Spurgeon Thursday - Angels

Recently I've been in an on line conversation with a Jehovah's Witness cultist who insists that Jesus is the archangel Michael. This cultist has no biblical evidence for this other than a passing reference to an angel named Michael. Anyone with an even passing familiarity with the first chapter of Hebrews would know that this assertion is mere hogwash, but the lad was so sincere in this delusion that I could only pity him. 

But it got me to wondering - WWSS - What Would Spurgeon Say? Of course the Prince of Preachers knew nothing of the door knocking cult as they didn't actually become the JW's until after Spurgeon graduated to his Eternal Reward, and I doubt that he knew that the founder of the JW's, Charles Taze Russel,  was a huge fan of his because Spurgeon "peppered his sermons hot".

So on a different note I wondered what would Spurgeon say about Angels?

It is wrong to worship angels; but it is appropriate to love them. Although it would be a great sin, and a crime against the Sovereign Court of Heaven to pay the slightest adoration to the mightiest angel, yet it would be unkind and inappropriate, if we did not give holy angels a place in our heart's warmest love. In fact, he that studies the character of angels, and notes their many deeds of compassion with men, and kindness towards them, cannot resist the impulse of his nature--the impulse of love towards them.

The angels must often be astonished at us and think we are the strangest creatures that well can be, yet they love us, and therefore they take a great interest in that Gospel that promotes our highest good. 

WWUTT Wednesday - Slaves to a Lie

A very long time ago slavery was a universal practice throughout the world with the possible exception of ancient India. All ancient societies participated slavery. In China during several dynasties a captured man would be castrated and forced into slave labor, his property would be seized and his family would be sold into slavery also. 

During biblical times prisoners of war were pressed into slavery, foreign slaves became perpetual slaves of the slave owners. There was also debt slavery which sometimes was the only way people could feed themselves, and there was conjugal slavery where a girl would be sold under the understanding that she would marry the purchaser or his son, and failing that she would be redeemed. 

The bible, being written during this era in human servitude, naturally addresses this in numerous areas. Detractors and people who hate a God they don't believe exists ignore the world wide practice and focus on those mentions in the bible as a misbegotten statement of blanket endorsement of slavery. While venting their spleens at Christians, these people seem to believe is that slavery ended with the Emancipation Proclamation, they are blissful in their ignorance that right now there are tens of millions of people trapped in various forms of slavery throughout the world today. Researchers estimate that 21 million are enslaved worldwide, generating $150 billion each year in illicit profits for traffickers. About 78% toil in forced labor slavery, about 22% are trapped in forced prostitution sex slavery, and the remaining 26% are children.

So while slavery is very real, and very horrible, our detractors fume about the one book in antiquity that actually addressed slavery for the sin that it was

The Pastrix and Their Supporters - are they Godly?

Pastrix Nadia Bolz-Weber of the
ELCA here in Denver

A Pastrix is a woman acting as a pastor. If you go to New Wineskins Dictionary and look up Pastrix you'll see the word defined as this:

まずは、何を持って行くかを決めなければいけませんが 家具や家電など、現在使っているものは自宅に置

Now I can't fault a Pastrix for her enthusiasm, but I can fault them for their web skills. (In case you're wondering the links go to a Chinese website that instructs young men on how to move out of their parents' basements)

I've had readers (and at least one male pastor) tell me that there's nothing wrong with women preaching, and I've invited them to explain their reasoning and I ended up with this. 

So after prayerful consideration I have come forward to state my case for women in the church. This is not an article about men vs women, nor is it an article about God vs women, it's an article about biblical interpretation and submitting one self to God's will. There is a great many positions for women in the church, Elder is not one of them, and a Pastor is an Elder.

One of the bible verses that those who defend women in the Pastorage rally around is Galatians 3:28 which states "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." See? they cry - "There's no difference between men and women!" This is a perfect example of willfully taking a verse out of context. Here it is in context:

23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. 24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise. (Galatians 3:23-29)

This passage has nothing to do with the roles of men and women, it have everything to do with salvation through Jesus Christ. This is a soteriological statement: it speaks to the doctrine of salvation. The teaching is that all believers, without regard to social distinctions, have equal access to God through Christ, and, consequently, are to be unified in the Body of Christ. It is a misuse of Scripture to produce ecclesiastical patterns from soteriological passages!

Random Bits

"I walk through this sinful world as a 

pilgrim in a foreign country" - CH Spurgeon

Clickbait: Steven Furtick. Every time I write about this man my readership stats go through the roof. There's no middle of the road with him, people either love him or realize him for what he is. We even had to add a word to the English language just to describe his style of manhandling the word of God: Narcigesis. He's been quite busy lately helping the fallen such as Perry Noble and Mark Driscoll worm their way back into the goats wallets, and assisting down on their luck pastors who need a few coins to get through the weekend. Now we learn that Mr. Furtick has been named by "Saint" Winfrey Herself to her “SuperSoul 100” which she claims is “a collection of 100 awakened leaders who are using their voices and talent to elevate humanity.” This list reads like a Who's Who of Tour Guides To Hell. (I seriously feel another Furtick blog entry coming on)

Can't get enough of Steve Furtick? Need more tares in your shredded wheat? Want more wolves in your sheep-fold? Then get ready for HERESY-PALOOZA. A 10 day celebration of heresy and extrabiblical fan fiction staring the A-List of B-Grade preachers, false prophets, and highly enriched life coaches who should all have their own shows on the OWN network.

Another reason to avoid Bible Gateway - "Jesus Always," a devotional by Sarah Young, author of Jesus Calling. (A good reason to switch to BLB)

A good analysis of Sara Young's writing and the occult methods she employs can be found here

They may be minor leaguers in the Big Game of Heresy but these women are looking to out earn even the Osteen himself! These are NAR GRRLS GONE WILD!

Spurgeon Thursday - The Science Of The Bible

My friend, the philosopher, says it may be very well for me to urge people to read the Bible; but he thinks there are a great many sciences far more interesting and useful than theology.

Extremely obliged to you for your opinion, sir. What science do you mean? The science of dissecting beetles and arranging butterflies?

"No," you say, "certainly not."

The science, then, of arranging stones, and telling us of the strata of the earth?

"No, not exactly that."

Which science, then?

"Oh, all sciences," say you, "are better than the science of the Bible."

Ah! sir, that is your opinion; and it is because you are far from God, that you say so. But the science of Jesus Christ is the most excellent of sciences. Let no one turn away from the Bible because it is not a book of learning and wisdom. It is.

Would ye know astronomy? It is here: it tells you of the Sun of Righteousness and the Star of Bethlehem.

Would you know of botany? It is here: it tells you of the plant of renown-the Lily of the Valley, and the rose of Sharon.

Would you know geology and mineralogy? You shall learn it here: for you may read of the Rock of Ages, and the White Stone with the name engraven thereon, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Would ye study history? Here is the most ancient of all the records of the history of the human race.

Whate'er your science is, come and bend o'er this book; your science is here. Come and drink out of this fair fount of knowledge and wisdom, and ye shall find yourselves made wise unto salvation. Wise and foolish, babes and men, gray-headed sires, youths and maidens-I speak to you, I plead with you, I beg of you respect your Bibles, and search them out, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and these are they which testify of Christ.

Delivered on Sabbath Evening, March 18, 1855, by the
REV. C.H. SPURGEON