Andy Stanley Attacks The Bible

Behind this shift in what authority will be “leveraged” is the historical conviction that “the Christian faith does not exist because of the Bible (any more than you exist because of your birth certificate).” Rather, the Bible exists because of the Christian faith. . . . Before the Old and New Testaments were combined and titled “The Bible,” Christianity had already replaced the pantheon of Roman, barbarian, and most Egyptian gods and was the state religion of the Roman Empire.

The reason for this, he says, is that “for the first 300 years the debate centered on an event, not a book.” Holding to our faith in the risen Christ, we should not believe, “Everything rises and falls on whether . . . all the Bible is true.” Thinking that way is “unfortunate and . . . absolutely unnecessary.” If we stake our faith on the whole Bible being true, then “Christianity becomes a fragile house-of-cards religion, when we hear that perhaps the walls of Jericho didn’t come tumbling down.”

~John Piper on Andy Stanley

Here's the thing: GOD holds His Word above all things and it is on His WORD that His name and nature rest. It is because of His Word, which is faithful and true and reveals to us Truth, that we can then know God and praise Him and His name for that very faithfulness. We can't know God's faithfulness apart from Scripture. We can't even know His name apart from Scripture. And we certainly can't know the Gospel apart from Scripture.

Ps. 138:2… You have exalted above all things Your name and Your word.

Pro 30:5  Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.

Psa 119:42  then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in Your word. 43  And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in Your rules.

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.

Psa 119:89  Forever, O LORD, Your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.

Mat 4:4  But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Luk 24:44  Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." 45  Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,

Andy Stanley and John Piper: dulling the Sword of Truth

photo source

Tell that to Andy Stanley and John Piper:

So Stanley is suggesting that we not quote the Bible as “Bible” but rather refer to its contents by citing its authors along with some historical context that lends credibility to what the author says.

Behind Stanley’s decision to move away from “the Bible says” in preaching, and to move beyond “the Bible tells me so” in discipling our young people, lie three pivotal views: 1) a view of culture, 2) a view of how the Bible illustrates contextualization, and 3) a view of how redemptive events behind the Bible relate to faith and preaching.

He says that about eight years ago he changed his method of preaching:

As part of my shift, I stopped leveraging the authority of Scripture and began leveraging the authority and stories of the people behind the Scripture. To be clear, I don’t believe “the Bible says,” “Scripture teaches,” and “the Word of God commands” are incorrect approaches. But they are ineffective approaches for post-Christian people.

End quote.

It wasn't ineffective for Jesus Christ nor the apostles.

Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."

Paul appealed to the Gospel and the Scripture (the Gospel is only revealed to us in Scripture) when writing to the Romans:

Hab 2:4  "Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith. 

Eph 4:17  So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 

Eph 4:18  being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 

Eph 4:19  and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. 

Eph 4:20  But you did not learn Christ in this way, 

Eph 4:21  if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 

The Christian VS Political Reforms

Dear friend,

Allow me to say, that it excites both my wonder and concern, that a Christian minister such as yourself, should think it worth his while to attempt political reforms. When I look around upon the present state of the nation, such an attempt appears to me, to be no less vain and foolish, than it would be to paint the cabin—while the ship is sinking! Or to decorate the parlor—while the house is on fire!

When our Lord Jesus was upon earth, He refused to get involved in disputes or politics, "Friend, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?" Luke 12:14. "My kingdom is not of this world! If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight!" John 18:36. God's children belong to a kingdom which is not of this world; they are strangers and pilgrims upon earth, and a part of their Scriptural character is, that they are the "quiet in the land." Psalm 35:19.

Satan has many contrivances to amuse people, and to divert their thoughts from their real danger!

My dear sir, my prayer to God for you is—that He may induce you to employ the talents He has given you, in pointing out sin as the great cause and source of every existing evil; and to engage those who love and fear Him, (instead of wasting time in political speculations, for which very few of them are competent,) to sigh and cry for our abounding abominations, and to stand in the breach, by prayer, that God's wrath may yet be averted, and our national mercies prolonged! This, I think, is true patriotism—the best way in which people in private life may serve their country.

I consider the ungodly as saws and hammers in the hand of the Lord. So far as they are His instruments, they will succeed—but not an inch further! Their wrath shall praise Him, and be subservient to His designs!

If our lot is so cast that we can exercise our ministry free from stripes, fines, imprisonments, and death—it is more than the gospel has promised to us! If Christians were quiet when under the cruel governments of Nero and other wicked persecutors, when they were hunted down like wild beasts—then we ought to be not only quiet but very thankful now! It was then accounted an honor to suffer for Christ and the 'offence of the cross'!

Those are to be greatly pitied, who boast of their 'liberty'—and yet they do not consider that they are in the most deplorable bondage as the slaves of sin and Satan, under the curse of God's law and His eternal wrath! Oh! for a voice to reach their hearts, that they may know their true and dreadful state—and seek deliverance from their horrific thraldom! May you and I labor to direct them to the one thing, which is absolutely needful, and abundantly sufficient.

If I had the wisdom or influence to soothe the angry passions of mankind—I would gladly employ them! But I am a stranger and a pilgrim here in this world. My charter, my rights and my treasures, are all in heaven—and there my heart ought to be. In a very short time, I may be removed (and perhaps suddenly) into the unseen and eternal world—where all that now causes so much bustle upon earth—will be of no more importance to me—than the events which took place among the antediluvians!

In the hour, when death shall open the door into eternity—many things which now assume an 'air of importance', will be found as light and unsubstantial as a child's dream!

How crucial then, is it for me—to be found watching, with my lamp burning, diligently engaged in my proper calling! For the Lord has not called me to set governments right—but to preach the gospel, to proclaim the glory of His name, and to endeavor to win souls! "Let the dead bury their own dead—but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God!" Luke 9:60. Happy is that servant, whom his Master finds so doing, when He returns!

As you have forced me to respond—both duty and love have obliged me to be faithful and free in giving you my thoughts.

I recommend you to the care and blessing of the great Shepherd and Savior; and remain for His sake, your affectionate friend and brother,

John Newton

End quote.

The link is here. Thanks to commenter Lyn for passing this on to me. It is so true.

Thoughts on Evangelicals and Freedom

Those unwilling to give up a favorite book or author will be unwilling to give up rights, comforts, conveniences, a church, safety, or family for Christ Jesus. If they can't sacrifice the smaller things, they won't sacrifice the bigger things for Him.

In Evangelicalism, voting is a non-negotiable dogma, but separating from and rejecting false teachers is not.

The freedoms Evangelicals are willing to cuss over and protest for as they rage in horror at the prospect of losing them, are the very freedoms they use to practice sin and rebel against Christ.

Evangelicals are more passionate and angry when freedom is in danger than they are of Christ and His doctrines being twisted, rejected, and prostituted.

The Election

If you could not separate Bill Clinton's personal life from his presidency, you cannot separate Trump's either. Be consistent.

Those who tried to bully biblical Christians into voting for Romney (and then blame us for Obama) have yet to apologize while they have decided to not vote for Trump.

It's Not A Political War, It's A Spiritual War

Militant ‘anti-fascists’ launched

a brutal attack on an advocate of traditional marriage, in front of his wife and young children

as they headed towards a march in support of families.

Two videos show the unprovoked attack on the man as he and his family walked to join tens of thousands of protesters who marched through the streets of Paris urging the government to repeal laws allowing same-sex marriage.

~Breitbart

Read more here.

2Ti 3:1  But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2  For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3  unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 

Who's Endorsing Heretical "Jesus Is Calling"?

Pulpit and Pen report:

Here, then, is the list of those high-profile Christians who endorse the Montanist heresy that is Sarah Young and her Jesus Calling publications.

* Max Lucado, “Pastor and Bestselling Author”
* Mark Batterson, Pastor and author of another book of heresy, The Circle Maker
Melinda Gates, Wife of a billionaire
Roma Downey, Catholic Hollywood Mystic and Filmmaker
Rev. James Martin, SJ, Jesuit Priest
Shauna Niequist, “Bestselling Author of ‘Bread and Wind’ and ‘Savor’”
O.S. Hawkins, “Author of the Bestselling ‘The Joshua Code’ and ‘The Jesus Code’”
* Dr. Jack Graham, “Pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church, Dallas, TX”
Sheila Walsh, “Bestselling Author and Speaker”
* Johnny Hunt, “Pastor, First Baptist Church, Woodstock, GA”
Dr. & Mrs. Richard Lee, “Speaker for the Award-Winning ‘There’s Hope In America’ Television Series”
Kathie Lee Gifford, “Host of the ‘Today Show’, Author, Singer, and Actress”
Delilah, “Nationally Syndicated Radio Personality, Author, and Songwriter”
* Robert J. Morgan, “Pastor of The Donelson Fellowship in Nashville, TN”
* Robert Morris, “Founding Senior Pastor of Gateway Church in Dallas, Texas”
Gretchen Carlson, “Television Commentator and Author”
Ainsley Earhardt, “Co-host ‘Fox & Friends First’”
Sean Lowe, “ABC Television’s ‘The Bachelor’ and Author of ‘For The Right Reasons’”
Charlie Daniels, “Award-Winning Country Music Superstar”
Jimmy Wayne, “Country Artist and Bestselling Author of ‘A Walk To Beautiful’”
Diana Hobbs, “President and CEO, ‘Empowering Everyday Women’ Magazine
Katie Farrell, ‘Popular Blogger of ‘Dashing Dish’”
Mike Reed, “Senior Vice President, Salem Media Group’
* Scott Sauls, “Pastor at Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville”
Janet Hunt, “First Lady, First Baptist Church, Woodstock, GA”
Diane Strack, “Author of ‘New Start For Single Moms’”
Josh Warren, “CEO, Purpose Driven Communications”
* Rev. Bob Fuguay, “Author, Senior Pastor at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Indianapolis”
Anne Wright, “Wife of Johnson Ferry Baptist Senior Pastor, Bryant Wright”
Emily Ley, “Founder of Emily Ley Lifestyle Brand”
James Robison, “Host of ‘Life Today,’ Founder of Life Outreach International & The Stream Website”
Reba McEntire, “Bestselling Author, Artist and Actress”
Linda Leathers, “Chief Executive Officer, The Next Door”
Dr. Cindy Ryan, “Pastor, Writer, Speaker and Blogger”
Mike Gallagher, “Host of Salem Radio Network’s Mike Gallagher Show”
Kristin Chenoweth, “Emmy and Tony Award-Winning Actress and Singer”
Phil Keaggy, “Guitarist, GMA Dove Award Winner, Grammy Award Nominee”
Lyn Mettler, “Writer and Blogger”

The list is sourced from the promotional website JesusCalling.com.

So, while the enemy has amassed an impressive list of powerhouse, self-monikered “Christian” celebrities and notables to endorse this bestselling attack on the authority and sufficiency of Scripture, he’s also provided the Berean among us a helpful “Beware” sign. These notable names may be scratched off our list of reliable resources since they are eager to defy Scripture’s command regarding the fellowship of light and dark. (2 Corinthians 6:14)

“Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.”  Ephesians 5:11

End quote. More here.

Voting for a Mormon To Rule Our Nation

For those who'd rather have a Mormon rule over them because he seems better than another option, consider how treasonous it is against Christ the King when He addresses the Babylonian king:

Isa 14:13 "But you said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly In the recesses of the north.

Isa 14:14 'I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.'

Isa 14:15 "Nevertheless you will be thrust down to Sheol, To the recesses of the pit.

May I also say that such a cultist doesn't have reasonable thinking either; he is deluded and full of pride and arrogance. We must thinking of these things according to Scripture, not according to the flesh.

2Co 5:16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.

Joh 7:24 "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."

It Begins With Evangelicalism

The choices offered to voters is a reflection of our nation both spiritually and morally. Evangelicals, take a look at the churches before you point fingers at either politician. I'll put it another way: Mark Driscoll, John Piper, Beth Moore, Rick Warren, Tim Keller, the Presbyterian churches, the SBC, the UMC, the "Christian" magazines, the "Christian" "artists"; adultery, fornication, pedophilia, homosexuality,plagiarism, coarse talking from the leaders down to the church-goers, divorce, mysticism, feminism, evolution, rejecting all biblical doctrine as all important (starting with Genesis 1-3), church gluttony (spending millions of dollars on church buildings, leaders double-dipping) are the reasons God is judging this nation. He begins with the household of God. That's where we should start too.

1Pe 4:17  For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 

1Pe 4:18  AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? 

Mal 1:8 "But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil? Why not offer it to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you kindly?" says the LORD of hosts.

Mal 1:13 "You also say, 'My, how tiresome it is!' And you disdainfully sniff at it," says the LORD of hosts, "and you bring what was taken by robbery and what is lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I receive that from your hand?" says the LORD.

Mal 1:14 "But cursed be the swindler who has a male in his flock and vows it, but sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord, for I am a great King," says the LORD of hosts, "and My name is feared among the nations."

"Good enough" mentality. Even the pagans would be offended but Evangelicals think God should be pleased. They have more respect for their political and spiritual leaders than they do for the Holy One of Israel.

Jer 23:14 "Also among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: The committing of adultery and walking in falsehood; And they strengthen the hands of evildoers, So that no one has turned back from his wickedness. All of them have become to Me like Sodom, And her inhabitants like Gomorrah.

Jer 23:17 "They keep saying to those who despise Me, 'The LORD has said, "You will have peace"'; And as for everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart, They say, 'Calamity will not come upon you.' Jer 23:18 "But who has stood in the council of the LORD, That he should see and hear His word? Who has given heed to His word and listened?

Eze 34:1  Then the word of the LORD came to me saying, 

Eze 34:2  "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock? 

Eze 34:3  "You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat sheep without feeding the flock. 

Eze 34:4  "Those who are sickly you have not strengthened, the diseased you have not healed, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you sought for the lost; but with force and with severity you have dominated them. 

Eze 34:5  "They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and they became food for every beast of the field and were scattered. 

Endorsing What Is Contrary to the Truth

When those who profess to know God's Word endorse what is contrary to the truth of God, error is kept in power - Spurgeon

Voting or Conspiring For Failure

For those who say to not vote for a "lesser evil"is to vote for evil, consider this:

Isa 8:11  For thus the LORD spoke to me with mighty power and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying,
Isa 8:12  "You are not to say, 'It is a conspiracy!' In regard to all that this people call a conspiracy, And you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it.
Isa 8:13  "It is the LORD of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, And He shall be your dread.
Isa 8:14  "Then He shall become a sanctuary; But to both the houses of Israel, a stone to strike and a rock to stumble over, And a snare and a trap for the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Pope Makes Liberals New Cardinals: one equalizes abortion to joblessness

Pope Francis announced his choices for the new cardinals on Sunday. Among them are known liberals including  Archbishop Cuprich. The more conservative ones were left in the dust, like the archbishop of Los Angeles,Charles Chaput.

The report states the division between the liberals and "conservatives" within the magisterium:

A year ago, Archbishops Cupich and Chaput faced off over a theologically indefensible op-ed published by the Chicago Archbishop that suggested that abortion was no more important than a number of other social justice issues such as unemployment, immigration, and capital punishment.

In a signed essay in the Chicago Tribune, Archbishop Cupich listed a series of social ills that he said people should find “just as appalling” as the gruesome ripping apart of unborn children and the sale of their organs by Planned Parenthood.

While applauding the strong reaction to the Planned Parenthood videos, Cupich immediately added: “We should be no less appalled by the indifference toward the thousands of people who die daily for lack of decent medical care; who are denied rights by a broken immigration system and by racism; who suffer in hunger, joblessness and want; who pay the price of violence in gun-saturated neighborhoods; or who are executed by the state in the name of justice.”

~Breitbart

This is nothing short of equalizing evil (aka "sin is sin"). This is contrary to Scripture and frankly, it trivializes heinous sins like that of murdering unborn babies to far less evil things like lack of medical care. To have the audacity to equalize abortion with joblessness is not only UNJUST, it is perverted thinking. One need only go to the book of Deuteronomy or Leviticus or Exodus, to see how God views various sins and how He punishes them accordingly.

On a side note, this demonstrates that there is no unity within the Vatican. Claims of unity by Romanists up and against divisions within Protestantism is fallacious. 

Not All Sin Is Equal

Not all sin is equal.

1Ti 1:9 realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers 10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,

Isn't it interesting God didn't just say "the law was made for the sinner" and moved on? In fact God compares sins and shows their distinctions. Using the Greek, which He chose to have the New Testament written in, He shows us us these distinctions (see below). One example is that not all love is equal. Agape love is not the same as eros or brotherly love. We wouldn't say "love is love" would we? I don't know, maybe today's Post-Modern Evangelicals would. They do, after all, have an eros love for "Jesus" (they speak and sing of "falling in love with Jesus" and of Jesus as a love-sick suitor; Ann Voskamp promotes eros with "god").

When it comes to sin, God's justice demands He deal with each man's sin in proportion to that sin. His laws reflect this justice as in Ex. 21:23's "eye for eye" example of proportionate justice (out of proportion would be unjust). Not all liars are the same: some lie about that which doesn't involve another person; a perjurer lies in court against another, slanders him, and perverts justice. So not all lying is equal. Not all stealing is equal. Stealing bread to feed a starving man is not the same as stealing money from unbalanced scales (cheating a customer of his money):

Pro 11:1  A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, But a just weight is His delight. 

Pro 16:11  A just balance and scales belong to the LORD; All the weights of the bag are His concern. 

Pro 20:23  Differing weights are an abomination to the LORD, And a false scale is not good. 

Pro 6:30  Men do not despise a thief if he steals To satisfy himself when he is hungry; 31  But when he is found, he must repay sevenfold; He must give all the substance of his house. 

Not all murder is equal. Murdering a parent is far worse b/c it goes against not only the Commandments but goes against God's creative order of authority. Even cursing a parent was worthy of death--how much more murdering a parent?

Exo 21:14  "If, however, a man acts presumptuously toward his neighbor, so as to kill him craftily, you are to take him even from My altar, that he may die. 15  "He who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. 

Exo 21:17  "He who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. 

The intent of the heart is also weighed by God, not just the act.

Not all sexual sin is equal. Fornication is distinct from homosexuality, incest, and bestiality according to Scripture. 1Cor. 5:1 says that the "Christians" in Corinth were proud of their tolerance of the incestuous couple, something even the pagans would not tolerate. Sounds like today's Evangelicals. 

1Co 5:1  It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father's wife. 2  You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst. 

Rom 2:5  But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 

Rom 2:6  who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: 

Rom 2:7  to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 

Rom 2:8  but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. 

Rom 2:14  For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, 

Rom 2:15  in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, 

There is no vagueness with God regarding sin or obedience. God is a God of precision. His Word is precise. His holy requirements are precise. His penalty for sin is precise. His prophecies are precise. His requirements for elders and deacons are precise. He deals with us in specifics, therefore we are too.

(Btw, Lev. 18 says that to have sex with an adopted sibling is sexual sin and depraved.)

In other words, those who say "sin is sin" don't have God's view of sin. He shows that even what they would call a "small sin" is heinous (ie, cursing one's parent earns stoning; lying to God and then to man earns death--Acts 5 with Ananias and Sapphira for example, or Achan's hiding booty God prohibited in Joshua 7). Instead, their aim is to remove the heinous nature of sin, NOT TO PROVE IT. They treat sin as no big deal and this is obvious in their claim to humanity (who's perfect? we all sin). They treat sin lightly, especially those sins God treats with absolute hatred. In other words to equate all sin as equal is to treat serious sin lightly and thus to treat God, His Word, and His nature lightly. Moreover, it necessitates that the punishment is to be softened for such heinous wickedness.

Speaking The Truth In Love

"Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ," Eph.4:13-15.

“Speaking the truth in love” has come to mean that you more or less praise everything, but above all, that you never criticize any view strongly, because, after all, there is a certain amount of right and truth in everything.

We must therefore ask the question, Is this a right and a true interpretation of Paul’s statement? Is this what is meant by “speaking the truth in love”? I answer immediately that it cannot be, for the reason that the Apostle does not simply tell us here to speak lovingly. What he says is “speaking the truth” or “holding the truth”. We are not told by the Apostle to cultivate a vague, loving spirit, but to hold “the truth” in love. The very word truth, in and of itself, makes the modern popular exposition of the statement obviously and patently wrong. Furthermore – and this is where the context is so important – if the phrase merely denotes a loving spirit, how is it connected with what the Apostle has said in verse 14? If “speaking the truth in love”, “holding the truth in love”, means that we are to smile upon all views and doctrinal standpoints, and never criticize and condemn and reject any views at all, how do we avoid being – children, tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine”? This supposed “loving spirit” makes it impossible to use terms such as “sleight of men” and “cunning craftiness” and “lying in wait to deceive”. The very text itself and especially the context, make that interpretation completely impossible;indeed it is a denial of the Apostle’s statement. 

We must not hesitate to say so plainly. To put life, or “spirit”, or niceness, or anything else, before truth is to deny essential New Testament teaching; and in addition is to contradict directly the Apostle’s solemn warning in verse 14. It is to set up ourselves, and the modern mind, and 20th-century man, as the authority rather than the ‘called apostle’ Paul and all others whom the Lord has set in the Church to warn us against, and to save us from, this attitude which dislikes discrimination and judgment. Never was it more important to assert that friendliness or niceness or some sentimental notions of brotherliness do not constitute Christianity. You can have all such qualities without and apart from Christianity without “truth”. So that, whatever else it may mean, “holding the truth in love” does not mean a vague, flabby, sentimental notion of niceness and fellowship and brotherhood.

~MLJones

The Word of God

Yes, every jot and tittle. Every word that is in Scripture is to be valiantly, doggedly, and earnestly guarded and fought for, not just the parts some judge as "more important" leaving other parts as not worthy of spending time earnestly contending for. 

Jud 1:3  Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 

Tit 1:9  He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. 

1Ti 6:20  O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called "knowledge," 

1Ti 6:21  for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you. 

Preston Sprinkle On Sodomy and Christians

In Febrary 2016 at the Christ Hold Fast conference, reformer Preston Sprinkle's session on the first night was based on his book, "People To Be Loved: Why Homosexuality Is Not Just An Issue". The review  of the book is at "The 'Gospel' Coalition" by Trevin Wax. As expected the book is dumbing down the issue of sodomy from a biblical perspective combined with church-shaming. That is to say, it's just another social justice restructuring of biblical Christianity's understanding and treatment of sodomy. It seems to be an echo of all the other articles written over at "Desiring 'God' Ministries" as well as what comes out of Tim Keller (as I've previously written about on this blog). In other words, it takes the Post-Modern view that truth is not clear, mixes it with some truth about the error of sodomy, and then slams Christians for not dealing with sodomy the way he thinks they should. "Same sex attraction" and sexual identity are also brought in as if that clouds the issue (it doesn't). Interestingly Wax had this to say in his review:

The first half of this book is a journey with Preston through the Scriptures, as he leads us to “lay aside our assumptions and genuinely seek to know what the Bible, not our tradition, says about homosexuality” (10). Preston is a Bible-guy, and a Reformation-guy as well, meaning that he believes Scripture stands over tradition, and so he returns to the text in order to understand and resubmit himself to the Word of God.

Most helpful in Preston’s survey of the Bible is the attention he places on creation, on God’s making of humanity male and female, on marriage, and how our relationships shine light on the gospel. He also does the historical work of showing what same-sex relationships were like in ancient times. And he makes a vitally important point when discussing Jesus’ sexual ethic:

“If we say that Christians should endorse same-sex relations, then we will need to recreate a rather un-Jewish Jesus and an un-Jewish New Testament” (68).

Indeed. And that is why some are making the case today that Jesus then was bound by his Jewish upbringing and held ancient perspectives on sexuality, but that Jesus now would affirm what 21scentury revisionists say is the way forward.

In some places, I disagreed with Preston’s biblical exegesis, most notably his claim that homosexuality (at least as we understand it today) is not in view in the account Sodom and Gomorrah. Preston is right that there were multiple sins at work in Sodom’s wickedness, as the Scriptures indicate, but we shouldn’t overlook the interpretive support throughout Jewish and Church history for the idea that homosexual practice was one of those sins. (Preston interacts with Kevin DeYoung on this topic. For further reading, check out the chapter “Sodom’s Sins” in Unchanging Witness.)

In places like this, I found that Preston’s “Bible-only” or “Bible vs. Tradition” mindset hindered rather than helped his project. When he claims that “for many years, the church stood on the wrong side of the question of slavery,” he is oversimplifying the subject in a way that distorts the true picture.

End quote. (Bold, my emphasis)

As in typical fashion, however, the reformer doesn't hold to Scripture only. He mixes the culture (and science it seems likely) as part of his exegeting Scripture. In other words, he doesn't go to Scripture alone for God's clear teaching against sodomy, he appeals to culture, first the Jewish one and then the current American one. The issue isn't so much how Jews and Gentiles in ancient or modern times viewed homosexuality (and trying to blur the issue by use of "same-sex attraction" labels and nonsense along with "sexuality identity", but rather that these things have been around for millennia and Scripture alone is sufficient to destroy every argument that sets itself up against Christ and His Word. To set aside biblical thinking on the horrific and perverted view of sodomy as if either there's some "new" way of understanding sexuality today, or presuming that it's wrong to start off with biblical presuppositions, is wrong. I would go so far as to say that the disgust at sodomy is actually normal because God is disgusted with it.

I consider this book and author and teaching to be another attempt at shaming Christians for their rightful disdain for sodomy. It is an attempt at trying to shame a normal reaction to such utter perverted wickedness such as sodomy (and in increasingly with pedophilia). It is to side with the world on this, even if he claims that he's in the "non-affirming" camp. That, by the way, isn't the same as rejecting all of homosexuality. It's a step down to seem more "balanced" and not as sharply against it. God however, is against sodomy and sodomites: it is a damning sin and one so wicked and perverted that He destroyed entire cities (at least three or four) because of it.

God's condemnation of homosexuality is abundantly clear--He opposes it in every age.

- 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)

God says that even the desires of homosexuality is perverted (see Romans 1).

In Matt. 5 Jesus says that the lusts in the heart are tantamount to doing the sin with the body before God. Moreover in Romans 1 sodomy is listed as "LUSTS of their HEARTS" that God finally turned those who refused to acknowledge Him, over to; that He gave them up to "a debase MIND".Scripture also lists sodomy as "unnatural", "dishonorable passions", and"consumed with passion for one another". Such is the description of those who refuse to acknowledge God as Creator. For those in Christ, they DO acknowledge Him as Creator and moreover, love and obey Him, therefore they don't suffer such hardness of hearts. They have a NEW heart at regeneration. Previously I posted on God's plan for the homosexual agenda. In it I quoted John MacArthur and I think it bears repeating: God's condemnation of homosexuality is abundantly clear--He opposes it in every age. - 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) So if God is so clear on homosexuality, there is no way to accept it on any level, but that's what the liberals are doing as they secretly sneak in among us and then redefine things by trying to cloud the issue regarding sodomy. They try to use "science" and psychology, and even try to equalize the unnatural passion and lust of sodomy as if its like any other sin. That way they can play the victim and say it's merely a struggle like, say, drinking (eternal victimhood is a play right out of psychology's playbook---you never have victory over the sin or its desire but rather always struggle, thus always "recovering" but never recovered). The sins of Sodom and Gommorah were sexual in nature and therefore earned God's special judgement. If He destroyed not only those two cities, but the surrounding ones because of such heinous sexual immorality, then how in the WORLD can "Christians" think He's any less angry and less holy now with sodomy? Both the Old and New Testaments show God's absolute consistency regarding sexual immorality. Or do these "Christians" fancy themselves more tolerant and "loving" than the HOLY HOLY HOLY God of Israel Himself? If liberals can't get sodomy into the churches by full frontal attack, they'll do it by a more subtle means--incrementalism, psychology, the great sin-equalizer, and victimization.

More on articles I've posted on the issue of sodomy and Evangelicalism here.

The other issue is, as the liberals in the world do, Sprinkle apparently tries to equate slavery with sodomy and condemn Christians for both in their treatment of both. To equate these two is totally ridiculous. Scripture never equates the two and yet it addresses both. In fact, Scripture never calls for social justice regarding slavery. It doesn't tell Christians to protest their government, walk off the plantation, riot, or disobey in any way slave masters. Quite the opposite:

1Pe 2:18  Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19  For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20  For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21  For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 

If a person had the opportunity to be set free, Scripture states the believer should take it:

1Co 7:20  Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. 

1Co 7:21  Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) 

1Co 7:22  For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. 

1Co 7:23  You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. 

1Co 7:24  So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God. 

The letter "Philemon" deals with a run away slave by that name, who got saved through Paul's evangelism. Instead of keeping Philemon with him (thus "social justice"), Paul did the right thing and sent him back with instructions to his master to treat him as fellow heir of Christ and to forgive Philemon of anything wrong he caused or any debt he incurred (Paul was willing to have all if charged to his account). 

Yet in all cases homosexuality and it's lusts of the heart are condemned throughout all of Scripture. It is a damnable sin according to  1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Jude 7-8.

So neither in regard to slavery or homosexuality, does Scripture demand social justice (of course today's view of social justice isn't justice but vengeance, homofascism, and acceptance of such sin).

Also, if Sprinkle equates sodomy (or as some like to call it same-sex-attraction - and yes it is the same perversion as a result of not acknowledging God as Creator per Rom. 1), with any other sin, that too would be wrong. Not all sin is equal. And while one sin earns Hell, not all sin is equally henious. I've discussed this here:

So if God is so clear on homosexuality, there is no way to accept it on any level, but that's what the liberals are doing as they secretly sneak in among us and then redefine things by trying to cloud the issue regarding sodomy.  They try to use "science", psychology, and even equalize the unnatural passion and lust of sodomy as if its like any other sin. That way they can play the victim and say it's merely a struggle like, say, drinking (eternal victimhood is a play right out of psychology's playbook---you never have victory over the sin or its desire but rather always struggle, thus always "recovering" but never recovered). The sins of Sodom and Gommorah were sexual in nature and therefore earned God's special judgement. If He destroyed not only those two cities, but the surrounding ones because of such heinous sexual immorality, then how in the WORLD can "Christians" think He's any less angry and less holy now with sodomy? Both the Old and New Testaments show God's absolute consistency regarding sexual immorality. Or do these "Christians" fancy themselves more tolerant and "loving" than the HOLY HOLY HOLY God of Israel Himself?

If liberals can't get sodomy into the churches by full frontal attack, they'll do it by  a more subtle means--incrementalism, psychology,  the great sin-equalizer, and victimization.

 It is precisely because of man's sin that some choose sodomy. Respect for a person being a human being is limited in scope and application.  I suggest reading the Old Testament and Revelation to see how much emphasis God places on these people He made in His image and whether that affected His judgement against them or deflected His holy wrath.

Elyse Fitzpatrick: she teaches both men and women

At the "Christ Hold Fast" conference this past February, it appears that Elyse Fitzpatrick taught a mixed audience. In her bio and in the schedule, there's no mention of a "women's only" breakout session. She taught in the main session and was also was part of the panel discussion which also was for  conference customers. Her bio reads:

ELYSE FITZPATRICK

Elyse holds a certificate in biblical counseling from CCEF (San Diego) and an M.A. in Biblical Counseling from Trinity Theological Seminary. She is a conference speaker and has authored 21 books on daily living and the Christian life.

Photos from the 2016 CHF conference:

As you can see neither in her bio or in the scheduled discussions is Fitzpatrick's talks are labeled as "women only". But Scripture commands women to not teach men:

1Tim. 2: 11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 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. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But women  will be saved  through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

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. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. 36 Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37 If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. 38 If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored.

Being silent would indicate what Paul has also said in 1Timothy: no teaching men. Period. Why? Because Eve was made second after Adam. She was not the leader, he was. She was deceived, Adam was not. The reason women are not to teach men is because they are far more easily led into deception, as we see with these three women, and then will lead others like Eve did.

We've seen women do this before: Kay Arthur, Beth Moore, and Priscilla Shirer. My article addressing all three women is here. They have a facade of being a teacher of women but in reality, they are teaching both men and women, thus not only violating the clearest of commands in Scripture, but also accepting and even promoting mysticism as well as accepting of other religions like Roman Catholicism, for example.

Women who consider themselves teachers of Scripture should be able to read, understand, and apply the commands regarding women's roles, but apparently they cannot. Therefore they can't be trusted with the rest of biblical Truth.

Beware of Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Beginning with the Scriptures, Bonhoeffer was dangerous:

Critical to evangelicalism is our view of the Bible. The word of God was certainly very important to Bonhoeffer but in a very different sense from evangelicalism. He rejected the liberalism of Harnack with its idea of Scripture as merely man’s thoughts about God. Bonhoeffer believed in revelation and that God speaks through the word. However he did not believe in the Bible as scientific (empirical) truth and he certainly did not believe in the inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture. His view, like that of Barth, was that the word can become the word of God to you when you are reading it. It is not in itself the word of God but God can speak through it. So, for example, he taught his students to spend a half hour each day meditating on a verse of Scripture, not looking at it in the original, not consulting commentaries, not concerned about what it literally meant in the Bible, but simply concentrating on what God had to say to them at that point that day. It can become the word of God to the meditating individual. Bonhoeffer stated, ‘The Holy Scriptures alone witness to the divine revelation, which occurred as a one-time, unrepeatable and self-contained history of salvation’. There is a huge difference between the Scriptures being a witness todivine revelation and being divine revelation. He happily accepts the so called ‘findings’ of higher (destructive) criticism. He rejects for example the biblical account of creation in favour of evolution. Bonhoeffer on one occasion told his congregation unequivocally that the Bible is filled with material that is historically unreliable. Even the life of Jesus, he said, is ‘overgrown with legends’ (myths) so that we have scant knowledge about the historical Jesus. Bonhoeffer concluded that the life of Jesus cannot be written. He followed Rudolf Bultmann in finding the New Testament full of myths which have to be ‘demythologised’. Bonhoeffer wrote, ‘My opinion of it today would be that he (Bultmann) went not “too far” as most people thought, but rather not far enough. It’s not only “mythological” concepts like miracles, ascension, and so on … that are problematic, but “religious” concepts as such’.

On the sound doctrine of the Atonement: Bonhoeffer did not believe in substitutionary atonement – Christ suffering as a substitute for our sins, dying in our place to earn eternal life for us. The cross of Christ certainly is important to him, but in a very different way – it is as an example and an inspiration. He is concerned that we live cross-centred lives and by that he means that we take up our cross and follow Christ, living lives of self-denial. Yes, as with Barth, there is a great emphasis on grace, but the idea of Christ as the Lamb of God taking away our sins by his suffering hell for us is missing. To evangelicalism that is a critical omission. Indeed Bonhoeffer would argue that we are saved by the incarnation – Christ taking our nature – rather than by His atoning death. He taught that in the body of Jesus Christ, God is united with humanity, all of humanity is accepted by God, and the world is reconciled with God. In the body of Jesus Christ, God took upon Himself the sin of the whole world and bore it. ~William Macleod, Banner of Truth