"Evangelicalism regularly comes under attack from all sides, and let's face it: a lot of the criticism leveled against evangelicals is well deserved. Although I hold firmly to historic evangelical doctrine, I thoroughly despise what the contemporary evangelical movement has become.
That's an important distinction. Evangelical doctrine and the evangelical movement are not the same thing. Nowadays they often look like polar opposites. The movement we usually label "evangelical" abandoned its own doctrinal foundation long ago. The average evangelical today couldn't even tell you what the original doctrinal distinctives of classic evangelicalism were..."
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
In Your Trials, Never Forget...
Glinda (to Dorothy): "Keep tight inside them. Their magic must be very powerful or she wouldn't want them so badly."You know, I don't use many things like this to make a point. Generally I like to just go straight to our only authority, which is the Word of God.
But sometimes, I just can't help myself. This, of course, is one of them.
I won't go into the details of what is going on right now. Suffice it to say that this is a time of testing for me. Seems it will never end. You know what I mean...you struggle and struggle to bear in mind that God is still in control. You can't seem to catch a glimpse of God anywhere. It's called bearing up in the valley after you've learned He is there in the mountaintop.
And, remember, no matter how deep the valley, He is still there after you've left the mountaintop. No doubt.
I have no idea what you may be going through. We all struggle with various things or situations. We have our seasons of testing. Just remember, that is what it is -- a season of testing. Let's recall some of the words of Peter in 1 Peter 1:
"3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
5who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,
7so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
8and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
9obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls."
See that? We who are in trials still rejoice. Why? Because we know we are being "protected by the power of God through faith" and that what seems to be so oppressing is really nothing more than something God has allowed in our lives to purify us and show us as genuinely born again.That's it!
But we do need to remember that there is one, namely Satan, who (5:8 of 1 Peter) "prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."
If you are born of God, your faith is precious. Exceedingly so. And if you are really converted, the enemy cannot "de-faith" you because our Lord protects us from being "touched" (Gr: To cling to in order to separate) by the enemy. (1 John 5:18)
Furthermore, Paul reminds us that after we have suffered for a while, we may be able to comfort those who need comfort! (2 Cor. 1)
Simply put, we need each other!
Anyway if you, like me, find yourself going through some things that just seem just too crazy or heavy to bear just remember that it is a test. And if you are genuinely born of God, you can bear it. He promised through His Word!
"13No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." (1 Cor. 10:13)
Blessings to you. Endure!
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Rick Warren: Cone of Shame Award...
From "The Lawman Chronicles", I pass the following on to you....:"Warren spoke yesterday to the annual Islamic Society of North America convention, in Washington, DC. Sadly, as expected, Warren failed to share the gospel. That, in and of itself, merits Warren's dubious distinction as a "Cone of Shame" recipient.
Reading several media reports regarding Warren's address, it appears that Warren continues to slide down the sinful and unbiblical slope of ecumenism and pluralism, as Warren unashamedly promotes his social gospel agenda.
Warren is quoted as saying, "I am commanded to love and I am commanded to respect everybody."
What Warren fails to realize is that the most loving thing he could have done for the thousands of lost people gathered to hear him speak was to speak the truth in love--to call Muslims to repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Rick Warren, you don't love people as much as you claim to. If you truly loved Muslims you would lay down your secular popularity for the furtherance of the gospel. You would put their eternal destiny before your social agenda.
Sadly, Rick Warren belongs in the "Cone of Shame" because he continues to prove that false conversion begins in the pulpit, not in the pew."
Amen, Tony!
By the way, a "cone of shame enhancer" can be found here...Seems that "christian" "pastor" Warren doesn't have a problem afilliating with those who act forcefully against those investigating Islamic radicalism...Way to go Rick! At least now, some of your previously blinded followers might just wake up!
A quote from the above source: "Dave Gaubatz, a former Air Force special agent who has traveled the country investigating radical Islamist mosque and attempts at imposing Shariah law in the U.S., was forcibly removed from the conference after paying the $100 attendance fee. "
Hey, Rick? How do you defend this...as a so-called "christian" and as a so-called "pastor"?
The source for Tony's article is here. Thank you, Tony!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Rick Warren Goes Wahhabi
With everything else going on regarding Obama, it's been a while since we've seen a post about "America's Pastor", Rick Warren. But he's still out there, as problematic as ever.Here's the text from Ingrid at Slice of Laodicea:
'“The Hour will not be established until you fight with the Jews, and the stone behind which a Jew will be hiding will say. ‘O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, so kill him.”
—Just one of the hate-filled quotes on the website for the Islamic Society of North America. Rick Warren will be speaking to their convention during the 4th of July weekend.
The Canadian Free Press is raising questions about Rick Warren that the Southern Baptist Convention refuses to. What in the world is Warren doing speaking at an Islamic Society of North America gathering? To preach Christ crucified? To rebuke them for their hatred of Israel and promise to destroy it? To speak out against the growing number of “honor killings” in North America? The Southern Baptist Convention leadership has given Rick Warren a free pass for far too long. Now the world has to come along and ask the hard questions.'
...and, as usual, here's a link to the original post...
Friday, June 12, 2009
Cal.Vini.St Blog and Free Bible Study Software!
Serious about good Bible Study software? Check this out. The Cal.Vini.St blog has two copies of BibleWorks 8 and will be giving them away as they celebrate their first anniversary!
The rest is here!
The rest is here!
Monday, June 08, 2009
APA revises 'gay gene' theory
From the "no surprise here" department:
"The attempt to prove that homosexuality is determined biologically has been dealt a knockout punch. An American Psychological Association publication includes an admission that there's no homosexual "gene" -- meaning it's not likely that homosexuals are born that way.
"The attempt to prove that homosexuality is determined biologically has been dealt a knockout punch. An American Psychological Association publication includes an admission that there's no homosexual "gene" -- meaning it's not likely that homosexuals are born that way.
For decades, the APA has not considered homosexuality a psychological disorder, while other professionals in the field consider it to be a "gender-identity" problem. But the new statement, which appears in a brochure called "Answers to Your Questions for a Better Understanding of Sexual Orientation & Homosexuality," states the following:..."
The article can be read here...
Of course, there is no "gay gene". Never has been one any more than there is one for lying, lusting, stealing, coveting, failing to put God first, idolatry, killing or any other of the commandments.
Homosexuality is an expression of fallen sinfulness. It is the final judgment on a society that has abandoned God, per Romans 1. And it is a part of a list of those sins which betray the reality that a person is lost.
Ever lied? Stolen? Lusted after someone not married to you? Before God, that would make you a lying, thieving adulterer and that is only three of the ten commandments. Say you only lied once so you're not a liar? It only takes one rape for us as a society to call a person a rapist, no?
See yourself as a man before a judge. A just judge. You've been found guilty of some felony and you know you are headed for prison. What are you going to do? Ask him to forgive you? Based on what? You waxed his car? Would a *just* judge do that? Of course not! He must judge based on the law.
But Jesus, the righteous Judge Who created all things by Himself and for Himself and upholds all things by the Word of His power, came around to your side of the bench and paid the penalty for you, bearing the righteous judgment and wrath of God. "He Who knew no sin became sin for us, that we may become the righteousness of God through Him". (2 Cor. 5:21).
He paid the penalty for me. And he paid it for all who will repent and trust in what He did.
Turn from your sin and trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ, as you would trsut in a parachute! One day, you will have to jump from this "plane" called life!
Monday, June 01, 2009
John MacArthur: The Challenge of Science
Here is some completely awesome teaching by John MacArthur!
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