC assessment, the Keirsey Temperament Sorter, and Galen’s four temperaments.
I did some digging, and It turns out this program is currently being employed at many Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) churches and is based on a book available at Lifeway by Erik E. Rees called SHAPE
While the program I went through did not have the "friendly" animal names, the handout my daughter recieved would categorize the participants personality as one of "four temperaments" as follows:
- Lion (Choleric/Dominance)
Strengths - Visionary, practical, productive, strong-willed, independent, decisive, leader
Weaknesses - Cold, domineering, unemotional self-sufficient, unforgiving, sarcastic, cruel
- Otter (Sanguine/Influence)
Strengths – Outgoing, responsive, warm, friendly, talkative, enthusiastic, compassionate
Weaknesses – Undisciplined, unproductive, exaggerates, egocentric, unstable
- Golden Retriever (Phlegmatic/Steadiness)
Strengths – Calm, easy-going, dependable, quiet, objective, diplomatic, humorous
Weaknesses – Selfish, stingy, procrastinator, unmotivated, indecisive, fearful, worrier
- Beaver (Melancholy/Compliance)
Strengths – Analytical, self-disciplined, industrious, organized, aesthetic, sacrificing
Weaknesses – Moody, self-centered, touchy, negative, unsociable, critical, revengeful
Occultic Origins
Empedocles (495-425 B.C.) taught concerning the four elements and how they related to cosmology and personalities of the gods and goddesses. Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.) expanded on Empedocles and taught on the four humors and he is generally credited with the "humoural temperament theory of personality", since he connected the types with both mental and physical states. While Hippocrates focused on applying these concepts to treatment of physical ailments, Plato (427-347 B.C.) would begin applying the concepts of the four humors to treatment of mental ailments.
Plato’s student Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) would continue in this vein, but it was Claudius Galen of Pergamum (A.D. 130-200) who wrote more fully on the relationship between humors and temperaments. He sought to explain emotional and behavioral differences between people and to develop treatments that would be suitable to those of varying temperaments. It is Galen's work from which we get "Galen's four temperaments" described earlier.
According to R. W. Coan's entry "Personality Types" in the Encyclopedia of Psychology (Volume 3, 1984, p. 24):
Central to astrological views of personality is a system of 12 patterns or types that correspond to the 12 signs of the zodiac. The 12 types may be viewed as including three modes of expression of each of the four elements noted by Empedocles, as there are said to be three air signs, three earth signs, three fire signs, and three water signs. This typology has enjoyed some popularity for over 2000 years.
And K.J. Shapiro's entry "Temperaments" in the Encyclopedia of Psychology (Volume 3, 1984, p. 410):
Synthesizing ideas from classical Greek medicine and astronomy, a theory of temperaments prevailing well into medieval times held that, for example, a sanguine disposition reflected a particular combination of humors in the body and that, in turn, this combination had been fixed by a certain configuration of the stars at the time of an individual’s birth.
In his book Psychological Types (Princeton University Press, 1971, p. 531.), Carl G. Jung, clearly notes the relationship between astrology and the four temperaments. He says:
From the earliest times attempts have been made to classify individuals according to types, and so to bring order into the chaos. The oldest attempts known to us were made by oriental astrologers who devised the so-called trigons of the four elements-air, water, earth, and fire. The air trigon in the horoscope consists of the three aerial signs of the zodiac, Aquarius, Gemini, Libra; the fire trigon is made up of Aries, Leo, Sagittarius. According to this age-old view, whoever is born in these trigons shares in their aerial or fiery nature and will have a corresponding temperament and fate. Closely connected with this ancient cosmological scheme is the physiological typology of antiquity, the division into four temperaments corresponding to the four humours.
What was first represented by the signs of the zodiac was later expressed in the physiological language of Greek medicine, giving us the classification into the phlegmatic, sanguine, choleric, and melancholic. These are simply designations for the secretions of the body.
As is well known, this typology lasted at least seventeen hundred years. As for the astrological type theory, to the astonishment of the enlightened it still remains intact today, and is even enjoying a new vogue.
The signs of the zodiac further refine and break down each of the four elements into "trigons" or "triplicities" as follows:
Element | Humour | Temperament | Zodiac |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air | Blood | Sanguine | Gemini, Libra, Aquarius |
| Fire | Yellow Bile | Choleric | Aries, Leo, Sagittariu |
| Earth | Black Bile | Melancholy | Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn |
| Water | Phlegm | Phlegmatic | Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces |
For a greater detailed description of the link between the four temperaments and astrology, see the e-book by Martin and Deidre Bobgan at this link:
http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/e-books/4temp-ebk.pdf
It is interesting to note that Erik Rees is a pastor and leader of the Ministry S.H.A.P.E. Discovery Teams at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church. (http://www.shapediscovery.com/author.php)
It is evident that Rees has relabeled TQM with christian-ese terminology and made it palatable for the church. It is also a book recommended to be used in conjunction with a Purpose Driven Life.
This program is a very subtle way to introduce astrology, psychology, Rick Warren's program, and Total Quality Management into mainline evangelical churches.
Turns out there are many variations of this program all using the same features, just repackaged under different names.
After speaking with my in-laws who live in another state, their church (also a SBC church) is doing a program called P.L.A.C.E. which follows the same purpose-driven, TQM model and uses the same personality assessment with the 4 DISC personality types (Choleric, Melancholy, Sanguine, Phlegmatic) as the S.H.A.P.E. program.
It is great to encourage people to particpate in the ministry. However, considering that these programs are targeted to new believers and new church members, it is taking these folks and using psychological profiling (which can only measure attributes of the "flesh") and tries to involve them in the ministry of the church so they are more likely to continue attendance (translate: church growth). This, combined with slogans such as "if you can read, you can lead", is how we end up with "carnal christians" leading other "carnal christians" in feel good cliques (er, I mean "life groups").
I don't find where this is based on anything in the Bible. What happened to discipleship, Bible training, and concepts such as sanctification? I thought that we needed to be transformed by the renewing of our minds and the washing of the word (Eph 5:26; Rom 12:2)? While God can use us at all stages of development, everything I find in the Bible talks of finding leaders who are of good reputation, full of the Spirit, and wisdom (Acts 6:3). Programs such as S.H.A.P.E. and P.L.A.C.E. do none of that.
Great Articles:
Discard the DiSC
http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/discarddisc13_5.html
Personality Cult
http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/personality_cult13_2.html
More Information:
http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/e-books/4temp-ebk.pdf
http://www.pamweb.org/missionsbk_online.html
http://www.shapediscovery.com/
http://www.placeministries.org/
http://www.worldviewweekend.com/book/chapter12.shtml
http://www.worldviewweekend.com/worldview-times/article.php?articleid=3377
http://www.ericbarger.com/pdl/Examining_The_Purpose_Driven_Philosophy-by_Eric_Barger_All_rights_reserved_copyright_2006,_2007.pdf
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Religion of Peace
When they find a so-called moderate muslim to answer questions in interviews and he says that scriptures in the Koran and Hadiff do not condone terrorism, that is like asking a Presberterian if the Bible condemns homosexuality.
Jesus was not "Cool"
The bible says that there was nothing particularly "cool" about Jesus.
Isaiah 53:2 puts it this way, “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him.”
It was the Holy Spirit that drew people (John 6:44). Except that The Sprit draws people you labor in vain.
When we try and flirt with the world in order to "be cool" we end up drawing people who need constant stimulation and end up wasting time on false converts so that nobody gets a firm foundation in the Word of God.
Isaiah 53:2 puts it this way, “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him.”
It was the Holy Spirit that drew people (John 6:44). Except that The Sprit draws people you labor in vain.
When we try and flirt with the world in order to "be cool" we end up drawing people who need constant stimulation and end up wasting time on false converts so that nobody gets a firm foundation in the Word of God.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Why Settle for Less?
Satan is a deciever and seeks to pervert everything of God.
Keep in mind that Satan has a false, perverted version of most every work of the Holy Spirit.
Examples include: the laying on of hands is biblical and for today, however false religeons such as Reiki also use laying of hands to impart a demon spirit that imparts false healing.
Now, just because Satan has a falsified version of it does not mean that all healing or laying of hands is "of the devil" -- it is just doubly important that you know and follow the Bible when it comes to these things and not get duped into the wrong thing.
As I have said before, Satan's parlor tricks and false spirituality is a very pale and poor substitute to what we can experience through a rich and biblical relationship with the Holy Spirit.
It is sad thing that so many folks choose to settle for less than the best that God has in store for us.
On one hand you have folks who say that the work of the Holy Spirit ceased in the time of the Apostles. They live a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof.
Many who grow up in that environment have a rightful hunger for spirituality, but think they can't get it from the Bible -- so, they make easy converts to forms of false spirituality.
On the other hand, you have folks who seek nothing but spirituality and spiritual signs and experiences without a grounding in the Bible. They too can be duped by money hungry false teachers (2Peter 2:1-3)
When we study the Bible and cultivate a relationship with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit there is more than enough true spirituality to go around.
Keep in mind that Satan has a false, perverted version of most every work of the Holy Spirit.
Examples include: the laying on of hands is biblical and for today, however false religeons such as Reiki also use laying of hands to impart a demon spirit that imparts false healing.
Now, just because Satan has a falsified version of it does not mean that all healing or laying of hands is "of the devil" -- it is just doubly important that you know and follow the Bible when it comes to these things and not get duped into the wrong thing.
As I have said before, Satan's parlor tricks and false spirituality is a very pale and poor substitute to what we can experience through a rich and biblical relationship with the Holy Spirit.
It is sad thing that so many folks choose to settle for less than the best that God has in store for us.
On one hand you have folks who say that the work of the Holy Spirit ceased in the time of the Apostles. They live a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof.
Many who grow up in that environment have a rightful hunger for spirituality, but think they can't get it from the Bible -- so, they make easy converts to forms of false spirituality.
On the other hand, you have folks who seek nothing but spirituality and spiritual signs and experiences without a grounding in the Bible. They too can be duped by money hungry false teachers (2Peter 2:1-3)
When we study the Bible and cultivate a relationship with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit there is more than enough true spirituality to go around.
Monday, February 07, 2011
Treasures in Heaven
You cannot take it with you, but you can send it on ahead
Matthew 6:19-20
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."
-Jim Elliot
Think about it...
Q: What is the only thing you can build today that has the potential to last forever?
A: Relationships.
Matthew 6:19-20
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."
-Jim Elliot
Think about it...
Q: What is the only thing you can build today that has the potential to last forever?
A: Relationships.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Emerging Cultural Spiritism
Several movies are coming out with a common theme that reveals the rising popularity of spiritism in our culture.
The previous century was the hallmark of modernism where science and materialism was supposed to be the end all and answer to all of mankind's problems. Examples of modernism in the culture would be things like Sherlock Holmes or Scooby Doo, where, due to people's superstitions, they believe that something supernatural is taking place. However, the scooby gang comes along and unmasked the villain who is really using some kind of technology to fool people.
After two world wars, people have become disillusioned with the concept that modernism, science alone, and materialism can solve all their problems. Hence, the rise of "post-modernism", which reintroduces the supernatural into culture.
What we see in many of the movies coming out in early 2011 are examples of skeptical modernists having to come to terms with confrontations with the supernatural.
(Please note I have not seen the movies referenced below nor recommend anyone see them, this commentary on societal trends is based only on press releases made by the producers.)
In "Season of the Witch", Nicolas Cage's character, Behmen, is a disillusioned knight, who questions his own faith, returning home from the crusades to find his homeland ravaged with the plague. He is given the task of escorting a girl accused of witchcraft to what will probably be her death. Behmen doubts that witchcraft even exists, but later is confronted with and has to fight against the supernatural.
In a similar vein "The Rite" involves a seminary student, Kovak, who has doubts about faith and the supernatural, believing that things like demon possession are really psychiatric problems that should be dealt with using medical treatment. He is then confronted with very "real" manifestations of the supernatural and demon possession that are dealt with using exorcism.
Both of these examples show a trend of converting skeptics into believers in the supernatural, and then the heroes fighting evil using their "faith" and inner strength.
This is the new age, emergent spiritism, where seeking supernatural experiences and seeking out your own "inner star" are the promoted practices.
Of course, evil can only be defeated by Jesus. Faith in anything else is idolatry.
The previous century was the hallmark of modernism where science and materialism was supposed to be the end all and answer to all of mankind's problems. Examples of modernism in the culture would be things like Sherlock Holmes or Scooby Doo, where, due to people's superstitions, they believe that something supernatural is taking place. However, the scooby gang comes along and unmasked the villain who is really using some kind of technology to fool people.
After two world wars, people have become disillusioned with the concept that modernism, science alone, and materialism can solve all their problems. Hence, the rise of "post-modernism", which reintroduces the supernatural into culture.
What we see in many of the movies coming out in early 2011 are examples of skeptical modernists having to come to terms with confrontations with the supernatural.
(Please note I have not seen the movies referenced below nor recommend anyone see them, this commentary on societal trends is based only on press releases made by the producers.)
In "Season of the Witch", Nicolas Cage's character, Behmen, is a disillusioned knight, who questions his own faith, returning home from the crusades to find his homeland ravaged with the plague. He is given the task of escorting a girl accused of witchcraft to what will probably be her death. Behmen doubts that witchcraft even exists, but later is confronted with and has to fight against the supernatural.
In a similar vein "The Rite" involves a seminary student, Kovak, who has doubts about faith and the supernatural, believing that things like demon possession are really psychiatric problems that should be dealt with using medical treatment. He is then confronted with very "real" manifestations of the supernatural and demon possession that are dealt with using exorcism.
Both of these examples show a trend of converting skeptics into believers in the supernatural, and then the heroes fighting evil using their "faith" and inner strength.
This is the new age, emergent spiritism, where seeking supernatural experiences and seeking out your own "inner star" are the promoted practices.
Of course, evil can only be defeated by Jesus. Faith in anything else is idolatry.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Homophobia
It's official, I'm not "homophobic"
43 - Your score rates you as "non-homophobic."
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/assault/etc/quiz.html
It has never been about hating people, it has always been about hating sin.
People that choose to succumb to temptations and participate in homosexual acts are sinners in need of a savior the same as myself and everyone else.
What is most important is that we do not call, for any reason, something acceptable that God has declared in His Word to be an abomination.
No I do not hate or fear anyone, instead love insists that I do anything and everything I can to share the Good News that everyone can be delivered from the bondage to sinful behaviors through belief and trust in Jesus.
Psychology does not make right
The Frontline article referenced in the link above states that "For much of this century, homosexuality was defined by the medical and scientific community as a psychiatric disorder."
This is true. The APA changed its position not based on scientific research or data, it changed its position in 1973 due to political pressures and infiltration of its leadership positions by homosexual activists.
Homosexuality continues to become accepted more and more as "normal" and it is religion that is seen as the "mental illness".
Researchers treating religious, moral obsessions
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=13855078
The recongized "father" of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, believed that people who follow their "natural" desires (read "sin nature") that are truly sane. Dr. Benjamin Wiker in the book "10 Books That Screwed Up theWorld: And 5 Others That Didn't Help" explains:
Since psychology/psychiatry is limited to man's "wisdom" and man's determination of what is right and wrong, psychology can be used to redefine anything in service to a purpose.
There is ample evidence that Psychiatry has been used for political purposes by communist countries. Basically, political and/or religious dissenters are labeled as "mentally ill" and imprisoned in maximum-security psychiatric hospitals.
Political Abuse of Psychiatry in the Soviet Union and in China
http://www.jaapl.org/cgi/reprint/30/1/136.pdf
We are already seeing this happen in the U.S., and can expect it to wax worse.
Those of us who look to God's revelation as to what He considers to be right and wrong are being labeled, marginalized, and more and more demonized. This is in fulfillment of prophecy as the world comes together under one universal religion that leaves no room for God.
Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
3 John 1:11
Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.
Romans 12:9
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
43 - Your score rates you as "non-homophobic."
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/assault/etc/quiz.html
It has never been about hating people, it has always been about hating sin.
People that choose to succumb to temptations and participate in homosexual acts are sinners in need of a savior the same as myself and everyone else.
What is most important is that we do not call, for any reason, something acceptable that God has declared in His Word to be an abomination.
No I do not hate or fear anyone, instead love insists that I do anything and everything I can to share the Good News that everyone can be delivered from the bondage to sinful behaviors through belief and trust in Jesus.
Psychology does not make right
The Frontline article referenced in the link above states that "For much of this century, homosexuality was defined by the medical and scientific community as a psychiatric disorder."
This is true. The APA changed its position not based on scientific research or data, it changed its position in 1973 due to political pressures and infiltration of its leadership positions by homosexual activists.
Homosexuality continues to become accepted more and more as "normal" and it is religion that is seen as the "mental illness".
Researchers treating religious, moral obsessions
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=13855078
The recongized "father" of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, believed that people who follow their "natural" desires (read "sin nature") that are truly sane. Dr. Benjamin Wiker in the book "10 Books That Screwed Up theWorld: And 5 Others That Didn't Help" explains:
He [Freud] claimed that psychological disorders were the result of the unnatural repression of our naturally unholy and anti-social desires, and that some people just couldn't handle the repression... Therefore, neurotics are the only sane people because they react to unnatural frustration by training to reclaim their original, natural, asocial and amoral state. The result: the anti-social psychopath who kills without conscience is the most natural of all. The interesting effect of Freud's proclamation that evil is natural was the seemingly unintended consequence of making psychopathic insanity natural.
Since psychology/psychiatry is limited to man's "wisdom" and man's determination of what is right and wrong, psychology can be used to redefine anything in service to a purpose.
There is ample evidence that Psychiatry has been used for political purposes by communist countries. Basically, political and/or religious dissenters are labeled as "mentally ill" and imprisoned in maximum-security psychiatric hospitals.
Political Abuse of Psychiatry in the Soviet Union and in China
http://www.jaapl.org/cgi/reprint/30/1/136.pdf
We are already seeing this happen in the U.S., and can expect it to wax worse.
Those of us who look to God's revelation as to what He considers to be right and wrong are being labeled, marginalized, and more and more demonized. This is in fulfillment of prophecy as the world comes together under one universal religion that leaves no room for God.
Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
3 John 1:11
Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.
Romans 12:9
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
Friday, January 07, 2011
Out of an Infinite Universe
Question: Isn't it prideful and against christian "humility" to believe:
1) that out of the infinite size of the universe, the millions of stars and planets we think we are special?
2) out of all that, how can we presume to think that God should love us?
This line of questions presumes on at least two fallacies:
1) Love is based on "what's in it for me"
2) That the Christian wordlview should have anything to do with the size of the universe
The truth is:
1) What Christians say is based on what God Himself has chosen to revealed to us in His Word. God's Love is based on His choice and His convenent to us. He chose to love us when we were unlovable. So when Christians talk about God's love for us, it is not out of some haughtiness or prideful self worth thing, it is about God's grace extended toward us as revealed by God Himself!
2) The size and majesty of the universe is not there to reflect on our value or earth's value or position in it -- the size and majesty of the universe is there to reflect the magnificence, power, and glory of God!
True humility is to put God's Word and His wisdom ahead of our own vain philosphies and limited wisdom.
1) that out of the infinite size of the universe, the millions of stars and planets we think we are special?
2) out of all that, how can we presume to think that God should love us?
This line of questions presumes on at least two fallacies:
1) Love is based on "what's in it for me"
2) That the Christian wordlview should have anything to do with the size of the universe
The truth is:
1) What Christians say is based on what God Himself has chosen to revealed to us in His Word. God's Love is based on His choice and His convenent to us. He chose to love us when we were unlovable. So when Christians talk about God's love for us, it is not out of some haughtiness or prideful self worth thing, it is about God's grace extended toward us as revealed by God Himself!
2) The size and majesty of the universe is not there to reflect on our value or earth's value or position in it -- the size and majesty of the universe is there to reflect the magnificence, power, and glory of God!
True humility is to put God's Word and His wisdom ahead of our own vain philosphies and limited wisdom.
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