Studying Themselves Away From Truth: Reformers at the forefront of denying biblical Creation

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**Update** 

Dr. Terry Mortenson of Answers In Genesis has roundly demolished Justin Taylor's sinful attack against the Genesis account of a young earth created in  six 24 hour days here. 

John Piper, purveyor of cussing x-rated, justification-by-works, universalist and pelagian preachers, denies the Genesis account as written and holds to the damnable Evoultion theory of the Gap Theory. He is also soft on sodomy now.

John Stott, Anglican and denier of a literal Hell , denies the creation of Adamfrom dust by God's hand.

Peter Enns, suspended then forced to exit from Westminster Theological Seminary for his heretical book that denies of the the innerancy of Scripture , flat out denies the Adam of Scripture as the first man created and our head (Romans 5). 

Mike Huckabee, ex-pastor and former presidential candidate refused to declare faith in the Genesis account; leaving it open to either six literal days or the evolution Gap theory. (He is not a Reformer, just to be clear.)

Tim Keller, Reformergent and endorser/writer for the evolutionistic Biologos, also doesn't know how God created; denies the sufficiency of Scripture. ;denies a literal Genesis account (p. 4-5 "Creation, Evolution, and Lay People")
Are you seeing a pattern?

Justin Taylor of The "Gospel" Coalition and Reformation 21 – denies a literal six, 24 hour day creationweek  

As I have noted elsewhere,

Not only is this assinine, its completely against Scripture. What's to not know? God has told us how He created: by HIS Word, and immediately things came into being. He told how how long it took: six days. So simple children understand and believe.

Rev 4:11 "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."

Gen 1:3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.

Gen 2:7 then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was createdby the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

Psa 33:6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

Psa 148:4 Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD! For he commanded and they were created.

Heb 1:2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Joh 1:3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 

Isa 45:12 I made the earth and created man on it; it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host.
Belief in the Literal Six Day Creation as Genesis clearly says, IS of eternal importance for a few reasons:

* God said He created in six literal days and that's enough to believe it.
* To deny the above IS to sit in the seat of scoffers (Ps. 1:1-2) and say what the Serpent said, "Hath God said?"
* Hebrews 1:3 lists FIRST SLDC (six literal day creation) as the object of our faith.
* Deny SLDC leads to denial of a real Fall, historical Adam and Eve, Justification, Total Depravity, and therefore Salvation.

Scripture says those in Christ do know the Truth, for God's Word is Truth, Jesus is Truth, and we have the Spirit of Truth Who will lead us into all truth.

Joh 8:30 As he was saying these things, many believed in him. 31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."1Jo 2:21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because NO LIE IS OF THE TRUTH.

2 Thes. 2: 13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit AND THROUGH BELIEF in the TRUTH. 14 He called you to THIS THROUGH OUR GOSPEL , that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (caps for emphasis by me)

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.

Lawrence Ford, Executive Editor of ICR's "Acts And Facts" correctly states:

"Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." This is the first and foremost apologetic. If a person stumbles on this one profound truth, a lifetime of doubt and confusion lies ahead for him, full of uncertainty about the ultimate purpose for being alive.But when a Christian attempts to alter this ultimate statement of reality to fit the compromising philosophies of men--even scientifically-trained professionals--then woe to him for his unbelief and, even graver still, for teaching others that unbelief."

John MacArthur states:

Quote:

Now as we have already learned in our study of origins in the study of the first Chapter of Genesis, it is sheer foolishness scientifically and it is utter unbelief Biblically to impose on creation any kind of evolution.Evolution is not a reasonable explanation for the universe or life on earth in any sense whatsoever. It is scientifically impossible, and it is Biblically rejected. If we look closely at the issue of Genesis 1 and creation, we find no evidence of evolution whatsoever in the text of scripture; nor is there any indication by any kind of reasonable science that any form of evolution from species to species could at all take place. And I've suggested to you a number of times, and I do it again, that as you look more closely at the issue of unbelief and denial of the clearly revealed account of creation in the book of Genesis, it is fair to say that anyone who rejects the Genesis creation account, anyone who rejects that God created the universe in six literal 24-hour days, makes an assault on scripture; makes an assault on the historicity of scripture, the accuracy of scripture, the inspiration of scripture, the inerrancy of scripture and the authenticity of scripture.

It is no small thing to deny the straightforward creation account of Genesis Chapter 1. And we could go so far as to say that in actuality, the Bible itself stands or falls with the historical accuracy of Genesis 1.If we cannot trust the creation account, then why should we trust anything else on the pages of scripture? It is sad to say that even the secular world has through the years better understood this than many Christians.

End quote.

Cautious, Yes, But of Who?

"For the present it behoves believers to be cautious, lest they lend their support and countenance to the betrayers of the Lord."

~Spurgeon

Instead of being "cautious" to rightly point out the sinful doctrine of popular teachers, we should be cautious to lend our support of them!

Genuine Conversion: bowing the knee to the lordship of the Lord in humility

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"A Christian is not only one "anointed" by the Spirit, but he is also one who is a disciple of Christ (see Matthew 28:19 margin, and Acts 11:26), that is, a learner and follower of Christ. His terms of discipleship are made known in Luke 14:26-33. Those terms a regenerate soul is enabled to comply with. Convicted of his lost condition, having learned that Christ is the appointed and self-sufficient Saviour for sinners, he now throws down the weapons of his rebellion, repudiates his idols, relinquishes his love of and friendship with the world, surrenders himself to the Lordship of Christ, takes His yoke upon him, and thereby finds rest unto his soul; trusting in the efficacy of His atoning blood the burden of guilt is removed, and henceforth his dominant desire and endeavor is to please and glorify his Saviour. Thus regeneration issues in and evidences itself by conversion, and genuine conversion makes one a disciple of Christ, following the example He has left us."

~Arthur a Pink, "Spiritual Growth"

When You Stand Convicted and Condemned Before God, Forgiveness Causes Deep Joy

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"He who has stood before his God, convicted and condemned, with the rope about his neck, is the man to weep for joy when pardoned."

~Spurgeon

Luke 18

13 But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner! ' 14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Matt. 5

2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Sin Is Not Always Ugly

"But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate!" Revelation 2:6 

So I must live, with equal aloofness from every wicked and dubious way--with equal abhorrence of all which my divinely enlightened conscience may not approve. Christ expects me to hate the works of the Nicolaitans!

If I am to escape the seductions of sin--I require such intolerance and hatred. 
There is great enticement in sin's gaieties, fascinations, and charms! 
It beguiles! 
It entraps! 
It enthralls! 

It is not always ugly--often it has a mesmerizing enchantment. My one safety is have an unflinching opposition to that which is both so fairand so foul at the same time. If I dull the keen edge of my hostility to sin--the plausible and insinuating foe will quickly have me at his mercy!

There is a type of weakness which is all for concession and clemency in the presence of evil. It parleys with sin, and it dallies in its society. It can say a great deal in sin's defense--perhaps it discerns admirable qualities in it. 

But the holiness to which I am called, is more manly and soldierly. It will have no friendship with the foul adversary!

If I am to imitate Christ--I require such severities and aversions to sin. He also hates the works of the Nicolaitans. I misread Him if I think of Him as altogether meek and gentle. He sends a sword, He kindles a fire, upon the earth. Before His pure gaze, sin blushes, and droops its proud head, and withers away! He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and He will not rest until He has trodden every iniquity under His feet!

"I hate every false way!" Psalm 119:128 

(Alexander Smellie, "The Secret Place" 1907)

Your Journey to Heaven

(James Meikle, "A Secret Survey into the State of the Soul" April 13, 1779)

There is one thing which is needful--and only one thing. Henceforth let me attend to it with diligence and care, and not to make trifles such matters of concern.

If I am traveling to my Father's house, I should attend closely to my journey, and not consume myself with anxiety about the climate, whether it it fair or foul; whether the road is good or bad; and whether I join agreeable company, or walk alone. For my Father's house will make me completely happy, so happy that I shall forget all the toils of my journey! 

"Heaven will make amends for all!"

Is Christ Really Everything To You Or Is That Mere Christian Platitude?

“If Christ is not all to you He is nothing to you. He will never go into partnership as a part Saviour of men. If He be something He must be everything, and if He be not everything He is nothing to you.”

 ~ Charles H. Spurgeon

Take away psychology and psychiatry, take away John Piper, Beth Moore, Kay Arthur, John Calvin, Martin Luther, John MacArthur ---wait, could you do that? Or would you/do you continue to hold on to Jesus AND your favorite teacher? At what cost? What about your relationships? Are you willing to forsake them for Christ?  If you can't "know" the Lord without men, if you can't "really" know the Truth without men, if you must seek their books for answers, if you hold loved ones in one hand and Jesus in the other, consider that you really are not at the point where it is ONLY Christ or not at all.....that HE isn't EVERYTHING to you.

LDS Becomes Advocate for LGBT Rights

SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) Top leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called Tuesday (Jan. 27) for passage of laws granting statewide protections against housing and employment discrimination for gay and lesbian Utahns — as long as those measures safeguard religious freedom.

“We call on local, state and the federal government to serve all of their people by passing legislation that protects vital religious freedoms for individuals, families, churches and other faith groups while also protecting the rights of our LGBT citizens in such areas as housing, employment and public accommodation in hotels, restaurants and transportation — protections which are not available in many parts of the country,” said church apostle Dallin H. Oaks.

~RNS

Not much different than what Al Mohler has recently claimed in part:

"In his June 15 comments at the SBC meeting, Mohler -- president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. -- said Christians have "not done well on this issue," have told only "half the truth" regarding homosexuality and have practiced a "certain form of homophobia." He went on to say it's "clear that it's more than a choice" and is "not something that people can just turn on and turn off." He also was clear in calling homosexuality a sin."

"To simply use the word 'choice' fits the question of behavior," Mohler told BP. "In other words, each of us makes a choice concerning what we are going to do in the face of temptation. We are fully accountable and fully responsible for that. So when it comes to the question of homosexual acts, 'choice' is a fully legitimate category. But when it comes to that pattern of temptation, the reality is that all of us struggle with some kind of temptation that we have simply known from our earliest self-understanding. It could be gluttony, it could be dishonesty, it could be any number of things. But every single human being past the point of puberty has some form of sexual temptation, and we need to be honest about the fact that that pattern of sexual temptation is something that will represent a lifelong struggle."

The same would be true, Mohler said, of someone who grew up in a family of alcoholics and faces a culture of alcoholism. Despite the temptation, he said, that person is "responsible for his or her own decisions related to drinking and to drunkenness."

End quote.

You can see the really bad thinking here, so foreign to scripture but wholly worldly. Christians often are no different than the world, ignoring clear passages like Romans 1 on how and why people become sodomites. They also put sodomy into a catagory God never does: that of "natural" sin. God places sodomy in it's own catagory, giving it special punishment because it goes against His order of things, as we see happened with Sodom and Gomorrah. He didn't destroy entire cities because of gluttony or drunkenness, for crying out loud.

The biblical Jesus, nor any of His Word, ever wavered on this issue. Jesus didn't play games, nor did the Father nor the Spirit. In all ages God condemns sodomy as well as worldliness. And Jesus already pronounced all men under God's wrath and condemnation for those outside of Him (John 6:36, Rom. 8:1).

- In the patriarchs (Genesis 19:1-28)

- In the Law of Moses (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13)

- In the Prophets (Ezekiel 16:46-50)

- In the New Testament (Romans 1:18-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Jude 7-8)

Joh 7:7  The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil.

Joh 15:18  "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.

Joh 15:19  If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

Joh 15:20  Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.

Jas 4:4  You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5  Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: "He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us"? 

Today Is the 70th's Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz

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Nature of Science

Post by Answers in Genesis.

The Pathology of False Teachers

Are there secondary issues, less important doctrines in Scripture? What makes a false teacher, false? This quote demonstrates what I have so urgently been trying to proclaim: God is precise and He demands we be also. "A little" leaven is TOO MUCH leaven; it permeates the loaf to render it unholy. So why do so many Christians sit in judgement of God's Word, lower whatever doctrines they deem "less important" and then embrace teachers who rebel against biblical doctrine as if they are faithful, true teachers of Scripture?

Quote:

And so, Paul is saying, "Look, if anyone teaches differently, that's the mark...that's how you know them."  It is, first of all then, what they affirm.  You have to listen to what they say.  Is it different than what you know Scripture says?

Are they saying something different?  The word is heteros didaskalia, a heterodox teaching rather than an orthodox teaching.  That means a heresy, a false teaching, something that is different than the Scripture teaches.  They don't get their teaching out of the Word of God, they have something different than the Bible, some vision, some revelation, some psychological insight, some self‑generated, self‑spawned doctrine, some interpretation that is contrary to Scripture.  Anything different than the sound true teaching of the Word of God revealed marks a false teacher.  It could be a teaching that denies that God is the only true God.  It could be a teaching that denies that God is a spirit and turns God into an idol or a man.  It could be a teaching that denies that God is a trinity or that denies some of the attributes or any of the attributes of God.  It could be a teaching that denies that God is almighty, that God is sovereign, that God is the creator, that God has revealed Himself in history.  It can be a teaching that denies His person, His attributes or His works.  And any such thing marks out one who has a virus that is deadly.

It could be error about Christ, error about His lineage, error about His virgin birth.  Someone who teaches contrary to the sinless perfection of Christ, contrary to His substitutionary atoning death on the cross, contrary to His resurrection, contrary to His miraculous life and works, His perfect teaching, His Second Coming, His high priestly ministry of intercession, His eternal reign, any of that.  Anyone who teaches differently than that.  It could be a denial of the authenticity of Scripture, the inspiration of Scripture, the authority of Scripture, the inerrancy of Scripture.  It could be a denial of the work and ministry and person of the Holy Spirit as revealed on the pages of holy Scripture.

Any deviation from what the Bible teaches marks out the virus of false teaching that can deadly...in a deadly way infect people.  Any area of truth twisted, perverted or superseding Scripture is cause for us to take note.

~John MacArthur on "The Pathology of False Teachers"

I would add that what some false teachers OMIT is also heresy.  Additionally, claiming right doctrine in area, but then contradicting it or sliding in an exception (via "ignorance" for example) is also false teaching.

As Robert Morey so astutely said,

The main problem is that many religious leaders today say one thing and teach another. If you ask Gregory Boyd or the other “Open View of God” heretics if they believe in the “omniscience” of God, they will say, “Yes.” Dumb Christians are satisfied at this point and go their merry way deceived and hoodwinked. But if you force them to define the term “omniscience,” they end up denying that God knows all things! They claim that God does not and cannot know the future.

Just because someone says, “I believe in sola scriptura,” does not mean he really believes in it. If he elsewhere says that the Bible is not the final authority in faith and practice, he has denied in substance what he supposedly affirmed as a slogan. Heretics have always done this. What they affirm with the right hand is what they deny with the left hand. It does not matter what doctrine is at stake.

In the early 1980s, those who denied the inerrancy of Scripture did not begin by openly denying it. They redefined

it until the term “inerrancy” meant errors!

Those who deny the bodily resurrection of Christ often pretend to believe in it by tricky words and double talk.

Believe me; I have heard some slick theologians in my day!

Apostasy in Scripture is of two kinds: doctrinal and moral.

A heretic can be a good person who is very moral. Yet, he can also be an anti-Christ. The monk Pelagius was according to all a good man, morally speaking. Thus when I point out some teacher as a heretic, evanjellyfish usually respond, “But he is sooo nice! He is a good man. How dare you attack him!”

They assume that heretics are always mean and vile. A nice heretic who says that right phrases and theological clichés cannot be a heretic in their mind.The problem with heretics who are “nice” is that we tend to let them get away with the most outrageous teaching because they seem to be so nice.

End quote.

Comfort for the Christian: God's absolute sovereignty

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"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose!" Romans 8:28

There is no attribute of God more comforting to His children than that of God's sovereignty. Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe troubles, they believe . . .
that Sovereignty has ordained their afflictions,
that Sovereignty overrules them, and
that Sovereignty will sanctify them all.

There is nothing for which the children of God ought more earnestly to contend, than . . .
the doctrine of their Master ruling over all creation,
the kingship of God over all the works of His own hand,
the throne of God, and His right to reign upon that throne.

"Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases!" Psalm 115:3

"All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as He pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth." Daniel 4:35

"Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns!" Revelation 19:6

~Spurgeon

Death

Death is dreadful to the unbelieving sinner, for it puts an everlasting end to all his temporal . . .
mercies,
comforts,
contentments,
and enjoyments.

Death will put an everlasting end to all his pleasures of sin. Now the sinner shall never more have one merry day. In Hell there is no . . .
no singing--but howling;
no music--but madness;
no sporting--but sighing;
no dancing--but wringing of hands
and gnashing of teeth for evermore!

In a word, now the sinner shall find by woeful experience, that death will be an inlet to three dreadful things:
1. To judgment, Hebrews 9:27;
2. To an irreversible sentence of condemnation, Matthew 25:41;
3. To endless, ceaseless, and remediless sufferings! 


(Thomas Brooks, "A Heavenly Cordial" 1665)

Immutability of God

"God is immutable in His attributes. Whatever the attributes of God were before the universe was called into existence, they are precisely the same now, and will remain so forever. Necessarily so; for they are the very perfections, the essential qualities of His being. Semper idem (always the same) is written across every one of them. His power is unabated, His wisdom undiminished, His holiness unsullied. The attributes of God can no more change than Deity can cease to be. His veracity is immutable, for His Word is "forever settled in heaven" (Ps. 119:89). His love is eternal: "I have loved thee with an everlasting love" (Jer. 31:3) and "Having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end" (John 13:1). His mercy ceases not, for it is "everlasting" (Ps. 100:5).

~Arthur Pink, "The Attributes of God-Immutability"

Liberty University Continues It's Apostasy

Liberty University:
"Spring 2015 Convocation schedule includes Virginia Governor, television personalities, and more

Liberty University has announced its Spring 2015 Convocation schedule, which includes New Orleans Saints tight end Ben Watson, Christian author Beth Moore, television producer Mark Burnett (“Survivor,” “The Voice,” “The Bible,” “A.D.”), Fox News host Sean Hannity, Grammy Award-winning artist Kirk Franklin, television personality Sean Lowe (“The Bachelor”), Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, and next generation leader Matt Chandler."

Also:

“We are thrilled about this semester’s guest list,” said David Nasser, Liberty’s senior vice president for Spiritual Development. 

Liberty is also excited to partner with Christian author, speaker, and humanitarian Christine Caine to launch her new initiative, Propel, designed to encourage and equip women for leadership. Propel launch week, Jan. 26-30, includes Convocations with Caine, Hillsong (New York) pastor Carl Lenz, and Beth Moore, as well as worship lead by Kari Jobe and Meredith Andrews.

End quote.

HIllsong pastor Carl Lentz, Matt Chandler and former Hillsong pastor Christine Caine are also speakers at the Passion Conference where they will be joined by John Piper. Same network of false teachers. Same lies of Satan to seduce these young men and women to looking to the world  instead of Scripture. The same lie Satan used to seduce Eve to go outside of Scripture and to rebel against the King, and thus going to the flesh to eat of the tree of KNOWLEDGE of good and evil.

Perspective

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Discernment and Maturity

 "until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming" (Ephesians 4:13-14 NASB).

One of the distinguishing marks of Christian maturity is discernment. If you are a Christian you must grow in discernment. If you are not discerning at all then you are immature or worse. Consequently, it is an inexorable spiritual law for the Christian to move from infancy to childhood to adulthood (i.e. spiritually). Discernment comes from a person's commitment to sound doctrine from the Living Word of God. The mature man possess the ability to detect false doctrine, false brethren and whether or not another is trying to deceive them (cf. Eph 4:14 c-e). This is the path to maturity. What is more, the writer to the Hebrews explains how maturity is measured by a persons discernment and how discernment is developed in a person when he writes, "But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil" (Hebrews 5:14).

Therefore, biblical maturity is not measured by how much life experience one has (i.e. 20 yrs of life experience or 50 yrs of life experience; everyone has life experiences). Likewise, biblical maturity is not measured by one's previous success (cf. Philippians 3:13-15 ESV), or how much education one has, or one's monetary- socioeconomic status etc etc. Rather the Word of God says that the discerning man is the mature man and the ultimate standard of maturity is Christ (i.e. the Living Word of God) revealed by the written word of God... "until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4:13 NASB).

-(Eric Powers), BCRI

Voddie Bachaum on MLK

The "Gospel" Coalition and Thabit Anyabwile, listen up.....

How Do We Get So Many Differences In Color Of People If We Call Came From Two People, Adam and Eve?

Post by Answers in Genesis.

Growing In Grace

"When a minister asked a simple countryside woman what was her concept of "growing in grace," she replied, "A Christian’s growth in grace is like the growth of a cow’s tail." Puzzled at her reply, he asked for an explanation. Whereupon she said, "The more a cow’s tail grows, the nearer it comes to the ground; and the more a Christian grows in grace, the more does he take his place in the dust before God." Ah, she had been taught from above something with which many an eminent theologian and commentator is unacquainted. Growth in grace is a growth downward: it is the forming of a lower estimate of ourselves; it is a deepening realization of our nothingness; it is a heartfelt recognition that we are not worthy of the least of God’s mercies."

~Arthur Pink, "Spiritual Growth" & photo source

The "Gospel" Coalition, Thabiti Anyabwile, and the Christian

We would disagree with the "Gospel" Coalition and Thabiti Anyabwile, that the Christian who does not incite anger among blacks for "injustices" must be identified as escapists. It would be better served to label such Christians as prioritists. Where his approach has been wrong is that he provides mere commentary to man's condition. He desires to "love" them through this condition, without offering the remedy, the true biblical Gospel as a salve for man's anger, lust, disobedience and rebellion. Although quoting Martin Luther King will certainly resonate with the niche TGC and Thabiti have been doggedly trying to reach, whatever King's sorrows stems not from indifference, but because he too aimed to remedy an eternal issue with temporal resources. It must also be said that King's sorrow is because he employed powerless "new age" methods, ecumenical desires, sinful "civil" disobedience, all informed by his false views on Christ. This is the hard truth. 

But here at BCRI, we do not desire to treat the black community, or any other community as they have been treated: victims in need more race-baiting "Christian" jargon. Rather, we desire to identify all races, blacks included as rebels in Adam, who have rebelled against a holy God in need of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, and the sorrow that has overcome my race and other races is not remedied with marches, empathetic. It is not only time to recognize self-pity as a sin, but to oust "leaders" who continue to use "the Gospel" as an exploitation method of helping you toward a better tomorrow. When, in reality, this psychology method is misleading, there is no better tomorrow for any individual(s), all races included that shake their fists at their Creator. There is only one common ancestor of every man, not found in Christ: Adam. And in him, all die unless they repent. This is the simplicity of solving man's condition upon the earth. Our powerless empathy will do nothing for you when you stand before God in Christ at the judgment seat. Although our empathy will register with temporal society whose minds are fixed on earthly things and utopian progress. Representing a Kingdom not of this world, and the only biblical Jesus Christ of this Kingdom, does not make us escapists, but disciples. It is time that we begin to "preach" the law and the Gospel to save the lost, instead of misusing the term "Gospel" for psychological, sociological, and other means. As sure as this post will incite misguided anger, is equal testimony to how distracted Americanism has become, and how unrecognizable true Christianity is to her.

~Doron Gladden, BCRI

Civil Disobedience for the Christian?

Submission is not exempted because of race, geography, feelings, or experiences. Subjection is commanded. This includes police officers, judges, governors, prime ministers, Presidents, and other governing authorities. Appealing to the "Gospel" in order to rebel against these "ministers" of God is a sin. Using the pulpit as a means to incite rebellion against these authorities is equally a sin and has more to do with the false social gospel than the biblical gospel of Jesus Christ. It is fleshly and much like the chief architect of rebellion, Satan, to imply that authorities must be overthrown or resisted. The Christian is only commanded to disobey said authorities when he/she is asked to do that which is against Scripture. If this is not the case, then as cheerfully and dutifully as he desires to rebel, is as cheerfully as he must obey, to please His Lord. Do not test the authorities with your rebellion, because it is God who has given them the sword to execute judgment on those who disobey. And equally, lust for disobedience and contempt against governing authorities is a sure sign that one may not be a Christian at all.

~BCRI

Thabiti Anyabwile: beware

Thabiti Anayabwile was a speaker at the Truth and Life Conference last night (Thursday). He spoke against police officers as if they are our enemies and therefore need to love them too. But this is against Romans 15. To get young people stirred up against the police as the enemy is to be rebellious against God’s ordained order. I’m astounded TMC would be ok with such rebellion.

Thabiti is also part of The Gospel Coalition, and this sounds like angry social justice, not biblical Truth.

Additionally it appears he promoted Cross 15 Conference (which appears to be New Calvinist—not biblical) & mentioned Piper, who will be a speaker there. I have extreme concern about Piper who is known to be a New Calvinist, and who defies 2 John 9-11. Piper stands with Word of Faith false teachers (Carl Lentz, pastor and feminist Christine Caine), mystic and pro-Roman Catholic feminist Beth Moore, x-rated disgraced Mark Driscoll, as well as inter-faith univeralist Rick Warren. Worst of all, Piper denies the necessity of Justification belonging to the Gospel and salvation.

******UPDATE*****

Even while writing this, and doing more research as things came to the forefront, I must update here.


The bewilderment is gone. Now it all makes sense. Thabiti Anyabwile AKA Ron Burns, born and raised in America, became a convert to Islam (Nation of Islam?) in 1991, got saved in 1995. [Thabiti is no longer a pastor at Capital Baptist Church with Mark Dever, as his bio is removed; for the info on his Muslim faith go here.]Still to this day he has kept his Muslim name and Malcom X as one of his favorite authors, along with his Black liberation theology. According to another article, Burns was an activist with early childhood education--just rings a lot like Obama---activism, black liberation theology--name change. This is VERY concerning.

Here's his Black Liberation theology defense promoted through The Gospel Coalition.

For example Burns/Anyabwile says:

Quote:

....It’s like the man who wrote to lecture me on the scripture, how it never commands God’s people to protest or organize or march. He tells me Christianity is completely unconcerned about such things. He claims to be “orthodox” and charges me with careening off some “liberal” cliff into the abyss of the “social gospel.”

This man is blind. He means well, no doubt. But he doesn’t see how he not only removes the Scripture from real life concern, but also abandons his own “orthodox” view of the Bible. In a more abstract context he would tell me the Bible is sufficient. He’s quote a text like 2 Tim. 3:16-17—....

And this is why Evangelicalism—safe far away from the cliff of “liberal” theology—has backed its heels onto the opposite cliff of complete irrelevance to the residents of Ferguson, who want to know if God remembers them, loves them, or cares about them at all. Does God the Judge answer the cries of the disenfranchised, the poor, the weak, the fatherless? Is there a hope of justice for mothers and fathers bereft of their children playing in the park, or husbands and fathers choked to death on city sidewalks? Have we no answer for them?

End quote.

That seems to be quite a caricature of what biblical Christians believe about Scripture's teaching on issues like politics, slavery, orphans, injustice. To jump to that conclusion when someone seemed to just remark biblically, that the Bible doesn't tell us to protest or march, is a HUGE leap.

Scripture states that the poor we will always have with us. It states slavery is wrong. It tells us in Romans 13 we are to submit to our government and it's leaders, not rebel against them and Acts says we can ONLY IF they command us to disobey God. Last time I checked, our government never commanded anyone to enslave people or insult them, etc. Scripture doesn't tell Christians to fight political causes. It tells us to live righteous lives consistent with Scripture. What Ron Burns advocates IS liberalism and Black Liberation Theology at that. It's fleshly-focused, not Christ-focused. So much so that he's making gross generalizations about police officer both online at at TMC. He is, after all, a student of Malcome X.

God is into social justice?

Isa 9:17  Therefore the Lord does not take pleasure in their young men, Nor does He have pity on their orphans or their widows; For every one of them is godless and an evildoer, And every mouth is speaking foolishness. In spite of all this, His anger does not turn away And His hand is still stretched out.

An astute TMC student noted after this disaster of a message at "Truth and Life":

Quote:

What I'm still trying to understand is how in two cases where the perps were clearly guilty of a crime and dealt with in such a way that was proven not to be racially motivated has now turned into a discussion on how the "white Church" needs to fix its problems. First off, Mike Brown wasn't a Christian, and for all we know neither is Darren Wilson. Forensics as well as the APB put out on Brown proved two things: 1. He robbed a store and was being sought after by police. 2. When found, he charged after a police officer and was shot at close range. This has no ecclesiastical connection, but people will exploit such for the sake of their own credibility and relevancy. As for the Eric Garner case, likewise, Garner was no Christian, at least it can be observed by the fruit of both he and Brown that neither claimed Christ as Lord. The police officers who wrestled him to the ground were all under the supervision of a black, female police officer, who also was under the supervision of a black police officer. These officers were told to patrol this particular area more thoroughly because of illegal sales and what do ya know? There was the repeat offender Eric Garner. The rest is history, but do you see the disconnect? Only a fool and a subtle racist would stand behind a pulpit to make these two cases connect to the Church at large. It seems to me that people should be taking heed to more Voddie Baucham and less Thabiti Anyabwile.

End quote.
The evangelical church is increasingly aware of the need to witness to Christ in acts of mercy, especially since some evangelicals in the past spoke almost exclusively of individualistic and future salvation. In reaction, some today are adopting “orthopraxy” (right action) as their main emphasis, downplaying or even abandoning “orthodoxy” (right belief). But good works and sound belief cannot be separated. Alas, instead of a biblical balance, we face the serious danger of a new form of the old “social gospel,” which turns the Christian faith into a system of salvation by works, Jesus into a mere example, like the Buddha, Socrates or Lao Tzu, and Christianity into one variant of interfaith good will. But orthopraxy alone cannot preach the gospel. We as redeemed sinners must “confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord.”

~Peter Jones