YO: ADAM (DOT) COM

On the Sinfulness of Sin & Total Depravity

2009-08-06T15:31:00.000-07:00

Check out this rap by Shai Linne:
In Adam All Die

Sin is incredibly sinful. This is very important for us to understand. Unless we realize how we all were born in sin, (and thereby are God's enemies), and have done nothing but sin against our Creator Almighty God, (who is not only loving), but also is holy, just, and wrathful-- Unless we realize these things, we will never realize our need for a Saviour. In other words, why would I ever cry out to God for mercy, if I think everything between "me and Jesus" is totally cool?

But just how sinful is humanity? In theology, we say that all men are totally depraved.

First. Total Depravity refers to the original sin we have all inherited in Adam, the first man. Adam and Eve were our representatives-- our "first parents" if you will... We are "in them", and what they did in rebellion against God, we are all held accountable for-- together, it's a family matter. Psa. 51:5 , 1 Cor. 15:22 , Eph. 2:1 , Eph. 2:3

Second. Total depravity does not necessarily mean that every man is as evil as he could possibly become, but we are as fallen humans wholly inclined toward evil. We are totally evil, but God in his grace often restrains that evil for his purposes. Ie. The average "nice guy" who just can't bring himself to believe in God, or even someone who appears "good", like Ghandi, etc... James 1:17 -- just as He may also let loose his restraint and raise up a Pharaoh, a Nero Caesar, a Hitler, or an Obama for his purposes, etc... Rom. 9:17 , Rom. 9:18

Third. Total Depravity also may be called "Total Inability". Total Depravity means that no man is able to come to God on his own, apart from God who draws him. Rom. 3:11 , Rom. 3:12 , Isa. 64:6 , Isa. 64:7 , Isa. 64:8 , John 6:44 , John 15:16

One of our problems today is that the good news is often not seen by people as being really good news. This is because most people do not understand the seriousness of the problem. It's like the whole fallen world of humanity is actually a bunch of zombies running around and they don't realize they are actually dead in sins and trespasses. The Church has the remedy to the problem-- the gospel of God's grace. Now the Church has two options: #1. Preach the gospel to the zombies along with the horrible pronouncement of God's judgment upon the ungodly who do not repent to Christ. #2. Water down the message and preach a "false gospel" which does not lead people to see God's holiness, their own vileness, or their actual need for a Savior. In other words, when we hammer out God's holiness and wrath and then hold ourselves up in light of God's law, then we all know we are in trouble, and in need God's grace-- this should, by the power of the Holy Spirit in drawing out the elect (Eph. 1:4, Eph. 1:5, Eph. 1:6, Eph. 1:9, Eph. 1:9, Eph. 1:10, Eph. 1:11) drive the elect of God to run and cling to the cross for their eternal salvation. (Eph. 1:12, Eph. 1:13, Eph 1:14)

Finally, The Westminster Confession is always a good read for basic theology matters. The Puritans knew these issues inside and out and explain it better than I ever could. Please read the following:

Chapter VI
Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and the Punishment thereof

I. Our first parents, being seduced by the subtilty and temptations of Satan, sinned, in eating the forbidden fruit.[1] This their sin, God was pleased, according to His wise and holy counsel, to permit, having purposed to order it to His own glory.[2]

Scripture proofs:
[1] GEN 3:13 And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. 2CO 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

[2] ROM 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

II. By this sin they fell from their original righteousness and communion, with God,[3] and so became dead in sin,[4] and wholly defiled in all the parts and faculties of soul and body.[5]

Scripture proofs:
[3] GEN 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. 8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. ECC 7:29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. ROM 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

[4] GEN 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. EPH 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.

[5] TIT 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. GEN 6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. JER 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? ROM 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

III. They being the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed;[6] and the same death in sin, and corrupted nature, conveyed to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation.[7]

Scripture proofs:
[6] GEN 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. 2:10 And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. ACT 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation. ROM 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. 15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 1CO 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

[7] PSA 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. GEN 5:3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth. JOB 14:4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one. 15:14 What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

IV. From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good,[8] and wholly inclined to all evil,[9] do proceed all actual transgressions.[10]

Scripture proofs:
[8] ROM 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. ROM 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. ROM 7:18 For I know that in me(that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. COL 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.

[9] GEN 6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 8:21 And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. ROM 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

[10] JAM 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. EPH 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. MAT 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

V. This corruption of nature, during this life, does remain in those that are regenerated;[11] and although it be, through Christ, pardoned, and mortified; yet both itself, and all the motions thereof, are truly and properly sin.[12]

Scripture proofs:
[11] 1JO 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. ROM 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me(that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. JAM 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. PRO 20:9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? ECC 7:20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

[12]ROM 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. 8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. GAL 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

VI. Every sin, both original and actual, being a transgression of the righteous law of God, and contrary thereunto,[13] does in its own nature, bring guilt upon the sinner,[14] whereby he is bound over to the wrath of God,[15] and curse of the law,[16] and so made subject to death,[17] with all miseries spiritual,[18] temporal,[19] and eternal.[20]

Scripture proofs:
[13] 1JO 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

[14] ROM 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another. ROM 3:9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin. 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

[15] EPH 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

[16] GAL 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

[17] ROM 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

[18] EPH 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.

[19] ROM 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope. LAM 3:39 Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?

[20] MAT 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. 2TH 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.

On The Final Perseverance of the Saints ("Eternal Security" or "once saved, always saved")

2009-07-11T02:15:00.000-07:00

IF one does not finally persevere in the Christian faith, then logically it must mean he was never truly a Christian in the first place. Consider John chapter 6. Here we find some of the most powerful statements of Christ regarding not only the will of man, but also on the Perseverance of the Saints, or rather what some call "eternal security" or "once saved, always saved" nowadays.

John 6:37-38,
"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me."

So, everyone who is given to the Son by the Father to be saved "SHALL COME" and of them the Son will "in no wise cast out." PERIOD. What about "jumping out of His hand" as so many assert a Christian can do? Read the next verse:

and the very next verse (39),

"And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."

Here we see that of ALL which are given to the Son, the Son will "lose nothing" AND "and I will raise him up at the last day." Notice the definite, "I WILL" "...raise him up at the last day." This is distinctly Johannine writing style and speaks clearly of eternal life. This is undeniably clear, as in the very next verse (40),

And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

"EVERLASTING LIFE". Clear?

In the very next verses the Jews murmur about these things... (verses 41-43)

"The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?43 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves."

Now, Jesus continues teaching... (Verses 43-46)

"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me."

Here we see that "NO MAN CAN COME TO ME". Can is a word of ability. Notice how Jesus did not say "May", but "CAN". This means that nobody is able to come to Jesus. Why? (Because we before regeneration, "...were dead in trespasses and sins;" Eph. 2:1 ) But praise God there is an exception. Jesus then says, "except the Father which hath sent me draw him". So, if we are drawn by the Father, we can come to Jesus. And then Jesus says, "and I will raise him up at the last day." SO, all who are drawn, therefore, are raised up at the last day to eternal life. And Jesus says it again another way, "It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me." CRYSTAL CLEAR.

In reverse summary, 1. All whom the Father draws are raised up to eternal life at the last day. 2. No one can come to Jesus without being drawn by the Father. 3. Being raised up at the last day clearly speaks of eternal life. 4. All whom the Father gives to Jesus are raised up at the last day to eternal life and Jesus will "lose nothing" so one can neither be snatched (or jump!) out of his hand. 5. Everyone given by the Father to Jesus "SHALL COME" to Jesus. 6. Jesus promises "I will in no wise cast out." to those who come to Him.

For those believers who actually believe Judas was at one point saved, please read the last words of the chapter, (where Jesus calls Judas a devil!), as a final confirmation of these truths,

"But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve."

The puritan's Westminster Confession of 1646 accurately and systematically proclaims these truths.

The Westminster Confession of Faith: Chapter 17
Chapter 17. Of the Perseverance of the Saints.

1. They whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.a

a. John 10:28-29; Phil 1:6; 1 Pet 1:5, 9; 2 Pet 1:10; 1 John 3:9.

2. This perseverance of the saints depends, not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father;a upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ;b the abiding of the Spirit and of the seed of God within them;c and the nature of the covenant of grace:d from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.e

a. Jer 31:3; 2 Tim 2:18-19. • b. Luke 22:32; John 17:11, 24; Heb 7:25; 9:12-15; 10:10, 14; 13:20-21; Rom 8:33-39. • c. John 14:16-17; 1 John 2:27; 3:9. • d. Jer 32:40. • e. John 10:28; 2 Thes 3:3; 1 John 2:19.

3. Nevertheless they may, through the temptations of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins;a and for a time continue therein:b whereby they incur God's displeasure,c and grieve his Holy Spirit;d come to be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts;e have their hearts hardened,f and their consciences wounded;g hurt and scandalize others,h and bring temporal judgments upon themselves.i

a. Mat 26:70, 72, 74. • b. Psa 51 title with v. 14. • c. 2 Sam 11:27; Isa 64:5, 7, 9. • d. Eph 4:30. • e. Psa 51:8, 10, 12; Song 5:2-4, 6; Rev 2:4. • f. Isa 63:17; Mark 6:52; 16:14. • g. Psa 32:3-4; 51:8. • h. 2 Sam 12:14. • i. Psa 89:31-32; 1 Cor 11:32.

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FURTHER READING:
-St. Augustine's A Treatise on the Gift of Perseverance
-Calvin's Commentary on John 6:34-40
-Calvin's Commentary on John 6:41-45
-John Owen's Doctrine of the Saints’ Perseverance Explained and Confirmed
-John Gill's The Doctrine of the Saints Final Perseverance
-A.W. Pink's Hebrews Exposition Chpt. 28 on Heb. 6:12-15 - Christian Perseverance
-C.H. Spurgeon on Final Perseverance (A Sermon)
-APuritansMind.com's Perseverance of the Saints - Encouraging to the Christian
-James White's ETERNAL SECURITY: Based in the Tri-Unity of God (This author has been very influential to me. I first had my eyes opened to John 6 while listening to him debate Dave Hunt on the radio. I Now see that he has already done a better job explaining John 6 than I have... Cool!)
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Why I Believe In God (Van Til)

2009-06-25T02:48:00.000-07:00

Why I Believe in God

By: The Rev. Cornelius Van Til, Ph.D.

You have noticed, haven't you, that in recent times certain scientists like Dr. James Jeans and Sir Arthur Eddington, as well as some outstanding philosophers like Dr. C.E.M. Joad, have had a good deal to say about religion and God? Scientists Jeans and Eddington are ready to admit that there may be something to the claims of men who say they have had an experience of God, while Philosopher Joad says that the "obtrusiveness of evil" has virtually compelled him to look into the argument for God's existence afresh. Much like modernist theologian Dr. Reinhold Niebuhr who talks about original sin, Philosopher Joad speaks about evil as being ineradicable from the human mind.

Then, too, you have on occasion asked yourself whether death ends all. You have recalled, perhaps, how Socrates the great Greek philosopher, struggled with that problem the day before he drank the hemlock cup. Is there anything at all, you ask yourself, to the idea of a judgement after death? Am I quite sure, you say, that there is not? How do I know that there is no God?

In short, as a person of intelligence, having a sense of responsibility, you have from time to time asked yourself some questions about the foundation of your thought and action. You have looked into, or at least been concerned about, what the philosophers call your theory of reality . So when I suggest that you spend a Sunday afternoon with me discussing my reasons for believing in God, I have the feeling that you are basically interested in what I am proposing for discussion.

To make our conversation more interesting, let's start by comparing notes on our past. That will fit in well with our plan, for the debate concerning heredity and environment is prominent in our day. Perhaps you think that the only real reason I have for believing in God is the fact that I was taught to do so in my early days. Of course I don't think that is really so. I don't deny that I was taught to believe in God when I was a child, but I do affirm that since I have grown up I have heard a pretty full statement of the argument against belief in God. And it is after having heard that argument that I am more than ever ready to believe in God. Now, in fact, I feel that the whole of history and civilization would be unintelligible to me if it were not for my belief in God. So true is this, that I propose to argue that unless God is back of everything, you cannot find meaning in anything. I cannot even argue for belief in Him, without already having taken Him for granted. And similarly I contend that you cannot argue against belief in Him unless you also first take Him for granted. Arguing about God's existence, I hold, is like arguing about air. You may affirm that air exists, and I that it does not. But as we debate the point, we are both breathing air all the time. Or to use another illustration, God is like the emplacement on which must stand the very guns that are supposed to shoot Him out of existence. However if, after hearing my story briefly, you still think it is all a matter of heredity and environment, I shall not disagree too violently. My whole point will be that there is perfect harmony between my belief as a child and my belief as a man, simply because God is Himself the environment by which my early life was directed and my later life made intelligible to myself.

The "Accident of Birth"

We are frequently told that much in our life depends on "the accident of birth". In ancient time some men were said to spring full-grown from the foreheads of the gods. That, at any rate, is not true today. Yet I understand the next best thing happened to you. You were born, I am told, in Washington, D.C., under the shadow of the White House. Well, I was born in a little thatched roof house with a cow barn attached, in Holland. You wore "silver slippers" and I wore wooden shoes.

Is this really important for our purpose? Not particularly, but it is important that neither of us was born in Guadalcanal or Timbuktu. Both of us, I mean, were born in the midst and under the influence of "Christian civilization." We shall limit our discussion, then, to the "God of Christianity." I believe, while you do not believe or are not sure that you do believe, in this particular kind of God. That will give point to our discussion. For surely there is no sense in talking about the existence of God, without knowing what kind of God it is who may or may not exist.

So much then we have gained. We at least know in general what sort of God we are going to make the subject for our conversation. If now we can come to a similar preliminary agreement as to the standard or test by which to prove or disprove God's existence, we can proceed. You, of course, do not expect me to bring God into the room here so that you may see Him. If I were able to do that, He would not be the God of Christianity. All that you expect me to do is to make it reasonable for you to believe in God. And I should like to respond quickly by saying that that is just what I am trying to do. But a moment's thought makes me hesitate. If you really do not believe in God, then you naturally do not believe that you are his creature. I, on the other hand, who do believe in God also believe, naturally, that it is reasonable for God's creature to believe in God. So I can only undertake to show that, even if it does not appear reasonable to you, it is reasonable for you, to believe in God.

I see you are getting excited. You feel a little like a man who is about to undergo a major operation. You realize that if you are to change your belief about God, you will also have to change your belief about yourself. And you are not quite ready for that. Well, you may leave if you desire. I certainly do not wish to be impolite. I only thought that as an intelligent person you would be willing to hear the "other side" of the question. And after all I am not asking you to agree with what I say. We have not really agreed on what we mean by God more than in a general and formal way. So also we need not at this point agree on the standard or test in more than a general or formal way. You might follow my argument, just for argument's sake.

Childhood

To go on, then, I can recall playing as a child in a sandbox built into a corner of the hay-barn. From the hay-barn I would go through the cow-barn to the house. Built into the hay- barn too, but with doors opening into the cow-barn, was a bed for the working-man. How badly I wanted permission to sleep in that bed for a night! Permission was finally given. Freud was still utterly unknown to me, but I had heard about ghosts and "forerunners of death." That night I heard the cows jingle their chains. I knew there were cows and that they did a lot of jingling with their chains, but after a while I was not quite certain that it was only the cows that made all the noises I heard. Wasn't there someone walking down the aisle back of the cows, and wasn't he approaching my bed? Already I had been taught to say my evening prayers. Some of the words of that prayer were to this effect: "Lord, convert me, that I may be converted." Unmindful of the paradox, I prayed that prayer that night as I had never prayed before.

I do not recall speaking either to my father or mother about my distress. They would have been unable to provide the modern remedy. Psychology did not come to their library table -- not even The Ladies Home Journal ! Yet I know what they would have said. Of course there were no ghosts, and certainly I should not be afraid anyway, since with body and soul I belonged to my Savior who died for me on the Cross and rose again that His people might be saved from hell and go to heaven! I should pray earnestly and often that the Holy Spirit might give me a new heart so that I might truly love God instead of sin and myself.

How do I know that this is the sort of thing they would have told me? Well, that was the sort of thing they spoke about from time to time. Or rather, that was the sort of thing that constituted the atmosphere of our daily life. Ours was not in any sense a pietistic family. There were not any great emotional outbursts on any occasion that I recall. There was much ado about making hay in the summer and about caring for the cows and sheep in the winter, but round about it all there was a deep conditioning atmosphere. Though there were no tropical showers of revivals, the relative humidity was always very high. At every meal the whole family was present. There was a closing as well as an opening prayer, and a chapter of the Bible was read each time. The Bible was read through from Genesis to Revelation. At breakfast or at dinner, as the case might be, we would hear of the New Testament, or of "the children of Gad after their families, of Zephon and Haggi and Shuni and Ozni, of Eri and Areli." I do not claim that I always fully understood the meaning of it all. Yet of the total effect there can be no doubt. The Bible became for me, in all its parts, in every syllable, the very Word of God. I learned that I must believe the Scripture story, and that "faith" was a gift of God. What had happened in the past, and particularly what had happened in the past in Palestine, was of the greatest moment to me. In short, I was brought up in what Dr. Joad would call "topographical and temporal parochialism." I was "conditioned" in the most thorough fashion. I could not help believing in God -- in the God of Christianity -- in the God of the whole Bible!

Living next to the Library of Congress, you were not so restricted. Your parents were very much enlightened in their religious views. They read to you from some Bible of the World instead of from the Bible of Palestine. No, indeed, you correct me, they did no such thing. They did not want to trouble you about religious matters in your early days. They sought to cultivate the "open mind" in their children.

Shall we say then that in my early life I was conditioned to believe in God, while you were left free to develop your own judgment as you pleased? But that will hardly do. You know as well as I that every child is conditioned by its environment. You were as thoroughly conditioned not to believe in God as I was to believe in God. So let us not call each other names. If you want to say that belief was poured down my throat, I shall retort by saying that unbelief was poured down your throat. That will get us set for our argument.

Early Schooling

To the argument we must now shortly come. Just another word, however, about my schooling. That will bring all the factors into the picture.

I was not quite five when somebody -- fortunately I cannot recall who -- took me to school. On the first day I was vaccinated and it hurt. I can still feel it. I had already been to church. I recall that definitely because I would sometimes wear my nicely polished leather shoes. A formula was read over me at my baptism which solemnly asserted that I had been conceived and born in sin, the idea being that my parents, like all men, had inherited sin from Adam, the first man and the representative of the human race. The formula further asserted that though thus conditioned by inescapable sin I was, as a child of the Covenant, redeemed in Christ. And at the ceremony my parents solemnly promised that as soon as I should be able to understand they would instruct me in all these matters by all the means at their disposal.

It was in pursuance of this vow that they sent me to a Christian grade school. In it I learned that my being saved from sin and my belonging to God made a difference for all that I knew or did. I saw the power of God in nature and His providence in the course of history. That gave the proper setting for my salvation, which I had in Christ. In short, the whole wide world that gradually opened up for me through my schooling was regarded as operating in its every aspect under the direction of the all-powerful and all-wise God whose child I was through Christ. I was to learn to think God's thoughts after him in every field of endeavor.

Naturally there were fights on the "campus" of the school and I was engaged in some -- though not in all -- of them. Wooden shoes were wonderful weapons of war. Yet we were strictly forbidden to use them, even for defensive purposes. There were always lectures both by teachers and by parents on sin and evil in connection with our martial exploits. This was especially the case when a regiment of us went out to do battle with the pupils of the public school. The children of the public school did not like us. They had an extensive vocabulary of vituperation. Who did we think we were anyway? We were goody goodies -- too good to go to the public school! "There! take that and like it!" We replied in kind. Meanwhile our sense of distinction grew by leaps and wounds. We were told in the evening that we must learn to bear with patience the ridicule of the "world." Had not the world hated the church, since Cain's time?

How different your early schooling was! You went to a "neutral" school. As your parents had done at home, so your teachers now did at school. They taught you to be "open-minded." God was not brought into connection with your study of nature or history. You were trained without bias all along the line.

Of course, you know better now. You realize that all that was purely imaginary. To be "without bias" is only to have a particular kind of bias. The idea of "neutrality" is simply a colorless suit that covers a negative attitude toward God. At least it ought to be plain that he who is not for the God of Christianity is against Him. You see, the world belongs to Him, and that you are His creature, and as such are to own up to that fact by honoring Him whether you eat or drink or do anything else. God says that you live, as it were, on His estate. And His estate has large ownership signs placed everywhere, so that he who goes by even at seventy miles an hour cannot but read them. Every fact in this world, the God of the Bible claims, has His stamp indelibly engraved upon it. How then could you be neutral with respect to such a God? Do you walk about leisurely on a Fourth of July in Washington wondering whether the Lincoln Memorial belongs to anyone? Do you look at "Old Glory" waving from a high flagpole and wonder whether she stands for anything? Does she require anything of you, born an American citizen as you are? You would deserve to suffer the fate of the "man without a country" if as an American you were neutral to America. Well, in a much deeper sense you deserve to live forever without God if you do not own and glorify Him as your Creator. You dare not manipulate God's world and least of all yourself as His image-bearer, for you own final purposes. When Eve became neutral as between God and the Devil, weighing the contentions of each as though they were inherently on the face of them of equal value, she was in reality already on the side of the devil!

There you go again getting excited once more. Sit down and calm yourself. You are open-minded and neutral are you not? And you have learned to think that any hypothesis has, as a theory of life, an equal right to be heard with any other, have you not? After all I am only asking you to see what is involved in the Christian conception of God. If the God of Christianity exists, the evidence for His existence is abundant and plain so that it is both unscientific and sinful not to believe in Him. When Dr. Joad, for example says: "The evidence for God is far from plain," on the ground that if it were plain everybody would believe in Him, he is begging the question. If the God of Christianity does exist, the evidence for Him must be plain. And the reason, therefore, why "everybody" does not believe in Him must be that "everybody" is blinded by sin. Everybody wears colored glasses. You have heard the story of the valley of the blind. A young man who was out hunting fell over a precipice into the valley of the blind. There was no escape. The blind men did not understand him when he spoke of seeing the sun and the colors of the rainbow, but a fine young lady did understand him when he spoke the language of love. The father of the girl would not consent to the marriage of his daughter to a lunatic who spoke so often of things that did not exist. But the great psychologists of the blind men's university offered to cure him of his lunacy by sewing up his eyelids. Then, they assured him, he would be normal like "everybody" else. But the simple seer went on protesting that he did see the sun.

So, as we have our tea, I propose not only to operate on your heart so as to change your will, but also on your eyes so as to change your outlook. But wait a minute. No, I do not propose to operate at all. I myself cannot do anything of the sort. I am just mildly suggesting that you are perhaps dead, and perhaps blind, leaving you to think the matter over for yourself. If an operation is to be performed it must be performed by God Himself.

Later Schooling

Meanwhile let us finish our story. At ten I came to this country and after some years decided to study for the ministry. This involved preliminary training at a Christian preparatory school and college. All my teachers were pledged to teach their subjects from the Christian point of view. Imagine teaching not only religion but algebra from the Christian point of view! But it was done. We were told that all facts in all their relations, numerical as well as others, are what they are because of God's all comprehensive plan with respect to them. Thus the very definitions of things would not merely be incomplete but basically wrong if God were left out of the picture. Were we not informed about the views of others? Did we not hear about evolution and about Immanuel Kant, the great modern philosopher who had conclusively shown that all the arguments for the existence of God were invalid? Oh, yes, we heard about all these things, but there were refutations given and these refutations seemed adequate to meet the case.

In the Seminaries I attended, namely Calvin, and Princeton before its reorganization along semi-modernist lines in 1929, the situation was much the same. So for instance Dr. Robert Dick Wilson used to tell us, and, as far as we could understand the languages, show us from the documents, that the "higher critics" had done nothing that should rightfully damage our child-like faith in the Old Testament as the Word of God. Similarly Dr. J. Gresham Machen and others made good their claim that New Testament Christianity is intellectually defensible and that the Bible is right in its claims. You may judge of their arguments by reading them for yourself. In short, I heard the story of historic Christianity and the doctrine of God on which it is built over and over from every angle by those who believed it and were best able to interpret its meaning.

The telling of this story has helped, I trust, to make the basic question simple and plain. You know pretty clearly now what sort of God it is of which I am speaking to you. If my God exists it was He who was back of my parents and teachers. It was He who conditioned all that conditioned me in my early life. But then it was He also who conditioned everything that conditioned you in your early life. God, the God of Christianity, is the All-Conditioner!

As the All-Conditioner, God is the All-Conscious One. A God Who is to control all things must control them "by the counsel of His will." If He did not do this, He would himself be conditioned. So then I hold that my belief in Him and your disbelief in Him are alike meaningless except for Him.

Objections Raised

By this time you are probably wondering whether I have really ever heard the objections which are raised against belief in such a God. Well, I think I have. I heard them from my teachers who sought to answer them. I also heard them from teachers who believed they could not be answered. While a student at Princeton Seminary I attended summer courses in the Chicago Divinity School. Naturally I heard the modern or liberal view of Scripture set forth fully there. And after graduation from the Seminary I spent two years at Princeton University for graduate work in philosophy. There the theories of modern philosophy were both expounded and defended by very able men. In short I was presented with as full a statement of the reasons for disbelief as I had been with the reasons for belief. I heard both sides fully from those who believed what they taught.

You have compelled me to say this by the look on your face. Your very gestures suggest that you cannot understand how any one acquainted with the facts and arguments presented by modern science and philosophy can believe in a God who really created the world, who really directs all things in the world by a plan to the ends He has in view for them. Well, I am only one of many who hold to the old faith in full view of what is said by modern science, modern philosophy, and modern Biblical criticism.

Obviously I cannot enter into a discussion of all the facts and all the reasons urged against belief in God. There are those who have made the Old Testament, as there are those who have made the New Testament, their life-long study. It is their works you must read for a detailed refutation of points of Biblical criticism. Others have specialized in physics and biology. To them I must refer you for a discussion of the many points connected with such matters as evolution. But there is something that underlies all these discussions. And it is with that something that I now wish to deal.

You may think I have exposed myself terribly. Instead of talking about God as something vague and indefinite, after the fashion of the modernist, the Barthians, and the mystic, a god so empty of content and remote from experience as to make no demands upon men, I have loaded down the idea of God with "antiquated" science and "contradictory" logic. It seems as though I have heaped insult upon injury by presenting the most objectionable sort of God I could find. It ought to be very easy for you to prick my bubble. I see you are ready to read over my head bushels of facts taken from the standard college texts on physics, biology, anthropology, and psychology, or to crush me with your sixty-ton tanks taken from Kant's famous book, The Critique of Pure Reason . But I have been under these hot showers now a good many times. Before you take the trouble to open the faucet again there is a preliminary point I want to bring up. I have already referred to it when we were discussing the matter of test or standard.

The point is this. Not believing in God, we have seen , you do not think yourself to be God's creature. And not believing in God you do not think the universe has been created by God. That is to say, you think of yourself and the world as just being there. Now if you actually are God's creature, then your present attitude is very unfair to Him. In that case it is even an insult to Him. And having insulted God, His displeasure rests upon you. God and you are not on "speaking terms." And you have very good reasons for trying to prove that He does not exist. If He does exist, He will punish you for your disregard of Him. You are therefore wearing colored glasses. And this determines everything you say about the facts and reasons for not believing in Him. You have had your picnics and hunting parties there without asking His permission. You have taken the grapes of God's vineyard without paying Him any rent and you have insulted His representatives who asked you for it.

I must make an apology to you at this point. We who believe in God have not always made this position plain. Often enough we have talked with you about facts and sound reasons as though we agreed with you on what these really are. In our arguments for the existence of God we have frequently assumed that you and we together have an area of knowledge on which we agree. But we really do not grant that you see any fact in any dimension of life truly. We really think you have colored glasses on your nose when you talk about chickens and cows, as well as when you talk about the life hereafter. We should have told you this more plainly than we did. But we were really a little ashamed of what would appear to you as a very odd or extreme position. We were so anxious not to offend you that we offended our own God. But we dare no longer present our God to you as smaller or less exacting than He really is. He wants to be presented as the All-Conditioner, as the emplacement on which even those who deny Him must stand.

Now in presenting all your facts and reasons to me, you have assumed that such a God does not exist. You have taken for granted that you need no emplacement of any sort outside of yourself. You have assumed the autonomy of your own experience. Consequently you are unable -- that is, unwilling -- to accept as a fact any fact that would challenge your self-sufficiency. And you are bound to call that contradictory which does not fit into the reach of your intellectual powers. You remember what old Procrustes did. If his visitors were too long, he cut off a few slices at each end; if they were too short, he used the curtain stretcher on them. It is that sort of thing I feel that you have done with every fact of human experience. And I am asking you to be critical of this your own most basic assumption. Will you not go into the basement of your own experience to see what has been gathering there while you were busy here and there with the surface inspection of life? You may be greatly surprised at what you find there.

To make my meaning clearer, I shall illustrate what I have said by pointing out how modern philosophers and scientists handle the facts and doctrines of Christianity.

Basic to all the facts and doctrines of Christianity and therefore involved in the belief in God, is the creation doctrine. Now modern philosophers and scientists as a whole claim that to hold such a doctrine or to believe in such a fact is to deny our own experience. They mean this not merely in the sense that no one was there to see it done, but in the more basic sense that it is logically impossible. They assert that it would break the fundamental laws of logic.

The current argument against the creation doctrine derives from Kant. It may fitly be expressed in the words of a more recent philosopher, James Ward: "If we attempt to conceive of God apart from the world, there is nothing to lead us on to creation" (Realm of Ends , p. 397). That is to say, if God is to be connected to the universe at all, he must be subject to its conditions. Here is the old creation doctrine. It says that God has caused the world to come into existence. But what do we mean by the word "cause"? In our experience, it is that which is logically correlative to the word "effect". If you have an effect you must have a cause and if you have a cause you must have an effect. If God caused the world, it must therefore have been because God couldn't help producing an effect. And so the effect may really be said to be the cause of the cause. Our experience can therefore allow for no God other than one that is dependent upon the world as much as the world is dependent upon Him.

The God of Christianity cannot meet these requirements of the autonomous man. He claims to be all-sufficient. He claims to have created the world, not from necessity but from His free will. He claims not to have changed in Himself when He created the world. His existence must therefore be said to be impossible and the creation doctrine must be said to be an absurdity.

The doctrine of providence is also said to be at variance with experience. This is but natural. One who rejects creation must logically also reject providence. If all things are controlled by God's providence, we are told, there can be nothing new and history is but a puppet dance.

You see then that I might present to you great numbers of facts to prove the existence of God. I might say that every effect needs a cause. I might point to the wonderful structure of the eye as evidence of God's purpose in nature. I might call in the story of mankind through the past to show that it has been directed and controlled by God. All these evidences would leave you unaffected. You would simply say that however else we may explain reality, we cannot bring in God. Cause and purpose, you keep repeating, are words that we human beings use with respect to things around us because they seem to act as we ourselves act, but that is as far as we can go.

And when the evidence for Christianity proper is presented to you the procedure is the same. If I point out to you that the prophecies of Scripture have been fulfilled, you will simply reply that it quite naturally appears that way to me and to others, but that in reality it is not possible for any mind to predict the future from the past. If it were, all would again be fixed and history would be without newness and freedom.

Then if I point to the many miracles, the story is once more the same. To illustrate this point I quote from the late Dr. William Adams Brown, an outstanding modernist theologian. "Take any of the miracles of the past," says Brown, "The virgin birth, the raising of Lazarus, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Suppose that you can prove that these events happened just as they are claimed to have happened. What have you accomplished? You have shown that our previous view of the limits of the possible needs to be enlarged; that our former generalizations were too narrow and need revision; that problems cluster about the origin of life and its renewal of which we had hitherto been unaware. But the one thing which you have not shown, which indeed you cannot show, is that a miracle has happened; for that is to confess that these problems are inherently insoluble, which cannot be determined until all possible tests have been made" (God at Work, New York, 1933, p. 169). You see with what confidence Brown uses this weapon of logical impossibility against the idea of a miracle. Many of the older critics of Scripture challenged the evidence for miracle at this point or at that. They made as it were a slow, piece-meal land invasion of the island of Christianity. Brown, on the other hand, settles the matter at once by a host of stukas from the sky. Any pill boxes that he cannot destroy immediately, he will mop up later. He wants to get rapid control of the whole field first. And this he does by directly applying the law of non-contradiction. Only that is possible, says Brown, in effect, which I can show to be logically related according to my laws of logic. So then if miracles want to have scientific standing, that is be recognized as genuine facts, they must sue for admittance at the port of entry to the mainland of scientific endeavor. And admission will be given as soon as they submit to the little process of generalization which deprives them of their uniqueness. Miracles must take out naturalization papers if they wish to vote in the republic of science and have any influence there.

Take now the four points I have mentioned -- creation, providence, prophecy, and miracle. Together they represent the whole of Christian theism. Together they include what is involved in the idea of God and what He has done round about and for us. Many times over and in many ways the evidence for all these has been presented. But you have an always available and effective answer at hand. It is impossible! It is impossible! You act like a postmaster who has received a great many letters addressed in foreign languages. He says he will deliver them as soon as they are addressed in the King's English by the people who sent them. Till then they must wait in the dead letter department. Basic to all the objections the average philosopher and scientist raises against the evidence for the existence of God is the assertion or the assumption that to accept such evidence would be to break the rules of logic.

I see you are yawning. Let us stop to eat supper now. For there is one more point in this connection that I must make. You have no doubt at some time in your life been to a dentist. A dentist drills a little deeper and then a little deeper and at last comes to the nerve of the matter.

Now before I drill into the nerve of the matter, I must again make apologies. The fact that so many people are placed before a full exposition of the evidence for God's existence and yet do not believe in Him has greatly discouraged us. We have therefore adopted measures of despair. Anxious to win your good will, we have again compromised our God. Noting the fact that men do not see, we have conceded that what they ought to see is hard to see. In our great concern to win men we have allowed that the evidence for God's existence is only probably compelling. And from that fatal confession we have gone one step further down to the point where we have admitted or virtually admitted that it is not really compelling at all. And so we fall back upon testimony instead of argument. After all, we say, God is not found at the end of an argument; He is found in our hearts. So we simply testify to men that once we were dead, and now we are alive, that once we were blind and that now we see, and give up all intellectual argument.

Do you suppose that our God approves of this attitude of His followers? I do not think so. The God who claims to have made all facts and to have placed His stamp upon them will not grant that there is really some excuse for those who refuse to see. Besides, such a procedure is self-defeating. If someone in your home town of Washington denied that there was any such thing as a United States Government would you take him some distance down the Potomac and testify to him that there is? So your experience and testimony of regeneration would be meaningless except for the objective truth of the objective facts that are presupposed by it. A testimony that is not an argument is not a testimony either, just as an argument that is not a testimony is not even an argument.

Waiving all this for the moment, let us see what the modern psychologist of religion, who stands on the same foundation with the philosopher, will do to our testimony. He makes a distinction between the raw datum and its cause, giving me the raw datum and keeping for himself the explanation of the cause. Professor James H. Leuba, a great psychologist of Bryn Mawr, has a procedure that is typical. He says, "The reality of any given datum -- of an immediate experience in the sense in which the term is used here, may not be impugned: When I feel cold or warm, sad or gay, discouraged or confident, I am cold, sad, discouraged, etc., and every argument which might be advanced to prove to me that I am not cold is, in the nature of the case, preposterous; an immediate experience may not be controverted; it cannot be wrong." All this seems on the surface to be very encouraging. The immigrant is hopeful of a ready and speedy admittance. However, Ellis Island must still be passed. "But if the raw data of experience are not subject to criticism, the causes ascribed to them are. If I say that my feeling of cold is due to an open window, or my state of exultation to a drug, or my renewed courage to God, my affirmation goes beyond my immediate experience; I have ascribed a cause to it, and that cause may be the right or the wrong one." (God or Man, New York, 1933, p. 243.) And thus the immigrant must wait at Ellis Island a million years. That is to say, I as a believer in God through Christ, assert that I am born again through the Holy Spirit. The Psychologist says that is a raw datum of experience and as such incontrovertible. We do not, he says, deny it. But it means nothing to us. If you want it to mean something to us you must ascribe a cause to your experience. We shall then examine the cause. Was your experience caused by opium or God? You say by God. Well, that is impossible since as philosophers we have shown that it is logically contradictory to believe in God. You may come back at any time when you have changed your mind about the cause of your regeneration. We shall be glad to have you and welcome you as a citizen of our realm, if only you take out your naturalization papers!

We seem now to have come to a pretty pass. We agreed at the outset to tell each other the whole truth. If I have offended you it has been because I dare not, even in the interest of winning you, offend my God. And if I have not offended you I have not spoken of my God. For what you have really done in your handling of the evidence for belief in God, is to set yourself up as God. You have made the reach of your intellect, the standard of what is possible or not possible. You have thereby virtually determined that you intend never to meet a fact that points to God. Facts, to be facts at all -- facts, that is, with decent scientific and philosophic standing -- must have your stamp instead of that of God upon them as their virtual creator.

Of course I realize full well that you do not pretend to create redwood trees and elephants. But you do virtually assert that redwood trees and elephants cannot be created by God. You have heard of the man who never wanted to see or be a purple cow. Well, you have virtually determined that you never will see or be a created fact. With Sir Arthur Eddington you say as it were, "What my net can't catch isn't fish."

Nor do I pretend, of course, that once you have been brought face to face with this condition, you can change your attitude. No more than the Ethiopian can change his skin or the leopard his spots can you change your attitude. You have cemented your colored glasses to your face so firmly that you cannot even take them off when you sleep. Freud has not even had a glimpse of the sinfulness of sin as it controls the human heart. Only the great Physician through His blood atonement on the Cross and by the gift of His Spirit can take those colored glasses off and make you see facts as they are, facts as evidence, as inherently compelling evidence, for the existence of God.

It ought to be pretty plain now what sort of God I believe in. It is God, the All-Conditioner. It is the God who created all things, Who by His providence conditioned my youth, making me believe in Him, and who in my later life by His grace still makes me want to believe in Him. It is the God who also controlled your youth and so far has apparently not given you His grace that you might believe in Him.

You may reply to this: "Then what's the use of arguing and reasoning with me?" Well, there is a great deal of use in it. You see, if you are really a creature of God, you are always accessible to Him. When Lazarus was in the tomb he was still accessible to Christ who called him back to life. It is this on which true preachers depend. The prodigal [son] thought he had clean escaped from the father's influence. In reality the father controlled the "far country" to which the prodigal had gone. So it is in reasoning. True reasoning about God is such as stands upon God as upon the emplacement that alone gives meaning to any sort of human argument. And such reasoning, we have a right to expect, will be used of God to break down the one-horse chaise of human autonomy.

But now I see you want to go home. And I do not blame you; the last bus leaves at twelve. I should like to talk again another time. I invite you to come to dinner next Sunday. But I have pricked your bubble, so perhaps you will not come back. And yet perhaps you will. That depends upon the Father's pleasure. Deep down in your heart you know very well that what I have said about you is true. You know there is no unity in your life. You want no God who by His counsel provides for the unity you need. Such a God, you say, would allow for nothing new. So you provide your own unity. But this unity must, by your own definition, not kill that which is wholly new. Therefore it must stand over against the wholly new and never touch it at all. Thus by your logic you talk about possibles and impossibles, but all this talk is in the air. By your own standards it can never have anything to do with reality. Your logic claims to deal with eternal and changeless matters; and your facts are wholly changing things; and "never the twain shall meet." So you have made nonsense of your own experience. With the prodigal you are at the swine-trough, but it may be that, unlike the prodigal, you will refuse to return to the father's house.

On the other hand by my belief in God I do have unity in my experience. Not of course the sort of unity that you want. Not a unity that is the result of my own autonomous determination of what is possible. But a unity that is higher than mine and prior to mine. On the basis of God's counsel I can look for facts and find them without destroying them in advance. On the basis of God's counsel I can be a good physicist, a good biologist, a good psychologist, or a good philosopher. In all these fields I use my powers of logical arrangement in order to see as much order in God's universe as it may be given a creature to see. The unities, or systems that I make are true because [they are] genuine pointers toward the basic or original unity that is found in the counsel of God.

Looking about me I see both order and disorder in every dimension of life. But I look at both of them in the light of the Great Orderer Who is back of them. I need not deny either of them in the interest of optimism or in the interest of pessimism. I see the strong men of biology searching diligently through hill and dale to prove that the creation doctrine is not true with respect to the human body, only to return and admit that the missing link is missing still. I see the strong men of psychology search deep and far into the sub-consciousness, child and animal consciousness, in order to prove that the creation and providence doctrines are not true with respect to the human soul, only to return and admit that the gulf between human and animal intelligence is as great as ever. I see the strong men of logic and scientific methodology search deep into the transcendental for a validity that will not be swept away by the ever-changing tide of the wholly new, only to return and say that they can find no bridge from logic to reality, or from reality to logic. And yet I find all these, though standing on their heads, reporting much that is true. I need only to turn their reports right side up, making God instead of man the center of it all, and I have a marvelous display of the facts as God has intended me to see them.

And if my unity is comprehensive enough to include the efforts of those who reject it, it is large enough even to include that which those who have been set upright by regeneration cannot see. My unity is that of a child who walks with its father through the woods. The child is not afraid because its father knows it all and is capable of handling every situation. So I readily grant that there are some "difficulties" with respect to belief in God and His revelation in nature and Scripture that I cannot solve. In fact there is mystery in every relationship with respect to every fact that faces me, for the reason that all facts have their final explanation in God Whose thoughts are higher than my thoughts, and Whose ways are higher than my ways. And it is exactly that sort of God that I need. Without such a God, without the God of the Bible, the God of authority, the God who is self-contained and therefore incomprehensible to men, there would be no reason in anything. No human being can explain in the sense of seeing through all things, but only he who believes in God has the right to hold that there is an explanation at all.

So you see when I was young I was conditioned on every side; I could not help believing in God. Now that I am older I still cannot help believing in God. I believe in God now because unless I have Him as the All-Conditioner, life is Chaos.

I shall not convert you at the end of my argument. I think the argument is sound. I hold that belief in God is not merely as reasonable as other belief, or even a little or infinitely more probably true than other belief; I hold rather that unless you believe in God you can logically believe in nothing else. But since I believe in such a God, a God who has conditioned you as well as me, I know that you can to your own satisfaction, by the help of the biologists, the psychologists, the logicians, and the Bible critics reduce everything I have said this afternoon and evening to the circular meanderings of a hopeless authoritarian. Well, my meanderings have, to be sure, been circular; they have made everything turn on God. So now I shall leave you with Him, and with His mercy.

The End

Converted to the electronic domain and into html format by Jonathan Barlow. Some typographical corrections have been made. The original citation for this essay, published as a pamphlet, was:

Van Til, Cornelius. Why I Believe in God. Philadelphia: Committe on Christian Education, Orthodox Presbyterian Church, n.d.

Refer to this version as:

Van Til, Cornelius. Why I Believe in God. Center for Reformed Theology and Apologetics, 1996, Barlow, Jonathan ed.

Languages, Linguistics, & Bible Translation

2009-06-15T22:01:00.001-07:00

I think maybe this is my calling in life.

Adam Schaefers.
www.yoadam.com

On Music & Christian Ethics

2009-06-11T21:15:00.000-07:00

A friend and I were talking the other day about what should be the Christian's perspective on music: ie. What to listen to, what not to listen to, and why? Many Christians will probably agree with the conclusions I have come to in the article I wrote below, but I wonder how many of us have actually taken the time to sit down and think our views through from a logical point of view. Why do we believe what we believe? Do you accept what others tell you without searching the Scriptures and and thinking things through for yourself?
-----------
Here's my official stance:

First of all, I hold that music styles are morally neutral, but am not
dogmatic about it because sometimes after listening to something like
death metal or even the tune of "like a rock" or "we will rock you" I
am left wondering if it really is true, that is, that music really is
morally neutral. I don't know, but I tend to say "Yes, it is morally
neutral." Why? Because what would be the implications if we knew music
was not morally neutral? Would it not be to sing nothing at all?! If
music is not morally neutral, then I believe we as Christians would
not be allowed to sing-- because the Bible, as far as I know, does not
contain a music prescription which is acceptable/detestable unto God.
For example, we only have the lyrics of the Psalms in our inspired
Bible-- the Lord has not preserved the accompanying music which David
played on his harp. There must be a reason for these things!

The following gigantic paragraph within the parenthesis is some
inconclusive speculation I have regarding the moral neutrality of
music:

(Perhaps it depends on how far we believe a message can be sent
through music? People call music a "language"-- and if this is true,
in what sense? A language, as in we can send messages through it which
affect the heart? If so, music may be similar to the tongue-- and we
know the tongue is certainly not morally neutral. The book of James
says, "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of
deadly poison." So perhaps music is a different sort of language, or
no language at all, but it certainly can express emotions-- so then,
perhaps the expression of emotion is also morally neutral? If yes,
then music remains morally neutral. If no, then music is not morally
neutral, but certain melodies can be good or evil. Based on reading
Job, who constantly expressed his honest emotions, and the same of
David in the Psalms-- I believe the honest expression of emotions,
both good and negative, are neither righteouness nor sinful, but
morally neutral. So perhaps it is when we act sinfully on these
positive / negative emotions, (often given to us by various styles of
music), is when sin begins to creep into the picture.

James 1:13-17 has the sort of thinking that I have in mind,

.13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God
cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:14 But every
man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.15
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it
is finished, bringeth forth death.16 Do not err, my beloved
brethren.17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and
cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness,
neither shadow of turning.)

Secondly, I hold that the message spoken by singers / lyricists is NOT
morally neutral, as the Word of God is certainly clear in the area
regarding men's tongues. "5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and
boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire
kindleth!6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the
tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth
on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell." - James
3:5-6

Now thirdly, I respect and enjoy the God-given artistic talents given
to ungodly artists such as tupac, marley, zeppelin, etc... I
appreciate many of the innovations these godless artists have made to
the musical creativity in various genre's. But I am not required to
appreciate every innovation made in their respective musical genre's
because not everybody appreciates the same genre's of music nor is
everybody required to appreciate the same genre's of music. Now the
problem lies in that these ungodly artists have not given glory to the
Lord with their lives and talents. This I disapprove of.

So now my conclusion: I can and do enjoy various ungodly musicians of
my choice whose innovations in various music genre's I appreciate-- I
am able to listen and enjoy them solely for their musical creativity
and am inspired / influenced by them, (knowingly or unknowingly
because the fact is these musicians influence us whether we know it or
not); therefore for these reasons I am able to listen to ungodly
music, but I do not chiefly* listen to ungodly music for the reason
that the accompanying ungodly messages they send through their lyrics
are quite disagreeable and as the scripture says, "set on fire of
hell"-- and so that is why I listen to music chiefly created by
artists who are of the Christian faith by whom I am encouraged and
edified in my walk with the Lord.

In short: Ungodly musicians may be enjoyed, but their messages and
lifestyles must basically be hated. For this reason it does not make
sense that a Christian would chiefly listen to music composed by
ungodly artists. It is much like digging in the trash can looking for
treasure. Can we not see that beside the trash can our Lord has
already given us a treasure box full of obvious treasure, that is,
music written by Christians to the Lord? Therefore music by Christians
to the glory of God is the best music Christians should be listening
to and creating, but ungodly musicality is not forbidden and may be
appreciated and even enjoyed by Christians, but certainly not the
accompanying messages therewith.

*Websters 1828 - CHIEFLY, adv.

1. Principally; eminently; in the first place.
It chiefly concerns us to obey the divine precepts.
2. For the most part.
In the parts of the kingdom where the estates of the dissenters chiefly lay.

Adam Schaefers.
www.yoadam.com

May-June After School Program Ministry in Review

2009-06-09T02:38:00.001-07:00

***///Interruption///***
I turned 21 on June 7th. Yay.
***///Now back to your regularly scheduled broadcasting///***

[Sorry about the lack of posts lately. The last two months have been difficult for me to keep detailed logs. But here is the concise version of what we have covered with the kids. We read and taught daily from the Jesus Storybook to the kids while they ate their snacks and on Fridays Stephen and I preached...]

After School Program Week In Review (5/11 - 5/15)
Monday's Story:
A giant staircase to heaven. (Tower of Babel.)
Tuesday's Story:
Son of Laughter & The present. (Abraham & Isaac.)
Wednesday's Story
The girl no one wanted. (Leah.)
Thursday's Story:
Joseph.
Friday's Story:

Daniel, godliness & persecution

Stephen and I preached from Paul's 2nd letter to Timothy on the need to continue in the faith.

After School Program Week In Review (5/18 - 5/22)

Monday: Moses & bush, the great escape... + William Tyndale Cartoon

wednesday: richard wurmbrand & persecution talk & prayer with the boys

thursday: Eric Liddel

This week was basically the 10 commandments week. We memorized the ten commandments and talked about it every day. Emphasizing first our breaking God's law and need for a savior; and second that the law is good and holy and we should love God's rules.

friday: We spoke about how God is our treasure & preaching on continue in what you have learned again. + we taught the children the basic doctrine of the Trinity.

After School Program Week In Review (5/25 - 5/29)

(monday no school)

tuesday: Jesus loves the little children

wednesday: Holy Spirit

thursday: Paul meets Jesus, eyes opened.

friday: Heaven & preaching on Psalm 73:25 "true heaven" and Knowing God via the three ways He has revealed Himself to us: Creation, Jesus, and the Word.

After School Program Week In Review (6/01 - 6/05)

This was the last week of the After School Program.

monday: prodigal son

tuesday: the singer ("look at the birds" from the sermon on the mount...) (We also watched Chron. of Narnia on this day)

wednesday: Let's Go! (Jesus calls his disciples) (difficult time, kids weren't listening well to the story teaching, so I also preached on the call to repent and follow Jesus.)

thursday: how to pray (Watched eric liddel (chariots of fire) cartoon, too)

friday: daniel in the lions den & preaching on Good Samaritan + 1Cor13.

This concludes the after school program ministry for this year. *sad feeling* But the good news is that every Wednesday we will now be open for a few hours during the afternoon to continue and follow up with the ministry to the children whom the Lord has entrusted us with. Everything is in place and ready to go and flyers have been handed out to the children and their families. Continue praying for the kids during the summer-- especially that they will remember to keep coming on Wednesdays in order to be discipled. Remember: a summer seems like an eternity for these young kids.

Things to look forward to on this blog in the future:

I have two upcoming book reviews for you all from Ligonier ministries and reformation trust publishers...

1. Feed My Sheep: A Passionate Plea For Preaching

This book looks excellent and I can't wait to dive into it. It is authored by several contributors, many of whom you have probably heard of; such as the following:

R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.
James Montgomery Boice, late pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, Pa.
Derek W. H. Thomas, professor of theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Miss.
Joel R. Beeke, seminary president, professor of theology and homiletics, and pastor in Grand Rapids, Mich.
R. C. Sproul, founder of Ligonier Ministries and minister of preaching and teaching at St. Andrew’s in Sanford, Fla.
R.C. Sproul Jr., director of the Highlands Study Center in Bristol, Va.
Sinclair B. Ferguson, senior minister of First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, S.C.
Don Kistler, a Bible teacher, author, editor of dozens of Puritan books, and general editor of Feed My Sheep.
Eric J. Alexander, retired pastor of St. George’s-Tron Church in Glasgow, Scotland.
John Piper, pastor for preaching and vision at the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minn.
John MacArthur, pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, Calif.

2. John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, Doxology

I'm very excited to read and review this book, too. Calvin is probably the most misunderstood person in the last 500 years of human history. Speaking of which, this fall he will also be having his 500th birthday! Yay. This book was also a joint project with many contributors including the following:

Jay E. Adams,

Eric J. Alexander,

Thabiti Anyabwile,

Thomas K. Ascol,

Joel R. Beeke,

Jerry Bridges,

Sinclair B. Ferguson,

W. Robert Godfrey,

D.G. Hart,

Michael Horton,

Phillip R. Johnson,

Steven J. Lawson,

John Macarthur,

Keith A. Mathison,

Burk Parsons,

Richard D. Phillips,

Harry L Reeder,

Philip Graham Ryken,

Derek W.H. Thomas,

edited by Burk Parsons,

Foreward by Iain H. Murray.

Lastly, I will try to keep you all updated with the various summer events that happen around here in Coos Bay and a mission trip I take to volunteer for a week at Joy Bible Camp in southern California.

Grace & Peace,

Adam Schaefers

Regarding the Elections 2008 and the Obama Cult

2009-05-19T03:37:00.000-07:00

Family & Friends,

James White has an excellent commentary on the current events which have taken place in the following video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNFCTSfm1cs&feature=channel_page

Yes, I found the video a little bit late, but WOW it is good.

Send to all believers who might be being deceived by the Obama cult.

Adam

After School Program Week In Review (5/04 - 5/08)

2009-05-13T23:54:00.000-07:00

THURSDAY AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM PREACHING:
On Thursday Stephan and I had a great time of prayer for both ourselves and the children before we began preaching. The leaders then had the kids sit down in front of the pulpit and the drawing board. Stephan wrote the memory verse on the drawing board, "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8

Meanwhile I opened the Bible up to the story of Zacchaeus, which begins with Jesus passing through the town of Jericho... (Keep in mind this is the second time they had heard the story of Zacchaeus on this day, but this time they heard the actual words recorded in the Bible.) Before we read the scriptures we prayed aloud and asked God to help all of us understand the Bible. Then we read the following and simultaneously defined words where it was necessary:

"1 He entered Jericho and was passing through.2 And there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich.3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small of stature.4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today."6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner."8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold."9 And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." - Luke 19 (ESV)

Afterward I asked who understood what was happening in the story and the majority of the kids raised their hands! Thank God.

Now preaching is hard to recall from memory, but it went something like the following:

I started off the preaching by reading the text which says, "And he was seeking to see who Jesus was," and from this I preached how the most important question we will ever ask is, "Who is Jesus?" So I asked the group, "WHO IS JESUS? ... Who do you say that He is?" ...several times. They were thinking, and a several of them gave really good answers. I proclaimed to the kids, "We all must be like Zacchaeus and LOOK TO SEE WHO JESUS IS! We must SEEK who Jesus is... we must look to find out WHO IS JESUS. We all must do this by asking God to show Himself to us. We can pray and say something like, 'Jesus, please show me who you really are...;' *short pause*"

Now Stephan also preached a little bit. He spoke over the rest of the text and emphasized how Jesus loves sinners and that is why he went to hang out with Zacchaeus... It is hard to remember what exactly he said, but I think Stephan also recapped how Zacchaeus gave away his stuff in repentance, also I think he spoke on how Jesus loves us and has come to "seek and to save the lost."

When Stephan had finished speaking, he passed the podium back to me. "Now we can say we believe and give the right answers, we can say He is the 'King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Son of the Living God, the Savior, the Rescuer who saves us from our sins... But even the devil knows these things, and he is still going to end up hell. We must have more than to only to know the truth in our heads, but we must actually know God-- our living God... Jesus was perfect and never sinned, died on the cross, came back to life, rose up to heaven, and is coming back to earth. Kids-- we are all in trouble with God and this is very serious. We all are sinners. And the wicked unbelievers are heading for hell. Hell is real place, called the lake of fire, where people will be punished and tortured forever. It will be horrible and people will be screaming..." (At this point, it was dead silent, and every child was staring me in the face with a serious, sad face...)

Next Stephan and I used a bus illustration. We illustrated that I was walking down the street and a bus was coming head to hit me. Instead of me getting hit by the bus, Stephan pushed me out of the way and got hit by the bus instead of me. Stephan died. So I preached, "I should have died, but Stephan died for me. *short pause* In the same way, all of us should die and be punished by God in hell, but for those who believe, JESUS DIED INSTEAD OF US. Because Jesus was punished on the cross, and we who believe will live forever. This is love! This is good news! Jesus is calling you children: to turn away from our sin and to run to God, believe and trust in Jesus to be saved. And in the same way Jesus went inside of Zacchaeus' house to have dinner with him, so Jesus will also come and live inside of each one of us who believe." "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8 (Finally, I read this verse and proclaimed how much God loves the kids more than they can even understand. By now the kids' faces began to light up with relief and with smiles. They really were understanding these things. I wish I could describe it to you, but I believe that many of these kids are beginning to fall in love with the gospel. Thank God!)

Lastly, I led the closing prayer. It was a serious, yet simple prayer to God. We prayed for God give the children faith, to help them believe and trust in Jesus to be saved. Also during part of the prayer I told the children they can also pray the same words with me, that is, for God to help them see who Jesus is, and to forgive their sins, if they wanted to-- but I did not try to force any sort of response. (For I cannot force some mechanical work of God in the children's heart-- as if it is myself who does the saving work... All I can do is call the kids in the name of God to repent toward God and put faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, but God alone will be the one who provides the ability for the kids to actually do this-- by the power of His Holy Spirit-- I cannot force the kids to exercise saving faith-- and I certainly can not attempt to manipulate anyone to jump through some mechanical hoops (ie. "The Sinners Prayer") and thereby declare them children of God-- salvation is FROM GOD. Any person who experiences the miracle of repentance and faith in Jesus to salvation has experienced a sheer miracle-- a resurrection within! ... Now I thank God that I have witnessed this miracle take place in many of our children.)

After the preaching, the group memorized the verse, "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8

One girl in particular actually thanked me for the preaching today. This girl has been paying so much more attention lately! She is very stubborn and has been mostly ignorant about God and distractive to other kids in the past. This really meant a lot! Also the other day when we started over on the Jesus Story Book for the second time, she really started getting into the stories and has been enjoying them a lot! I told her the other day, that we are going through the stories for a second time, and so this is her second chance from God to learn about Him through the Bible. She told me excitedly, "Cool, and maybe we read even through the whole book 3 times!?"

Afterward we all went outside and sat in the sun and ate ICE CREAM! The kids loved it and were very thankful for it. We gave thanks to God for the ice cream and sat down to eat. It was very sweet-- and I'm not talking about the ice cream... At this time myself and all of the volunteers were sitting with the kids eating too. We had a lot of fun and the kids really enjoyed sitting and talking and enjoying the moment. Kids really love our attention and we (for the most part!) love to give it to them. By God's grace we at the Salvation Army After School Program are demonstrating the love of Jesus not only in word, but also in deed.

DAILY (MON-FRI) SNACK TIME BIBLE LESSONS:
Monday's Story:
After we gave thanks for the snack we started back at the beginning of the Jesus storybook. This is round two for many of the kids who have been at the After School Program daily. And this is chance two for many of the kids who have not attended or been inattentive to the stories in the past. I began and read from the introduction of the storybook about how the Bible is not first and foremost a book of rules, nor is it a book of heroes, but the Bible is a story-- the story of God coming into the world in Jesus Christ to rescue us. Every story in the Bible whispers His name. Then Stephan read the story of creation to the kids and we talked about how "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." The kids who showed up today were very young. All of the kids shared around the table their favorite stories about the beach and other places in creation. Meanwhile, Stephan and I kept trying to emphasize how God made it all. We ended with prayer.

Note: One girl who has been coming every day regularly this year asked me a lot of questions about the Bible today. She also asked me if I had another Bible (like mine) that I could give to her. The funny thing is that I do! I actually two of the Bible that use-- the second one I have been planning to give away for a long time. It has been my goal to give the Bible to my first genuine convert. Now, I am unsure if this girl was actually converted through my ministry here or perhaps the other neighborhood bus-to-church ministry, but regardless I am going to give it to her! She has a very genuine love for the Lord. I am so excited and I just know she is going to love it. I also ended up giving her a mini introduction to the new testament. I showed her how Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are where we read about Jesus; Acts about Peter and Paul and how they went everywhere telling people about Jesus; Romans, Galatians, etc... are the letters to the Christians of Rome and Galatia telling us even more about Jesus. I also showed her Psalms and how they are songs and prayers that we can pray, sing, and trust. We read Psalm 23 together.

Tuesday's Story:
On Tuesday we told the story of Adam and Eve with an emphasis on them 1. Being our first parents, & 2. Being the first sinners by whom we have all inherited a sin nature and now humanity as a whole stands guilty before God as "sinners." We talked about how the first thing Adam and Eve did when they sinned was (trying to) hide from God by running away-- and not only running away, but also they tried to cover-up their shame and guiltiness by making clothes made of fig leaves. We talked about how this is what we all do when we realize that we have run from God. We try to hide from Him and avoid the subject of God, and we try to do lots of "good" works and nice things for people to make ourselves feel better. But this still does not fix the problem in that we have sinned and rebelled against God! Finally I tried to explain how the clothes of animal skins in the garden represents the righteousness of Christ, but it was very hard to do... I explained it by saying that God killed an animal to put the animal skins on Adam and Eve for clothing, just like how Jesus died to forgive us our sins. We need Jesus just like Adam and Eve needed the clothes from God.

Note: Also during this time we had a powerful discussion about creation and evolution. We talked about how in school they teach we are related to monkeys. Several kids told stories of this and how they thought it was silly because they (the children) believe God made us. One little girl said that her teacher asked the entire class, "Do you all believe that you are related to monkeys?" Of course the whole class was supposed to say, "Yes..." We talked about how this is not true, but GOD MADE US. We emphasized that people who do not believe in God, but believe we have all evolved from animals, have a big problem-- they cannot explain how the universe got here.

After all of this, about 20 minutes had gone by, (which is a little bit lengthy for a snack time story and teaching / preaching...) And so toward the end during the closing prayer it was very difficult. A few children would not stop talking and making jokes to each other, which then led the entire group of children astray during this time. I ended up stopping in the middle of the prayer and strongly rebuking the children. Now I did not merely "yell" at them in anger, which would be a mistake... but I was so moved and full of sorrow in this moment that it seemed my face was bursting red in agony. I did raise my voice and I pleaded with the kids that prayer is the most important time of the day. I told them I do not care if they laugh at me, or if they laugh about how silly Adam and Eve can be, but DO NOT laugh while we talk to God! When we pray we are talking to God Himself and He should have our full attention. The kids became silent and so then we ended in prayer. Times like this are not easy, but are also extremely crucial. It is during these times that we are not merely doing "rituals", but are implanting values in to the hearts of children. Perhaps the value which was demonstrated in this instance was that our God is a serious God and so we must take Him seriously!

This all leads up to an important question... How much should we expect of children regarding the things of God? After teaching and preaching to the kids every Mon-Fri over the last few months, I believe kids are much more capable than we give them credit for. Not only do that have gigantic hearts that are full of trust, (and the trust should must be given to God), but also they are more intellectually capable than we think-- however, the kids need somebody to be with them not only to exemplify a godly life, but also to patiently and simply instruct and reprove them in the way they should go.

Wednesday's Story:
On Wednesday we told the story of Noah's Ark. We emphasized how God saved Noah from the flood because Noah believed God. At the end of the story, I asked the kids a lot of questions about the story... I asked questions like, "Why did God save Noah?" (he believed God...) and "What happened to everybody else?" (they died...) and "Why did God destroy the people?" (they were wicked and did not believe God...) As we talked our way through these questions with the children, it really got them all thinking... And so I explained how God is holy and God hates sin, but God is also love and so I preached that we must believe in God and trust Jesus that He will save us, just like Noah trusted God to save him. Lastly we talked about how people would have been making fun of Noah back then for building a big boat, when nobody else believed! But when the flood came and Noah was safe, the people were not laughing any more. Who was laughing? God. But, but, but...?

(Psalm 2, ESV)

1 Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying,
3 "Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us."
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6 "As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill."
7 I will tell of the decree:
The LORD said to me, "You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."
10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Derision, that is, according to dictionary.com:
de⋅ri⋅sion
–noun
ridicule; mockery: The inept performance elicited derision from the audience.

So let us "kiss the Son"-- that is, our King Jesus.
"lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him."-- Like Noah.

It's sad, that this God of the Bible sounds so foreign to many of our (naturally) God-hating ears. May God give us the grace to (supernaturally) see Him as He really is. So be it.

Thursday's Story:
On Thursday we told the story of "The man who didn't have any friends (none)"-- that is, Zacchaeus. The kids enjoyed this story so much! Zacchaeus had no friends because he was a tax collector and especially because he was a thief. He didn't only charge the people for taxes, but he also charged them a "fee" on top of it which he kept for himself. The kids understood this. I stopped in the middle of the story and asked the children, "Doesn't Jesus know about Zacchaeus?" Now since we have well established among the kids that Jesus is the "God-Man", (that is, that He is completely 100% God AND that he had come in to the world as completely 100% a real, human Person in a real body...), all of the kids agreed that Jesus did know about how bad of a sinner Zacchaeus really was. So then I asked them, "Why did Jesus go to Zacchaeus' house?" We all agreed because Jesus loved him. Then I asked the group, "Does Jesus love sinners?" One girl, who comes from a sort of sportsy-do-gooder family replied, "No." and the whole group was listening. I quickly corrected her and said, "Yes He does!" I explained to the group how the Bible says that we all have sinned and we are all bad sinners, and that is why it is so amazing that God loves us. "This is good news!" We continued telling the story about how Zacchaeus humbled himself and gave away half of his stuff to the poor and paid back the people that he stole from 4 times as much. The book ends the story like this, "Jesus loved Zacchaeus when nobody else did. He was Zacchaeus' friend, even when no one else was. Because Jesus was showing people what God's love was like-- his wonderful, Never Stopping, Never Giving up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love."

Friday's Story:
No School

Last Two Weeks In Review - After School Program

2009-05-06T22:57:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the lack of posts lately. I am sad to say that the last two weeks have been very difficult for myself spiritually. I personally struggle with a sort of depression or spiritual depression from time to time and all I can say is that these last two weeks have been very difficult. Also I have been sick. On top of it all, my relationships with family around the house have been... suffering, to say the least. I considered not doing the stories or preaching to the children, but I decided it would be best to continue. So I did not stop from ministering to the children... Though, I could have becuase even though I am employed at the After School program, the stories and preaching I do are optional and completely voluntary... I felt that even if I myself am struggling, these kids are like my hungry sheep, and many of them do not get fed from anywhere else except Mon-Fri at the After School program-- so I was compelled to keep doing ministry amidst my recent depression bouts. However, as a side affect of all these things, I have simply not found the will nor the energy to keep the detailed log of what has been happening as I did in the past. By God's grace, the following posts are the stories we have read to the children, and the last two preaching events (based on what I have recollected from memory)... and by God's grace, I will do a better job in keeping you updated in the future.
Adam Schaefers 5/02/09

After School Program Week In Review (4/27 - 5/01)

FRIDAY AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM PREACHING:
"The Captain of the storm." Stephan and I preached on the story of when Jesus calmed the storm. Stephan did an excellent job on this one. He explained all the key points and climaxed on "who is Jesus?" He kept saying all of the things I was hoping he was going to say... it was great! Lastly, I preached on what it means for us as Christians, that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1 was the verse for the day. We had the children write it down on a piece of paper to take home with them.

1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.

DAILY (MON-FRI) SNACK TIME BIBLE LESSONS:
Monday's Story:
Jesus is the friend of little children.

Tuesday's Story:
God sends help. (The Holy Spirit)

Wednesday's Story:
A new way to see. (Saul is converted & becomes Paul)

Thursday's Story:
A dream of heaven.
(This completed the entire Jesus Story Book! Many of the kids now have heard all the key stories of the Bible for the first time!)

Friday's Story:
The Captain of the storm. (Jesus calms the storm.)

After School Program Week In Review (4/20 - 4/24)

FRIDAY AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM PREACHING:

Stephan and I preached on the prodigal son and also talked about how God is our perfect Dad.

DAILY (MON-FRI) SNACK TIME BIBLE LESSONS:

Monday's Story:

The Captain of the Storm. (Don't be afraid. God is control. Jesus calms the storm...)

Tuesday's Story:

Filled full. (Jesus feeds the 5,000...)

Wednesday's Story:

Treasure Hunt! (Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also... God is our treasure...)

Thursday's Story:

The man who didn't have any friends (Zacheus)

Friday's Story:

Running away. (The prodigal son)

Friday's Story with Stephan (April 17th)

The Singer. (Don't worry. Look at the lilies and the sparrows... from the sermon on the mount)

After School Program Week In Review (4/13 - 4/17)

2009-04-17T06:15:00.000-07:00

THURSDAY AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM PREACHING:

As the kids sat down in their chairs, Stephan and I walked into the room with a bucket of water and some towels and set it down in front of the pulpit. The kids knew somebody was going to get their feet washed and were interested in todays' message.

The kids were very goofy today and had a hard time focusing throughout the message. But I believe God was still able to get through to them. The minute before we started, a new, middle-school aged friend of mine walked into the room-- so I invited him to come in and sit down with us.

I stood behind the pulpit and we bowed our heads to pray and ask God for help.

As I read the story of when Jesus washed the disciples' feet from John chapter 14, I also explained each verse by verse using easy to understand language. The kids were following along quite nicely, I could tell by the looks on their faces that they understood what was happening.

Next I preached passionately about the good news of Jesus in that He died and rose again from the grave-- but He didn't die for no reason... Then I tried to explain substitutionary atonement, (of course I would never use those complicated terms with the kids...) Jesus died in our place. We all have sinned and deserve to punished, but Jesus was punished by God instead of us. I explained how the call is to repent and believe in the gospel. We all must stop running away from God and instead turn away from our sins and run back to God-- we must let Jesus forgive us for our sin. And we also must let Jesus clean our dirty, sinful hearts-- just like Jesus washed His disciples' feet. Now for those of us who believe in Jesus Christ as our savior and who believe in this good news, the gospel-- we are saved. We are not going to go to hell after we die. We are friends of God! This is good news! They agreed. Furthermore, Stephan explained how Jesus said that we also are to wash others' feet. He explained how as Christians we are called to be servants just like Jesus was. He then applied it and gave practical examples that we all can do. I also jumped in and explained how this teaching is the answer to all of the problems in the world! This really is good news!

Midway through the message, Stephan and I sat down and began to wash each others' feet in front of the kids. They thought it was really funny-- especially because my feet really did stink! As we washed each others' feet, Stephan and I talked about the message. We kept talking about the two concepts over and over again and gave lots of examples.

Finally, Stephan and I gave a final recap, then we prayed (...a couple of the kids voluntarily got down on their knees again...) and the kids were dismissed from the preaching area...

Afterwards, I had a good one on one conversation with the boy who came for the first time during the preaching today. I told him that some of my grandparents don't believe in God. He replied, "Yeah, neither does my Dad..." We talked about why some people say they don't believe in God, but the fact is that really they are just running from God because they don't want to be in trouble. I told him how it is like that if he were to punch a kid in the nose, the principal at school would come looking for him, then he would probably run and hide from the principal. But the fact is that God is love and He will forgive the sins of people who will come back to Him. I explained how just about everybody on the planet believes in God and atheists are a minority group. Then I briefly tried to explain how other religions are false, but we can trust in our God. I quoted how Jesus, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father except through Me." Then we played a game of monopoly. The boy was happy to go home with the very last Jesus Storybook Bible that we had. I also gave him an "adventure Bible." (Unfortunately NIV, but it was the only version I had...)

What a day!

God is good. All the time. Amen.

DAILY (MON-FRI) SNACK TIME BIBLE LESSONS:

Monday's Story:

No School, No After-School Program

Tuesday's Story:

Today we distributed four more Jesus Storybook Bibles and now we only have two left! That makes for a total of eighteen storybooks we have given away already. The kids were excited to have their own Jesus Storybooks. It's our hope and prayer that the Lord will use these books to build the spiritual foundation of Christ in the lives of these children! We wish it was as simple as giving a full-on "Holy Bible" to the children and that their parents would read and teach them from the Bible, but the harsh reality for the majority of our kids is that their parents are not Christians. The Bible is such a large and peculiar book that it even overwhelms many adults. And with all of that said, we still must regularly incorporate readings from the actual Holy Bible to our kids. We want to inductively introduce the Bible to the children, so that when they are more able to read at length with understanding, they then will hunger and crave to read the Word of God in entirety and purity (as opposed to a paraphrased storybook...)

Today's story was "A little girl and a poor frail lady." Specifically it was about Jairus' daughter that was raised from the dead and also the woman that reached out and touched Jesus to be healed. We read the stories from the Jesus storybook and then I quizzed the group of kids about the story and had them re-explain it back to me. The cool part about today was that one of our kids, (who has some minor learning disabilities), was answering the most questions and explaining the story in the group. After all of this I then taught them that we should be like the lady that reached out to Jesus. We can pray and and ask Jesus to help us with our problems just like the lady that touched Jesus and was healed. I also taught them that we should trust Jesus and believe that he really raised up Jairus' daughter back to life. Then I talked once again about the true meaning of easter. Finally, I linked the fact of Christ's resurrection to the fact that the Bible teaches that one day all Christians will be raised back to life and there will be new heavens and new earth full of righteousness. There will be no war, pain, suffering, sin, or death. It will be a completely new and amazing world. This is all because Jesus will be the King of it all. This resurrection is our hope. This teaching surprised a young girl who has been with our group over the last couple of weeks. "Really?" She said. It was cool! She smiled and I could tell thoughts were stirring inside of her head...

Wednesday's Story:

There were about twenty kids today. The story was titled "How to pray." It was a paraphrase of Jesus' teaching's from the sermon on the mount & "The Lord's Prayer." We talked about how we must pray first of all because prayer is how we get to know God. We cannot know God apart from prayer. Prayer is extremely important. We also explained who the pharisees were, how their prayers were hypocritical, and we should not be like them when we pray. We strongly stressed that prayer is actually talking to our living God. Towards the end we took prayer requests. Finally, I had everybody bow their heads in prayer and we had a group prayer time. About six or seven kids all prayed a unique prayer of thanks or request to God in one way or another. I really believe that God is teaching many of our kids how to pray! It was really cool.

At the end of the day we gave away a Jesus Storybook. We gave it to a girl who comes from an anti-God, atheistic home. She was happy to receive it (and to have one just like her other best friends do.) This girl already has been here during one or two preaching events, and also has watched the Jesus movie for kids with us. Pray for her salvation and for the strengthening of her faith amidst the trials of her own family! Now we only have one Jesus Storybook left.

Thursday's Story:

On Thursday we read "The Servant King." We read and talked about the time when Jesus washed his disciples' feet and taught them also to do the same for each other. I explained the message from the storybook with a two-fold meaning. 1. Jesus washed the disciples' feet. He does this for all of us who come to Him. Those who come to Jesus He will forgive sins and cleans up sinful hearts. 2. We as Christians must follow Jesus' example and do the same thing for other people-- not only by washing each other's feet, but also by doing acts of serving. After this we prayed and then we had the kids move out of the snack area and into the preaching area... (See above.)

Friday's Story:

Stephan is leading Today. I will be out of town and unable to update this blog for a few days. I will post a summary of what took place at a later date.

After School Program Week In Review (4/06 - 4/10)

2009-04-10T21:52:00.000-07:00

THURSDAY AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM PREACHING:

Before preaching, we distributed 7 more Jesus Storybook's to the kids, which means that we have distributed a total of 14 so far to our regular children that come weekly. We still have a few regulars who have missed the last two weekly preaches, so hopefully we will distribute those next week! :-)

Thursday was extremely challenging as the kids were excited about the 4-day weekend coming up, easter Sunday (w/ lots of candy), and a family fun night at school that same night. It was impossible to get the kids to keep still, but that's ok-- I was just trying to keep them engaged. I find that the two most important things that must be done while evangelizing kids are 1. Keep it simple and understandable. (This is why blues clues is such a popular TV show with kids-- they understand it. While adults are hopelessly bored to death with blues clues, the kids love, and can even watch reruns over and over again...) And 2. Fast transitions. (Many kids have a short attention span, and are used to going quickly from one organized thing to another, and when you lose the kids' attention during a transition, it is difficult to regain their attention.) The first point has caused me much grief and heartache before God-- it is always a challenge to keep the gospel simple and understandable without watering it down! The biggest challenge was that Stephan, my preaching parter with whom I tag team, was not able to come today. But God's grace was sufficient!

We started out with prayer.

First we talked about Easter. I asked the kids to tell me the first things that they think of when I say, "Easter!" They said the usual, "Candy, Birds, Bunnies, Eggs, etc..." I explained to them how the true meaning of easter is the resurrection of Jesus. Many of them did not know what the word resurrection meant, so quickly I explained it and then had them repeat, "resurrection" out loud with me a couple of times.

The text for the day was from John 11,

Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.

I told the kids, "You know, I'm going to tell you something true today that probably none of your teachers has told you before. But I'm going to tell you the truth. Are you ready?" Once I had all of the kids' attention, I dropped the line, "You're all going to die." Many of them were very surprised, an older girl was a shocked, but I told them, "I have to speak the truth to you kids, and this is very important. We are all going to die. I know one thing that I can absolutely prove to you all, and that is that 10 out 10 of you are all going to die."

"BUT I HAVE HOPE!", I told them...

I read the Bible Verse again and again, Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life."

"JESUS CAME BACK TO LIFE!"

"Did He?"

"Yes." They replied.

Then I explained how that since Jesus came back to life, we can trust that even though we will die, that God will raise us back up from the grave, too. I repeated this point and tried to explain it to them in a variety of different ways until they understood the message.

I also explained how that one day the dead will be raised back to life-- those who believed in Jesus, and those who did not believe. I explained how we will all stand before God and we will be judged. Those who believed will be with Jesus forever, in the new heavens and the new earth; those who did not believe in Jesus will be in hell. "...Please don't go there." I said.

Lastly, I pulled out the Jesus Story Book Bible and read to them all of the stories about Jesus' arrest, crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection and ascension. This took about 15-20 minutes to complete. A few of them had trouble paying attention, but the majority loved the story. They even corrected the storybook by adding details at certain points ie. the spear that pierced Jesus.

Afterwards I asked the kids how many of them had never heard the story before. About 3 or 4 hands went up! It was so exciting to me to be the first to present it-- what an honor!!! I thank God for this privilege often.

In conclusion I recapped the main points of the story and pleaded with them to believe and trust in Jesus so that they will live forever with Him.

[We also had a brief discussion about "how do we know that the story of Jesus is true?" For the little ones I explained how it comes from the Bible-- and for those who were older I further explained how the Bible is not ONE book, but 66 very old books, from several different authors, all saying the same, truths about Jesus and knowing God. I explained that we have thousands of these ancient books and more books about Jesus than we even have about George Washington. I explained also that if the disciples of Jesus knew that the story was not true, then they would not have died for it, but history speaks of how they all died for believing in Jesus.]

Finally, we practiced what has been the scripture memorization over the last few weeks,

John 3 (ESV)

16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

The kids know the majority of it and a few have it completely memorized. The last verse is the hardest.

We gave the kids easter candy and then it was time to go home.

DAILY (MON-FRI) SNACK TIME BIBLE LESSONS:

Monday's Story:
Before the new stories today, we briefly recapped the past 5 stories, (using pictures), to remind the children of the stories and lessons they have already learned.

Today we covered two stories, "Get Ready & "He's Here!"

From "Get Ready" we read about Ezra and Nehemiah, and how that once Israel been set free from slavery, again; they read the law of Moses to the people... We read about how this law shows us that we are all sinners and bad people, and we also read about how they threw a party for a week, to celebrate the wonderful things that God had done for his people.

From "He's Here" we talked about the Nativity and how God chose to enter the world through Mary. We talked about how she was a virgin and had not yet married Joseph, who was Jesus' dad. We talked about how the angel spoke to Mary to tell her what was happening and how the Holy Spirit (God) is the one who made Mary pregnant-- it was a miracle. We talked about how Joseph was righteous and was going to change his mind and not get married to Mary, but an angel explained the situation to him and so they still got married. We prayed and went outside to play freeze tag!

Tuesday's Story:
The Light of the Whole World & The King of All Kings. We reviewed yesterday's story, & covered the rest of the beginnings of Jesus' life-- the visiting shepherds and the later coming wise men... Afterwards we talked about how this is the story of GOD coming down to earth, to rescue His people. Jesus is the God-man, He is Immanuel, which means God with us. Jesus is God with skin on, yet he is still a real person! We briefly discussed BC and AD (Before Christ & In the Year of Our Lord) and simultaneously debunked "BCE and CE." ("Before common era" and "common era"-- it's an absolutely ridiculous teaching, and ironic that textbooks still divide history at the coming of Christ 2000 years ago-- they have only tried to remove Christ's name! We also talked about how Jesus was humble & poor, being practically born in a barn with animals.

Wednesday Story:
At snack time I had one of the kids pray. I wish you could have seen it-- she spontaneously prayed something like this, "Dear Jesus, Thank you for this snack... Thank you for everybody here... I LOVE YOU! Amen." It was extremely cute and gushy while remaining extraordinarily genuine. Praise God.

While they were eating I had a "show & tell" with the kids. I showed them my foreign language Bible collection. I told them about how the Bible is the most popular book in the world because it is the only book we have that is from God. I explained how it is the most translated book the world and that people have died to read it and translate it for people to read in their own languages. I showed them the following translations: German, French, Spanish, Swahili, Marshallese, Russian, & Korean. The kids digged it and I hope they will come to realize how universal our faith is and how it is not merely a "white mans religion."

Further during snack we reviewed yesterday's story, and then we quized them on the true meanings of B.C. and A.D. (Let's just say they got an A+!) Then we talked about today's story, "Heaven breaks through." We told them about John the Baptist and his baptism of repenance, ending at the baptism of Jesus and dove falling upon Jesus with God's audible confirmation.

We prayed and then the girls had a special "sunbeams" class with a lady from our church who is training to become a teacher-- so as usual, the boys and I sat in the computer lab, ate corndogs, pie, and watched cartoons. We watched "God's Prisoner", the story of Richard Wurmbrand, founder of Voice of the Martyrs. Afterwards we talked a little bit about persecution. I handed them my Korean Bible and told them how if they were caught holding the Bible in North Korea they would most likely be arrested and put in prison! We talked about Wurmbrand's example of courage and standing strong in faith. Afterwards, we played with lego's and paper airplanes... I love this job!

Thursday Story:
The same girl prayed for snack time as on Wednesday. It was another cute, genuine prayer. We talked about how after Jesus was baptized, he went into the desert and was tempted by satan. We talked about fasting, prayer, and how Jesus said, "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." Then we talked about how after Jesus left the desert, he went and chose his first followers to help him in the rescue plan. We talked about how the disciples were ordinary people just like us and we talked about how the disciples left everything they had and immediately followed Jesus. Afterwards we prayed.

Friday Story:
No School, No After-School Prog.

On The Importance Of Youth Ministry

2009-04-06T20:09:00.000-07:00

15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,
of your deeds of salvation all the day,
for their number is past my knowledge.
16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD I will come;
I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.
17 O God, from my youth you have taught me,
and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
18 So even to old age and gray hairs,
O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation,
your power to all those to come.
-Psa. 71:15-18

Today ministry to the youth, especially young children, is sorely neglected! And I hope that people who read this blog will get ideas to do in their own communities. The state of our youth today is horrible..! Sometimes I can't help but fall down to my knees and weep for these kids... So many of the kids live in broken homes, and they do not even see their parents except for more than a few hours in the evenings when their parents are home from work-- tired, and cranky! And to top it all off-- the State is raising our kids! They are in large a godless and idolatrous generation that does not know the stories of God and what He has done, and much less to actually know our God personally. The state of our public schools is pathetic, with education being dumbed down, and the (so-called) removal of God from our schools-- which means the teachers are only dispensing knowledge and facts, like a vending machine, without moral application. Since they have left God out of education, by logic they must leave moral application out-- which makes learning pointless, and so the schools are able to talk about all of the problems of society, but have no solution-- hence the drop-outs and kids who think "school is dumb!" This all leads up to a shocking condition of lawlessness among the kids. "Right" and "wrong" is defined by personal happiness, not God's Word-- resulting in a bunch of rebellious tyrants, to be the future of our self-destructing nation. Our kids need a right theology of God and a God-centered philosophy and world-view to be the foundation of all education.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.
-Pro. 1:7

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
-Pro. 9:10

Sometimes I can't help but wonder if this mess is a judgment of God upon our nation? I suppose the subject is beyond the scope of this blog, but I would say our nation is the biggest sin factory in the world, we even make other godless nations blush-- yet we have no shame. Now I don't think we were a chosen nation like Israel was, but we did have much light from God-- even our public schools were originally Christian schools, teaching from Bible. And the main purpose of our "ivory league" universities was once for the raising up of ministers. I'm praying for God to raise up a remnant of Christian youth with a faith like Daniel had amidst the empire.

After School Program Week In Review (3/30 - 4/03)

2009-04-03T19:10:00.000-07:00

FRIDAY AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM PREACHING:

[Fridays are always the highlight of our week...]

First we distributed the Jesus Storybook Bibles to the kids. (Ages 7-10.) We will continue to distribute them on Fridays so that those who were absent will get their own Storybook in the future... We wrote their names in the front of the books, and they were all happy and said they would read it! :-)

Second we walked the kids into the library, and we watched the scene from the Jesus Movie when the sinful woman anointed Jesus' feet with alabaster oil, tears, and wiped His feet with her hair. I told the kids that she loves him so much because she was forgiven so much, but the kids still had a lot of unanswered questions.

Third we walked back into the main room and sat down with the new Jesus Storybook Bible's and we all turned the pages to the same story that we just watched on the Movie Screen. Now we read the story together, out loud. They were starting to understand more about what and why it was happening, but there was still much to be realized.

We explained how their story Bible's are re-written in story language that is easy to understand, and how it comes from our Holy Bibles... We told them that one day, we pray and hope they will also read the full version of the stories from the Holy Bible like we do. However, I also admitted to them that I LIKE their storybook Bible's and I often sneak a peak into my story book Bible so that I can look at the pictures, too! (They laughed.)

Lastly, Stephan and I read the same passage from the Gospel of Luke (ESV) out loud to the kids. After we prayed for the right words and that we would all have understanding from God, Stephan was first up. He summarized the story and spoke on the main points. He asked if we were "ever so happy to see somebody that you cried?" Well we should feel that way, too, especially about Jesus.

I was up next, for round two... I dialogued with the kids and we talked out loud through the entire story. (In getting them to explain it back to me, it is my prayer that God will give them understanding and also future remembrance of the story.) I also asked the kids, "What is the correct way to meet a king?" I demonstrated the answer as I prostrated myself on the ground before them. "Knees bowed, Face-down, in the dirt-- that's how we meet a king." As I got up I showed the kids the picture of the woman doing the same thing in the storybook Bible. Then I preached to them how Jesus is the KING OF KINGS. I also preached on how there are two groups of people in this story. There is the woman, who WASTED the precious perfume and there was the group of people who complained that she should not have wasted it, but they did not realize who Jesus was-- the KING OF KINGS. I explained in simple terms and great detail how if they do not see themselves as being like the sinful woman, then they missed the point and DO NOT UNDERSTAND the story. (This suprised the kids.) I preached that we all are either going to be like the woman who worshiped Jesus, and wasted her life for Jesus, giving him everything (our hearts, our thoughts, our time, our money, everything we care about...) -- or we will be like the men who complained and did not worship Jesus. Then I challenged the kids... I told them that people are going to ask them, "Why should you waste your life for Jesus, for God that you cannot even see!?" I made them think, "What are you going to say to those people?" ... (They did not know) ... With a big smile we preached, "BECAUSE HE'S WORTH IT!" ... Towards the end a few kids had some questions, like "When is Jesus coming back?" "SOON. We replied, but the Bible says that nobody knows the day or the hour. So we must BE READY." Then we explained what we all must do to be ready for when Jesus comes back... At the end of the message, I begged the kids to live only for Jesus and to be like the woman we preached about. In closing we led a simple, yet serious, prayer-- I encouraged the kids to pray with me if they really meant it. It was a simple and slow, but very deep prayer of thankfulness and plea for forgiveness of sins and salvation. During the prayer, several of the kids got off of their chairs, and bowed down on both knees, face down to the ground-- they did this on their own, without my own instruction. PRAISE JESUS!

"AMEN."

That very next minute the first parent walked into the room to pick up her child. It was perfect timing, as it is always frustrating when parents come in and take their children home before the end of the message or when they come and interrupt the meeting. The kids were very happy to carry their own Jesus Storybook Bible's out the door as they went home today!

Well, it was a great day today. I really believe some of these young kids are starting to "get it!" Thank God. Amen.

DAILY (MON-FRI) SNACK TIME BIBLE LESSONS:

Monday's Story:

Psalm 23. The Lord is my Shepherd... We read the story from the Jesus Story Book Bible and we talked about how if we are saved by Jesus, then we are God's sheep and Jesus is our Good Shepherd. Then we talked about how great it is that God is our Shepherd and about the various roles He plays in our lives. After the closing prayer, one child was able to quote the entire Psalm 23 for all of us to hear. It was powerful.

Tuesday's Story:

A little servant girl and the proud general. We talked about Namaan from 2 Kings 5. Namaan had leprosy and God used a little slave girl and Elisha to heal him. Elisha tells him to go wash in the river to be healed. He did it and was healed by God, (not the river!) We read about how we have a sinful, diseased heart-- which is worse than outward leprosy. And how God can cleanse us of that, too! (note to self: I wish I would have talked more about our inward sin-problem and the cleansing work of Christ...! Help me God.) ALSO: We watched the Chronicles of Narnia for the second time.

Wednesday's Story:

Operation: "No More Tears!" We talked about Isaiah and how he wrote a book of the Bible. We talked about his message that we all like sheep have gone astray. We illustrated this using an art picture that we drew during art time. We also illustrated it with many examples such as the question, "how many of you have ever had a pet cat or dog that ran away from home? Well, like that, we all have run away from God..." And the whole message climaxed at how Jesus is the Good Shepherd and how he came to seek and save those who were lost. We all must go to Jesus to be forgiven of the leprosy, disease, SIN which is in our hearts, and Jesus will cleanse our hearts, too. The kids really enjoyed the story and were hanging on to every word which was spoken.

[Side note: We are beginning to see more fruit (possibly?)... One child brought some printed papers that he made on the computer at school this earlier in the day. It was an acrostic poem based on the words "SPRING" and for "S" he used Shepherd (the Lord is our shepherd) and for "G" he wrote "God is great." He also had typed out on another paper, "Obey God." This particular boy did not come running in showing his completed papers to us, we found it laying around later... So it appears he did not even have a hidden motive to impress us, but that he simply did part of his homework about God, on his own, regardless of what others think!]

Thursday's Story:

Daniel and the scary sleepover (lion's den)... The kids LOVED this story. It was their favorite one so far. They were laughing, smiling, and empathising with Daniel throughout the entire story. We related how it would be wrong for Daniel to pray to King Darious, and it would be like us praying to Obama-- all the kids agreed. Darious was crazy and we should only pray to Jesus, the KING OF KINGS. We also talked about prayer and how important it is. After the story all of the kids were clapping! (unusual!)... Also, after the closing prayer, one of the girls looked up at me with an excited smile and said, "I just prayed ALL BY MYSELF at the same you did!" Lol! Praise God! It is so amazing to see kids get excited about stories that are from the BIBLE. (Assuming the Lord genuinely works in the hearts' of these kids, God is going to do some amazing things through these kids!) I hope the Lord raises up a new generation of missionaries and godly men and women from this poor area within the small town of Coos Bay, Oregon!

Friday's Story:

God's Messenger. During snack we talked about Jonah. We talked about how God told him to go to Ninevah and tell the people to repent. Jonah said no and disobeyed. God sent a storm and he ended up in the belly of a big fish for THREE DAYS. Then Jonah repented while he was in the belly of the big fish, and so God had the whale spit him back up on the dry land. Then Jonah went and preached the gospel to the people. Not only did they enjoy a fun story, but we also talked about how this is a just like how Jesus died, and his body was in the grave for three days, then he came back to life. We also talked about how when God tells us to do something, (like, for example, to tell our friends about Jesus... and we are scared...) we must obey, otherwise God may just do something like he did to Jonah. So we should obey the first time!

Follow Up (...from yesterday)

2009-04-02T18:00:00.000-07:00

Today Jeremy came and visited me at the after-school program! It was amazing and God is so good. We talked for quite a while. I told him a lot about my life and some stories of what God's been doing in my life over the last couple years. He also talked to me about his school situation. We had a good time. When he left I gave him some ice cream and offered him a Bible, but he said he already had a Bible... I also offered to take him to a Christian rock concert that some friends of mine were going to tonight, but he already had plans to go to another local church's youth group, so... I have no complaints there! Interesting, to say the least...

Keep praying for Jeremy!

A Crazy Day and God Is Good. Always.

2009-04-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Today after work I went to find my (unsaved) friend James to take him to a Bible study that he previously agreed he would come to with me. He wasn't home. So I went to find him at the next logical place: The basketball courts. Sure enough, he was there with about 6 other highschool freshmen / 8th graders-- so, it was a fat chance he was going to come with me to Bible study. But I played a game of hoops with them anyways, then I figured I would go to the Bible study after the game by myself. Well, that's pretty much what happened-- James did not come...

But after the game, a fight broke out between two of the other kids. Jeremy and some kid whose name escapes me. In a matter of two minutes, it was the 5 other kids all circled around Jeremy, hurling abusive profanities and pushing to shoving-- they were threatening to beat him up. I jumped in and attempted to break it up, but it was not really happening. I started to get to the bottom of things by asking the group all questions, basically, I, (being the oldest and the biggest), became a mediator between Jeremy and the group that was ganging up on him. After some questions, I discovered that Jeremy stole about $6 worth of cigarettes from the other kid. The other kid wanted justice. They wanted to beat him up.

Jeremy kept saying he was sorry, and that he really was going to pay the other kid back his money. Finally I got all of their attention and said,
"The one of you who has never stolen anything, the one who has never done anything wrong-- you punch Jeremy first!"
They were caught off guard. I repeated it several times to make it sink in. They were not going to simply forgive Jeremy for his stealing-- it was too hard for them. I told the group,
"Look, I will pay his debt of $6, and you all can forgive him and let's go."
The kid would not agree to this. He wanted PAY BACK, and he didn't want money anymore. I told them again, and I told the kid he was being unreasonable, because I was going to completely pay him back... but the kid would not take my offer-- So then I told the kid,
"You don't want to be repaid because you don't want the problem to be fixed-- You love hate and you love war."
He heard truth and was speechless. I told the group,
"You all want to fight, and you don't know how to forgive, and until you learn that, all you are going to have is war and hell."
Then they told me to stop preaching. (At this point, I wish I would have shared more of the gospel... but it was a crazy situation, and I have my doubts that the kids would have received the word at all... Perhaps it would have been throwing pearls before swine? I don't know...)
Jeremy said to me, "I'm coming with you."
I said, "I know you are."
The kids weren't going to let him get in the van with me and were trying to push him off the side of the road, down the hill that was next to where I parked, into a fence. I told them that if they didn't let him get into my car, I was going to call the cops. Finally I let Jeremy into my van and I drove him home.

On the way home, I told Jeremy how they just wanted to fight because that's what they love-- hate and war. He agreed and told me he does not believe that's the way to solve anything. Then I told Jeremy that we are all sinners, and we all need to get right with God. I told Jeremy that that is why we must go to God to be forgiven. (Upon reflection, at this point I wish I would have mentioned Jesus... DOH. Sorry Lord.) I told Jeremy that he could come see me at the Salvation Army any time after school. He thanked me and got out at the street he lives on. (I don't think he wants his mom to know he had been smoking...)

Pray for Jeremy. Pray for James. Pray for the other gang of kids.

What God Is Doing... (A recap of the last few months...)

2009-03-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

In 2006-2007 I lived in Hawaii (I was part of a Salvation Army missions and discipleship school, called Revolution Hawaii-- Highly Recommended---, by the way...!) for about 10 months and the Marshall Islands for two summers (summer mission trips). But now I'm back home... I currently work at the Coos Bay, OR Salvation Army After-School Program. We are a little bit like the boys and girls club, except we are Christian-based. I have worked there for two years as the Gymnasium Supervisor, but up until recently evangelizing the children had been at an all-time low. (I never wanted to be the one to evangelize the kids, especially this early on, because I felt I was not ready for it-- but I believe God has thrusted me into the position.) I always worried that I was not ready for such a high calling and responsibility, of having to communicate the gospel message... to children! Especially considering Jesus' words in Matt. 18:3-6 (ESV),

"Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me,6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Let's just say it is serious business to work with children...!

Well, to make a long story short, about ten years ago when I was in fifth grade in a Sunday School class, an old man named Mr. Glazener said to everybody, "I am going to take your pictures this week. Next week I will tell you what you are going to be when you grow up." And the following week he came and said, "Adam, you are going to be an evangelist." And, "James, you are going to be an engineer." I forgot about this until about three years ago. I don't know what happened to my buddy James, but I bet you he is an engineer. Well, like Jonah, I had been running from this call to preach the gospel for a long time, but by the grace of God-- I quit running. (Looking back, this is all very strange, considering that Mr. Glazener I do not think is much of a charismatic, and neither am I, and this kind of stuff does not happen very often to me...)

One night while I was wrestling with the call to preach, I realized I had been running from the call. I knew it deep down, but this time I finally realized it, and so I repented. Up until now, I was going to do anything BUT be a preacher. (In fact, I had a scholarship at a local community college and was heading towards becoming an ESL teacher with plans to be a school teacher one day.) Myself needing repentance was not easy to handle, considering that in the past years I had already been sent off as a missionary to the Hawaiian Islands and the Marshall Islands of Micronesia and now have returned back home... I wept uncontrollably that night and God was faithful to grant repentance. It was tough because nobody around me really understood what I was going through... Later when I met with some other local University of Oregon preachers, they understood how I felt when I told them about this... But the fact is, the weight of the calling to preach the gospel is heavy. [Currently, I am considering applying to The North American Reformed Seminary (free seminary!) to go for BA in Biblical Studies and M.of Divinity degrees.]

Preaching is such a humiliating work. I'm reminded of the words of Leonard Ravenhill, "Anyone who chooses to become a preacher is an idiot." It sounds extreme, but it's really true. There is not a more disagreeable job on earth! Also as the Apostle Paul said, "Who is sufficient for these things?" I knew that I was not-- and still, I am not sufficient in myself. "Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God" Every time I preach, it feels like death to myself. It is only my prayer that God will by His sovereign grace bring the hearers of the gospel to life through the Word preached. [Don't misunderstand me... by God's grace I am getting better at preaching and public speaking... and kids are the most forgiving listeners ever! But in one sense, I am never able to communicate God's glorious gospel good enough! I always fall short and must depend on God for His strength and grace when preaching...]

About one month ago, as a mark of repentance, my friend Stephan and I began to preach the gospel every week to all of the kids, (approx. 15-30 in number & between 1st-8th grade), who come to our local Salvation Army After-school program. [Please keep in mind that 90% of these kids belong to unsaved parents and are completely unchurched; also about 50% of the kids live in broken homes with a single parent; and also about 75% of them have been diagnosed with ADD, ADHD or whatever... The neighborhood of our afterschool program is some-what of a "ghetto". And Coos County is the most meth infested county in the state of Oregon, which also I believe is the state with the highest meth per capita and the most liberal state in the USA...] We have been preaching through the Gospel of John. We lift up our Lord Jesus Christ high for everybody to see-- the kids and their parents. And I must say, my life has been changed! My prayer life. My personally Bible study. Everything. All of the sudden, now I am forced to stay up late into the night and rise early in the mornings to pray and study the Bible. I am desperate for God and His strength in this endeavor.

Not only have I been changed, but also many of the kids are beginning to demonstrate much interest in Jesus. Now they often will grab the church's Bibles from the library and come to myself or our volunteers and ask us to read it with them. The kids have began to draw pictures of the cross and write things like "I love God" or "I love Jesus". (However, they also write other legalistic things, like, "Do not cuss! Do not punch!" and things of that nature-- it is hard for children to understand abstract things...) Recently, after preaching on John 3, one little girl asked the supervisor, "Do I really need to be born again?" "Yes,..." she replied. But we are not following the typical sinners prayer method, but are trying to avoid that false assurance ideology. We make it clear they all must turn to God in prayer and believe in Jesus and ask to be forgiven for their sins and to save them from sin and hell. We also stress that if they really believe that they will do what Jesus says (obey Him) and that He will help them to do it.

About 3 weeks ago, I gave away 30 ESV Gospel of John's to about 15 kids. One for each child, and one for their parent(s). They were all so happy to receive them!

Also 3 weeks ago, I bought a Jesus StoryBook Bible, which seeks to make Jesus the center of every Bible story from the Bible that has been loosely paraphrased. Now for 3 weeks we have been reading 1-2 stories from the storybook to the kids during snack time EVERY DAY. They are loving it and soaking in all the stories. These stories are BRAND NEW to many of the kids. It is so exciting to see their faces light up at the Bible stories. I believe God is using this to set a foundation in their lives which will enable a greater understanding of the Gospel that is preached each Friday. I highly recommend this storybook "Bible"-- not as a substitute for the real thing, but as a supplement. The illustrations are top notch (for the most part), AND they are similiar to the style used in the stories the kids like to read at school nowadays. The following is an illustration of Christ praying in Gethsemane.

Now, here's the cool part, around this time I also began to pray that God would provide the money (through our local Salvation Army church, of which the afterschool program is an off-shoot...) to buy each kid their very own Jesus story book Bible. (They are about $11 each.) Well, two weeks ago, my pastor took an offering in the middle of church to do exactly what I prayed for! Here's the clincher... I NEVER asked him to do it! All I did was pray. Our pastor simply felt that previous saturday night as he read the Bible that he should take an offering to pay to get each kid their own storybook Bible! (For the record, though, he already knew that we were excited about using this book every day with the kids and I had in the past told him that I wished I could get this book for every single kid...) Well then, now in my home I have 20 Jesus Storybook Bibles and this upcoming Friday I believe we are going to give them out as a free gift to the kids with no strings attached.

Praise GOD!

Over the past 2 months, we covered the following 15 stories from the Jesus Storybook Bible with the kids at the Afterschool Program thus far:

[Note: The format is that while the children eat their snacks, we read the story from the book to them, then we dialogue about the story (and refresh previous stories), and then finally we close and pray.]

1. The Story & the Song. (We talked about the Bible and how it is not a book of rules, nor a book of heroes to imitate, but is a story-- a story of God and His redemption. God loves His children and comes to rescue them. Jesus is "like the missing piece in a puzzle" and every story whispers His name.)

2. The beginning: a perfect home. (We talked about how God is our creator and made the whole world. And it was good. There was no pain, no suffering, etc...)

3. The terrible lie. (We talked about how Adam & Eve were tempted by the snake (the devil, satan) and sinned and now they were kicked out the garden. Now we all die because of sin. Now life is hard, we work, have pain and suffering. But God already promised he would save them. That's why God gave Adam & Eve clothes made from animal skin and He took away the clothes they made themselves from plant leaves...)

4. A new beginning. (We talked about Noah's ark & God's holiness. God hates sin. But also like God saved Noah from the flood. So Jesus also saves Christians today from their sin, the devil, and hell. God promised never to flood the earth again and gave the rainbow. However, Jesus is coming again to judge the world and this world will be melted, and Christians look forward to a new world, the new heavens and new earth. (wherein righteousness dwells))

5. A giant staircase to heaven. (We talked about the tower of babel and why there are so many languages spoken through the world today. We talked about how the Bible and its' people did not speak english! We had some fun demonstrating the various languages spoken among us (English (duh!), German, Spanish, Marshallese, Tagalog, and Korean were all demonstrated and it was fun! lol.) Most of all, we talked about how we cannot work our way to heaven by doing good things or building towers, but that God must COME DOWN to save us, and He does that in Jesus.)

6. Son of Laughter. (We talked about God's promise to Abraham. That in him (his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, the chosen people, Israel, Christians...) all the nations of the earth would be blessed (because of Jesus). This was hard for old Abraham and Sarah to believe, but it was true... they had isaac, which means son of laughter...

7. The present. (We talked about how Abraham sacrificed Isaac to God (in his heart), and he was about to do it, but God stopped him. It was a test. Abraham obeyed. And he believed that God would raise Isaac back up from the dead, but instead God provided the ram as a substitute, just like Jesus died instead of us, bearing our sin on the cross-- so the ram was sacrificed instead of Isaac and Isaac was saved.

8. The girl no one wanted. (We talked about Jacob, Rachel, and Leah. God chose Leah to be blessed and be the one that the messiah would come from-- even though she was ugly and not the prettiest and not Jacob's favorite. God loved her. God's people don't need to be beautiful for God to love them. God loves ugly people and makes them beautiful.)

9. The forgiving prince. (We talked about Joseph. He was favored by his father. His brothers were jealous and so they sold him into slavery. Joseph ended up telling the Pharaoh what his dreams meant, (with God's help, of course), and so he became a great prince in Egypt. Later there was a famine and Joseph's brothers came to Egypt. Joseph saw them and embraced them and loved them even though his brothers had done all the bad things to him... Even though they meant it for evil, God meant it for good. God is in control!)

10 & 11. God to the rescue. (We talked about Moses, the burning bush, and the exodus over a period of two days. Moses turned aside to see the bush. We all must "turn aside to see", when God calls... God called moses to set his people free from slavery in Egypt. He went and told the Pharaoh to let my people go! ... after all the plagues..., he finally said OK GO. Then he changed his mind again and chased the Israelites... God opened the Red Sea and they all crossed safely, and not one of the pharaohs army survived. The kids love this story!)

12. Ten ways to be perfect. (We talked about the ten commandments & law. We talked about how it is good and right, and I told them that if they want to be perfect, like God requires us to be, then we must keep all of these commandments and not break any of them, from the time we are born to the end of our lives. One kid replied, "But that's impossible!!!" "Yes, RIGHT. I said, and that is why we must all be saved..." from there I briefly talked about that's why Jesus came and died, and the reason we all must turn to Him to be forgiven for our sins, and then He will also help us to keep the commandments and be holy.)

13. The warrior leader. (We talked about Joshua and the walls of Jericho. This day was a brutal day. I do not know why, but the kids were very disrespectful. They did not listen during the story and were disobedient to workers and volunteers all day long at the afterschool program. A friend of mine who works at the boys and girls club also said the kids were "terrible" that same day. It was strange. We talked about how Israel was entering the promised the land, but they didn't have to fight, only they had to walk, and God would fight for them.)

14. The teeny weenie... true king (We talked about David and the story of when Samuel annointed him. The kids were much better listening and enjoyed the story this day... We talked about how God was getting his people ready for an even greater King who was coming. (Jesus!))

15. The young hero and the horrible giant. (David and Goliath! This one was their favorite. David was small, but God used him to do a mighty thing and made him a hero. And all he needed was a rock and a sling because God was with him... But one day God would send his people another young hero to fight for them. And to save them. But this hero would fight the greatest battle the world has ever known... Who would this be? ... they guessed it. Jesus.)

Last Friday we watched the Jesus Movie For Children (based on Luke's gospel) and they were all completely awestruck at the movie, especially the crucifixion of Christ. It is my prayer this will help them to better picture the stories and gospel message that we preach each Friday in the future...

[Side note: So far, the kids have memorized the following Scriptures:
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." - Gen. 1:1
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." - John 1:1
"In him was life, and the life was the light of men." - John 1:4
""For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." - John 3:16-18]

Lastly, we have been watching the Torchlighters Voice of the Martyrs Cartoon series on Tuesdays and Thursdays. So far we have watched the story of Jim Elliot (who is from Portland, OR, BTW.) And the kids were impacted and I taught them a little bit about the great commission afterwards and prayed for them before they were dismissed. (These cartoons are powerful, and sometimes even bring a tear to my own eyes as we watch them.) In the future, Lord willing, we will watch the stories of Richard Wurmbrand, Perpetua, Gladys Aylward, William Tyndale, John Bunyan, and Eric Liddel. I also hope to play the story keepers cartoons (easter & christmas editions), and the Chronicles of Narnia is a favorite of ours that I can allude to when preaching.

Please PRAY for the kids' salvation and also for the few kids that insist on rebellion and seek to distract others from the gospel message. Other than school, in some of these kids' lives we are the only stable thing that is available from Mon-Fri at the same time and same place. So please pray for Stephan, Myself, and the other Supervisors & Volunteers at the Salvation Army Afterschool Program in Coos Bay!

God Bless.
Adam

I Repent Of Being An Unbelieving Missionary

2009-02-21T00:40:00.000-08:00

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."
-Romans 1:16 (ESV)

"...Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!"
-1 Corinthians 9:16 (ESV)

"...now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."
-Acts 17:30 (ESV)

To everyone who has supported me as a missionary in the Hawaiian and Marshall Islands:

Dear friends,

Many of you have known me to be a strong believer in Christ over the last three years. Today I confess that this has not been true. Yes, I am a believer, but I never fully believed in the sovereignty of God.

This is no small issue. The missionary's understanding of God's sovereignty will deeply affect every aspect of his "ministry." And today I am in shame and I lament to think of some of the silly things I once did and thought I was doing "missions."

What is God's sovereignty? In a nutshell, it means God is in complete control-- of everything. He is Ruler and King. All-powerfull, all-knowing... (You get the picture!) Now, I have been hanging out with Christians long enough to know that we all say we believe this stuff about God-- but the fact is, that our lives and ministries are evidence that many of us actually do not believe this truth of God's sovereignty! This is how it has been in my story.

If you have not read my past blog, Reflections Of The Marshall Islands, go ahead... But please take notice of how little is mentioned of the actual preaching of the gospel. This is simply because I did not speak much of the gospel. What a disgrace! To think that I could go to a foreign country, with the title of a "missionary", and speak so little of God's eternal gospel! (Read Revelation 14:6)

People-- I write this to you with a heavy heart... I get very sad about what I have done. Or rather, what I have not done. (Sure, I did a lot of "good things" while I was in Hawaii and the Marshall Islands. In fact, I did things that all missionaries should be doing, but I left out one of the most essential tasks of a true missionary-- the preaching of the gospel in words.) I am writing this in hopes that others will learn from my mistakes. And perhaps our Lord may grant repentance to others who have ears to hear the truths of God's sovereignty regarding election and salvation.

As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means!15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.
19 You will say to me then, "Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?"20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this?"21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory---24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?
(Romans 9:13-24)

So what does God's sovereignty have to do with preaching the gospel? It has everything to do with it. Today we Christians are so afraid to preach because we fear men. We don't want to offend anybody. But the fact is, that according to scripture, God chooses who will be saved. And as ministers of the gospel it is our duty to proclaim, or "preach" this gospel "from the rooftops." When we open our mouths and lift up Christ for all of the world to see, God uses this preaching to draw out the elect (those whom He has chosen) to himself and it is those who are saved.

Friends, we are so afraid of offending people, but we should be more afraid of offending a holy, holy, holy God. Let me ask you, what is the worst thing that is going to happen when we boldly proclaim Christ to unbelievers? Will they go to hell #2? This is the problem with the seeker sensitive movement. Scripture teaches that all men hate God and want nothing to do with Him. (Read Gen. 6:5, 8:21, Job 15:14-16, Psalm 14:1-3, Jeremiah 4:22, 13:23, 17:9-10,) It is the grace of God that saves men. People cannot choose to seek God, and will only choose God should God first choose them. God is the seeker and it is Him that we all must be sensitive towards.

"BUT YOU'RE GOING TO SCARE PEOPLE AWAY!" I hear you gasping already. Wrong. God's grace is irresistable. Those for whom Christ has died, Christ will save. Unless you would dare claim that God has failed? I once did. But can the God of whom Jeremiah says, "Nothing is too hard for you." (32:17 esv.) fail? -- NEVER. People, God is in control. You and I can not stop him, and if we disobey, God will find somebody else to get the job done.

"Preach the gospel at all times and only use words when necessary." St. Francis of Assisi said. Sounds good, yeah? No. What we are really parroting makes about as much sense as saying, "Feed starving children and only use food when necessary."

God uses preachers who are willing to do anything He says-- preaching until they are stoned or until people get saved.

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" 16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" 17So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
-Romans 10:14-17 (ESV)

God used Paul Washer to reveal these truths to me. Paul has been a missionary to Peru. He is the preacher of the type I mentioned earlier who would be willing to preach to his death. He is able to preach not only in English, but also in Spanish. He speaks of amazing stories of being lost in the jungle in Guerilla territory-- and friends, when we are lost in the jungles of the world, behind enemy lines-- we had better believe in God's complete control and sovereignty under every circumstance!

When I was in fifth grade in a Sunday School class, an old man named Jim Glazener said to everybody, "I am going to take your pictures this week. Next week I will tell you what you are going to be when you grow up." And the following week he came and said, "Adam, you are going to be an evangelist." And, "James, you are going to be an engineer." I forgot about this until about three years ago. I don't know what happened to my buddy James, but I bet you he is an engineer. Well, like Jonah, I have been running from this call to preach the gospel for a long time, but by the grace of God-- I will run no more. I cannot resist the call of God!

Once a week my friend Stephan and I preach the gospel every week to all of the kids who come to our local Salvation Army After-school program. We started doing this about a month ago. We preach from the Word of God in boldness and truth. We lift up our Lord Jesus Christ high for everybody to see, parents and kids. And I must say, my life has been changed.

Lord, give me boldness and faith. I repent.

Friends and loved ones, please pray for Stephan, myself, and the kids at the afterschool program.

As for myself, I will stay here in Coos Bay unless the Lord sends me somewhere else.

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.19 For it is written,
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."
20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,31 so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
-1 Corinthians 1:17-31 (ESV)

"Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.18 And when they came to him, he said to them:
"You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia,19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews;20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there,23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again.26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you,27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears.32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.33 I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me.35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him,38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship."
-Acts 20:17-38 (ESV)

Adam Schaefers

Required viewing for fellow unbelieving missionaries:

Paul Washer's Testimony,

Paul Washer on Missions,

Paul Washer on Missions (In full),

Paul Washer on "Modern American Christianity",

Ten Indictments Against the Modern "Church",

Reflections from the Marshall Islands

2008-09-26T03:01:00.000-07:00

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UPDATE: 2-21-2009

Please visit the following link to read a Reflection of this Reflection:

I Repent Of Being An Unbelieving Missionary.

God Bless.

Adam Schaefers

------------------------

Yokwe aelop Kom ri-majol! Etain Adam Schaefers... I ar jokwe ilo Majuro im Jaluit summer ko 2007 im 2008. Ej lukuun emman RMI! Kiio inaj blog ilo kajin pale... Komool tata, Jeramon, im Anij ippam!

Hi everybody, it's great to be back home from the Marshall Islands, but
I really do miss the islands and already have plans to go back after I finish college.

I want to share some stories of my summer in the Marshall Islands. But first you should know that I finished Revolution Hawaii over a year ago in 2007, and then returned home after that. While I was home, I was going to school and working at K-mart.

While I was in K-mart, straightening the food shelves, I believed I heard God calling me to return to the Marshall Islands. But I didn't want to go because it's hard to live out there and I was afraid, but I believed I heard God say in the "still small voice" that He would be with me every step of the way.

So the next thing I knew, this summer I flew from Portland, Oregon, to L.A., to Hawaii, to the Marshall Islands of Majuro-- And from there, the inter island flights were down, so I was crammed onto a small boat and took a 22 hour boat ride from Majuro to the island called Jaluit. Jaluit was where I stayed last time, so the plan was to go back and stay with the same host family and continue the ministry where I left off from the summer before.

The Marshall Islands are actually called Atolls, which basically are ring shaped islands with a lagoon in the middle, and ocean surrounding the outside of the ring. Scientists think the mainland of the island sunk into the ocean, leaving only the coral reefs to be inhabitable.
While I stayed in the Marshall Islands, the living conditions were hard for me to get used to. It is hot and extremely humid. Doing anything at all would make me get sweaty. I lived with a Marshallese host family, the same family that I stayed with a year before.

The Marshallese culture is great. They are people with a lot of honor and they will do anything to make you happy. The food, when there is enough of it, is top notch-- usually you can eat lots of fish, crab, lobster, breadfruit, pandanus fruit, coconuts, and banana. Daily life can be pretty boring, but it helps to try and keep busy, helping out wherever I could.

The Marshall Islands are far from perfect. There are lots of problems as well. I found a good accurate description in the book called Operation World. It says,

"The traumatic history of occupation, exploitation, war and the impact of US nuclear bomb testing has had a devastating effect on the Marshallese. Traditional society and culture has broken down, with attendant problems of sexual promiscuity, drugs, drunkenness, suicides and a very high birth rate. The people are confused, uprooted and insecure and many suffer the effects of nuclear radiation with genetic disorders and high rates of cancer. Pray for wise, visionary leadership for the nation that will break the spirit of dependency, and make the country economically viable."

When I arrived to my host family in Jaluit, they were all smiles and very happy that I was finally there! Also a good friend from last time was there. They immediately cooked up a bunch of rice and tuna fish. We sat down and ate and got caught up to speed on the latest happenings.
It turns out they were basically out of food! They had no rice or flour and had eaten all the breadfruit and bananas. All they had left is coconut and whatever they can catch in the ocean. You should have seen the smiles on the kids faces and the "thank you's" from the adults-- they were so happy to have a solid meal.
While I stayed there, I also aimed to be incarnational in my ministry, which basically means to live like they do and "become a Marshallese". So I studied the Marshallese Language everyday with my friends and my textbooks, I also made a bag of copra which is worth about $20-$40 and is really hard work, and I learned how to make jokaroot coconut drink, and to go fishing. We also did a lot of vacation Bible schools with the kids while we were there, and there are a lot of kids in the Marshall Islands!
Right before I left Jaluit, my host family and church threw a going away party for me. It was great! The food was awesome, they sang lots of songs to me, then they gave speeches, and when my host mom was giving her speech, she was almost crying. They said they were going to miss me and asked me to remember them in my prayers. Then after they gave their speeches, I stood up and gave a speech, and I was able to thank them for all of their hospitality and told them how I would miss them (and I already do!) and I told them about how it is because of Jesus that I was able to come to the Marshall Islands and that Jesus is the only One worth living for.
I learned a lot in the Marshall Islands. Like last time, they taught me more than I taught them. They taught me how to take care of people, how to love each other even if you don't feel like it, and that you don't need to have a lot of stuff to be happy. There are people in the Marshall Islands who know God a whole lot more than I do, and all I can do is follow their example and try to know God more every day.

I hope to return to the Marshall Islands in a few years. But first I want to finish school and hopefully I will have something to be able to contribute to alleviate the suffering of the Marshallese people. Maybe I will learn to be an English teacher, electrician, plumber, or mechanic-- these types of things are always needed in developing nations.
Last-- I just have to say, I am ordinary. I'm and ordinary guy out of K-mart. If God can take me and change me and use me to bless other people and countries-- He can use ANYBODY. So, let's all be praying and seeking God daily, because you and I have no idea what cool plans God has next.

Adam Schaefers.

UPDATE: 2-21-2009

Please visit the following link to read a Reflection of this Reflection:

I Repent Of Being An Unbelieving Missionary.

God Bless.

Adam Schaefers