Reformation Ramblings

Conversation

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:50:00 +0000

"I can't believe in the doctrine of unconditional election"

"Why not?"

"Because its not fair"

"How do you come to that conclusion?"

"I believe everyone has the opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel at least once in their life"

"What do you mean 'at least once'?

"Well, of course some people hear the Gospel more than one time"

"Is that fair?"

Will They Be Consistent?

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:49:00 +0000

For years the belief of the seeker-sensitive movement has been that results can be used to measure success. Any time their approach to 'doing church' has been criticized the response has been 'but look at how many people we have' or 'look at how many Baptisms we've done this year' to justify their approach as if the number of bodies in the seats somehow trumps any other consideration.

Now with things like this beginning to happen, I wonder if we'll find consistency among our seeker-sensitive bretheren? Will they take a church bankruptcy as a sign that what they're doing has not, after all, been correct?

I'm not holding my breath.

Who Protects Whom?

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:11:00 +0000

Is the primary responsibility of a nation's military the protection of themselves or of the civilian population of that nation? William Grigg ponders this as he considers the recent tragedy in San Diego:

Leviathan Devours a Family

Let's Get Rickey!

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:15:00 +0000

Do you remember the old Life Cereal commercial?

The kids don't want to eat the cereal because they've heard it's good for them so the enlist the help of "Mikey" their younger brother. "Let's get Mikey" they say and sure enough "Mikey" eats it up.

Rick Warren is the Mikey of inter-faith efforts. Any time they need a Christian voice to lend support to one of these things, he's there to 'eat it up' and lend the impression that all religions are basically the same.

While Life Cereal may be good for you, allowing the world to believe that Christianity is just another religion, not all that different from any other, or that caring for the poor is the Gospel rather than a result of the Gospel most decidedly is not.

Timing Is Everything

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:29:00 +0000

Gosh...if she'd only killed him a year ago, she wouldn't be in all this trouble.

Women in the Military

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:43:00 +0000

Aside from things like males being responsible for the protection of females rather than being complicit in putting them in harms way, here are 10 more reasons putting women in the military is a bad idea:

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Egalitarian Nirvana

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:29:00 +0000

More news to warm the hearts of egalitarians everywhere! We even have the husband staying behind to tend the kiddies, who could ask for more?

Mother & Son Going off to War Together

Representative DeFazio on the "Bailout"

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:01:00 +0000

While I would disagree with Representative DeFazio (D-Oregon) that the solution is more government regulation, or, heaven forbid, taking an ownership position in private business, much of what he says rings true.

Getting Out of Iraq

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:33:00 +0000

Ron Paul provides a very sobering analysis today of the issues around our presence in Iraq. You can read it here.

I pray that those in power in this country will wake up to the realities of the situation in Iraq and will have the willingness and backbone to do what is right before its too late. I especially pray that efforts among many in the present administration to widen the conflict into Iran will be thwarted. Should we make the mistake of attacking yet another nation, either directly or using Israel as our proxy, I shudder to think of the consequences, both to our nation and others. Bismark, no dove by any stretch of the imagination, once said that preventive war is like committing suicide to avoid death. I pray we don't move from shooting ourselves in the foot in Iraq to shooting ourselves in the head in Iran.

No Smart Cops!

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:25:00 +0000

The New York Times is reporting that a man was denied a job as a New London police officer because he scored too high on the intelligence test.

Yeah, that's the last thing we need, smart police officers.

Founding Father or Prophet?

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Mon, 26 May 2008 14:11:00 +0000

A standing military force, with an overgrown Executive will not long be safe companions to liberty. The means of defense against foreign danger have been always the instruments of tyranny at home. - James Madison

Support our Troops - Really

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Tue, 20 May 2008 12:22:00 +0000

"If our politicians in Washington, D.C., really wanted to "support our troops," they would follow the Constitution, stop meddling in the internal affairs of other countries, restore the benefits and medical care for our veterans, and never send another American soldier to bleed and die for the United Nations. Anything less than that is only political grandstanding and empty rhetoric." - Chuck Baldwin

Read his article in its entirety here.

Quotable Quotes

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:17:00 +0000

"Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country."

~ Nazi Reichsmarschall Hermann Goering

When Chickens Come Home to Roost

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Thu, 08 May 2008 16:24:00 +0000

How sad for the poor Democrat party. After years of fostering division and playing the politics of race it finds itself hoisted on its own petard.

The Democrats have done their best to Balkanize this country into as many special interest groups as possible, pitting those groups against each other for political advantage over and over again, yet when they see the same thing happening within their own organization suddenly its a terrible thing.

Quotable Quotes

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Tue, 06 May 2008 16:58:00 +0000

"The family is the basic unit of government in God’s order with all other units being responsible for ensuring the family can enjoy peace and safety. Fathers are the source of home government. Wars disrupt this order. When fathers go off to war families are left without headship leaving them less able to groom future fathers and mothers." - Al Cronkrite

A Burning Issue

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Fri, 02 May 2008 21:09:00 +0000

Recently I was perusing the website of an international missions organization and pulled up the application they use for initial screening of those who are interested in working with the organization.

At the top of the application, the applicant is asked to please consider a series of statements and to state whether they can answer affirmatively to all of them before proceeding with the application. If they cannot answer "yes" to them all, the application must be put on hold until they've talked with someone at the organization. Most of the questions are the usual ones such as "I am at least 18 years old" or affirming that you've read and agree with their doctrinal statement. However, as I got towards the bottom I was taken aback by one of the questions:

"Are you free from tobacco usage for at least six months?"

Just prior to that question the potential applicant is asked to affirm that they have been free of alcohol or drug "addiction" for at least one year, which I can kind of agree with since drunkenness is a scriptural prohibition (though why its picked out from among a myriad of other scriptural prohibitions for the initial screening process I don't quite understand. How about "have you been faithful to your spouse for at least the last year?", for instance).

Tobacco though? I mean tobacco use is not even mentioned in scripture and even with those substances that are mentioned such as alcohol, the sin is with regard to their abuse, not their use. Its interesting to me in fact that they don't ask about the use of alcohol, only what they call addiction to it.

I have to wonder what kind of theology is behind such a question being included in the initial screening of candidates. I mean is it really important enough to possibly eliminate someone right out of the gate or even to require a "discussion" before the candidate can proceed?

Of course some may say it has to do with caring for our bodies that the Lord has given us but then why not ask if the person has had a Big Mac in the last six months or has failed to achieve his aerobic heartbeat for 20 minutes 3 times a week? Others may say that its about being sensitive to others in the culture. However, I've been in foreign countries where Christians smoked like factories and thought nothing of it. Would it be OK if a person smoked on those particular mission fields? I kind of doubt it.

I just don't get it. No missions organization that I know of has to maintain a waiting list for people wanting to commit to full time missions. Why would they want to include extra-Biblical qualifications in their application process?

The Few, The Proud, The Convicted

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:09:00 +0000

Apparently Mr. Bush is running out of folks to fight his war for him.

Military Wavers for Ex-Convicts Increase

This is concerning for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is that at some point they'll run out of ex-cons and start looking at other potential sources to keep the war going.

Quotable Quotes

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 10:33:00 +0000

"To die for an idea; it is unquestionably noble. But how much nobler it would be if men died for ideas that were true!" ~ H. L. Mencken

Those Ignorant of History are Doomed to Repeat It

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:51:00 +0000

Ahh... those clever folks in San Francisco. Call me crazy but I think the 1936 Olympics were in Berlin. See what happens when our universities opt to teach things like Cyberfeminism instead of world history.

HT: Lew Rockwell

School House Rock - With a Twist

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:45:00 +0000

HT: Pro Libertate

To Protect & Serve (Themselves)

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:34:00 +0000

Seems that in California at least some people are above the law - those whose job it is to enforce it.

Special license plates shield officials from traffic tickets

Biblical Approach to Gender Issues

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:11:00 +0000

If there's one thing our culture needs today its a Biblical view of sex and of what it means to be uniquely a man or a woman. If you're looking for a strongly Biblical discussion of such gender issues as male female roles, homosexuality, sexual promiscuity, etc. the first issue of Mark Dever's new series is a must listen.

The Importance of Gender - Genesis 1:27

Minister's Apology

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 01:41:00 +0000

A commenter to my previous post about the local minister who planned to apologize to those who've been condemned by Christians posted the link to the sermon so that I was able to hear it in its entirety.

You can hear it here.

I have to admit some of the things he said were true and needed to be said, such as the fact that the evangelical church has been politicized and is often in bed with the Republican party. You don't have to have read my blog for long to know that that resonates with me.

However, there were many more things that he said which caused me concern. The overarching theme, as I'd suspected earlier, was the love of God to the exclusion of His wrath. For God's love to make any sense at all, however, it must be paired with His wrath and this is sorely lacking in the preaching of today. If we've been born again, understanding God's anger at sin helps us appreciate His love and grace all the more. For the unregenerate, the realization that God is angry at their sin and will judge them for it, apart from their repentance, is often the thing the Holy Spirit uses to convert them. Jonathan Edward's sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God", possibly the most famous sermon ever preached in America, was used mightily by God during the First Great Awakening to convert many souls. Despite the politically correct messages coming from many churches today, scripture could not be clearer that those who are not Christians are God's enemies and His wrath abides on them (John 3:36, Romans 5:10, Ephesians 2:3). Every verse touting God's love can and should be juxtaposed with those which reveal His anger at sin. To do otherwise is to present a half god to people. Real love tells people the truth.

I think, in fact, this is one of the other things that concerned me about Rev. Lee's message, a tendency to misunderstand what love is. Erich Segal said "Love is never having to say you're sorry", Rev. Lee seems to be saying "Love means never doing anything that brings any discomfort or pain into someone's life." Just this past Sunday our pastor pointed out that truly loving someone often means they will experience pain. No one likes to be told they are a sinner and that apart from Christ they will perish. No one in love with their sin (as we all are in our flesh) likes to be told to forsake it. Yet true love requires that those things be said. However, Rev. Lee said to those to whom he was apologizing that he was "sorry for any pain you've experienced. (from those in the church)" ANY pain? We don't covet the highest and best for our children, our friends, for anyone when our goal for them is that they never experience pain. We in fact, do them harm when that is our goal for them.

In a recent article by Jay Adams entitled Stand Firm he talks about what the church needs to be in order to meet the challenges of the future, I'd recommend reading it in its entirety. However, one of the best points it makes is this:

My concern is with the softening of the church. For you to make a future impact for Christ, and to be able to withstand hard times ahead, this trend must be reversed. There is a deplorable softening of doctrine, of attitudes, of courage, and of language. And it is all justified under the rubric of “love.” But there is a vast difference between a loving and a concessive spirit...a church that puts fellowship above truth is a weak church that will be unable to meet the challenges that lie ahead.

Just one example that I noticed of this softening of language in particular in Rev. Lee's message was the constant reference to the "unchurched" (a favorite term of the seeker sensitive crowd). The Bible calls people apart from Christ lost. They don't need to be "churched" they need to be saved.

There also seemed to be a tendency to confuse man-made religious standards with God's standards. We certainly do not want to elevate our standards and traditions to the level of scripture, that's text book legalism. On that point I agree with Rev. Lee. However, by the same token we don't want to lower God's standards to the level of simply our own religious traditions. Prohibitions against sex outside of marriage, whether it be homosexual or heterosexual, and the murder of unborn children are not "our" standards they are God's standards and should be treated as such. We have no need to apologize for affirming those standards loudly and clearly and, again, true love requires that we MUST call them sin and call those engaged in them to repentance.

Perhaps the most disturbing thing though in the whole message was his admission that he'd once picketed an abortion clinic and was involved in the "whole pro-life movement" and now wanted to apologize for that. I find that shocking. Of course he reassured his audience that he's decidedly pro-life but apparently he doesn't believe its legitimate or loving to take action of any kind to back up that belief except telling women who've had abortions that he loves them. Abortion is the murder of a baby. Would he stand aside and watch someone murdered in a parking lot out of a desire not to offend the person committing the crime? He talked a lot about compassion in his message and how Jesus exhibited compassion and that we should follow His example. I agree:

"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea." - Mark 9:42

Jesus had more compassion for children than he did for those who intended them harm and so should we.

In the final analysis, Rev. Lee's concerns are legitimate and I feel he is sincere but misunderstands the root cause of the problems he's concerned with. The real issue is that the church has stopped being the church. It has stopped preaching the true and unchanging Gospel and has instead opted for a feel-good approach that gives people the warm and fuzzies and yet often leaves them unconverted. The Gospel is not "Jesus is really awesome and you'd like Him." If you want to read a Biblical gospel presentation start with Acts chapter 2. Nowhere in scripture are we told to tell people to come to Jesus because they might like Him. We are in fact told that to follow Jesus is to commit to Him totally and that to do so may in fact make our lives worse, not better. To give people the impression that they can take Jesus on retainer to see if they like Him is not truthful and therefore not loving.

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. - Mark 8:38

The reason teenagers leave the church after high school, the reason the divorce rate is the same inside the church as out is that the church is full of unconverted people. Top that off with the fact that the church has abandoned the Biblical mandate to engage in church discipline (that might make someone experience pain after all!) and you have a recipe for most of the problems we have in the church today both internally and with our ability to reach those outside the church with the Gospel.

Richard Dawkins A Great Intellect?

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:17:00 +0000

Minister to Apologize

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 19:25:00 +0000

The Atlanta Journal is reporting today that a minister at a large Southern Baptist church in Gwinnett County is planning to "apologize" in his sermon this Sunday to those who've been condemned by Christians over the years. Included in his list of those who need an apology are gays (homosexuals), women seeking abortions and couples not married.

The pastor, Rev. Richard Mark Lee is quoted as saying:

Just as the Christian church has done many wonderful things throughout history, it also has done many terrible things, such as targeting, judging and condemning various individuals and groups.

First of all just who is he apologizing for? Is the good reverend planning to apologize for all of Christendom, the entire subset of Christians known as Southern Baptists, just his particular church or just himself personally? In truth, the only ones of these he can legitimately and meaningfully apologize for are the last two.

Secondly, just what specifically is he apologizing for? It's the Bible which calls homosexuality, murder and fornication sins. Is the reverend sorry for what scripture says about these things or just sorry over how some people have dealt with sinners of these kinds? There may be some legitimacy to the latter but again, only if he or his church have been involved in specific ungodly actions towards people in these groups. He can't apologize for the mistreatment someone has received at the hands of others beyond his sphere of influence and have it be meaningful in any way.

Lee goes on to say:

Some churchgoers have condemned gay people, picketed abortion clinics or ignored the poor and homeless. If Jesus were alive today, he would minister to these groups.

Well, yes He would, he would minister to them the way He ministered to the woman taken in adultery. She'd clearly been mistreated by the religious establishment and was being used by them as nothing more than a pawn in an attempt to trap Jesus. However, Christ didn't apologize to her for that, He told her "go and sin no more". There is no reconciliation with God through Christ apart from repentance of sin. However, I get the distinct impression that Reverend Lee is not going there. My guess is his is a theology of God's love absent His wrath and judgment of sin. A theology of let's all hold hands and sing "We are the World", in short, a theology that is foreign to scripture. Besides, what exactly does the good reverend have against picketing abortion mills? Would he have had a problem if the people of Germany had picketed the extermination camps of the Nazis? Perhaps Reverend Lee doesn't believe that an abortion is the murder of a little defenseless baby.

The article concludes with this quote from Reverend Lee:

"Why is the gospel of love dividing America? The unchurched world views us as judgmental and homophobic, I don't think God is going to ask what label we wore. He's going to ask what did we do for Jesus."

The reason the Gospel divides is given to us in the Bible (you know that same judgmental book that calls homosexuality, murder and fornication sins). The Bible says that the Gospel is foolishness to those who are perishing, perishing because they refuse to repent of their sins and come to Christ. The best thing we can do for murderers, homosexuals and fornicators (and all sinners) is to share the Gospel with them, the true Gospel, not the "God loves you no matter what" gospel of the seeker sensitive/church growth movement but the Gospel of the Bible which calls sinners to repentance and to freedom from their sin in Jesus Christ.

As to what God is going to say to us one day, it will either be "Well done good and faithful servant" or "Away from me I never knew you" it will not be "What have you done for me". We don't need to do anything for Christ, He has done it all. Our works are a response to His grace, not a means of obtaining His favor.