WWUTT Wednesday - Use Words

I have always abhorred the trite bumpersticker philosophy "Preach the Gospel, if necessary use words". For one thing it's wrong theologically, historically, and spiritually. To me it's always seemed a bit rude and arrogant claiming that those who "practice the Gospel" are more faithful than those who verbally preach it. I know atheists who live a life such that you wouldn't know they do not believe God until they opened their mouths.

As for Francis, he never said such a thing, nor did he follow such unbiblical teaching. Mark Galli, senior managing editor at Christianity Today, wrote an article on this false quote (as well as a biography on Francis) He explains that Francis was quite a preacher, actually more along the lines of Jonathan Edwards or Billy Sunday:

His words were neither hollow nor ridiculous, but filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, penetrating the marrow of the heart, so that listeners were turned to great amazement.

Francis pent a great deal of time using his words when he preached, “sometimes preaching in up to five villages a day, often outdoors. In the country, Francis often spoke from a bale of straw or a granary doorway. In town, he would climb on a box or up steps in a public building. He preached to any who gathered to hear the strange but fiery little preacher from Assisi.” He was sometimes so animated and passionate in his delivery that “his feet moved as if he were dancing.”

As for preaching the Gospel...

No Peace For The Wicked x 2

I was listening to a sermon by Dr. Tony Snow on my way in to work and he was discussing Jehovah Shalom, a title for God which only occurs once in the bible in Judges 6:24. (Actually it's not a title for God, it's the name of an alter that Gideon made to worship God) Jehovah Shalom means "God is Peace", an interesting name for an alter considering what was happening to Israel at the time. (Judges 6 is an incredible read, God, Jesus, Baal, and Ashrah are all in there)

During the sermon Dr. Tony mentioned "there is no peace for the wicked" in Isaiah, now I had always heard it "There is no rest for the wicket" but that was from my Mom who could mangle a metaphor like no ones business (she's the one who coined the phrase "If the truth hurts, wear it"). When I got to my computer I looked up "no peace for the wicked" and found that it is in Isaiah, twice.

There is no peace for the wicked," says the LORD. (Isaiah 48:22 and Isaiah 57:21)

When something is repeated in the bible, it is something that God wants you to understand. First I double checked to make sure that there was no fiddling around with the translation and found that both verses are exactly the same except for in Isaiah 48:22 God is called Yĕhovah ("the existing One") and in Isaiah 57:21 He is called 'elohiym (A plural word (gods) but used in a singular tense). This verse is repeated almost verbatim, so it's got to be important. 

Random Bits

"I walk through this sinful world as a 

pilgrim in a foreign country" - CH SpurgeonGet 

We're back! 4,430 miles, nine states, 13 days, lots of fun and relaxation, and yes, driving that kind of distance is relaxing to me. (We love our car!) We found that my COPD is much easier to deal with at sea level, and what a blessing it was to not have to drag around that heavy oxygen tank all the time (and yes Dr. Awesome, I monitored my O2 saturation at all times)

We got to see a lot of country we've never seen before, met some wonderful, wonderful people, and discovered that Georgia peaches are not quite as good as Colorado peaches (it's true, really). My bride fell in love with Amelia Island in north east Florida, but she really went wild over the Pensacola area. We even talked about moving there, but the fact that our children and grand children remain in the north tempered that decision

We're not sure when, if ever, we'll have the chance to tour the country like this again so we are grateful to God for allowing us to get away for a while.

A federal judge has blocked Mr. Obama's bathroom edict that forces public schools to allow students and adults to enter whatever bathrooms or showers they choose

Salon magazine claims that the GOP must deny Jesus to stay relevant in "post Christian" America

The Lutheran church, on the cusp of the 500th anniversary of the reformation, falls under the spell of Rome

John 8:12

Wabasso FL

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world;he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

Jupiter FL

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.

John 1:4-5

Sebastian FL

4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the
darkness did not comprehend it.

Mark 1:17

Amelia Island, FL

And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and
I will make you become fishers of men."

Proverbs 16:31

Forsyth, GA

A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness.

Genesis 9:13

Loveland CO

I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign
of a covenant between Me and the earth.

Random Bits

"I walk through this sinful world as a 

pilgrim in a foreign country" - CH Spurgeon

It's been a long year, and there's still over ⅓ of the year left to go. On top of the most disgusting election cycle in my lifetime my bride and I have been through illness, pain, and loss this year. We've had our share of joy too - blessed with two young grandaughters we take a lot of joy in knowing that we can love them unconditionally, spoil them worse than we wanted to (but didn't) spoil our own children, then hand them back and relax. 

And the dog we were told only had weeks to live? we found out that the diagnosis was a bit of an exaggeration, she has an infection, not cancer. Some antibiotics and some dental work and she's right as rain. We lost two sweet old dogs earlier this year, so the relief that this new rescue will stay with us was overwhelming...and there's another grandchild on the way! So when you're thanking God for His blessings, remember to thank Him for the pain, that's what brings us closer to Him and makes the blessings that much sweeter. 

So with that, my bride and I are going on vacation for a while to unwind, visit friends and relish in God's love. I may post a pic here while on the road, a "Guess where we are" kind of thing. I'm sure we'll have a chance to chat with a lot of wonderful young men and women in the Law Enforcement business, they seem to like talking with folks who have Colorado plates on their cars

I think all Christian Churches should do this in November

Satanists plan to hold a second Black Mass at the public Civic Center Music Hall in Oklahoma City

Despite the collapse of the UMC, which is occurring as you read this, some folks honestly believe that the century long fad of ignoring the UMC Book of Discipline is just a temporary thing

Spurgeon Thursday: No Compromise

"Long ago I ceased to count heads. Truth is usually in the minority in this evil world. I have faith in the Lord Jesus for myself, -a faith burned into me as with a hot iron. I thank God, what I believe I shall believe, even if I believe it alone".

C.H.S., October 16, 1887, Sermons, 33,575.

"A chasm is opening between men who believe their Bibles and the men who are prepared for an advance upon Scripture. The house is being robbed, its very walls are being digged down, but the good people who are in bed are too fond of the warmth, and too much afraid of getting broken heads, to go downstairs and meet the burglars... 

Inspiration and speculation cannot long abide in peace. Compromise there can be none. We cannot hold the inspiration of the Word, and yet reject it; we cannot believe in the atonement and deny it; we cannot hold the doctrine of the fall and yet talk of the evolution of spiritual life from human nature; we cannot recognize the punishment of the impenitent and yet indulge the 'larger hope'. One way or the other we must go. Decision is the virtue of the hour."

O.H.S., September 1887, The Sword and the Trowel.

"Believers in Christ's atonement are now in declared union with those who make light of it; believers in Holy Scripture are in confederacy with those who deny plenary inspiration; those who hold evangelical doctrine are in open alliance with those who call the fall a fable, who deny the personality of the Holy Ghost, who call justification by faith immoral, and hold that there is another probation after death Yes, we have before us the wretched spectacle of professedly orthodox Christians publicly avowing their union with those who deny the faith, and scarcely concealing their contempt for those who cannot be guilty of such gross disloyalty to Christ. 

To be very plain, we are unable to call these things Christian Unions, they begin to look like Confederacies in Evil… It is our solemn conviction that where there can be no real spiritual communion there should be no pretense of fellowship. Fellowship with known and vital error is participation in sin."

C.H.S., November 1887, The Sword and the Trowel. 

Church Politics for Politics Sake

Recently the Western Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church, elected Rev. Karen Oliveto of Glide Memorial United Methodist Church in San Francisco to serve as a bishop of The United Methodist Church. Rev. Oliveto has been described as “an openly lesbian clergyperson.”

“An openly lesbian clergyperson” is a bit of an understatement as she is married to a woman. In my little town out on the prairie our local Methodist church sent a letter to their parishioners telling them of Ms Oliveto's election and asking for calm. What the letter did not do was address my biggest question: is she qualified for the position? Her qualifications are what must be addressed first, everything after that comes down to personal opinion.

Is she academically qualified? Personally I don't know simply because I'm not familiar with the academic requirements of a Methodist bishop. She has a Masters of Divinity from the Pacific School of Religion and a  Ph.D. in Religion and Society from Drew University, she's an  adjunct professor of United Methodist Studies at Pacific School of Religion where she recently served as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. So yeah, I suppose she's got all the blocks filled out for educational requirements. 

Random Bits

"I walk through this sinful world as a 

pilgrim in a foreign country" - CH Spurgeon

It's been a pretty busy week here in the high country. A co-worker was in town from his location in Florida and was impressed with the lack of oxygen up here. We got a lot of work done and I was able to give him a bit of a tour of the mountains in the Denver area. We even got to visit a couple of ghost towns; Nevadaville and Russel Gulch. It was his first trip up there and my first trip above 6,000' since May.

The brightest part of this past week is the fact that I had no dealings at all with the presidential race. No news, no news papers, and when scouring the internet for Random Bits I completely avoided anything to do with the election. I even avoided my favorite radio talk show, Red Eye Radio. (It was easy, the main hosts were both on vacation and I'm not a big fan of their fill-in host.) My bride is not a big news fanatic either which made it even nicer. If I can do another week like this, that will take me up to vacation and I know I'm not going to bother with the news at all then, unless I-70 is blocked by a huge glowing crater. Then I may turn off Audible and turn on the radio. I suggest everyone try this, because with those two running for office, you can loose a lot of sanctification

Daesh* is not the problem, it's Islam.

Of course it's a gift from Heaven, Mark. Welcome to God's country.

The Reason Rally, a big atheist get together and celebration of self worship was canceled. I guess they didn't believe in it

Spurgeon Thursday - Spurgeon on the "Christian" Left

The term "Christian" Left had yet been invented, but the idea existed back then, it was called "Christian Socialism." The goals of Christian Socialism were Government control over all (health) insurance, elimination of the significance of the family, elimination of the significance of religion, justified use of force if necessary to attain socialistic goals. and a universal system of pensions. Sound familiar? Spurgeon’s comments against socialism appear as early as 1878, but pick up more frequency after 1886. A group known as the Fabian Society organized in 1884 for the purpose of advancing the ideas of Karl Marx and establishing England as a socialist state, exactly the same thing that the "Christian" Left is doing to the United States right now. Spurgeon was not a fan of Christian Socialism:

Some of us may have passed away, but you who are younger may live to see modern thought obtain supremacy over human minds: German rationalism which has ripened into Socialism may yet pollute the mass of mankind and lead them to overturn the foundations of society. Then “advanced principles” will hold carnival, and free thought will riot with the vice and blood which were years ago the insignia of “the age of reason.” I say not that it will be so, but I should not wonder if it came to pass, for deadly principles are abroad and certain ministers are spreading them. (“The Headstone of the Corner,” Sermon No. 1420, Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit (MTP) 24 (1878), 452–453)

If it ever should be so, do not, o believers, for a single moment despair, but rest certain that the Lord is about to do a marvellous thing in the earth, and that he will lift up once again the stone which the builders have again refused, and cause it to become more than ever the headstone of the corner. Never dream of defeat. Be calm amid all the din of controversy, for the hand which holds the gospel must win the victory. This is the Lord’s doing and we shall see it. (“The Headstone of the Corner,” Sermon No. 1420, Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit (MTP) 24 (1878), 452–453) 

WWUTT Wednesday - What "Jehovah" Is and Isn't

It's been a while since I've had the Worshipers of the Watchtower come banging on my door, I think they put a secret mark on my house: Beware! This One Knows the Gospel! and they kind of avoid my house lately. Usually doomsday cults don't annoy me, but the Jehovah's Witness cult is particularly heretical.

The Doomsday Cult of the Watchtower gets their understanding of God from the New World Translation. The NWT is the first intentional, systematic effort at producing a complete version of the Bible that is edited and revised for the specific purpose of agreeing with a group's doctrine.

The Jehovah's witnesses believe that Jesus is not God but just Michael the Archangel. Their proof? They don't really have any, but they do fire off few bible verses that mention Michael as a prince and claim they are proof that Jesus is an angel. I'll ignore the fact that according to their teaching the earth is going to end in 1874 1878 1881 1914 1925 1975 you get the idea. They even gave God a name of their own making

Emergent Monday - The NAR’s Infallible Prophet Rick Joyner (and the New Breed)

The controversial New Breed doctrine goes under many 

different names, although it is often called ‘Manifest Sons 

of God’ theology by discernment ministries in the 1980s.

This was posted on May 24, 2016 at Churchwatch Central, and I'm sure you'll agree with me that it is an excellent expose of narcissistic psudotheology gone wild. All emphasis is from the author, minor corrections in spelling and grammar have been made because I'm an English major with OCD.

The problem with cults is that it is hard to convince people that they actually teach really bizarre or far-fetched doctrines. It’s hard to reconcile that they push such illogical concepts on people contrary to human reason or biblical truths.

THE NEW BREED DOCTRINE

One such cult is the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) who believe they will raise raise up a generation known as the New Breed. This New Breed doctrine teaches that a generation of Christians will become “divine” or “God in human flesh” and will manifest Christ here on earth with powerful signs, wonders and judgments to cleanse the church and the world of all sin so Christ can return.

WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT THIS NEW BREED NONSENSE?

The reason why it is important to familiarize yourself with this teaching is because it is EVERYWHERE. You will see this theology emerge again and again in NAR revivals or in their attempt to promote conferences. You can detect it behind the theology of very popular movements that try to hide their theological ties to the NAR: