Catechism Thursday

May all men make use of the Scriptures?

All men are not only permitted, but commanded and exhorted, to read, hear, and understand the Scriptures.

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,
(John 5:39 ESV)

But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’
(Luke 16:29 ESV)

and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
(Acts 8:28-30 ESV)

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
(Acts 17:11 ESV)

Is the Name of God Allah?

On a discussion board I semi-frequent I started a conversation about whether God’s name should be translated as Allah in arabic bibles. I said it shouldn’t I had a Christian sister who had lived in the Moslem controlled middle east disagree with me and said it should. I wasn’t prepared for her reasoning so I lost that argument. However, if I had access to this I think I could have put my point across.

Hitchens vs Wilson

Christopher Hitchens is a British atheist author of God is not Great.  Doug Wilson is a minister of Christ Church and author of many books including Letter from a Christian Citizen: A Response to “Letter to a Christian Nation” by Sam Harris.

Now I’ve only seen Hitchens once and that was when CNN interviewed him after Jerry Falwell’s death.  See this:

A very disagreeable man in my opinion.

Doug Wilson is no stranger to controversy either, if you have ever heard of Federal Vision then you will recognize his name.  He is amongst the proponents of it and so I tend to go cautious with what he has to say. 

However, in the May issue online of the Christianity Today there is an exchange between these two men on the subject “Is Christianity Good for the World?” there are at this time five letters in which Doug Wilson is cleaning Mr. Hitchens’ clock.  This is an excellent example of presuppositional apologetics applied to a real world situation. 

Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day, today stores will be having sales hoping to entice you in with the ads that came on the Sunday paper. Somewhere people are cleaning their grills getting ready for the first barbeque of the year. Somewhere people are crying remembering their sons, fathers, mothers, or daughters who have died in this war. Or laying flowers on their graves.

Flags are flying, children are playing, people are praying.

And I remember my Father and my Uncles who left their homes and families to fight in World War II. So that we can remain free. God bless them.

Catechism Thursday

How do we know that the Bible is the Word of God?

 The Bible evidences itself to be God’s Word by the heavenliness of its doctrine, the unity of its parts, its power to convert sinners and to edify saints; but the Spirit of God only, bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in our hearts, is able fully to persuade us that the Bible is the Word of God. (1 Cor. 2:6,7,13; Ps. 119:18, 129; Acts 10:43, 26:22; Acts 18:28; Heb 4:12; Ps. 19:7-9; Rom. 15:4; John 16:13,14; 1 John 2:20-27; 2 Cor. 3:14-17)

Blog trolling

Been immersed in work and have had little time to be pondering on being light in the darkness.  But found this excellent piece by Reverend Eric Costa  on the distinctive Church.

“This church is different!” Fine, but why? Because everyone there is young and hip? Because everyone is Reformed? Because all the parents keep their kids out of public schools? Because the music is good and loud and original? Because there are icons and candles and an ancient liturgy to connect us to the historical church?

Read the rest here

ht Reformation Thelogy

Catechism Thursday

 What is the Word of God?

 The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, being given by divine inspiration, are the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice.

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21 )

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (2 Timothy 3:16 )

To the Law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this Word, it is because no light is in them. (Isaiah 8:20 MKJV)

 

All scriptures cited are from the ESV unless so noted

 

7 Characteristics of False Teachers

by Thomas Brooks (1608-1680)

That Satan labours might and main, by false teachers, which are his messengers and ambassadors, to deceive, delude, and for ever undo the precious souls of men (Acts 20:28-30; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Eph. 4:14; 2 Tim. 3:4-6; Titus 1:11,12; 2 Peter 2:18,19): “I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err” (Jer. 23:13). “The prophets make my people to err” (Micah 3:5). They seduce them, and carry them out of the right way into by-paths and blind thickets of error, blasphemy, and wickedness, where they are lost forever. “Beware of false prophets, for they come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Mat. 7:15). These lick and suck the blood of souls: “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision” (Phil. 3:2). These kiss and kill; these cry, Peace, peace, till souls fall into everlasting flames, &c., Proverbs 7.
Now, the best way to deliver poor souls from being deluded and destroyed by these messengers of Satan is, to discover them in their colors, that so, being known, poor souls may shun them, and fly from them as from hell itself.

Now you may know them by these characters following:

THE FIRST CHARACTER
False teachers are men-pleasers (Gal. 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:1-4). They preach more to please the ear than to profit the heart: “Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophecy no unto us right things: speak to us smooth things; prophecy deceits”‘ (Isa. 30:10). “A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means, and my people love to have it so. And what will you do in the end thereof?” (Jer. 5:30,31). They handle holy things rather with wit and dalliance (playful come-on) then with fear and reverence. False teachers are soul-undoers. They are like evil chirurgeons, that skin over the wound, but never heal it. Flattery undid Ahab and Herod, Nero and Alexander. False teachers are hell’s greatest enrichers. Non acerba, sed blanda, Not bitter, but flattering words do all the mischief, said Valerian, the Roman emperor. Such smooth teachers are sweet soul-poisoners (Jer. 23:16,17).

THE SECOND CHARACTER
False teachers are notable in casting dirt, scorn, and reproach upon the persons, names, and credits of Christ’s most faithful ambassadors. Thus Korah, Dathan, and Abiram charged Moses and Aaron that they took too much upon them, seeing all the congregation was holy (Num. 16:3). You take too much state, too much power, too much honour, too much holiness upon you; for what are you more than others, that you take so much upon you? And so Ahab’s false prophets fell foul on good Micaiah, paying of him with blows for want of better reasons (1 Kings 22:10-26). Yea, Paul, that great apostle of the Gentiles, had his ministry undermined and his reputation blasted by false teachers: “For his letters”‘ say they, “are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak and contemptible” (2 Cor. 10:10). They rather contemn him than admire him; they look upon him as a dunce rather than a doctor. And the same hard measure had our Lord Jesus from the Scribes and Pharisees, who laboured as for life to build their own credit upon the ruins of his reputation. And never did the devil drive a more full trade this way than he does in these days (Matt. 27:63). Oh! the dirt, the filth, the scorn that is thrown upon those whom the world is not worthy. I suppose false teachers mind not that saying of Austin, Quisquis volens detrahit famae, nolens addit mercedi meae, He that willingly takes from my good name, unwillingly adds to my reward.

THE THIRD CHARACTER
False teachers are venters of the devices and visions of their own heads and hearts. “Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent then not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophecy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart (Jer. 14:14); “Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Harken not unto the words of the prophets that prophecy unto you; they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord” (Jer. 23:16). Are there not multitudes in this nation whose visions are but golden delusions, lying vanities, brain-sick phantasies? These are Satan’s great benefactors, and such as divine justice will hang up in hell as the greatest malefactors, if the physician of souls does not prevent it.

THE FOURTH CHARACTER
False teachers easily pass over the great and weighty things both of law and gospel, and stand most upon those things that are of the least moment and concernment to the souls of men. “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned; from which some have swerved, have turned aside unto vain jangling, desiring to be teachers of the law, and understand neither what they say nor whereof they affirm” (1 Tim. 1:5-7). “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint, and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith; these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone” (Matt. 23:2,3). False teachers are nice in the lesser things of the law, and as negligent in the greater. “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strife of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself” (1 Tim. 6:3-5). If such teachers are not hypocrites in grain, I know nothing, Romans 2:22. The earth groans to bear them, and hell is fitted for them, Matt. 24:32.

THE FIFTH CHARACTER
False teachers cover and color their dangerous principles and soul-impostures with very fair speeches and plausible pretenses, with high notions and golden expressions. Many in these days are bewitched and deceived, viz. illumination, revelation, deification, fiery triplicity, &c. As strumpets paint their faces, and deck and perfume their beds, the better to allure and deceive simple souls (Gal. 6:12; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Rom. 16:17,18; Mat. 16:6,11,12; 7:15), so false teachers will put a great deal of paint and garnish upon their most dangerous principles and blasphemies, that they may the better deceive and delude poor ignorant souls. They know sugared poison goes down sweetly; they wrap up their pernicious, soul-killing pills in gold.

THE SIXTH CHARACTER
False teachers strive more to win over men to their opinions, than to better them in their conversations. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves” (Matt. 24:17). They busy themselves most about men’s heads. Their work is not to better men’s hearts, and mend their lives; and in this they are very much like their father the devil, who will spare no pains to gain proselytes.

THE SEVENTH CHARACTER
False teachers make merchandise of their followers. “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not” (2 Peter 2:1-3). They eye your goods more than your good; and mind more the serving of themselves, than the saving of your souls. So they may have your substance, they care not though Satan has your souls (Rev. 18:11-13). That they may the better pick your purse, they will hold forth such principles as are very indulgent to the flesh. False teachers are the great worshippers of the golden calf (Jer. 6:13).

Now, by these characters you may know them, and so shun them, and deliver your souls out of their dangerous snares; which that you may, my prayers shall meet-yours at the throne of grace.

 

All scripture citations from the King James Version

Requiescat in pace

Jerry Laymon Falwell, Sr August 11, 1933 – May 15, 2007

 

I’ve never cared for Jerry Falwell I know my mother-in-law watched his program the “Old Time Gospel Hour” more times than I cared for, but he is now with his Savior and Lord.  What I hope not to see is the “Jerry Falwell is now a Calvinist”  plastered over all the Reformed Blogs.  Lets just take a minute and offer prayers for his family and love ones.

Loving your enemies…

I was trolling blogdom when I came upon this at Fide-O:

Do Unto Others, a guide to striking back at the Religious Right this was published by someone named “Elroy”.

In it he says:

“…..Go to their churches on Sunday Morning. You can find out when services begin by reading the Saturday newspaper. Take big signs with horrible pictures of people who have committed suicide because of the torment caused them by the Religious Right, and wave your signs in their faces. Yell at them. Pick out the nice family with kids in their Sunday best, and get in front of them. Confront these people with the damage their kids will suffer by being raised in such an intolerant institution. Wave your gruesome signs in front of little old ladies, and tell them how their donations are being used to cause such carnage to young women at abortion clinics, and to women who wish to get equal pay for equal work, and to young Gays seeking answers……In your Sunday best, go into their sanctuaries and wait for the service to begin. Plant yourselves in different places interspersed between the regular members. Then, in five or ten minute intervals, take turns standing up and yelling at the preacher and the congregation. Heckle them about their support of oppressive legislation. Shout out against their opposition to equal rights for women. Disrupt their services with arguments against their stance on homosexuality.
By spreading out and waiting between outbursts, you can avoid the possibility of all of you being escorted out of the building after the first disruption. The church leaders won’t be able to pick you out of the crowd until you are already standing and shouting. With enough people, you can effectively disrupt the entire hour-long meeting, making it impossible for the church’s members to ignore your protest. “

What would you do if this happened? I don’t know what I would do (I’m not an elder or a pastor) but Gene M. Bridges gave excellent advise that I’m going to post here:

Advice:
If they protest outside your church, send out for doughnuts and soft drinks for them. Take them to them and offer them to them kindly. Smile big, and tell them how much you love them. Ask them if they’d like to come in and sit down and rest. Send the little old ladies out there to hug them, and take lots of pictures of your people with their arms wrapped around them smiling. Kill them with kindness and watch the protest break up quickly.
If you belong to a denomination, and they say these things, ask them if they know the budget allotments in your denomination and if they know where the money goes from your church. Obviously they don’t. Be very sure to do this publicly. This would be very good time to educate your people about where their money goes and equip them to interact with these ninnys.
If they show up in your services, let them speak. Look them squarely in the eye and tell them that there will be a Question and Answer period after the conclusion of the services and they are free to speak then. If they refuse, have them removed. These people aren’t there for rational discourse and they couldn’t withstand the scrutiny.
I would add that they are likely working with the stereotypical “ignorant fundy” view of our churches. That may play in some places, but they’ll back down quickly when they encounter intelligent people…they always do.
Videotape, videotape, videotape. There’s a certain amount of damage the opposition can do to itself, and you want to let them do it. It’s the sort of thing the local news loves to get hold of. Here, we’re having problems with the Unitarians and the ACLU. They’d certainly hate it if they showed up in my area doing this sort of thing; it would turn public opinion against them quickly when it made it to the news and the newspaper.
Also, I’ve long said that Christians should make an attempt to go to the meetings of some of these organizations just to get information about what they are doing. Just sit quietly, of course, but take notes about their strategy sessions, so you know what’s coming.