VCY America, home of Slice of Laodicea, has apparently dropped Insight For Living's Chuck Swindoll from its radio broadcasts. If the below is an accurate report of the press release, I can understand why. Swindoll has been increasingly courting liberalism.
In part it says:
“Since 1979 VCY America has aired Insight For Living. Increasingly over recent years, VCY has been concerned about the content and direction of the IFL broadcasts with Chuck Swindoll. Through the years we have had multiple conversations with IFL regarding objections to content in their broadcasts. It is VCY’s position that certain language and illustrations used have been crude, vulgar, and from the gutter and have no place on Christian radio.
While the listing below is not exhaustive, it does give a representation of VCY’s objections that have resulted in the termination of the broadcast.
The decision to bring termination to the IFL program arrived on March 5, 2007. VCY and listeners were highly offended by Chuck Swindoll’s use of crude and uncalled for language. His message was entitled, “Male Leadership 101” which was a presentation given to men at his church. Although a disclaimer was given at the beginning of the program, Swindoll had a sustained laugh as he stated had he known this would be on radio at the time of speaking he probably would have changed things around because he tends to be “a little loose and a little free.” But he says he found “people appreciate that”. The specific area of offense came when Chuck stated:
“The sons of Issachar understood their times, they were men who had discernment and the sons of Issachar were men who had direction. They could make decisions. They saw through all the fluff of that culture. They stood strong when others were fading in the shadows. Patton would say they had guts. You’d say at work, they had balls. Or maybe that’s a Greek rendering of another verse.” (Laughter)
It is VCY’s position that this language is gutter talk, is crude, and vulgar. VCY stated to IFL that such language is uncalled for, is unbecoming a pastor, and is inappropriate for our listeners.
Within moments of this broadcast, a businessman contacted VCY who uses this station as a witnessing tool. He keeps VCY playing in his office so those who visit him will hear. He told VCY he was very upset by this IFL program and if he wanted vulgar language he would put on secular talk radio. VCY can only agree with this anger and frustration.
Knowing this was Part 1 of a message, VCY pre-listened to the March 6, 2007 broadcast. In this message Chuck Swindoll addressed accountability, sensitivity, purity and integrity.
These virtues were compromised when he spoke the following:
“The battle still goes on. It will never end. In fact I had my physical the other day and Cooper who has a finger that long (pause and lots of laughter), that long (continued laughter). And while he was up in there said, ‘Now that’s your prostate.’ I said (Swindoll yells) ‘I know that’. Was this anatomy class? (Laughter). He’s a very sick man. (Laughter). Got through prostate, checked out great. I bragged about that to Cynthia about three hours. ‘I’ve got a great prostate.’ She said, ‘get a life, honey.’” (Laughter)
VCY finds it unacceptable to broadcast Chuck Swindoll’s re-counting of the length of the finger of his doctor and describing it in his body while checking his prostate. This is both crude and offensive.
While the issues presented on the March 5th and 6th broadcast brought the ultimate decision to terminate the program, these were not the only concerns VCY has expressed to IFL. Beginning in the year 2000, there was a national boycott of Disney led by the American Family Association, Focus on the Family, Southern Baptist Convention, etc. Christian broadcasters all over the country were giving warnings regarding the homosexual promotion such as gay days, gay-friendly issues and other depraved issues being promoted by Disney. While this boycott was going on, Insight For Living took another position. The November 20, 2000 IFL program promoted “The Lion King” (produced by Disney) using it as an illustration. Chuck Swindoll stated on this broadcast,
“Now I could ruin the rest of the story for you, but rather than doing that, I’ll urge you to go down to your local video store and rent for yourself, ‘The Lion King’”.
At that time VCY addressed concern to IFL pointing out that researchers who reviewed this movie stated that the one who anoints Simba as king, was Rafiki, who happens to be a witch doctor. Rafiki carries his magical pack on the top of his staff. Viewers are taught throughout the movie that you can align yourself with witchcraft to overcome evil. It is also pointed out that the movie promotes talking to the dead (necromancy). VCY questioned IFL why they would be promoting Disney when so many Christian ministries were warning against it and were participating in a national boycott. No official response came to VCY’s inquiry, only that “the comment would be passed on.”
On the January 3, 2001 edition of IFL Chuck Swindoll used an illustration of Art Linkletter talking to a boy whose father is a police officer. Art asked if the boy’s mother was bothered by this, the boy responded and Chuck emphasized, “Heck, No!”. A couple moments later Chuck again made great emphasis, “Heck, No!”. VCY contacted IFL stating “heck” is slang for “hell” and that listeners were offended by this. The IFL representative assured VCY they’d pass our comment on.
Again VCY contacted IFL on February 5, 2001 regarding that day’s program. Chuck used an illustration from a regular column he reads from “Sports Illustrated” magazine written by Rick Riley. This particular issue’s column was entitled, “Speaking of Class to the Class of ‘98”. Chuck’s illustration dealt with the topic of “perspective”. Before he read the quote he said, “I won’t read it all, but it’s really worth these excerpts.” The offense came when Chuck quoted this portion of the magazine,
“Be careful with your money, write your own checks, none of this power of attorney crap. Get an agent and a lawyer and tell each, the other is a crook. (Laughter) That’s perspective.”
VCY alerted IFL that day that the word, “crap” is crude, uncalled for and offensive and should not to be used in a Christian’s vocabulary, let alone come from a pulpit and broadcast all over the country. VCY stated to IFL that this term Chuck used did not pass the test of Ephesians 4:29.
On February 11, 2001 a personal meeting was held between members of VCY and those which represent IFL to review the various concerns raised. This was followed up by a personal visit of an IFL representative to VCY in late February of 2001.
On August 23, 2001 again VCY brought to the attention of IFL an offending illustration. On that program, Chuck told of the fun they were having on Ben Yahuda Street in Israel and said,
“One of our men said the funniest things that I heard on the trip. He said, ‘I don’t know what the big deal is about all the clothes people bring with them on a trip.’ He said, ‘I’ve solved the underwear problem. In fact, I now carry 1/4th the underwear I used to carry.’ He was telling us things we really didn’t need to know… He said, ‘Actually you can get four times the wear out of every pair of underwear. So simple.’ And, we of course were hanging on these words wondering what he had in mind. He said, ‘Look, it’s simple: right side out, wrong side out, frontward and backwards. You can just wear the same one for’-I noticed toward the end of the second week, no one was sitting next to this guy. (Laughter) There’s just something about it that turns you off.”
Chuck continued with his clothing illustration to bring the point that “clothing polishes the image, but it doesn’t polish the character.” It is VCY’s position that this illustration had no business being on this national Bible teaching program.
On September 5, 2001 VCY again contacted IFL regarding that day’s program on which Chuck Swindoll calls into question a literal interpretation of Genesis for a six day, 24-hour day creation. On that program he stated,
“On what day did He make the sun? It was the fourth day. So for three full creative days or eras of days, however you might handle that. For three solid periods of time there was light, but there was no sun…But what’s interesting to me is that the light that came upon this earth, for a period of who knows how long, did not come from the sun. Where did it come from?”
In this message IFL called into question a literal six-day, 24-hour day creation. IFL responded that he wasn’t teaching on creation at this point and that his “brief comments are to be taken in the context of an illustration rather than a doctrinal teaching.”
End.
Considering what Swindoll's been up to, all of this is no surprise. According to Lighthouse Research Swindoll's bought into the Contemplative Prayer Eastery Mysticism, reading and quoting and offering its pagan leaders to Swindoll's own sheep:
Swindoll favorably quotes and describes the spirituality of Richard Foster, who is a disciple of Thomas Merton. Another Christian leader who has succumbed to the new spirituality that is permeating the church.
Quotes the following:Richard FosterHenri NouwenDallas WillardEugene Peterson (the Message)Philip Yancey
Henri Nouwen ... longed to get away from all those words ... So how do we pull it off? How, in a world bent on distracting us from growing deeper? ... How do you and I become more godly? ... The word is discipline. The secret lies in our returning to the spiritual disciplines." p. 9, 10.
"I have sensed a genuine need—in my own life —for the cultivation of intimacy with the Almighty.... God requires spiritual disciplines ... essential in our pursuit of godliness. ... I came across Dallas Willard's excellent work The Spirit of the Disciplines." p. 12
"Richard Foster's meaningful work Celebration of Discipline ..." p. 15
It is Swindoll's church, Stonebriar Community Church, along with Dallas Theological Seminary, that puts out "The Theology Program" through "Reclaiming Your Mind" ministry, headed up by Michael Patton. More here on the problems with their ministry "Conversing with Scholars".
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Reclaiming The Mind Update: Ruth Tucker preaches at woman's ordination
*The Theological Program and Reclaiming the Mind ministry Update*
***Update****
Ruth Tucker's recent article "Defending the Closet Atheist" and also her other articles at Parchment and Pen, the blog of Patton/TTP/RTM are here. In one article "The Failed Leadership of Jesus" she says,
"As for the leader, Jesus is executed in his early thirties. Not exactly a demonstration of leadership success.This model of leader/followers is hardly one that would serve today’s leadership seminars. Something is dramatically wrong with the picture. Plain and simple, Jesus was a failed leader though it’s critical to point out that Jesus did not aspire to leadership."
The Dallas Theological Seminary/Chuck Swindoll's Stonebriar Church's ministry called "Reclaiming The Mind" has offered Ruth Tucker as a fine Christian scholar, both as a contributor to the blog site of RTM, as well as "Conversing With Scholars".
By offering her as such, RTM denies clear Scripture that says women are not to be leaders over men in church and in marriage,nor are they to have authority of them. Yet RTM continues to say its "biblical". Here is RTM's profile of this contributor.
Ruth Tucker's own blog says the following on October 13, 2007:
"Last Sunday offered me the wonderful privilege of preaching for the ordination service of Jennifer Dockum, a former student of mine at Trinity Evangelical Divinity school. She has been involved in ministry for several years, but had waited until now for her ordination. She's now officially a Southern Baptist minister. The service was at her home church, Concord Baptist some twenty miles north of Richmond, Virginia. It was witnessed by her husband and four children, her parents and brother, her mother-in-law, and many friends and fellow ministers. Jennifer's husband J.R. is also ordained, though at the present time his full-time job is that of a school teacher. Here we are together, friends on the journey of life."
1Tim2: 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve.
Titus 1 6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.
1Cor. 14: 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints, 34 women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says.
In additioin to her blatant pagan feministic rebellion, one of Tucker's blogs * (she has 13 blogs), she has several different images of a VERY naked Eve. We're not talking about white statues where you can't see much of anything. Oh no, this is designed to cause one to consider her in fleshly ways.
*Pornographic Caution* If you're a man, I wouldn't recommend you see this site because its full of nothing but naked women, supposedly posing as Eve. Hardly fitting for Scripture's call to modesty and thinking on whatever is Christ-honoring.
Job 31:1 "I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?
1Ti 2:9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness--with good works.
Mat 5:27 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.
1Jo 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world.
See also Lev. 18 & 20 and Genesis 3 (after the Fall).
Gen 9:23 Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned backward, and they did not see their father's nakedness.
So the liberal Reclaiming The Mind continues to cloak itself as biblical, when in fact, they are hardly that at all. Beware of them. For other information go to Historici Baptist Forum. At HBF you will also find the following:
TTP's own webpage says:
History
In 2001 The Theology Program (TTP) began as a Frisco extension of Dallas Theological Seminary’s Center for Biblical Studies at Stonebriar Community Church (SCC), home of senior pastor Chuck Swindoll. Thirty students took part in the first TTP course. Our goal was to give lay-people an opportunity to experience the type of theological education that was typically only available to seminary students. Part of the vision of the ministry staff at SCC is to create all of their ministry material in such a way that other churches could use this material for the benefit of their ministries. TTP was created with this goal in mind. We joined hands with bible.org for a short time, but it soon became apparent that God was moving faster than we had anticipated. We decided to encorperate as Reclaiming the Mind Ministries in Jan. 2005, a not-for-profit 501(c)3. Our homebase is still Stonebriar Community Church and will continue to be.
Update: As of 10-31-07 10:31 a.m.: TTP's history page Still has the above quote posted on their site.
***Update****
Ruth Tucker's recent article "Defending the Closet Atheist" and also her other articles at Parchment and Pen, the blog of Patton/TTP/RTM are here. In one article "The Failed Leadership of Jesus" she says,
"As for the leader, Jesus is executed in his early thirties. Not exactly a demonstration of leadership success.This model of leader/followers is hardly one that would serve today’s leadership seminars. Something is dramatically wrong with the picture. Plain and simple, Jesus was a failed leader though it’s critical to point out that Jesus did not aspire to leadership."
The Dallas Theological Seminary/Chuck Swindoll's Stonebriar Church's ministry called "Reclaiming The Mind" has offered Ruth Tucker as a fine Christian scholar, both as a contributor to the blog site of RTM, as well as "Conversing With Scholars".
By offering her as such, RTM denies clear Scripture that says women are not to be leaders over men in church and in marriage,nor are they to have authority of them. Yet RTM continues to say its "biblical". Here is RTM's profile of this contributor.
Ruth Tucker's own blog says the following on October 13, 2007:
"Last Sunday offered me the wonderful privilege of preaching for the ordination service of Jennifer Dockum, a former student of mine at Trinity Evangelical Divinity school. She has been involved in ministry for several years, but had waited until now for her ordination. She's now officially a Southern Baptist minister. The service was at her home church, Concord Baptist some twenty miles north of Richmond, Virginia. It was witnessed by her husband and four children, her parents and brother, her mother-in-law, and many friends and fellow ministers. Jennifer's husband J.R. is also ordained, though at the present time his full-time job is that of a school teacher. Here we are together, friends on the journey of life."
1Tim2: 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve.
Titus 1 6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.
1Cor. 14: 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints, 34 women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says.
In additioin to her blatant pagan feministic rebellion, one of Tucker's blogs * (she has 13 blogs), she has several different images of a VERY naked Eve. We're not talking about white statues where you can't see much of anything. Oh no, this is designed to cause one to consider her in fleshly ways.
*Pornographic Caution* If you're a man, I wouldn't recommend you see this site because its full of nothing but naked women, supposedly posing as Eve. Hardly fitting for Scripture's call to modesty and thinking on whatever is Christ-honoring.
Job 31:1 "I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?
1Ti 2:9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness--with good works.
Mat 5:27 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.
1Jo 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world.
See also Lev. 18 & 20 and Genesis 3 (after the Fall).
Gen 9:23 Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned backward, and they did not see their father's nakedness.
So the liberal Reclaiming The Mind continues to cloak itself as biblical, when in fact, they are hardly that at all. Beware of them. For other information go to Historici Baptist Forum. At HBF you will also find the following:
TTP's own webpage says:
History
In 2001 The Theology Program (TTP) began as a Frisco extension of Dallas Theological Seminary’s Center for Biblical Studies at Stonebriar Community Church (SCC), home of senior pastor Chuck Swindoll. Thirty students took part in the first TTP course. Our goal was to give lay-people an opportunity to experience the type of theological education that was typically only available to seminary students. Part of the vision of the ministry staff at SCC is to create all of their ministry material in such a way that other churches could use this material for the benefit of their ministries. TTP was created with this goal in mind. We joined hands with bible.org for a short time, but it soon became apparent that God was moving faster than we had anticipated. We decided to encorperate as Reclaiming the Mind Ministries in Jan. 2005, a not-for-profit 501(c)3. Our homebase is still Stonebriar Community Church and will continue to be.
Update: As of 10-31-07 10:31 a.m.: TTP's history page Still has the above quote posted on their site.
Monday, October 08, 2007
Bush Says Islam Is A Religion of Peace: News Reports and Quran Prove Otherwise
*Below I have juxtaposed news articles of Islamic terror on various people throughout the world, with George Bush's and Condoleeza Rice's claim of Islam being a "peaceful religion". Their quotes, dispersed throughout, are in italics, even when I am otherwise quoting from news sources. I do this as stark reminder that while Islam is slaughtering non-Muslims, Bush tries to sell his propaganda that Islam isn't the issue. It is exactly the issue. I've included quotes from the Quran and Hadith as well.*
America's two main diplomats at the time were John Adams in London and Jefferson in Paris. Together they called upon Ambassador Abdrahaman, the envoy of Tripoli in London, in March 1786. This dignitary mentioned a tariff of three payments — for the ransom of slaves and hostages, for cheap terms of temporary peace and for more costly terms of "perpetual peace." He did not forget to add his own commission as a percentage. Adams and Jefferson asked to know by what right he was exacting these levies. The U.S. had never menaced or quarreled with any of the Muslim powers. As Jefferson later reported to the State Department and Congress, "The Ambassador answered us that it was founded on the Laws of their Prophet, that it was written in their Koran, that all nations who should not have acknowledged their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as Prisoners." Hitchens article "To the Shores of Tripoli"
I believe that Islam is a great religion that preaches peace. -President Bush, October 8,2007
Surah 4:74: Let those who fight in the cause of Allah, who sell the life of this world for the Hereafter, to him who fighteh in the cause of Allah...Soon shall We give him a reward of great value.
"But the United States has enormous respect for Muslims and for Islam. It's a respect that would never equate Islam and the Islamic faith with the kind of terrorists that we see." - Condoleeza Rice
NEW! Update: October 5, 2007 [Religion in Azerbaijan:According to official figures approximately 93.4% to 96% of the population is Muslim, of which 70% are Shia and 30% Sunni]
An appeals court has spent two minutes affirming a two-year work camp sentence for a Baptist pastor who was holding Christian church services, a case on which Voice of the Martyrs, the worldwide ministry to persecuted Christians, has reported.
The pastor had been targeted for his activities, along with his congregation, in his village of Aliabad near Zakatala. Other Baptists in the village also have been targeted by authorities, who in Azerbaijan require that church groups be licensed by the state in order to operate. They then can control church activities by denying licensing to groups they don't like.
Balaev, 44, had been leading his Baptist congregation in the northwest corner of Azerbaijan near Georgia, but repeatedly was refused in his applications for legal status, a situation that led to harassment from local authorities for not having that permission, supporters told Forum 18.
He had been arrested May 20 during what police said was an "illegal" worship service. He then was accused of attacking five police officers.
With Balaev in prison, police in Aliabad have been harassing the leader of another Baptist congregation, led by Nvoruz Eyvazov, according to Forum 18. Homes of several members have been searched by police, and religious literature was confiscated.
Yet: "And finally, the President will talk about his respect for Islam, this great faith of peace and our desire to work together so that all religions can live in peace." - Condoleeza Rice
News: June 11, 2005
"More than 10,000 Christians have been killed since 1999, the year Islamic "Sharia law" was introduced in Nigeria, according to Voice of the Martyrs, a group that aids the persecuted church around the world."
Yet: "These acts of violence [9-11-01] against innocents violate the fundamental tenets of the Islamic faith. The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam. " - Bush: September 17,2001
Surah 2:244: Fight in the cause of Allah
Surah 5:33: The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and his apostle...they shall be slaughtered, or crucified , or their hands and feet shall be struck off alternately, or they shall be banished from the land.
News: October 8, 2007
Rampaging Muslims have:
...killed 10 Christians, injured 61 others, destroyed nine churches and displaced more than 500 people in northern Nigeria…
…vandalized Christian property and murdered innocents....
….Even Christian policemen were not immune, with about 30 officers and their families being attacked and their homes looted and set on fire. "
Yet: "I have a hope for the people of Muslim countries. Your commitments to morality, and learning, and tolerance led to great historical achievements. And those values are alive in the Islamic world today. You have a rich culture, and you share the aspirations of men and women in every culture..."-Bush, June 25, 2002
Hadith: Burkhari vol V, no. 236: The Prophet...married Aisha when she was a girl of six years of age and consummated that marriage when she was nine years old.
News: September 19, 2006
"Three Christian men in Indonesia who claim they were falsely accused of murder during attacks by radical Muslims are scheduled to be executed as early as Thursday."
Yet:Islam as "a faith based upon peace and love and compassion" and a religion committed to "morality and learning and tolerance." Bush, November 30, 2002
News: February 24, 2006
"Muslim rioters, incensed over the cartoons of Muhammad published in Denmark, were responsible for killing at least 130 Christians on the streets of Maiduguri and Onitsha in Nigeria, according to reports filtering out of the country from Voice of the Martyrs.
At least 51 Christians are confirmed dead in the Maiduguri attacks that took place Saturday. In the rampage, more than 150 homes and 32 churches were burned, and 85 shops were destroyed. "
Yet: "The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam. " - Bush
News continued: "Amidst the violence, six children were burned to ashes in front of their father, Joseph Tukwa, who was unable to rescue them."
Six Christian leaders, including the Rev. Joshua Adamu, were injured and are now in hiding….
In total, at least 123 people have been killed in the last four days of violence across Nigeria.
At least 80 people, mostly Christians, were slaughtered during two days of violence in Onitsha, leading Nigerian human rights group Civil Liberties Organization, said yesterday."
Yet:"I have a hope for the people of Muslim countries. Your commitments to morality, and learning, and tolerance led to great historical achievements." - Bush
News: March 24, 2006:
Under the interpretation of Islamic Sharia law on which Afghanistan's constitution is based, Mr Rahman faces the death penalty unless he reconverts to Islam.
"The Prophet Muhammad has said several times that those who convert from Islam should be killed if they refuse to come back," says Ansarullah Mawlafizada, the trial judge.
"Islam is a religion of peace, tolerance, kindness and integrity. That is why we have told him if he regrets what he did, then we will forgive him," he told the BBC News website.
"According to Islamic law he should be sentenced to death because God has clearly stated that Christianity is forbidden in our land," says Mohammed Qadir, another worshipper.
"This is a Muslim country. The state is Muslim, people are Muslim 99%," says Judge Ansarullah."
Surah 4:89: If they turn apostates, seize them and kill them wherever you find them.
Yet:"I believe that Islam is a great religion that preaches peace."--George Bush
Bringing Islam to America:
Husham Al-Husainy, imam of the Karbalaa Islamic Education Center, a shiite mosque in Dearborn, Michigan, opened up the Democratic National Convention Winter Meeting in February 2007 by praying:
Spencer, in a post on his Jihad Watch website, said he found it interesting to see the Muslim leader praying, "in veiled terms to be sure, for their conversion to Islam, and, oh yes, for the destruction of Israel ("And help us to stop the war and violence, and oppression and occupation").
He explained the imam was echoing the Fatiha, the first sura, or chapter, of the Quran and the most common prayer of Islam.
It asks Allah: "Show us the straight path, the path of those whom Thou hast favored; not the (path) of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who go astray."
The traditional Islamic understanding is that the "straight path" is Islam, Spencer points out. On the other hand, he continued, the path of those who have earned Allah's anger are the Jews, and those who have gone astray are the Christians.
End quote.
Surah 5:51: O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends.
"I believe that Islam is a great religion that preaches peace." -President Bush
Surah 2:190-194: Fight in the cause of Allah against those who fight you...and kill them wherever you catch them...if they fight you, kill them. Such is the reward of those who suppress the Faith...And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah.
"So we cannot believe that Islam would countenance the kind of destruction of innocence that we saw on September 11th." - Condoleeza Rice
"Islam is a peaceful religion. Islam is a religion that respects innocent human life. "--Condoleeza Rice
Surah 4:34: Men are the managers of the affairs of women...those you fear may be rebellious admoinsh; banish them to their couches, and beat them.
Hadith - Burkhari vol. I, no. 301: Allah's Apostle...said, "O women! Give alms, as I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-fire were you women...I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you."
"I have a hope for the people of Muslim countries. Your commitments to morality, and learning, and tolerance led to great historical achievements. And those values are alive in the Islamic world today. You have a rich culture, and you share the aspirations of men and women in every culture." --Bush
Hadith: Burkhari vol V, no. 236: The Prophet...married Aisha when she was a girl of six years of age and consummated that marriage when she was nine years old.
America's two main diplomats at the time were John Adams in London and Jefferson in Paris. Together they called upon Ambassador Abdrahaman, the envoy of Tripoli in London, in March 1786. This dignitary mentioned a tariff of three payments — for the ransom of slaves and hostages, for cheap terms of temporary peace and for more costly terms of "perpetual peace." He did not forget to add his own commission as a percentage. Adams and Jefferson asked to know by what right he was exacting these levies. The U.S. had never menaced or quarreled with any of the Muslim powers. As Jefferson later reported to the State Department and Congress, "The Ambassador answered us that it was founded on the Laws of their Prophet, that it was written in their Koran, that all nations who should not have acknowledged their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as Prisoners." Hitchens article "To the Shores of Tripoli"
I believe that Islam is a great religion that preaches peace. -President Bush, October 8,2007
Surah 4:74: Let those who fight in the cause of Allah, who sell the life of this world for the Hereafter, to him who fighteh in the cause of Allah...Soon shall We give him a reward of great value.
"But the United States has enormous respect for Muslims and for Islam. It's a respect that would never equate Islam and the Islamic faith with the kind of terrorists that we see." - Condoleeza Rice
NEW! Update: October 5, 2007 [Religion in Azerbaijan:According to official figures approximately 93.4% to 96% of the population is Muslim, of which 70% are Shia and 30% Sunni]
An appeals court has spent two minutes affirming a two-year work camp sentence for a Baptist pastor who was holding Christian church services, a case on which Voice of the Martyrs, the worldwide ministry to persecuted Christians, has reported.
The pastor had been targeted for his activities, along with his congregation, in his village of Aliabad near Zakatala. Other Baptists in the village also have been targeted by authorities, who in Azerbaijan require that church groups be licensed by the state in order to operate. They then can control church activities by denying licensing to groups they don't like.
Balaev, 44, had been leading his Baptist congregation in the northwest corner of Azerbaijan near Georgia, but repeatedly was refused in his applications for legal status, a situation that led to harassment from local authorities for not having that permission, supporters told Forum 18.
He had been arrested May 20 during what police said was an "illegal" worship service. He then was accused of attacking five police officers.
With Balaev in prison, police in Aliabad have been harassing the leader of another Baptist congregation, led by Nvoruz Eyvazov, according to Forum 18. Homes of several members have been searched by police, and religious literature was confiscated.
Yet: "And finally, the President will talk about his respect for Islam, this great faith of peace and our desire to work together so that all religions can live in peace." - Condoleeza Rice
News: June 11, 2005
"More than 10,000 Christians have been killed since 1999, the year Islamic "Sharia law" was introduced in Nigeria, according to Voice of the Martyrs, a group that aids the persecuted church around the world."
Yet: "These acts of violence [9-11-01] against innocents violate the fundamental tenets of the Islamic faith. The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam. " - Bush: September 17,2001
Surah 2:244: Fight in the cause of Allah
Surah 5:33: The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and his apostle...they shall be slaughtered, or crucified , or their hands and feet shall be struck off alternately, or they shall be banished from the land.
News: October 8, 2007
Rampaging Muslims have:
...killed 10 Christians, injured 61 others, destroyed nine churches and displaced more than 500 people in northern Nigeria…
…vandalized Christian property and murdered innocents....
….Even Christian policemen were not immune, with about 30 officers and their families being attacked and their homes looted and set on fire. "
Yet: "I have a hope for the people of Muslim countries. Your commitments to morality, and learning, and tolerance led to great historical achievements. And those values are alive in the Islamic world today. You have a rich culture, and you share the aspirations of men and women in every culture..."-Bush, June 25, 2002
Hadith: Burkhari vol V, no. 236: The Prophet...married Aisha when she was a girl of six years of age and consummated that marriage when she was nine years old.
News: September 19, 2006
"Three Christian men in Indonesia who claim they were falsely accused of murder during attacks by radical Muslims are scheduled to be executed as early as Thursday."
Yet:Islam as "a faith based upon peace and love and compassion" and a religion committed to "morality and learning and tolerance." Bush, November 30, 2002
News: February 24, 2006
"Muslim rioters, incensed over the cartoons of Muhammad published in Denmark, were responsible for killing at least 130 Christians on the streets of Maiduguri and Onitsha in Nigeria, according to reports filtering out of the country from Voice of the Martyrs.
At least 51 Christians are confirmed dead in the Maiduguri attacks that took place Saturday. In the rampage, more than 150 homes and 32 churches were burned, and 85 shops were destroyed. "
Yet: "The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam. " - Bush
News continued: "Amidst the violence, six children were burned to ashes in front of their father, Joseph Tukwa, who was unable to rescue them."
Six Christian leaders, including the Rev. Joshua Adamu, were injured and are now in hiding….
In total, at least 123 people have been killed in the last four days of violence across Nigeria.
At least 80 people, mostly Christians, were slaughtered during two days of violence in Onitsha, leading Nigerian human rights group Civil Liberties Organization, said yesterday."
Yet:"I have a hope for the people of Muslim countries. Your commitments to morality, and learning, and tolerance led to great historical achievements." - Bush
News: March 24, 2006:
Under the interpretation of Islamic Sharia law on which Afghanistan's constitution is based, Mr Rahman faces the death penalty unless he reconverts to Islam.
"The Prophet Muhammad has said several times that those who convert from Islam should be killed if they refuse to come back," says Ansarullah Mawlafizada, the trial judge.
"Islam is a religion of peace, tolerance, kindness and integrity. That is why we have told him if he regrets what he did, then we will forgive him," he told the BBC News website.
"According to Islamic law he should be sentenced to death because God has clearly stated that Christianity is forbidden in our land," says Mohammed Qadir, another worshipper.
"This is a Muslim country. The state is Muslim, people are Muslim 99%," says Judge Ansarullah."
Surah 4:89: If they turn apostates, seize them and kill them wherever you find them.
Yet:"I believe that Islam is a great religion that preaches peace."--George Bush
Bringing Islam to America:
Husham Al-Husainy, imam of the Karbalaa Islamic Education Center, a shiite mosque in Dearborn, Michigan, opened up the Democratic National Convention Winter Meeting in February 2007 by praying:
In the name of God the most merciful, the most compassionate. We thank you, God, to bless us among your creations. We thank you, God, to make us as a great nation. We thank you God, to send us your messages through our father Abraham and Moses and Jesus and Muhammad. Through you, God, we unite. So guide us to the right path. The path of the people you bless, not the path of the people you doom. Help us God to liberate and fill this earth with justice and peace and love and equality. And help us to stop the war and violence, and oppression and occupation. Ameen.
Spencer, in a post on his Jihad Watch website, said he found it interesting to see the Muslim leader praying, "in veiled terms to be sure, for their conversion to Islam, and, oh yes, for the destruction of Israel ("And help us to stop the war and violence, and oppression and occupation").
He explained the imam was echoing the Fatiha, the first sura, or chapter, of the Quran and the most common prayer of Islam.
It asks Allah: "Show us the straight path, the path of those whom Thou hast favored; not the (path) of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who go astray."
The traditional Islamic understanding is that the "straight path" is Islam, Spencer points out. On the other hand, he continued, the path of those who have earned Allah's anger are the Jews, and those who have gone astray are the Christians.
End quote.
Surah 5:51: O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends.
"I believe that Islam is a great religion that preaches peace." -President Bush
Surah 2:190-194: Fight in the cause of Allah against those who fight you...and kill them wherever you catch them...if they fight you, kill them. Such is the reward of those who suppress the Faith...And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah.
"So we cannot believe that Islam would countenance the kind of destruction of innocence that we saw on September 11th." - Condoleeza Rice
"Islam is a peaceful religion. Islam is a religion that respects innocent human life. "--Condoleeza Rice
Surah 4:34: Men are the managers of the affairs of women...those you fear may be rebellious admoinsh; banish them to their couches, and beat them.
Hadith - Burkhari vol. I, no. 301: Allah's Apostle...said, "O women! Give alms, as I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-fire were you women...I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you."
"I have a hope for the people of Muslim countries. Your commitments to morality, and learning, and tolerance led to great historical achievements. And those values are alive in the Islamic world today. You have a rich culture, and you share the aspirations of men and women in every culture." --Bush
Hadith: Burkhari vol V, no. 236: The Prophet...married Aisha when she was a girl of six years of age and consummated that marriage when she was nine years old.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
"Christian" Academia: A Den of Unbelief
I read this article today: “Darwin challenged, research censoredChristian university removes professor's website, data from public view” found at Worldnetdaily.
It is no real shock to me, frankly. A “Baptist” university sitting in the seat of scoffers, fearing man rather than God, that's pretty common place for most "Christian" colleges and universities it seems.
Its what Academia does. We’ve seen this before; its why Machen left Princeton. University of Southern California is supposed to be a “Methodist” school. Harvard used to be a Christian school as well. Look at Wheaton College** (see this example of distancing from Creationism to the more popular, less offensive "Intellegent Design" & this for philosphy and feminism), Azusa Pacific University, and Fuller Theological Seminary (Cemetary --let's not forget Richard Mouw's apology and unity with the Mormons a few years back, not to mention Fuller's feminism). Check out Bethel, Biola, Calvin colleges. And while most, if not all these schools have a passable Statement of Faith, those statements don't mean a hill of beans when they practice and teach against clear Scripture. For this issue go here to read a good article on "But they have a Doctrinal Statement!"
Consider this, as well: many, if not most, seminary and college professors have a degree in Religion and/or Philosophy. Indulging in anti-biblical thinking will color their view of God and His Word and will indeed lower its authority and value.
Ken Silva quotes Walter Martin in his article here:
Rare is the “Christian” college that teaches the biblical Literal Six-Day Creation. Refusal to do so is really an attack on God and thus HIS authority. And once you attack the Beginning, you end up denying an actual Fall of mankind into sin in which we are all now born. You can see where that ends up.
When the Evangelical Theological Society can’t get enough votes to boot out three Open Theist “scholars”, that pretty much sums up the state of our “Christian” academia.
Another example of "Christian" academia is The Theological Program and C. Michael Patton. He said, that as a member of ETS, had he the opportunity to vote again to eject the Open Theists, he would change it to a "no" vote, because he thought that academia, and ETS in particular, needs to be "more open minded". This "scholar" believes that the Judaizers Paul discusses in Galatians were "saved", that there are "Polythestic Christians" in Scripture, and that one can be saved without the Gospel (by the gospel of works that RCC teaches). He believes that Truth isn't so black and white, that the Gospel was "hidden" for centuries by "the church" and only the Reformers had "rediscovered it";he offers as "Christian" scholars whose views he things the average Christian should consider on whatever issues. His list includes feminists, Open Theists, pro-Roman Catholics.
To quote Patton (remember, he's a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and also director of Reclaiming the Mind (minstry of Chuch Swindoll's church and Dallas Theological Seminary):
But Scripture rejects Patton's notion: Mat 5:18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
"Jot and tittle" indicate quite a technicality, contrary to Patton's view. Also John 8:58 Jesus declares to be "I AM" --not I was, or will be. Titus 2:13 which declars Jesus to be "God and Savior" (grammar rules prove the intent in this verse is to proclaim Jesus is God). Technicalities? Very important.
Patton denies the inspiration of Scripture in that statement above, although if asked no doubt he would deny it. How can he deny the inspiriation of Scripture (2Tim. 3:16)? Because what he is saying for all intents and purposes, is that Scripture is a mere book, on par with a newspaper, and that the men fumbled around with the writing. However, if GOD is the author of Scripture, as we know He is, and HE is perfect in EVERY WAY, and the writers were instructed by the Holy Spirit of what to write and how to write it, then we can be sure that Scripture is accurate. Every dot and tittle.
When Creation is doubted and Evolution (veiled in religious terms such as “Theistic Evolution”) is considered as a plausible option; when Christians cower to the God-hating World and try to sneak in their quasi-Creation view via “Intellegent Design” (even the Muslims would agree with THAT term as would Mormons), you KNOW we’re in trouble.
J Campbell Morgan entered into doubt of God's Word as trustworthy and inerrant when he read too many of man's opinions:
It is no real shock to me, frankly. A “Baptist” university sitting in the seat of scoffers, fearing man rather than God, that's pretty common place for most "Christian" colleges and universities it seems.
Its what Academia does. We’ve seen this before; its why Machen left Princeton. University of Southern California is supposed to be a “Methodist” school. Harvard used to be a Christian school as well. Look at Wheaton College** (see this example of distancing from Creationism to the more popular, less offensive "Intellegent Design" & this for philosphy and feminism), Azusa Pacific University, and Fuller Theological Seminary (Cemetary --let's not forget Richard Mouw's apology and unity with the Mormons a few years back, not to mention Fuller's feminism). Check out Bethel, Biola, Calvin colleges. And while most, if not all these schools have a passable Statement of Faith, those statements don't mean a hill of beans when they practice and teach against clear Scripture. For this issue go here to read a good article on "But they have a Doctrinal Statement!"
Consider this, as well: many, if not most, seminary and college professors have a degree in Religion and/or Philosophy. Indulging in anti-biblical thinking will color their view of God and His Word and will indeed lower its authority and value.
Ken Silva quotes Walter Martin in his article here:
Mr. Pugh gave me a job and said, “I want you to do something that is very important. Princeton Theological Seminary is about to go down the tubes on Scripture. The Presbyterian Church is getting ready for a new confessional and they will use that confessional as a means of denying foundational truths of Presbyterian theology.” I said, “Are you sure?” He said, “I know it!” And so they did, he knew it from the inside. He said, “I want you to make a study of every major theological seminary in the United States; I don’t care what it costs. And I want you to document for me what happened to them. Are they orthodox, neo-orthodox, or liberal; and then I want you to tell me how they got that way.”
So I did, and it was amazing what emerged. Point number one; every major theological seminary that has turned from orthodox Christianity began with disbelief of Biblical doctrine. There wasn’t a single exception. This corrupt Bibliology then lead them to the next step. Their Theology began to be touched by it, their view of the Cross, the Virgin Birth were both immediately questioned; then came the miracles of Christ. And finally they had emptied the Gospel of all its content; they were simply using the outward shell so that they go on collecting money from the people and the churches; because they knew that if the people in the pew knew that they were apostate, they’d throw them out. So the strategy was hang on to the trust funds; hang on to the money we’ve got; hang on the properties we control, and we will gradually educate the laymen into this new approach to theology.
And then finally we will take control of everything. The gradual process of feeding you theological poison until you become immunized enough so that you don’t know what’s happening to you. And when you wake up to what’s happening to you, it’s too late they’ve got everything. That is not a baseless charge, I stand prepared to prove that the Cult of Liberal Theology in the United States has deliberately and consistently followed this methodology to entrap, control and dominate the denominations and the churches of the United States and our educational institutions. The study with Mr. Pugh confirmed the fact that once the Theology became corrupt, gradually then the view of Christ Himself underwent change. (The Cult of Liberalism, audio tape, side 1)
Rare is the “Christian” college that teaches the biblical Literal Six-Day Creation. Refusal to do so is really an attack on God and thus HIS authority. And once you attack the Beginning, you end up denying an actual Fall of mankind into sin in which we are all now born. You can see where that ends up.
When the Evangelical Theological Society can’t get enough votes to boot out three Open Theist “scholars”, that pretty much sums up the state of our “Christian” academia.
Another example of "Christian" academia is The Theological Program and C. Michael Patton. He said, that as a member of ETS, had he the opportunity to vote again to eject the Open Theists, he would change it to a "no" vote, because he thought that academia, and ETS in particular, needs to be "more open minded". This "scholar" believes that the Judaizers Paul discusses in Galatians were "saved", that there are "Polythestic Christians" in Scripture, and that one can be saved without the Gospel (by the gospel of works that RCC teaches). He believes that Truth isn't so black and white, that the Gospel was "hidden" for centuries by "the church" and only the Reformers had "rediscovered it";he offers as "Christian" scholars whose views he things the average Christian should consider on whatever issues. His list includes feminists, Open Theists, pro-Roman Catholics.
To quote Patton (remember, he's a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and also director of Reclaiming the Mind (minstry of Chuch Swindoll's church and Dallas Theological Seminary):
“The presupposition is this: All writers of Scripture, by virtue of
divine inspiration and inerrancy, must have recorded everything in a technically precise way. I take issue with this presupposition. I do not believe that inspiration and inerrancy require technical precision."
“The Gospel writers were simply telling the story of Christ as
enthusiastic reporters of good news who were emotionally committed to the truths upon which they were reporting. This happens every day in our
own news reporting system and we don’t hold their feet to the fire of
technical precision.”
“Did the writers record the very words of Christ or the spirit of
truth that his words represent? I would say any inductive approach to arriving at a hermeneutical method demands the latter.”
But Scripture rejects Patton's notion: Mat 5:18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
"Jot and tittle" indicate quite a technicality, contrary to Patton's view. Also John 8:58 Jesus declares to be "I AM" --not I was, or will be. Titus 2:13 which declars Jesus to be "God and Savior" (grammar rules prove the intent in this verse is to proclaim Jesus is God). Technicalities? Very important.
Patton denies the inspiration of Scripture in that statement above, although if asked no doubt he would deny it. How can he deny the inspiriation of Scripture (2Tim. 3:16)? Because what he is saying for all intents and purposes, is that Scripture is a mere book, on par with a newspaper, and that the men fumbled around with the writing. However, if GOD is the author of Scripture, as we know He is, and HE is perfect in EVERY WAY, and the writers were instructed by the Holy Spirit of what to write and how to write it, then we can be sure that Scripture is accurate. Every dot and tittle.
When Creation is doubted and Evolution (veiled in religious terms such as “Theistic Evolution”) is considered as a plausible option; when Christians cower to the God-hating World and try to sneak in their quasi-Creation view via “Intellegent Design” (even the Muslims would agree with THAT term as would Mormons), you KNOW we’re in trouble.
J Campbell Morgan entered into doubt of God's Word as trustworthy and inerrant when he read too many of man's opinions:
For three years this young man, seriously contemplating a future of
teaching and ultimately of preaching, felt the troubled waters of the stream of
religious controversy carrying him beyond his depth. He read the new books which debated such questions as, “Is God Knowable?” and found that the authors’ concerted decision was, “He is not knowable. He became confused and perplexed. No longer was he sure of that which his father proclaimed in public, and had taught him in the home.
Other books appeared, seeking to defend the Bible from the attacks which
were being made upon it. The more he read the more unanswerable became the questions which filled his mind. One who had never suffered it cannot appreciate the anguish of spirit young Campbell Morgan endured during this crucial period of his life. Through all the after years it gave him the greatest sympathy with
young people passing through similar experiences at college—experiences which he likened to “passing through a trackless desert.” At last the crisis came when he admitted to himself his total lack of assurance that the Bible was the authoritative Word of God to man. He immediately cancelled all preaching engagements. Then, taking all his books, both those attacking and those defending the Bible, he put them all in a corner cupboard. Relating this afterwards, as he did many times in preaching, he told of turning the key in the lock of the door. “I can hear the click of that lock now,” he used to say. He went out of the house, and down the street to a bookshop. He bought a new Bible and, returning to his room with it, he said to himself: “I am no longer sure that this is what my father claims it to be—the Word of God. But of this I am sure. If it be the Word of God, and if I come to it with an unprejudiced and open mind, it will bring assurance to my soul of itself.” “That Bible found me,” he said, “I began to read and study it then, in 1883. I have been a student ever since, and I still am (in 1938).”
At the end of two years Campbell Morgan emerged from that eclipse of
faith absolutely sure that the Bible was, in very deed and truth, none other than the Word of the living God. Quoting again from his account of the incident: “…This experience is what, at last, took me back into the work of preaching, and into the work of the ministry. I soon found foothold enough to begin to preach,
and from that time I went on.”
With this crisis behind him and this new certainty thrilling his soul,
there came a compelling conviction. This Book, being what it was, merited all
that a man could give to its study, not merely for the sake of the personal joy of delving deeply into the heart and mind and will of God, but also in order that those truths discovered by such searching of the Scriptures should be made known to a world of men groping for light, and perishing in the darkness with no clear knowledge of that Will. (Jill Morgan, A Man of the Word: Life of G. Campbell Morgan, 94)
2Co 11:3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
Doubting God's Word as reliable and true is nothing but the lie Satan brought to Eve in Eden. Why in the world would a Christian who loves God sit in the seat of scoffers and fill their minds with doubt of HIS Word which is inerrent and truthful and God-breathed?
Scripture says:
Ecc 12:12 My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
Col 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
2Ti 2:23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.
1Co 2:1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
1Co 1:17 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.
Eph 4:17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. ...19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!
1Co 1:22 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.
1Co 1:25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. …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;
2 Tim. 2: 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.
Here are a few truths and challenges:
Spiritual truth (and godliness) is not academically taught. It is revealed by God through the Scriptures.
There is never enough evidence for a skeptic.
Scripture is never enough for a scholar.
Logic and Rationale = man-determined means of accepting or denying truth. Its really nothing short of “practicle atheism.
Many well-educated "Christians" have studied themselves away from Truth.
Scripture says:
Psa 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
Psa 119:98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.
Psa 119:100 I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.
Psa 119:99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.
Psa 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
Pro 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
2Co 4:2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.
2Co 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
We are not to wallow in notions that set themselves up against God and His Word. Rather we destroy them and don't think and ponder and handle them as "interesting" or "possible". Hypotheticals don't make for biblical thinking. Truth is knowable. Its not an option to think on what is true:
Phi 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
**Update**
The link provided for Wheaton College, as noted by a reader, went to the wrong school website. I have provided other links to Wheaton College in Illinois.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)