Urgent Prayer Request For YWAM (Youth With A Mission) Missionaries In India

This is a request for prayer for YWAM missionaries and their churches
in Orissa, India. The request came from her friend, Mable Hurst, an
associate of HCJB Global. Please read and make this a matter of urgent
prayer.

Dear beloved sponsors and friends of Good News India.
We have never seen anything like t his. We knew that Orissa was the
most resistant and hostile State in India as far as the Gospel is
concerned. And we brushed off the continuous threats and harassment we
faced as we went about His work. But none of our staff imagined that
they would see this kind of carnage.... And it seems to be totally
under the radar of the Western Media. Let me explain.... A militant
Hindu priest and 4 of his attendants, who were zealously going around
the villages of Orissa and 'reconverting' people back to Hinduism,
were gu nned down by unknown assailants in Central Orissa last
weekend. Immediately the Christians were blamed. The cry rose
up...'Kill the Christians!' And the horror began.... In the past 4
days, we have first hand witness to hundreds of churches being blown
up or burned and many, many dozens of Christian tribals have been
slaughtered. For no other reason than they bear the name of Christ.
Night and day I have been in t ouch with our Good News India Directors
spread across 14 Dream Centers in Orissa... they are right in the
middle of all this chaos. In Tihidi, just after the police came to
offer protection, a group of 70 blood-thirsty militants came to kill
our staff and destroy the home. They were not allowed to get in, but
they did a lot of damage to our Dream Center by throwing rocks and
bricks and smashing our gate, etc. They have promised to come back and
'finish the job.' Our kids and staff are locked inside and have stayed
that way with doors and windows shut for the past 3 days. It has been
a time of desperately calling on the Lord in prayer.

More police have come to offer protection. In Kalahandi, the police
and some loca l sympathizers got to our dream center and gave our
staff and kids about 3 minutes notice to vacate. No one had time to
even grab a change of clothes or any personal belongings. As they
fled, the blood thirsty m ob came to kill everyone in the building. We
would have had a mass funeral there, but for His grace. In Phulbani,
the mob came looking for Christian homes and missions. The local Hindu
people, our neighbors turned them away by saying that there were no
Christians in this area. So they left. We had favor. The same thing
happened in Balasore.

All our dream centers are under lock down with the kids and staff
huddled inside and police outside. The fanatics are circling outside
waiting for a chance to kill. Others were not so fortunate. In a
nearby Catholic orphanage, the mob allowed the kids to leave and
locked up a Priest and a computer teacher in house and burned them to
death. Many believers have been killed and hacked into pieces and left
on the road.... even women and children. At another orphanage run by
another organization, when this began, the Director and his wife
jumped on their motorbike and simply fled, leaving al l the children
and staff behind. Every one of our GNI directors that I have spoken to
said: 'We stay with our kids.... we live together or die together, but
we will never abandon what God has called us to do.' More than 5000
Christian families have had their homes burned or destroyed. They have
fled into the jungles and are living in great fea r waiting for the
authorities to bring about peace. But so far, no peace is foreseen.


This will continue for another 10 days.... supposedly the 14 day
mourning period for the slain Hindu priest. Many more Christians will
die and their houses destroyed. Many more churches will be smashed
down. The Federal government is trying to restore order and perhaps
things will calm down.


We ask for your prayers. Only the Hand of God can calm this storm.
None of us know the meaning of persecution. But now our kids and staff
know what that means. So many of our kids coming from Hindu
backgrounds are confused and totally bewildered at what is happening
around them. So many of their guardians have fled into the jungles and
are unable to come and get them during these trying times.

Through all this, I am more determined than ever to continue with our
goal: the transformation of a community by transforming its children.
Orissa will be saved... that is our heart's cry. If we can take these
thousands of throw-away children and help them to become disciples of
Jesus, they will transform an entire region. It is a long term goal,
but it is strategic thinking in terms of the Great Commission.


What can you do? First, please uphold all this in fervent prayer.
Second, pass this email on to as many friends as you can. We must get
the word out and increase our prayer base for this is spiritual
warfare at its most basic meaning. We are literally fighting the devil
in order to live f or His Kingdom. The next 10 days are crucial. We pray for peace and calm to pervade across Orissa.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please pass it on and
help us to get as many people to partner with us on this cutting edge
effort to fulfill His mandate: Go and make disciples of all nations.
Prayer works!

Blessings, Chip & Sandy Wanner Col 2:2 MBI
Team Facilitators to YWAM frontlines

--
Raise a banner on a bare hilltop, shout to them, beckon them to enter the gates of the nobles. Isaiah 13:2

ESV Study Bible Coming in October

Crossway will be releasing the ESV Study Bible on October 15, 2008. This looks like a real winner of a study bible. Based on the limited pdfs I've seen, the NIV Study Bible has some competition finally. I just wish they'd offer some samples from the Old Testament instead of just Luke and John.

An earlier date would be better though. After all schools are more likely to switch to the ESV Study Bible if they could see it in July and August and then have the campus bookstores have them in stock at the end of August. I think waiting until October 15 is really making it harder for the ESV Study Bible to make enroads.

Plus I want this study bible now. And if someone at crossway wants to send me a review copy I would be quite pleased to give a more detailed impression of it here.

You can also see the introduction to Luke here

Christianbook.com has this on pre-sale for $29.99. which is $20 off the listed price and I don't make a dime from giving you this link.

The Trinity in the Old Testament

According to Gerald Bray, it is not good to try to find the Trinity in the Old Testament because “To admit belief in the Trinity without belief in Christ would be to confuse irretrievable the logic and purpose of revelation” (141, Doctrine of God). Agree or Disagree?

This was after he described the possibility of Genesis 18 as possible Trinity appearance.

I also found interesting his commentary on the number three being seen as perfection in Greek culture as pointed out by Philo of Alexanderia in his commentary on Genesis 18. And seen again in Clement as allegorical proof of the Trinity but it was abandoned by Calvin during the Reformation as too fanciful.

Nice Logic: Jane Spahr and Performing Marriages

So if the constitution says you cannot do something but you do it, there's nothing that can be done to you because you cannot do it so there's no penalty. I wonder how well our society would do with the same logic.

Today's Sermon

Today, my pastor made a comment during the sermon that I swear was being directed at the lynching of Presbyman by certain commenters at Ben's blog. He said, that perception is all that matters in some Conservative circles rather than Truth. If you mispeak one little bit, it doesn't matter what your intent was, the mob dives in and attacks. He connected it to the Pharisees' intent in asking Jesus which is the greatest commandment. And also to the current political atmosphere.

As I left church today, I told him about the Presbyman affair and the whole Anti-Christ and Pope and Westminster discussion. And he just shook his head and agreed with me. I'm glad I'm not the only one besides Presbyman that thinks its getting ridiculous.

But I wonder what it was that he was referring to. He's doing a D-Min and I wonder if it had anything to do with his experience with that.

Qualifications or Fairness

Is it fair that a blind person cannot conduct a medical operation? Is it fair when a high school dropout is not hired for a position that requires a higher degree? Is it fair when a deaf person is not hired to take dictation?

Its not a question of fairness. Its a question of qualifications.

Someone must be able to see to conduct a medical operation
Someone must have the degree for certain jobs
Someone must be able to hear to take down someone's words accurately

So why when the qualifications for Biblical ministry are clearly spelled out in Timothy does it suddenly become a question of fairness?

I Timothy 3:1-13

Qualifications for Overseers

1The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2Therefore an overseer£ must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,£ sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Qualifications for Deacons

8Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,£ not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11Their wives£ likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Titus 1:6-9

Qualifications for Elders

5This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—6if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife,£ and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7For an overseer,£ as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound£ doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

What's your theological worldview?

What's your theological worldview? created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Reformed Evangelical You are a Reformed Evangelical. You take the Bible very seriously because it is God's Word. You most likely hold to TULIP and are sceptical about the possibilities of universal atonement or resistible grace. The most important thing the Church can do is make sure people hear how they can go to heaven when they die. Reformed Evangelical 86% Fundamentalist 71% Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan 71% Neo orthodox 61% Roman Catholic 54% Charismatic/Pentecostal 39% Emergent/Postmodern 25% Classical Liberal 21% Modern Liberal 14%

Local PCUSA church looks to be checking out the EPC

While driving home from the seminary tonight I noticed on their marque outside that they have a meeting to discuss the EPC. I know that they were members of the Confessing Church movement inside the PCUSA.

Episcopol Church Counciled to table action against Pittsburgh Bishop

"In brief, I would urge TEC (The Episcopal Church) and other Anglican bishops to pray for and take action so that this process pauses indefinitely," the Rev. Ephraim Radner said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Episcopal Church's three senior bishops stopped short of banning Duncan from his religious duties last week when the presiding bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori, sought to inhibit him. Duncan was, however, certified as having "abandoned the Communion of this Church" and Episcopal bishops are expected to vote on a final decision later this year.

The charge essentially means that the bishop has effectively left the church.

Duncan has been leading his Pittsburgh diocese toward a split with The Episcopal Church over its liberal direction on Scripture and homosexuality. The Pittsburgh bishop has expressed little hope that the national church would get back in line with Anglican tradition and is currently planning to form a separate orthodox Anglican body in the United States with other conservative bishops.

The Episcopal Church, the U.S. branch of Anglicanism, widened rifts in the Anglican Communion when it consecrated openly gay bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire in 2003.

Radner urged the Episcopal bishops to vote to table the matter of Duncan's status and discipline "indefinitely." He believes the national church is not in a position to judge anything especially during a time of confusion and discernment.

I doubt this advice will be followed.

SF Presbytery may as well burn the BIbles

Yet while Holy Scripture is necessary to faith and authoritative in our
lives, “to lead a life in obedience to Scripture sets the authority of Scripture above the authority of Christ and returns us to life under the law.

No it doesn't. The Word is from Christ. It is not above his authority. It is his authority.

And we never were out from under the law. We are to live according to the Law as best we can. We fail. But through the merciful gift of God, believers are forgiven for their sins. Not one letter from the law has been removed by Christ and it is the Law which believers are to follow as their conscience. And they are to be repentant when they fail to follow the law.

What does it mean to be repentant? It means you recognize that you were in the wrong. You do not try to justify your actions. You do not try to make it ok. You condemn your action and you attempt to stop your sinful nature. You do not relish it. You do not center your life around it. You do not continue to live in sin on purpose. You try to change your behavior to follow the Law of God which is the Law of Christ.

Order of Worship = Structure for Evangelism?

The typical order of Worship on Sunday:

I. Entering the Presence of God

A. Call to Worship
B. Songs of Praise
C. Prayer of Confession
D. Assurance of Pardon
E. Psalter Response
F. Hymn of Praise

II. Hearing God's Word to us

A. Old Testament Lesson
B. Epistles Lesson
C. Gospel Lesson
D. Sermon

III. The People's Response

A. Hymn of Response
B. Confession of Faith
C. Prayers of the People
D. Offerings
E. Closing Hymn

Doesn't evangelism use the same structure?
I. Call and Convict the person of their sins
II. Teach them the Grace of God and the Gift of Salvation
III. Hopefully their response to the Gospel of Grace positive and they are welcomed into the people of God.

Ten Commandments and the Believer

Q. 104. What are the duties required in the first commandment?
A. The duties required in the first commandment are, the knowing and acknowledging of God to be the only true God, and our God;[446] and to worship and glorify him accordingly,[447] by thinking,[448] meditating,[449] remembering,[450] highly esteeming,[451] honouring,[452] adoring,[453] choosing,[454] loving,[455] desiring,[456] fearing of him;[457] believing him;[458] trusting[459] hoping,[460] delighting,[461] rejoicing in him;[462] being zealous for him;[463] calling upon him, giving all praise and thanks,[464] and yielding all obedience and submission to him with the whole man;[465] being careful in all things to please him,[466] and sorrowful when in any thing he is offended;[467] and walking humbly with him.[468]

Q. 105. What are the sins forbidden in the first commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the first commandment are, atheism, in denying or not having a God;[469] idolatry, in having or worshipping more gods than one, or any with or instead of the true God;[470] the not having and avouching him for God, and our God;[471] the omission or neglect of anything due to him, required in this commandment;[472] ignorance,[473] forgetfulness,[474] misapprehensions,[475] false opinions,[476] unworthy and wicked thoughts of him;[477] bold and curious searching into his secrets;[478] all profaneness,[479] hatred of God;[480] self-love,[481] self-seeking,[482] and all other inordinate and immoderate setting of our mind, will, or affections upon other things, and taking them off from him in whole or in part;[483] vain credulity,[484] unbelief,[485] heresy,[486] misbelief,[487] distrust,[488] despair,[489] incorrigibleness,[490] and insensibleness under judgments,[491] hardness of heart,[492] pride,[493] presumption,[494] carnal security,[495] tempting of God;[496] using unlawful means,[497] and trusting in lawful means;[498] carnal delights and joys;[499] corrupt, blind, and indiscreet zeal;[500] lukewarmness,[501] and deadness in the things of God;[502] estranging ourselves, and apostatizing from God;[503] praying, or giving any religious worship, to saints, angels, or any other creatures;[504] all compacts and consulting with the devil,[505] and hearkening to his suggestions;[506] making men the lords of our faith and conscience;[507] slighting and despising God and his commands;[508] resisting and grieving of his Spirit,[509] discontent and impatience at his dispensations, charging him foolishly for the evils he inflicts on us;[510] and ascribing the praise of any good we either are, have or can do, to fortune,[511] idols,[512] ourselves,[513] or any other creature.[514]

Q. 108. What are the duties required in the second commandment?
A. The duties required in the second commandment are, the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God hath instituted in his Word;[518] particularly prayer and thanksgiving in the name of Christ;[519] the reading, preaching, and hearing of the Word;[520] the administration and receiving of the sacraments;[521] church government and discipline;[522] the ministry and maintainance thereof;[523] religious fasting;[524] swearing by the name of God;[525] and vowing unto him;[526] as also the disapproving, detesting, opposing all false worship;[527] and, according to each one’s place and calling, removing it, and all monuments of idolatry.[528]

Q. 109. What are the sins forbidden in the second commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the second commandment are, all devising,[529] counselling,[530] commanding,[531] using,[532] and anywise approving, any religious worship not instituted by God himself;[533] tolerating a false religion; the making any representation of God, of all or of any of the three persons, either inwardly in our mind, or outwardly in any kind of image or likeness of any creature whatsoever;[534] all worshipping of it,[535] or God in it or by it;[536] the making of any representation of feigned deities,[537] and all worship of them, or service belonging to them,[538] all superstitious devices,[539] corrupting the worship of God,[540] adding to it, or taking from it,[541] whether invented and taken up of ourselves,[542] or received by tradition from others,[543] though under the title of antiquity,[544] custom,[545] devotion,[546] good intent, or any other pretence whatsoever;[547] simony;[548] sacrilege;[549] all neglect,[550] contempt,[551] hindering,[552] and opposing the worship and ordinances which God hath appointed.[553].

Q. 112. What is required in the third commandment?
A. The third commandment requires, That the name of God, his titles, attributes,[561] ordinances,[562] the Word,[563] sacraments,[564] prayer,[565] oaths,[566] vows,[567] lots,[568] his works,[569] and whatsoever else there is whereby he makes himself known, be holily and reverently used in thought,[570] meditation,[571] word,[572] and writing;[573] by an holy profession,[574] and answerable conversation,[575] to the glory of God,[576] and the good of ourselves,[577] and others.[578].

Q. 113. What are the sins forbidden in the third commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the third commandment are, the not using of God’s name as is required;[579] and the abuse of it in an ignorant,[580] vain,[581] irreverent, profane,[582] superstitious[583] or wicked mentioning or otherwise using his titles, attributes,[584] ordinances,[585] or works,[586] by blasphemy,[587] perjury;[588] all sinful cursings,[589] oaths,[590] vows,[591] and lots;[592] violating of our oaths and vows, if lawful;[593] and fulfilling them, if of things unlawful;[594] murmuring and quarrelling at,[595] curious prying into,[596] and misapplying of God’s decrees[597] and providences;[598] misinterpreting,[599] misapplying,[600] or any way perverting the Word, or any part of it;[601] to profane jests,[602] curious or unprofitable questions, vain janglings, or the maintaining of false doctrines;[603] abusing it, the creatures, or anything contained under the name of God, to charms,[604] or sinful lusts and practices;[605] the maligning,[606] scorning,[607] reviling,[608] or any wise opposing of God’s truth, grace, and ways;[609] making profession of religion in hypocrisy, or for sinister ends;[610] being ashamed of it,[611] or a shame to it, by unconformable,[612] unwise,[613] unfruitful,[614] and offensive walking,[615] or backsliding from it.[616].

Q. 116. What is required in the fourth commandment?
A. The fourth commandment requireth of all men the sanctifying or keeping holy to God such set times as he hath appointed in his Word, expressly one whole day in seven; which was the seventh from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, and the first day of the week ever since, and so to continue to the end of the world; which is the Christian sabbath,[622] and in the New Testament called The Lord’s day.[623]

Q. 119. What are the sins forbidden in the fourth commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the fourth commandment are, all omissions of the duties required,[630] all careless, negligent, and unprofitable performing of them, and being weary of them;[631] all profaning the day by idleness, and doing that which is in itself sinful;[632] and by all needless works, words, and thoughts, about our worldly employments and recreations.[633]

Q. 124. Who are meant by father and mother in the fifth commandment?
A. By father and mother, in the fifth commandment, are meant, not only natural parents,[649] but all superiors in age[650] and gifts;[651] and especially such as, by God’s ordinance, are over us in place of authority, whether in family,[652] church,[653] or commonwealth.[654]

Q. 125. Why are superiors styled father and mother?
A. Superiors are styled father and mother, both to teach them in all duties toward their inferiors, like natural parents, to express love and tenderness to them, according to their several relations;[655] and to work inferiors to a greater willingness and cheerfulness in performing their duties to their superiors, as to their parents.[656]

Q. 126. What is the general scope of the fifth commandment?
A. The general scope of the fifth commandment is, the performance of those duties which we mutually owe in our several relations, as inferiors, superiors, or equals.[657]

Q. 127. What is the honour that inferiors owe to their superiors?
A. The honour which inferiors owe to their superiors is, all due reverence in heart,[658] word, [659] and behaviour;[660] prayer and thanksgiving for them;[661] imitation of their virtues and graces;[662] willing obedience to their lawful commands and counsels;[663] due submission to their corrections;[664] fidelity to,[665] defence,[666] and maintenance of their persons and authority, according to their several ranks, and the nature of their places;[667] bearing with their infirmities, and covering them in love,[668] that so they may be an honour to them and to their government.[669]

Q. 128. What are the sins of inferiors against their superiors?
A. The sins of inferiors against their superiors are, all neglect of the duties required toward them;[670] envying at,[671] contempt of,[672] and rebellion[673] against, their persons[674] and places,[675] in their lawful counsels,[676] commands, and corrections;[677] cursing, mocking[678] and all such refractory and scandalous carriage, as proves a shame and dishonour to them and their government.[679]

Q. 129. What is required of superiors towards their inferiors?
A. It is required of superiors, according to that power they receive from God, and that relation wherein they stand, to love,[680] pray for,[681] and bless their inferiors;[682] to instruct,[683] counsel, and admonish them;[684] countenancing,[685] commending,[686] and rewarding such as do well;[687] and discountenancing,[688] reproving, and chastising such as do ill;[689] protecting,[690] and providing for them all things necessary for soul[691] and body:[692] and by grave, wise, holy, and exemplary carriage, to procure glory to God,[693] honour to themselves,[694] and so to preserve that authority which God hath put upon them.[695]

Q. 130. What are the sins of superiors?
A. The sins of superiors are, besides the neglect of the duties required of them,[696] and inordinate seeking of themselves,[697] their own glory,[698] ease, profit, or pleasure;[699] commanding things unlawful,[700] or not in the power of inferiors to perform;[701] counseling,[702] encouraging,[703] or favouring them in that which is evil;[704] dissuading, discouraging, or discountenancing them in that which is good;[705] correcting them unduly;[706] careless exposing, or leaving them to wrong, temptation, and danger;[707] provoking them to wrath;[708] or any way dishonouring themselves, or lessening their authority, by an unjust, indiscreet, rigorous, or remiss behaviour.[709]

Q. 131. What are the duties of equals?
A. The duties of equals are, to regard the dignity and worth of each other,[710] in giving honour to go one before another;[711] and to rejoice in each others’ gifts and advancement, as their own.[712]

Q. 132. What are the sins of equals?
A. The sins of equals are, besides the neglect of the duties required,[713] the undervaluing of the worth,[714] envying the gifts,[715] grieving at the advancement of prosperity one of another;[716] and usurping pre-eminence one over another.[717]

Q. 135. What are the duties required in the sixth commandment?
A. The duties required in the sixth commandment are all careful studies, and lawful endeavors, to preserve the life of ourselves[721] and others[722] by resisting all thoughts and purposes,[723] subduing all passions,[724] and avoiding all occasions,[725] temptations,[726] and practices, which tend to the unjust taking away the life of any;[727] by just defence thereof against violence,[728] patient bearing of the hand of God,[729] quietness of mind,[730] cheerfulness of spirit;[731] a sober use of meat,[732] drink,[733] physic,[734] sleep,[735] labour,[736] and recreations;[737] by charitable thoughts,[738] love,[739] compassion,[740] meekness, gentleness, kindness;[741] peaceable,[742] mild and courteous speeches and behaviour;[743] forbearance, readiness to be reconciled, patient bearing and forgiving of injuries, and requiting good for evil;[744] comforting and succouring the distressed and protecting and defending the innocent.[745]

Q. 136. What are the sins forbidden in the sixth commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the sixth commandment are, all taking away the life of ourselves,[746] or of others,[747] except in case of public justice,[748] lawful war,[749] or necessary defence;[750] the neglecting or withdrawing the lawful and necessary means of preservation of life;[751] sinful anger,[752] hatred,[753] envy,[754] desire of revenge;[755] all excessive passions,[756] distracting cares;[757] immoderate use of meat, drink,[758] labor,[759] and recreations;[760] provoking words,[761] oppression,[762] quarreling,[763] striking, wounding,[764] and whatsoever else tends to the destruction of the life of any.[765]

Q. 138. What are the duties required in the seventh commandment?
A. The duties required in the seventh commandment are, chastity in body, mind, affections,[767] words,[768] and behavior;[769] and the preservation of it in ourselves and others;[770] watchfulness over the eyes and all the senses;[771] temperance,[772] keeping of chaste company,[773] modesty in apparel;[774] marriage by those that have not the gift of continency,[775] conjugal love,[776] and cohabitation;[777] diligent labor in our callings;[778] shunning all occasions of uncleanness, and resisting temptations thereunto.[779]

Q. 139. What are the sins forbidden in the seventh commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the seventh commandment, besides the neglect of the duties required,[780] are, adultery, fornication,[781] rape, incest,[782] sodomy, and all unnatural lusts;[783] all unclean imaginations, thoughts, purposes, and affections;[784] all corrupt or filthy communications, or listening thereunto;[785] wanton looks,[786] impudent or light behaviour, immodest apparel;[787] prohibiting of lawful,[788] and dispensing with unlawful marriages;[789] allowing, tolerating, keeping of stews, and resorting to them;[790] entangling vows of single life,[791] undue delay of marriage,[792] having more wives or husbands than one at the same time;[793] unjust divorce,[794] or desertion;[795] idleness, gluttony, drunkenness,[796] unchaste company;[797] lascivious songs, books, pictures, dancings, stage plays;[798] and all other provocations to, or acts of uncleanness, either in ourselves or others.[799]

Q. 141. What are the duties required in the eighth commandment?
A. The duties required in the eighth commandment are, truth, faithfulness, and justice in contracts and commerce between man and man;[801] rendering to everyone his due; restitution of goods unlawfully detained from the right owners thereof;[802] giving and lending freely, according to our abilities, and the necessities of others;[803] moderation of our judgments, wills, and affections concerning worldly goods;[804] a provident care and study to get,[805] keep, use, and dispose these things which are necessary and convenient for the sustentation of our nature, and suitable to our condition;[806] a lawful calling,[807] and diligence in it;[808] frugality;[809] avoiding unnecessary lawsuits,[810]. and suretiship, or other like engagements;[811] and an endeavor, by all just and lawful means, to procure, preserve, and further the wealth and outward estate of others, as well as our own.[812]

Q. 142. What are the sins forbidden in the eighth commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the eighth commandment, besides the neglect of the duties required,[813] are, theft,[814] robbery,[815] man-stealing,[816] and receiving any thing that is stolen;[817] fraudulent dealing,[818] false weights and measures,[819] removing landmarks,[820] injustice and unfaithfulness in contracts between man and man,[821] or in matters of trust;[822] oppression,[823] extortion,[824] usury,[825] bribery,[826] vexatious lawsuits,[827] unjust inclosures and depopulations;[828] ingrossing commodities to enhance the price;[829] unlawful callings,[830] and all other unjust or sinful ways of taking or withholding from our neighbour what belongs to him, or of enriching ourselves;[831] covetousness;[832] inordinate prizing and affecting worldly goods;[833] distrustful and distracting cares and studies in getting, keeping, and using them;[834] envying at the prosperity of others;[835] as likewise idleness,[836] prodigality, wasteful gaming; and all other ways whereby we do unduly prejudice our own outward estate,[837] and defrauding ourselves of the due use and comfort of that estate which God hath given us.[838]

Q. 144. What are the duties required in the ninth commandment?
A. The duties required in the ninth commandment are, the preserving and promoting of truth between man and man,[840] and the good name of our neighbour, as well as our own;[841] appearing and standing for the truth;[842] and from the heart,[843] sincerely,[844] freely,[845] clearly,[846] and fully,[847] speaking the truth, and only the truth, in matters of judgment and justice,[848] and in all other things whatsoever;[849] a charitable esteem of our neighbours;[850] loving, desiring, and rejoicing in their good name;[851] sorrowing for,[852] and covering of their infirmities;[853] freely acknowledging of their gifts and graces,[854] defending their innocency;[855] a ready receiving of a good report,[856] and unwillingness to admit of an evil report,[857] concerning them; discouraging tale-bearers,[858] flatterers,[859] and slanderers;[860] love and care of our own good name, and defending it when need requireth;[861] keeping of lawful promises;[862] studying and practicing of whatsoever things are true, honest, lovely, and of good report.[863]

Q. 145. What are the sins forbidden in the ninth commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the ninth commandment are, all prejudicing the truth, and the good name of our neighbours, as well as our own,[864] especially in public judicature;[865] giving false evidence,[866] suborning false witnesses,[867] wittingly appearing and pleading for an evil cause, outfacing and overbearing the truth;[868] passing unjust sentence,[869] calling evil good, and good evil; rewarding the wicked according to the work of the righteous, and the righteous according to the work of the wicked;[870] forgery,[871] concealing the truth, undue silence in a just cause,[872] and holding our peace when iniquity calleth for either a reproof from ourselves,[873] or complaint to others;[874] speaking the truth unseasonably,[875] or maliciously to a wrong end,[876] or perverting it to a wrong meaning,[877] or in doubtful and equivocal expressions, to the prejudice of truth or justice;[878] speaking untruth,[879] lying,[880] slandering,[881] backbiting,[882] detracting, tale bearing,[883] whispering,[884] scoffing,[885] reviling,[886] rash,[887] harsh,[888] and partial censuring;[889] misconstructing intentions, words, and actions;[890] flattering,[891] vain-glorious boasting;[892] thinking or speaking too highly or too meanly of ourselves or others;[893] denying the gifts and graces of God;[894] aggravating smaller faults;[895] hiding, excusing, or extenuating of sins, when called to a free confession;[896] unnecessary discovering of infirmities;[897] raising false rumors,[898] receiving and countenancing evil reports,[899] and stopping our ears against just defense;[900] evil suspicion;[901] envying or grieving at the deserved credit of any,[902] endeavoring or desiring to impair it,[903] rejoicing in their disgrace and infamy;[904] scornful contempt,[905] fond admiration;[906] breach of lawful promises;[907] neglecting such things as are of good report,[908] and practicing, or not avoiding ourselves, or not hindering what we can in others, such things as procure an ill name.[909]

Q. 147. What are the duties required in the tenth commandment?
A. The duties required in the tenth commandment are, such a full contentment with our own condition,[911] and such a charitable frame of the whole soul toward our neighbour, as that all our inward motions and affections touching him, tend unto, and further all that good which is his.[912]

Q. 148. What are the sins forbidden in the tenth commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the tenth commandment are, discontentment with our own estate;[913] envying[914] and grieving at the good of our neighbour,[915] together with all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his.[916]

Q. 149. Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?
A. No man is able, either of himself,[917] or by any grace received in this life, perfectly to keep the commandments of God;[918] but doth daily break them in thought,[919] word, and deed.[920]

So if no one can keep them what exactly are the Ten Commandments for the Believer?
They make believers aware of their sins - Romans 3:20-31; Galatians 2:15-21

What are the commandments for the non-believer?
They convict them because they do not accept the grace of Christ and there is nothing that they can do that completely follows the commandments of God. - Romands 3:20-26; Galatians 2:15-21

Should the civil government enact the Moral Law of God as the standard of its nation?
See question 130 about superiors enacting laws that are impossible for inferiors to perform.

The Five Solas of Reformed Theology

1. Sola Scriptura

Only Scripture is the infalliable word of God. It is not the teachings of the pope or the early fathers, or the Reformers. Scripture is to be interpreted by scripture alone.

2. Sola Fide

It is only by faith that one is declared righteous by God. There is no works required but works do result from faith. You will do the deeds if you truly believe. But you do them without reward.

3. Sola Gratia

It is only by God's grace that anyone receives salvation. It is an unearned gift from God. Not won by works but because God chose to give it.

4. Solus Christus

It is only by Christ, the begotten Son of God, that we have a mediator between us and God. It is only through Christ that salvation comes into the world. It does not come through saints, the Reformers, the pope, or anyone but Christ.

5. Soli Deo Gloria

Only God has earned any glory and salvation is accomplished only through his will. No one deserves any glory but God. Not the reformers, not the popes, not the saints, and not anyone but God.

The Regulative Principle

The Regulative Prince is

whatever is not commanded is forbidden

Now I would say it should be "whatever is commanded is necessary and what is not commanded is forbidden" but thats not what this post is about. What it is about is John Frame has a different view on its implications.

Is buying cabbage really adiaphoron, morally indifferent? I would say no. Buying cabbage, like all human actions, is a matter of concern to God. He says, "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Cor 10:31). This command, like those in Rom 14:23, Col 3:17, 24, and elsewhere, is absolutely general. It covers all human activities, including buying cabbage. If we buy cabbage to the glory of God, he is pleased; if we do not, he is not. The act is not morally indifferent or neutral; it is either good or bad, depending on its goal and motive. Therefore, in an important sense, there are no adiaphora; there is no human act that is morally neutral.7 Every human act is either right or wrong, either pleasing or displeasing to God.

This means that all human actions are ruled by divine commandments. There is no neutral area where God permits us to be our own lawgivers. There is no area of human life where God abdicates his rule, or where his word to us is silent. What law governs the buying of cabbage? Well, 1 Cor 10:31 at least, not to mention narrower biblical principles requiring parents to nourish their children, to guard the health of themselves and others, etc. Actions in accord with these biblical principles are right, actions not in accord with them are wrong. It is not a matter of merely avoiding explicit prohibitions; rather it is a matter of keeping the commands of God.

And thus I would conclude that all human life is under RP1, and RP2 plays no role in biblical ethics.8 In every action, we are either obeying or disobeying a biblical command.

Now the RP2 is the Lutheran model:

"whatever is not forbidden is permitted

So if all of life is to be governed by the Regulative Principle, one would have to figure out several defenses. For instance:

Using computers
Using automobiles
Spending time on the internet
Plowing fields with machinery
Using machinery for that matter
Watching Television
Campaigning for an office
Spending a single second in some mindless entertainment like a movie or video games

Now Frame may actually take away this requirement because he goes on to say:

Does this mean that God commands me to buy a particular cabbage at the store? No. God commands me to glorify him, etc., and buying the cabbage is a "mode," a "way" of fulfilling that commandment. I could, perhaps, have fulfilled it in many other ways. Strict as it is, RP1 allows, both in worship (as we have seen) and in the rest of life, some freedom of application. Here again, there is no real difference between worship and the rest of life. In both cases, the three qualifications listed earlier must be taken into account: (a) we determine our responsibilities not only on the basis of explicit proof texts, but also on the basis of "good and necessary consequence"; (b) there are some "circumstances" not specifically mentioned in Scripture which we seek to arrange wisely, in accord with the broader principles of the word; and (c) Scripture grants us much (though not unlimited) freedom in the ways we carry out divine commands.

With that, I would say the requirement of defenses falls to only:
Watching TV
Spending Time on the INternet
And Spending time with other entertainments
Plus whatever things I didn't think of in the few seconds I spent thinking up stuff that match the new criteria

For instance can playing a video game like for instance Halo glorify God? I suppose one could evangelize while playing it. But doing that while shooting other players seems a bit of a stretch. But I suppose Evangelism could be used for doing any of those things.

Of course there is the question of where is the line between following rules and legalism? And what about Christian Liberty as defined in 1 Corinthians?

A Reply to a posting over at Backwoods

I originally wrote this to post to a comment over at Backwoods but then thought I shouldn't really post this lengthy of a comment there. So essentially Ben is trying to go through the ordination process and his CMP is a jackass. So first what was said...

First there was this little tidbit

Since I know that they are tracking your posts

Then this

He didn't tell you the most outrages comment which was that God is a child abuser since he sent his son to die for us. Something totally unnecessary because he LOVES everyone and we are all going to heaven any way.

Well as long as they are reading this like the gestapo...

If Christ died for nothing because everyone is saved anyway, then the PCUSA is completely irrelevant. There is no reason for anyone to go to your churches. You are doing nothing except taking money like used car salesmen from the dwindling numbers that come to your church for nothing. Since all are saved, there is no need for your CPM, your presbyteries, your national offices in Louisville. There is no need for Sunday worship. There is no need for pastors. Ther eis no need for Sunday School. No need for Bible Studies. There is no need for prayer. There is no need for fasting. There is no need period. Close up shop and let your members spend their money on themselves like good people that believe in nothing.

Since you believe God loves everyone so everyone can do whatever they want without consequence your church is irrelevant. Stop wasting your member's money on nothing. Especially on worshipping a child abuser that doesn't care. You're going to heaven anyway so why bring people to your church to proclaim your message of nothingness.

That's the message of Universalism. Is that really the one you note takers want to send?

Feel free to ignore the fanatical writings of this orthodox believer. But then I'm sure you haven't made it this far.

Every Biblical Studies-Theology student should join

...the Society of Biblical Literature. It costs students $25 and you get access to the nearly every journal published since Volume 1 on JSTOR. There's a few here and there where it says not available but so far those are ones published before 1900 and they are few in number. And its only $25 for students.

Reformed Theological Seminary offers Free Lectures

Is everyone aware of this?

RTS offers http://virtual.rts.edu/ a lot of course lectures via itunes for free. A more direct link is http://itunes.rts.edu/

They have three Old Testament courses:

Genesis to Joshua 29 lectures
Judges thru Poets 36 lectures
Isaiah thru Malachi 34 lectures

Three New Testament Courses
Gospels and Acts 48 lectures
Pauline Epistles 47 lectures
Hebrew thru Revelation 45 lectures

5 courses in Church History
Church History 1 32 lectures
Church History 2 30 lectures
Church and the World 27 lectures
History and Theology of the Puritans 16 lectures
History of Missions 35 lectures

2 Courses in Prac Theology
Disabilities in the church 29 lectures
Education Ministry in the church 24 lectures

9 Courses in Theology
Intro to Pastoral and Theology 22 lectures
History of Philosophy and Christianity 36 lectures
Theological Foundations 24 lectures
Systematic Theology 1 (38 lectures) 2 (20 lectures) 3 (38 lectures)
Pastoral and Social Ethics 43 lectures
Christian Apologetics 26 lectures
CS Lewis 26 lectures

Plus different small sets on different things like 3 lectures on New Perspectives on Paul

And that's not to do away with the great deal of courses offered by Covenant Theological Seminary. They offer 20 courses as well at http://www.covenantseminary.edu/worldwide/default.asp

Including

Ancient & Medieval Church History
Apologetics & Outreach
Biblical Theology
Calvin's Institutes
Christ-Centered Preaching: Preparation and Delivery of Sermons
Christian Ethics
Christian Worship
Francis A. Schaeffer: The Early Years
Francis A. Schaeffer: The Later Years
God & His Word
God's World Mission
Hebrews to Revelation
Humanity, Christ & Redemption
Life & Letters of Paul
Life & Teachings of Jesus
New Testament History and Theology
Old Testament History
Psalms & Wisdom Books
Reformation & Modern Church History
Spirit, Church, & Last Things
Youth Ministry

My Class at church

Hey did I say 6 weeks? I actually meant 9 weeks. Yeah. We're right on schedule. I have no idea what you're talking about. This is a nine week course and always has been.

We're now at Slide 111 of 298. We talked about the 12th Dynasty of Egypt today and also threw in the minor Dynasties 13 and 14 which were concurrent dynasties. Not a good thing when two dynasties claim to be the rulers of Egypt at the same time.

Next week we continue the history of Genesis starting with Abraham at Sodom and Gomorrah. The schedule will be to go up to Joseph then return to the 15th Dynasty of Egypt and move through to the Merneptah Stele. Then we'll go back to Moses and face off against the Pharaoh of the Exodus. Otherwise known as Amenhotep II.

Calvinism on the rise in Southern Baptist

The number of gradates who affirmed Calvinism rose steadily between students who graduated in 1998 and those who graduated in 2004, Stetzer said.

"It would be difficult to say that Calvinism is not a growing influence in SBC life – and certainly a growing influence in the graduates of our seminaries," he told the conference crowd.

However, the steady growth may be a growing issue for Southern Baptists.

"I recently read that one key Southern Baptist leader was quoted as saying the two biggest problems in Southern Baptist life are contemporary churches and Calvinists," Stetzer said. "So there is obviously a growing concern but we're here to talk and build some bridges."

“Calvinism has generated a lot of interest in recent years in Southern Baptist life,” Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Seminary, noted. “Unfortunately we have often talked at and not with one another. Unhealthy rhetoric and misrepresentations from all directions have led to confusion and even ill will among brothers and sisters in Christ."

That last bit sounds famliar.

So is it a bad thing...

...that the first class that I teach, I'm already behind on the schedule that I planned? My class is supposed to last 6 weeks. And that means this week we're supposed to be at the midway point after this Sunday. We're no where near it. I made a powerpoint presentation for my class and its currently at 248 slides. And it keeps growing because I keep adding things/editing/breaking slides up into two and I already am going to add about 5 to 10 slides to the beginning of this Sunday's presentation. We're currently at slide number 64 which means we would need to do 60 slides this week to get to the halfway point. Last Sunday I only got through 20 slides. The first week I did 44 as the match probably showed.

I look at the material and it seems possible to get to slide 96... Of course I would probably cause their heads to start spinning.

And I keep getting the feeling that my pastor wants me to cover the documentary hypothesis because both weeks he's brought up the names of God and the way liberals do scholarship, and he said Gary can tell you more about that... which I gave a fairly limited overview of the different names of God: El Shaddai, Elohim, the different El titles, and of course Yahweh. Although it became a topic because one of my reasons I listed for studying Ancient Egypt was Liberal scholarship's tendency to not put much emphasis on Egypt... so I'm debating whether or not to add it to my class at some point. Maybe near the end.

The Error of the Anti-Federal Vision group

The other day, I posted where I feel the Federal Vision proponents are in error. Now I'm going to post where their opponents are wrong. Look at what is going on in this debate. The entire Presbytery of Louisiana (PCA) is now on trial because they did not find a minister guilty. When this entire argument is done, the proponents of Federal Vision are going to have to leave the denomination. Some might say this is good. Those that do are the people that are not doing this for the glory of God. They are doing it for the glory of being the one that sent others packing. They are doing it for their own names rather than God.

Why is that?

Because they are not following the Lord's directions when dealing with controversy. You do not start proclaiming the wrongness of someone's beliefs to anyone that will listen.

Matthew 18:15-following shows exactly what you are supposed to do.

Face them alone and tell them why you feel they are wrong. Then they can explain their view. If you still feel they are wrong, then go back with several others and tell them again and then they can explain themselves to the group. Now if they still feel they are right, and your group is unswayed by their arguments, then you go to the church.

But instead, this has become drive the "heretics" away. And abusive language is used against them by the majority of their opponents. Now over at Greenbaggins that used to not be the case. It was civil and debate was a useful dialogue. But that was before Lane was chosen to be one of the prosecutors in this trial of Louisianna presbytery. Now its become a find mud on someone and proclaim it regardless of its source. And biased source is an understatement.

These type of issues are supposed to be done humbly. Do you see much humbleness?

I believe the theology of Federal Vision to be in error but the actions of the opponents are also very much in error.

The Error of Federal Vision

I looked at this when it was first released but never commented unless my memory is wrong. But I just read the Federal Vision joint statement again. I find things I can agree with other times wondering if their words aren't meant to hide thier true thoughts. But then I got to the section of Assurance for Salvation and read this quote:

We affirm also that though salvation is granted through the
instrument of faith alone, those who have been justified will live progressively more and more sanctified lives until they go to be with God. Those believers for whom this is true look to Christ for their assurance—in the Word, in the sacraments, in their fellow believers, and in their own participation in that life by faith

Sounds good. Except...

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Everyone sins every day by the Sermon on the Mount. Not doing something is not enough. We have to not want to do something and then when we do it confess our guilt in prayer and ask for forgiveness. Have you looked at a beautiful person of the opposite sex and not been attracted? Not thought s/he looked hot? Wished s/he would notice you? Have you not seen and wanted the newest fad? Wanted something because "everyone" else has it? Have you ever taken advantage of driving over the speed limit because you know you can get away with it? Thought about it? Then you are guilty. Not following the just laws of men is also sin. So all sin and all fall short of the glory of God.

The difference is in your reaction to your sin. If you think your sins are nothing, then you really are not part of the elect. If you however, feel guilty and try not to repeat them then God is merciful to those that believe in him.

This is why continuing to live in sin and justifying it eliminates a person from ministry. They do not look for Christ to free them from sin but continue to live and relish it. One cannot live contrary to scripture and continue to do so unrepentantly and preach.

I think wanting to live a certain way is an important distiction from not caring. Those that live in sin and don't care but proclaim they believe are not of the elect. Those that want to live a certain way but fail but believe are part of the elect.

Romans 3:23 says that all fall short and I believe that it is impossible to live up to the demands of the Sermon of the Mount. But that doesn't mean some haven't tried. Those that try and believe are the elect.

If anyone of the Federal Vision advocates believe they have lived up to the Sermon of the Mount, I hope they will eventually explain how they do so in their literature. Until then, I think they have confused the modern world, with the world to come after the second coming.

Queen Jezebel's seal found

Discovered originally in 1964, doubts were cast on its true owner. But...

A new investigation by the Utrecht Old Testament scholar Marjo Korpel demonstrates that the seal must have belonged to the infamous Queen Jezebel. Korpel reached this conclusion after more careful investigation of the symbols that appear on the seal.

Pittsburgh Episcopols say: We're outta here

Link

Members of the Pittsburgh Episcopal Diocese have voted overwhelmingly to break away from the denomination in the United States and align with an Anglican province in another country.

In today's vote at the 142nd diocesan convention, the laity approved the measure 118-58 with one abstention. The clergy vote was 109-24 in favor of breaking away.

For the break to occur, the diocese must pass the same measure next year and select which Anglican province to join.

Its ridiculous they have to go through this again next year since this gives the idiots a year to think up all kinds of wonderful things to do to the Pittsburgh diocese.

Episcopal Church threatens Pittsburgh Diocese

Link

In a letter to Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan on the eve of his diocesan convention, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church has warned that she will take "disciplinary action" if he persists, and the convention approves, a resolution that would permit the diocese to leave the American church and come under the aegis of a foreign, and more conservative, Anglican province.

The letter from Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori was sent late Wednesday.

"If your course does not change," the letter read, "I shall regrettably be compelled to see that appropriate canonical steps are promptly taken to consider whether you have abandoned the Communion of this Church...and whether you have committed canonical offenses that warrant disciplinary action."

Isn't it amazing that the only offfenses that warrant disciplinary actions for the liberals seems to be if a church or diocese or presbytery decides to leave and take their money to another group. Otherwise you can pretty much do whatever you want as long as the money keeps flowing into the denomination's national offices. Who cares if you don't really believe anything as long as you pay your dues?

And if you pay your dues, you can pretty much tell the world that you don't care if God himself appears on your back porch and tells you you're wrong on an issue. Because you're quite capable of making your own decisions and God can mind his own business.

Churches cancel Sunday Service for Faith in Action

Link

This Sunday, churches across the country are shutting their doors and taking their worship outside to demonstrate one of the most principal mandates in Scripture – faith in action.

Faith in Action Sunday is the culmination of a four-week churchwide campaign that aims to get Christians out of the pews and onto the streets to raise the value of social justice and compassion, serving as Jesus served the church, says one spokesman

Wouldn't it serve a better purpose to get Christians to do this EVERY DAY. Not just Sunday. This is like be nice on Sunday and who cares what you do or what you campaign for on Monday thru Saturday.

Sunday is for worshipping God. Monday thru Saturday is for Serving and glorifying God.

Protestant countries have higher employment rate

Link

Protestant countries have higher employment rates than non-Protestant ones, a new study found.

The United States, the United Kingdom and Nordic countries such as Denmark, Sweden and Norway, where Protestantism is the main religion, have employment rates that are as much as six percentage points higher than countries where other religions are largely practiced.

Researchers at the University of Bath in the United Kingdom say the most likely reason for this is the Protestant virtue of hard work.

"In its early days, Protestantism promoted the virtue of hard and diligent work amongst its adherents, who judged one another by conformity to this standard," said Dr. Feldmann, a lecturer in the University’s Department of Economics & International Development.

“Originally, an intense devotion to one’s work was meant to assure oneself that one was predestined for salvation," he explained. "Although the belief in predestination did not last more than a generation or two after the Reformation, the effect on work ethics continued."

The study, based on data from 80 countries, also showed that female employment rates are about 11 percent higher in Protestant countries.

Add that to the Christian countries enjoy more religious freedoms.

Episcopal Head says church will continue with its agenda

Link

She says that the church will not step back. They will continue to reach out to the Homosexual community.

"Jesus hung out with people on the margins. He hung out with people who were unacceptable to the Judaism of his time," she pointed out. "I think that's what it means to follow Jesus."

Jefferts Schori happened to be in San Francisco on the day of the deadline set by Anglican leaders for The Episcopal Church – the U.S. branch of Anglicanism – to roll back support for same-sex unions and homosexual ordination. There, she confirmed that the U.S. church would not retreat but are willing to "pause."

Jesus also called sin sin and to stop living in sin.

John 8:7-11 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
11“No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin."

Will the Episcopal church do they same? Tell its candidates for ministry and bishopships and members to leave their life of sin? None who willfully continue in their life of sin are living as Jesus instructed. Everyone falls short but they MUST TRY.

Conservative Episcopalians to form new Conservative group

Link

Tired of fighting a losing cause, conservative Episcopalians have agreed to form a new group. It includes many churches that either have fled or are in the process of fleeing the liberal dominated Episcopal Church. It includes the CANA group of churches led by the Nigerian Anglican Bishop.

The founders are a mix of groups with varying ties to the Episcopal Church and the world Anglican Communion. Among the members will be Episcopal dioceses and parishes that have broken away or plan to split from the national church, congregations that have never been part of the Episcopal Church and fellowships that are considered schismatic by the Anglican Communion.

Bishop Duncan said that forming a separate North American church structure for conservatives is "necessary because of the drift of the church in the West."

Nuns Excommunicated

Link

They believe they are following the reincarnated Mary who is supposedly in the body of Marie Paule Giguere. She founded this heresy in 1971 and the church has excommunicated all followers of this group.

Dionne said she does not know if Giguere is the reincarnation of the Virgin Mary, but said she believes God communicates through the sect's founder.

"She is doing only what God and Mary tells her to do," Dionne said.

Mary elevated the the level of God...

Heartland Presbytery decides once in, always in

Link

An administrative commission established by Heartland Presbytery has rejected the requests of two Kansas congregations – one that sought to be dismissed from the Presbyterian Church (USA) to the smaller Evangelical Presbyterian Church and another that sought be dismissed to join the New Wineskins/EPC Transitional Presbytery – even though both congregations previously had voted overwhelmingly in favor of those actions.

On June 10, Hillsdale Presbyterian Church in Hillsdale voted 77-5 to request dismissal from the PCUSA in order to join the New Wineskins/EPC Transitional Presbytery. On June 24, First Presbyterian Church in Paola voted 200-81 to request dismissal with its property from the PCUSA in order to join the EPC.

What a difference from the attitude taken by a truly Christian presbytery like Beaver-Butler. The Heartland Presbytery should be ashamed but instead they are probably gloating. They should read over the Gospels and Epistles and determine who they are most like.

In response, the session of First Presbyterian Church, in a letter to the congregation signed by Clerk Pro-Tem Stacy Boan, wrote that:

"The Heartland Presbytery administrative commission met with the elders (session) of First Presbyterian Church on Sunday night, Sept. 9. We had hoped this meeting, our first face-to-face contact, would be a time to share the details of our current ministry and heart for Christ, to ask and answer questions about our mission, ministry goals and reasons for seeking dismissal to the EPC. We hoped to spend time considering the needs of all the members of the church in light of the understandable duties of the presbytery. Instead, we discovered that the administrative commission had already made up their mind - they had already reached a decision and had come to meet with us to tell us what they had decided.

There are times where I think the best thing to do would be to follow the Mexican bandit in Joe Kidd, "One day there was a fire."

Peters Creek Church votes to leave PCUSA

Link

At a standing room only church service this morning, the congregation of Peters Creek Presbyterian Church voted 273-86 to be dismissed from the Presbyterian Church (USA) into the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

Thats a 76% majority if my math is right. I think if it hadn't been 75% the church would have faced the administrative committee taking over the congregation. So that was a close vote.

Church Politics: Progressives vs. Conservatives

One of the claims by the Progressives is that Conservatives are ignorant. We take the Bible too seriously. Its also something they take pot shots at the church in the developing world like Africa. "They're backward right now. Wait until they learn and then they will be like us"

What do you suppose the Catholic Church thought of those "foolish" reformers throwing away 1000 years of Church tradition to go back to the basics? Before they started setting them on fire and all the other fun stuff that was done back then.

I imagine a civil questioning would have went something like "Why on why would you want to go back to that primitive church? And use the book that we have outgrown? Look at the great wealth we have that can be used for the splender of God. And people should be happy and indulgences give them peace of mind for themselves and loved ones."

Of course I doubt such an encounter occurred. What with them killing each other and trying to kill.

But doesn't that sound like progressives today? Just replace indulgences with something else.

PCUSA Minister found Guilty

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A veteran Presbyterian minister was found guilty of violating church law for officiating the weddings of two lesbian couples, the minister's defense team said Friday.

A regional judicial committee of the Presbyterian Church (USA) ruled 6-2 that while the Rev. Jane Spahr of San Rafael "acted with conscience and conviction," her actions were still at odds with the church's constitution, her defense team said in a statement.

The ruling, which was delivered late Thursday by certified mail to lawyers for Spahr and the church, reverses a lower court's decision in March 2006 that she acted within her rights as an ordained minister when she married two lesbian couples in 2004 and 2005.

Is calling God Allah wrong for Christians?

Link

Not in the Arab world because in Arabic, the word allah means god and many Christian Arabs use the word to refer to God.

Now for the rest of the world, the word allah means nothing so calling God Allah makes little or no sense.

And if someone is going to argue that Christians deciding to change from God to Allah would somehow lesson tensions with Muslims, then one has to point to the fact that Christians in these Arabs countries are not teated well. Look at our great friends Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Look at Iraq where the Christians that have lived there are being driven out or Gaza which has Christians flooding out because of Islamic threats on their life. All these Christians call God Allah because they are Arabs or speak Arabic. They are also second class citizens who are brutally treated and under constant threat of attack.

For the west to start using a meaningless word to them is absurd. And for anyone to suggest it, it shows how uttlerly out of touch they are.

Statement of Faith

Over at Backwoods, Ben has posted his preliminary statement of faith, it got me working on updating my own and I've incorporated a great deal from his while also trying to keep my own's uniqueness. My previous one focused squarely on Jesus and did not deal alot with the Trinity, or the Scriptures themselves.

So without further ado...

I believe that the Holy Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation to be the inerrant and holy Word of God, the only infallible rule for faith and practice for all true believers. Man's works, councils. or synods shall never overrule the authority of Scripture.

I believe that the Holy Spirit inspired the original authors to write the perfect infallible Bible so that humanity can know God. This means that books of the Bible in their original form are without error.

I believe in the Doctrine of the Trinity as spoken in the confessions and drawn from the Scriptures. The Trinity consists of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This means that Jesus, Holy Spirit, and The Father are all equal and all God but at the same time separate and individuals.

I believe that without Jesus there would be nothing. The Gospel of John tells us that through him all things were made by the Father. This means that everyone and every thing in the universe are here because of the work of Jesus Christ, the son of God who while man, is also God. Everything around us is here because of him.

I believe that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life and that no one, no matter how good they may appear can come to the Father and therefore receive eternal life apart from Faith in Jesus Christ alone. He is the connection to God that humanity needs to be redeemed from original sin.

I believe that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah of Israel born of the virgin and while fully God, he is also fully man. He is Immanuel or God with Us.

I believe that Jesus brings truth to the world and through him the world of believers may be saved from themselves. All of humanity, created first perfect in Adam and Eve, shares in their rebellion to God’s perfect will. It is only through Christ's sacrifice that we are freed from the punishment for this rebellion.

I believe that Jesus will return physically and bring about the end of history as we know it as the Book of Revelation reveals in its prophesies as well as other parts of Scripture. And at that time, I believe that Jesus will act as judge over all of humanity.

I believe that God brings believers to himself and that none will truly believe except for those that he chooses by his grace and not by the works done. This means that no one can choose to save themselves.

New Jersey threatens to seize control of church property for refusing to allow civil union

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New Jersey officials are threatening to declare a historic United Methodist Church a public place because it refuses to allow a civil union in its facilities. Civil Unions are not allowed to be performed according to the United Methodist Constitution but the lesbians that want to get married in the church went to the state. Now the state is threatening the church

The church has replied by suing the state to prevent them from seizing the property which has been owned by the church since 1870.

Certainly is nice watching the country become a totalitarian regime. Right or Left really doesn't matter. They both seem to think you should live their way or its the highway.

Egyptian Doctor and Christian finally freed from Saudi Arabia

Link

One of our so called allies in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, has been holding a Christian doctor hostage because he would not convert to Islam after Muslims coworkers pressured him to do so. He finally said he was a Christian and wouldn't be converting. So he was taunted and accused of being a missionary and held for 6 months.

Unfortunately, he returns to Egypt which is just about as hostile to Christians as Saudi Arabia. Presently there is a court case being heard from someone that wants to convert to Christianity but the government won't allow him. The public response has been to call for his death. How these two countries can be allies to the United States is beyond be. Both are at the top of list of abusers of freedoms.

Neither country should receive a dime in aid from the United States.

MegaChurch being Harassed

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A Texas Megachurch is being harassed after backing out of hosting a funeral for a member's brother. The member is mentally handicapped and worked as a janitor for the church.

They received photos from the family to be put in a presentation that showed a man grasping his genitals. The family also wanted there to be an open microphone so that anyone could speak. Since it became apparent that the funeral was going to be an openly homosexual service that celebrated and emphasized homosexuality, they did not want it hosted in their church.

So now they are getting harassed in email.

Call me crazy but...

if someone says that if Jesus were to appear to him and tell him that something is sin and that if he continues he will go to hell and that his response would be "go ahead and send me because you are wrong Jesus" then that person has most assuredly broken away from Christianity and has no business being a minister.

Jesus is Lord.

American Bible Society defends newspaper Bibles

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The International Bible Society's new initiative to distribute New Testament Bibles with newspapers has been criticized by Christians because they fear the Bibles will be thrown out. The American Bible Society has issued a response to this outcry in support of the International Bible Society's plans

I also like these plans. My only concern is the Old Testament is left out.

After all, what do you suppose happens to many Bibles that are handed out to students on campuses across the nation. Many undoubtedly also end up in the trash but some plant seeds in the students and begin to grow. How much greater will the harvest be on the grander scale of newspaper distribution?

Atheist Group loses court case

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An atheist group tried to prevent the city of Detroit from reimbursing a church the money it used to make itself look good for the Superbowl that the PITTSBURGH STEELERS won. The city decided it needed to improve its looks and promised to pay for part of the renovations. Well after the church did its part, the atheists group went to court to prevent the city from paying the church the promised money.

But the federal court said that churches can't be treated like second class citizens and that they can take part in community renovation programs.

Could this be a turn to fairness?

VA Episcopal Bishop fires Priests who already resigned and joined the CANA

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The wonderful Bishop Peter James Lee, of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, "depose[d] clergy who were barred in January from performing priestly duties in the diocese. The clergy, however, have already quit, noted Jim Oakes, vice chairman of the Anglican District of Virginia (ADV) - an association of conservative Anglican congregations."

Congregations from 15 churches voted overwhelmingly in December to sever ties with The Episcopal Church, citing the denomination's departure from Anglican tradition and Christian orthodoxy. They essentially removed themselves from the Episcopal ministry and placed themselves under the authority of the Church of Nigeria.

Maybe next week the Pope can excommunicate the breakaway priests.

Europeans returning to God

Link

As state run left leaning churches are floundering, evangelical churches are springing up and flourishing. One of the biggest comebacks ever.

Wherever churches are a little more energetic and competitive, you've got more people going to church,"

I wonder if this sounds familiar to certain churches that have lost millions of members over the last decade or so

After World War II, the Church of Sweden followed the leftward direction of Swedish political life. The Ecclesiastical Department, the ministry that supervised the church, was headed for years by a prominent atheist. Liberal theology triumphed. Church attendance plummeted.

No of course not.

Where is the ACLU when...

Link

the University of Michigan decided to fund $25,000 worth of ritual foot-washers for Islamic students wishing to pray... After all, it is a public institution, receiving federal and state taxes

The Byron Union school district in California has decided that its public schools should set aside days and assignments where all students choose a Muslim name, recite passages from the Koran, and periodically give up certain comforts as “forms of fasting” that correspond to Ramadan

No where to be seen but...

In Pittsburgh they demand[ed] that a municipal parking lot be off limits to those parking there to visit a local Christmas display at a nearby church

Or if a valedictorian tries to thank God? Or if a student dares to read a Bible at school? Or writes a religious essay? Or a Christmas scene on public property?

Always quick to act in the courts.

But force students to take a Muslim name and fast and allow Muslim foot washing is OK.

HYPOCRITES

1 Timothy 2:11-14

Link to pathetic exegesis

Since my goal is to eventually be a professor, let it be known the first student to turn in a paper that proclaims that a section of the Bible was not actually written by the author of the book being read will receive an F for the course. It is by far the most ridiculous thing to fall back on "it isn't really part of the Word" because you don't like what a passage says.

A far better argument is the one that says it was written in a time when women were uneducated and not capable of intelligent discourse and that since that is no longer the case...

But to go to the argument of that's not really part of scripture is pathetic. Just like these so called churches that proclaim John 14:6 to not really be genuine with not one shread of evidence except they don't like it. All to be politically correct. Go ahead and be part of the world. Just stay out of my future courses because you won't pass.

The Price Former Muslims Pay for Converting

Link

Former Muslims are targetted by family members and other Muslims for kidnappings and forced trips back to the Mideast.

Ann Buwalda, an immigration lawyer for Just Law International in Fairfax, said she's been approached by Pakistani converts who are refugees. One man, "Masih," was working at a retail store in Northern Virginia, she said, when a Muslim co-worker from Pakistan noticed he was wearing a cross. The man asked Masih why he was wearing it.

"I am Christian," said Masih. The Muslim co-worker became angry, called him derogatory names in their native language, shoved him in a hallway and thereafter tried to get him fired and threatened him after work one night.

"He told the security guards at the retail store, so the employer has separated the two," Ms. Buwalda said.

And it doesn't help if you're part of the royal family of Saudi Arabia. In fact its worse.

Vacation Bible School

This week I am helping with my church's Vacation Bible School. Its pretty tough waking up at 7:30 when I've been getting up at 9:00 for quite some time now. I guess this is a good wakeup call since I'm going to be getting up even earlier this fall.

And I go walk 2 miles with my cousin every day at 1. And these past two days I have been really dragging and slowing us down as I want that extra sleep. heh.

One reason why the Catholic Church is not the TRUE Church either

As long as Pope Benedict wants to determine who is and who is not the true church, I think it opens up the door to expressing what is wrong with the Catholic Church. First, I want to say that I welcome this stance that he has publically taken. I am tired of the all is good philosophy that has been prevalient lately. I think a denomination has to believe that it is correct otherwise why does the denomination exist? That doesn't mean that there aren't saved Christians in all denomination. But one should believe that their denomination is the one truest to the Bible and the others are defective in some way.

One of the things that I feel is wrong about the Catholic Church is the order of nuns. They claim to get this from the 1 Timothy 5:9 and 1 Corinthians 7.

1 Timothy 5:9 No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband,£ 10and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

Note how it specifically mentions widows? That indicates that these women were married before. And they had children and were known for being good mothers. They were not eighteen year olds being taken from their families. These are women who were married before. But you get even more context when you include 1 Timothy 5:3-8

1 Timothy 5:3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 4But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 5The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. 6But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame. 8If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

This indicates that this list is supposed to be a welfare system for old women who have no one to take care of them.

So why does the church go after young girls? Lets continue with 1 Timothy:

1 Timothy 5: 11As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. 12Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. 13Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to. 14So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. 15Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.

So essentially the Church is not supposed to go after the young women at all.

And to add another nail let's look at 1 Timothy 5:16

16If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.

Not only are they not supposed to go after the younger women but if someone can take care of the older women then they should so the church is not burdened. This certainly does not sound like support for the Nuns as a group of virgins.

And this is the chapter that the Catholic Church itself looks to support the order of nuns.

The other book they often quote is 1 Corinthians chapter 7:32-35

1 Corinthians 7:32 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. 33But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife—34and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. 35I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.

But earlier in the chapter it says this in verse 25:

1 Corinthians 7:25Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.

So the order of nuns of young women was not God ordained. It was Paul's opinion people would be happier single. And they could devote themselves to the Lord more easily then married people.

Does this sound like he meant there to be an order? With rituals and what not. I don't think so.

I think the order of nuns of young virgins sounds a lot more like the pagan Vestal Virgins

1 Kings 12:25-13:1-3 - Food for Thought

There are two competing theologies fighting for Christianity.
One is God-centered
The other is human-centered

I Kings 12
25Then Jeroboam fortified Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim and lived there. From there he went out and built up Peniel.£
26Jeroboam thought to himself, “The kingdom will now likely revert to the house of David. 27If these people go up to offer sacrifices at the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem, they will again give their allegiance to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah. They will kill me and return to King Rehoboam.”
28After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” 29One he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. 30And this thing became a sin; the people went even as far as Dan to worship the one there.
31Jeroboam built shrines on high places and appointed priests from all sorts of people, even though they were not Levites. 32He instituted a festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the festival held in Judah, and offered sacrifices on the altar. This he did in Bethel, sacrificing to the calves he had made. And at Bethel he also installed priests at the high places he had made. 33On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, a month of his own choosing, he offered sacrifices on the altar he had built at Bethel. So he instituted the festival for the Israelites and went up to the altar to make offerings.

That shows us Jeroboam forsaking the revelation that was given to Moses and following the example of Aaron when Moses was in consultation with God. He builds altars and establishes festivals that were not centered on God. Instead they were concerned with keeping the people out of the southern kingdom and thus outside the influence of the southern religion.

1 Kings 13
1By the word of the LORD a man of God came from Judah to Bethel, as Jeroboam was standing by the altar to make an offering. 2He cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD: “O altar, altar! This is what the LORD says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David. On you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who now make offerings here, and human bones will be burned on you.’” 3That same day the man of God gave a sign: “This is the sign the LORD has declared: The altar will be split apart and the ashes on it will be poured out.”

That shows what God's reaction to worship that is not God-centered.

Episcopal Church also going after Virginia Breakaways

Link

Episcopal Church is now attempting to sue volunteers at the Virginia churches that broke away from the Episcopal Church and joined the Anglican Church Nigerian Diocese. This is even though Virginia doesn't allow unpaid volunteers to be sued. But why let a little thing like the law stand in the way of trying to get more money... I mean property.

I'd never be able to figure out why the Episcopal Church is losing members right and left or why churches wouldn't want to be aligned with them. I mean they just let heretics be priests who has embarrassed their church greatly. And by allowing this heretic to remain, it just makes their church heretical as well.

I must be missing the book of the Bible that says if someone tries to breakaway, take them to court. And don't dare treat others as you would want to be treated.

You know I don't know which is the greater scam. The Pirates in how they got their stadium or these liberal denominations that decide years after the denomination was formed that the property is held in trust.

California Churches may go to the CA Supreme Court

Link

A CA court has reversed an earlier decision that gave the congregation control of its church and declared that the church property belongs to the diocese of LA of the Episcopal Church.

Nice to see the court system is so full of justice. So a local group of people can buy property, build a church, and ally themselves with a denomination. Find out that they don't like the denomination and breakaway and have the courts decide the buildings belong to the denomination even though it was paid for locally.

What great justice.

A defense of Hymns and Musical Instruments in Worship

Have you ever come across the denominations that refuse to allow musical instruments in their service? I was a member of one that not only didn’t allow musical instruments but also only allowed the singing of the Psalms. I was a member of the Reformed Presbyterians for roughly a decade.

These acapella churches and Psalm-only churches follow the regulative principle of worship. Which says anything not expressly commanded/or shown as an example in scripture is forbidden in worship.

But I would dispute that it is not expressly commanded to sing additional songs to the Psalms. Specifically Esphesians 5:19, Romans 5:9, Acts 16:25, and Collossians 3:16. All of them either order/show the singing of hymns or differientiate between hymns and Psalms. And also some order the singing of hymns, psalms and spiritual songs. Showing that the Psalm-only churches are in error.

Now the no instrument churches argue that there is no command nor example in the New Testament ordering the use of instruments. And I admit I fail to see any. But the New Testament is not the only part of scripture. There is also the Old Testament which I see plenty of examples for use of musical instruments.

David played a harp for Saul that kept the evil spirits away from Saul and made him feel good in 1 Samuel 16. 1 Chronicles 25 sees the sons of Jeduthun using a harp to praise and thank the Lord. Now they will try to claim that only deals with the temple worship and that you can’t use the instruments because there is no temple. Although I fail to see how David’s use of the harp is exclusive t othe temple in Chronicles.

But then we turn to the Psalms. The very songs that are often sung acapella. Psalm 33:2- 3 - Praise the LORD with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.

Isn’t a bit strange to sing about praising the Lord with a harp and playing skillfully and then turning around and saying you aren’t allowed to praise the Lord with a harp during worship?

Or Psalm 49:4, 57:8, 71:22, 81:2, 92:3, 98:5, 108:1-2, 147:7, 149:3, 150:3.

And those are just searches using the word Harp in Quickverse. There was one other Psalm 43 but the context involves the temple so I omit it from the list.

Look at the context of 98 with verse 4 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;

I think there is plenty of Biblical evidence for using the musical instruments during service. If all of these Psalms are wrong, then why are they being sung? If they have been determined to be no longer valid, then its rather erronious to continue to sing them.

Can you tell I wasn't always the most popular attendant at the old church? I never was one to hold back how I really felt about things(like you needed me to point that out).

Just one of the reasons when asked what was the difference between the PCA and the RP church, a PCA member said "The PCA is more reformed then the RP church." :D

Which translation of the Bible do you primarily use?

Now that I actually have a few people coming here...

Just wondering what translation do you prefer? And what translation does your particular church use?

I prefer the NIV. Its the translation we used at Geneva where I was a TA for two and a half years. That's actually where my history site actually started as. I created a site to help my students study for the tests and slowly added more and more of my notes from other classes. (I type all my notes so that I can actually read them)

My church uses the English Standard Version.

Presbyterian Outlook asks what is happening to liberalism...

Link


The liberal church has been in decline for decades according to the numbers. At one point liberal and moderate churches made up 40% of the congregations in the United States. I think I saw somewhere its under 15%. Dave Perkins said "Eighteen years ago when I joined Presbyterian Publishing, there were 3.2 million Presbyterians; today there are 2.3 million. This numerical membership decline has been among the center and the leftwing.”

The answer I believe lies in how liberal theology plays out. The liberal church in an effort to offend no one tosses out the condemnation of homosexuality, decides that the verse that clearly proclaims Jesus as the only way is not really from Jesus so as to not offend other religions, and tippy toes around Jesus's divinity for I assume the same reason and determines that miracles really couldn't have happened so I assume they can get along with scoffers more easily.

In my opinion it is their unwillingness to draw a line that can't be crossed that set up and continues this downturn. And now the liberal Episcopol Church has a priest who is also a practicing Muslim in its pulpit. Do they proclaim the priest a heretic and remove her? No. Its good for interfaith relations proclaims her bishop.

The Bible is relegated to second place for feel good theology. If it makes a person happy, then it must be good. If it makes someone uncomfortable, it can't be from God. There is simply no reason to keep worshipping in a liberal church because as long as you're happy, you're ok. You might as well stay home and mow the grass or watch the extra football coverage in the winter. All is equal. All religions are the same. Attend service or not. It really doesn't matter. And really who wants to go listen to a lecture for 20 minutes and drive for another 20 to church when you can get an extra 40 minutes of pregame football action since that 20 minute lecture is irrelevant when the message is all beliefs are good.

That is why I believe the Liberal Church is in decline. I could be completely off base. After all I am on the outside looking in. And of course not all Liberals are the same. Some do believe in those essential doctrines or at least some of the doctrines. Others(like the Episcopol Muslim) toss everything out with the bath water and those are the biggest causes of the Liberal Churches problems.

So is all liberalism bad? Of course not. A very good liberal theory(at least I've always assumed it came from liberals) is the Literary Framework Theory for Genesis 1. Someone noticed that Genesis 1 has the ring of Hebrew poetry and developed the theory.


So what steps could the liberals take? The first one would be tossing the Episcopol Muslim out on her ear and declare her the heretic that she is. After that is accomplished, reaffirm that Jesus is God and is the Son of God and that through faith in him are you saved. After that, you'll be on the road to recovery.

What does it mean to be Reformed?

I came across a post by my Professor/Advisor at Geneva College, Byron Curtis that deals with what it means to be reformed. I decided to repost it here

"To be reformed means:

1) to confess with the orthodox churches the consensus of the first five centuries of Christianity, including:

a) Classic theism: One omnipotent, benevolent God, distinct from creation.
b) Nicene and Chalcedonian Trinitarianism: one God in three eternally existent persons, equal in power and glory.
c) Christ, the God-Man, the one mediator between God & the human race, incarnate, crucified, resurrected, ascended, & coming again.
d) Humanity created in the image of God, yet tragically fallen & profoundly in need of restoration to God through Christ.
e) The Visible Church: the community of the redeemed, indwelt y the Holy Spirit; the mystical body of Christ on earth.
The one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church.
f) The Sacraments: visible signs and seals of the grace of God, ministering Christ's love to us in our deep need.
g) The Christian life: characterized by the prime theological virtues of faith, hope, and love.

2) to confess with the Reformation churches the four great "Solas:"

a) RE the source of authority: Sola Scriptura.
b) RE the basis of salvation: Sola Gratia.
c) RE the means of salvation: Sola Fide
d) Re the merit of salvation: Solus Christus

3) to confess with the Reformed churches the distinctives of the Reformed faith:

a) In salvation: monergism not synergism. God alone saves. Such monergism implies T.U.L.I.P., the Five Points of Calvinism from the Synod of Dordt:

T = Total Depravity
U = Unconditional Election
L = Limited Atonement, or, better, Particular Redemption
I = Irresistible Grace
P = Perseverence and Preservation of the Saints

b) In worship: the Regulative Principle of Worship "Whatever is not commanded in public worship is forbidden." God alone directs how he is to be worshiped in the assembly of the visible church.
c) In the Visible Church: Covenant Theology & Covenant Community. The Church is the New Israel, incorporating believers among Jews and Gentiles alike. Infant Baptism ordinarily follows from this understanding. Sacraments are not merely human observances, but acts of Jesus Christ, marking out the visible church.
d) In life: Life is religion: there is no sacred/secular destinction. As such Christians have neither jobs nor careers; they have vocations (callings). Every calling is "full time Christian service," because every Christian is a full-time Christian.

4) finally, in everything, as Christians everywhere joyfully affirm: Soli Deo Gloria. 'To God alone be the glory.'

Episcopol Priest and a Muslim

Link

In Seattle there is an Episcopol Priest who has become a Muslim. The Episcopol Church appears to be fine with this.

Even before becoming a Muslim, this priest had a warped view of Christianity:

She has never believed in original sin
She believes the Trinity is an idea about God and cannot be taken literally
She does not believe Jesus and God are the same, but rather that God is more than Jesus
She believes Jesus is the son of God insofar as all humans are the children of God, and that Jesus is divine, just as all humans are divine — because God dwells in all humans

So essentially she doesn't accept the orthodox Christian faith. Instead she has adopted old heresies such as Arianism and combined it with New Age.

But she continues to believe that Jesus was crucified and resurrected. Which is in contrast to her new Faith in Islam. The Quran flat out denies both.

So instead of being a heretic of one religion, she has chosen to be a heretic of two.

Presbyteries seizing church property

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Link 2
Link 3

Now first I am not a member of the PCUSA, the largest Presbyterian denomination. I am a member of the PCA, the second largest Presbyterian denomination.

There's been a lot of news coming from the PCUSA with conservative churches voting to leave. The last few months have seen 2 or 3 large churches leave in the Pittsburgh area alone. The reason being is these churches believe the PCUSA is becoming to liberal in its theology and abandoning classic orthodoxy. In fact I have seen a couple of quotes that amount to "Why are we allowing a 2,000 year old writer control how the church is being run?" Now granted they might have said that without thinking it all through but its scarey when the mainline Presbyterian church has members saying that. If it hadn't been for people that wanted to return to that 2000 year old writer, there would be no Presbyterian Church.

But the thing that is really in the news is the fact that the PCUSA is actually seizing the church buildings or demanding huge payments from churches that are leaving. One church had to come up with $500,000 and another $250,000.

Now lets think about this for a second. If the Presbytery had actually funded the building of these churches I could understand it. But some of these churches are decades if not centuries old. And the PCUSA has only been around since 1983. I just don't see how they can claim ownership of churches paid for by local members as belonging to the denomination.

And the really burning question is why would any church want to become affiliated with a denomination that is going to seize their building if they want to leave later?

I know that the mainline Episcopol church is like this as well.

Retired Lutheran Bishop claims Jesus enshrined in myths

Link

He doesn't believe that Jesus was born of a Virgin
He doesn't believe that Jesus was born in Bethlehem
He doesn't believe that Jesus had twelve disciples
He doesn't believe that the miracles of Jesus were real
He doesn't believe that Jesus was divine

But he does believe that Jesus was a pivotal figure in history.

I'd like to know why. If none of the things are true then Jesus seems to be nothing more then a madman who failed and was executed.

Its like people that say he was just a good teacher. Yeah he taught he was the son of God and is God... um if he's not then why's he a good teacher? Because he also taught do to others as you would want to be done to you? Well others have taught the golden rule.

Jesus either is the Son of God and is God or he's not someone that I want to learn from.

I believe he is.

Creationism vs. Evolution

Link

Inside the article it claims that Evolution is the idea that humans evolved from less advanced life forms over millions of years. And it claims that creationism is the idea that God created humans in their present form within the past 10,000 years.

Why is it so hard to describe these two theories correctly?

Evolution is the idea that a population will adapt to the environment around them through changes in their gene structure from one generation to the next.

Creationism is the idea that God created the universe and everything in it and that the universe continues to function because he controls it.

It always drives me nuts when people do not describe the two theories accurately. And when you get right down to it, there really is no reason why both theories cannot be true.

Now if the article said the Theory of Human Evolution or Young Earth Creationism, then their descriptions would be accurate. But that's not what they were describing.

Creation Museum

Link
Today the Creation Museum opens in Cincinnati. It costs $27 million dollars and has plenty of Protests going on. I saw one article earlier then this one and in my local paper quote a protester proclaiming that they are teaching children fairy tales and hurting their education and that's why they're protesting.

Now I can understand protesting government actions and corporate actions. But to protest a museum that the children are taken to by their parents and its not required, I don't see how its "hurting" their education. Or threatening science. Its a private museum and they can put their information and items out there any way they want.

But Genesis 1 is an interesting chapter of the Bible. I have a Biblical Studies degree and am attending Seminary this fall. There are many different ways that scholars look at the chapter. Some take the literal 24 hr day approach. Others believe the days are vast ages. Then there's one called a gap theory where there are days but's time between the days of creation. Finally there's a literary Framework approach.

Now the others are mentioned in the article that I link to at the top so I'll describe the one that's not mentioned. The literary framework looks at the days of creation and notices that Day one and Day four go together, Day Two and Day Five go together, and Day Three and Day Six go together. It claims that the days are literary devices to explain the creation. Or in other words, the first chapter is in topical order instead of chronological order.

And an interesting thing about the original Hebrew of the Bible. The word yom that is translated as Day in most modern translations can mean the following:

from crosswalk.com lexicon on the Old Testament
day, time, year
day (as opposed to night)
day (24 hour period)
as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
as a division of time 1b
a working day, a day's journey
days, lifetime (pl.)
time, period (general)
year
temporal references
today
yesterday
tomorrow

And in the New American Standard, it was translated like so throughout the Old Testament:
afternoon* 1, age 8, age* 1, all 1, always* 14, amount* 2, battle 1, birthday* 1, Chronicles* 38, completely* 1, continually* 14, course* 1, daily 22, daily the days 1, day 1115, day of the days 1, day that the period 1, day's 6, day's every day 1, daylight* 1, days 635, days on the day 1, days to day 1, days you shall daily 1, days ago 1, days' 11, each 1, each day 4, entire 2, eternity 1, evening* 1, ever in your life* 1, every day 2, fate 1, first 5, forever* 11, forevermore* 1, full 5, full year 1, future* 1, holiday* 3, later* 2, length 1, life 12, life* 1, lifetime 2, lifetime* 1, live 1, long 2, long as i live 1, long* 11, midday* 1, now 5, older* 1, once 2, period 3, perpetually* 2, present 1, recently 1, reigns 1, ripe* 1, short-lived* 1, so long* 1, some time 1, survived* 2, time 45, time* 1, times* 2, today 172, today* 1, usual 1, very old* 1, when 10, when the days 1, whenever 1, while 3, whole 2, year 10, yearly 5, years 13, yesterday* 1

The number after the word indicates how many times it was translated that way.

So you might ask, well how on earth do you know what word to use when your translating the passage. You have to use the context of the rest of the sentence. Its obvious that the passage is dealing with time so all the possible words that don't deal with time, can be removed like holiday, whole, while, ect...

The use of the Hebrew words ereb translates into evening. Which makes the context seem to indicate day for Yom. However, ereb can also mean the following according to the Lexicon:

evening, night, sunset
evening, sunset
night

And in the NAS its translated into the following:

evening 114, evening* 1, evenings 2, every evening 1, night 2, sunset 1, twilight 11

And the use of the Hebrew word boger or boqer depending on how you want to pronounce it translates into morning. However the word can mean the following according to the Lexicon:


morning, break of day
morning
of end of night
of coming of daylight
of coming of sunrise
of beginning of day
of bright joy after night of distress (fig.)
morrow, next day, next morning

And the NAS translates it accordingly:
dawn 1, dawn* 2, day 1, daybreak 1, every morning 5, morning 195, mornings 2, soon 1, tomorrow morning 1

In addition to those meanings I've seen at least one Lexicon that gives the meaning high tide and low tide to these two words.

But this all seems to indicate that we are in deed talking about the typical day. But like English with words can be combined and used outside their meaning. Like "Get Out of Here" it can mean get out of here. It can also mean that's so off the wall I don't believe you. Could the phrase that we're translating "And there was evening and morning the first day" mean simply that time passed? Hence the Day Age Theory...

In addition for the young earth creationists who take it literally, how long did Adam and Eve live in the Garden of Eden without sin? The Bible does not indicate. It could have been any number of years so to hold onto the earth is only 6000 years old is not Biblical. The Bible does not say how old the earth is because its not important.