Holiness

God is in no way involved in our sinfulness. He cannot be mixed with evil. The problem is in man. In man the problem is bound up with his lust. The nature of God is such that He only gives good gifts. And when God touches your life, it is to produce life not death, to produce righteousness not sin, to make a new creation not exercise the old one...God doesn't lead people into sin, He leads them to be creations of a new kind like Him. He leads them out of sin into new life. And that would be inconsistent with any thought that He would lead us into sin. He is recreating us away from sin, not into sin. 

~John MacArthur 

Salvation of a person is first and foremost to be a display of God's power and work in His enemy's life; an eternal trophy of God's power, will, purpose, grace, mercy and glory.

Eph 1:11  also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to

His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,12  to the end that

we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.

Eph 2:8  For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the

gift of God; 9  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. 

1Co 15:10  But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not

prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with

me. 

Gal 5:16  But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the

flesh. 17  For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for

these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 

Col 1:4  since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for

all the saints; 5  because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard

in the word of truth, the gospel :6  which has come to you, just as in all the world also it

is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since

the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth; 

Col 1:9  For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you

and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and

understanding, 10  so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please

Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the

knowledge of God; 11  strengthened with all power, according to His glorious

might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12  giving thanks to the

Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

2Tim 2:19  Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knowsthose who are His," and, "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness." 

     Titus 2:11  For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 

What Is Your Absorbing Concern: temporary things of life or eternal things of Heaven?

“The vast majority of professing Christians today are far, far more concerned about their bodies than their souls, about carnal pleasures than spiritual fiches, about earthly comforts than heavenly consolations, about the good opinion of their fellows rather than the approbation of God. But a few — and O how few — are made serious, become in deadly earnest to examine well their foundations and test every inch of the ground they stand on. With them religion is not something to be taken up and laid down according to their fitful moods. Where will they spend ETERNITY is their all-absorbing concern. Every other interest in life sinks into utter insignificance before the vital consideration of seeking to make sure that they have “the root of the matter” in them. O my reader, can you be satisfied with the cheap, easy-going religion of the day, which utterly ignores the clamant call of the Son of God “Agonize to enter in at the strait gate” (Luke 13:24)?


Can you rest content with the “smooth things” now being proclaimed from well nigh every pulpit, which assures those who are at emnity with God they can become Christians more easily than a youth can join the army, or a man become a ‘free mason’ or ‘odd fellow’? Can you follow the great crowd who claim to have “received Christ as their personal Savior” when no miracle of grace has been wrought in their hearts, while the Lord Himself declares

“Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto Life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:14)?

Dare you rest upon some “decision” made when you were deeply stirred by some anecdotes addressed to your emotions? Have you nothing more than some change in your religious views or some reformation in your outward ways to show that you are “a new creature in Christ Jesus”? Slight not, we beseech you, this pressing word, “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God”.” —A. W. Pink (1886–1952)

Taken from “An Exposition of Hebrews” by A. W. Pink (1886-1952)

Source: Real Men Love Pink

Dying to Self

“Suppose you have been neglected or unforgiven. You sting with the hurt of the insult from such an oversight, but your heart is happy because you have been counted worthy to suffer for Christ. That is what dying to self is all about. When your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, and your opinions ridiculed, and yet you refuse to let anger rise in your heart to try to defend yourself, you are practicing dying to self. When you lovingly and patiently stand face to face with folly and spiritual insensitivity, and endure it as Jesus did, you have died to self. When you are content with any food, money, clothing, climate, society, solitude, or interruption by the will of God, you have died to self. When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, record your own good works, or desire commendation from others, you are dying to self. When you can honestly rejoice with a brother who has prospered and had his needs met and never feel any envy though your needs are greater and still unmet, you have practicing dying to self. When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself, and humbly admit he’s right with no resentment or rebellion in your heart, you have died to self. Are you dead yet?” 

Anonymous


Col 3:1  Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 
Col 3:2  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 
Col 3:3  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 
Col 3:4  When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. 
Col 3:5  Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 
Col 3:6  For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 
Col 3:7  and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 
Col 3:8  But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 
Col 3:9  Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 
Col 3:10  and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him-- 
Col 3:11  a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. 
Col 3:12  So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 
Col 3:13  bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 
Col 3:14  Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 
Col 3:15  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 
Col 3:16  Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 

Shepherding: Andy Stanley vs Scripture and James White

The difference between biblical teaching and anti-biblical teaching....


Psa 23:1  A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Psa 23:2  He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
Psa 23:3  He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.
Psa 23:4  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 


Joh 10:1  "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. 
Joh 10:2  "But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. 
Joh 10:3  "To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 
Joh 10:4  "When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 
Joh 10:5  "A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers." 

1Pe 2:25  For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. 

Act 20:27  "For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. 
Act 20:28  "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 
Act 20:29  "I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;
Act 20:30  and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
Act 20:31  "Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.

Heb 13:20  Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord,
Heb 13:21  equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

1Pe 5:1  Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,
1Pe 5:2  shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 
1Pe 5:3  nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
1Pe 5:4  And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.


Andy Stanley who denies "shepherd" is a right term for pastors in his interview with "Leadership Journal":

There's nothing distinctly spiritual. I think a big problem in the church has been the dichotomy between spirituality and leadership. One of the criticisms I get is "Your church is so corporate." I read blogs all the time. Bloggers complain, "The pastor's like a CEO." And I say, "OK, you're right. Now, why is that a bad model?"

So what's the principle behind the CEO model?

"Follow me." Follow we never works. Ever. It's "follow me." God gives a man or a woman the gift of leadership. And any organization that has a point leader with accountability and freedom to use their gift will do well. Unfortunately in the church world, we're afraid of that. Has it been abused? Of course. But to abandon the model is silly.

Should we stop talking about pastors as "shepherds"?

Absolutely. That word needs to go away. Jesus talked about shepherds because there was one over there in a pasture he could point to. But to bring in that imagery today and say, "Pastor, you're the shepherd of the flock," no. I've never seen a flock. I've never spent five minutes with a shepherd. It was culturally relevant in the time of Jesus, but it's not culturally relevant any more.

Nothing works in our culture with that model except this sense of the gentle, pastoral care. Obviously that is a face of church ministry, but that's not leadership.

Isn't shepherd the biblical word for pastor?

It's the first-century word. If Jesus were here today, would he talk about shepherds? No. He would point to something that we all know, and we'd say, "Oh yeah, I know what that is." Jesus told Peter, the fisherman, to "feed my sheep," but he didn't say to the rest of them, "Go ye therefore into all the world and be shepherds and feed my sheep." By the time of the Book of Acts, the shepherd model is gone. It's about establishing elders and deacons and their qualifications. Shepherding doesn't seem to be the emphasis. Even when it was, it was cultural, an illustration of something.

What we have to do is identify the principle, which is that the leader is responsible for the care of the people he's been given. That I am to care for and equip the people in the organization to follow Jesus. But when we take the literal illustration and bring it into our culture, then people can make it anything they want because nobody knows much about it.

End quote.

Wow. How utterly wrong could Stanley be? "Shepherding" first of all, was established in a different culture and different millenium before Acts, starting in Genesis. In Acts, it is the establishment of the elders AS shepherds that Paul refers to interchangeably in Acts 20:28--a charge that was to continue, not discontinue. Moreover, the term and duties of shepherding continues even in 1Peter 5 which was written later than Acts. Additionally, shepherding and the Lamb of God, are both taught in the very last book of Scripture, the last words from God:

Rev 7:17  for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes."

James White on the hand, states the biblical role and duties of pastors and elders:


But the strongest argument I know regarding the biblical nature of church membership is probably the most obvious. What are the duties of elders? We can find their qualifications listed by Paul in writing to Timothy and Titus (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-11)and from these glean much about their duties. And we have the plain statement of Peter,

Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock (1 Peter 5:1-3).

   The argument is simple: shepherds must know their sheep to be able to fulfill their duties as shepherds. Its just that simple. You cannot shepherd the flock of God when you havent a clue who the flock of God is. Every good shepherd knows his sheep. Only the hireling does not know the identity of the members of the flock. And, of course, the relationship is mutual. The sheep know their shepherd. They will not listen to anothers voice because they have been with the one shepherd so long they know his voice over against any pretenders or strangers. Such involves a relationship over time, just as the Christian elder is not to be a hireling, some young gun brought in from outside, but should be one who ideally fulfills the commandment of Paul, The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2). The gospel is something that is precious, and you entrust it to the next generation. But it is the elders who make this decision, as they have to decide just who is truly faithful and who has the ability to teach others. All of this requires community, exposure, contact, once again demonstrating that the shepherd must have direct knowledge of the identity, personally, of the sheep who have been entrusted to his care. 

   Further, Peter speaks of exercising oversight. While we may discuss the exact nature of what this means (and allow for differences given culture and geography and the like) one thing is for certain: it cannot be done without a relationship of some kind that involves real life. Obviously, this involved teaching and exhortation and discipline on the part of the elder. He is to be an example. You cannot be an example from a distance. You cannot be an example through a television screen or through the pages of a book. Modeling Christian maturity takes contact, exposure, and a reciprocal relationship that involves at least some kind of personal, communal, corporate context. All of this proves that despite the lack of the specific term membership rolls(something that would have been pretty dangerous at that point in time anyway), the activities of the elders and the form of the church itself requires one to see the necessity of commitment to a particular fellowship identifiable by a particular group of elders. And if these texts were not enough, surely this command to all obedient Christians should be:

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you (Hebrews 13:17).

   Here the Christian duty of obedience and submission, coupled with a need to make this work on the part of the elders of the congregation one of joy rather than grief, is enjoined upon all. This is not a command to servility, nor does it grant to Christian leaders despotic powers. But it does require believers to know who their leaders are. It is empty to say, "Jesus is my leader!" for the writer to the Hebrews did not say your "Leader" but your "leaders," plural, and he would distinguish between them and the Great Shepherd only a few lines later (13:20). Nor does it do to claim to be in obedience and submission to men who do not see your face but once or twice a year. How can they give an account when they have no meaningful knowledge of your life, your Christian experience, your growth in godliness? How can they do so when you never attend upon their teaching or encounter them in the congregation? 

End quote.

If we take out "shepherd" from the role and duties of elders, then we must also remove " savage wolves" from the description of false teachers and the death and pain they cause. One then,  must also do away with following Christ, listening to His voice, have full dependence on Him for everything pertaining to life, and not recognize Him as the Great Shepherd and Good Shepherd. Its ironic that "pastor" Andy Stanley is proving to be a wolf while dismissing biblical shepherding which relies on the Great Shepherd. I find that a CEO model is one founded on money and employer-employee relationship, not owning the very people who merely show up to work 5 days a week. Its limited to the world and very temporary, after all, no employer owns a person nor does an employee work 24/7. I wonder if Stanley would also reject the slave-Master terms and relationship, since that too, is not part of our culture; it is in fact, very offensive to Americans because of our history of slavery. Yet slave-Master is one of the most important relationships reiterated throughout the New Testament (and conversely a slave to money or sin is described as being anti-Christ, being unregenerate--no one can have two masters). Jesus is called "Master" (aka "Lord") several hundred times because of the distinction of HIM as well as us: HE is owner and Master, commanding us, His slaves to do as He commands without question and rebellion, but gladly.

God is deliberate in choosing every word, jot, tittle, illustration, and analogy in Scripture to tell us about Himself as well as mankind in relation to who He is. To have such arrogance as to rip out the Shepherd/sheep relationship terms is to destroy Scripture and reject God's authority.

Hath God said? Yes He has. Stanley should realize he echoes the words of the ancient Serpent when he despises shepherding and following as Scripture proclaims.

"Wild At Heart": the false god of John Eldredge and his intergrationism

An excellent critique by Jim Harmon not only on Eldredge's "Wild At Heart" but at the psychoheresy of today's professing Christians. He gives Scripture its proper place as our sole authority for life and godliness, whereas Eldredge does not.

Excerpts of note:

Simply put, the psychologizing of faith is destroying the Christian mind. It is destroying Christian habits of thought because it is destroying the capacity to think about life in a Christian fashion — David F. Wells, No Place for Truth or Whatever Happened to Evangelical Theology?

Popularity aside, Wild at Heart is a notable example of the integration of secular ideas, theories, and practices with Scripture. As a result, clear Biblical teaching regarding the nature of man, how he should live, and how he changes is compromised, undermined, and obscured. This is not a reliable way of "Discovering the Secret of a Man’s Soul." At best, it’s like weaving through a minefield. Fortunately, the mines are on the surface. Unfortunately, many readers will not recognize them for what they are. We give it no stars.

The basic problem with Christians accepting these secular ideas, though popular throughout society, is that these ideas fundamentally do not illuminate or harmonize with Scripture. Rather, they tend to intrude upon it and meddle with it, usurping that which belongs to God. The authors of such ideas were unbelievers, men who had no regard for God or the Bible. Their work has spawned a multitude of differing theories and techniques. Theirs is a man-centered perspective that typically is based on what man thinks and says about himself. In addition, psychological counseling theory, like evolutionary theory, remains in flux; new ideas and theories continually emerge. Biblical truth is God-centered and confronts man with specific, unchanging facts of life (Matt. 4:4; John 17:17).

And after years of hearing the heart-cry of women, I am convinced beyond a doubt of this: God wants to be loved. He wants to be a priority to someone….the cry of God’s heart is, "Why won’t you choose Me?" ~ Eldredge

End quote.

In my view, Eldredge's god is an Open Theist god, an effeminate impotent god,  unlike what Eldredge says men are supposed to be. At best Eldredge's god is a reflection of mere man, not the HOLY HOLY HOLY God of Scripture Who alone is all powerful. In fact Eldredge's god sounds more like a teenage drama queen who can't understand why nobody likes him and just wishes he could be A priority to someone out there. Forget about being THE priority, nor the absolute authority and power of the God of Scripture which states:

Eph 1:11  also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12  to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 

Rejecting What is Lifeless: sometimes that includes books

I reject many authors who have not stood firm for Christ but rather compromise the Truth. What Pink says is very true:


To turn away from the lifeless preachers and publishers of the day—may involve a real cross. Your motives will be misconstrued, your words perverted, and your actions misinterpreted. The sharp arrows of false report will be directed against you. You will be called proud and self-righteous, because you refuse to fellowship empty professors. You will be termed censorious and bitter—if you condemn in plain speech—the subtle delusions of Satan. You will be dubbed narrow-minded and uncharitable, because you refuse to join in singing the praises of the "great" and "popular" men of the day. More and more, you will be made to painfully realize—that the path which leads unto eternal life is "narrow" and that FEW there are who find it. May the Lord be pleased to grant unto each of us—the hearing ear and obedient heart! "Take heed what you hear" and read!

~ A.W. Pink

Wayne Grudem: the vessel through which many "Christian leaders" accept subjectivism and not Sola Scriptura

Confirming my concerns about Wayne Grudem on Evangelicans accepting Charismaticism:

Discernment and Revelation

February/March 2013 - Volume 19, Issue 1

Gary Gilley writes,

Quote:

From a more doctrinal base we turn to theologian Wayne Grudem, who has had a massive impact on the evangelical world concerning modern prophecies. Grudem has written the definitive book on the subject, The Gift of Prophecy in the New Testament and Today, in which he claims that church age prophecy is different than Old Testament prophecy. While the Old Testament prophet was held to the standard of infallibility when speaking a word from the Lord (Deut 18:20-24), prophecies beginning with Pentecost are fallible and imperfect. He writes, “Prophecy in ordinary New Testament churches was not equal to Scripture in authority, but simply a very human—and sometimes partially mistaken—report of something the Holy Spirit brought to someone’s mind.” [17] Modern prophecy then is impure and imperfect. By way of example and documentation Grudem quotes the Anglican charismatic leaders Dennis and Rita Bennet who claim,

We are not expected to accept every word spoken through the gifts of utterance…but we are only to accept what is quickened to us by the Holy Spirit and is in agreement with the Bible…one manifestation may be 75% God, but 25% the person’s own thoughts. We must discern between the two. [18]

One of the most disconcerting aspects of Grudem’s position is his uncertainty as to how we can distinguish between our own thoughts and those supposedly from God. This is such an important and disturbing feature of the conservative continuationist’s system that I will quote Grudem at length....

When we contrast Grudem’s view of prophecy with Scripture we find nothing remotely resembling what Grudem teaches. Nowhere in the Bible is one receiving a message from God left to wonder if God is speaking to him (with the temporary exception of the young boy Samuel). No one had to ask if what they were hearing “seemed like” the Holy Spirit or matched previous subjective experiences that also “seemed like” the Holy Spirit. They knew without question when God was speaking to them. This is essentially the same teaching that Dallas Willard exerts in Hearing God: “How can you be sure God is speaking to you? The answer is that we learn by experience.” [21] Therefore subjective experience becomes the test of authority concerning revelation from God. This is a far cry from what we find in Scripture.

The second half of Grudem’s quote moves into the realm of the incredible. After 2000 years of church history, the best this world-class theologian can offer is that “over time a congregation would probably become more adept at making evaluations of prophecies…” This is a statement of speculation and hope that at some point the church will begin to figure out when a word of revelation is actually coming from the Holy Spirit and when it is the imagination of the speaker.

End quote. Please go here for the full article.

Notice that Charismaticism, because it denies Scripture alone for authority, also embrace feminism, as Grudem quotes Anglican (not Christian) Charismatic leaders. This is also why Piper, Driscoll, Keller, and Moore easily also accept women teaching men in the assemblying of believers, against Scripture's prohibition.

As A.W. Pink has stated:

Some of God's dear people may suppose that it would be presumptuous to set themselves up as judges of what they hear or read—but that is a serious mistake, being both a false humility, and a shirking of duty. The Apostle rebuked the Hebrews because their senses (spiritual faculties) were not developed so as to discern between good and evil (Hebrews 5:13). With as much reason, might it be termed pride for anyone to pass judgment upon the groceries or meats purchased from the stores. Others may ask, "But how are simple and unlearned souls to distinguish between the different religious publications of the day?" Very simply: in sampling your natural food how do you determine whether or not it be seasoned? By your natural taste, of course. So it is spiritually: the "new man" has a palate too! If the God of creation has given us natural palates for the purpose of distinguishing between wholesome and unwholesome food, the God of grace has furnished His people with a capacity, a spiritual sense, to distinguish between nutritious and unwholesome soul food.

"Just as the mouth tastes food—the ear tests the words it hears" (Job 34:3). Does yours, my reader? Are you as careful about what you take into your mind—as what you take into your stomach? You certainly ought to be, for the former is even more important than the latter. 

It is often a long time before God's children are able to account for this. They blame themselves; they are exceedingly loath to say, "This message is not of God." They are afraid to act in the spiritual, as they do in the natural, and condemn and discard that which is worthless. While they feel a lack of power in the sermons they hear, or the articles they read, and while their souls steadily get dried up like a potsherd—they are slow to realize that this is the inevitable effect of the unctionless preaching they listen to, or the unctionless literature they read; and that such dryness and leanness of soul is inevitable—by their association with unhumbled and empty professors. But in due time God opens their eyes, and they see through the flimsy veil and discover that both the sermons they hear, and the literature they read—are only the product of a dead profession!

"Take heed what you hear" and read! More than forty years ago the saintly Adolph Saphir wrote, "I think the fewer books we read—the better. It is like times of cholera, when we should only drink filtered water." What would he say if he were on earth today and glanced over the deadly poison sent forth by the heterodox, and the lifeless rubbish put out by the orthodox? Christian reader, if you value the health of your soul, cease hearing and quit reading all that is lifeless, unctionless, powerless, no matter what prominent or popular name be attached thereto. Life is too short to waste valuable time on that which does not profit. Ninety-nine out of every hundred of the religious books, booklets, and magazines now being published, are not worth the paper on which they are printed!

To turn away from the lifeless preachers and publishers of the day—may involve a real cross. Your motives will be misconstrued, your words perverted, and your actions misinterpreted. The sharp arrows of false report will be directed against you. You will be called proud and self-righteous, because you refuse to fellowship empty professors. You will be termed censorious and bitter—if you condemn in plain speech—the subtle delusions of Satan. You will be dubbed narrow-minded and uncharitable, because you refuse to join in singing the praises of the "great" and "popular" men of the day. More and more, you will be made to painfully realize—that the path which leads unto eternal life is "narrow" and that FEW there are who find it. May the Lord be pleased to grant unto each of us—the hearing ear and obedient heart! "Take heed what you hear" and read!

Abolishing Abortion

We'll never abolish abortion until CHRISTIANS (the supposed moral people in our society) see it as murder in EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE without qualification. If "Christians" are double-minded on murder, then we cannot expect the world to be any different.

Good article on this by Tony Miano. 

Frank Turk Undone: Why Presuppositional Apologetics is Biblical and Proves Turk Denies T in TULIP

Exposing Frank Turk for his unbiblical views and behavior, but also showing why presuppositional apologetics is biblical. 

I believe Turk represents the New Calvinists in that he's very ungracious, harsh (name calling with snotty remarks), and appeals to the fallen mind of man, thus denying in practice what he claims in slogan: total depravity. In fact, his anti-PA stand bears this out very clearly. Turk (as many of today's Reformers do), don't believe man's intellect is as fallen as the rest of himself; that is, to use their often-used mantra, man's mind really DOES have an island of righteousness that isn't tainted with and dead in its sins. No, rather, man's intellect is neutral. This is contrary to all of Scripture, not the least of which is Romans 3:10-18, Eph. 2:1-4, 1Cor. 2:14, and Romans 8:


Rom 8:6  For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7  because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8  and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 

Total Depravity of TULIP is rejected in practice by Turk.

Quote:

Turk makes the same mistake when he tries to explain his view via the example of Margaret Sanger. Yes, he admits, she was a racist by modern views, but her demonic agenda was rooted in the education and science of her day, as well as a genuine experience and genuine concern for the poor. Thus, approaching her from the position of a preacher preaching sin and the Word of God would not have gained the moral high-ground. Her motives (something right up there is emotives) were too lofty and pure....[quotes and footnotes given and a right rebuke with Scripture ~Denise]

So when Turk says,

So you will excuse me if, on that basis, I will ask the presuppositionalist to stay out of it. He’s most of the way out of it already anyway.  If he wants to get involved, he should start where the person in question actually is rather than where he would rather they be.

I can’t think of a more theologically ignorant thing to say (except for another I will show you in a moment). And honestly, I don’t think Turk even realized the full extent of what he was saying. PA and only PA among apologetic approaches begins where the person actually is: morally depraved and rebellious before God. Whatever intellectual or emotional deceptions they have embraced in the process of suppressing the truth of God (Rom. 1:18), we know that the real problem is the fallenness and rebellion against God. The rest is just a symptom. Turk is thinking only in terms of the intellectual starting point of the discussion (and apparently a very limited experience of it at that). ...

But this is not how PA rolls. On the contrary, PA can begin at any starting point in any conversation, because there is not a single human thought or idea that falls outside the rule of God’s Word. But it is only that Word that will ultimately grind hearts and bust the power of those emotional narratives.

Turk, on the other hand, demands we simply present statistics and facts to the woman who is about to abort her child...

Now you tell me: what is most likely to change any human being’s mind on any issue at any crisis moment? What is the single most powerful force of communication with depraved, non-reasoning, emotion-driven people? Statistics pulled from Freakanomics.com? Notes from a Gallup poll? The majority opinions of atheistic doctors? Or, perhaps, the Spirit-empowered Word of God? What is going to create that pause, if anything? I will place my bet on the pronouncement of God’s Word any day, be it unpopular, considered unscientific, out of place, in bad taste, demeaned by other Christians, or whatever, for the situation. It will come in different styles and approaches depending upon the persons and settings, but nothing can penetrate the veils of various emotive nonsenses like God’s Word and Spirit—and that is not only as presuppositional as it comes, but only presuppositionalism goes there.

End quote.

Read the whole article because it also explains further about presuppositional apologetics. 

Really what most of today's Reformers do, as perfectly illustrated by Frank Turk, is that they believe that not only is the mind unaffected by the Fall, but that its not the same as the heart. They will readily agree with Jeremiah that the heart is desperate wicked, then turn around when talking about doctrine or dealing with abortion (as mentioned in the quote above) or other issues and think the  mind can be convinced by statistics, information, and logical argumentation (ironically Turk lacks logic as do most Reformers who demand everyone else must abide by logic rules except for themselves). Scripture makes it clear that the heart = the mind, and the mind=the heart. They are used interchangeably throughout Scripture.

Mat 22:37  And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'

Christopher Dorner: the flames of the cabin burning cannot be compared to the eternal flames of Hell

From Airo:

Yet, however you may picture Dorner perishing in the flames, and what the roaring flames would feel like as they engulfed him, it fails in comparison to what Dorner is feeling now if he died as a murderer. Matthew 13:42 calls it a furnace of fire. Other NT Scriptures refer to it as a lake of fire. While others refer to it as the blackness of darkness. Yet, these are only depictions of the reality of what hell really is. They do not exceed the reality of hell, but are only faint images and shadows of the true torments of hell. As Jonathan Edwards says,

we find everything that gives an idea of an extreme misery is used to set forth hell torments because no one is sufficient to express it.

Dorner, if a dead murderer, is facing that reality now. He has found ultimate justice in the hands of the Living God. The experience of Dorner is dreadful. Eternally dreadful. He has begun drinking the bottemless cup of the Lord that is filled with the foaming wine of His terrible wrath, and Dorner will drink it down to the dregs (Psalm 75:8).

~Source for full article

Christians Hinder the Work of God

The Churches Are the Mission Field Today

Rules of Possession

The world according to liberals, socialists, communists, and basically Obama's administration.

Why I Homeschool

Peace in His Lordship

"But sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord." In the light of its setting, this means, first of all, to let the awe of the lordship of Christ possess your hearts. Dwell constantly on the fact that Christ is Lord. Because He is Lord, all power in heaven and earth is His; therefore He is Master of every situation, sufficient for every emergency, able to supply every need. When a Christian trembles in the presence of his enemies, it is because he doubts or has lost sight of the faithfulness and power of Christ.

"But sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord." The motive for obeying this precept should not be our own peace and comfort, but His honor and glory. To guard against the feat of man, the saint is to cultivate the fear of the Lord, that Christ may be magnified.

~AW Pink

Making Disciples

Excerpts:

Jesus’ words emphasize not the moment of salvation but the lifetime of sanctification that follows. He made the same point in John 8:31 when He said, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine.” It’s the difference between a one-time profession of faith and a lifetime of spiritual growth and increasing godliness—between counterfeit and genuine conversion.

How can you stress the vital importance of sanctification when you’re aggressively chasing the trends and interests of a spiritually bankrupt world?

As defined by Christ’s command to His disciples, the purpose of the church is to make learning believers—men and women whose lives reflect a deep commitment to and love for the Lord, His Word, and His people. Are you actively helping your congregation grow in this clear and critical purpose for the church?

~ John MacArthur 

Driscoll Affirms Heretic Joel Osteen as a Brother in Christ and as a Victim of His Reformed Brothers

According to the 'Christian'Post:

In a recent interview with The Gospel Coalition, the Mars Hill Church pastor was asked to comment on a segment of his new book, Who Do You Think You Are?, that mentions "appreciated people" who "exchange grumbling for praying, competing for celebrating, bitterness for thankfulness, performing for serving, and boasting for encouraging."

The interviewer, TGC's associate editor Matt Smethurst, asked Driscoll, "What's an 'appreciated person'? Isn't that what Joel Osteen wants me to be?"

"I am aware of the theological differences that exist between our tribe and Pastor Joel," Driscoll responded. "I also know my Reformed brothers like to treat Pastor Joel like a pinata, but there are worse things than being happy and encouraging at a time when the most common prescription medications are antidepressants."

Driscoll made the same reference to the common use of antidepressants in his 2007 multipart sermon series "The Rebel's Guide to Joy," in which he mentions in part one Osteen's preaching of the Gospel, which has been labeled by some as a prosperity, or health and wealth, message.

More at The "Gospel" Coalition.

Apparently Driscoll has a new book coming out in 2013.

Trials

‎"All trials are for two purposes, that we may be better acquainted with our own wicked hearts and that we may be better acquainted with our own beloved Savior." 

~ George Whitfield

Seventh Day Adventist's La Sierra University Names Economics Center After Abortionist (Murderer)

LifeSiteNews reports:"Riverside, California, January 16, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Seventh-day Adventist website ADvindicate has recently drawn attention to the fact that La Sierra University has named a new economics centre after abortionist and gambling magnate Edward C. Allred, who in 1980 claimed to have personally aborted a quarter of a million babies in twelve years."

~ For the entire article go here.

Go here for information of why the SDA is not a biblical Christian church.

Also the SDA error on salvation.

SDA's Ellen White Vs. Scripture.

If You Are Going Through A Trial, Look UP!

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame!" Hebrews 12:2

"In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice. In the morning I will order my prayer to You and look up!" Psalm 5:3

This is a wonderful secret which all of us ought to learn: We should not think so much about the toil and hardness of the way--but to look beyond to the brightness of the end! It does not matter how rough the road is--if only it brings us HOME at last!

Many of us go worrying all through this life, keeping our eyes always downcast on the path we are treading. We see all the troubles, the difficulties, and discouragements--but we never raise our eyes to see the joys and the eternal blessings which are waiting for us. We ought to learn this life-secret, which made Christ look past the shame and sorrow of His cross--and see the glory beyond. Learn to look up toward Heaven! Think of its joys and its blessedness--until earth's trials shall melt away in the brightness, and its griefs and losses are forgotten in the hopes of eternal glory!

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal!" 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

"For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humble condition--into the likeness of His glorious body!" Philippians 3:20-21

~JR Miller