Next Monday NFL superstar Michael Vick will plead guilty to federal dogfighting conspiracy charges, putting the Atlanta Falcons quarterback's career in question and leaving him subject to a possible prison term. Vick will most certainly face some sort of prison time for his crime.
Not that I think dogfighting is OK - I most certainly don't - but I can't help but wonder why Vick has become public enemy number one? The protester's are out in full force wanting Vick's head on a platter.
Isn't Vick merely exercising his right not to raise those dogs? They were inconvenient to his lifestyle right now - perhaps he wasn't ready to raise dogs right now at this time in his life? Raising dogs takes time and money and if a person isn't ready for that, then they shouldn't have to go through with raising them. They were, after all, his dogs - so it was his choice...right?
For those who are unable recognize my sarcasm font, these are the exact same reasons used to execute human babies in this country every single day - the deplorable practice known as abortion.
This entire saga is a clear picture of how twisted and morally corrupt we are as a nation. For some of the very same people who are protesting Vick's mistreatment of dogs - are the very same people who are screaming to keep legal the vicious dismemberment of human babies in the womb.
Now a man will spend time in jail for killing some dogs - which is just.
But meanwhile, men are living free and luxurious lifestyles they've earned from the babies they've killed - that is unjust.
From: Assembly of God Orthodoxy
Monday, August 27, 2007
Why All The Anger At Michael Vick?
Thursday, August 9, 2007
General Council on TV
I was able to listen to what Charles Crabtree said on TV tonight. He did a wonderful job. He is clearly wanting the Assemblies to go back to the roots of the New Testament church. He stated 3 things that I took to heart. 1. Start preaching the power of the Holy Spirit. We need more people filled with the Holy Ghost in our churches, to lay hands on the sick for healing, and to break strongholds in peoples lives, and to reach our communities. 2. The inerrancy of scripture. We don't need these "how to reach your community" handouts. We have all we need in scripture to apply ourselves for the Lords service just like the New Testament church. 3. Go after your community for Christ. You will strive to reach your community when you have the Holy Spirit abundant in your life.
As you can see all that I stated pretty much go hand in hand. One other thing though. We as Christians must have a prayer life and a time and place to read the Bible. How can people stay in Christ if the don't get into Gods word everyday? It's just not possible.
General Council is on Inspiration Network and you can watch it again Friday August 10th 7pm. Check it out.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Abraham Bentar
I found this testimony of persecuted Christian Abraham Bentar on You Tube. Listen to what he has to say.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
The Major Decision
Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. (2 Timothy 1:13,14)
There is a great decision that every denomination has to make sometime in the development of its history. Every church also has to make it either at its beginning or a little later–usually a little later. Eventually every board is faced with the decision and has to keep making it, not by one great decision made once for all, but by a series of little decisions adding up to one great big one. Every pastor has to face it and keep renewing his decision on his knees before God. Finally, every church member, every evangelist, every Christian has to make this decision. It is a matter of judgment upon that denomination, that church, that board, that pastor, that leader and upon their descendants and spiritual children.
The question is this: Shall we modify the truth in doctrine or practice to gain more adherents? Or shall we preserve the truth in doctrine and practice and take the consequences?…
A commitment to preserving the truth and practice of the church is what separates me from a great many people who are perhaps far greater than I am in ability. This is my conviction, long held and deeply confirmed by a knowledge of the fact that modern gospel churches, almost without exception, have decided to modify the truth and practice a little in order to have more adherents and get along better. RRR165-167.
“We’re under constant pressure to have more adherents, more members, more numbers, Lord. God help me never to modify or compromise to achieve that, but to tenaciously hold fast to my core beliefs and priorities. Amen.”
(A.W. Tozer, Tozer on Christian Leadership, July 19)
From True Discernment Blog.Tuesday, July 10, 2007
What We Have Lost . . . . .
There is a hollowness to most Churches today. Many people can’t quite put their finger on what is causing it. I believe many earnestly want a move of the Holy Spirit in their Churches. They desperately want to see people healed to see people’s lives to be changed but for “some reason” the Holy Spirit does not move.
Why is that?
I believe it is because the Church as a whole has went too far down the road of accepting the “norms” of our modern society and has become blind to the damage those “norms” have done to the Church, even while the church goes on adopting more and more of those “norms” to attempt to grow their membership, or to be relevant to the non-Christians within our society.
Subtleness of the corrosive affects of those norms make them appear to not be sinful on the surface. But that is because for the most part Churches have lost all ability to practice true discernment and recognize potential dangers.
It is like a mathematical equation. There is a direct and opposite relationship between the amount of acceptance of societal norms allowed within a Church and the decrease of Spiritual Power within that Church. The more norms of society accepted within the church, the less Spiritual Power is present and the more hollow and hungry people feel.
And I believe the main societal norm that has had the greatest detrimental impact upon the Church today is the destruction of the local “Community”.
No I am not talking just about small towns, and living in a small town. But I am talking about good old fashioned local community principles. The New Testament and Acts church was built around the idea of the local body or local community as we have known them in our past national history, the kind that disappeared with the advent of the “Consumer Society”. Yes there were some bad aspects about a local community, but there was an overwhelming positive side to the idea of a thriving local community. And our churches are supposed to function on that basis.
Today people go to Church on Sunday mornings, and if they are lucky their church will have a Sunday Evening or possibly maybe a Wednesday evening service, to “be fed” with “POP” culture influenced “junk food” to fill up their tank so they can go back home hopefully make it through until the next service. And once they leave church they may never see or talk to another soul from their church until the next service or the next function the Church puts on for its members.
And even if they do talk to or see other people from their Church, the relationship that exists is not in keeping with how God intended the local body to function: “That We be One”.
Today’s Western Christian has adopted the consumer ethos of modern western society which is: I have my house, I have my money and I do what I want when I want. And I will socialize with other Christians but don’t dare ask me to be responsible for any other Christian or don’t dare ask me to be accountable to any other Christian. After all this is America and it is enshrined in the Constitution that “all men are created equal and endowed with certain inalienable rights”
But where does it say that in the Bible? Aren’t we as Christians supposed to cultivate and encourage those aspects that build up a local community of believers who can know that they can rely and depend on each other in times of need no matter what?
The problem today is that far too many of us think that by being able to give money to someone in need and then walk away, that will solve their problem. It’s the modern American resolution to all things: “just throw more money at the problem”
But that resolves nothing, people today are desperately hungry and becoming hungrier still each passing day, while our society and not far after our Churches continue to adopt corrosive ideas and lifestyles that just keep making people hungrier!
When will the church wake up and see that they have walked away from the principles and lifestyles that enable it to drink of the water that makes them thirst no more!
“Jesus answered and said to her, whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.”
John 4:13-15
It is sad to say but the Western Church as we know it today is in its death throws. And what is even sadder is it doesn’t even recognize that fact.
The buildings will still remain, but they will be like white washed sepulchers with only the dead remaining inside. They will crumble just like the rest of western society is crumbling.
But yet still:
“And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
So he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”
Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
And he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”
Then the LORD said to him: “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
1 Kings 19:9-18
From True Discernment Blog.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
God All Sufficient
By Dr. Opal Reddin
LORD GOD ALMIGHTY
Omnipotent King, Lion of Judah, Rock of Ages, Prince of Peace, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Provider, Protector, Paternal, Leader Ruling Lord and Reigning King of all the universe.
He is Father, He is Helper, He is Guardian, and He is God. He is the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, He is the Keeper of Creation and Creator of all He keeps; The Architect of the universe and manager of all times. He always was, He always is, and always will be...unmoved, unchanged, undefeated, and never undone.
He was bruised and brought healing .He was pierced and eased pain. He was persecuted and brought freedom. He was dead and brought life. He is risen and brings power. He reigns and brings peace.
The world can't understand Him, the armies can't defeat Him the schools can't explain Him, and leaders can't ignore Him. Herod couldn't kill Him, The pharisees couldn't confuse Him, People couldn't hold Him, Nero couldn't crush Him, Hitler couldn't silence Him, The New Age can't replace Him, And Oprah can't explain Him away!
He is Light, Love, Longevity and Lord. He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God He is Holy, Righteous, Mighty, Powerful and Pure. His ways are right His word is eternal, His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me!
He is my Savior, He is my Guide,
He is my Peace, He is my Joy,
He is my Comfort. He is my Lord and He rules my life.
I serve Him because He is God and is worthy to be served. His bond is love, His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is...THE wisdom, THE power of the powerful, THE ancient of days, THE ruler of rulers, THE leader of leaders, THE overseer of overcomers and sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come.
Now if that seems impressive to you, try this on for size. His goal is a relationship with ME !He will never leave me, never forsake me, Never mislead me, never forget me, never overlook me,and never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!
When I fall, He lifts me up. When I fail, He forgives. When I am weak, He is strong. When I am lost, He is the way. When I am afraid, He is my courage. When I stumble, He steadies me. When I am hurt, He heals me. When I am broken, He mends me .When I am blind, He leads me. When I am hungry, He feeds me. When I face trials, He is with me. When I face persecution, He shields me. When I face problems, He is the answer When I face loss, He provides for me. When I face death, HE carries me Home! He is everything for everybody, everywhere, every time, and every way.
He is God, He is faithful and true, I am His and He is mine.
My Father in Heaven has already defeated the father of this world, and so if you're asking why I stand and feel so secure, understand this; He said it, and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on his side, and that means all is well with my soul.
Every day is a blessing for... GOD IS!
From Pastor E. Blog.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Is the New Testament Anti-Semitic?
(An insightful article from American Thinker)
The Christian friends of Israel regard the entire Bible as inspired and inerrant. But the New Testament is supposedly anti-Semitic. So why would they support Israel and the Jewish community?
Are these Christians intellectually inferior? Do they see anti-Semitism in the New Testament, but keep it hushed up? Do they secretly work for Israel’s destruction because their Scriptures say so?
Actually, Christians look high and low through the New Testament and can find no anti-Semitism. This brief article is designed to explain how Christians who regard the Bible as inerrant and who carefully study it reject anti-Semitism - and reject it on the basis of the New Testament itself.
If readers would like to look up a passage, they may go to Bible Gateway and type in the reference.
The ministry of Jesus
In the four Gospels, about four decades before the destruction of the temple by the Romans in AD 70, Jesus crisscrossed his homeland Israel, preaching and living the kingdom of God. Sometimes ordinary fellow Jews did not accept his teaching (John 6:60-66). But most in fact liked what they heard and saw, particularly his healing ministry. The opposition to Jesus came from the leaders of his own nation. He opposed their power structures that governed the temple in Jerusalem. That is one reason he made a whip and cleared part of the temple (Mark 11:12-19).
The Gospel of John uses the word “Jews” over seventy times, sometimes positively (e.g. 4:22) and sometimes neutrally (e.g. 2:6). But John mostly uses it of the Jewish leaders who were hostile to Jesus. This matches up with the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In almost all cases when the sparks fly in the Gospels, the clash happens between him and religious leaders. In fact, a careful keyword search in an exhaustive concordance of the Bible confirms this class difference. He did not condemn ordinary people; rather, he told them that his way led to an easing of heavy religious burdens (Matt. 11:28-30). But he challenged the leaders who put these burdens on the people. See his lengthy “Seven Woes” pronounced on them (Matt. 23:1-36).
By analogy, Josephus, a first-century Jewish historian, says that many Pharisees who interacted with the people also opposed the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem. They and the Sadducees - the very ones who made up most of the Jerusalem establishment - clashed often. Were these Pharisees anti-Semitic? Of course not.
Likewise, Jesus was a Jew who lived in a Jewish environment. Whom else would he challenge? Who else would oppose him? Hindus? Buddhists? Simple historical facts teach us that he had no political power, so he could not wield the weapons of anti-Semitism. All the verses in the four Gospels must be read in that historical context.
The early church
The earliest Christians were not initially called “Christians,” but followers of the Way, until a strong Christian community was established in Antioch (Acts 11:26). None of them had any political power, so they could not persecute anyone. Rather, they were the persecuted. While in Jerusalem, they underwent opposition from the same establishment that opposed Jesus (Acts 4:1-22; 5:17-40; 6:8-8:3; 12:1-18). That last passage describes Herod Agrippa I beheading James, one of the twelve Apostles, and imprisoning Peter, who escaped by miraculous intervention.
As the followers of the Way moved out into the Roman provinces, their opposition was made up of their fellow Jews and the Gentile authorities. For example, in the opposition from pagans against Paul, they accurately saw that his preaching would curtail their idol-making business and dry up pilgrimages to the huge temple of the goddess Artemis (Diana), so a riot ensued (Acts 19:23-31). Likewise, the passages in Acts about Jewish opposition to the message of Paul and other missionaries are merely reports (by Luke who wrote Acts) of what really happened (e.g. Acts 13:49-52; 14:4-7, 19-20; 21:27-23:35). Paul and other missionaries traveled in Jewish circles and also among pagans in Greco-Roman cities. It stands to reason that if anyone opposed these missionaries, the opponents would come from Roman authorities and the Jews. How could this be otherwise?
Thus, whenever I read the Book of Acts, I simply conclude that it fits the historical facts. (It certainly does not say that the Chinese or Japanese opposed the first-century Christians.) To repeat, the early Christians had no political power, so their hands were empty of the weapons of persecution. The verses in Acts must be read in that historical context.
Tension
It is true that the New Testament at times reflects tension between Judaism and the fledgling church, which was feeling its way doctrinally and practically (though, of course, devout Christians affirm that God was leading). After all, Christianity flows out of Judaism, not out of Taoism or Confucianism, so where else would there be tension? Christians and Jews were gradually going their own direction. During this drifting apart, the leaders of the church - all Jews early on - had to decide whether recent converts should be required to keep large portions of the Law of Moses. Some of the stricter Jews who had become followers of the Way said that the converts had to be circumcised and to keep the kosher food laws. Paul foresaw that this would limit the number of converts, particularly men, so he opposed such requirements. He also went in this new direction because of his interpretation of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and because of the doctrine of grace. Eventually, Paul’s view won out (Galatians 3:1-25; read the entire short epistle). Also, after a divine vision, Peter came to the same conclusion as Paul’s, namely, that God wanted to reach out to Gentiles (Acts 10:1-11:18). But even Peter and Paul clashed over purity rituals, like eating with Gentiles (Galatians 2:11-21). In the final analysis Peter and other leaders - to repeat, they were all Jews - decided not to impose on the new Gentile converts heavy laws. See Acts 15:1-29 for the Council in Jerusalem that decided on such matters.
So it is in the area of practical requirements (on which even the early Christians disagreed at first) that tension between Judaism and earliest Christianity is found in the New Testament. It is precisely ritual purity and circumcision that concerned early followers of Jesus. And they eventually shifted away from a strict interpretation of these laws. But where are the weapons of persecution? The early church was politically powerless.
On the other side, Jews kept their own doctrines and practices, in the drifting apart of themselves and the Christians. But does this mean that the Jews exercised some sort of “anti-Christianism”? Of course not. They are allowed to keep their religion without such charges. And so are the Christians. In fact, all religions on the face of the planet are certainly permitted to keep their distinctive doctrines without being accused of “Anti-Other-Religionism.” Let’s hope that no religion will impose its doctrines on others by force.
Tough Q & A
1. Didn’t the Jews kill Jesus? Anyone who reads the four Gospels understands that it teaches that God ordained his death. No human did. God did. Jesus himself said that he willingly laid down his life (John 10:15-18). He predicted his death (and resurrection) on at least five occasions before he got to Jerusalem (Matt. 12:39-41 // Luke 11:29:30; Matt. 16:21-28 // Mark 8:31 and Luke 9:22-27; Matt. 20:17-19 // Mark 10:32-34; Luke 18:31-33; Luke 9:44; John 12:20-26). During the arrest of Jesus, Peter took out his sword to resist. But Jesus told him to put it away. He said that he could call on twelve legions of angels to halt everything (Matt. 26:52-54). That means he was willingly submitting to the plan of God. It is true that the Jewish and Roman authorities were the human agents of his death, but how could this be otherwise? They were, after all, in charge of Jerusalem. But to leap from there to anti-Semitism goes too far because it ignores the historical context.
2. Doesn’t Jesus call certain of his fellow Jews children of the devil? In the larger context, he perceived that some “distant” followers, so to speak, were plotting to kill him. “You are ready to kill me . . . As it is, you are determined to kill me” . . . (John 8:37 and 40; cf. 7:19-20). The atmosphere was tense. They were in Jerusalem. But his time to go was not yet. As noted in the first Q & A, it is impossible to overstate how deeply Jesus felt his mission to die (and to be resurrected). Anyone who tried to alter his destiny to die at the right time and right place was subject to tough language. It was also used against his own lead disciple Peter. As Jesus and the Twelve were approaching Jerusalem, he predicted his death (and resurrection). But Peter, hearing only death in the prediction, pulled him aside and actually rebuked him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This will never happen to you!” At that, Jesus perceived a satanic motive to forestall his divinely ordained death. So he wheeled on Peter, looked past him, and said, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men” (Matt. 16:21-23). But note well: this tough talk in the Gospels is entirely among Jews. Incidentally, the distant followers in John 8:31-59 finally revealed their motives, calling Jesus a Samaritan (= despised half-breed) and demon-possessed (v. 48 and 52).
3. Didn’t Jews call down a curse on themselves during the trial of Jesus? Matthew 27:25 has been used for anti-Semitic purposes, but there is simply no shred of evidence in the rest of the New Testament that God actually and factually honored their request. The verse seems merely to reflect a topos or common rhetorical device or a cultural custom, expressing how strongly the crowd felt.
4. Doesn’t the Parable of Tenants imply that God will destroy or replace Israel (Matt. 21:33-46 // Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19)? Not in the slightest! Jesus spoke this parable in Jerusalem. The end of the parable says that the chief priests and Pharisees - in Jerusalem - understood that he directed the parable at them specifically (vv. 45-46). (Remember, he challenged the Jerusalem religious establishment.) The vineyard (= Israel; cf. Isaiah 5:1-7) is still left intact in the parable. But it will be handed over to better tenants (= leaders). Plus, Jesus refers to the kingdom of God (v. 43). And his kingdom is to expand far beyond his homeland Israel (Acts 1:6-8). He implies in the entire parable that leadership in the larger kingdom of God will be handed over to a new regime, so to speak, as the kingdom goes around the globe. Worldwide outreach is the jurisdiction of the church, just as he commanded (Matt. 28:18-20). That is the clearest and fullest interpretation of all the elements in the parable. The parable says nothing about the destruction or replacement of Israel as a nation. Instead, Israel goes along its own track, while the kingdom that Jesus ushered in spills out over its borders.
5. Does Jesus’ prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem by armies mean that he endorses its destruction (Luke 21:20-24; // Matt. 24:15-21 and Mark 13:14-19)? Not at all. He grieved over Jerusalem, as he approached it from a distance, just before he entered it for the last time (Luke 19:41-44; Matt. 23:37-39).
6. Doesn’t the Book of Revelation say that God will destroy Israel? Just the opposite. Bible prophecy teachers put passages like Ezekiel 38 and 39 together with such passages as Revelation 16:16. (Revelation is in fact steeped in Old Testament apocalyptic imagery and themes.) From those Scriptures and others, the teachers reach the conclusion that a Satan-inspired coalition of armies will surround Israel, but God will rescue his chosen people. It is hard to see how a rescue like that is even remotely anti-Semitic. (The rescue seems to have echoes of God’s deliverance of his chosen people during their enslavement in Egypt.) These same teachers also believe that the church will be raptured or “snatched” away into heaven before all of these troubles happen. So they are in no way gleeful about the Final Battle. In fact, Jews who care about Israel cannot find better friends than these teachers and ordinary Christians. They want Israel strong precisely because of such international armies - but the coalition has nothing to do with the church that will go missing, so to speak. For such teachers and Christians, the entire sweep of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, says that God has ordained the Jewish people to live in their historic homeland. These teachers and Christians therefore consider the rebirth of Israel in 1948 to be a miracle.
Into the second century and beyond
Though this article is about the New Testament, let’s briefly look at Christianity for a few centuries after the New Testament era. Christians still did not have any political power. They could not persecute; they were the persecuted. The Roman authorities attacked them, throwing them to lions or burning them alive, sometimes torturing them before their death. Tradition says that all of the Apostles except John died at the hands of persecutors. Polycarp, (lived c. AD 70-155/60), not one of the Twelve, was the bishop of the church in the city of Smyrna, in Asia Minor. He was a disciple of John the Apostle, who lived a long life, but even he was persecuted. In any case, for not burning incense before a statue of Caesar and calling him Lord, Polycarp was put to the flames when he was eighty-six years old. Tension between the Christians and Jews by this time was strong, so the account of his martyrdom says that the Jews were not unhappy at his death - putting it mildly (13:1). Read about Polycarp’s martyrdom here.
Incidentally, why were the Jews not required to burn incense before statues of Caesar? For a long time they had negotiated special exemptions from Rome. Not so the Christians, who were just getting started with their religion.
Persecution of them was particularly severe under the Roman Emperor Diocletian (reigned AD 284-305). In 303 he ordered all Christian books and churches to be burned. In 304 he ordered all Christians to burn incense to the pagan gods or face arrest. The outcome for the churches and books and the Christians themselves was devastating. It is no surprise that they turned to Constantine (r. 306-337) for relief. Before a battle in which he defeated a rival, he claimed that he had seen a cross of light superimposed on the sun. A year later, in 313, he issued the Edict of Milan, which granted religious freedom. The persecution of Christians was fiery, just a decade earlier, so who can blame them for seeking an official reprieve?
However, after this imperial favor was granted, and after the church gradually accumulated power and its subsequent corruption, how far into the future could these Christians see, blinded as they were by the fires of recent persecution? Apparently, not far enough, for as the church became more politicized, it used its power to persecute pagans and Jews. But for three full centuries the Christians were occupied with survival in the face of their enemies, while, paradoxically, it grew rapidly. In the fourth century, however, political power was switching over to the Christian side. Cue the music of the film Jaws.
Conclusion
The key to understanding the (supposed) anti-Semitism in the New Testament is, as usual, to take the sacred text in its historical context. Who were the power-brokers? Where in the hierarchy were the persecutors located? Did Jesus confront the powerful or the weak? What were the religious origins of everyone involved?
The authors of the New Testament were Jews, except Luke. (He got his sources from eyewitnesses to the ministry of Jesus, who were all Jews.) It is therefore difficult to lay at these Jews’ doorstep the charge of anti-Semitism.
At the time the New Testament authors wrote, they and their fellow believers were politically powerless. They persecuted no one. If Christians in later centuries after Constantine used verses in the New Testament to persecute Jews or pagans, then these Christians misread the sacred text. They should have learned that any persecution against Christians in the first century was wrong, and it was wrong against Jews and pagans in their time, too.
The New Testament authors cannot be blamed for such later (fatal) foolishness. They were reporting in the first century on the opposition to their faith in order to explain how Jesus and his movement-turned-church persevered and grew rapidly, by God’s grace. How could their reports not mention persecution? Their opponents, when they emerged, were Jews and Romans throughout the Empire. How could the reports exclude them specifically, historically speaking?
Paul the Apostle, in his complex chapters (9, 10, 11) in his theological treatise called the Epistle to the Romans, is baffled why national Israel rejected his Lord, whom he saw in a vision on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:1-19). But in spite of all the severe persecution he suffered at the hands of his fellow Jews, and regardless of his bafflement, he still concludes that God has not rejected his chosen people. Paul writes in Romans 11:1-2:
1 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew.
He goes on to say that God has reserved for himself a remnant, just as in the days of Elijah. He says that at the end of times, all issues will be sorted out, but only by God’s doing, not humanity’s.
How can I improve on Paul’s inspired writing?
http://www.americanthinker.com/2007/06/is_the_new_testament_antisemit.html
Friday, June 15, 2007
Computer Repair Fraud
This just goes to show you can't trust every computer shop. If at all possible have a friend or a relative fix it.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
How GREAT is our God!
I was reading just the other day how scientists are now searching deeper and deeper into space trying to find when the Big Bang occurred. After searching billions of light years into space they now are starting to wonder if they will ever find out when the Big Bang occurred or if it had ever occurred at all. Here is a picture representation of what the scientists believe of the expanding universe. It's interesting, because here in Job 9:8 when it states "He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the water of the sea." kind of goes along on what the scientists theorize. Gods Word and science go hand in hand.
As Christians we know the Big Bang never happened. God created the heavens and the earth just as it is stated in his Word. The vastness and complexity of space just proves how complex and how awesome our God is. However it's sad that these scientists are spending their whole life looking for answers about creation and wondering how it all got here and yet the only place they need to look is in the Bible. Trying to understand our universe would be like ants trying to understand the nuclear activity of the sun. It's just not possible! It takes a GREAT mathematician to create the countless number of stars and have them take their place in the vast universe. There are only around three thousand stars visible to the naked eye, but there are billions beyond that. In fact, we are appalled by the vast numbers and distances involved in the expansive universe. Yet with all the created heavenly bodies, God knows the name of each one. In Psalms 147:4 it states, "He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names."
David in Psalms 8:3-4 states "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which tho hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, thou visitest him?" In Psalm 97:6 it states "The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory." The next time you go outside at night, look up at space and see His righteousness. Our God is a GREAT God and He loves us with an everlasting love.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
When To Leave a Church: A Biblical Approach
From True Discernment blog:
Quoting Robert Reymond . . .
If a Christian's church is faithfully proclaiming the Word of God, administers [the Lord's Supper and Baptism] according to the institution of Christ, and faithfully exercises discipline, his church is a true church of God, and a repudiation of it is wicked and a denial of God and of Christ, even though it may have some error in it. But the Bible recognizes that there are some circumstances that may arise in a church which will compel the Christian to separate himself from his church. The Greek New Testament employs two nouns in the main to describe dreadfully sinful situations in the church: apostasy (gr: apostasia) and heresy (gr: hairesis) :
2 Thessalonians 2:3: "Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion [gr: apostasia] occurs."
1 Timothy 4:1: "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon [gr: apostesontai] the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons."
2 Peter 2:1: "[False teachers] will secretly introduce destructive heresies [gr: haireseis]." (see also 1 Cor. 11:19; Gal. 5:20; and Titus 3:10)
In general usage "apostasy" has come to refer to total renunciation of the Christian faith, with "heresy" being viewed more atomistically as any subversive doctrine professing to be Christian (of course, "systemic" heresy is hardly distinguishable from apostasy).
The New Testament lays down the following principles to protect the church in such a situation and to maintain its doctrinal purity:
Elders are charged to guard the church by guarding the truth (Acts 20:28-30; Tit. 1:9; see 1 John 4:2-3). The New Testament is realistic about the problems the church will have with false teachers. The passages cited presuppose that the Christian faith has a definite content, and that there are certain pivotal truths which are absolutely necessary to it.
Apostates and heretics ought to leave the church (1 John 2:18-19). It is not schismatic, indeed, it is quite appropriate, for antichrists to separate themselves from the Christian church. But more often than not, they set themselves up in the church. What is to be done with them then?
Unrepentant heretics who do not leave the church should be disciplined (Rom. 16:17; Tit. 3:10; 2 Pet. 2:1-3; 2 John 10-11; Rev. 2:2, 14-15, 20). As there were false prophets in Israel, so there are and will be false teachers in the church. As the former were subject to discipline, so the latter should be as well, mutatis mutandis, that is, by excommunication rather than execution.
Separation from one's local church or denomination is appropriate if it will not discipline heretics (2 Cor. 6:14-18). If a church rejects discipline for theological errors that subvert the foundation of the gospel and becomes theologically pluralistic in practice (even though it may retain an orthodox confession by which it promises to be guided), that church has become "heretical" in that it no longer stands under the authority of God, and the orthodox are compelled to separate from it to bear witness to the marks of the church.
Error in the church should always be of concern to the Christian, and he should charitably labor to rid the church of error. But a Christian should not lightly repudiate his church even when there is perceived error in it. Differences of opinion over [light causes] should not be made the basis for division in a local congregation or denomination. Such division for light causes is "schismatic," schism being understood here as formal and unjustified separation from the church. Paul speaks against such unjustified separation in 1 Corinthians 1:10: "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions [gr: schismata] among you" (see also 1 Cor. 11:18; 12:25).
From:
A New Systematic Theology Of The Christian Faith
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Weapons of our warfare
I’m sure many of you are gravely concerned of the growing atheism and evolutionist movement that seems to be sweeping across the country. Being birthed by “science” and taught by Richard Dawkins and other professors to our young people in college. It appears to be the new hip and cool thing on many web forums and websites. I was reading an article in “Wired” magazine a few months back and it was stating that many of the “highly established” people in our world are embracing atheism. They are becoming bolder and bolder about their belief as you can see from the images Pastor E posted here at the Creation Museum. This troubles me. We are not going to win this war against this lie with the weapons of a lawyer, money or our own scientists but through the power of the Holy Spirit. In 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 it states: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” We must continue to pray against this plague that is sweeping over our young people. We must pray that the Lord will open the eyes of these people and pray that the Lord will move in our churches and colleges and for His word to go forth.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Sovereign King and Caring Lord
He reigns in distant realms of space, Psalm 103:19; Isa. 40:25, 26
Where whirling galaxies abound; Psalm 104:2
He governs every molecule Isaiah 45:12, 18
That quivers whispered words to sound;
He calls in place the bravest waves Job 38:8-11
Who hurl themselves to land from sea; Psalm 104:9
His seal impressed the continents; Job 38:14
He orders all majestically. Psalm 8:1, 9; Psalm 95:3-5
He hears the kidling on the crag, Job 39:1
Directing sunlight warm its way; Deut. 33:13-15
He sends the spring and autumn showers Deut. 11:14; Psalm 65: 9-13
For which the flowered valleys pray; Joel 2:21-23; Matt. 6:28-30
He satisfies each varied kind Psalm 145:15,16
Of all creation, great and small. Psalm 104:10-18
His word sustains the sum of them; Heb. 1:3, Psalm 100:5
In faithfulness He rules them all. Psalm 104:24, 1Thess 5:24
Oh give Him praise with full accord, Psalm 96:7-9
This Sovereign King, and Caring Lord; Psalm 62:11
Who caused in time the worlds that be, Gen. 1:1, Psalm 33:6-9
Yet calls man to eternity.
His grace shall ever be explored, Eph. 2:4-7
His glory fills both earth and sky; Psalm 19:1, Hab. 2:14
To Him your worship rightly bring; Psalm 35:28
Your tongue, His Name, to magnify. Psalm 34:1-3
by Kevin Hartnett, 1/99
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
A Day At The Museum
I had the wonderful privilege of attending the grand opening of the Creation Museum yesterday and it was truly spectacular. Designed by a former Universal Studios exhibit director, the museum does a wonderful job of clearly defining the literal view of Genesis, defining what special creation is, why there is suffering on the earth today, and also presents the clear and Biblical plan of salvation. A great point is made throughout as well that there is no such thing as "brute facts", but rather, all facts are interpreted. Since Creationists have a different starting point (God created) than Evolutionists (Atheism/Agnosticism), the same scientific facts are therefore interpreted differently.
On a rather humorous note, we were met at the Museum's entrance by about 100 protester's (see pictures below) "warning" us about going in to the museum. Secular society seems to possess and preach one single virtue, tolerance, and from the looks of things yesterday they aren't doing a very good job of upholding their single virtue. Amidst the hate messages, put downs and profanity that was being spewed by this (in)tolerant group (Note that some signs below equate teaching Creation to children as child abuse, and one calls home schooling child abuse) I decided to pull over to take a few pictures. I planned on saying nothing, but one man called out to me and asked me if I was going to the museum. When I answered in the affirmative he told me to be very critical when I go in there. I asked the man if he'd heard of the Scientific Dissent From Darwinism. He replied that there was no such thing. I kindly told him to Google that phrase and be enlightened. He was speechless. I have since learned that there is also an organization called "Doctors doubting Darwin."
It's amazing, but judging from the signs upheld and some of the ignorant comments, many of these folks have evidently blindly followed the lemmings off of the cliff on this issue. They literally have no idea that there is a mountain of science behind Creationism, nor do they realize that there are many scientists behind Creationism as well. I truly felt sorry for these spiritually blind souls. By the looks of some of their faces they really felt they were doing a service of some sort. Romans 1:21-22 speaks about such people:
"Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead."
On one final humorous note, as we got out of our van we were noticing the airplane flying overhead (pictured below) with banner in tow that said: "DEFCON Says: Thou shalt not lie!" I looked at my wife and said, "What's DECON?" She informed me that DECON was rat poison and the word was "DEFCON". How oddly appropriate.
See pictures from protest HERE.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Questioning Evolutionary Origins: Abiogenesis
Here is a video similar to what Pastor E was stating in his article titled: A Scientific Dissent From Darwinism. It's very interesting.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Christ vs Anti-Christ
Christ- came from above (John 6:38)
Anti-Christ- ascends from the Pit (Revelation 11:7)
Christ- came in his Father's name (John 5:43)
Anti-Christ - comes in his OWN name (John 5:41)
Christ - humbled Himself (Phil. 2:8)
Anti-Christ - exalts himself (2 Thessalonians 2:4)
Christ - Despised (Isaiah 53:3; Luke 23:16)
Anti-Christ - Admired (Rev. 13:3,4)
Christ - Exalted (Philippians 2:9)
Anti-Christ - cast down to Hell (Isa. 14:14, 15; Rev. 19:20)
Christ - came to do His Father's will (John 6:38)
Anti-Christ - to do His Own will (Daniel 11:36)
Christ - came to Save (Luke 19:10)
Anti-Christ - comes to Destroy (Daniel 8:24)
Christ - is the Good Shepherd (John 10:4-15)
Anti-Christ - the Idol (evil) Shepherd (Zechariah 11:16, 17)
Christ - is the True Vine (John 15:1)
Anti-Christ - the Vine of the Earth (Revelation 14:18)
Christ - is the Truth (John 14:6)
Anti-Christ - is the Lie (2 Thessalonians 2:11)
Christ - the Holy One (Mark 1:24)
Anti-Christ - is the Lawless One (2 Thessalonians 2:8)
Christ - is the Man of Sorrows (Isaiah 53;3)
Anti-Christ - is the Man of Sin (2 Thessalonians 2:3 A.S.V)
Christ - is the Son of God (Luke 1:35)
Anti-Christ - is the Son of Perdition (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
Christ - is God manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16)
Anti-Christ - Satan manifest in the flesh (2 Thes. 2:7)
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
A Scientific Dissent From Darwinism
Public TV programs, educational policy statements, and science textbooks have asserted that Darwin’s theory of evolution fully explains the complexity of living things. The public has been assured, most recently by spokespersons for PBS’s Evolution series, that “all known scientific evidence supports [Darwinian] evolution” as does “virtually every reputable scientist in the world.”
The following scientists dispute the first claim and stand as living testimony in contradiction to the second. There is scientific dissent to Darwinism. In fact over 600 scientists from Stanford to the Smithsonian have signed this dissent statement. The statement reads as follow:
We are skeptical of claims for the ability of random mutation and natural selection to account for the complexity of life. Careful examination of the evidence for Darwinian theory should be closely examined.
The Old Cross And The New
By A.W. Tozer
ALL UNANNOUNCED AND MOSTLY UNDETECTED there has come in modern times a new cross into popular evangelical circles. It is like the old cross, but different: the likenesses are superficial; the differences, fundamental.
From this new cross has sprung a new philosophy of the Christian life, and from that new philosophy has come a new evangelical technique-a new type of meeting and a new kind of preaching. This new evangelism employs the same language as the old, but its content is not the same and its emphasis not as before.
The old cross would have no truck with the world. For Adam's proud flesh it meant the end of the journey. It carried into effect the sentence imposed by the law of Sinai. The new cross is not opposed to the human race; rather, it is a friendly pal and, if understood aright, it is the source of oceans of good clean fun and innocent enjoyment. It lets Adam live without interference. His life motivation is unchanged; he still lives for his own pleasure, only now he takes delight in singing choruses and watching religious movies instead of singing bawdy songs and drinking hard liquor. The accent is still on enjoyment, though the fun is now on a higher plane morally if not intellectually.
The new cross encourages a new and entirely different evangelistic approach. The evangelist does not demand abnegation of the old life before a new life can be received. He preaches not contrasts but similarities. He seeks to key into public interest by showing that Christianity makes no unpleasant demands; rather, it offers the same thing the world does, only on a higher level. Whatever the sin-mad world happens to be clamoring after at the moment is cleverly shown to be the very thing the gospel offers, only the religious product is better.
The new cross does not slay the sinner, it redirects him. It gears him into a cleaner and jollier way of living and saves his self-respect. To the self-assertive it says, "Come and assert yourself for Christ." To the egotist it says, "Come and do your boasting in the Lord." To the thrill seeker it says, "Come and enjoy the thrill of Christian fellowship." The Christian message is slanted in the direction of the current vogue in order to make it acceptable to the public.
The philosophy back of this kind of thing may be sincere but its sincerity does not save it from being false. It is false because it is blind. It misses completely the whole meaning of the cross.
The old cross is a symbol of death. It stands for the abrupt, violent end of a human being. The man in Roman times who took up his cross and started down the road had already said good-by to his friends. He was not coming back. He was going out to have it ended. The cross made no compromise, modified nothing, spared nothing; it slew all of the man, completely and for good. It did not try to keep on good terms with its victim. It struck cruel and hard, and when it had finished its work, the man was no more.
The race of Adam is under death sentence. There is no commutation and no escape. God cannot approve any of the fruits of sin, however innocent they may appear or beautiful to the eyes of men. God salvages the individual by liquidating him and then raising him again to newness of life.
That evangelism which draws friendly parallels between the ways of God and the ways of men is false to the Bible and cruel to the souls of its hearers. The faith of Christ does not parallel the world, it intersects it. In coming to Christ we do not bring our old life up onto a higher plane; we leave it at the cross. The corn of wheat must fall into the ground and die.
We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum.
God offers life, but not an improved old life. The life He offers is life out of death. It stands always on the far side of the cross. Whoever would possess it must pass under the rod. He must repudiate himself and concur in God's just sentence against him.
What does this mean to the individual, the condemned man who would find life in Christ Jesus? How can this theology be translated into life? Simply, he must repent and believe. He must forsake his sins and then go on to forsake himself. Let him cover nothing, defend nothing, excuse nothing. Let him not seek to make terms with God, but let him bow his head before the stroke of God's stern displeasure and acknowledge himself worthy to die.
Having done this let him gaze with simple trust upon the risen Saviour, and from Him will come life and rebirth and cleansing and power. The cross that ended the earthly life of Jesus now puts an end to the sinner; and the power that raised Christ from the dead now raises him to a new life along with Christ.
To any who may object to this or count it merely a narrow and private view of truth, let me say God has set His hallmark of approval upon this message from Paul's day to the present. Whether stated in these exact words or not, this has been the content of all preaching that has brought life and power to the world through the centuries. The mystics, the reformers, the revivalists have put their emphasis here, and signs and wonders and mighty operations of the Holy Ghost gave witness to God's approval.
Dare we, the heirs of such a legacy of power, tamper with the truth? Dare we with our stubby pencils erase the lines of the blueprint or alter the pattern shown us in the Mount? May God forbid. Let us preach the old cross and we will know the old power. (A. W. Tozer, Man, the Dwelling Place of God, 1966)
Questioning Darwinian Evolution
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
The 7 Beatitudes
My Dad has started a Bible study on Wednesday night on the book of Revelation and it's very intriguing. Revelation is a book full of blessings for his people, but chaos and eternal torment for those who are not in Christ Jesus. Here are the 7 beatitudes or blessings for his people:
Revelation 1:3 - Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Notice that it states, "hear it and take it to heart". Revelation is a book that has moral instructions that we must obey in our day to day lives and if we apply it, it promises blessings.
Revelation 14:13 - Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes", says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."
Here is a verse we all can have peace with knowing that our loved ones who have died and will die in the Lord are and will be at rest in Heaven. Serving the Lord, living for him, and sharing him with others are deeds we must abide by.
Revelation 16-15 - "Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed."
Here Jesus is speaking blessings to his people during the tribulation. Never the less it even applies today as we wait, watch and are ready for the Lord to return for his people.
Revelation 19:9 - Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' " And he added, "These are the true words of God."
It is believed that His saints are already up there in heaven at this time. The Rapture I believe will take place before the Great Tribulation. However the only way to make it to the marriage supper of the Lamb is to be living for Jesus when he returns.
Revelation 20:6 - Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
This refers to those who are in Christ Jesus when he returns the first time, or who that have already passed and went on to glory. Now they will reign with Christ for a thousand years on earth.
Revelation 22:7 - "Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book."
Jesus here is talking to his saints today and back in the New Testament days. How do you keep the words of Revelation? By obeying it's commands, taking everything in light of eternity, and looking forward to the day that Jesus returns.
Revelation 22:14 - "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city."
Blessed are his people whose sins are forgiven, and can take part of eating of the tree of life for all eternity.
Stay close to Jesus, and may God Bless.
Joshua Smith
Looking Out For The Interests Of Others
Why Should The Father Bother
I awoke this morning with a song in my head, "Why Should the Father Bother?", a song from 1979 by Petra. I haven't heard the song in years, but it played clearly in my mind. Here's the chorus:
Why should the Father
Bother to call us His children?
Why should the Spirit
Hear it when we pray?
Why should the Father
Bother to be concerned with all our needs?
The last line of the chorus answers the question:
It's all because of what the Son has done
Ultimate Humility
Based on the answer given in the song, one might subsequently ask, "So then why did God's Son do what he did, sacrificing Himself for the salvation of mankind?" We might never know the complete answer this side of heaven, but we do know what John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that he sent His only Son...". See that? It was the love which God had for us all! A love so great that Jesus would give up the glory of heaven and in the ultimate display of humility not only become a man but also face the worst insult, betrayal, and cruelty that mankind could muster!
I am reminded of the scripture:
(5)Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,(6) who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, (7) but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. (8) Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8 NASB
There's a command given there: "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus..." Wow! How can there be *any* room for pride in a Christian? If Christ could humble himself to this extent for the purpose of our salvation, why do we struggle to humble ourselves enough to love those in need around us?If you back up two more verses in that chapter you'll read:
(3)Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;(4) do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3,4 NASB
The Universe
If you examine the picture below (a photo taken by the Hubble Space Telescope) closely you will find literally hundreds of galaxy, each of which spans many thousands of light years. The immensity of the Universe cannot be overstated. To think that the creator of this enormous universe actually cares about us individually is amazing. I hope that the realization of the humility shown by Christ encourages you to have "this [same] attitude in yourselves" to stay humble and "look out ... for the interests of others".
- JWS
Monday, May 21, 2007
The Case For A Creator
I recently started reading The Case For A Creator by Lee Strobel. This book is a must-read for any student taking (or planning to take) classes in biology, physics, or any other science.
In a casual conversational style, Strobel explains major problems with current scientific explanations for our Universe. You will be amazed at how much evidence scientists must ignore in order to continue supporting their stance on evolution, the Big-Bang and other scientific "facts"! Naturally, the mounting evidence is all pointing toward the Creator.
Evolution
One topic that the book easily pokes holes in is Evolution. It is amazing to scientists that even with millions of fossils currently found and identified, the "missing links" are still missing. Were evolution a reality, nearly every ancient fossil found should be a "missing link" representing some snapshot of a species in some branch of the evolutionary "tree of life"; each representing a minor modification from its ancestral species. The lack of "transitional forms" (a.k.a "missing links") in the fossil record should be enough evidence alone to disprove evolution. The problem is serious enough that scientists are trying to come up with new hypothesis to explain the data (i.e. "punctuate equilibrium"). There was even an article in Science Daily just this year with a scientist from University of Pittsburgh encouraging others in his community to start questioning their own assumptions about the verity of Evolution:
However, it is not only the current molecular theory that intrigues Schwartz, but the failure of the scientific community to question an idea that is more than 40 years old: "The history of organ life is undemonstrable; we cannot prove a whole lot in evolutionary biology, and our findings will always be hypothesis. There is one true evolutionary history of life, and whether we will actually ever know it is not likely. Most importantly, we have to think about questioning underlying assumptions, whether we are dealing with molecules or anything else," says Schwartz. ["No Missing Link? Evolutionary Changes Occur Suddenly, Professor Says"]
The problem is that Scientists only view the physical world through the lens of Naturalism, and therefore reject any hypothesis that suggests the existence of God or the evidence which points to His existence.
Cambrian Explosion
Another amazing piece of evidence that scientists have been scrambling to explain is the "Cambrian Explosion". This term is referring to the explosion of species that suddenly appear in one stratum of geological rock, with older rock having little to no animal fossils.
The article on Wikipedia states:
The Cambrian explosion has generated extensive scientific debate. Darwin saw it as one of the principal objections that could be lodged against his theory of evolution by natural selection, as have modern-day Creationists ("The fossil record had caused Darwin more grief than joy. Nothing distressed him more than the Cambrian explosion, the coincident appearance of almost all complex organic designs..."). [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambrian_explosion]
Explosion of animal fossils? Sounds a lot like the sixth day of creation to me...
The Answer
I have a hypothesis which is supported by all of the evidence: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...". The first chapter of Genesis is very simple to understand, some would say too simple. But the truth is clear: God created the universe over a period of 7 days. Some might dispute the meaning of a "day" in Genesis 1, or try to find deeper meaning in the description of man being "created" in the first chapter but not "formed" until the second chapter of Genesis, but the truth of God's Word always prevails! His Word has been proven right again and again, much to the dismay of those looking for faults.
I'll finish with this scripture:
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20 NASB
Have you ever examined a photo taken by the Hubble Space Telescope? Oh, how clearly the divine majesty and eternal power of God can be seen through those images! And His majesty is seen equally clearly in the beauty of the Earth and Nature.
I'll try to post on other topics from this book again as I have time...
- JWS
A Single Common Denominator
Paul tells us under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in Philippians 3:16, "...to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind." In other words whatever has been causing you to grow spiritually - Paul is saying stay on that program.
Growing spiritually is a many faceted stone and certainly begins with daily Bible reading and prayer times. But spiritual growth isn't just a two-faceted stone - there are other important aspects to growing in the Lord.
In a recent church board meeting, as an exercise, we brainstormed whom at our church was growing spiritually and what were the observable reasons why. Those who were growing spiritually had many things in common, but as we pared the list down we discovered that there was one single common denominator: involvement in some type of small group at the church. In Acts 2:42-47 where we find our model for a New Testament church, the aspect of small group fellowship is referred to no less than five times.
The empirical evidence shows that for Christians to be spiritually healthy, they must be on a program that involves small group fellowship and interaction with other believers. This fact is not only consistent with Scripture, but can be observed in the lives of believers today.
This rather answers the age old "can someone be a Christian, yet never attend a church" question. Merely attending church appears to be the bare minimum for a believer - and if someone is a Christian and never attends, they won't be one for long.
A Letter To Pastors
This letter was an open letter written from Dr. Opal Reddin shortly before her passing in 2005. Her hope was that Assembly of God ministers would heed her warning. I had Dr. Reddin when I attended Central Bible College and I can say not only was she easily the best professor I ever had - she was a lady who KNEW the Lord.
Friday, October 21, 2005 10:31 PM:
From Dr. Opal Reddin:
"As you have opportunity, please tell any and of our all of our A/G churches that I for one see Rick Warren and his deceptive "Purpose Driven books and practices" to be the gradual downfall to each church becoming involved. Some of my reasons:
1. His SHAPE, Jung-oriented spiritual gifts tests destroy the very meaning of "spiritual gifts", and hence all Pentecostal churches will become redundant. Those taking them as having any degree of value will find (too late) they were grieving the Holy Spirit. This is one of the main hindrances today to people receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
2. His "Gospel" excludes repentance as a necessary step toward salvation, and it IS necessary, according to Jesus. Warren's "Gospel" is "another gospel" of works," No wonder the Catholics and homosexuals feel at home in his pastor's conferences!
3. Every one who signs the covenant of membership is in the process of disobeying our Lord's commands to swear not .
4. Every A/G minister and memory should read Who's Driving the Purpose Driven Church? by James Sundquist and Deceived on Purpose by Warren Smith.
For these and other well-considered reasons, I plead with every A/G church and member to avoid Rick Warren's beliefs and practices in every way possible. We must get back to the things that brought the manifest presence of God into our midst, when gifts of the Spirit convinced unbelievers of their need to repent and get right with God. The Full Gospel will still bring sinners to salvation, and saints to full obedience as we anticipate our Lord's return in Glory.
Signed,
Rev. Opal Reddin, D. Min. Distinguished Prof. in Biblical Studies
Central Bible College
The Great Deceived
May God Bless,
Joshua Smith
Sunday, May 20, 2007
More Authors Added
I have invited two more authors to my site. My brother Justin Smith who is a computer programmer and my Uncle Eric Smith who is a pastor/church planter in Huber Heights OH. I hope you enjoy hearing from them. May God bless.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Ubuntu Linux
The other day I wrote a blog entitled "The Firewall is Dead" a quote from Google's security specialist Niels Provos. I stated that many viruses are attacking computers from supposedly safe websites and how that anti-virus companies seem to be losing. If you are looking for any alternative OS (Operating System) that will work with your current computer then I recommend Ubuntu Linux. I have it and it's great. I boot into either Windows or Ubuntu upon startup. The only reason I still have Windows is because there are still a few applications that I need. However there are applications that come with Ubuntu that can easily take the place of many Windows applications that we pay for. Ubuntu comes with Firefox web browser, E-mail client, a free advanced office client called Open Office which I believe is just as good as Microsoft Office. Everything a normal computer user needs is there. The Desktop and the user interface is very user friendly. I recommend anyone and everyone to give it a try. Just select a server that is closest to you then burn it to a CD. You can just run it as a live CD without even installing it to your hard drive. Just be sure to go into your BIOS (by pressing f1 or delete when turning your computer on) and select your CD drive as your first boot device. I have some pictures of my desktop with some Beryl effects running: Desktop: pic 1, pic 2, and pic 3. Dell is even starting to sell it as an option as an OS along with Windows Vista. There are only 30 known viruses that have affected Linux computers so it's a very secure OS. Windows on the other hand has over 140,000 known viruses and more and more everyday. (source) Be sure to check it out.
