Rants
Animal Rights
Dear Editor:
I am a very sad man. I weep daily. I weep for mosquitoes. They are killed even without evidence of guilt. They have a right to live here like anyone else. In fact, they were here even before the indigenous peoples and we have invaded their space. I speak up too for pigs (maybe the Moslems have something here), cows (maybe the Hindus have something here), chickens and fish. How barbarous! And that little kitty cat…that some care for so lovingly…to others it is supper. And those dogs…how can people say “yummy.” I plead for rats…they are only potential killers… how can we assume they are guilty and kill them without evidence?
Then what about those tiny plants and animals…who speaks up for bacteria? I say we ban mouthwash…and antibiotics. Those plants and animal are only trying to survive – just as we try to justify our survival by killing them. What gives me the right to kill them! Our convenience is no excuse – all animals have rights. Who gave us the right to determine what animal should get more rights?
I say we should all united and form one great organization that will protect animal and plant life and call in the police. And if you want to discuss it, I now a nice little burger joint where we could meet.
We in the West determine cute…and ignore that cats can carry deadly diseases…but I speak for the not so cute…
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Rants
II Tim 3:1-4 – Must I Love Myself?
You are bombarded everyday with the call to think about yourself…look out for number one. They say: It is important that you love yourself…feel good about yourself…that if you don’t love yourself, no one else will. They say: do your own thing…you don’t have to answer to anyone. And very often you will hear…you’re somebody…you’re somebody special.
The truth is, however, this is quite a modern phenomenon. It was only in the late 60’s, early 70’s that these ideas became very prevalent in our society. About the mid-seventies these ideas began to dominate the church. And more and more people started blaming their sins upon their lack of self-love. They started to say: It is because I don’t love myself that I drink too much. It is because I don’t love myself that I murder. It is because I don’t love myself that I don’t want to work…etc.
(A very famous preacher continues to promote these same ideas. His name is Schuller. He removed the phrase “that saved a wretch like me” from Amazing Grace.) (He says: The deepest need of humankind is for self-esteem. Further, he says: For the church to address the unchurched with a theo-centric attitude is to invite failure in mission…. Why? Schuller says: “the core of sin is the lack of self-esteem.”
So this view is dominating and we need to find the Biblical answers to the following questions: Should I love myself? What about those passages that suggest I must love myself? If not self-love, then what must I do?
Loving yourself is wrong –This is the answer to the first question
The Scripture clearly teaches that self –love is wrong.
In the passage we read from II Timothy, we read that self-love is part of a perilous time…today times.
The last days began with the time of the Apostles, according to Peter in Acts 2…Gen 49, etc.
Jesus lived in these last days too. Hebrews 1:2.
Self love is the foundations for many other sins: For men will be lovers of themselves,
lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful,
unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of
godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
There is another example in the Gospels for us: There was a rich man who loved his wealth – and
therefore he loved himself - more than he loved Christ…and was lost.
Mark 10:17-22 - Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked
Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" So Jesus said to him, "One thing you
lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and
come, take up the cross, and follow Me." But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had
great possessions.
A Third example is Nebuchadnezzar had to confess that love and promotion of self was a great sin also.
Daniel 4:30,37 - The king spoke, saying, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by
my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?" (Later) Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and
honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride
He is able to put down.
Why is self-love wrong?
Self-love is wrong because your goal in self-love is to please yourself and not God.
Romans 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Sinners, by definition, do what they want and follow their own opinion, not God’s laws.
The man who loves himself views his opinion and will as supreme.
Self-lovers don’t see God as Lord over all. The goal is not to please him. Though is should be.
I Corinthian 10:31 - Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
To love yourself is to do whatever you want, to think whatever you want, and say whatever you
want. This willfulness conflicts with the declaration of Scripture.
What are the results of self-love?
God and men are hurt.
Self love is like the hedgehog that wraps himself into a cozy ball to protect himself…but…
has sharp signs to those who are outside.
And you rob God of the glory due to him.
You hurt yourself, for you are law unto yourself.
II Tim 3:8-9 - Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt
minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to
all, as theirs also was.
Walter Chantry: Whoever has an over-inflated ego will find he can’t pass through the Door.
Further, if you say you must love yourself, it implies that you are worthy because you say so.
Isaac Watts understood well the nature of man and he wrote:
Alas! And did my Saviour Bleed…Would he devote a sacred head for such a Worm as I.
A Biblical Analysis of the choice texts
There are some who argue that the Bible teaches you to love yourself?
Love your neighbor as you love your self…
Matthew 22:39 - And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
We must first note that in verses 37-39 there are only two commands. Love God. Love your neighbor.
There is no implied command to love yourself.
Language: Further, agape love means self-sacrifice in the service of others.
It cannot be self-directed.
But don’t take this as a call to hate your body. There is no room for self-masochism.
Grammar: Why did Jesus then say: “as you love yourself”?
Jesus was teaching self-love as a fact, but it is not a virtue commended.
Theological: Our passage teaches that self-love is sin…along with a long list of others. II Tim 3:1-4.
No man ever hates himself…
The Apostle Paul spoke these words to the Ephesians…
Ephesians 5:29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it,
Again, the phrase (no one ever hates himself) is used, it is pointing out the fact, and is not giving a
command to love yourself.
In fact, this was a intended to teach you to love your wife…not yourself…
A Biblical Call to Replace Self Love – Put off- Put on
Illustrate: Someone bought a boat and called it: Insteadov…doing this instead of other things.
Instead of saying: O Great…one man said…O Great…in thy faithfulness…
Love God – this is the basis for obeying the first 4 laws.
The example we have is John 3:16 – of how God loved us so he gave…
There was a Unitarian church ad that said: Come as you are, we don’t want you to change.
But God does demand that you change and confirm to the image of Christ…who loved others.
Matthew 16:24 - Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
To love Christ is do what he wants, think what he thinks, and say what he wants.
Jesus said that if you love me you would keep my commands. There is no room for “self” here.
Psalm 1 – How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel…but his delight is in the law
Love your neighbor – this is the basis for obeying the last 6 laws.
An interesting phenomenon is taking place in schools…with more emphasis on personal sports.
Philippians 2:3 - Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each
esteem others better than himself.
The good Samaritan gives us a good example of how one must deny himself to help others.
His own convenience would have required that he did what would benefit himself.
Yet in the modern context he would say: What’s in it for me? How do I benefit from this.
Where is self in all of this?
You as a Christian must get out from circles of people who promote self-love and self-worship.
Avoid books and television that do these things too.
Conclusion:
It is not easy to speak against self-love. To speak against it in today’s society is like attacking grandma, pancakes, and maple syrup. But is must be done. The Bible is abundantly clear of the great evils of self-love. Self-love makes you unteachable. So Paul says to avoid these people. V5.
What the Bible teaches as a replacement for self love is self-denial. Self-denial is not Christianized masochism. Self-denial is simply a yielding to the God and his holiness. Self-denial, then, is necessary for discipleship. This is what makes you teachable.
Does self-denial then make you without value? No, you are valuable in Christ’s sight, but it is because of Christ. Without Christ you would only be fit for the dung heap.
Now what must you do? How do you deny yourself and love God and your neighbor? You must begin by working for his glory and honor. You are valuable, but you are not your own. You are not free to say, think, or do what you want. BUT: Only when you rest in submission to Christ will you know the true value of self-denial.
II Tim 3:1-4 – Must I Love Myself?
You are bombarded everyday with the call to think about yourself…look out for number one. They say: It is important that you love yourself…feel good about yourself…that if you don’t love yourself, no one else will. They say: do your own thing…you don’t have to answer to anyone. And very often you will hear…you’re somebody…you’re somebody special.
The truth is, however, this is quite a modern phenomenon. It was only in the late 60’s, early 70’s that these ideas became very prevalent in our society. About the mid-seventies these ideas began to dominate the church. And more and more people started blaming their sins upon their lack of self-love. They started to say: It is because I don’t love myself that I drink too much. It is because I don’t love myself that I murder. It is because I don’t love myself that I don’t want to work…etc.
(A very famous preacher continues to promote these same ideas. His name is Schuller. He removed the phrase “that saved a wretch like me” from Amazing Grace.) (He says: The deepest need of humankind is for self-esteem. Further, he says: For the church to address the unchurched with a theo-centric attitude is to invite failure in mission…. Why? Schuller says: “the core of sin is the lack of self-esteem.”
So this view is dominating and we need to find the Biblical answers to the following questions: Should I love myself? What about those passages that suggest I must love myself? If not self-love, then what must I do?
Loving yourself is wrong –This is the answer to the first question
The Scripture clearly teaches that self –love is wrong.
In the passage we read from II Timothy, we read that self-love is part of a perilous time…today times.
The last days began with the time of the Apostles, according to Peter in Acts 2…Gen 49, etc.
Jesus lived in these last days too. Hebrews 1:2.
Self love is the foundations for many other sins: For men will be lovers of themselves,
lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful,
unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of
godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
There is another example in the Gospels for us: There was a rich man who loved his wealth – and
therefore he loved himself - more than he loved Christ…and was lost.
Mark 10:17-22 - Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked
Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" So Jesus said to him, "One thing you
lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and
come, take up the cross, and follow Me." But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had
great possessions.
A Third example is Nebuchadnezzar had to confess that love and promotion of self was a great sin also.
Daniel 4:30,37 - The king spoke, saying, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by
my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?" (Later) Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and
honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride
He is able to put down.
Why is self-love wrong?
Self-love is wrong because your goal in self-love is to please yourself and not God.
Romans 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Sinners, by definition, do what they want and follow their own opinion, not God’s laws.
The man who loves himself views his opinion and will as supreme.
Self-lovers don’t see God as Lord over all. The goal is not to please him. Though is should be.
I Corinthian 10:31 - Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
To love yourself is to do whatever you want, to think whatever you want, and say whatever you
want. This willfulness conflicts with the declaration of Scripture.
What are the results of self-love?
God and men are hurt.
Self love is like the hedgehog that wraps himself into a cozy ball to protect himself…but…
has sharp signs to those who are outside.
And you rob God of the glory due to him.
You hurt yourself, for you are law unto yourself.
II Tim 3:8-9 - Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt
minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to
all, as theirs also was.
Walter Chantry: Whoever has an over-inflated ego will find he can’t pass through the Door.
Further, if you say you must love yourself, it implies that you are worthy because you say so.
Isaac Watts understood well the nature of man and he wrote:
Alas! And did my Saviour Bleed…Would he devote a sacred head for such a Worm as I.
A Biblical Analysis of the choice texts
There are some who argue that the Bible teaches you to love yourself?
Love your neighbor as you love your self…
Matthew 22:39 - And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
We must first note that in verses 37-39 there are only two commands. Love God. Love your neighbor.
There is no implied command to love yourself.
Language: Further, agape love means self-sacrifice in the service of others.
It cannot be self-directed.
But don’t take this as a call to hate your body. There is no room for self-masochism.
Grammar: Why did Jesus then say: “as you love yourself”?
Jesus was teaching self-love as a fact, but it is not a virtue commended.
Theological: Our passage teaches that self-love is sin…along with a long list of others. II Tim 3:1-4.
No man ever hates himself…
The Apostle Paul spoke these words to the Ephesians…
Ephesians 5:29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it,
Again, the phrase (no one ever hates himself) is used, it is pointing out the fact, and is not giving a
command to love yourself.
In fact, this was a intended to teach you to love your wife…not yourself…
A Biblical Call to Replace Self Love – Put off- Put on
Illustrate: Someone bought a boat and called it: Insteadov…doing this instead of other things.
Instead of saying: O Great…one man said…O Great…in thy faithfulness…
Love God – this is the basis for obeying the first 4 laws.
The example we have is John 3:16 – of how God loved us so he gave…
There was a Unitarian church ad that said: Come as you are, we don’t want you to change.
But God does demand that you change and confirm to the image of Christ…who loved others.
Matthew 16:24 - Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
To love Christ is do what he wants, think what he thinks, and say what he wants.
Jesus said that if you love me you would keep my commands. There is no room for “self” here.
Psalm 1 – How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel…but his delight is in the law
Love your neighbor – this is the basis for obeying the last 6 laws.
An interesting phenomenon is taking place in schools…with more emphasis on personal sports.
Philippians 2:3 - Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each
esteem others better than himself.
The good Samaritan gives us a good example of how one must deny himself to help others.
His own convenience would have required that he did what would benefit himself.
Yet in the modern context he would say: What’s in it for me? How do I benefit from this.
Where is self in all of this?
You as a Christian must get out from circles of people who promote self-love and self-worship.
Avoid books and television that do these things too.
Conclusion:
It is not easy to speak against self-love. To speak against it in today’s society is like attacking grandma, pancakes, and maple syrup. But is must be done. The Bible is abundantly clear of the great evils of self-love. Self-love makes you unteachable. So Paul says to avoid these people. V5.
What the Bible teaches as a replacement for self love is self-denial. Self-denial is not Christianized masochism. Self-denial is simply a yielding to the God and his holiness. Self-denial, then, is necessary for discipleship. This is what makes you teachable.
Does self-denial then make you without value? No, you are valuable in Christ’s sight, but it is because of Christ. Without Christ you would only be fit for the dung heap.
Now what must you do? How do you deny yourself and love God and your neighbor? You must begin by working for his glory and honor. You are valuable, but you are not your own. You are not free to say, think, or do what you want. BUT: Only when you rest in submission to Christ will you know the true value of self-denial.
Rants
Dangers of Mixed-marriages – Genesis 6:1-7
Henry, Calvin, TSK, Gill, Poole, Geneva, K&D, HebrewLexicon, PasN, Leopold, ENT, JND, JFB, Gray, INT, Clarke?
Brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ: The Bible does not forbid inter-racial marriages. There are always things to consider before an inter-racial marriage, like how to deal with different cultures, language, and lifestyles. But all Christians are children of God and it is certainly permissible to marry one of a different race. There is nothing morally wrong with inter-racial marriages.
What the Bible forbids, in the clearest way and in the strongest terms, is mixed-marriages… Mixed marriage is a Christian marrying someone who does not worship the true God of the world…Jehovah God.
We will study this passage and other related passages under the following headings: The Trap, The Trouble, and The Threat. It is a triple strike. And as they say in baseball, and as was the case with the people in our passage, “Three strikes and you’re out.”Our goals are you will learn the importance of strong marriages and strong families that are grounded upon the Word of God, and that you will work to strengthen those marriages for the good of your family and for the glory of Christ…after whose example you follow.
1 Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them,
2 that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.
The Trap - V1-2
1. Who are the sons of God?
The “Sons of God” are men who were descended from the line of Seth – a man who loved God.
“Sons of God” was a common term to describe those who worshipped the true God
Hosea 1:10 "Yet the number of the children of Israel Shall be as the sand of the sea, Which cannot be measured or numbered. And it shall come to pass In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ There it shall be said to them, ‘You are sons of the living God.’
“Sons of God” is not referring to “angels,” as some people suggest.
Jesus states that angels neither marry nor are given into marriage.
Also, angels don’t live 120 years. They have eternal life. V3
Further, these were not angels because God could not punish all mankind for the sins of
angels.
These men were sons of God by adoption…
2. These godly men, descendants of the godly son of Adam, then married.
“Took for themselves” is a Hebrew expression for marriage.
3. Who were the daughters of men…these people whom the “sons of God” married?
These “daughters of men” were the daughters of the line of Cain…Adam’s other son.
The “daughters of men” loved themselves more than they loved God…
Cain was most known for his ungodliness…his murder of his godly brother Abel.
And his family followed after his footsteps.
Lamech, for instance, a descendant of Cain was a polygamist…and a murderer.
4. The daughters of Cain’s descendants were beautiful…or attractive…shapely in form.
This was the trap into which the godly men fell.
Nothing else mattered to the sons of Seth…the Covenant people.
This was the Devil’s attempt to destroy the Sacred Seed of the woman who would crush his head.
Marriage is too sacred a thing to allow that men should be induced to it by the lust of the eyes.
But this is a danger of which Christians must be on guard…with much diligence.
5. The sons of the godly Seth married the daughters of Cain.
The sins of the Covenant people were worse because they chose many wives and lived
polygamously even though they knew better.
God always demanded than marriage be between one man and one woman.
This type of sin was not limited to that time…
Today, men go way beyond this and promote polyamory: group marriage.
Even Christians today also have a way of polygamy. Isn’t frequent divorce a subtle form
of polygamy?
6. It was base ingratitude of the children of Seth to intermingle with children of Cain.
The sons of Seth…the Christians…married out of their line.
The distinctions between Christians and non-Christians was obliterated.
Further, worship of the true God was perverted after Christians started marrying non-Christians.
a. Someone might say: I “don’t want to be left without a husband.”
And the Devil would love nothing more than to make you feel the pressure to marry
someone who is not a Christian. He wants you to attack Christ…whose you are.
But it is better to be single, that to be sorry…for the rest of your life…
b. God strongly continues to warn you against marrying those who are do not worship the same
God as you do- simply because they may be beautiful, rich, or powerful.
2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
For beauty is a fleeting thing…it leaves in a hurry…long before the woman leaves…
Riches are destroyed in fire…and cannot be taken out of this world.
Man’s power is limited by God…and it stops in the cemetery.
c. Marrying does not fix your problems – it is not an end.
Marriage is a means to glorify God…So do it right.
This was the work of Balak, who, when he could not curse Israel, sent women to go and
intermarry with Israel.
Having looked at the trap, let us now look at the trouble from falling for into the trap!
3 And the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years."
4 There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.
The Trouble – V3-4
1. Seeing man’s falling for the beauty trap…God gave man a warning.
He said that he would not always put up with man…and fight with him if he refuses to repent of
his sins.
God virtually said: “It is time this sin comes to an end.”
Why would God no longer strive (fight) with them?
Flesh is incapable of reason.
I Corinthians 2:14 - But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
2. Seeing man falling for the beauty trap…God gave man a limitation.
Man could expect judgment, unless he repented, in 120 years.
See how man likes to hurry judgment when he doesn’t follow God’s instructions.
This is the same word God uses to all those who are hearing his words today: My Spirit will not
always put up with you. And consider what Jesus said: Luke 13:3 "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
But in this you can also see grace; God gave man time to repent.
3. The product of this ungodly marriage were giants.
Who were these giants? V4
The word “giants” is transliterated “nephilim.”
Nephilim - means “soldiers” …killers…fallers (of men).
The word giant relates to the word for fall…or to fall upon violently…soldiers.
One example of usage is a violent storm that causes crops to fall and be destroyed.
Luther translates the word to mean: tyrants…but “fighting men” is the best translation.
They were giants of war.
We might say today: He was a giant of a politician.
4. The children born to Christian men and non-Christian women imitated the example of the warriors… the murderers…not of the godly.
(“Men of old” is used here to mean “of antiquity.” Men from long ago…maybe like Cain.)
They boasted of their wickedness…men of “renown.” (Warriors)
These were wicked men who were honored for crimes.
This was the greatest trouble of all.
It is only natural to follow the religion of a non- Christian. It an easier religion to follow…but it
is a more dangerous religion.
So take warning. Look at God’s warning to these Christians who were acting like pagans!
5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
6 And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.
7 So the LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them."
The Threat
1. God saw…indicating that he was watching for a time…and God considered. V5
Though he was watching from the outside, he was watching outside and inside…the heart.
The inter-marrying people sinned continually and blatantly.
2. And God was sorry… V6
(Not “repented” as the KJV says – as it was an anthropomorphic expression…)
God is hurt by the atrocious sins of men – more than if they pierced his heart themselves…
Do you make God sorry by your continued disobedience to him?
When you consider the greatness and purity of God’s love, you understand how much you hurt
him by blatant disobedience.
3. And then God made the threat: I will destroy. V7
Destroying is the work of the Lord…and it is total destruction.
Vengeance is mine…says the Lord…
4. Even the animals man should have ruled over are going to be destroyed because of man’s sin.
The truth is, your sins always affect more than yourself…your family, friends, church, country…
5. But in the midst of the threat is always grace…and God shows it to Noah. V8
“Noah found favor” is an expression only used between the servant and his Lord.
This showed that Noah had no right to demand any favors from God.
What were the evidences of righteousness?
Noah became a preacher of righteousness. (II Peter 2:5)
He had one wife.
He had children…in obedience to God’s command to multiply.
His sons had one wife each…showing he taught them.
His family stood by him 120 years – which produced nothing of earthly value.
He built an ark when there was no sign of rain.
Learn from an example of a man who was successful and had faith in God.
A man is shown to be faithful even if he ministers to his own family.
Conclusion:
Ungodly marriages leads to the destruction of the godly! Throughout the history of mankind, this fact has proven itself to be true time and time again. This is why the prophets, the historians, the poets, the apostles, and the Lord himself warn against ungodly marriages and adultery.
The problem is, it is natural to do these things. It is natural to want a woman for a wife because she is beautiful and attractive and ignoring the fact that she might be worshipper of herself or of some other god. It is natural to want a husband because he is strong, good looking, or rich without considering that he will not follow God’s word as the head of the family. While these desires are natural, they are also sinful.
Only Christ can set you free from sinful desires to marry on the basis of beauty, wealth, or power. Only Christ will give you the desire to put your spouse above you. Only Christ teaches you how to do that. Only through Christ…only through Christ.
As a parent, teach this to your children…beginning now. Train them in truth. Save them from a life of misery. If you are looking for a spouse, keep your eyes looking for one who loves Christ more that himself or and loves Christ more than he loves you. When he loves Christ, Christ will help him to understand his duties and enable him to do them. To marry someone who loves your or himself more than Christ is sinful.
If your husband or wife is not a Christian, pray hard and pray long that the Lord will save them…as he promised. The Lord promised that the believing spouse with sanctify the non-believing one.
Finally, I have some good news for those who are not Christians…you have some time…I don’t know how much, but you have some time. Maybe you don’t have 120 years…but you have time today to tell God that you are sorry for your sins…you are sorry for living for yourself…and that you desire to live like his child. He will adopt you.
Dangers of Mixed-marriages – Genesis 6:1-7
Henry, Calvin, TSK, Gill, Poole, Geneva, K&D, HebrewLexicon, PasN, Leopold, ENT, JND, JFB, Gray, INT, Clarke?
Brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ: The Bible does not forbid inter-racial marriages. There are always things to consider before an inter-racial marriage, like how to deal with different cultures, language, and lifestyles. But all Christians are children of God and it is certainly permissible to marry one of a different race. There is nothing morally wrong with inter-racial marriages.
What the Bible forbids, in the clearest way and in the strongest terms, is mixed-marriages… Mixed marriage is a Christian marrying someone who does not worship the true God of the world…Jehovah God.
We will study this passage and other related passages under the following headings: The Trap, The Trouble, and The Threat. It is a triple strike. And as they say in baseball, and as was the case with the people in our passage, “Three strikes and you’re out.”Our goals are you will learn the importance of strong marriages and strong families that are grounded upon the Word of God, and that you will work to strengthen those marriages for the good of your family and for the glory of Christ…after whose example you follow.
1 Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them,
2 that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.
The Trap - V1-2
1. Who are the sons of God?
The “Sons of God” are men who were descended from the line of Seth – a man who loved God.
“Sons of God” was a common term to describe those who worshipped the true God
Hosea 1:10 "Yet the number of the children of Israel Shall be as the sand of the sea, Which cannot be measured or numbered. And it shall come to pass In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ There it shall be said to them, ‘You are sons of the living God.’
“Sons of God” is not referring to “angels,” as some people suggest.
Jesus states that angels neither marry nor are given into marriage.
Also, angels don’t live 120 years. They have eternal life. V3
Further, these were not angels because God could not punish all mankind for the sins of
angels.
These men were sons of God by adoption…
2. These godly men, descendants of the godly son of Adam, then married.
“Took for themselves” is a Hebrew expression for marriage.
3. Who were the daughters of men…these people whom the “sons of God” married?
These “daughters of men” were the daughters of the line of Cain…Adam’s other son.
The “daughters of men” loved themselves more than they loved God…
Cain was most known for his ungodliness…his murder of his godly brother Abel.
And his family followed after his footsteps.
Lamech, for instance, a descendant of Cain was a polygamist…and a murderer.
4. The daughters of Cain’s descendants were beautiful…or attractive…shapely in form.
This was the trap into which the godly men fell.
Nothing else mattered to the sons of Seth…the Covenant people.
This was the Devil’s attempt to destroy the Sacred Seed of the woman who would crush his head.
Marriage is too sacred a thing to allow that men should be induced to it by the lust of the eyes.
But this is a danger of which Christians must be on guard…with much diligence.
5. The sons of the godly Seth married the daughters of Cain.
The sins of the Covenant people were worse because they chose many wives and lived
polygamously even though they knew better.
God always demanded than marriage be between one man and one woman.
This type of sin was not limited to that time…
Today, men go way beyond this and promote polyamory: group marriage.
Even Christians today also have a way of polygamy. Isn’t frequent divorce a subtle form
of polygamy?
6. It was base ingratitude of the children of Seth to intermingle with children of Cain.
The sons of Seth…the Christians…married out of their line.
The distinctions between Christians and non-Christians was obliterated.
Further, worship of the true God was perverted after Christians started marrying non-Christians.
a. Someone might say: I “don’t want to be left without a husband.”
And the Devil would love nothing more than to make you feel the pressure to marry
someone who is not a Christian. He wants you to attack Christ…whose you are.
But it is better to be single, that to be sorry…for the rest of your life…
b. God strongly continues to warn you against marrying those who are do not worship the same
God as you do- simply because they may be beautiful, rich, or powerful.
2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
For beauty is a fleeting thing…it leaves in a hurry…long before the woman leaves…
Riches are destroyed in fire…and cannot be taken out of this world.
Man’s power is limited by God…and it stops in the cemetery.
c. Marrying does not fix your problems – it is not an end.
Marriage is a means to glorify God…So do it right.
This was the work of Balak, who, when he could not curse Israel, sent women to go and
intermarry with Israel.
Having looked at the trap, let us now look at the trouble from falling for into the trap!
3 And the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years."
4 There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.
The Trouble – V3-4
1. Seeing man’s falling for the beauty trap…God gave man a warning.
He said that he would not always put up with man…and fight with him if he refuses to repent of
his sins.
God virtually said: “It is time this sin comes to an end.”
Why would God no longer strive (fight) with them?
Flesh is incapable of reason.
I Corinthians 2:14 - But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
2. Seeing man falling for the beauty trap…God gave man a limitation.
Man could expect judgment, unless he repented, in 120 years.
See how man likes to hurry judgment when he doesn’t follow God’s instructions.
This is the same word God uses to all those who are hearing his words today: My Spirit will not
always put up with you. And consider what Jesus said: Luke 13:3 "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
But in this you can also see grace; God gave man time to repent.
3. The product of this ungodly marriage were giants.
Who were these giants? V4
The word “giants” is transliterated “nephilim.”
Nephilim - means “soldiers” …killers…fallers (of men).
The word giant relates to the word for fall…or to fall upon violently…soldiers.
One example of usage is a violent storm that causes crops to fall and be destroyed.
Luther translates the word to mean: tyrants…but “fighting men” is the best translation.
They were giants of war.
We might say today: He was a giant of a politician.
4. The children born to Christian men and non-Christian women imitated the example of the warriors… the murderers…not of the godly.
(“Men of old” is used here to mean “of antiquity.” Men from long ago…maybe like Cain.)
They boasted of their wickedness…men of “renown.” (Warriors)
These were wicked men who were honored for crimes.
This was the greatest trouble of all.
It is only natural to follow the religion of a non- Christian. It an easier religion to follow…but it
is a more dangerous religion.
So take warning. Look at God’s warning to these Christians who were acting like pagans!
5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
6 And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.
7 So the LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them."
The Threat
1. God saw…indicating that he was watching for a time…and God considered. V5
Though he was watching from the outside, he was watching outside and inside…the heart.
The inter-marrying people sinned continually and blatantly.
2. And God was sorry… V6
(Not “repented” as the KJV says – as it was an anthropomorphic expression…)
God is hurt by the atrocious sins of men – more than if they pierced his heart themselves…
Do you make God sorry by your continued disobedience to him?
When you consider the greatness and purity of God’s love, you understand how much you hurt
him by blatant disobedience.
3. And then God made the threat: I will destroy. V7
Destroying is the work of the Lord…and it is total destruction.
Vengeance is mine…says the Lord…
4. Even the animals man should have ruled over are going to be destroyed because of man’s sin.
The truth is, your sins always affect more than yourself…your family, friends, church, country…
5. But in the midst of the threat is always grace…and God shows it to Noah. V8
“Noah found favor” is an expression only used between the servant and his Lord.
This showed that Noah had no right to demand any favors from God.
What were the evidences of righteousness?
Noah became a preacher of righteousness. (II Peter 2:5)
He had one wife.
He had children…in obedience to God’s command to multiply.
His sons had one wife each…showing he taught them.
His family stood by him 120 years – which produced nothing of earthly value.
He built an ark when there was no sign of rain.
Learn from an example of a man who was successful and had faith in God.
A man is shown to be faithful even if he ministers to his own family.
Conclusion:
Ungodly marriages leads to the destruction of the godly! Throughout the history of mankind, this fact has proven itself to be true time and time again. This is why the prophets, the historians, the poets, the apostles, and the Lord himself warn against ungodly marriages and adultery.
The problem is, it is natural to do these things. It is natural to want a woman for a wife because she is beautiful and attractive and ignoring the fact that she might be worshipper of herself or of some other god. It is natural to want a husband because he is strong, good looking, or rich without considering that he will not follow God’s word as the head of the family. While these desires are natural, they are also sinful.
Only Christ can set you free from sinful desires to marry on the basis of beauty, wealth, or power. Only Christ will give you the desire to put your spouse above you. Only Christ teaches you how to do that. Only through Christ…only through Christ.
As a parent, teach this to your children…beginning now. Train them in truth. Save them from a life of misery. If you are looking for a spouse, keep your eyes looking for one who loves Christ more that himself or and loves Christ more than he loves you. When he loves Christ, Christ will help him to understand his duties and enable him to do them. To marry someone who loves your or himself more than Christ is sinful.
If your husband or wife is not a Christian, pray hard and pray long that the Lord will save them…as he promised. The Lord promised that the believing spouse with sanctify the non-believing one.
Finally, I have some good news for those who are not Christians…you have some time…I don’t know how much, but you have some time. Maybe you don’t have 120 years…but you have time today to tell God that you are sorry for your sins…you are sorry for living for yourself…and that you desire to live like his child. He will adopt you.
Psalm 32 – Dealing with the problem of Depression
Many people avoid this subject and would not touch it with a ten-foot pole. In some ways it is good that they do not touch because of the bad solutions they provide. But that reasoning is not adequate. Every elder in the church…and even husbands…and fathers…and every Christian must not be afraid to challenge the problems that come before us…in our own lives…or in the lives of other…including dealing with the problem of depression.
But for you to really deal with this major issue, you must be equipped to deal with it. I am not able to give you great detail explanation, but I will attempt to give you a foundation upon which you can build, and should build on, to understand and deal with this problem. This is an issue that must not just be set aside because it is too difficult. Also, you must not shrug off the responsibility and assume that every counselor will give you the same advice. Some start with wrong presuppositions and therefore their conclusions are wrong. So get prepared. And may this help you today…to that end.
To lay this foundation, we will look at 1. What depression is. 2. What depression does. 3. What is Christ’s remedy for depression. 4. And finally, we will look at what you may do to keep out of depression.
What is depression?
Depression is a prolonged period of feeling down and sad.
Psalm 32:4 - For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of
summer.
David is literally “pressed down.” (being sad)
David says this is prolonged…or “day and night.” (for a long time)
Other time David uses the term: chastened. Literally: to be tied down with ropes…
What causes depression: Depression can be caused by various reasons…
In David’s case, his depression was caused by guilt and non-repentance.
He had grievously sinned with Bathsheba and Uriah and had not repented.
He might even have though of depression as a punishment from God.
V3 - But it wasn’t just the sin…it was his hiding it.
But there are other reasons…almost any reason…that may cause depression.
One of the first things to mention, however, is that there are physiological reasons for depression.
Someone who has an underactive thyroid, just delivered a baby, etc.
But those are often limited. What are other reasons for depression?
Overwhelming responsibility…death of a loved one…loneliness…poverty…sickness…
Not finding a husband or wife…not getting children…holding grudges…and not forgiving…
The truth is, though, is that these things really do not cause depression…these things are more a matter of
God’s providence.
It is how one deals or not deals with these problems that causes depression.
What does depression do?
Physical results:
V3-4 - It causes your moisture…juices…to dry up…
David’s saliva in his mouth dried up…a natural response to anxiety.
According to Jewish tradition, David is said to have been struck by leprosy for 6 months…
And learn of some more from Psalm 38.
Psalm 38: 5-8 - My wounds are foul and festering Because of my foolishness. I am troubled, I am bowed
down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. For my loins are full of inflammation, And there is no
soundness in my flesh. I am feeble and severely broken; I groan because of the turmoil of my heart.
David is also point out that he has an irregular heart beat.
The link between feeling sad and the malfunctioning of the body is clear.
Many times imbalances in hormones with trigger bad conditions are caused with depression.
Spiritual results:
V6 – He had felt as if he were overwhelmed with flood waters…graphic picture
Psalm 38:4 - For my iniquities have gone over my head; Like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
This is like the “suck sand” in my home country.
Proverbs 28:13 – He who covers his sins will not prosper…
Proverbs 28:1 - The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.
Interaction results:
Psalm 38:11 - My loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague, And my relatives stand afar off.
Not many people want to stick around a whiner, down, grumpy person.
On the other hand, (Ps 38) your depression makes your enemies happy.
What is Christ’s remedy for depression?
1. Know that there is hope.
While depression causes your juices to dry up, you can be resuscitated.
I know in whom I believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him.
The Lord does not leave his chosen ones alone…but makes them realize their guilt.
The first answer is to admit that there is sin…
You can’t do heart surgery on yourself.
Psalms 42:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God,
Psalms 145:14 The LORD upholds all who fall, And raises up all who are bowed down.
2. Repent (or forgive)
V5-6 - David confesses his sin. To confess means “to say the same thing with God.”
Literally David says: I view myself the way God views me.
Psalm 51:4-5 - Against You, You only, (against your law and standard) have I sinned, And done this evil in
Your sight—That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. Behold, I was
brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.
Proverbs 28:12 – (Note the completion of this passage) He who covers his sins will not prosper, But
whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
Repentance clears the soul and relieves the pressure often responsible for psychosomatic sickness.
You also have to confess your sins against others also.
V7 – Repentance brings joy.
Psalm 32:7b - You shall surround me with songs of deliverance
Psalm 51:8 - Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
Now you ask: How is mourning a sin, for example, as the lady who is accused of killing her kids?
Mourning is not a sin. Excessive mourning is. It is distrust of God’s providence. It is a worship
of man. Of those sins you must repent.
How do you stay out of Depression
1. Continue to pray
V 6 – Do you desire freedom from depression…for this cause pray… David points to prayer…
He doesn’t say get rich, get powerful, or get intelligent…but, to get security, pray.
So that the severe judgment of great waters would not destroy him…and you…
2. Be Instructed
V8 – God instructs you who are blessed, not with useless instruction, but in the ways of spiritual life.
And he leads as a gentle guide.
Proverbs 3:1-2 - My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; For length of days
and long life And peace they will add to you.
Proverbs 4:20-22 - My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them
depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And
health to all their flesh.
Job 6:30 - Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern the unsavory?
V9 – You are instructed so that you will not be like horses or mules…who must be bridled.
Notice how his freedom from depression leads him to help others.
This is a very necessary part of being healed…it to be busy with helping others heal.
If you follow these steps, you will not only be helped if you are depressed for inorganic reasons,
but you will also be able to help prevent depression from setting-in in the future.
Conclusion?
Depression is a prolonged period of feeling down and sad. What causes depression: Depression can be caused by various reasons… But there are other reasons…almost any reason…that may be the cause for depression. The truth is, though, is that these things really do not cause depression…Depression is often caused when troubles are not handled correctly.
What does depression do? It affects you physically, spiritually (your relationship with God) and your relationship with others.
But what is Christ’s remedy for depression? He wants you to know that there is hope. He wants you to deal with the matter of sin…repent if you need to…forgive if you need to. He wants you to pray and to continue to be instructed in the Holy Scriptures to stay out of depression.
The only reason these real answer are opened to you is because you are a child of God, Christ having taken the punishment for your sins.
Many people avoid this subject and would not touch it with a ten-foot pole. In some ways it is good that they do not touch because of the bad solutions they provide. But that reasoning is not adequate. Every elder in the church…and even husbands…and fathers…and every Christian must not be afraid to challenge the problems that come before us…in our own lives…or in the lives of other…including dealing with the problem of depression.
But for you to really deal with this major issue, you must be equipped to deal with it. I am not able to give you great detail explanation, but I will attempt to give you a foundation upon which you can build, and should build on, to understand and deal with this problem. This is an issue that must not just be set aside because it is too difficult. Also, you must not shrug off the responsibility and assume that every counselor will give you the same advice. Some start with wrong presuppositions and therefore their conclusions are wrong. So get prepared. And may this help you today…to that end.
To lay this foundation, we will look at 1. What depression is. 2. What depression does. 3. What is Christ’s remedy for depression. 4. And finally, we will look at what you may do to keep out of depression.
What is depression?
Depression is a prolonged period of feeling down and sad.
Psalm 32:4 - For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of
summer.
David is literally “pressed down.” (being sad)
David says this is prolonged…or “day and night.” (for a long time)
Other time David uses the term: chastened. Literally: to be tied down with ropes…
What causes depression: Depression can be caused by various reasons…
In David’s case, his depression was caused by guilt and non-repentance.
He had grievously sinned with Bathsheba and Uriah and had not repented.
He might even have though of depression as a punishment from God.
V3 - But it wasn’t just the sin…it was his hiding it.
But there are other reasons…almost any reason…that may cause depression.
One of the first things to mention, however, is that there are physiological reasons for depression.
Someone who has an underactive thyroid, just delivered a baby, etc.
But those are often limited. What are other reasons for depression?
Overwhelming responsibility…death of a loved one…loneliness…poverty…sickness…
Not finding a husband or wife…not getting children…holding grudges…and not forgiving…
The truth is, though, is that these things really do not cause depression…these things are more a matter of
God’s providence.
It is how one deals or not deals with these problems that causes depression.
What does depression do?
Physical results:
V3-4 - It causes your moisture…juices…to dry up…
David’s saliva in his mouth dried up…a natural response to anxiety.
According to Jewish tradition, David is said to have been struck by leprosy for 6 months…
And learn of some more from Psalm 38.
Psalm 38: 5-8 - My wounds are foul and festering Because of my foolishness. I am troubled, I am bowed
down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. For my loins are full of inflammation, And there is no
soundness in my flesh. I am feeble and severely broken; I groan because of the turmoil of my heart.
David is also point out that he has an irregular heart beat.
The link between feeling sad and the malfunctioning of the body is clear.
Many times imbalances in hormones with trigger bad conditions are caused with depression.
Spiritual results:
V6 – He had felt as if he were overwhelmed with flood waters…graphic picture
Psalm 38:4 - For my iniquities have gone over my head; Like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
This is like the “suck sand” in my home country.
Proverbs 28:13 – He who covers his sins will not prosper…
Proverbs 28:1 - The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.
Interaction results:
Psalm 38:11 - My loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague, And my relatives stand afar off.
Not many people want to stick around a whiner, down, grumpy person.
On the other hand, (Ps 38) your depression makes your enemies happy.
What is Christ’s remedy for depression?
1. Know that there is hope.
While depression causes your juices to dry up, you can be resuscitated.
I know in whom I believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him.
The Lord does not leave his chosen ones alone…but makes them realize their guilt.
The first answer is to admit that there is sin…
You can’t do heart surgery on yourself.
Psalms 42:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God,
Psalms 145:14 The LORD upholds all who fall, And raises up all who are bowed down.
2. Repent (or forgive)
V5-6 - David confesses his sin. To confess means “to say the same thing with God.”
Literally David says: I view myself the way God views me.
Psalm 51:4-5 - Against You, You only, (against your law and standard) have I sinned, And done this evil in
Your sight—That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. Behold, I was
brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.
Proverbs 28:12 – (Note the completion of this passage) He who covers his sins will not prosper, But
whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
Repentance clears the soul and relieves the pressure often responsible for psychosomatic sickness.
You also have to confess your sins against others also.
V7 – Repentance brings joy.
Psalm 32:7b - You shall surround me with songs of deliverance
Psalm 51:8 - Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
Now you ask: How is mourning a sin, for example, as the lady who is accused of killing her kids?
Mourning is not a sin. Excessive mourning is. It is distrust of God’s providence. It is a worship
of man. Of those sins you must repent.
How do you stay out of Depression
1. Continue to pray
V 6 – Do you desire freedom from depression…for this cause pray… David points to prayer…
He doesn’t say get rich, get powerful, or get intelligent…but, to get security, pray.
So that the severe judgment of great waters would not destroy him…and you…
2. Be Instructed
V8 – God instructs you who are blessed, not with useless instruction, but in the ways of spiritual life.
And he leads as a gentle guide.
Proverbs 3:1-2 - My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; For length of days
and long life And peace they will add to you.
Proverbs 4:20-22 - My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them
depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And
health to all their flesh.
Job 6:30 - Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern the unsavory?
V9 – You are instructed so that you will not be like horses or mules…who must be bridled.
Notice how his freedom from depression leads him to help others.
This is a very necessary part of being healed…it to be busy with helping others heal.
If you follow these steps, you will not only be helped if you are depressed for inorganic reasons,
but you will also be able to help prevent depression from setting-in in the future.
Conclusion?
Depression is a prolonged period of feeling down and sad. What causes depression: Depression can be caused by various reasons… But there are other reasons…almost any reason…that may be the cause for depression. The truth is, though, is that these things really do not cause depression…Depression is often caused when troubles are not handled correctly.
What does depression do? It affects you physically, spiritually (your relationship with God) and your relationship with others.
But what is Christ’s remedy for depression? He wants you to know that there is hope. He wants you to deal with the matter of sin…repent if you need to…forgive if you need to. He wants you to pray and to continue to be instructed in the Holy Scriptures to stay out of depression.
The only reason these real answer are opened to you is because you are a child of God, Christ having taken the punishment for your sins.
Rants
The use of canned evangelistic approaches – EE Style
As a young Pentecostal teenager my pastor introduced me to a course that prepared us to be evangelists. We were told we would change the whole neighborhood if we followed this method. And in a way, we did. We visited almost every home and had hundreds of “decisions” for Christ. In the space of the first few hours a couple of us had seven “decisions” for Christ. The trouble was that most of those people never really believed and most of them never came to worship.
We busily ran around asking people: “If you were to die tonight do you think you would make it to heaven?” Most would say: “Yes.” Then we would respond: “If you were to die tonight and stand before God and he were to say to you, ‘why would I let you into my heaven’ what would you say?” We would succinctly state our points, confront them with their sins, and urge them to repent in about 7 minutes flat. You probably recognize that we were using a variation of Evangelism Explosion. I regret doing that! We gave many people the false idea that they were Christians because “they signed on the line.”
What was wrong with that method? As my friend likes to say: “You must be Reformed in theology and in methodology.”
This canned method of evangelism is really just a little longer than a “bumper sticker.” It does not emphasize the “whole counsel” of God and brings the Gospel of our Lord down to a few propositions. Consider a couple of examples: Evangelism Explosion does not properly explain who God is. Without knowing who God is the non-Christian can never understand why God hates sin so much and why his judgments are so severe. Second, Evangelism Explosion and other similar methods do not adequately explain the law of God and how they can be broken in thoughts and words and deeds. Without explaining the full extent of sin by a good examination of God’s law, the non-Christian will never understand how far away from God he stands and the real danger in which he is. Third, the covenant usually is non-existent in this methodology. But if the non-Christian does not understand the nature of the covenant, he cannot understand and appreciate the obedience and death of Jesus Christ.
Further, when using canned evangelism you can antagonize a man who is not ready to hear of his sinfulness. Those of us who have worked cross-culturally know that this blunt method of teaching can become a “brick wall” to evangelism. On the other hand, sometimes you get people agreeing with what you say simply so that they can finish their laundry. Certainly this cannot be pleasing to God. (Maybe they loved us as you love those people selling books with Watchtowers on them.)
Canned evangelism tends to ignore the whole Bible, mostly quoting from popular New Testament passages.
Canned evangelism like EE, because of the desire to get results, changes the focus of evangelism from showing man his sinfulness and leading him to the Savior to promoting a reward: “Want to go to heaven?” What if the man were to answer: “No, I don’t want to go to heaven.”? Might the evangelist leave him? Absolutely not. God commands repentance from the sinner and the evangelist must emphasize that. God does not give a choice of a reward or not. A reward may be rejected without consequences. The offering of a reward is further troubling because it seems to offer the benefits of salvation only after this life and denies the plethora of Scriptures that speak of God present grace to his covenant children.
Did anyone become a Christian through our labors in EE? Some did come to worship and later became Christians, but it would have been highly unlikely that they became Christians when we first spoke to them. Even if they did, it does not justify the method.
Are there any benefits from the canned evangelism that we used? There could be. For example, the question asked above about whether one were prepared for heaven could be an excellent starter to conversation. The key is to use those questions and then go on to the greater substance of the Gospel.
The sum of the matter then is that the evangelist must bring the whole Gospel, the whole spectrum of salvation, to those who are in their sins. This often takes time. You must show the non-Christian who he is, teach him the doctrine of God, explain the 10 commands to him, show him the work of Jesus Christ, and then urge him to ask God to count Christ’s life, death, and resurrection as his own. There are no shortcuts. This is the method that brings change. Do the right thing and wait for the results. The Lord will lose none of his elect.
And when you combine scriptural evangelism with living a godly life then you will speak ever more loudly and effectively of Christ. You will be a true worker for Christ.
The use of canned evangelistic approaches – EE Style
As a young Pentecostal teenager my pastor introduced me to a course that prepared us to be evangelists. We were told we would change the whole neighborhood if we followed this method. And in a way, we did. We visited almost every home and had hundreds of “decisions” for Christ. In the space of the first few hours a couple of us had seven “decisions” for Christ. The trouble was that most of those people never really believed and most of them never came to worship.
We busily ran around asking people: “If you were to die tonight do you think you would make it to heaven?” Most would say: “Yes.” Then we would respond: “If you were to die tonight and stand before God and he were to say to you, ‘why would I let you into my heaven’ what would you say?” We would succinctly state our points, confront them with their sins, and urge them to repent in about 7 minutes flat. You probably recognize that we were using a variation of Evangelism Explosion. I regret doing that! We gave many people the false idea that they were Christians because “they signed on the line.”
What was wrong with that method? As my friend likes to say: “You must be Reformed in theology and in methodology.”
This canned method of evangelism is really just a little longer than a “bumper sticker.” It does not emphasize the “whole counsel” of God and brings the Gospel of our Lord down to a few propositions. Consider a couple of examples: Evangelism Explosion does not properly explain who God is. Without knowing who God is the non-Christian can never understand why God hates sin so much and why his judgments are so severe. Second, Evangelism Explosion and other similar methods do not adequately explain the law of God and how they can be broken in thoughts and words and deeds. Without explaining the full extent of sin by a good examination of God’s law, the non-Christian will never understand how far away from God he stands and the real danger in which he is. Third, the covenant usually is non-existent in this methodology. But if the non-Christian does not understand the nature of the covenant, he cannot understand and appreciate the obedience and death of Jesus Christ.
Further, when using canned evangelism you can antagonize a man who is not ready to hear of his sinfulness. Those of us who have worked cross-culturally know that this blunt method of teaching can become a “brick wall” to evangelism. On the other hand, sometimes you get people agreeing with what you say simply so that they can finish their laundry. Certainly this cannot be pleasing to God. (Maybe they loved us as you love those people selling books with Watchtowers on them.)
Canned evangelism tends to ignore the whole Bible, mostly quoting from popular New Testament passages.
Canned evangelism like EE, because of the desire to get results, changes the focus of evangelism from showing man his sinfulness and leading him to the Savior to promoting a reward: “Want to go to heaven?” What if the man were to answer: “No, I don’t want to go to heaven.”? Might the evangelist leave him? Absolutely not. God commands repentance from the sinner and the evangelist must emphasize that. God does not give a choice of a reward or not. A reward may be rejected without consequences. The offering of a reward is further troubling because it seems to offer the benefits of salvation only after this life and denies the plethora of Scriptures that speak of God present grace to his covenant children.
Did anyone become a Christian through our labors in EE? Some did come to worship and later became Christians, but it would have been highly unlikely that they became Christians when we first spoke to them. Even if they did, it does not justify the method.
Are there any benefits from the canned evangelism that we used? There could be. For example, the question asked above about whether one were prepared for heaven could be an excellent starter to conversation. The key is to use those questions and then go on to the greater substance of the Gospel.
The sum of the matter then is that the evangelist must bring the whole Gospel, the whole spectrum of salvation, to those who are in their sins. This often takes time. You must show the non-Christian who he is, teach him the doctrine of God, explain the 10 commands to him, show him the work of Jesus Christ, and then urge him to ask God to count Christ’s life, death, and resurrection as his own. There are no shortcuts. This is the method that brings change. Do the right thing and wait for the results. The Lord will lose none of his elect.
And when you combine scriptural evangelism with living a godly life then you will speak ever more loudly and effectively of Christ. You will be a true worker for Christ.
Rants
Gobbling the Gospel?
Many people assume that people of pagan cultures around the world are eagerly waiting to hear the gospel, and as soon as they do, they renounce their pagan practices to embrace Christ and immediately begin to serve the Lord faithfully.
This false sense of reality has gripped many missionaries only to be foiled as the missionary lands on the mission field and find that things are much different. This view is found in plenty of publicity literature and many sentimental songs that have been used to raise funds for mission work. One hymn claims, “the heathen in his blindness” is calling on the missionary to “deliver him from error’s chain.” (The Psalter Hymnal sanitizes this doctrinal error.) This teaching denies the Scripture, “There is none righteous, no not one. No one understands, no one seeks God. All have turned aside, together they have gone wrong; no one does good, not even one.” (Rom. 3:10-12) It is like taking water to the thirsty and he does not realize that he is thirsty, or food to the hungry but he does not realize that he is hungry.
It was several years before William Carey had his first converts in India. Hudson Taylor’s success in China was extremely slow.
From where did this myth develop?
First, missionaries themselves could sometimes be guilty of concocting this sense of the heathen in order to justify their work or the raising of more support for their ministries. This view, however, is no more true than to say that when the gospel is preached in the US or Canada that people immediately forsake their sins and become Christians.
Second, this myth could also have developed because of “evidence” in some places where the Gospel was preached and where there has been a greater response to the Gospel.
One needs to be reminded, though, that in these “successful areas” there was usually much faithful preaching that was done earlier that sowed the seed for the great harvest that is now being brought into God’s kingdom. Consider Korea, for example. For many years prior to the nineteen sixties the gospel was faithfully preached with little or no success. Suddenly there seemed to have been tremendous growth in the spread of the gospel, but it was not sudden at all. The successes of the missionaries of the sixties and the seventies seem to have been built upon the foundation of the missionaries from decades before. My former OPC pastor, Ralph English, testified to this. A case to be realized one day is Japan. After more than one hundred years of faithful missionary work less than one percent of Japan is Christian. In Burma, there are about ten thousand Christians after one hundred seventy years of missionary work, and yet there remain over thirty-seven million Buddhists in their idolatry. Countries in West Africa are quite similar.
What has this myth done to the Reformed Churches? Some Reformed people have been influenced to some degree by popular preaching that deceive people into thinking that we can expect great numerical results every time the Gospel is preached. We have allowed Sunday, Finney, Billy Graham, and Benny Hinn and their followers to throw “conversion” numbers in our faces every time they preached the Gospel. We started thinking that we should expect the same and are disappointed when this does not happen. However, when one examines the real results of these apparent heathen conversions, they tell a different story. Most people who make “professions” of faith at the crusades are not converted. One study shows that less than 5% of people who make professions of faith at Graham’s crusade are attending church a few years later. Where are the millions of converts that Benny Hinn has had in India?
Nevertheless, these men and their followers perpetuate the myth that as soon as the heathen hears the Gospel they he will respond in faith and obedience.
Yet, in a way, the Reformed missionary does see “success” each time he preaches the Gospel to the heathen. His preaching is not ineffective at all. He knows that his preaching is not only intended to convert, but to condemn also. It is not up to the missionary to decide whether God will convert or condemn. God is glorified either way.
What can you learn from this?
1. When there is limited “positive” success of “nickels and noses” in your missionary’s work, it does not necessarily mean that there he is an ineffective teacher, or that he needs to move to some other more “successful” place. Understand that God uses the Gospel to save and to condemn.
2. Encourage your missionary facing the difficulty of seeing little “fruit” from his labors.
3. Take a trip to the mission field and see for yourself the difficulties there. You will certainly learn to pray more specifically.
4. Don’t give up financially supporting your missionary because he does not send new photographs of baptisms every month. Replace him if he is unfaithful.
Gobbling the Gospel?
Many people assume that people of pagan cultures around the world are eagerly waiting to hear the gospel, and as soon as they do, they renounce their pagan practices to embrace Christ and immediately begin to serve the Lord faithfully.
This false sense of reality has gripped many missionaries only to be foiled as the missionary lands on the mission field and find that things are much different. This view is found in plenty of publicity literature and many sentimental songs that have been used to raise funds for mission work. One hymn claims, “the heathen in his blindness” is calling on the missionary to “deliver him from error’s chain.” (The Psalter Hymnal sanitizes this doctrinal error.) This teaching denies the Scripture, “There is none righteous, no not one. No one understands, no one seeks God. All have turned aside, together they have gone wrong; no one does good, not even one.” (Rom. 3:10-12) It is like taking water to the thirsty and he does not realize that he is thirsty, or food to the hungry but he does not realize that he is hungry.
It was several years before William Carey had his first converts in India. Hudson Taylor’s success in China was extremely slow.
From where did this myth develop?
First, missionaries themselves could sometimes be guilty of concocting this sense of the heathen in order to justify their work or the raising of more support for their ministries. This view, however, is no more true than to say that when the gospel is preached in the US or Canada that people immediately forsake their sins and become Christians.
Second, this myth could also have developed because of “evidence” in some places where the Gospel was preached and where there has been a greater response to the Gospel.
One needs to be reminded, though, that in these “successful areas” there was usually much faithful preaching that was done earlier that sowed the seed for the great harvest that is now being brought into God’s kingdom. Consider Korea, for example. For many years prior to the nineteen sixties the gospel was faithfully preached with little or no success. Suddenly there seemed to have been tremendous growth in the spread of the gospel, but it was not sudden at all. The successes of the missionaries of the sixties and the seventies seem to have been built upon the foundation of the missionaries from decades before. My former OPC pastor, Ralph English, testified to this. A case to be realized one day is Japan. After more than one hundred years of faithful missionary work less than one percent of Japan is Christian. In Burma, there are about ten thousand Christians after one hundred seventy years of missionary work, and yet there remain over thirty-seven million Buddhists in their idolatry. Countries in West Africa are quite similar.
What has this myth done to the Reformed Churches? Some Reformed people have been influenced to some degree by popular preaching that deceive people into thinking that we can expect great numerical results every time the Gospel is preached. We have allowed Sunday, Finney, Billy Graham, and Benny Hinn and their followers to throw “conversion” numbers in our faces every time they preached the Gospel. We started thinking that we should expect the same and are disappointed when this does not happen. However, when one examines the real results of these apparent heathen conversions, they tell a different story. Most people who make “professions” of faith at the crusades are not converted. One study shows that less than 5% of people who make professions of faith at Graham’s crusade are attending church a few years later. Where are the millions of converts that Benny Hinn has had in India?
Nevertheless, these men and their followers perpetuate the myth that as soon as the heathen hears the Gospel they he will respond in faith and obedience.
Yet, in a way, the Reformed missionary does see “success” each time he preaches the Gospel to the heathen. His preaching is not ineffective at all. He knows that his preaching is not only intended to convert, but to condemn also. It is not up to the missionary to decide whether God will convert or condemn. God is glorified either way.
What can you learn from this?
1. When there is limited “positive” success of “nickels and noses” in your missionary’s work, it does not necessarily mean that there he is an ineffective teacher, or that he needs to move to some other more “successful” place. Understand that God uses the Gospel to save and to condemn.
2. Encourage your missionary facing the difficulty of seeing little “fruit” from his labors.
3. Take a trip to the mission field and see for yourself the difficulties there. You will certainly learn to pray more specifically.
4. Don’t give up financially supporting your missionary because he does not send new photographs of baptisms every month. Replace him if he is unfaithful.
Rants
Gobbling the Gospel?
Many people assume that people of pagan cultures around the world are eagerly waiting to hear the gospel, and as soon as they do, they renounce their pagan practices to embrace Christ and immediately begin to serve the Lord faithfully.
This false sense of reality has gripped many missionaries only to be foiled as the missionary lands on the mission field and find that things are much different. This view is found in plenty of publicity literature and many sentimental songs that have been used to raise funds for mission work. One hymn claims, “the heathen in his blindness” is calling on the missionary to “deliver him from error’s chain.” (The Psalter Hymnal sanitizes this doctrinal error.) This teaching denies the Scripture, “There is none righteous, no not one. No one understands, no one seeks God. All have turned aside, together they have gone wrong; no one does good, not even one.” (Rom. 3:10-12) It is like taking water to the thirsty and he does not realize that he is thirsty, or food to the hungry but he does not realize that he is hungry.
It was several years before William Carey had his first converts in India. Hudson Taylor’s success in China was extremely slow.
From where did this myth develop?
First, missionaries themselves could sometimes be guilty of concocting this sense of the heathen in order to justify their work or the raising of more support for their ministries. This view, however, is no more true than to say that when the gospel is preached in the US or Canada that people immediately forsake their sins and become Christians.
Second, this myth could also have developed because of “evidence” in some places where the Gospel was preached and where there has been a greater response to the Gospel.
One needs to be reminded, though, that in these “successful areas” there was usually much faithful preaching that was done earlier that sowed the seed for the great harvest that is now being brought into God’s kingdom. Consider Korea, for example. For many years prior to the nineteen sixties the gospel was faithfully preached with little or no success. Suddenly there seemed to have been tremendous growth in the spread of the gospel, but it was not sudden at all. The successes of the missionaries of the sixties and the seventies seem to have been built upon the foundation of the missionaries from decades before. My former OPC pastor, Ralph English, testified to this. A case to be realized one day is Japan. After more than one hundred years of faithful missionary work less than one percent of Japan is Christian. In Burma, there are about ten thousand Christians after one hundred seventy years of missionary work, and yet there remain over thirty-seven million Buddhists in their idolatry. Countries in West Africa are quite similar.
What has this myth done to the Reformed Churches? Some Reformed people have been influenced to some degree by popular preaching that deceive people into thinking that we can expect great numerical results every time the Gospel is preached. We have allowed Sunday, Finney, Billy Graham, and Benny Hinn and their followers to throw “conversion” numbers in our faces every time they preached the Gospel. We started thinking that we should expect the same and are disappointed when this does not happen. However, when one examines the real results of these apparent heathen conversions, they tell a different story. Most people who make “professions” of faith at the crusades are not converted. One study shows that less than 5% of people who make professions of faith at Graham’s crusade are attending church a few years later. Where are the millions of converts that Benny Hinn has had in India?
Nevertheless, these men and their followers perpetuate the myth that as soon as the heathen hears the Gospel they he will respond in faith and obedience.
Yet, in a way, the Reformed missionary does see “success” each time he preaches the Gospel to the heathen. His preaching is not ineffective at all. He knows that his preaching is not only intended to convert, but to condemn also. It is not up to the missionary to decide whether God will convert or condemn. God is glorified either way.
What can you learn from this?
1. When there is limited “positive” success of “nickels and noses” in your missionary’s work, it does not necessarily mean that there he is an ineffective teacher, or that he needs to move to some other more “successful” place. Understand that God uses the Gospel to save and to condemn.
2. Encourage your missionary facing the difficulty of seeing little “fruit” from his labors.
3. Take a trip to the mission field and see for yourself the difficulties there. You will certainly learn to pray more specifically.
4. Don’t give up financially supporting your missionary because he does not send new photographs of baptisms every month. Replace him if he is unfaithful.
Gobbling the Gospel?
Many people assume that people of pagan cultures around the world are eagerly waiting to hear the gospel, and as soon as they do, they renounce their pagan practices to embrace Christ and immediately begin to serve the Lord faithfully.
This false sense of reality has gripped many missionaries only to be foiled as the missionary lands on the mission field and find that things are much different. This view is found in plenty of publicity literature and many sentimental songs that have been used to raise funds for mission work. One hymn claims, “the heathen in his blindness” is calling on the missionary to “deliver him from error’s chain.” (The Psalter Hymnal sanitizes this doctrinal error.) This teaching denies the Scripture, “There is none righteous, no not one. No one understands, no one seeks God. All have turned aside, together they have gone wrong; no one does good, not even one.” (Rom. 3:10-12) It is like taking water to the thirsty and he does not realize that he is thirsty, or food to the hungry but he does not realize that he is hungry.
It was several years before William Carey had his first converts in India. Hudson Taylor’s success in China was extremely slow.
From where did this myth develop?
First, missionaries themselves could sometimes be guilty of concocting this sense of the heathen in order to justify their work or the raising of more support for their ministries. This view, however, is no more true than to say that when the gospel is preached in the US or Canada that people immediately forsake their sins and become Christians.
Second, this myth could also have developed because of “evidence” in some places where the Gospel was preached and where there has been a greater response to the Gospel.
One needs to be reminded, though, that in these “successful areas” there was usually much faithful preaching that was done earlier that sowed the seed for the great harvest that is now being brought into God’s kingdom. Consider Korea, for example. For many years prior to the nineteen sixties the gospel was faithfully preached with little or no success. Suddenly there seemed to have been tremendous growth in the spread of the gospel, but it was not sudden at all. The successes of the missionaries of the sixties and the seventies seem to have been built upon the foundation of the missionaries from decades before. My former OPC pastor, Ralph English, testified to this. A case to be realized one day is Japan. After more than one hundred years of faithful missionary work less than one percent of Japan is Christian. In Burma, there are about ten thousand Christians after one hundred seventy years of missionary work, and yet there remain over thirty-seven million Buddhists in their idolatry. Countries in West Africa are quite similar.
What has this myth done to the Reformed Churches? Some Reformed people have been influenced to some degree by popular preaching that deceive people into thinking that we can expect great numerical results every time the Gospel is preached. We have allowed Sunday, Finney, Billy Graham, and Benny Hinn and their followers to throw “conversion” numbers in our faces every time they preached the Gospel. We started thinking that we should expect the same and are disappointed when this does not happen. However, when one examines the real results of these apparent heathen conversions, they tell a different story. Most people who make “professions” of faith at the crusades are not converted. One study shows that less than 5% of people who make professions of faith at Graham’s crusade are attending church a few years later. Where are the millions of converts that Benny Hinn has had in India?
Nevertheless, these men and their followers perpetuate the myth that as soon as the heathen hears the Gospel they he will respond in faith and obedience.
Yet, in a way, the Reformed missionary does see “success” each time he preaches the Gospel to the heathen. His preaching is not ineffective at all. He knows that his preaching is not only intended to convert, but to condemn also. It is not up to the missionary to decide whether God will convert or condemn. God is glorified either way.
What can you learn from this?
1. When there is limited “positive” success of “nickels and noses” in your missionary’s work, it does not necessarily mean that there he is an ineffective teacher, or that he needs to move to some other more “successful” place. Understand that God uses the Gospel to save and to condemn.
2. Encourage your missionary facing the difficulty of seeing little “fruit” from his labors.
3. Take a trip to the mission field and see for yourself the difficulties there. You will certainly learn to pray more specifically.
4. Don’t give up financially supporting your missionary because he does not send new photographs of baptisms every month. Replace him if he is unfaithful.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Para-church Missions
One of the modern phenomena in the evangelical world has been the rise of para-church groups, organizations that do spiritual work outside of the oversight of elders. Probably the most well-known para-church group is Campus Crusade for Christ. In Reformed circles there are also many such groups. There is no doubt that para-church groups have done many good things for the Church.
What is wrong with the para-church movement?
First, like mission boards, para-church groups are usually dependent upon a paid staff that must first meet its budget before it can carry out mission work. The Biblical model of a direct relationship between the church and the missionary does not require administrative expenditures as in para–church organizations. Fund-raising for these groups is in the hands of a bureaucratic staff, not elders and deacons.
Second, supervision of missionaries in para-church groups is usually the responsibility of bureaucrats. Men in organizations such as Campus Crusade choose not to or refuse to work within the confines of the church. They are, by their own statement, non-Presbyterian in government. They ignore that it is the church that has been given the mandate for mission work. This is complicated by the fact that many people in mission situations see Campus Crusade as a church. The Biblical model requires oversight of the local congregation or jointly with neighboring congregations. When para-church groups send missionaries, they are usurping the authority of the congregations.
Third, as budget-driven organizations, boards and para-church groups must often seek the worldly proof of success of the missionary enterprise. They must therefore raise money and build an organization. Mission is often viewed as a McDonald’s franchise – if you can’t produce and quickly, you are shut down. In this environment missionaries must either buckle under pressure and “produce” results, by whatever means, or stand and face the music for not producing results.
Fourth, para-church groups tend to have well-trained or untrained men (and women) as their missionaries. Commenting on this, Morris said in Christianizing Christendom: “ THE NEW PROPAGANDISTS ARE MORE CONSPICUOUS AS LEADERS OF “MOVEMENTS,” WITHOUT THEOLOGICAL TRAINING, WHOSE EXPERIENCE IN SOUL-WINNING CONSISTS LARGELY IN GRATUITOUS ADVICE AND PROFESSIONAL PLATFORM - PLATITUDES AND MEANINGLESS GENERALITIES.” Men of financial affairs want the church reorganized, no longer on ecclesiastical lines, but, according to “approved business methods.” Rationalists, tinctured with German Kultur and afflicted German scholarship, join the chorus of those who decry the old order of things and become advocates of the new adventure.
Fifth, para-church groups tend to treat all missions the same way. This is dangerous. Each missionary situation has its unique features. Some mission works are slower to begin, then rapidly grow. Others are the opposite. Some have to deal with civil persecution. Some have to deal with religious persecution. One particular area that often delays the growth of a church plant that is often overlooked, particularly in Reformed circles, is the presence of the occult and a strong demonic presence. (How many mission works are there in Japan today?) Demographic studies often cloud the reality of these problems.
Sixth, parachurch groups tend to be more prone to introducing unbiblical standards in their local appointments. Morris describes the nature and work of these para-church groups that were surfacing even at the beginning of the 20th century: “At the same time many volunteer movements and semi-secular organizations have become parasites, which flourish at the expense and life of the church...If the great apostasy comes it will probably be through such instrumentalities secularizing and lowering the standard of spiritual religion.” The danger lies in the fact that doctrines, once held dearly by the churches, are put in the background in favor of a kind of synthetic harmony. The quest for harmony has led to a quest for the lowest common denominator in doctrines. The gospel is then put in the hands of public relations specialists, not with those who have been trained in the Scriptures. It is easier in some churches to go on the mission field with less theological training.
Historians have already conceded that The Student Christian Movement from 1850-1900: The YMCA (1884), Inter-Collegiate YMCA (1877), Inter-Seminary Alliance (1880), Student Volunteer Movement (1886), and the World Student Christian Federation (1896), at best, have outlived their usefulness. At worst, did much more harm than good to the mission field.
Some have argued in favor of para-church groups because of the failure of the church in doing its job. Others have argued that God has blessed the world through para-church groups. Let us remember that while God spoke through Balaam’s donkey, but who is calling for its ordination? And isn’t the Reformed church to be Reformed in methodology as well as theology? Pragmatism must not be come king. Wasn’t pragmatism used to introduce women teachers and elders during the Industrial Revolution when men were too busy working?
Isn’t it the job of the church to take charge of the job of evangelization and directly oversee the work of her ministers? Don’t delegate your job. Maybe it is even time to reconsider the causes on the offering schedule.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Rants
Christmas feelings and significance
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style…in the air there is a feeling of Christmas. So go two lines from a famous song that you are hearing everywhere. What is this “feeling” of Christmas? Christmas does seem to always stir up some feelings…but are they really Christmas feelings?
Like most others, Christmas feelings might make you recall your youth and the fun you had around this time every year. You probably remember the fresh baked goodies…and fruit cakes. (If you are older you would remember fruitcakes that weren’t bought in the supermarket.) You probably remember going to Santa Claus, and listening to carolers coming by the house on Christmas Eve. And who could forget the stockings and the presents…and the trip down to the Christmas tree early on Christmas morning, and tearing open those presents.
You might even remember going to church on Christmas Eve or early on Christmas day – that’s what most people did. Those memories are etched on your mind and no one can take them away.
No wonder there are feelings of Christmas.
And this trend is not exclusive to North America. In South American we had Christmas trees and tried may Christmas customs too. And we had genuine feelings of Christmas. People just seemed to be happy. I learned from my Chinese friends that Christmas is even catching on in China. There it is known as a holiday for youth. Many of them can’t wait long enough for Christmas.
As warm and wonderful as those traditions are, somewhere along the line, the true significance of Christmas is missed. Why?
1. Christmas reminds us of the humiliation of Jesus. What do I mean by the “humiliation of Jesus?” I mean that Jesus had to submit to the weak people and human systems of this world that have been corrupted by sin. He did this so that he would be able to save those who are trapped by their corrupt and sinful hearts. Specifically, Christ was humiliated by taking on human form. Though he was from heaven, he had to take on a human body.
But there is more. He was born in a manger…a place for feeding cows. It was most likely a cold night, in a dark smelly place, in a cave somewhere. He was not handsome. He was born into a poor family and had a carpenter father. This is in contrast to what you often see in the painting and pictures. There was no warn cozy fire going, or a cute little stable in the middle of a pleasant pasture. Mary was no doubt exhausted. Joseph was tired, and no doubt felt alone as no one took them in their home.
There was still more. Jesus and his family had to run away to Egypt. They lived on the poor side of the country. He had to go without sleep and food. He was betrayed by one of his friend, denied by another one, and abandoned by all. He had to die a painful and most shameful death on the cross. The Jews and the Romans laughed at him, spat on him, mocked him, put a crown of thorns on his head, and finally they buried him. The Son of God had to be humiliated in a most extraordinary way.
This is the feeling to which Christmas ought to lead.
2. Christmas must also be a time of rejoicing in the work of God. This is what the angels who announced Jesus birth to the shepherds were doing and what they wanted the shepherds to do. More, the shepherds, when they found out that Jesus was indeed born as the angels had said, went around telling everyone. (You can read this story in Luke Chapter 2.) This is how they celebrated the very first Christmas. They were not contented with the joy they had in knowing that peace and come to themselves, but they wanted the world to know and to share that peace.
Christmas is significant because it leads to the full account of the work of Jesus. Jesus came to live for you. By his living and perfectly obeying the Father, God counts Jesus’ living as your living. Jesus came to die for your sins. His humiliating death was done as a substitute for you who would have had to die for your own sins. He did what you could not do. The full truth is that if he were not humiliated in his birth, life, and death, then you would have had to face worse humiliation in the end and die for your self in hell.
Now, I don’t want to spoil your celebration this coming Christmas, but I have to ask you this question: What kind of feeling would you have this Christmas now that you have been reminded of the proper significance of Christmas? Would it move beyond the Christmas lights, Christmas sights, Christmas smells, and Christmas sounds? I hope that it will. I hope you will be like the shepherds who believed the words the angels told them…and then went about telling others the Good News of Jesus. This is what gives Christmas real meaning.
Christmas feelings and significance
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style…in the air there is a feeling of Christmas. So go two lines from a famous song that you are hearing everywhere. What is this “feeling” of Christmas? Christmas does seem to always stir up some feelings…but are they really Christmas feelings?
Like most others, Christmas feelings might make you recall your youth and the fun you had around this time every year. You probably remember the fresh baked goodies…and fruit cakes. (If you are older you would remember fruitcakes that weren’t bought in the supermarket.) You probably remember going to Santa Claus, and listening to carolers coming by the house on Christmas Eve. And who could forget the stockings and the presents…and the trip down to the Christmas tree early on Christmas morning, and tearing open those presents.
You might even remember going to church on Christmas Eve or early on Christmas day – that’s what most people did. Those memories are etched on your mind and no one can take them away.
No wonder there are feelings of Christmas.
And this trend is not exclusive to North America. In South American we had Christmas trees and tried may Christmas customs too. And we had genuine feelings of Christmas. People just seemed to be happy. I learned from my Chinese friends that Christmas is even catching on in China. There it is known as a holiday for youth. Many of them can’t wait long enough for Christmas.
As warm and wonderful as those traditions are, somewhere along the line, the true significance of Christmas is missed. Why?
1. Christmas reminds us of the humiliation of Jesus. What do I mean by the “humiliation of Jesus?” I mean that Jesus had to submit to the weak people and human systems of this world that have been corrupted by sin. He did this so that he would be able to save those who are trapped by their corrupt and sinful hearts. Specifically, Christ was humiliated by taking on human form. Though he was from heaven, he had to take on a human body.
But there is more. He was born in a manger…a place for feeding cows. It was most likely a cold night, in a dark smelly place, in a cave somewhere. He was not handsome. He was born into a poor family and had a carpenter father. This is in contrast to what you often see in the painting and pictures. There was no warn cozy fire going, or a cute little stable in the middle of a pleasant pasture. Mary was no doubt exhausted. Joseph was tired, and no doubt felt alone as no one took them in their home.
There was still more. Jesus and his family had to run away to Egypt. They lived on the poor side of the country. He had to go without sleep and food. He was betrayed by one of his friend, denied by another one, and abandoned by all. He had to die a painful and most shameful death on the cross. The Jews and the Romans laughed at him, spat on him, mocked him, put a crown of thorns on his head, and finally they buried him. The Son of God had to be humiliated in a most extraordinary way.
This is the feeling to which Christmas ought to lead.
2. Christmas must also be a time of rejoicing in the work of God. This is what the angels who announced Jesus birth to the shepherds were doing and what they wanted the shepherds to do. More, the shepherds, when they found out that Jesus was indeed born as the angels had said, went around telling everyone. (You can read this story in Luke Chapter 2.) This is how they celebrated the very first Christmas. They were not contented with the joy they had in knowing that peace and come to themselves, but they wanted the world to know and to share that peace.
Christmas is significant because it leads to the full account of the work of Jesus. Jesus came to live for you. By his living and perfectly obeying the Father, God counts Jesus’ living as your living. Jesus came to die for your sins. His humiliating death was done as a substitute for you who would have had to die for your own sins. He did what you could not do. The full truth is that if he were not humiliated in his birth, life, and death, then you would have had to face worse humiliation in the end and die for your self in hell.
Now, I don’t want to spoil your celebration this coming Christmas, but I have to ask you this question: What kind of feeling would you have this Christmas now that you have been reminded of the proper significance of Christmas? Would it move beyond the Christmas lights, Christmas sights, Christmas smells, and Christmas sounds? I hope that it will. I hope you will be like the shepherds who believed the words the angels told them…and then went about telling others the Good News of Jesus. This is what gives Christmas real meaning.
Rants
Christmas feelings and significance
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style…in the air there is a feeling of Christmas. So go two lines from a famous song that you are hearing everywhere. What is this “feeling” of Christmas? Christmas does seem to always stir up some feelings…but are they really Christmas feelings?
Like most others, Christmas feelings might make you recall your youth and the fun you had around this time every year. You probably remember the fresh baked goodies…and fruit cakes. (If you are older you would remember fruitcakes that weren’t bought in the supermarket.) You probably remember going to Santa Claus, and listening to carolers coming by the house on Christmas Eve. And who could forget the stockings and the presents…and the trip down to the Christmas tree early on Christmas morning, and tearing open those presents.
You might even remember going to church on Christmas Eve or early on Christmas day – that’s what most people did. Those memories are etched on your mind and no one can take them away.
No wonder there are feelings of Christmas.
And this trend is not exclusive to North America. In South American we had Christmas trees and tried may Christmas customs too. And we had genuine feelings of Christmas. People just seemed to be happy. I learned from my Chinese friends that Christmas is even catching on in China. There it is known as a holiday for youth. Many of them can’t wait long enough for Christmas.
As warm and wonderful as those traditions are, somewhere along the line, the true significance of Christmas is missed. Why?
1. Christmas reminds us of the humiliation of Jesus. What do I mean by the “humiliation of Jesus?” I mean that Jesus had to submit to the weak people and human systems of this world that have been corrupted by sin. He did this so that he would be able to save those who are trapped by their corrupt and sinful hearts. Specifically, Christ was humiliated by taking on human form. Though he was from heaven, he had to take on a human body.
But there is more. He was born in a manger…a place for feeding cows. It was most likely a cold night, in a dark smelly place, in a cave somewhere. He was not handsome. He was born into a poor family and had a carpenter father. This is in contrast to what you often see in the painting and pictures. There was no warn cozy fire going, or a cute little stable in the middle of a pleasant pasture. Mary was no doubt exhausted. Joseph was tired, and no doubt felt alone as no one took them in their home.
There was still more. Jesus and his family had to run away to Egypt. They lived on the poor side of the country. He had to go without sleep and food. He was betrayed by one of his friend, denied by another one, and abandoned by all. He had to die a painful and most shameful death on the cross. The Jews and the Romans laughed at him, spat on him, mocked him, put a crown of thorns on his head, and finally they buried him. The Son of God had to be humiliated in a most extraordinary way.
This is the feeling to which Christmas ought to lead.
2. Christmas must also be a time of rejoicing in the work of God. This is what the angels who announced Jesus birth to the shepherds were doing and what they wanted the shepherds to do. More, the shepherds, when they found out that Jesus was indeed born as the angels had said, went around telling everyone. (You can read this story in Luke Chapter 2.) This is how they celebrated the very first Christmas. They were not contented with the joy they had in knowing that peace and come to themselves, but they wanted the world to know and to share that peace.
Christmas is significant because it leads to the full account of the work of Jesus. Jesus came to live for you. By his living and perfectly obeying the Father, God counts Jesus’ living as your living. Jesus came to die for your sins. His humiliating death was done as a substitute for you who would have had to die for your own sins. He did what you could not do. The full truth is that if he were not humiliated in his birth, life, and death, then you would have had to face worse humiliation in the end and die for your self in hell.
Now, I don’t want to spoil your celebration this coming Christmas, but I have to ask you this question: What kind of feeling would you have this Christmas now that you have been reminded of the proper significance of Christmas? Would it move beyond the Christmas lights, Christmas sights, Christmas smells, and Christmas sounds? I hope that it will. I hope you will be like the shepherds who believed the words the angels told them…and then went about telling others the Good News of Jesus. This is what gives Christmas real meaning.
Christmas feelings and significance
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style…in the air there is a feeling of Christmas. So go two lines from a famous song that you are hearing everywhere. What is this “feeling” of Christmas? Christmas does seem to always stir up some feelings…but are they really Christmas feelings?
Like most others, Christmas feelings might make you recall your youth and the fun you had around this time every year. You probably remember the fresh baked goodies…and fruit cakes. (If you are older you would remember fruitcakes that weren’t bought in the supermarket.) You probably remember going to Santa Claus, and listening to carolers coming by the house on Christmas Eve. And who could forget the stockings and the presents…and the trip down to the Christmas tree early on Christmas morning, and tearing open those presents.
You might even remember going to church on Christmas Eve or early on Christmas day – that’s what most people did. Those memories are etched on your mind and no one can take them away.
No wonder there are feelings of Christmas.
And this trend is not exclusive to North America. In South American we had Christmas trees and tried may Christmas customs too. And we had genuine feelings of Christmas. People just seemed to be happy. I learned from my Chinese friends that Christmas is even catching on in China. There it is known as a holiday for youth. Many of them can’t wait long enough for Christmas.
As warm and wonderful as those traditions are, somewhere along the line, the true significance of Christmas is missed. Why?
1. Christmas reminds us of the humiliation of Jesus. What do I mean by the “humiliation of Jesus?” I mean that Jesus had to submit to the weak people and human systems of this world that have been corrupted by sin. He did this so that he would be able to save those who are trapped by their corrupt and sinful hearts. Specifically, Christ was humiliated by taking on human form. Though he was from heaven, he had to take on a human body.
But there is more. He was born in a manger…a place for feeding cows. It was most likely a cold night, in a dark smelly place, in a cave somewhere. He was not handsome. He was born into a poor family and had a carpenter father. This is in contrast to what you often see in the painting and pictures. There was no warn cozy fire going, or a cute little stable in the middle of a pleasant pasture. Mary was no doubt exhausted. Joseph was tired, and no doubt felt alone as no one took them in their home.
There was still more. Jesus and his family had to run away to Egypt. They lived on the poor side of the country. He had to go without sleep and food. He was betrayed by one of his friend, denied by another one, and abandoned by all. He had to die a painful and most shameful death on the cross. The Jews and the Romans laughed at him, spat on him, mocked him, put a crown of thorns on his head, and finally they buried him. The Son of God had to be humiliated in a most extraordinary way.
This is the feeling to which Christmas ought to lead.
2. Christmas must also be a time of rejoicing in the work of God. This is what the angels who announced Jesus birth to the shepherds were doing and what they wanted the shepherds to do. More, the shepherds, when they found out that Jesus was indeed born as the angels had said, went around telling everyone. (You can read this story in Luke Chapter 2.) This is how they celebrated the very first Christmas. They were not contented with the joy they had in knowing that peace and come to themselves, but they wanted the world to know and to share that peace.
Christmas is significant because it leads to the full account of the work of Jesus. Jesus came to live for you. By his living and perfectly obeying the Father, God counts Jesus’ living as your living. Jesus came to die for your sins. His humiliating death was done as a substitute for you who would have had to die for your own sins. He did what you could not do. The full truth is that if he were not humiliated in his birth, life, and death, then you would have had to face worse humiliation in the end and die for your self in hell.
Now, I don’t want to spoil your celebration this coming Christmas, but I have to ask you this question: What kind of feeling would you have this Christmas now that you have been reminded of the proper significance of Christmas? Would it move beyond the Christmas lights, Christmas sights, Christmas smells, and Christmas sounds? I hope that it will. I hope you will be like the shepherds who believed the words the angels told them…and then went about telling others the Good News of Jesus. This is what gives Christmas real meaning.
Rants
Position Paper on Birth Control
Mitchell Persaud – e-mail discussion group.
I am in favor of no birth control in general. I will list what I believe to be the possible exceptions.
God called man to multiply and fill the earth. It is understood that to multiply and fill the earth (the whole scope of the command) is a greater thing than having children. Having and raising godly children is part of multiplying and filling the earth. If you have children and they are not raised rightly and die in their sins or die young because of lack of instruction or food, then you are not filling the earth…physically and spiritually.
How having children has become the greatest or only the focus of the command is anyone’s guess. Postmils have always argued for a spiritual dominion view– God’ news spreading to all men – not a physical multiplication resulting in dominion – though that is not denied as a means used to this end.
Note that the blessing/command of Genesis 9 - to Noah, implies not only Divine sovereignty, but also human responsibility. He must exercise his common sense, based on God’s Word, on how to fulfill the whole scope of the law. This is the same idea of Genesis 1:28 - Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
If the focus of the command is multi-faceted, then it must be approached that way. Having dominion over the animals, while not on the same level of having children, is part of the command. And witnessing and preaching are parts of having dominion. Working is part of the command in having dominion. But one does not have to witness and preach day and night – prayer does not have to be “without ceasing” physically. To do so is to ignore one’s wife and children…a greater responsibility. So with having children…if a greater responsibility (as dealing with your wife’s spiritual condition or physical condition) requires that you give up fulfilling part of the command to multiply and fill the earth, you should. It is a normal logical conclusion based on biblical presuppositions. The Scripture commands men to work: If a man does not work he should not eat. It does not give man the right to work and not have family worship with his children. And by reason of importance, if a man is unable to have family worship because of his job, he ought to be looking at other work, family worship being of greater importance.
A woman who finds herself sick (some of you know one with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and other complications) may not be able to have children or face incredible pain and danger in childbirth and in raising children. She might not be able to fulfill this part of the kingdom command even though she is married, but she might be able to pray for leaders and write to MP’s and give good help to other women. This is all part of having dominion mandate. If one were able to kill to protect life, why might one not be able to refrain from having children to protect life?
The Roman Catholic teaching that sex is only for procreation deny the Scripture that God’s first reason for giving man a wife was for companionship…It is not good for man to be alone. I Cor. 7:5 - Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.God also give woman to be a helper in his tasks.
More still, the children procreated in marriage are to be used for the purpose of having dominion over the earth…in all things…not just by having other children. If you don’t have the time, energy and other resources to do this, you might be keeping the law in one area but failing miserably in another. A wise preacher reminded me today that we should seek to have our quiver full but the arrows must be straight. Therefore, if the mother and father can’t physically fulfill their responsibility (of course this, like all other laws, are subject to fraud) then they are breaking another one of God’s law…not raising godly seed. They may only be able to have dominion over ten kids. If they are not able to rule fifteen, then they have caused more trouble in Xians having dominion over the earth because others have to be involved in raising their other five. (Life becomes busy for the elders and deacons.) God gives us many different gifts.
The wise preacher also said that the wife is compared to a vine. Psalm 128, I think. Jesus is pictured as the one who prunes the vine (the church) so it will produce more. I hope you can see the analogy. Spending time to prune and care for one’s wife can give time to produce better. If a wife were given time to strengthen her muscles after having C-section in order to have regular birth (and practice birth control in the meanwhile) she would be able to have more children in the long run… Should short-sightedness be the order of the day because of an absolute demand for no birth control? And who best to make this decision, but the husband and wife?
Additional Arguments
Abstinence is a form of birth control. Those who may not use lab produced methods of birth control are still practicing birth control. But who determines how much abstinence is birth control? Is there a measure of how often a man must have sex with his wife? Once per week…Five times? Then to take this command literally one must do a lot of work… Those who feel absolutely no birth control could be practiced at anytime must have the obligation for instance to keep a thermometer in his wife’s mouth each morning to know when she is ovulating. If he does not do so then he is practicing birth control because he is not making every effort in his power to promote having children.
The reason I have chosen to speak on this matter when I am principally against birth control is the kind of blanket statements that are thrown around as: gov’t should ban all birth control, birth control is evil, people who use birth-control don’t trust God.
A man who practices birth control (though probably on very few occasions) might be showing great compassion for his sick wife. (I firmly believe that most people practice birth control for selfish reasons. I am not addressing them.)
I recognize that most people use birth control because they are lazy, covetous, dishonoring parents, indifferent, selfish, not wanting to honor God, etc. And God judges sin. I also recognize that doctors often give false advice. We were asked six times whether we wanted to prevent having children when my wife was having our first born by C-section.
We must guard our tongues (and do we ever need this one), and work on our part of multiplying and filling the earth… And by the way, pray that we can be used by God for #3. We are being forced by God to learn patience.
Position Paper on Birth Control
Mitchell Persaud – e-mail discussion group.
I am in favor of no birth control in general. I will list what I believe to be the possible exceptions.
God called man to multiply and fill the earth. It is understood that to multiply and fill the earth (the whole scope of the command) is a greater thing than having children. Having and raising godly children is part of multiplying and filling the earth. If you have children and they are not raised rightly and die in their sins or die young because of lack of instruction or food, then you are not filling the earth…physically and spiritually.
How having children has become the greatest or only the focus of the command is anyone’s guess. Postmils have always argued for a spiritual dominion view– God’ news spreading to all men – not a physical multiplication resulting in dominion – though that is not denied as a means used to this end.
Note that the blessing/command of Genesis 9 - to Noah, implies not only Divine sovereignty, but also human responsibility. He must exercise his common sense, based on God’s Word, on how to fulfill the whole scope of the law. This is the same idea of Genesis 1:28 - Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
If the focus of the command is multi-faceted, then it must be approached that way. Having dominion over the animals, while not on the same level of having children, is part of the command. And witnessing and preaching are parts of having dominion. Working is part of the command in having dominion. But one does not have to witness and preach day and night – prayer does not have to be “without ceasing” physically. To do so is to ignore one’s wife and children…a greater responsibility. So with having children…if a greater responsibility (as dealing with your wife’s spiritual condition or physical condition) requires that you give up fulfilling part of the command to multiply and fill the earth, you should. It is a normal logical conclusion based on biblical presuppositions. The Scripture commands men to work: If a man does not work he should not eat. It does not give man the right to work and not have family worship with his children. And by reason of importance, if a man is unable to have family worship because of his job, he ought to be looking at other work, family worship being of greater importance.
A woman who finds herself sick (some of you know one with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and other complications) may not be able to have children or face incredible pain and danger in childbirth and in raising children. She might not be able to fulfill this part of the kingdom command even though she is married, but she might be able to pray for leaders and write to MP’s and give good help to other women. This is all part of having dominion mandate. If one were able to kill to protect life, why might one not be able to refrain from having children to protect life?
The Roman Catholic teaching that sex is only for procreation deny the Scripture that God’s first reason for giving man a wife was for companionship…It is not good for man to be alone. I Cor. 7:5 - Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.God also give woman to be a helper in his tasks.
More still, the children procreated in marriage are to be used for the purpose of having dominion over the earth…in all things…not just by having other children. If you don’t have the time, energy and other resources to do this, you might be keeping the law in one area but failing miserably in another. A wise preacher reminded me today that we should seek to have our quiver full but the arrows must be straight. Therefore, if the mother and father can’t physically fulfill their responsibility (of course this, like all other laws, are subject to fraud) then they are breaking another one of God’s law…not raising godly seed. They may only be able to have dominion over ten kids. If they are not able to rule fifteen, then they have caused more trouble in Xians having dominion over the earth because others have to be involved in raising their other five. (Life becomes busy for the elders and deacons.) God gives us many different gifts.
The wise preacher also said that the wife is compared to a vine. Psalm 128, I think. Jesus is pictured as the one who prunes the vine (the church) so it will produce more. I hope you can see the analogy. Spending time to prune and care for one’s wife can give time to produce better. If a wife were given time to strengthen her muscles after having C-section in order to have regular birth (and practice birth control in the meanwhile) she would be able to have more children in the long run… Should short-sightedness be the order of the day because of an absolute demand for no birth control? And who best to make this decision, but the husband and wife?
Additional Arguments
Abstinence is a form of birth control. Those who may not use lab produced methods of birth control are still practicing birth control. But who determines how much abstinence is birth control? Is there a measure of how often a man must have sex with his wife? Once per week…Five times? Then to take this command literally one must do a lot of work… Those who feel absolutely no birth control could be practiced at anytime must have the obligation for instance to keep a thermometer in his wife’s mouth each morning to know when she is ovulating. If he does not do so then he is practicing birth control because he is not making every effort in his power to promote having children.
The reason I have chosen to speak on this matter when I am principally against birth control is the kind of blanket statements that are thrown around as: gov’t should ban all birth control, birth control is evil, people who use birth-control don’t trust God.
A man who practices birth control (though probably on very few occasions) might be showing great compassion for his sick wife. (I firmly believe that most people practice birth control for selfish reasons. I am not addressing them.)
I recognize that most people use birth control because they are lazy, covetous, dishonoring parents, indifferent, selfish, not wanting to honor God, etc. And God judges sin. I also recognize that doctors often give false advice. We were asked six times whether we wanted to prevent having children when my wife was having our first born by C-section.
We must guard our tongues (and do we ever need this one), and work on our part of multiplying and filling the earth… And by the way, pray that we can be used by God for #3. We are being forced by God to learn patience.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Rants
Question and Answers :
I agree with you on what you wrote about. However, in reality, the real effect is that hyper-Calvinism does a lot of damage on the efforts of bringing unity in Christ's church, demonstrating Christian love towards each other despite our human-conditioned differences. I mean, on a concrete practice or implementation level.
While I agree that hyper-Calvinism does much damage, one cannot assume that the error of Arminianism is the balance. They are both wrong. But I would argue that Calvinism teaches much more of the grace of God than Arminianism does. (I was raised Arminian.) The Arminian is never fully taught the doctrine ofGod...only superficially...and therefore cannot understand his great love. If one does not see how just God is, he cannot appreciate the grace of Christ. If one does not see man is totally depraved he cannot appreciate the extent of Christ's love.
God's love is emphasized by this great justice. Love cannot be taught in a vacuum. This is a major weaknes of Arminian teaching. It puts too much emphasis on the ability of man. On the other hand, the hyper-Calvinist rob man of his responsibility to respond to God. To them, man is nothing short of being a robot.
The different emphasis or focus on various doctrines does have a great impact upon our literal implementation of practicing Christian love towards each other. Too much emphasis on God's election while negelecting God's love towards sinners (John 3:16) has no positive bearings over world evangelism and showing Christian love towards sinners. The existence of Arminism may have a positive effect in bringing this overbearings of Calvinism or hyper-Calvinism into Biblical balance.
My understanding is that, christianity is, first and most, through our faith and personal walk with God, knowing the unconditional love of God towards the underserved and then witnessing or domonstrating this kind of love towards other sinners.
While what you say here is abolutely true, one cannot know God's love unless one knows the nature of God. Christians cannot love each other until they know how and why God loves them. Love is of God and from God. As before, God's justice shows the greatness of his grace and mercy. When one compares the preaching and effects of Jonathan Edwards as opposed to John Wesley...one sees the difference. Both were powerful preachers of God's love...but one emphasized man's sinfulness. What some call "wisdom" in preaching by de-emphasizing the doctrine of God, actually weaken the converts. The converts have a greater view of himself and a lesser view of. Only faithful preaching will change that.
Without knowing and domonstrating this love of God towards each other, no man will come to have the right mind of God (sound doctrinces) and knowing that how God works His salvation towards us. In this sense, Wesley's deliberate emphasis on God's love towards sinners and Christian love towards each other rather than God's elections towards his Chosen, I believe, is appropriate. In terms of christian evangelism, a sinner must first come to know the love of God in christ and submit his mind to Christ in order that he might have the mind of Christ through the ongoing relationship with Christ and through the teacher of Holy Spirit .
Here I believe a Christian must first know God - the whole doctrine of God...not his love first. This is what moves him to submission and then receive God love.
I thank God for Calvin's contribution to Christian theology. However, I do not think that every Christian needs to become a Calvinist in order to be saved.
You are right, no one needs to become a "Calvinist" in order to be saved. There are many good Christians who are not Calvinist (like most of my family). I argue that the weakness of one who is not a Calvinist is he is not able to give God all the glory due to his name because he denies or does not know the greatness of Christ (unconditional election, irresistiblity of his grace, and preservation of the saints) and the full extent of man's sinfulness (total depravity).
In Christ's love.
Mitchell
Question and Answers :
I agree with you on what you wrote about. However, in reality, the real effect is that hyper-Calvinism does a lot of damage on the efforts of bringing unity in Christ's church, demonstrating Christian love towards each other despite our human-conditioned differences. I mean, on a concrete practice or implementation level.
While I agree that hyper-Calvinism does much damage, one cannot assume that the error of Arminianism is the balance. They are both wrong. But I would argue that Calvinism teaches much more of the grace of God than Arminianism does. (I was raised Arminian.) The Arminian is never fully taught the doctrine ofGod...only superficially...and therefore cannot understand his great love. If one does not see how just God is, he cannot appreciate the grace of Christ. If one does not see man is totally depraved he cannot appreciate the extent of Christ's love.
God's love is emphasized by this great justice. Love cannot be taught in a vacuum. This is a major weaknes of Arminian teaching. It puts too much emphasis on the ability of man. On the other hand, the hyper-Calvinist rob man of his responsibility to respond to God. To them, man is nothing short of being a robot.
The different emphasis or focus on various doctrines does have a great impact upon our literal implementation of practicing Christian love towards each other. Too much emphasis on God's election while negelecting God's love towards sinners (John 3:16) has no positive bearings over world evangelism and showing Christian love towards sinners. The existence of Arminism may have a positive effect in bringing this overbearings of Calvinism or hyper-Calvinism into Biblical balance.
My understanding is that, christianity is, first and most, through our faith and personal walk with God, knowing the unconditional love of God towards the underserved and then witnessing or domonstrating this kind of love towards other sinners.
While what you say here is abolutely true, one cannot know God's love unless one knows the nature of God. Christians cannot love each other until they know how and why God loves them. Love is of God and from God. As before, God's justice shows the greatness of his grace and mercy. When one compares the preaching and effects of Jonathan Edwards as opposed to John Wesley...one sees the difference. Both were powerful preachers of God's love...but one emphasized man's sinfulness. What some call "wisdom" in preaching by de-emphasizing the doctrine of God, actually weaken the converts. The converts have a greater view of himself and a lesser view of. Only faithful preaching will change that.
Without knowing and domonstrating this love of God towards each other, no man will come to have the right mind of God (sound doctrinces) and knowing that how God works His salvation towards us. In this sense, Wesley's deliberate emphasis on God's love towards sinners and Christian love towards each other rather than God's elections towards his Chosen, I believe, is appropriate. In terms of christian evangelism, a sinner must first come to know the love of God in christ and submit his mind to Christ in order that he might have the mind of Christ through the ongoing relationship with Christ and through the teacher of Holy Spirit .
Here I believe a Christian must first know God - the whole doctrine of God...not his love first. This is what moves him to submission and then receive God love.
I thank God for Calvin's contribution to Christian theology. However, I do not think that every Christian needs to become a Calvinist in order to be saved.
You are right, no one needs to become a "Calvinist" in order to be saved. There are many good Christians who are not Calvinist (like most of my family). I argue that the weakness of one who is not a Calvinist is he is not able to give God all the glory due to his name because he denies or does not know the greatness of Christ (unconditional election, irresistiblity of his grace, and preservation of the saints) and the full extent of man's sinfulness (total depravity).
In Christ's love.
Mitchell
Monday, August 28, 2006
Mission Boards and Committees: Danger
Introduction:
Southern Presbyterian scholar, James H. Thornwell (1812-1862), along with other Old School Presbyterians, were sharp critics of the model of missions they saw developing in their day. That new model relied on the use of Parachurch groups and denominational boards and committees to more and more carry out the role of missions. Thornwell was right in his condemnation of this dangerous practice that was neither Biblical nor efficient.
Today it seems that the church is reaping the benefits of rejecting the wisdom of men like Thornwell. The effects, however, have been felt for a long time. The church not only created committees and boards to run missions, but some denominations eventually went to independent mission boards. The church became separated from its command to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel.”
Dangers:
Thornwell, writing to Dr. Robert Jefferson Breckinridge (1800-1871) said: “I believe that the Boards will eventually prove our masters, unless they are crushed in their infancy. They are founded upon a radical misconception of the true nature and extent of ecclesiastical power; and they can only be defended, by running into the principle against which the Reformers protested...” In other words, Mission Boards would spread their claws everywhere.
There are also many practical dangers to mission boards. For example: Church boards tend toward the developing of a professional missionary cadre so everything on the mission field is designed to perpetuate the institution. Consequently there is less and less interest in aggressively training men for the ministry and turning the local congregations over to the nationals. More, in order to justify their existence, Mission Boards often need to pressure missionaries to produce results. Results make it possible to “sell” the missionary.
Historical:Historically, on his first missionary journey, Paul was sent out by the congregation at Antioch or possibly by a group of churches. He then reported to the church at Antioch upon completing his work. His home church was not an outside board, but the elders.
The first semblance of church boards, however, was organized when missionaries were sent out to meet and evangelize the barbarians after Constantine recognized the church. Later, during the time of the Reformation, the Reformers had to quickly consolidate their positions from the Roman Church, and then soon after had to battle with the Counter-Reformation. There was not a lot of time available to be given to mission strategies. The Roman Church won more converts in the pagan world than it lost in the Protestant Reformation.
Later, missionary societies developed amid the laziness and ignorance of the church. For example, when William Carey proposed at a ministerial meeting that they discuss the implications of the Great Commission, Dr. John C. Ryland retorted: "Young man, sit down. When God pleases to convert the heathen, He will do it without your aid or mine." Carey then worked for a mission board to do what the church was not doing - sending missionaries to foreign lands. And while mission board’s motives were good, their means of performing a task not delegated to them was erroneous.
These societies then set the stage for the American mission boards – both foreign and domestic. Here many mission boards were founded because the laity wanted to delegate that responsibility of sending missionaries. From these developed the Student Missionary Movement and groups such as Campus Crusade, etc. With no direct oversight of the local church, ill-equipped missionaries (often youths) were sent off to the mission field and quietly made a mess of things, compromising the Gospel. (Poor eschatology certainly promoted these missionaries as well.)
What is the answer to this problem? Thornwell’s answer is still valid today: “I am satisfied that there is a dangerous departure, in the present age of bustle, activity, and vain-glorious enterprise, from the simplicity of the institutions which Christ has established for the legitimate action of the Church. He has appointed one set of instrumentalities, and ordained one kind of agency in His kingdom; but we have made void his commandments, in order to establish our own inventions. I believe that the entire system of voluntary Societies and ecclesiastical Boards, for religious purposes is fundamentally wrong. The church, as organized by her Head, is competent to do all that he requires of her. He has furnished her with the necessary apparatus of means, officers, and institutions, in Sessions, Presbyteries, Elders, Pastors, and Evangelists…”
Congregations must know and assume their responsibilities for sending out missionaries. They, unlike the Mission Board, have a personal command from God and a personal knowledge of the man they send. If a congregation were too small, she should work with other congregations to supervise and support a missionary. On the other hand, Mission Boards must be abolished and repent for the trouble they have caused to the Lord’s Church. While the local Consistory can appoint committees to do some work in missions, spiritual oversight remains the work of the Consistory as a whole – as in our case in Scarborough. Thanks brothers for not putting me out of the church’s oversight! Watch me!
Introduction:
Southern Presbyterian scholar, James H. Thornwell (1812-1862), along with other Old School Presbyterians, were sharp critics of the model of missions they saw developing in their day. That new model relied on the use of Parachurch groups and denominational boards and committees to more and more carry out the role of missions. Thornwell was right in his condemnation of this dangerous practice that was neither Biblical nor efficient.
Today it seems that the church is reaping the benefits of rejecting the wisdom of men like Thornwell. The effects, however, have been felt for a long time. The church not only created committees and boards to run missions, but some denominations eventually went to independent mission boards. The church became separated from its command to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel.”
Dangers:
Thornwell, writing to Dr. Robert Jefferson Breckinridge (1800-1871) said: “I believe that the Boards will eventually prove our masters, unless they are crushed in their infancy. They are founded upon a radical misconception of the true nature and extent of ecclesiastical power; and they can only be defended, by running into the principle against which the Reformers protested...” In other words, Mission Boards would spread their claws everywhere.
There are also many practical dangers to mission boards. For example: Church boards tend toward the developing of a professional missionary cadre so everything on the mission field is designed to perpetuate the institution. Consequently there is less and less interest in aggressively training men for the ministry and turning the local congregations over to the nationals. More, in order to justify their existence, Mission Boards often need to pressure missionaries to produce results. Results make it possible to “sell” the missionary.
Historical:Historically, on his first missionary journey, Paul was sent out by the congregation at Antioch or possibly by a group of churches. He then reported to the church at Antioch upon completing his work. His home church was not an outside board, but the elders.
The first semblance of church boards, however, was organized when missionaries were sent out to meet and evangelize the barbarians after Constantine recognized the church. Later, during the time of the Reformation, the Reformers had to quickly consolidate their positions from the Roman Church, and then soon after had to battle with the Counter-Reformation. There was not a lot of time available to be given to mission strategies. The Roman Church won more converts in the pagan world than it lost in the Protestant Reformation.
Later, missionary societies developed amid the laziness and ignorance of the church. For example, when William Carey proposed at a ministerial meeting that they discuss the implications of the Great Commission, Dr. John C. Ryland retorted: "Young man, sit down. When God pleases to convert the heathen, He will do it without your aid or mine." Carey then worked for a mission board to do what the church was not doing - sending missionaries to foreign lands. And while mission board’s motives were good, their means of performing a task not delegated to them was erroneous.
These societies then set the stage for the American mission boards – both foreign and domestic. Here many mission boards were founded because the laity wanted to delegate that responsibility of sending missionaries. From these developed the Student Missionary Movement and groups such as Campus Crusade, etc. With no direct oversight of the local church, ill-equipped missionaries (often youths) were sent off to the mission field and quietly made a mess of things, compromising the Gospel. (Poor eschatology certainly promoted these missionaries as well.)
What is the answer to this problem? Thornwell’s answer is still valid today: “I am satisfied that there is a dangerous departure, in the present age of bustle, activity, and vain-glorious enterprise, from the simplicity of the institutions which Christ has established for the legitimate action of the Church. He has appointed one set of instrumentalities, and ordained one kind of agency in His kingdom; but we have made void his commandments, in order to establish our own inventions. I believe that the entire system of voluntary Societies and ecclesiastical Boards, for religious purposes is fundamentally wrong. The church, as organized by her Head, is competent to do all that he requires of her. He has furnished her with the necessary apparatus of means, officers, and institutions, in Sessions, Presbyteries, Elders, Pastors, and Evangelists…”
Congregations must know and assume their responsibilities for sending out missionaries. They, unlike the Mission Board, have a personal command from God and a personal knowledge of the man they send. If a congregation were too small, she should work with other congregations to supervise and support a missionary. On the other hand, Mission Boards must be abolished and repent for the trouble they have caused to the Lord’s Church. While the local Consistory can appoint committees to do some work in missions, spiritual oversight remains the work of the Consistory as a whole – as in our case in Scarborough. Thanks brothers for not putting me out of the church’s oversight! Watch me!
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