Gen 1:27  God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Exo 20:13  "You shall not murder. 

“And as we remember this historic anniversary, we must also continue our efforts to ensure that our daughters have the same rights, freedoms, and opportunities as our sons to fulfill their dreams.” ~ Obama on the 39th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

What about this baby's rights, freedoms, opportunities and dreams?

Young Liberals

If you aren't willing to learn wisdom from your parents and other older people and show them respect, why should anyone listen to an 18 year old disrespectful ignorant person?


Pro 1:1  The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
Pro 1:2  To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight,
Pro 1:3  to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;
Pro 1:4  to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth-- 
Pro 1:5  Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,
Pro 1:6  to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.
Pro 1:7  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Pro 1:8  Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching, 
Pro 1:9  for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.

T.D. Jakes Speaking At Code Orange Where Matt Chandler Just Spoke

With the help of Steve Furtick and James MacDonald, Modalist (that is, anti-trinitarian) T.D. Jakes is being paraded around at both the Elephant Room (connected to Acts 29) and at Code Orange--the same place where sex-obssessed Ed Young Jr. and Matt Chandler taught a few days ago.

Among the speakers:

Steve Furtick, James MacDonald, TD Jakes, Perry Noble, Matt Chandler, at Code Orange.

Steve Furtick, James MacDonald, TD Jakes, Mark Driscoll at Elephant Room

Are you seeing a pattern here?

2Jn 1:9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting;11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds. 

Dissecting Piper's Allah and Adonai Tweet

Well, it seems that fiery blogger is defending Piper yet again, calling people to go easy on Piper. What he doesn't get is that Piper IS tweeting what IS consistent with his ecumenical, inter-faith, Post-Modern hedonism. I'm astounded at the willing blindness of some who claim to be seminary graduates and pastors yet can't see Piper as the false teach that he is.

Romans 5 has NOTHING to do with Piper's view. NOTHING. Let's look at Piper, the seasoned pastor, teacher, and Tweeter:

"Muslims, Jews, Christians! Allah and Adonai are only known and loved through the crucified and risen Christ. John 8:19; 5:42-43"

Muslims

Jews

Christians

Allah AND Adonai

can ONLY

be KNOWN

and LOVED

THROUGH

the crucified and risen CHRIST.


Now, looking at it word for word you can see enormous doctrinal error.

Muslims worship Allah, a demon moon god, and think some "good" (5 pillars of Islam, jihad, honor killings) works will get them to "Paradise". They worship (for all intents and purposes) Muhammad. The quran, a demonic book, is nothing but lies.

Jews rely on bloodline and tradition, and rely on other works in addition to these, to save them.

Christians--now BIBLICAL Christians rely solely on the finished work of the risen Lord Jesus Christ, who is God, Creator, Second person in the Trinity, sole Messiah and Master and Owner: THE Way, THE Truth, and THE Life.

I'll state here, knowing Piper's penchant for Roman Catholic authors and practices like Lectio Divina, that Roman Catholics aren't Christians. They too, rely on works and tradition and have a false God altogether.

Jews, Muslims, and Catholics are all equally lost because all three reject the God of Scripture and the sole way of eternal life and forgiveness of sin, which is Jesus Christ and His FINISHED work at the Cross.

By typing "Allah and Adonai", Piper puts Allah, the demon of Islam, on par with Adonai, that is, the HOLY HOLY HOLY One of Israel. Allah is a creation, Jehovah is eternal.

"can only" = no other way

"be known"  = to be no stranger to, to be familiar with

"loved" = embraced,  have affection for, to be pleased with, have high regard for

"through" = the means of, transmission

"the crucified and risen Christ" = the Jesus of Scripture is the crucified and risen Lord.

So BOTH Allah and Adonai/Jehovah can ONLY be known and loved through Jesus Christ? This statement is blatantly false for two reasons:

We are to love God alone (see Ex. 20).

Allah is a demon who is NOT trinitarian but Adonai is; he is "the greatest of deceivers" according to the quran; the Triune God of Scripture cannot lie, but rather is the God of Truth; he is not holy but Adonai is; he is not immutable, but Adonai is; he has no son, but Adonai  does--Jesus Christ (the Trinity cannot be chopped up: One God, three distinct persons in the Godhead, each co-equally God with all the attributes, and all three make the ONE GOD); Allah is not Creator, but Adonai is; Allah commanded Satan to worship Adam but Adonai  prohibits all worship of anyone other than HIMSELF.

Allah therefore cannot only NOT be known  nor love through Christ, it is Christ Jesus who created Allah (the demon) and it is Christ Jesus who will throw Allah into Lake of Fire to burn for eternity. Allah is not to be "known" but rejected; he is not to be loved (how utterly UNHOLY the "love" Piper portrays, is!) but hated.

Ironically, instead of knowing the demon of Allah and loving him through Christ:

Col 2:15  When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. 

Rom 16:17  Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.
Rom 16:18  For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. 
Rom 16:19  For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. 
Rom 16:20  The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Know and love this unholy demonic being called Allah? Far from it! He will soon be crushed by Jesus Christ who already made a spectacle of him by His death and resurrection!

Piper is not a novice in theology, religion, or Tweeting. He was deliberate and again, defiant, unapologetic and sees himself having to answer to no one who asked perfectly biblical questions for his atrocious claims.

For more info on the name of Allah and how it is NOT the name of the triune God of Scripture go to Let Us Reason.

***Update***

Recently heretic Steve Chalke said this:

“Ultimately the full interpretation of who Allah/God is can be seen through Jesus”.

Pretty much the same thing as false teacher John Piper.

Piper: Allah and Adonia Can Be Known And Loved Through Christ

Allah is not triune, does not have a Son, is mutable, had to add mercy and light to himself, is unholy, promotes sexual immorality in "Paradise" as well as on earth, promotes violence including murder, and utterly rejects the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ who was crucified and rose again from the dead. Allah is not on par with Adonai of Scripture, NOR is Allah loved and known through Christ! Allah is a demon! This just burns me up!!! As MacArthur stated clearly, Allah is another name for Satan. We need to reject Piper totally.

Matt Chandler Is No Outsider To Emergents

Matt Chandler is lined up to speak at Perry Noble's pastor conference  on September 6,2012 This would include sharing the pulpit yet AGAIN with the cast of usual suspects:

Quote:

In one day, learn from seven pastors who love Jesus, love the Church, and lead in the Church, preaching from experience and conviction.

Join James MacDonald along with Matt Chandler, Steven Furtick, Perry Noble, Judah Smith, Andy Stanley and Jud Wilhite at NewSpring Church on Thursday, September 6, 2012 for the NewSpring Leadership Conference.

End quote.

Again, proving the point that Chandler is no outsider to this group, and hasn't been. He's PART OF IT.

Your Trial Is Nothing Compared To the Fire of Hell You Deserve--Thank God For His Mercy

(James Smith, "The Believer's Companion in Seasons of Affliction and Trouble" 1842)

"Because of the Lord's mercies, we are not consumed--for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!" Lamentations 3:22-23

You are sometimes tempted to think that your lot is hard, and that your trials are greater than others--but do not think thus. Rather think, "But for the mercy of God--I would have been in Hell this moment, lifting up my eyes in torments; and in the agony of despair, cursing my God and King! It is all of mercy, that I am not now in the flames of Hell, surrounded by infuriated devils, and assailed on every hand by the groans of the damned, and the dreadful cursings of the lost!"

HELL! Who shall attempt to describe what is wrapped up in that fearful word? Yet all that it contains was your righteous desert; and but for sovereign mercy--must have been your eternal portion!

What a mercy--to be out of Hell! Yes, even though you are now in the sorest trials, in the greatest pains!

Excerpts from John MacArthur:

Pragmatism is the notion that meaning or worth is determined by practical consequences. It is closely akin toutilitarianism, the belief that usefulness is the standard of what is good. To a pragmatist/utilitarian, if a technique or course of action has the desired effect, it is good. If it doesn't seem to work, it must be wrong.

Pragmatism as a philosophy was developed and popularized at the end of the last century by philosopher William James, along with such other noted intellectuals as John Dewey and George Santayana. It was James who gave the new philosophy its name and shape. In 1907, he published a collection of lectures entitled Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking, and thus defined a whole new approach to truth and life.

Pragmatism has roots in Darwinism and secular humanism. It is inherently relativistic, rejecting the notion of absolute right and wrong, good and evil, truth and error. Pragmatism ultimately defines truth as that which is useful, meaningful, helpful. Ideas that don't seem workable or relevant are rejected as false.

After all, common sense involves a measure of legitimate pragmatism, doesn't it? If a dripping faucet works fine after you replace the washers, for example, it is reasonable to assume that bad washers were the problem. If the medicine your doctor prescribes produces harmful side effects or has no effect at all, you need to ask if there's a remedy that works. Such simple pragmatic realities are generally self-evident.

But when pragmatism is used to make judgments about right and wrong, or when it becomes a guiding philosophy of life and ministry, it inevitably clashes with Scripture. Spiritual and biblical truth is not determined by testing what "works" and what doesn't. We know from Scripture, for example, that the gospel often does not produce a positive response (1 Cor. 1:22, 23; 2:14). On the other hand, Satanic lies and deception can be quite effective (Matt. 24:23, 24; 2 Cor. 4:3, 4). Majority reaction is no test of validity (cf. Matt. 7:13, 14), and prosperity is no measure of truthfulness (cf. Job 12:6). Pragmatism as a guiding philosophy of ministry is inherently flawed. Pragmatism as a test of truth is nothing short of satanic.

Nevertheless, an overpowering surge of ardent pragmatism is sweeping through evangelicalism. Traditional methodology—most notably preaching—is being discarded or downplayed in favor of newer means, such as drama, dance, comedy, variety, side-show histrionics, pop-psychology, and other entertainment forms. The new methods supposedly are more "effective"—that is, they draw a bigger crowd. And since the chief criterion for gauging the success of a church has become attendance figures, whatever pulls in the most people is accepted without further analysis as good. That is pragmatism.

Perhaps the most visible signs of pragmatism are seen in the convulsive changes that have revolutionized the church worship service in the past two decades. Some of evangelicalism's largest and most influential churches now boast Sunday services that are designed purposely to be more rollicking than reverent.

Even worse, theology now takes a back seat to methodology. One author has written, "Formerly, a doctrinal statement represented the reason for a denomination's existence. Today, methodology is the glue that holds churches together. A statement of ministry defines them and their denominational existence."² Incredibly, many believe this is a positive trend, a major advance for the contemporary church.

Matt Chandler Is No Different Than John Piper: both compromise and endorse grave error

Given Chandler's pulpit sharing with Emergents at Steve Furtick's "Code Orange" conference the other night and given how many folks are promoting Chandler's gospel preaching that night and thus giving him somewhat of a free pass, here's a little clarity and the context of Matt Chandler. Remember folks, he is an example of how false teachers secretly sneak in among you. A false teacher will say some right things. But as is the case with John Piper, Matt Chandler endorses serious error and heretics, along with sharing the pulpit with them.

Chandler is a Reformergent Charismatic, he endorses Emergent  New Ager, Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola's book "The Jesus Manifesto", he consistantly has shared the platform of the false teachers within the Emergent Church Movement , Saddleback "Conversations", Acts 29  where he is a Board member (the denomination (yes it is) that has promoted  planting a church in a gay bar), the inter-faith Elephant Room.

More: http://herescope.blogspot.com/2010/06/great-confluence.html The previous Herescope post looked at the big picture of how the Emerging Church movement is connecting with the New Apostolic Reformation, as exemplified by the release of the new book Jesus Manifesto co-authored by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola. There are even more troubling connections, and these lead straight into the New Age movement.

These things show he is NOT reformed, and violates 2John 9-10. 

2Jn 1:9  Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. 10  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; 11  for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds. 

1Co 15:33 Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals." 

As I quoted in my piece where John MacArthur  exhorts Christians to stop giving a free pass to these compromising "Reformers":

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

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

                                    ~Robert Morey

If we are hid in Christ then our salvation cannot be touched by us or anyone else. It is IN Him and BY Him and FOR Him.




Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.


1Pet 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 



Mat 6:20 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

John MacArthur Believes In Only ONE Salvation for Both Jew and Gentile Even During the Tribulation

Contrary to what some salty  Reformer accuses MacArthur of teaching, that is, two ways of salvation, let's be clear about a few things.

MacArthur has systematically, historically, consistently, and biblically, ever taught One Gospel for all people for all time, that is, faith in the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Period. There's a little book he wrote some years ago that may sound familiar, "The Gospel According to Jesus", to be followed up by "The Gospel According to the Apostles". Besides this little detail, there are hundreds of times where MacArthur proclaims that same Gospel. One was at the Truth Matters Conference I attended in September 2011 where he talked greatly about the Gospel. Here he talks about the Gospel which is the same for both Jew and Gentile: trusting in the Person and finished work of the risen Lord Jesus Christ.

Let's also be clear about something else. When Romans 11 says all of Israel will be saved, this is true. After the fullness of the Gentiles comes in, it will be Israel's turn. All the elect of Israel will be saved. All believing Israel will be saved. How? By faith in the Person and work of the risen Lord Jesus Christ. This is what MacArthur clearly states even  in the quotes salty thinks he's using against MacArthur. I have posted lengthy quotes from MacArthur on this very issue below.

Scripture often talks about salvation for people in the future, simply because there are events that haven't happened just yet, and also because they haven't been born yet. So salvation yes, is for today for those who are alive, but God's plan for Israel at large as a nation, has yet to come to pass--its a PROPHECY.

Salty Reformer says this:

"Since before the canon of Scripture was closed, it has been a clear message from God, to man, that today, the present moment, is the day of salvation, and there is no later time promised. You may die tonight. If that’s the case, it’s too late for repentance. Scripture is clear." He goes on and suggests MacArthur says otherwise. Let's take a look at what MacArthur has historically taught:

http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/2252/Which-Way-to-Heaven-1-of-2 :

"I believe there is a second thing you can't do with the Sermon on the Mount and that is to push it into some prophetic tomorrow. I don't think Jesus is suggesting that this is for some far future era. I think He is demanding a decision now, in this time. I believe there are many people who admire the ethics of the Sermon on the Mount, that's not what Jesus wanted. And I believe there are many people who take the characteristics of the Sermon on the Mount and its demands and push them off to the future kingdom, I don't think that's what Jesus wanted either. What Jesus demanded was a choice, an act, an ultimate decision to be made at that time and at that moment on the basis of what He had just said. A deliberate choice has to be made. Christ came to bring a kingdom, He was a King, He was THE King, He was THE King of Kings. And He came with a kingdom that was unique and special and separate and different from all the kingdoms of the world. And men would not understand His kingdom unless He articulated its principles and so in this masterful sermon He has articulated the principles of living in His kingdom."

Yet there is also a future for the salvation of the Jews in great numbers as Romans 11 clearly states, which is AFTER the fullness of the Gentile number. God's covenant will be fulfilled.

And to be clear, MacArthur affirms that salvation of souls during the Tribulation will happen because of the Holy Spirit's work, just as now. He affirms there is no salvation without the person and work of the Holy Spirit:

Quote:

Please notice in verse 7, the one who restrains is taken out of the way...just a footnote, that does not mean He is removed from the world. It doesn't mean that. That doesn't mean that He's taken into heaven. Listen, in the first place, the Holy Spirit is omnipresent, right? So He has to be everywhere. In the second place, people are going to be saved during this time and nobody is saved who isn't begotten again by the Spirit. So the idea that the Holy Spirit leaves is not true. What happens is the Holy Spirit is taken out of the way in terms of blocking Satan, in terms of His restraining ministry. So the Holy Spirit is simply taken out of the way as a restrainer, removed as a roadblock, not removed from the world or no one could be saved and God wouldn't be effecting His purposes and His plans. So we don't want to make too much out of that. It is the Holy Spirit, He is not removed from the world, or there could be no evangelization by the 144 thousand, there could be no comprehension of the gospel because the Spirit has to quicken the mind, there could be no conversion because He alone is the one who gives eternal life, so He has to be here doing His work, He just stops the restraining part of it.


End quote. [Emphasis, mine]


 ~John MacArthur on 2Thes. 2:7 


Excerpts from "Israel In the Tribulation" where  John MacArthur states:

Quote:

Do you want to know the real regathering the prophets spoke about? That's it. It's the regathering for the kingdom. What we're seeing today is only the preliminary. But when Christ returns and sends His angels, He gathers Israel and brings them in and then they enter into the kingdom. Now, I do believe that many Jews will be saved during the tribulation, but I also believe there's going to be a great sweeping conversion at this time, because it says they in Zechariah, "shall look on him," what, "whom they have pierced."

And I believe there will be Jews being saved during the tribulation. Of course, where else would you get the 144,000 evangelists, 12,000 from every tribe? But I think God's going to do some regathering right at the moment of the kingdom. There are many passages that would lend themselves to support that particular view and let me suggest a couple of them....

Revelation 12, they're persecuted. Revelation 13, they're persecuted. There's coming chastisement on the whole nation of Israel. God's bringing them back. You see friends, sin has to be dealt with prior to salvation. And the chastisement of the Lord is going to be instrumental in the salvation of Israel. And so the time of the tribulation will be a time of purging. But you know something, even when all of Israel is saved, according to Romans 11, "so all of Israel shall be saved," even among that all there are going to be some rebels that aren't going to be saved.

The all means the nation in general. There'll be a few exceptions. And God is going to judge the severely according to Ezekiel Chapter 20. God's judgment is severe against the rebels. These are fearful words. Listen to them. "As I live saith the Lord," verse 33 of Ezekiel 20, "surely with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with fury poured out will I rule over you. And I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries in which you are scattered with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with fury poured out. I'll bring you into the wilderness of the peoples and there will I enter into judgment with you face to face." Verse 37, "I'll cause you to pass unto the rod and I'll bring into the bond of the covenant. And I will purge out from among you the rebels and them that transgress against me." Pretty clear statement.

God says in the regathering of Israel, there's going to be some purging too. And so there's a sense of double chastisement on Israel. There is the chastisement of the whole nation as they suffer during the tribulation for the centuries of rejection of their Messiah. And then there is the specific and eternal judgment against the rebels that takes place.

Romans 11, verses 23-29 describes the salvation of Israel. And so I believe that during the tribulation Jews will be saved, but then at the end when Christ comes the whole nation apart from the rebels is going to turn to Him who is their Messiah.

Lastly, and I close with this, the commission of Israel. You say, well, you know, John the Jews that are going to get saved during that tribulation what are they going to be doing? Well, they're going to have a lot to do, believe me. Let me show you the commission of Israel in the tribulation. Revelation 7:3, here's the 144,000. Now what are they going to do? Well, verse 3, "Hurt not the earth, neither the see, nor the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads."

You say what are they going to do John? They're going to serve the Lord. They're going to serve Him during the tribulation. In what way? I believe in evangelism. I believe they're going to be commissioned to reach the world with the gospel of the kingdom. You say why? Well, just after he lists all of them in verse 8, look at the results in verse 9. "After this I beheld and lo a great multitude which no man could number of all nations and kindreds and peoples and tongues stood before the throne and before the lamb clothed with white robes and palms in their hands and cried to the loud voice saying salvation to our God sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb."

You say who is that group? That's all of the Gentiles that came to Christ in response to the ministry of those Jews. I believe God's going to set loose 144,000 evangelists. I dare say beloved if we had 144,000 spirit filled evangelists in our world today, we'd turn the place inside out easily in three and a half years.

God's going to mark them out, seal them, protection. That means protection. So they can't be harmed by the system. So they can't be killed. The cream of the crop. I know that the Seventh Day Adventists say the 144,000 pertains to their fellowship and I know that the Jehovah Witnesses say the same thing and I know the strange esoteric cult called the Flying Roll, whatever that is, says it's them, it's 144,000 rolls, flying rolls. Some people say it's the church. It can't be church, we're already in heaven. It's the Jews.

Beloved all this and a lot to say that the tribulation is the time for Israel. The tribulation spotlights Israel, covenants they're collecting, their chastisement, their comfort, those other features that we mentioned. And you know something, you say well, John, what we're seeing today then isn't the final regathering. No, but I'll say something, beloved, it sure is the preliminary to the final.

End quote.

I would suggest Salty Reformer do more homework instead of making slanderous and hateful remarks that are nothing but Straw Man arguments. Why not give MacArthur the same tolerance he gives Piper who clearly promotes a false gospel via Federal Vision's Doug Wilson and Rick Warren the Pelagian. Moreover, for Salty to be consistent, he should reject Martin Luther who himself said in his Larger Catechism:

Lrg. Cat.24] Therefore state it most simply thus, that the power, work, profit, fruit, and end of Baptism is this, namely,TO SAVE. For no one is baptized in order that he may become a prince, but, as the words declare, that he be SAVED. Luther’s LC 25] But to be saved, we know, is nothing else than to be delivered from sin, death, and the devil, and to enter into the kingdom of Christ, and to live with Him forever.

LLC 27] But where the name of God is, there must be also life and salvation, that it may indeed be called a divine, blessed, fruitful, and gracious water; LLC #27 for by the Word such power is imparted to Baptism that it is a laver of regeneration, as St. Paul also calls it, Titus 3, 5.

Luther LC 79] Repentance, therefore, is nothing else than a return and approach to Baptism, that we repeat and practise what we began before, but abandoned.

Luther’s Lrg. Cat. 83] Thus it appears what a great, excellent thing Baptism is, which delivers us from the jaws of the devil and makes us God's own, suppresses and takes away sin, and then daily strengthens the new man; and is and remains ever efficacious until we pass from this estate of misery to eternal glory.

Luther’s Sacrament of the Alter #23  For by Baptism we are first born anew;

RCC #1213 Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word."

Moreover, "The Luthern Witness", which is the official periodical of the LCMS states:

"Lutherans believe that death to sin and birth to life take place in Baptism. We believe that what Baptism symbolizes actually happens. We are in the minority of Christendom that believes in infant faith, so infant Baptism is our ideal." –p. 8 The Luthern Witness, Jan. 2006



"We are baptized only once, but every day by faith we relive our Baptism by dying to sin and being reborn as God’s children. Baptism sets the boundaries in which our faith lives."-- THE LUTHERAN WITNESS 2006






Contrary to Scripture which states that baptism (the very term means "immersion"--sprinkling is NOT biblical) is for Believers:

Mat 28:18  And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.19  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Act 2:41  So  THOSE WHO RECEIVED HIS WORD were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Act 8:12  But when  THEY BELIEVED Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Act 10:47  "Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people WHO HAVE RECEIVED THE HOLY SPIRIT  just as we have?" 48  And he [Peter] commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days. 

So, let's see Salty Reformer reject Luther who clearly taught baptismal regeneration (he had a  Bible he studied, so he was no novice), and Piper (a pastor of 30 years) who continually promotes anti-Justification by Faith Alone teachers.

How to Confront the Culture

Did Paul try to find a common bridge with the religious people on Mars Hill? Hardly! He was offended and outraged by their complete idolatry.What he declared to them was in fact an insult--that the most learned of the society was utterly ignorant and without knoweldge of the True God.....

Here are some excerpts from John MacArthur's mess on confronting the culture.

Quote:

When we take the gospel to our city, it's amazing to watch God's Word transcend the culture--and every false religion--to change lives. The message of salvation in Christ truly knows no hindrance.

The ecumenical, syncretistic spirit of the age recoils in horror at the exclusive claims of Christ. And popular, evangelical seeker-sensitive churches only make the task more difficult by refusing to confront sin in an effort to make the "unchurched" sinner comfortable.....

The Method (Acts 17:22-34): Paul spoke his message to an indifferent and arrogant audience, like many to whom you and I speak today. As we look at how Paul preached to the philosophers, you'll see three essential elements of an effective message to confront our post-Christian culture with the truth.

First, tell them that God is (vv. 22-23). Here's Paul's first point: "You are ignorant and I'm going to give you the truth." Try recommending that opening line at an evangelism conference. Some people think Paul commended their religiosity when he mentioned their many objects of worship. He wasn't commending them at all--their idols infuriated him (v. 16). Rather, he started with a given: all men are innately religious. All men are created to be worshipers--they either worship God or something else, but everyone worships something. The Athenians were no different.....

Second, tell them who God is (vv. 24-29).This is Paul's lesson to the ignorant about the unknown God. This is Theology 101. It's ironic that Paul was teaching the ABCs of theology to those who were known worldwide as supreme intellectuals. It proves the truth of 1 Corinthians 1:25: "The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." Here are five things ignorant, rebellious men need to know about the "Unknown God."

God is the Creator. Verse 24a: He "made the world and all things in it." In Paul's day and ours, the truth makes no room for men's opinions regarding origins.

God is the Ruler. Verse 24b: "He is Lord of heaven and earth [and] does not dwell in temples made with hands." It logically follows that if God is the Creator, He is also the rightful Ruler of what He created. And if He is Creator and Ruler, He doesn't live in what His creatures have made.

God is the Giver. Verse 25: "He [is not] served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things." Far from needing anything from men, the Creator "causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous" (Matt. 5:45).

God is the Controller. Verse 26: "He made from one man every nation of mankind ... having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation." That statement was a blow to the national pride of the Greeks, who scornfully referred to non-Greeks as "barbarians." Nonetheless, God controls the affairs and destinies of men and nations.

God is the Revealer. Verses 27-29: Men should "seek God...He is not far from each one of us...Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like [anything] formed by the art and thought of man." God, by creating, ruling, giving, and controlling all things, has clearly revealed Himself in what He has made--men are truly without excuse (Rom. 1:20).

Third, tell them what God says (vv. 30-31). Paul's evangelism method ends with a simple, powerful point: tell them to repent or be judged. In the past, God was patient. But a day is coming when He will judge the world through Jesus Christ. ...

Paul was faithful to proclaim the truth. He left the results to God.

End quote.

For the full text go here.

How often do you hear people proclaim God as Creator? Yet this is usually the first or foremost or primary declaration proclaimed in Scripture--this is the true God and because He is Creator, He has sole authority over everything including the eternal destiny of everyone.

Within the first six books of Scripture, God is proclaimed as Creator ("created") eleven times.

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

Gen 1:27  God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them

Psa 33:6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And by the breath of His mouth all their host. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He lays up the deeps in storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. 9 For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. 10 The LORD nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples.

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was

made….14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as

of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Col 1:16 For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and

invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were

created through Him and for Him.17 He is before all things, and in Him all things

hold together.

Heb 1:1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in

many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir

of all things, through whom also He made the world. 3 And He is the radiance of His 

glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word

of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the

Majesty on high,

Heb 11:3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.


Psa 148:5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, For He commanded and they were created.


Isa 42:5 Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who gives breath to the people on it And spirit to those who walk in it,


Mat 19:4 And He answered and said, "Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE,


Rev 4:11 "Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created."  

Christianity IS A Religion--The Only True Religion

I'm so glad Voddie Bachuam said this, because I'm tired of the mantra myself.  It seems people think "religion" is a dirty word. It's not.

Is Christianity A Religion?

by Voddie Baucham

MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2008

There is a common mantra that has been around for a while, but which seems to be picking up steam.  It goes like this:  “Christianity is not a religion; it’s a relationship.”  We’ve all heard it before.  However, how many of us have bothered to evaluate this ubiquitous saying? I believe we must do just that.  We must evaluate this mantra, and the syllogism by which it is frequently accompanied:

Religion is man’s attempt to reach God

Christianity is God’s attempt to reach man

Therefore, Christianity is not a religion.

I believe this syllogism is not only invalid, but patently false.  If for no other reason, this syllogism must be rejected on the grounds that it contains at least one false premise.  Religion is much more than man’s attempt to reach God. And Christianity is indeed a religion.  Moreover, I believe it is dangerous –even foolish— to argue otherwise.  The argument that Christianity is not a religion has many inherent problems.  Most importantly, this line of reasoning is at odds with the English language, the history of the church, and good old common sense.

At Odds With the English Language

The first problem with the argument that Christianity is not a religion is the fact that it is a linguistic/grammatical fallacy.  This in turn exposes an unavoidable logical fallacy in what is ultimately a question-begging argument.  In order for the statement –Christianity is not a religion— to be true, one has to assume a certain definition of the word religion that does not exist (i.e., “religion is man’s attempt to reach God”).  The Encarta World English Dictionary defines religion as:

1. People’s beliefs and opinions concerning the existence, nature, and worship of a deity or deities, and divine involvement in the universe and human life

2. A particular institutionalized or personal system of beliefs and practices relating to the divine

3. A set of strongly-held beliefs, values, and attitudes that somebody lives by

4. An object, practice, cause, or activity that somebody is completely devoted to or obsessed by

How do we get from here to “Man’s attempt to reach God” as a definition of religion?    Even Encarta knows better.  In fact, the distance between the true definition and this contemporary mantra is even more evident when one examines earlier sources.  For instance, the definition of religion in Webster’s 1828 Dictionary of the English Language is far more disparate with the contemporary assertion.  Webster offers a definition we would be hard-pressed to improve upon.

1. Religion, in its most comprehensive sense, includes a belief in the being and perfections of God, in the revelation of his will to man, in man's obligation to obey his commands, in a state of reward and punishment, and in man's accountableness to God; and also true godliness or piety of life, with the practice of all moral duties. It therefore comprehends theology, as a system of doctrines or principles, as well as practical piety; for the practice of moral duties without a belief in a divine lawgiver, and without reference to his will or commands, is not religion.

2. Religion, as distinct from theology, is godliness or real piety in practice, consisting in the performance of all known duties to God and our fellow men, in obedience to divine command, or from love to God and his law. James 1.

3. Religion, as distinct from virtue, or morality, consists in the performance of the duties we owe directly to God, from a principle of obedience to his will. Hence we often speak of religion and virtue, as different branches of one system, or the duties of the first and second tables of the law.

Note that Webster’s second definition has a reference attached.  That reference (James chapter 1) says as much about the nature of early America as it does about early American English.  Far from being presented as something at odds with biblical Christianity, the James 1 reference alludes to the fact that religion is the means by which true followers of Christ accomplish things like bridling the tongue, ministering to orphans, and escaping defilement by the world.  James writes:

“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, and the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (James 1:26-27 ESV)

In case you were wondering whether or not the word ‘religion’ is an appropriate rendering of the Greek text, the ESV is not alone in translating qrhskei√a as ‘religion’ in James 1 (see also Acts 26:5; Col 2:18). NASB, KJV, HCSV, NJB, ASV, NLT, NET, NIV, Darby, Young, the Geneva Bible, etc., all translate the word the same.   Thus, while the Bible does make a distinction between true and false religion, it does not teach that religion is something antithetical to biblical Christianity.  Nor does the word mean, ‘Man’s attempt to reach God.’

At Odds With the History of the Church

Not only is the contemporary attitude toward religion at odds with the English language, it also stands at odds with the history of Christianity.  Throughout the history of the church, Christianity has not only been viewed as a religion; it has been considered the only true religion.  One cannot read Christian literature from any period prior to our own without encountering the routine use of the word religion in reference to the Christian faith.  Whether it is Jonathan Edward’s Religious Affections, or Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion, or Whitefield’s sermon, The Great Duty of Family Religion, the consensus in historic Christian literature is evident.

The Augsburg Confession (1530) lists as one of its main purposes, “that… one pure andtrue religion may be embraced and maintained by us.” Article 30 of the Belgic Confession (1561) stresses the importance of deacons and elders in order “that by these means true religion may be preserved.” The Westminster Confession (1646) in its statement on the New Testament states that, “in all controversies of religion, the Church is finally to appeal unto [the Scriptures].”  The framers of the London Baptist Confession (1689) echoed this sentiment when they identified one of their goals in writing their confession of faith as, “to manifest our consent… in all the fundamental articles of the Christian Religion.”  Surely those who argue that Christianity is not a religion are not willing to follow their line of reasoning through to its logical conclusion and condemn the aforementioned brothers.  

Not only has the church always understood Christianity to be a religion, the culture at large has agreed.  Albert Einstein said, “Science without religion is lame; religion without science is blind.”  The First Amendment of the United States Constitution assures us the freedom of religion.  Article XXXVIII of the Constitution of South Carolina (1778) boldly and clearly stated, “The Christian Protestant religion shall be deemed, and is hereby constituted and declared to be, the established religion of this State.”  History is definitely not on the side of those wishing to shed ‘religion’ in favor of relationship.

At Odds With Common Sense

In addition to being at odds with the English language, and the history of the Church, those who argue against referring to Christianity as a religion are at odds with common sense.  For instance, what would these Christians say if modern academia took their mantra to heart and removed Christianity from World Religion texts?  What if departments of religion around the country suddenly got rid of all their Christian professors in an acknowledgement of the fact that Christianity was no longer a religion?  What if the United States Armed Forces removed all Christian chaplains, and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution was no longer applied to Christianity?  Would those who refer to Christianity as a relationship and not a religion be pleased with any or all of these developments?  I should think not.

Christianity is definitely a religion.  Furthermore, it is the one true religion.  It is the religion of religions.  I have absolutely no apprehension about the term.  I do however, have tremendous apprehension about the tendency to adopt unbiblical language in an effort to ‘relate’ to the culture.  I challenge anyone to find the idea of a “personal relationship with Christ” in the New Testament.  Certainly we are related to Christ by way of our new birth and adoption (Rom 8:15, 23; 9:4; Gal 4:5; Eph 1:5).  However, this is a far cry from the often egocentric, narcissistic use of the phrase, ‘personal relationship’ with Christ.  

Of course, there is also the danger of becoming irreligious.  I have always found it ironic that people recoil from the idea of religion, but continue to tell new believers to be baptized, go to church, take the Lord’s Supper, read their Bibles regularly, witness, and do a whole host of other “religious” activities.  However, lately there has been a movement away from such religious activities.  If Christianity is all about my ‘personal relationship’ with Jesus, then why do I need to go to church?  Why do I need to read my Bible?  I can just wait ‘till my buddy, Jesus “tells me” what to do next.  Who needs all that ‘religious’ stuff?

I understand what people are trying to say when they eschew the term religion.  The goal is to assure skeptics that we are not offering dead ritual and empty tradition.  The goal is to paint a picture of a vibrant life with our Lord, Jesus Christ.  I get that.  However, I do not believe that it is wise, or necessary to commit logical fallacies, and make trite, nonsensical arguments in order to do so.  Arguing that Christianity is not a religion is like arguing that America is not a country.  I believe honest, thinking people laugh when they hear some Christian trying to be hip and relevant by saying something as asinine and illogical as, “I’m not talking about religion... I’m talking about a relationship.” Enough already with the play on words.  It’s not our job to make Christianity cool.  We just need to make it clear.  Unfortunately, since this “Christianity is not a religion” business is out of step with the English language, the history of the Church, and common sense, it compromises the clarity  and the integrity of our message.  I praise God for the fact that we have a religion and a relationship.

VB

 End quote. [Emphasis,mine]

It seems most who reject "religion" and prefer "relationship" is because it doesn't require anything on the part of the unbeliever (the mantra itself IS man-made, ironically). So it actually stems from an anti-Lordship view--Christ as Savior not as Lord (Master, Owner, Sovereign Who must be obeyed).  They try to soften the blow of the Gospel that smashes Self and its pride. It also removes accountability to the Master Who bought the new believer. No, Christianity IS a religion, its the True religion, and I'm glad Baucham said so!

Here are the two-types of religion:

Col 2:23 These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.

Jas 1:26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.