tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66896673708826071292024-03-13T10:13:41.479-07:00Reclaiming the FaithBringing to light the beliefs of the earliest followers of JesusPhil Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070932654089603927noreply@blogger.comBlogger199125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689667370882607129.post-20840432435699792162017-08-06T12:25:00.002-07:002023-07-09T19:03:09.206-07:00Transition Time<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">For about a
year or so, I’ve been feeling like God has been leading me to take the concept of my weekly blog and transition it into a podcast. At first, that didn’t seem possible due to the fact that when my
wife and I adopted our two kiddos, I gave up my “music room”, and thus lost a
space to record. However, now that we’ve moved into a more spacious home, I’ve
got my home studio space back. No more excuses. </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWE9Q4eewSH2xwQx1NXo_FkaRnT8Vp_xHUm9ey9MkOS0ZNnFV1rAWZ67geOgqLsjv9qSA4PP9WCBSL-CNOcmqsbtv6_tbUBJjQL_Z26V9a6EUsQw1DHpeTyT9dwgGN7pyONqkP0cbR71p/s1600/podcast.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWE9Q4eewSH2xwQx1NXo_FkaRnT8Vp_xHUm9ey9MkOS0ZNnFV1rAWZ67geOgqLsjv9qSA4PP9WCBSL-CNOcmqsbtv6_tbUBJjQL_Z26V9a6EUsQw1DHpeTyT9dwgGN7pyONqkP0cbR71p/s320/podcast.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Like my
blog, the podcast will be called <a href="http://reclaimingthefaith.podbean.com/">Reclaiming the Faith</a>, but not because I
believe I have the corner on the truth. The reason it’s called Reclaiming the
Faith is that I want to bring to light the beliefs, values and practices of the
earliest Christians, which are often neglected by Bible colleges, Christian universities and seminaries.
However, to make things a little more listener-friendly, my overarching mission is to
demonstrate through these writings how the early Christians would respond to the
core issues facing us today. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">At first, while I’m still getting the hang of things, I plan
on posting every other Tuesday. Next week, you’ll be able to find it on iTunes or at the <a href="http://reclaimingthefaith.podbean.com/">main site</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Thanks so much for listening! And if you have a minute,
please rate and review the podcast next week when the first episode goes up. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Grace
and peace!</span></span><!--EndFragment-->
Phil Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070932654089603927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689667370882607129.post-28769654191577211562017-07-30T18:20:00.002-07:002020-01-23T07:09:30.049-08:00The Faith Once Delivered & Joseph Smith<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">My wife and I recently moved into a neighborhood where several Mormon
families live. I really like Mormon people, and you should too. They are some
of the most friendly and sincere folks you’ll come across. </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;">However, engaging in dialogues with them about Jesus can be a little
tricky. You see, Mormons talk just like Christians. They use the same Christianese
words and phrases as we do, and quote some of the same standard Bible verses
that we have memorized. But although they may be using similar words, they have different definitions for those words. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;">For instance, according to Mormons, “Heavenly Father” (also known as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Elohim</i>) used to be a physical man like
J. J. Watt. He died a physical death and was exalted to godhood where he had
endless celestial sex with his many spiritual wives and produced countless
spiritual offspring. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;">You will hear Mormons say that the only way to salvation is through
Jesus Christ. They also believe it is by grace through faith we are saved.
However, their own prophets say that we are saved by grace… after all we can
do. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;">To Mormons, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Elohim</i> (one of the
Hebrew words for God) is just one of a plethora of actual gods, and though he
is the only god they worship, he is neither the first nor the last actual god. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Elohim’s</i> first created spiritual offspring
was Jesus, and one of his next was Lucifer, thus making Jesus and Lucifer
brothers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;">I could
go on an on about their doctrine, but you’re probably wondering who came up with
this belief system. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;">Joseph Smith founded the Mormon faith in the 1820s. He believed that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Elohim</i> manifested himself in a vision,
telling Joseph to not join any of the standard churches. According to Smith, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Elohim</i> said that all of the Christian denominations
had fallen from the path, their creeds were an abomination, and their
professors (the Christians) were all corrupt. Also, the Bible was missing many
plain and precious things. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;">If one is to trust Joseph Smith, God restored both His true revelation of
the gospel and the correct translation and interpretation of the Scriptures in
the 1800s. Thus, if we are to believe Joseph Smith, God cannot preserve His own
Scriptures, Jesus’ words did pass away, and the faith once and for all time
delivered to the Church by the apostles under the inspiration of the Holy
Spirit was corrupted in its infant stages. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;">But are
those beliefs accurate? Did the Church mutilate the gospel immediately after
receiving it from the Apostles? <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;">First, we have thousands of Greek New Testament manuscripts from the
first few centuries. Our modern word-for-word translations are not translated
from earlier English translations or even Latin translations. Our modern
word-for-word Bibles (Like the NASB and ESV) are translated directly from those
earliest Greek manuscripts. You can absolutely trust that these types of Bibles
are giving you the words that the Holy Spirit originally breathed out. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;">However, some may argue that the proper interpretations of the
Scriptures became corrupted. This is where the earliest Christian writings
particularly display their value. For instance, Polycarp was the Bishop of
Smyrna in the early 2<sup>nd</sup> century, and a personal disciple of John the
Apostle. His testimony, therefore, provides us with a unique window into the
teaching and legacy of the Apostles. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;">So, what
does Polycarp have to say about the faith handed down to him from the Apostles?
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">If we entreat the Lord to forgive us, we ought also to forgive
others;<span style="mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;"> </span>for
we are before the eyes of our Lord and God, and “we must all appear at the judgment-seat
of Christ.” … Let us then serve Him in fear, and with all reverence, even as He
Himself has commanded us, and as the apostles who preached the Gospel unto us,
and the prophets who proclaimed beforehand the coming of the Lord [have alike
taught us]. …<span style="mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;"> </span>Wherefore,
forsaking the vanity of many, and their false doctrines, let us return to the
word which has been handed down to us from<span style="mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;"> </span>the beginning. … Let us then
continually persevere in our hope, and the earnest of our righteousness, which
is Jesus Christ, “who bore our sins in His own body on the tree,”<span style="mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;"> </span>“who did no
sin, neither was guile found in His mouth,”<span style="mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;"> </span>but endured all things for us, that we
might live in Him.<span style="mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;"> </span>Let us then be imitators of His patience; and if we suffer<span style="mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;"> </span>for His
name’s sake, let us glorify Him.<span style="mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;"> </span>For He has set us this example<span style="mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;"> </span>in Himself,
and we have believed that such is the case.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> – Polycarp
125CE, ANF Volume 1, p. 60-61 [CD-ROM]</span><span style="font-family: "times";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;">According to Polycarp, the faith that was handed down to the
Church once for all by the Apostles was first and foremost to make the Lord God
Jesus Christ our beginning and end point. We start with Him and we end with
Him. He is our righteous example. No one else. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;">Mormons may say they are
Christians, but they clearly don’t worship the same heavenly Father as we do.
They may say believe the gospel, but they obviously have a different
understanding of salvation. They say they believe in Jesus, but they don’t
believe He is the one true God. They are often very good people, but Joseph
Smith, not Jesus, is their example.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;"><br /></span></div>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;">What about you? Is
the Lord God Jesus Christ honestly your example for righteous living? Do you
believe in the faith once delivered?</span></span><!--EndFragment-->
Phil Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070932654089603927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689667370882607129.post-25587589420431600982017-07-23T20:27:00.000-07:002017-07-24T06:06:17.248-07:00Giving Keys to Thieves<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">After church one day a few years ago, a solid Christian woman began to be overcome with feelings of extreme
sadness. A few of us, my wife included, went with her into a room to intercede for
her away from the crowds. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">As we prayed, a demonic
presence appeared to manifest. She started to growl, drool and
claw at the floor like a wild animal. Honestly, I was kind of freaked out. Though we eventually saw her receive
deliverance from the evil spirit, within a few weeks it happened again. When I got a call about her experiencing her third bout with the demon, I
sensed God telling me to ask her if she had been harboring bitterness and
resentment toward a certain family member. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Unfortunately, this is not the only time I
have ministered to brothers and sisters in Christ where prolonged bitterness and an unwillingness to forgive allowed evil spirits to have their
oppressive way. Sometimes these Christians heard audible, evil, and berating
voices, and one believer even heard voices telling him to do harmful, malevolent things
to others.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">In <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ephesians
4:26-27</b>, Paul makes sense of this situation. He writes, “<i>Be angry, and
yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the
devil an opportunity.” </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Th</span>e
word translated “opportunity” in this <a href="http://biblehub.com/interlinear/ephesians/4-27.htm">verse</a> (<i><a href="http://biblehub.com/greek/5117.htm">topon</a></i>) has a lexical range
that includes “place,” “region,” “seat,” and “opportunity.”<span style="mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;"> </span>Jesus says in
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John 14:2</b> that He is going to God
the Father to prepare a <i>topon</i>, a dwelling place, for His disciples. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">So basically, remaining bitter with
someone and refusing to forgive him or her is like handing a thief the key to
our house. Specifically, Paul tells us this thief is the devil, and the house
for which the key is made is our body. To be sure, handing over the key to our
house is not the same as signing over the deed to that person. Just because
someone has a key to our house does not mean he or she owns it. We still own
the house. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6hI6hxg_NbTGcKmHTt0K95ER3zXTXUAgyWyBy97Iz-D1EjDr5BZbZOoJR4qQJ8zsJ95fV9lUFYI0jcdpP7EduVblT5tC9XMZ9QUBU4M07-g42rNGin20sYPkxmWFxPleF3H2JvCxEhRF/s1600/thief.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6hI6hxg_NbTGcKmHTt0K95ER3zXTXUAgyWyBy97Iz-D1EjDr5BZbZOoJR4qQJ8zsJ95fV9lUFYI0jcdpP7EduVblT5tC9XMZ9QUBU4M07-g42rNGin20sYPkxmWFxPleF3H2JvCxEhRF/s320/thief.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">If you have been born again, God hasbought you with a price and your body has become the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+cor+6%3A19-20&version=NASB">temple of the Holy Spirit</a>.
The devil cannot own or possess something that is owned or possessed by God.
However, if you have given away the key to your house to him, he has the
ability to cause much damage to your life. Again, as Jesus said, <i>“The thief
comes only to steal and kill and destroy” </i>(<b>John 10:10</b>). Knowing this, why
would you willingly give the key to your house to the thief? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Though what you just read may be outside of your tradition, the
early Christians affirmed that unrepentant Christians can be oppressed and
demonized by evil spirits.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">Holy Scripture teaches us that there are certain invisible enemies
that fight against us. And it commands us to arm ourselves against them. … We
receive certain initial elements and (as it were) seeds of sins from those things
that we use agreeably to nature. However, when we have indulged them beyond
what is proper and have not resisted the first movements to intemperance, then
the hostile powers size the occasion of this first transgression. They incite
and press us hard in every way. They seek to extend our sins over a wider
field.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> – Origen 225CE, ANF Volume 4, p.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>[CD-ROM]<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Thankfully, all of the individuals
experienced full and lasting deliverance once they repented of the sins of bitterness
and unforgiveness. They experienced the Spirit of God cast the evil spirits out from their bodies through the power, authority, name and blood of Jesus
Christ. These Christians felt incredible spiritual and physical relief as a
result of the repentance and deliverance that had taken place. One of them was
finally able to start having a full night’s sleep after roughly two decades of
restlessness. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">What about you? Has a root of bitterness been allowed to run deep in
your life for too long? Is there someone you need to forgive? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Today is the day for
reconciliation. Today is the day for freedom. Today is the day to reclaim the
keys of your house.</span></span><!--EndFragment-->
Phil Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070932654089603927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689667370882607129.post-19542088991817997932017-07-16T18:49:00.003-07:002017-07-17T05:50:38.288-07:00What I Didn’t Learn in Seminary<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">I’m so grateful that I was able to do my undergraduate
work at a Christian university. It was there that I truly developed a love for
the Scriptures and a passion to impact the world for Christ. I’m also thankful
for being able to graduate from Seminary, and for the many practical
ministerial lessons I learned there. </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnHjRPKqb5BOZ0H58mTL6CEOUF0KJCPnFE6e_2zMvJuF1Kw2zS1casY92DGdtbyGkMvSw6UCDOXJM2c31i9DWx6WTFCBccPiTyst-zbku8GOHbK7c93ss4r3xtH41zXZ5QFJM7dThB99e/s1600/houston_baptist_univ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="1023" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnHjRPKqb5BOZ0H58mTL6CEOUF0KJCPnFE6e_2zMvJuF1Kw2zS1casY92DGdtbyGkMvSw6UCDOXJM2c31i9DWx6WTFCBccPiTyst-zbku8GOHbK7c93ss4r3xtH41zXZ5QFJM7dThB99e/s320/houston_baptist_univ.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">However, even though I was blessed with a wonderful
traditional Christian education and graced with many brilliant professors, I
feel like the <a href="https://www.scrollpublishing.com/store/more-CD-ANF.html">writings of the earliest Christians</a> have deepened my faith far
more than anything I was exposed to in the classroom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">To be fair, we did learn about a few of the major Gnostic
heresies during the Ante-Nicene period such as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcionism">Marcionism</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentinianism">Valentinianism</a> and
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manichaeism">Manichaeism</a>. However, it was basically implied that real orthodox Christianity
began to take root with the 5th century teachings of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustine_of_Hippo#Christian_conversion_and_priesthood">St. Augustine</a> (who spent his early years as a
Manichaean before converting to Christianity). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">I have encountered many believers who experienced the
same carefully shaped version of Christian history in Bible college or seminary
as I did. We were informed of the heresies the earliest Christians stood
against, but despite the vast amount of Ante-Nicene writings available to be
studied, we were neither exposed to them, not taught what the earliest
Christians actually stood for. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">So, for the remainder of this blog, I’m going to provide
you with a few testimonies from the early Christians that led me to begin
questioning my previously held spiritual worldview. Each of these testimonies
are from apologetic-type works, with the authors describing the actions of
Christians around the entire known world at the time. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">As you read these excerpts, I’d like for you to ask yourself
this question: Why? Why are testimonies like these rarely being taught to
the up-and-coming pastors, professors and leaders of Christendom? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Justin
Martyr on Christians and Violence in 160CE:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">We who were filled with
war, and mutual slaughter, and every wickedness, have each through the whole
earth changed our warlike weapons, — our swords into ploughshares, and our
spears into implements of tillage, — and we cultivate piety, righteousness,
philanthropy, faith, and hope, which we have from the Father Himself through
Him who was crucified…<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Now it is
evident that no one can terrify or subdue us who have believed in Jesus over
all the world. For it is plain that, though beheaded, and crucified, and thrown
to wild beasts, and chains, and fire, and all other kinds of torture, we do not
give up our confession; but the more such things happen, the more do others and
in larger numbers become faithful, and worshippers of God through the name of
Jesus. For just as if one should cut away the fruit-bearing parts of a vine, it
grows up again, and yields other branches flourishing and fruitful; even so the
same thing happens with us.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> – Justin Martyr 160CE, ANF Volume 1, p. 413 [CD-ROM]<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Irenaeus
on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in 180CE:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">Those
who are truly His disciples, receiving grace from Him, … perform [works] in His
name, in order to promote the welfare of others, according to the gift that
each one has received from Him.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">Some
truly and certainly cast out devils. The result is that those who have been
cleansed from evil spirits frequently both believe and join themselves to the Church.
Others have foreknowledge of things to come. They see visions, and they utter
prophetic expressions. Still others heal the sick by laying their hands upon
them, and the sick are made whole. What is more, as I have said, even the dead
have been raised up and remained among us for many years.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">… It is not possible to name the number of
the gifts which the Church throughout the whole world has received from God, in
the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and which she
exerts day by day for the benefit of the Gentiles, neither practicing deception
upon any, nor taking any reward from them.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> – Irenaeus 180CE, ANF
Volume 1, p. 676 [CD-ROM]<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Tertullian on Christians and Government in 197CE:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">As those in whom all zeal in the pursuit of
glory and honor is dead, we have no pressing inducement to take part in your
public meetings; nor is there anything at all more entirely foreign to us than
affairs of state. … </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">If, also, Jesus exercised no right of power even over His own
followers, to whom He discharged menial ministry; if, in short, though
conscious of His own kingdom, He shrank back from being made a king, He in the
fullest manner gave His own an example for turning coldly from all the pride
and garb, as well of dignity as of power. For if they were to be used, who
would rather have used them than the Son of God? What kind and what number of
weapons would escort Him? What kind of purple would bloom from His shoulders?
What kind of gold would beam from His head, had He not judged the glory of the
world to be alien both to Himself and to His? Therefore what He was unwilling
to accept, He has rejected; what He rejected, He has condemned; what He
condemned, He has counted as part of the devil’s pomp.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">–
Tertullian 197CE, ANF Vol. 3, p. 67, 110 [CD-ROM]</span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">So,
what do you think? What could be some of the reasons that testimonies like
these are rarely being taught to the up-and-coming pastors, professors and
leaders of Christendom?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">As I mentioned earlier, these are just a few of the <a href="https://www.scrollpublishing.com/store/more-dictionary.html">subjects written about by the earliest Christians</a> that began to cause shifts in my
spiritual worldview. It can be scary when our worldviews are shaken; I know
from experience. However, I’m so thankful that it happened. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The early Christians taught me to take Jesus more simply
and seriously than I ever did before. They inspired me to believe with much
more fervency that the same Holy Spirit who indwelt and empowered the Apostles
still transforms and enables Christians today to walk as Jesus walked. They
challenged me to trust more fully in God as my protector and avenger, and to
more passionately wage war against the forces of darkness with the divine
weapons graced to us by our Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">If
you’d like to read more about my journey with Christ and how the testimony of
the earliest Christians has been affecting my approach toward so many areas of
life, please check out <a href="https://www.amazon.com/New-Wineskins-Simple-Words-Christ/dp/1940269792">my book</a>. Also, perhaps the best way to get introduced to the beliefs and practices of the Ante-Nicene Christians is to invest in <a href="https://www.scrollpublishing.com/store/more-dictionary.html">The Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs</a>. I recommend the hard copy, as it has proved much more user-friendly when navigating from topic to topic than the digital version. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Seminary was definitely a blessing for me, but
it’s what I didn’t learn in seminary that totally changed the course of my
life. </span></span><!--EndFragment-->Phil Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070932654089603927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689667370882607129.post-47451266568629004432017-07-09T19:34:00.001-07:002017-07-10T13:12:19.587-07:00Come Out of Babylon<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">A recent
<a href="http://www.people-press.org/2017/06/26/support-for-same-sex-marriage-grows-even-among-groups-that-had-been-skeptical/">Pew Research Center survey</a> revealed that over the last ten years </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">support for same sex-marriage among white Evangelicals in
America has more than doubled. In 2007, only 14% of white Evangelicals
supported marriage between homosexuals, but that number has now grown to 34%.
If you were born after 1964, the total rises to 47%.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">So,
what could be behind this massive and drastic shift in Evangelicalism? <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">In 2015, former US House Majority Leader <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUhoTzJ5Rvc">Tom Delay</a>
revealed he and others saw a memo stating that the Justice Department had been
seeking to legalize 12 new perversions such as bestiality and pedophilia. He
also stated that the memo told of strategies the Justice Department was
planning to employ to manipulate the Church. That may sound farfetched to some
reading this, but actually, it's nothing new. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Bailey">Alice Bailey</a> is one of the most influential people you
may have never heard of. One of the main proponents of the New Age movement,
she and her husband founded Lucifer Publishing Company in 1922, later changing
the name to Lucis Trust. <a href="https://www.lucistrust.org/about_us/support_un">Lucis Trust</a> has been a consultant for the
United Nations for many decades. Additionally, Alice Bailey wrote a <a href="http://alabamatruth.com/the-10-point-charter-by-alice-bailey/">10 point plan</a>
outlining how to replace a society’s Biblical worldview with one that would be
more fitting for the <a href="https://amos37.com/abna2/">New Age’s christ</a>, or what we Christians would refer to as
the Antichrist.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">As
you read the <a href="http://battlecryforchrist.blogspot.com/2013/12/alice-baileys-10-point-plan.html">10 points</a>, ask yourself if you can see the world being shepherded
toward their fulfillment. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">1. Take God and prayer out of the
education system.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">2. Reduce parental authority over the
children.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">3. Destroy the Judeo-Christian family
structure or the traditional Christian family structure.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">4. If sex is free, then make abortion
legal and make it easy.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">5. Make divorce legal and easy, free
people from the concept of marriage for life.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">6. Make homosexuality an alternative
lifestyle.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">7. Debase art, make it run mad.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">8. Use media to promote and change
mindset</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">9. Create an interfaith movement.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">10. Get governments to make all these (points) law and
get the Church to endorse these changes.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="background-color: black;">I
understand that most peo</span><span style="background-color: black;">ple don’t like to think about </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+2%3A1-3&version=NASB" style="background-color: black;">nefarious forces conspiring together to destroy the Church</a><span style="background-color: black;">. However, if you think about it
biblically, Satan has been conspiring with his followers against the Lord and
His people for quite a long time. And though we teach our children songs like
</span><i style="background-color: black;">This Is My Father’s World</i><span style="background-color: black;">, the Scriptures provide us with a spiritual worldview
that’s a bit more complex. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Yes, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+24%3A1-2&version=NASB">Psalm 24</a> does teach us that the earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it because He
created it. On the other hand, three times Jesus refers to Satan as the “ruler
(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">arche</i>) of this world.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Pastor and <a href="http://reknew.org/2008/01/satan-government-and-christian-anarchy/">Greg Boyd</a> writes this
about our adversary:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="selectionshareable" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">An<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">arche</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>referred to the highest ruling
authority (the “boss”) in any particular region. Satan is also referred as the
“the god of this age” and “the principality and power of the air” (2 Cor. 4:4;
Eph. 2:2). And John goes so far as to claim that, “The<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">whole
world<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span>lies under the power
of the evil one” (1 Jn. 5:19). If the whole world is under the power of the
evil one, it hardly seems Satan was exaggerating in claiming all government was
under his power (Lk. 4:5-7).<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="selectionshareable" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="selectionshareable" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">Not
only this, but Satan is referred to as “the destroyer” who “deceives the
nations” (Rev. 9:11; 20:3, 8 cf. 13:14). All earthly governments are depicted
as belonging to a single Kingdom that is under Satan’s rule but which is now
being delivered over to Jesus (Rev. 11:15). Consistent with this, scholars
agree that “Babylon” in Revelation symbolizes earthly government under Satan’s
authority. Babylon rules “all nations,” all of which are “deceived” by her
“sorcery,” which appears to be the deceptive lure of power.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYaJp8RA_dXNCwwqlvwuJln8lk56h6PU2nmOLQhgG8ypMRDt1tqs1FbcggA9l9fLHI8VtKirlQzFGHBMRF-GxqKmrySYxULh4jUaoVrT-a9q7KuoKoy0n0MDRGf6-zQPe2AXOLj1mbWqU/s1600/Babel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="750" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYaJp8RA_dXNCwwqlvwuJln8lk56h6PU2nmOLQhgG8ypMRDt1tqs1FbcggA9l9fLHI8VtKirlQzFGHBMRF-GxqKmrySYxULh4jUaoVrT-a9q7KuoKoy0n0MDRGf6-zQPe2AXOLj1mbWqU/s320/Babel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The early Christians did not shy away from the
topics of Babylon, her deceptive allure, and the Church’s need to come out of
her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">A voice is heard from
heaven, forewarning what is becoming for the servants of God to do, saying,
“Come out of her, my people, that you will not partake of her sins, and that you will not receive her plagues.”<span style="mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;"> </span>He who goes out and departs
does not become a partaker of the guilt; but he will be wounded with the
plagues who is found a companion in the crime. … A blind love of one’s own
property has deceived many; nor could they be prepared for, or at ease in,
departing when their wealth fettered them like a chain. … But how can they
follow Christ, who are held back by the chain of their wealth? Or how can they
seek heaven, and climb to sublime and lofty heights, who are weighed down by
earthly desires? They think that they possess, when they are rather possessed;
as slaves of their profit, and not lords with respect to their own money, but
rather the bond-slaves of their money. These times and these men are indicated
by the apostle, when he says, “But they that will be rich, fall into
temptation, and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown
men in destruction and in perdition.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> – </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Cyprian 250CE, ANF Volume 5, p. 769-770 [CD-ROM]<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">By putting this research together,
we can begin to determine a few key factors that have contributed to the
Church’s compromising position on gay marriage.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">First, though
it may be hard to admit, we have been getting played by the State. The Babylon
system has been slowly and cunningly shepherding us to actually choose this
perverse path for ourselves, just like the way many cognitive psychologists often work
their patients. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Second,
the king of the Babylon system has slyly convinced an enormous segment of the
American Church that the King of kings got it wrong on homosexuality. And it’s
no wonder, considering that most of our must-watch TV programs are hell-bent on
promoting homosexuality. All the while, around <a href="http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/04/14/5-facts-on-how-americans-view-the-bible-and-other-religious-texts/">60% of American Christians</a> don’t consider
reading the Bible (<a href="http://reclaimingthefaith.blogspot.com/2017/05/love-wins-and-jesus.html">which from Genesis to Revelation speaks against homosexuality</a>) an essential part of being a Christian. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Finally,
as the Apostle Paul wrote, the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Jesus
said our heart is where our treasure is, and unfortunately, many churches have given
their hearts away to Babylon out of a fear of losing earthly treasure. When <a href="http://thetruthwins.com/archives/the-fastest-growing-religion-in-america-is-witchcraft">Wicca</a> is
said to be the fastest growing religion in the United States, you know the
Church has issues. Unfortunately, many churches have respond to this lack of interest
by seeking to become just like the world. Instead of seeking to be distinct from Babylon, many of us have gone full Nimrod to keep our mini towers of Babel in
operation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">If we want to see homosexuals or anyone else
come to Christ, compromising the truth will not get them there. Changing the
gospel won’t get them there. The Holy Spirit brings people to Jesus, and He has
come to <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+16%3A7-11&version=NASB">convict the world concerning sin, righteousness and judgment</a>. So let’s <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+18%3A1-8&version=NASB">come out of Babylon</a>, return to our first love and allow Him to do His job through a pure and holy Church. </span></span><!--EndFragment-->Phil Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070932654089603927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689667370882607129.post-3713456829484110042017-07-02T17:42:00.002-07:002017-07-03T06:06:42.646-07:00September 23, 2017 – Homecoming or Ho Hum?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">For the <a href="http://thephaser.com/2016/08/pope-francis-to-proclaim-lucifer-as-god-of-one-world-religion-on-september-23-2016/">second year in a row</a>, certain Christians have
been predicting that major, world-changing events will take place on my son’s
birthday. It has to be a bit of a bummer when you want to celebrate but folks around
you are forecasting apocalyptic-type events for your big day. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">A growing number of Christians have been rallying
behind the belief that a secret rapture of the Church is going to occur on
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PFY6CNgsso">September 23, 2017</a>. They believe this event will then kick off a seven-year tribulation
period, which will ultimately culminate with Jesus’ visible return. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">I have to admit; the folks that have been working on this theory have done <a href="http://watchfortheday.org/index.html">a ton of research</a>. Hundreds of hours must have been spent putting all of this stuff together. And to be honest, some of it is
impressive.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The theory, though, totally hinges on the
doctrine of imminence. The modern doctrine of imminence basically states that Jesus
will secretly rapture His Church without any signs preceding this event, and
then the Great Tribulation will begin. Many Baptist seminaries teach this
doctrine, and I used believe it as well. It’s become a very popular teaching
over the last 150 years, and I admit that aspects of it are quite appealing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">However,
please consider that understanding of imminence in light of Jesus’ parable of
the fig tree in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+24&version=NASB">Matthew 24</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Jesus also told His disciples, <i>“Now learn the parable
from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its
leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see <u>all these
things</u>, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you,
this generation will not pass away until all these things take place </i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(Matthew 24:32-34)</b>.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Jesus said that when we see <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all these things</i>, we will know His return is imminent. So,
what are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all these things</i> that He
referenced earlier in the chapter? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">v<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">Vs
10) A great apostasy occurs within the Church. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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15) The Antichrist sets himself up in temple of God declaring himself to be
above God. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">v<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">Vs
21) There is a great tribulation like never before in history. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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24) False Christs and false prophets do remarkable signs and wonders to mislead
the elect.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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29) The sun is darkened.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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29) The moon doesn’t give its light.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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29) Stars fall from the sky and the powers of the heavens are shaken.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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30) THEN, all the tribes of the earth mourn when they see the Son of Man coming
in clouds with power and great glory like lightning flashing from one end of
the sky to the other. He appears with a great trumpet blast to gather His
people to Himself. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">Peter affirmed the simple words of Christ in his first
sermon on the day of Pentecost. Quoting the Lord God in the book of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joel+2%3A28-32&version=NASB">Joel</a></b>, he proclaimed, “</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">And I will grant wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth
below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. The sun will be turned into
darkness and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord
shall come <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(Acts 2:19-20)</b>.”</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">According to Peter and Jesus, before the day
of the Lord, the sun will be darkened and the moon will look like blood. We
should be looking for these signs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Paul
adds his witness against the modern understanding of imminence in 2
Thessalonians 2:1, 3-4, writing that Jesus’ return and our being gathered to
Him will not occur until after the great apostasy and the Antichrist is
revealed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">Now we request you,
brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering
together to Him… </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will
not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is
revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every
so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of
God, displaying himself as being God. </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Like
Paul and Jesus, the early Christian writers overwhelmingly affirmed that the
Church would remain on earth while the Antichrist was bringing tribulation upon
Christians. Here are just a few examples:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">He
shall come from heaven with glory, when the man of apostasy, who speaks strange
things against the Most High, will venture to do unlawful deeds on earth
against us Christians.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> – Justin Martyr 160CE, ANF Volume 1,
p. 413 [CD-ROM]<span style="mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">He will cause all those
who will not worship the image of the beast to be put to death. Here the faith
and the patience of the saints will appear, for he says: “And he will cause
all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in
their right hand or in their forehead; that no man might buy or sell without
having the mark, the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” For, being
full of guile, and exalting himself against the servants of God, with the wish
to afflict them and persecute them out of the world, because they give not
glory to him, </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">he
will order censers to be set up by everyone, everywhere, so that no one among
the saints may be able to buy or sell without first sacrificing. </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">–
Hippolytus 200CE, ANF Volume 5, p. 382 [CD-ROM]</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">The
Antichrist, when he begins to come, will not be allowed to enter into the church
just because he threatens. We will not yield to his arms and violence, even
though he declares he will destroy us if we resist. . . . The Antichrist is
coming. Yet, above him, comes Christ also. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">The enemy
goes about and rages, but immediately the Lord follows to avenge our sufferings
and our wounds.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> – Cyprian </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">250CE, ANF Volume 5, p. 613, 619 [CD-ROM]</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The testimony of the earliest Christians is that we are
going through the Great Tribulation. We will be around while the Antichrist is
wreaking havoc on us and on the earth. Many Christians will fall away. Though
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=rev+12%3A7-17&version=NASB">we will experience the wrath of Satan and the Antichrist</a>, true believers who
persevere will not experience the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thess+5%3A1-10&version=NASB">wrath of God</a>. Jesus will come for us<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev+11%3A15-19&version=NASB"> just before</a> He pours His <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev+16&version=NASB">bowls of wrath</a> out upon the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">That is the overwhelming
testimony of the earliest Christians. Now, it is possible that they could have been
mistaken. It’s possible that at any moment, even on 9/23/17, without any signs
or warnings, there will be a secret rapture of the Church that will usher in
the Great Tribulation. But which is more prudent to prepare for? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">Hurricane
season is rapidly approaching in Houston, TX. In my lifetime, some have hit
close to home, and some have been all bark and no bite. That being said, anyone
who has been a Houstonian as long as I have knows that you prepare for the
worst but hope for the best. Perhaps we should take the same approach to the
Great Tribulation as we hold fast to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/New-Wineskins-Simple-Words-Christ/dp/1940269792">the simple words of Christ</a>.</span><!--EndFragment--> </span></span>Phil Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070932654089603927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689667370882607129.post-90206335935522323902017-06-25T19:42:00.000-07:002017-06-26T07:01:41.825-07:00The Pope and the Paraclete<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">The most
current self-proclaimed Vicar of Christ has been making the news again. <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/06/11/in-major-smackdown-pope-francis-threatens-renegade-african-priests-demanding-total-obedience/">Pope Francis</a> recently wrote a <a href="http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/06/10/pope_receives_delegation_from_nigerian_diocese_of_ahiara/1318206">scathing letter</a> to a few tenacious African priests who
rejected the papal appointment of their local bishop. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAXHUQ5IGvHZV_NKli1yB0NXcgwL10beX3WyHJ6sEwF4-f4b7jL8XtFlYoD9P__ok0paoeERdKksxKrFCrV_IpHsa_ZLTE1eF3HS4T3a4mDn1Hki163XF4v64eag7pEe9h3BYXU8I0PTX/s1600/pope-francis-stare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="460" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAXHUQ5IGvHZV_NKli1yB0NXcgwL10beX3WyHJ6sEwF4-f4b7jL8XtFlYoD9P__ok0paoeERdKksxKrFCrV_IpHsa_ZLTE1eF3HS4T3a4mDn1Hki163XF4v64eag7pEe9h3BYXU8I0PTX/s320/pope-francis-stare.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Francis
compared the actions of these priests to the “murderous tenants” in Jesus’
parable of the vineyard, and declared their disobedience to his directives a
“mortal sin”. To regain proper standing, the priests
must first write a letter of apology, seeking the forgiveness of the Pope. And
second, they must clearly manifest total obedience to him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Do these
actions of Pope Francis shock you? What about <a href="http://reclaimingthefaith.blogspot.com/2016/10/simply-jesus-pt-31-why-do-you-call-me.html">the time he said</a> that trying to
convince nonchristians to convert to faith in Christ is an illicit poison? Or
<a href="http://reclaimingthefaith.blogspot.com/2016/10/simply-jesus-pt-31-why-do-you-call-me.html">when he declared</a> that one of the ten secrets to a happy life is to not
proselytize? And finally, what about <a href="http://reclaimingthefaith.blogspot.com/2016/07/simply-jesus-pt-6-i-am-way-truth-and.html">the article he wrote in 2013</a> stating that
even atheists have already been redeemed by the blood of Jesus and are children
of God just like Christians? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Perhaps you’re wondering how someone
would have the audacity to say and do such things. If that’s the case, maybe it
would help to understand Francis’ point of view. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">First, Pope
Francis views himself as the <a href="http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Pontifex_Maximus">Pontifex Maximus</a>, which literally means that he believes
he is the supreme bridge builder between God and mankind. Francis also believes
that, because he possesses <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/papal-infallibility">Papal infallibility</a>, he is incapable of erring in
even the slightest way when teaching on matters of faith and morality. And why
would anyone come to such an extreme conclusion about themselves? The reason is
that the Pope teaches that he is the <a href="http://www.whateverycatholicshouldknow.com/wecsk/pope_vicar.htm">Vicar of Christ</a>, or the visible head of
the Church on earth who is acting for and in the place of Christ. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">So
basically, if you disagree with the Pope, the Pope says you are disagreeing
with God. If you disobey the Pope, the Pope says you are disobeying God. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">But what did the early Christians
believe about the Vicar of Christ? Who did they believe is the primarily agent
acting on Jesus’ behalf on earth? <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">Our Lord Christ has surnamed Himself Truth, not Custom. … Whatever
savors of opposition to truth, this will be heresy, even (if it be an) ancient
custom. … The reason why the Lord sent the Paraclete was that, since human
mediocrity was unable to take in all things at once, discipline should, little
by little, be directed and ordained and carried on to perfection by that Vicar
of the Lord, the Holy Spirit. “Still,” He said, “I have many things to say to
you, but you are not yet able to bear them: when that Spirit of truth shall
come, He will direct you into all truth, and will report to you the things that
must take place.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> – Tertullian 207CE, ANF
Volume 4, p. 44-45 [CD-ROM]</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Most of us would agree with Tertullian. The true Vicar of
Christ on earth is the Holy Spirit. After all, Jesus told His disciples in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John 14:16-17</b>, “<span class="woj">I will ask the Father, and He will give you another</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="woj">Helper, that He may be with you forever; <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">that is</span> the Spirit of truth,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="woj">whom the world cannot receive, because it
does not see Him or know Him,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="woj">but</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="woj">you know Him because He abides with you and
will be in you. </span>I will
not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.<span class="woj">”</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">It’s one thing to intellectually agree that the Holy Spirit
is Christ’s representative on earth, and thus speaks on His behalf with all
authority. However, it’s another thing all together to have that intellectual
belief become a functional reality in our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">So, who or what holds the functional place of God in your
life? Your feelings? Cultural norms? Your finances? A certain person? A quest
for more money, control or security? Your appearance? What is the actual
driving-force behind your decision-making?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">It can be scary and sometimes frustrating to
begin to honestly answer that question. But the real Vicar of Christ, the Holy
Spirit, is here to help us. He is for us, not against us. He is the Spirit of
truth, and one of His main jobs is to transform us to become more and more like
the One who is the Truth and the only way to God the Father, Jesus Christ. And
though Pope Francis may disagree, He is someone that everyone needs to know
about.</span></span><!--EndFragment-->
Phil Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070932654089603927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689667370882607129.post-48432128078172679322017-06-18T20:21:00.001-07:002017-06-19T05:56:40.850-07:00Bernie Vs. The Believer<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Is it unloving to believe and
then proclaim that those who reject Jesus as their Lord and Savior will be
condemned by God? Does holding that belief make a person incapable of
demonstrating love and fairness to the individuals he or she believes
currently stand condemned? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">These are the issues that
<a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/06/09/532116365/is-it-hateful-to-believe-in-hell-bernie-sanders-questions-prompt-backlash">Russell Vought</a> was faced with during his confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill
recently. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">President Trump nominated Vought to be </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">deputy director of the
Office of Management and Budget, but it has not been a smooth transition thus
far. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Vought is an alumnus of
Wheaton College, which in 2015 suspended a tenured professor who declared that Christians
and Muslims worship the same God. In response to the professor, Vought wrote a
<a href="http://theresurgent.com/wheaton-college-and-the-preservation-of-theological-clarity/">blog</a> stating, “Muslims do not simply have a deficient theology. They do not
know God because they have rejected Jesus Christ his Son, and they stand
condemned.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Various groups latched on to
Vought’s statement about condemnation and questioned whether his beliefs allow
him to be capable of serving all Americans fairly. At Vought’s confirmation hearing,
Senator Bernie Sanders repeatedly questioned Vought about his faith, and
strongly insinuated that Vought’s beliefs make him Islamophobic. </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWaltyI3UdM0dxoK8LgfZqOq9X37tzcVLrNuVnSlrBxc3YW3ZFnUTo2MHGVMfzNdyngvJ4ihmfjgAIckcP6iThhMLUKU97qt_hb4YVZMTOE2ca47dTN94udGdndiBd8eszsXbwdaMuiqY/s1600/Vought.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWaltyI3UdM0dxoK8LgfZqOq9X37tzcVLrNuVnSlrBxc3YW3ZFnUTo2MHGVMfzNdyngvJ4ihmfjgAIckcP6iThhMLUKU97qt_hb4YVZMTOE2ca47dTN94udGdndiBd8eszsXbwdaMuiqY/s320/Vought.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;">So, Is Sanders right? </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Is
it hateful to believe and proclaim that those who reject Jesus as their Lord
and Savior will be condemned by God? </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Let’s begin to
answer that question by taking a simple look at perhaps the most popular
passage of Scripture in the New Testament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">For</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">God so
loved</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">the world, that he
gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">perish but have eternal life.</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">For</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">God did not send his Son into the world</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">to condemn the world, but in order that the
world might be saved through him.</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">Whoever believes
in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already,
because he has not</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">believed
in the name of the only Son of God.</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">And this is the
judgment:</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">the
light has come into the world, and</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">people loved the darkness rather than the light
because</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">their works were
evil.</span></i></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">– John 3:16-19 ESV</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Under the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle John clearly wrote that those who
do not believe in Jesus stand condemned. In fact, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">verse 18</b> was specifically cited by Vought in his blog post. To be
sure, there are Christians who don’t agree with Vought’s choice of words. But
if they are ashamed of his statement that all are condemned apart from faith in
Christ, they are actually displaying that they are ashamed of some of the most
foundational words of Christianity. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The Apostle John
later testified that <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+21%3A24&version=NASB">the words of his gospel are true</a> and have been recorded so
that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+20%3A31&version=NASB">by believing we may have life in His name</a>. Therefore, it is more than reasonable
to conclude that one of the most loving things we can do is testify to others
about their dire need to receive Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">What about Sen.
Sanders’ second assertion? Is it impossible to demonstrate love and fairness to
those one believes currently stand condemned in the eyes of God? <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">To be fair to
Sanders, historically speaking, the merging of the cross with the State has
neither been beneficial for the lost nor the Church. The first recorded act of homicide
committed by a Christian against a nonchristian did not occur until after
380CE, when Roman Emperor Theodosius virtually made it illegal to not be a
Christian. A few decades later, Augustine began to develop a theory of Just
War, by which a Christian could feel justified in slaughtering pagans. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">But that is not
how it was in the beginning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Early Christian writer, Irenaeus, was the Bishop of
Lyons throughout in the mid-late 2<sup>nd</sup> century. He was a disciple of
Polycarp, who was a disciple of the Apostle John. What we find in the writings
of Irenaeus is a man who unashamedly testified to the simple words of Christ,
and also a man who, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+5%3A6-10&version=NASB">like Christ</a>, would lay down his life for the salvation of his
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">First, let’s take a look at Irenaeus’
interpretation of John 3:18.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">And for this purpose did the Father reveal
the Son, that through His instrumentality He might be manifested to all, and
might receive those righteous ones who believe in Him into incorruption and
everlasting enjoyment; … but He shall righteously shut out into the darkness
which they have chosen for themselves, those who do not believe, and who do
consequently avoid His light. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">… </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">For it was fitting that
the truth should receive testimony from all, and should become [a means of]
judgment for the salvation indeed of those who believe, but for the
condemnation of those who believe not. …<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">Wherefore
did the Lord say to His disciples, “I am the way, the truth,</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> and
the life and no man comes to the Father but by Me. If you had known Me, you
would have known My Father also.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> – Irenaeus 180CE, ANF
Volume 1, p. 781, 783-784 [CD-ROM]</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">There was no
dancing around challenging doctrines with Irenaeus and the early Christians. If
the Jesus said it, they believed it. Therefore, when the Scriptures spoke of the
Holy Spirit empowering followers of Jesus to love our enemies and walking as
Jesus they believed that too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">From the Lord’s advent,
the new covenant which brings back peace, and the law which gives life, has
gone forth over the whole earth, as the prophets said: “For out of Zion shall
go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem; and He shall rebuke
many people; and they shall break down their swords into ploughshares, and
their spears into pruning-hooks, and they shall no longer learn to fight.” …
The word of God, preached by the apostles (who went forth from Jerusalem)
throughout all the earth, caused such a change in the state of things, that
these [nations] did form the swords and war-lances into ploughshares, and
changed them into pruning-hooks for reaping the corn, [that is], into
instruments used for peaceful purposes, and that they are now unaccustomed to
fighting, but when smitten, offer also the other cheek. – Irenaeus 180CE, ANF
Volume 1, p. 859-860 [CD-ROM]</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Christians being put on trial and
persecuted for their uncompromising, nonviolent faith is as ancient as the days
following Pentecost in the book of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Acts</b>.
So we should not consider it strange when similar events unfold before our eyes
in the 21<sup>st</sup> century. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Unfortunately, it is rare these days to
see Christians who will literally turn the other cheek. Who will literally
bless their persecutors. Who will literally refuse to repay evil with evil. Who
will seek to do good to all people. And at the same time, who will boldly
proclaim the truth that all who reject Jesus Christ will face eternal
destruction. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">So, we need to pray
for Russell Vought to remain faithful, courageous and hopeful during this
trial. And finally, pray Senator Bernie Sanders as well. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">Pray
that that the eyes of his heart will be opened, he will </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">turn from darkness to light
and from the dominion of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Satan to God,
that he may receive<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>forgiveness
of sins and an<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>inheritance among
those who have been sanctified by<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>faith
in Jesus. </span></span></span><!--EndFragment-->Phil Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070932654089603927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689667370882607129.post-1075576360471124302017-06-11T19:25:00.003-07:002017-06-12T06:01:00.321-07:00A Consistent Mission<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">When my
wife and I were taking our mandated CPS parenting classes to adopt our two
kids, we heard over and over how important consistency would be for our
children. All children who have been placed into the Foster system have had their
lives upended, and many of them experience one major change after another. Over
these last three years, we’ve been doing our best to be as consistent as
possible with our kiddos, and it’s clear that the instructors knew what they
were talking about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Consistency isn’t just important at
home; it’s a vital component for success in most aspects of life, and
especially for the Church. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">In many of
my evangelistic conversations with nonchristians, one of the main reasons they
give for rejecting Jesus is that His followers don’t display consistency in
adhering to His commands. “Buddhists follow Buddha. Muslims follow Muhammad,”
they say, “so why don’t Christians follow Jesus?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">I usually
jump on this question, seeing it as an opportunity to tell them how the
<a href="http://reclaimingthefaith.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-hope-of-all-mankind.html">earliest Christians</a> did follow the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/New-Wineskins-Simple-Words-Christ/dp/1940269792">simple words of Christ</a> with great
consistency. And the Holy Spirit often uses that mini-history lesson to begin
opening the minds and hearts of the folks I’m conversing with. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">However, I
can’t deny the obvious inconsistencies we see these days. For instance, shortly
after the recent London terrorist attacks, Congressman <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/republican-clay-higgins-kill-islamic-radicals_us_593582bfe4b0ca5db291eb47?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009">Clay Higgins</a> took to
Facebook to galvanize Christians all around the world. Exclaiming that all
Christians are at war with Islam, Higgins called us to give no quarter to
anyone suspected of being a radical Islamist. He then urged us to hunt them
down and kill them all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYO8j3iLjRMDVEVkx66IXY4PGwy078MqJkH9DYxfjiKFl8yV5UziibZEXI7ySle4nVyAgZHFsq8g-LAcEprU60jzkk0h62fFQweu0n6zeTEeA1WEELkIe4cKvE1V4u3qQqRsscntsHqjlC/s1600/ClayHiggins1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="1000" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYO8j3iLjRMDVEVkx66IXY4PGwy078MqJkH9DYxfjiKFl8yV5UziibZEXI7ySle4nVyAgZHFsq8g-LAcEprU60jzkk0h62fFQweu0n6zeTEeA1WEELkIe4cKvE1V4u3qQqRsscntsHqjlC/s320/ClayHiggins1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;">When I see purported Christians
talking like this, one particular question immediately comes to my mind. Who
did Jesus suffer and die to save? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">To answer that question, let’s think about how Jesus is the true
atonement slate or mercy seat in the holy of holies.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The writer of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hebrews</b>
states that in the holy of holies there was “<i>a golden altar of incense and
the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden
jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded, and the tables of the covenant;
and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat” </i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(9:4-5)</b>. The Greek word translated as
“mercy seat” is <i>hilasterion, </i>a derivative of <i>hilaskomai</i>.<span style="mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">There are two Scriptures that shed light on how the mercy seat is
fulfilled in Jesus. As you read these, remember the atonement slate (<i>hilasterion</i>)
is the place where God intersects humanity to bring them back in relationship
with Him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The first Scripture is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Romans
3:23-25</b>, where Paul writes, “<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">For
all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift
by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God
displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.”<i> </i>Th</span>e
word “propitiation” in Greek is <i>hilasterion. </i>So, Paul is saying when
Jesus was crucified, God displayed Him as a <i>public </i>atonement slate for <i>all
to see</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Why would God do this with His true Mercy Seat, when previously
only the high priest was able to see the mercy seat in the holy of holies once
each year? The second Scripture answers that question.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">In <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1 John 2:1-2</b>, the
apostle writes, “<i>If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus
Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not
for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” </i>Once again, the word
translated “propitiation” in the Greek is <i>hilasmos</i>, a derivative of <i>hilaskomai</i>.
It makes sense God would put His true Atonement Slate on public display outside
the city gate, because Jesus came to be the atoning sacrifice for the whole
world, not just a select few. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">There are
many more passages I could cite, but the point is clear: Jesus suffered and
died for everyone because He wants everyone to be saved. However, Congressman
Higgins seems to believe that in order to save and defend all that is good and
righteous, we must kill people that Jesus died for. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">I would like to ask Congressman
Higgins what he’s calling Christians to defend: America, or the kingdom of God?
For, as the early Christians displayed, the goodness and righteousness of God’s
kingdom is not defended through worldly methods.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">Religion is to be
defended – not by putting to death – but by dying. Not by cruelty, but by
patient endurance. Not by guilt, but by good faith. For the former belongs to
evil, but the latter to the good. … For if you wish to defend religion by
bloodshed, tortures, and guilt, it will no longer be defended. Rather, it will
be polluted and profaned. … The worship of God, since it belongs to heavenly
warfare, requires the greatest devotedness and fidelity.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> – Lactantius 304-313CE,
ANF Volume 7, p. 239 [CD-ROM]<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The early
Christians were consistent in their devotion to Christ. They were also
consistent in the way the doctrine of redemption affected their approach toward
the lost. And because of their love-filled consistency, nearly 1/10<sup>th</sup>
of the Roman Empire had become disciples of Jesus by the end of the third
century. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Now more
than ever, with there being so much <a href="http://www.christianity.com/christian-life/political-and-social-issues/are-christians-in-america-under-attack.html">hostility toward Christianity</a> in our world,
we Christians need to be consistent in our mission of discipleship. It’s not
enough to only love, serve and forgive the people that we like, that like us or
look like us. It’s not enough to only be on mission with Christ when we feel
safe. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The mission Jesus invites us to calls for
consistency. And if we will trust Him enough to do things His way with
consistency, we will see Him turn <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2015/06/15/report-isis-jihadist-converts-to-christianity-after-seeing-jesus-in-his-dreams/">enemies of the cross</a> into passionate followers
of the Way. Our God can do exceedingly more than we can ask or imagine!</span></span><!--EndFragment-->
Phil Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070932654089603927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689667370882607129.post-62562623223651144322017-06-04T20:10:00.001-07:002017-06-05T06:08:34.191-07:00Don’t Judge Me!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Some of my
more recent blogs have addressed the growing trend of Christian leaders
declaring that homosexuality is not sinful. So far, I have been accused of hate
and fearmongering, and was once called a muckraker. Honestly, I had to look that
one up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">I find it
ironic that the folks who placed those labels on me believed I was “judging”
others. Oftentimes, when we tell someone to stop judging us or others, we do so
because we believe the action of calling out sin is itself a sin. However, if
we’d take a minute to think through the logic of that definition of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">judging</i>, every time we call someone
out for being judgmental, we will actually be engaging in the sin of hypocrisy. Perhaps we've misunderstood Jesus.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LG3yudZdc0gI7H1KORbWU7iYF8T5Bfmk-D9ZjkYLAjQHxCx2BqVdNnAmSZavvV4RgoX05i92OfLim11SJguIySiZxxaB3VQn2do6Pj-kEMLBVBfaJQ_GvQq595stD0h-RUbf616f6V_Q/s1600/judging+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="400" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LG3yudZdc0gI7H1KORbWU7iYF8T5Bfmk-D9ZjkYLAjQHxCx2BqVdNnAmSZavvV4RgoX05i92OfLim11SJguIySiZxxaB3VQn2do6Pj-kEMLBVBfaJQ_GvQq595stD0h-RUbf616f6V_Q/s320/judging+me.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">In <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+cor+5&version=NASB">1 Corinthians 5</a></b>, the Apostle Paul
rebukes the church at Corinth for not enforcing church discipline on a man who
has been unrepentantly sleeping with his stepmother. He commands the
Corinthians to expel the man from the assembly and not associate or even eat
with anyone who calls themselves a Christian but is unrepentantly sexually
immoral. Finally, he tells the church at Corinth that we are not to judge unbelievers,
but we are to judge Christians. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">So, does <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1 Corinthians 5</b> reveal the Apostle Paul
as a judgmental muckraker, who is clearly outside the will of God? If you read <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+cor+5%3A4-5&version=NASB">1 Corinthians 5</a></b>, you realize that Paul
has the full backing of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself in this matter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;">However, is a straightforward
reading of these passages about Church discipline really how we should
interpret Scripture? Take a moment to read four excerpts from a document
written by one of the most well respected Church leaders of the third century. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">We must not rashly judge one
another. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">In the Gospel according to Luke: “Judge not, that you may not be
judged: condemn not, that you may not be condemned.” Of this same subject to
the Romans: … “Wherefore you art without excuse, O every man that judges: for
in that in which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you do the same
things which you judge. But do you hope, who judge those who do evil, and do
the same, that you shall escape the judgment of God?”</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> – Cyprian 250, ANF Volume 5, p. 957 [CD-ROM]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">We must depart from him who lives
irregularly and contrary to discipline. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">Paul to the Thessalonians: “But we have commanded you, in the name
of Jesus Christ, that you depart from all brethren who walk disorderly, and not
according to the tradition which they have received from us.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> – Cyprian 250, ANF Volume 5, p. 980 [CD-ROM]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The sinner must be publicly
reproved. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">In the first Epistle of Paul to Timothy: “Rebuke them (unrepentant
Elders) that sin in the presence of all, that others also may be afraid.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> – Cyprian 250, ANF Volume 5, p. 983 [CD-ROM]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">We must not speak with heretics. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">To Titus: “A man that is a heretic, after one rebuke avoid;
knowing that one of</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> such
sort is perverted … and is self condemned.” Of this same thing in the Epistle
of John: “They went out from among us, but they were not of us; for if they had
been of us, they would doubtless have remained with us.” Also in the second to
Timothy: “Their talk will spread like gangrene.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> – Cyprian 250, ANF Volume 5, p. 983 [CD-ROM]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">The early Christians knew how to navigate the
tension of the full counsel of Scripture. They neither added to, nor took away
from the text. And because of that simple approach, they kept themselves from
being judgmental. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;">So, how
can we confront sin in a God-honoring way? This story illustrates how we should
begin thinking like holy defense attorneys. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">About 17 years ago
when I was 20, I got an M. I. P. (Minor in Possession) at a bar in College
Station, TX. My brother and I had just finished playing a 3 hour set with our
band, and the bar owner gave us a free pitcher of beer, which we gladly
accepted. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">What couldn’t have
been 15 minutes later, I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was the police, and
though I wasn’t drunk, I was busted. A few weeks later my mom and I showed up
at court. Yes, mom came with me, and thankfully, she hired an attorney for
me. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">My defense attorney
spent about 20 minutes counseling me before we went into court that morning. He
knew the judge, and gave me really good advice about how to handle the
situation. He instructed me that we should not try to fight the case, but that
we should plead no contest. He also said that if the judge asked to speak with
me, I should be respectful and remorseful. That was not a problem because I was
scared out of my mind. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">There is a Koine
Greek word, <i><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/greek/3870.htm">parakletos</a>, </span></i>that basically carries the idea of a truthful and helpful defense
attorney. Though the word is often translated as “encourage”, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">parakletos</i> is best understood by
thinking about the various helpful ways that a good defense attorney interacts
with a guilty client. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">My MIP defense attorney <u>beseeched</u> me
to never engage in underage drinking again. He noticed I was freaking out, so
he <u>comforted</u> me with a pat on the back and told me it was
going to be okay. He <u>exhorted</u> me to apply his strategies when
I went into the courtroom. He <u>admonished</u> me to banish all
pride from my attitude from this point further. And finally, he <u>encouraged</u> me
by saying that he would help me get through this situation and back on track
again.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">Like caring defense attorneys, if we truly love our
brothers and sisters in Christ who are in sin, we will practice <i>parakletos</i> while holding fast to the
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/New-Wineskins-Simple-Words-Christ/dp/1940269792">simple words of Christ</a> and the rest of the New Testament. It will not be easy. Sometimes
people will feel like we are being overly judgmental. But uncomfortable
conversations that promote health in the body of Christ serve to make us even
more effective in advancing the kingdom of God in the world. </span><!--EndFragment-->Phil Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070932654089603927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689667370882607129.post-76479052231630591312017-05-28T18:12:00.003-07:002017-05-29T10:30:18.379-07:00Love Wins and Jesus<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="http://www.charismanews.com/us/64992-famed-christian-mommy-blogger-throws-faith-to-the-wind-to-marry-lesbian-partner">The Christian Mommy Blogger</a>
is back in the news again. Glennon Doyle Melton isn’t making the current
headlines because her husband cheated on her, she divorced him, or because she then
began to date former Olympic female soccer player Abby Wambach. No. This time,
she’s causing a stir in Christian communities because she <a href="http://people.com/sports/abby-wambach-married/">married</a> Abby Wambach.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjr0ROxZGU_CEXW1Cp_Oe-pIcyO4YPJCBFvwSMqccaruci_hyU-1Ghhf0ciZMH8mVsXseI-exDpoaElEMU9ka5keanacb6VP5jiCIVMvhYdFu2TiSC1u0-Hr75ewsKs7vlJzSmE1ACmE21/s1600/-glennon-doyle-melton.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="590" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjr0ROxZGU_CEXW1Cp_Oe-pIcyO4YPJCBFvwSMqccaruci_hyU-1Ghhf0ciZMH8mVsXseI-exDpoaElEMU9ka5keanacb6VP5jiCIVMvhYdFu2TiSC1u0-Hr75ewsKs7vlJzSmE1ACmE21/s320/-glennon-doyle-melton.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Though these actions are
becoming more and more common in today’s moral climate, biblically speaking,
they are not normal. They are not the way God intended for us to interact with
each other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Melton, however sees things differently. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">She wrote in a 2013 </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><a href="http://momastery.com/blog/2013/06/24/i-love-gay-people-and-i-love-christians-i-choose-all/">post</a></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">, “I know <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">my</b> Jesus, I love Him, and I think if he needed me to believe that
homosexuality was a sin, He would have mentioned it. … And even the Gospels… well, even though they are <i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">gospel </span></i>to me, I
accept that they are also <i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">interpretations</span></i> of what Jesus said and did and meant -we don’t
have a single written word directly from Jesus. He <i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">could </span></i>have left
us <i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">something – </span></i>he could have left another list of rights and wrongs
when He came to Earth, but he chose not to.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Notice a
couple of things about these statements. First, in these words we see
humanity’s propensity to fashion a god in our own image. Melton’s Jesus is
obviously okay with homosexuality because, to Melton, her Jesus must explicitly
state the things he is for or against. And, according to that stance, Melton’s
Jesus must be okay with the rape of minors because her Jesus doesn’t explicitly
say, “Thou shalt not rape minors.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Next,
Melton’s view of the Scriptures is not surprising. She claims that the simple
words of Christ are not even His words; they are only interpretations of Jesus’
actual words made by His disciples. Following her train of logic, we would then
be free to appeal to the authority of our feelings when interpreting these
supposed interpretations of Jesus, which Melton has a clear propensity to do. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">However, the words of Jesus in the
New Testament are not merely the interpretations of His disciples, and Jesus absolutely
spoke out against all sexual sin, including homosexuality. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">For instance, in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="mailto:https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/%3Fsearch=matthew+5%3A17-48%26version=NASB">Matthew
5</a></b>, Jesus said He didn’t come to abolish the Torah but to fulfill it. In
other words, Jesus meant that </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">He came to interpret the Law correctly so that
it can be lived correctly.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> And, in the
gospels we see Him both affirm and amplify the sexual morals of the Torah. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">Second, in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="mailto:https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/%3Fsearch=Matthew+15%3A17-20%26version=NASB">Matthew
15</a></b>, Jesus expressly declared that all sexual acts committed outside of
marriage defile human beings. The term He uses is </span><a href="mailto:http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/porneia.html"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><i>porneia</i></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">, which is a
general reference to the sexually forbidden behaviors listed in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="mailto:https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/%3Fsearch=Lev+18%26version=NASB">Leviticus
18</a></b>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Paul fuses together two words from the Greek
translation of <a href="mailto:https://www.blueletterbible.org/lxx/lev/18/1/t_conc_108022"><b>Leviticus
18:22</b></a>, also known as the Septuagint, to coin the term <a href="mailto:http://biblehub.com/interlinear/1_corinthians/6-9.htm"><i>homosexual</i></a>
in his first letter to the Corinthians. <a href="mailto:http://biblehub.com/greek/733.htm"><i>Arsenokoitai</i></a> is actually a
combination of the two words, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Arsenos</i>
and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Koiten</i>, which roughly translate
as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">man-bedder</i>. Here in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Cor+6%3A9-10&version=NASB">1 Corinthians 6</a></b>, Paul echoes Jesus’
words in both <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+15%3A17-20&version=NASB">Matthew 15</a></b> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="mailto:http://biblehub.com/interlinear/revelation/21-8.htm">Revelation
21:8</a></b> saying that no <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">arsenokoitai,</i>
or anyone who unrepentantly commits any form of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">porneia</i>, will enter the kingdom of God. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Finally, in <a href="mailto:https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/%3Fsearch=Matt+19%3A1-9%26version=NASB"><b>Matthew
19</b></a> Jesus quotes the Torah again by saying that <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis+2%3A18-25&version=NASB">marriage as God created it</a>
is the union of one man and one woman for life. There is not a single positive
example of homosexual conduct in the Bible or place it is blessed. And, every
single time homosexuality is mentioned in Scripture, it is expressly spoken
against. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The early Church clearly spoke out against
homosexuality. They also made distinctions between what we would think of as
common homosexual practices and more deviant forms such as pederasty and sex
cults. These are all unchanging facts that we have to deal with. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">This, however, is more than a blog
about homosexuality, this is a blog about love. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">I realize
that some folks may believe that what I have written reads more like hate speech than love. But please, please hang with me a
little longer before writing me off as a hate and fearmongerer. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">On </span><a href="mailto:https://www.instagram.com/p/BUHZbO7lcrb/"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">May 15</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">, Melton wrote her Instagram followers, </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">"My beloveds – please never give up on
love. Life could surprise the [expletive] out of you. Trust me – you might just
wake up one morning and find yourself smack dab in the middle of heaven. I love
my wife. LOVE WINS." </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Just as
there is a culture war being waged over sexuality, there is a war being fought
over the definition of the word <i><a href="http://reclaimingthefaith.blogspot.com/2017/05/love-grace-and-truth.html">love</a></i>. So, what does it actually mean to love
God? Let’s look at a couple of passages. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have
set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in
order that you may live, you and your</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">descendants, by loving the</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="small-caps"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">Lord</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">your God, by obeying His voice, and</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">by holding fast to Him; for</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">this is your life and the length of your days.</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">–</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Deuteronomy 30:19-20</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">What you just read
is basically a summary statement of the entire book of <b>Deuteronomy</b>. This
message is repeated over and over: If we love God, we keep His commands. But
surely Jesus, who embodied love would see things differently, right?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">Jesus answered and said to him,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">“If anyone loves Me, he will</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">keep My word; and</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">My Father will love him, and We</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">will come to him and make Our abode with him.</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">He who does not
love Me</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">does not keep My
words; and</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">the
word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me.</span></i></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">– John
14:23-24</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><b>John 14</b> is
just one of an overwhelming number of places that Jesus identifies Himself with
the Lord God of the Old Testament. He and the Father are one. If we love Jesus,
we will obey His commands. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">How many of Jesus’ commands are we called to
obey? He made that crystal clear in His parting words. “Go therefore and make
disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching
them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matthew
28:19-20</b>).”</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><a href="http://reclaimingthefaith.blogspot.com/2017/05/love-grace-and-truth.html">Last week</a> I
wrote that God’s love language is obedience to the commands of Christ. Based on
the Great Commission, if we love Jesus and others, we will teach people the truth about
what He said, and then help them to follow Him. And I am confident that you can
demonstrate the same obedient love toward Him as the early Christians did
because the same Holy Spirit that empowered them empowers followers of Jesus
today. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--StartFragment--><b><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Jesus loved us enough to deny Himself and carry
His cross. The early Christians willingly laid down their lives out of devotion to Jesus' commands. May we love Him enough do the same. </span></span></b><!--EndFragment--><!--EndFragment--></div>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Let
him who has love in Christ keep the commandments of Christ. Who can describe
the [blessed] bond of the love of God? What man is able to tell the excellence
of its beauty, as it ought to be told? The height to which love exalts is
unspeakable. Love unites us to God. Love covers a multitude of sins.<span style="mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;"> </span>Love bears
all things, is long-suffering in all things.<span style="mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;"> </span>There is nothing base, nothing
arrogant in love … without love nothing is well-pleasing to God. In love has
the Lord taken us to Himself. On account of the Love he bore us, Jesus Christ
our Lord gave His blood for us by the will of God; His flesh for our flesh, and
His soul for our souls. … Blessed are we, beloved, if
we keep the commandments of God in the harmony of love; that so through love
our sins may be forgiven us.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> – Clement of Rome 95CE, ANF Volume 1, p. 36-37 [CD-ROM]</span></span></span><!--EndFragment-->
Phil Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070932654089603927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689667370882607129.post-43156153665580114632017-05-21T19:18:00.000-07:002017-05-22T06:38:18.885-07:00Love, Grace and Truth<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Generally,
when we hear messages on the subject of Biblical love, we are told that there
are three different words for love in Koine Greek, the primary language of the New
Testament. We are told that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/greek/26.htm">agape</a></i>
is God’s unconditional love, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/greek/5368.htm">phileo</a></i>
is the love shared between friends or family, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">eros</i> is a sexual or surface-type of love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">However, if
you truly begin to research these words, you’ll soon find that the most current edition of <a href="http://biblehub.com/strongs.htm">Strong’s</a>
concordance never uses the word “unconditional” when defining <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/greek/26.htm">agape</a></i>. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Agape</i> in its verb form (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/greek/25.htm">agapao</a></i>)
also does not contain “unconditional” in its definition, and is more
nuanced than most people have been taught. Basically, the biblical verb form of
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">agape</i> means <u>choosing God’s choices
by His power</u>. Pretty different, huh? Yet, it perfectly parallels the way
Jesus Himself defined how we demonstrate love for God in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A15-17&version=NASB">John 14:15-17</a></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Another
interesting fact of Scripture is that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">eros</i>
is never used in the New Testament. Not a single time. And finally, there is actually
another New Testament word for love, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/greek/5387.htm">philostorgos</a></i>,
which occurs once in Scripture. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">This form of love refers to<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">
a </span></span></span><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">special affection shared
between members of </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">God's
family, specifically, </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">people </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">born-again</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> and serving the same </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">heavenly</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">Father</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">.</span></span></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;">I bring up these facts about
biblical love because I believe that similar distortions often take place
concerning the subject of grace, yet on a much larger scale. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwj12Ori3rjgNCmjbo3I1xQYEbDZ5uzvlN9Sq-kyuD4S6aMLfe56SM9J0_YYvo_Bw9xUkEJMXSEJpVkCZUbxSG_B9AE8jtUPGcY9tpts49ZarudH2kcbk4RkoFe9-8spkUHlEE8I-9eGU/s1600/charis-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwj12Ori3rjgNCmjbo3I1xQYEbDZ5uzvlN9Sq-kyuD4S6aMLfe56SM9J0_YYvo_Bw9xUkEJMXSEJpVkCZUbxSG_B9AE8jtUPGcY9tpts49ZarudH2kcbk4RkoFe9-8spkUHlEE8I-9eGU/s320/charis-logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Frequently, the Koine Greek word for grace (<i><a href="http://biblehub.com/greek/5485.htm">charis</a></i>) is defined as: Getting
what we don’t deserve. We often call this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>unmerited
favor</b></i>, and a prime example of this definition of grace is found in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ephesians 2:8-9</b>. <span style="color: #f3f3f3;">“</span></span><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">For by grace you have been
saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the
gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Jesus
lived, died and rose for us. It is His blood that saves us and His powerful
Spirit that transforms us. You can see why people say grace is getting what we
don’t deserve. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">A famous
acronym of G.R.A.C.E. has developed along similar lines, where we are told that
grace is God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. And, that acronym works very well
with the Ephesians 2 passage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--StartFragment--><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;">However, did you know that the Bible uses the word <i>charis </i>in seven other ways?
Let’s look at those right now.</span></b><!--EndFragment--> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Favor</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> – “</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">And
Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">charis</i>) with God and men (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Luke 2:52</b>).”<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>Here, we need to ask ourselves: Is this verse suggesting that Jesus
grew in God’s riches at Christ’s expense? Clearly, that question is absurd,
which is why Biblical translators simply use the word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">favor</i> here. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Thanks</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> – “T</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">hanks (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">charis</i>) be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord (</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Romans 7:25</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">)</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">!” Again,
does God the Father need God’s riches at Christ’s expense? Of course not.
Acronyms can definitely be helpful tools, but forcing the truth of the
God-breathed Scriptures to bend to man-made acronyms will eventually get us into trouble. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="background-color: black;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Kindness</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> – “</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">Let your speech always
be with grace (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">charis</i>), </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">as
though </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you
should respond to each person (</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Colossians 4:6</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">)</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">.” Though the NASB translates <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">charis</i> here as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">grace</i>, the idea Paul is trying to get across is that we need
to speak kindly to everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="background-color: black;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Credit</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> – “</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">If you love those who love you, what credit (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">charis</i>) is <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">that</span> to you? For even sinners love those who love them.<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span>If you do good to those who do good to you,
what credit (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">charis</i>) is <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">that</span> to you? For even sinners do
the same. If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">charis</i>) is <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">that</span> to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to
receive back the same <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">amount</span>.<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span>But love your enemies, and do good,
and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you
will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful
and evil <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">men (</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Luke 6:32-35</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">)</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="background-color: black;">.”</span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="background-color: black;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">Though <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+11%3A33-36&version=NASB">God owes us absolutely nothing</a>, Jesus explains that God
has chosen to reward some actions and not reward others. When we graciously and lovingly act like our heavenly Father, we are credited and rewarded
by Him for doing so. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="background-color: black;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Help</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> –</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">”But He
gives a greater grace (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">charis</i>).
Therefore </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">it</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> says, “</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">charis</i>) to the humble<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">.” </span>Submit therefore to God. Resist the
devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you
(</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">James 4:6-8</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">)</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="background-color: black;">.” </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Do you
need extra help from God today? The Scriptures give you the steps to receive
that divine help. Humble yourself, draw near to God and resist the devil. God is very
generous, and loves to give greater grace to the humble. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="background-color: black;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Gift</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> – “</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">As each one has received
a </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">special</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> gift, employ it in
serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">charis</i>) of God (</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">1 Peter 4:10</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">)</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="background-color: black;">.” If you
want to see the way God can use the spiritual gifts in a man that is totally
surrendered, do a study on the life of the Apostle Paul. Look at the spiritual
gifts as listed in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+12%3A3-8&version=NASB">Romans 12</a></b>, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+cor+12&version=NASB">1 Corinthians 12</a></b>, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4%3A7-13&version=NASB">Ephesians 4</a></b>, and try to determine which
one doesn’t show up in his life at least once in the New Testament. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Empowerment</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> – “</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">And Stephen, full of grace and power, was
performing great wonders and signs among the people (</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Acts 6:8</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">)</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">.”<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">To
me, this definition of </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">grace is the most neglected of all: Grace empowers us to <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+john+2%3A4-6&version=NASB">walk as Jesus walked</a>.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="background-color: black;">So often,
grace is referred to by Christians as freedom from the consequences of sin, when
Biblically, that is only a small aspect of grace. The greater aspects of
grace we see highlighted in the New Testament are our freedom from the power
of sin and a new empowerment to obey Jesus out of love.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Jesus tells
us that <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A21&version=NASB">obedience is God’s love language</a>. And God has richly blessed us with
the grace and empowerment to walk as Jesus walked out of love for what Jesus
did for us. Just as it was the true testimony of the early Christians, it can
be the witness of your life as well because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday,
today and forever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">All
our power is of God; I say, of God. From Him we have life, from Him we have
strength, by power derived and conceived from Him we do. … If you keep the way
of innocence, the way of righteousness, if you walk with a firm and steady
step, if, depending on God with your whole strength and with your whole heart,
you only be what you have begun
to be, liberty and power to do is given you in proportion to the increase of
your spiritual grace. … Let our heart only be athirst, and be ready to receive:
in the degree in which we bring to it a capacious faith, in that measure we
draw from it an overflowing grace. Thence is given power, with modest chastity,
with a sound mind, with a simple voice, with unblemished virtue, that is able
to quench the virus of poisons for the healing of the sick, to purge out the
stains of foolish souls by restored health, to bid peace to those that are at
enmity, repose to the violent, gentleness to the unruly.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> – Cyprian 250CE, Volume 5, p. 490-491 [CD-ROM]</span></span><!--EndFragment-->
</div>
Phil Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070932654089603927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689667370882607129.post-42243709197141817272017-05-07T17:53:00.000-07:002017-05-08T06:45:25.841-07:00Three Insidious Lies of 13 Reasons Why<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Late one
afternoon, I received a call from my mother-in-law telling me that the police
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overdose. My heart sunk as I just sat there shaking my head, not really knowing
what to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Just a
couple of days before, I had spoken with the young man, pleading with him to
not go back home to the state where his relatives were. I reminded him of the
basic lessons he had learned during his numerous stints in rehab, and to stay
away from the people, places and things that triggered his desire to relapse.
After praying with him, he assured me he would remain here in town. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Though he
had been unsuccessful at taking his life in the past, the next night would be
his last.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Suicides
are devastatingly tragic and traumatic events. One of the most horrifying
statistics associated with suicide is that, according to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6408a1.htm">CDC</a>, it is the
second leading cause of death among persons aged 10-24 years old. So, when I heard
that there was a new Netflix show called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://nickwattssoulfood.com/2017/04/23/netflixs-13-reasons-why-is-not-merely-dark-its-dangerous/">13 Reasons Why</a></i> that graphically depicted a high school girl slitting her
wrists, my blood began to boil. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeh1r2ExDgCs7aRXim8eYSFukJMKpddcxrUQntFJhyaRx7n8JjV8zNcQZo7N8MZ4D4wI8FEQoTDxleUztTnqGjdbMW228hCHw7Hps_GCKUSk54ez_FDI2ZkUFxgQnkkaISY7ATJRRkQ-A/s1600/13+Reasons+Why.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeh1r2ExDgCs7aRXim8eYSFukJMKpddcxrUQntFJhyaRx7n8JjV8zNcQZo7N8MZ4D4wI8FEQoTDxleUztTnqGjdbMW228hCHw7Hps_GCKUSk54ez_FDI2ZkUFxgQnkkaISY7ATJRRkQ-A/s320/13+Reasons+Why.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">My wife and
I decided to watch the show together, and after only 15 minutes or so, I asked
her to pause it so I could rant about how dangerous this show would be to many
viewers. By the end of the last episode, I had made a mental list of several insidious
deceptions that were shrewdly woven into the fabric of the show. But to keep
this blog to a reasonable length, I’m just going to highlight three of those
areas for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Insidious Lie #1: God Is Absent.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">For a show
that is predominantly centered around the subject of death, I found it quite
eye-opening that God was completely written out of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">13 Reasons Why</i>. Well, I shouldn’t say completely. The names God and
Jesus were used quite extensively, yet only as curse words. However, there were
no discussions of God in relation to the afterlife (or even mention of an
afterlife at all for that matter). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">13 Reasons Why</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> puts the secular humanist worldview
on full display. Because God doesn’t factor into a <a href="http://www.allaboutworldview.org/secular-worldview.htm">secular humanist’s worldview</a>, “</span><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">mankind is the ultimate norm by which truth
and values are to be determined. … All reality and life center upon human
beings.” Basically, humans get to act as if they are God. </span></span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">The worship
and exaltation of ourselves above God is the chief sin listed in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+1%3A18-32&version=NASB">Romans 1</a>, and,
as the Apostle Paul explains, when we try to play God we bring much chaos upon
ourselves and others. Though the writers and producers of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">13 Reasons Why</i> surely didn’t intend to do so, by writing God out of
the script and repeatedly blaspheming His name, they ended up proving that <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A4&version=NASB">God remains true though every man be a liar</a>. We can try with all our might to
suppress the truth of God, but He was, He is and He will always be whether we
acknowledge Him now or later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Insidious Lie #2: Truth is relative.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Tracking
right along with the secular humanist rejection of God is the adoption of <a href="http://www.allaboutworldview.org/secular-worldview.htm">moral relativism</a>. Basically, they believe that truth is relative to each individual,
since each individual can act as his or her own god and standard bearer. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">13 Reasons Why</i> repeatedly puts forth
this worldview with statements suggesting that we all have to discover and live
out our own personal truths. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">One of the
most glaring fallacies with moral relativism is that no one actually lives that
way. We may like the thought of truth and morality being flexible, but the
reality is that we all have rigid ethics that we expect others to abide by. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">13 Reasons Why</i> shows itself guilty of
this hypocrisy in one of the most fundamental aspects of the show. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">13 Reasons Why</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> is basically a story about various
forms and consequences of bullying. Clearly, one moral of the story the writers
and producers want to get across is that bullying is bad. But wait, if truth is
relative, what is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bad</i> anyway? And,
what if a bully decided that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">his</i>
truth is that raping multiple girls for pleasure’s sake is good? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">What gives <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">13 Reasons Why</i> the right to make a
rapist a villain if truth itself is up for grabs? If God doesn’t exist, why not
live solely for pleasure, even if comes at the expense of others? If God
doesn’t exist, there is no ultimate judgment, there is only right now. So why
not make our own personal pleasure the standard of good and bad? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Conversely,
the Bible relentlessly declares the veracity of God’s absolute truth. That’s ultimately
how we know bullying is wrong. That’s ultimately how we know rape is wrong.
That’s ultimately how we know murder in all its forms is wrong. The Scriptures
reveal the definitive dividing line between truth and error, for Jesus said
that <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+18%3A33-38&version=NASB">everyone who is on the side of truth listens to Him</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Finally, Insidious Lie #3: Suicide Increases
Your Level of Control.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">As much as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">13 Reasons Why</i> is a show about bullying,
it is also a show about control. The lead character, Hannah Baker, felt her
life had spiraled completely out of control because of the bullying and
controlling actions of others. So, she attempted to regain control by ending
her life. Also, before she slit her wrists, she made a series of tapes for 13
people detailing the 13 reasons why they were to blame for her suicide. She
hoped that she would be able to control them from the grave, and in this
fictional show, she played them like puppets. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">But that is
not how things work in the real world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">In the real
world, even when we’re alive we cannot control the way others grieve a loss. We
cannot make others feel guilt or remorse. We cannot make others repent. So, it
doesn’t make sense that dying would suddenly cause people to do what we want. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Dying is not a means of regaining control. It is a complete relinquishing of
control. When we stand before the Almighty Judge of all the earth, do we really
think we will have the freedom to do as we please? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Death is
not the end; it is the beginning of the rest of our lives with either Jesus in
Paradise, or apart from Him in a hellish domain. There’s no more freedom to
choose. Where we spend eternity is based on what we did with Jesus while we
were still on earth. The early Christians all testified of this truth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">He … will examine all
things, and will judge with righteous judgment, rendering merited awards to each. To those who seek immortality by patient
endurance in well-doing. He will give life everlasting, joy, peace, rest, and
an abundance of good things, </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">which neither hath eye seen, nor ear heard, nor
hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive.<i> To the unbelieving and despisers who do not obey the truth, but are
obedient to unrighteousness, when they will have been filled with adulteries
and fornications, </i>and filthiness<i> …
there will be anger and wrath. … At the end, everlasting fire will possess such
men.</i> – Theophilus 180CE, ANF Volume 2, p. 143 [CD-ROM]</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">The truth
is: The Lord Jesus came into the world as a baby, faithfully lived each moment
according to the will of His Father, died for our sins on the cross, rose from
the dead on the third day, and is now exalted at God’s right hand. He is the
way, the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him.
The question is: Have you surrendered control of your life to Him?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Phil Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070932654089603927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689667370882607129.post-80948265292140266682017-04-30T18:11:00.000-07:002017-05-04T12:21:16.329-07:002017: The Year Baptists Went Transgender<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">You know
things are getting completely out of control in our world when there are
transgender pastors in Baptist churches. <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Daniel Robinson, who now goes by the name Allyson Robinson</span>, is our
nation’s first transgender Baptist preacher. <a href="http://www.nowtheendbegins.com/transgender-baptist-preacher-says-angel-of-reason-prompted-sex-switch/">A recent article</a> revealed that
during a Baptist gathering in April, Robinson detailed how a supposed angel of
the Lord named “Reason” convinced him to pursue being a transgender minister of
the gospel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "opensans"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtofOwfupoIftovWaSvBPmriY9RkssWzAojviLklb2sKSD9kUX-_-9e86txt0PPn7vDmtp_Q0mpLRGuK5s2IBLvBvJMyW2dkZBKHcLKAgImo37CMN4aMwBTtIkAs2LKCBIEzTFgO1b3_V/s1600/trans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtofOwfupoIftovWaSvBPmriY9RkssWzAojviLklb2sKSD9kUX-_-9e86txt0PPn7vDmtp_Q0mpLRGuK5s2IBLvBvJMyW2dkZBKHcLKAgImo37CMN4aMwBTtIkAs2LKCBIEzTFgO1b3_V/s320/trans.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">He said that one day in his
early seminary days he contemplated suicide, but an “angel of the Lord” that he
called “reason” stopped him. “What if God hasn’t fixed you because you’re not
broken?” Robinson said he heard inside of himself. “That can’t be true,”
he thought. “The Bible says I’m broken.” <b>“WHAT IF THE BIBLE IS WRONG?” THE
VOICE SAID. “WHAT IF YOU’VE BEEN READING IT WRONG?”</b> Robinson told those
gathered that in that moment he “sacrificed his certainty” <b>and hoped that
God would count it as “righteousness.”</b><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">There is so
much to break down, but let’s begin with this word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/greek/1342.htm">righteous</a></i>. Something that has been declared righteous has been
approved by God. Conversely, something that has been declared <a href="http://biblehub.com/greek/94.htm">unrighteous</a> has
been divinely disapproved. Paul gives a list of several of these unrighteous
actions in his first letter to the Corinthians. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><i>Do
you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not
be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor </i><span style="font-style: italic;">the</span><i> covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will
inherit the kingdom of God </i>(</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">1</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> Corinthians 6:9-10)</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Perhaps you
read that list and thought, “Wait, Paul didn’t say anything about transgender
people!” Well, this is one of the many cases when the early Christians provide
a tremendous amount of historical clarity to the modern reader. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;">The word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/greek/3120.htm">effeminate</a></i> is seldom used in our society, but the early Christians wrote a decent amount about those who could be described by that adjective. Here’s an
example:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Men play the part of women, and
women that of men, contrary to nature; … no passage is closed against
libidinousness; and their promiscuous lechery is a public institution. … Such
was predicted of old, and the result is notorious: the whole earth has now become
full of fornication and wickedness. I admire the ancient legislators of the
Romans: these detested effeminacy of conduct; and the giving of the body to
feminine purposes, contrary to the law of nature. … What reason is there in the
law’s prohibiting a man from “wearing woman’s clothing“? Is it not that it
would have us to be manly, and not to be effeminate neither in person and
actions, nor in thought and word? … The apostle very firmly assails them. “Be
not deceived; neither adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves
with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers,” and
whatever else he adds to these, “shall inherit the kingdom of God.” </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">– Clement of Alexandria 195CE, ANF
Vol. 2, p. 444, 469, 600 [CD-ROM]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Clement of
Alexandria could have used several modern terms to describe the unrighteous
behaviors he witnessed. Transgender, transvestite, gay, bi-sexual and several
other descriptors could apply. However, to Clement, they all could fall under
the word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">effeminate</i>, which leads to
the next point.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Notice that
this “angel of reason” encouraged Robinson to indulge his effeminate urges. One
could use the post-modern rationale that God made me this way, and it feels
good, so it must be good and true for me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">But when
dealing with these vital issues of morality, we shouldn’t disrespect ourselves
and others by wallowing in the mire of post-modern subjective relativism. We
need concrete, objective truth that remains unaffected by time and culture. We
need the Scriptures. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;">We already witnessed God declare effeminacy
unrighteous, but just incase there was any question about the reasoning used by
Robinson’s “angel”, Paul made this inspired prophecy in his second letter to
Timothy:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">But
realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be
lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to
parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips,
without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited,
lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness,
although they have denied its power; avoid such men as these </span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">(</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">2 Timothy 3:<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">1-5)</span></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Lovers of
self. Arrogant. Unholy. Without self-control. Lovers of pleasure rather than
lovers of God. Holding to a form of godliness, but denying God’s power.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Consider all of those descriptors, and think about what this “angel of reason”
encouraged Robinson to do. The “angel” encouraged Robinson to indulge the
fleshly, sinful desires with the attitude that God can’t change people to be in
line with the Scriptures. That spiritual being convinced Robinson to deny the
regenerative power of the gospel, which is a truth we all need to believe with all our hearts and minds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--StartFragment--><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Finally, when looking at Robinson’s story, I was
reminded of Paul’s warning to Christians in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gal+1%3A6-9&version=NASB">Galatians 1:8</a>, “But even if we, or
an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have
preached to you, he is to be accursed!”</span></b><!--EndFragment--> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">According
to <a href="http://www.answering-islam.org/Authors/JR/Future/ch11_the_dark_nature.htm">Muslims</a>, an angel named Gabriel strangled Muhammad during his sleep, and
then commanded him to recite the words of scripture given to him from Allah. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="https://carm.org/joseph-smith">Joseph Smith</a> has convinced countless Mormons that in 1820 he was visited by God the
Father and Jesus who informed him that all churches were deceived. He
then claimed that in 1823 he received a visit from an angel named Moroni, and
was told about golden plates which were supposedly written in Reformed
Egyptian. Smith boasted to have been blessed with the supernatural ability to
translate the plates, and eventually produced the Book of Mormon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Look, let’s
not make the same mistake <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU24fJ4NQxo">America’s rationalistic forefathers</a> did in
downplaying or outright dismissing the supernatural. There are <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Tim+4%3A1&version=NASB">lying spirits</a>
that are actively seeking to convince Christians to apostatize. They are
seeking to ravage the Church. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">As Paul and
Tertullian advise us, may we take our thoughts captive and make them
obedient to Christ. May we love Him far, far more than ourselves and
demonstrate that love by crucifying our fleshly lusts and following after Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Who
are the ravening wolves but those deceitful senses and spirits which are
lurking within to waste the flock of Christ? … Who are the false apostles but
the preachers of a spurious gospel?<span style="mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;"> </span>Who also are the Antichrists, both now and evermore,
but the men who rebel against Christ? … We, however, are not permitted to
cherish any object<span style="mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;"> </span>after our own will, nor to make choice of that which another has
introduced of his private fancy. In the Lord’s apostles we possess our
authority; for they did not choose to introduce anything themselves, but
faithfully delivered to the nations (of mankind) the doctrine<span style="mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;"> </span>which they
had received from Christ. If, therefore, even “an angel from heaven should
preach any other gospel” (than theirs), he would be called accursed<span style="mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;"> </span>by us.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> – Tertullian 198CE, ANF Volume 3, p. 387, 389
[CD-ROM]</span><!--EndFragment-->
Phil Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070932654089603927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689667370882607129.post-35431011713027176012017-04-23T14:00:00.000-07:002017-04-24T05:54:36.352-07:00When My Time Comes<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+4%3A13-14&version=NASB">James 4:14</a></span></b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> says that our lives are like a
vapor that appears for just a little while, and then quickly vanishes. This
sobering reality was put on full display recently when a <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/tech/2017/04/13/teenager-accidentally-shoots-himself-on-instagram-live/">13-year-old</a> accidently
shot himself in the head on Instagram Live with his neighborhood friends
watching. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-arQumU6SBTEkbOEKnExVPqrBoaQK9cRrXsZIBdgRZ-tdRpkpAVnpseQ0IBVGpeJNZBh-fFSojm3Bxe_J_PqnVR8taZyIi-h7dyoe7Ac9M0hUo8ZGjuP3QZY4Y-2uU1xY9RnpBs-Dm1VV/s1600/Jas4.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-arQumU6SBTEkbOEKnExVPqrBoaQK9cRrXsZIBdgRZ-tdRpkpAVnpseQ0IBVGpeJNZBh-fFSojm3Bxe_J_PqnVR8taZyIi-h7dyoe7Ac9M0hUo8ZGjuP3QZY4Y-2uU1xY9RnpBs-Dm1VV/s320/Jas4.14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">My son is
13, and I can’t imagine what that kid’s parents are going through. It seems
like only yesterday when we adopted him, and to think of him losing his life
today is almost unfathomable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">However, by
the time I was 16, I had already had several brushes with death. At around 10,
I had a severe anaphylactic reaction to Noxema. When I was 13 I spent a little
over a week in the ICU because I had been poisoned by a <a href="https://www.lieffcabraser.com/injury/drugs/albuterol/">corrupted batch of Albuterol</a> we were using in my breathing treatments. And in my junior year of
high school, I miraculously survived a massive car accident coming back from
College Station where my brother and I flipped three times across the highway
at about 80mph. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Today I
found out that the guy who has been cutting my hair at Great Clips died two
days ago of a heart attack. He was in his mid-40s. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hosea+13%3A1-3&version=NASB">Hosea</a></b> says that the span of our days on earth can be compared with
dew that’s here before breakfast and gone before lunch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">However,
the Bible teaches that death is not the end. In many ways, it is a beginning.
But the choices we make during our time on earth determine an unalterable
eternal destiny for each one of us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Hippolytus was the Bishop of Rome in
the late 2<sup>nd</sup> and early 3<sup>rd</sup> centuries. He was a personal
disciple of Irenaeus (Bishop of Lyons), who was a personal disciple of Polycarp
(Bishop of Smyrna), who was a personal disciple of the Apostle John.
Hippolytus’ writings are therefore regarded as faithfully carrying on the tradition
of the Apostles, and he had quite a bit to say about what happens when people
die. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Now
we must speak of Hades, in which the souls both of the righteous and the
unrighteous are detained. Hades is a place in the created system, rude, a
locality beneath the earth, in which the light of the world does not shine. And
since the sun does not shine in this place, there is necessarily perpetual
darkness there. This place has been destined to be, as it were, a guardhouse
for souls. … And in this locality there is a certain place set apart by itself,
a lake of unquenchable fire, into which we suppose no one has ever yet been
cast. …</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">But
the righteous (who will obtain the incorruptible and unfading kingdom) are
indeed presently detained in Hades, but not in the same place with the
unrighteous. For to this locality there is one descent, at the gate of which we
believe an archangel is stationed with an army. And when those who are
conducted by the angels who are appointed unto the souls have passed through
this gate, they do not all proceed down one and the same path. Rather, the
righteous are conducted in the light toward the right. …</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">They
are brought to a locality full of light. And there all the righteous persons
from the beginning dwell. They are not ruled by any necessity. Rather, they
perpetually enjoy the contemplation of the blessings that are in their view.
Also, they delight themselves with the expectation of other blessings, ever
new. … And that place brings no labors for them. … But the faces of the fathers
and the righteous are seen to be always smiling, as they wait for the rest and
eternal revival in heaven that follow this location. And we call this place by
the name of “Abraham’s bosom.”</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">However,
the unrighteous are dragged toward the left by angels, who are ministers of
punishment. These souls no longer go of their own accord. Rather, they are
dragged as prisoners by force. And the angels appointed over them hurry them
along, reproaching them and threatening them with an eye of terror, forcing them
down into the lower parts. And when the souls are brought there, those
appointed to that task drag them on to the vicinity of Gehenna.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">And
those who are so near [to Gehenna] hear incessantly its agitation, and they
feel the hot smoke. And when that vision is so near, as they see the terrible,
and excessively glowing spectacle of the fire, they shudder in horror at the
expectation of the future judgment, already feeling the power of their
punishment. And again, when they see the place of the fathers and the
righteous, they also suffer punishment merely from seeing this. For a deep and
vast abyss is set there in the midst, so that neither can any of the righteous
in sympathy think to cross it, nor do any of the unrighteous dare to cross it.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> –
Hippolytus 205CE, ANF Vol. 5, p. 395-396 [CD-ROM] </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">I
understand that some of what Hippolytus wrote may be outside of your
denomination’s tradition. However, please remember that it faithfully
represents the majority of the apostolic fathers’ beliefs. Also, please be sure
to keep the main thing the main thing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Hebrews
9:27-28</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> sums it up well, “Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die
once and after this <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">comes</span>
judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many,
will appear a second time for salvation without <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">reference to</span> sin, to those who eagerly await Him.”</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">When we
die, our souls either go to be with Jesus forever, or they descend to an
incredibly horrific place of no escape. Then, after the resurrection of our
bodies, the righteous will reign in glory with Jesus forever in the new heavens
and new earth. And, the unrighteous will face a second death, the lake of fire,
which burns forever and ever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">I understand it’s not pleasant to think about death, but it
is a healthy exercise. And similarly to the day we meet the person we will eventually
marry, it often comes unexpectedly as we’re operating in the regular rhythms of
life. Death will not only happen to us, it will also find every
single person we know. However, because Jesus lovingly gave His life as a
ransom for all people, everyone we know has an opportunity to receive Him as his
or her Lord and Savior. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Have you done that? What about your family members? What
about your friends and coworkers? What about your neighbors? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">This
week, how can you help someone who doesn’t know Jesus become more prepared to
meet Him face to face when his or her time comes? </span><!--EndFragment-->Phil Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070932654089603927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689667370882607129.post-44308424158765292017-04-16T18:29:00.000-07:002017-04-17T05:51:25.817-07:00The Egyptian Church Bombings and the Early Christians<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">A little over a week ago on Palm Sunday, around 50 people were murdered
when two bombs were detonated at Christian Coptic churches in <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/09/middleeast/egypt-church-explosion/">Egypt</a>.
Responsibility for this horrific act was quickly claimed by the Islamic State,
who vowed to spill rivers of blood from countless other followers of Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQuM9X8GcIjmytf0-67ny60VhL2zRbIsSkbvS5TszogzbuAqm40ZAMvwhCTNAjqgZSyE8B9mpMDROakt9HKhfsjqCSlkMqiBjKfc0R08KxUVNAoCvU5sLRcCl5u5inCCADvJZmOYHc2H5/s1600/egypt+church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQuM9X8GcIjmytf0-67ny60VhL2zRbIsSkbvS5TszogzbuAqm40ZAMvwhCTNAjqgZSyE8B9mpMDROakt9HKhfsjqCSlkMqiBjKfc0R08KxUVNAoCvU5sLRcCl5u5inCCADvJZmOYHc2H5/s320/egypt+church.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Two of the most common emotional reactions to unspeakably tragic events like this
are anger and fear. We have to be careful with both emotions because though the
Bible does give room for times when these attitudes of the heart are
appropriate, they are frequently labeled as sinful and often lead to unholy
actions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">For instance, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">James</b> writes
this about anger in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1:19-20</b>, “Everyone
must be quick to hear, slow to speak <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">and</span>
slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">In <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Luke
12:4-9</b>, Jesus gives a masterful explanation of the difference between holy
and worldly fear. “I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill
the body and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom
to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into
hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Yet</span> not one of them is forgotten
before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear;
you are more valuable than many sparrows. And I say to you, everyone who
confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels
of God; but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of
God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">There is a time and place for holy indignation and we should approach
every situation with a fear of the Lord, however, I have experienced the
destructive consequences of anger and anxiety far more than I would like to
admit. If I was an Egyptian Christian, I’m sure those emotions would be
tempting me to act in ways I would later regret. After all, it’s only human to
try to overcome evil with evil. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">But when I read about atrocities like the Egyptian church bombings, my
mind always travels back to the early Christians. They faced unconscionable
forms of persecution. So, how would they respond to a situation like this? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;">First,
they would write apologetic letters to the governing authorities to help increase
understanding and dispel rumors around the country about the Christian faith. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i>The Christians, O King … know and trust
in God, the Creator of heaven and of earth, in whom and from whom are all
things, to whom there is no other god as companion, from whom they received
commandments which they engraved upon their minds and observe in hope and
expectation of the world which is to come. … They comfort their oppressors and
make them their friends. They do good to their enemies. … From now on, let the
tongues of those who utter vanity and harass the Christians be silent; and in
the future let them speak the truth.</i> – Aristides 125CE, ANF Vol. 9, p. 443, 445
[CD-ROM] <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Second,
the early Christians would continue to faithfully follow the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/New-Wineskins-Simple-Words-Christ/dp/1940269792">simple words of Christ</a>, believing that the more persecution they faced, the more the power of
the gospel would be unleashed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i>We who were filled with war, and mutual
slaughter, and every wickedness, have each through the whole earth changed our
warlike weapons — our swords into ploughshares, and our spears into implements
of tillage — and we cultivate piety, righteousness, philanthropy, faith, and
hope, which we have from the Father Himself through Him who was crucified. …
Now it is evident that no one can terrify or subdue us who have believed in
Jesus over all the world. For it is plain that, though beheaded, and crucified,
and thrown to wild beasts, and chains, and fire, and all other kinds of
torture, we do not give up our confession; but the more such things happen, the
more do others and in larger numbers become faithful, and worshippers of God
through the name of Jesus.</i> – Justin Martyr 160CE, ANF Vol. 1, p. 413, [CD-ROM]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZ9tLpF7OQQxFsmb7Z9YmL_EEEAyVI0UN8p76gQGw_wOMyH2UUfsWYDpvh4l3dD5X3WzDFxzd299_cjpe-U2yCUAzWEdsNlgFmjQXAre-WwpHcIUfslBu1pUKyafntm7rH9V9ZR3bMP9G/s1600/martyrdom-of-polycarp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZ9tLpF7OQQxFsmb7Z9YmL_EEEAyVI0UN8p76gQGw_wOMyH2UUfsWYDpvh4l3dD5X3WzDFxzd299_cjpe-U2yCUAzWEdsNlgFmjQXAre-WwpHcIUfslBu1pUKyafntm7rH9V9ZR3bMP9G/s320/martyrdom-of-polycarp.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Finally, as described in the Martyrdom of Polycarp, the early
Christians believed that the power of prayer could transform enemies of the
gospel into sons of the living God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i>So when he (Polycarp) heard that they
(the arresting soldiers) had come, he went down and spoke with them. And as
those that were present marveled at his age and constancy, some of them said.
“Was so much effort<span style="mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;"> </span>made to capture such a venerable man?”<span style="mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;"> </span>Immediately then, in that
very hour, he ordered that something to eat and drink should be set before
them, as much indeed as they cared for, while he pleaded with them to allow him
an hour to pray without disturbance. And on their giving him leave, he stood
and prayed, being full of the grace of God, so that he could not cease<span style="mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;"> </span>for two full
hours, to the astonishment of them that heard him, insomuch that many began to
repent that they had come forth against so godly and venerable an old man.</i> –
Martyrdom of Polycarp 135CE, ANF Vol. 1, p. 68 [CD-ROM]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The early Christians show us that we neither have to resort to worldly anger
nor fear when faced with persecution. There is always another way. There is the
way of the misunderstood King who rode a young donkey into Jerusalem a week
before He was crucified. It may not be safe, but it transforms enemies into
brothers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Phil Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070932654089603927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689667370882607129.post-28645602034889929352017-04-08T14:56:00.000-07:002017-04-09T16:50:33.729-07:00You'll Never Guess What Terrifies Russia<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">About every couple of months, I have the privilege of sharing the gospel
with Jehovah’s Witnesses. There’s a Kingdom Hall two or three blocks away from
my house, so I’ve become quite familiar with a few of them through the years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">It’s easy to get sidetracked in these conversations, but one of the main
messages you want to get across is that Jesus is not simply the first and best
thing God created. No. Jesus is the Lord God manifested to the world. I’ve demonstrated
a couple of the methods I use with Jehovah’s Witnesses to help lead them to
this truth (<a href="http://reclaimingthefaith.blogspot.com/2016/09/simply-jesus-pt-22-i-am-alpha-and-omega.html">here</a> and <a href="http://reclaimingthefaith.blogspot.com/2016/09/simply-jesus-pt-23-destroy-this-temple.html">here</a>), but I’ve found that what starts to bring down their
defenses has nothing to do with Jesus’ divinity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Though their <a href="http://www.apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=13&article=371">founder was a false prophet</a> and they have some <a href="https://carm.org/jehovahs-witnesses-beliefs">seriously flawed beliefs</a> about Jesus and other things, Jehovah’s Witnesses are generally
really good people. They take the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5-7&version=NASB">Sermon on the Mount</a> very seriously, probably
much more simply and seriously than most evangelicals. Their strict adherence
to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5&version=NASB">Matthew 5</a></b> is one of the examples they
use to prove that they have the truth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Also, most Jehovah’s Witnesses I speak with have been taught that after
the original Apostles died, the beliefs and practices of the Church were
corrupted. So, I’ve found that I gain some ground with them when I explain that
there are <a href="http://reknew.org/2016/08/brief-history-political-power-church/">no recorded homicides committed by Christians</a> against unbelievers
until after 380CE, when Roman Emperor Theodosius declared that everyone in the
Empire must become a Christian. They are equally surprised when they learn that
the early Christians were declared enemies of the State and hunted down for
their undivided devotion to Jesus and His teaching. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Tertullian,
one of many early Christian apologists, elucidated this truth well at the end
of the second century.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">We are equally forbidden to wish ill, to do ill, to speak ill, to
think ill of all men. … If we are enjoined, then, to love our enemies, as I
have remarked above, whom have we to hate? If injured, we are forbidden to
retaliate, lest we become as bad ourselves: who can suffer injury at our hands?
… As those in whom all zeal in the pursuit of glory and honor is dead, we have
no pressing inducement to take part in your public meetings; nor is there
anything at all more entirely foreign to us than affairs of state. … We are
charged with being irreligious towards the Caesars, since we neither propitiate
their images nor swear by their genius. We are called enemies of the people. </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">– Tertullian 195CE, ANF Vol. 3, p. 65-67, 196 [CD-ROM]</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Clearly, the early Christians posed no physical threat to the Roman
Empire. Depending on the transformative power of the gospel, they refused to
try to change the world through politics or violent revolutions. And yet, they
were furiously persecuted as supposed enemies of the State. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAc-P2u2YZa4IbCz031M9MXlpdx0Ks_VQr86OSkJxseUWjFP-4YAGpbsNhm6CWnDCQdlXnJUHlzidu9nYdqDNmRuON2qF93EgjTYupVkIdaMTkAtE5bKpLK790MZflth0uYB-A7AEz1Ja/s1600/Putin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAc-P2u2YZa4IbCz031M9MXlpdx0Ks_VQr86OSkJxseUWjFP-4YAGpbsNhm6CWnDCQdlXnJUHlzidu9nYdqDNmRuON2qF93EgjTYupVkIdaMTkAtE5bKpLK790MZflth0uYB-A7AEz1Ja/s320/Putin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2017-04-06/russias-supreme-court-upholds-ban-on-jehovahs-witnesses">On April 6, 2017</a>, Russia's Supreme
Court upheld a decision by a Russian city to ban Jehovah's Witnesses, labeling
them an extremist group. The ruling arrived during proceedings on a Justice
Ministry suit seeking to ban Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia completely. And why
is that? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><a href="http://time.com/">Time.com</a> states, “Jehovah's
Witnesses are pacifists, and their religious beliefs require them to abstain
from political activity. They declare allegiance only to God, not to a state or
political entity. They do not vote, lobby, protest, or join military. This lack
of participation can be seen as a threat if a state demands nationalist and
patriotic activity.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">In many respects, the Jehovah’s Witnesses are being viewed as a
threat to Russian national security because of their strict interpretation of
and adherence to the Sermon on the Mount and other words of Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Don’t get me wrong. I definitely
believe the Jehovah’s Witnesses are one of the many cult groups in the world. That
being said, when a heretical religious group reflects many of the practices of
the early Christians more closely than most modern Western believers, we might
want to take some time to assess the hermeneutics that influence our approach
toward Jesus’ teachings. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--StartFragment--><!--EndFragment--><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">If Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr. could be challenged and inspired by the way Mahatma Gandhi (a Hindu who
rejected the lordship of Jesus) implemented the nonviolent red letters of the
New Testament, we Christians should be motivated by the devotion of the
Jehovah’s Witnesses.</span></span><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"> Just imagine the panic that would break out in the kingdom
of darkness if Christians worldwide began to faithfully practice the </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/New-Wineskins-Simple-Words-Christ/dp/1940269792" style="color: #f3f3f3;">simple words of Christ</a><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">!</span></span><!--EndFragment--><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"> </span></span>Phil Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070932654089603927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689667370882607129.post-82264083812573682512017-04-02T06:15:00.002-07:002017-06-05T15:36:33.628-07:00What the Heck Happened to Hell?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">As a
nine-year-old on December 19, 1989, I received a phone call from my aunt,
informing me that my Papaw passed away earlier that day. Other than a few
goldfish and hamsters, that was my first experience with the reality of
mortality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Papaw was basically
a good ol’ boy from Texas, and a hardworking entrepreneur of sorts. He would
buy and sell tractors and pigs, and also did a bit of farming. My favorite
memories with him involved sitting by the TV as he watched
wrestling. It didn’t matter if it was the WWF (now the WWE) or the Gorgeous
Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW), Pap was fully engaged and I quickly became a fan as
well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">I remember
crying at the funeral, but also feeling reassured that Pap was with Jesus after
the minister delivered his message. I’ve probably been to about 30 funerals
since then, and I cannot remember a time when the presiding minister didn’t
offer similarly comforting words to those in attendance. If one only heard
sermons at funerals, it might be tempting to become a universalist. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;">What is universalism? Allow me to
let Paul Young, author of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Shack,</i>
explain this core belief of his from the pages of his new book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.challies.com/book-reviews/what-does-the-shack-really-teach-read-lies-we-believe-about-god">Lies We Believe About God</a></i>.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">“The Good News is not
that Jesus has opened up the possibility of salvation and you have been invited
to receive Jesus into your life. The Gospel is that Jesus has already included
you into His life, into His relationship with God the Father, and into His
anointing in the Holy Spirit. The Good News is that Jesus did this without your
vote, and whether you believe it or not won’t make it any less or more true.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">What or who saves me? Either God did in Jesus, or I save myself.
If, in any way, I participate in the completed act of salvation accomplished in
Jesus, then my part is what actually saves me. Saving faith is not our faith,
but the faith of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">God does not wait for my choice and then “save me.” God has
acted decisively and universally for all humankind. Now our daily choice is to
either grow and participate in that reality or continue to live in the
blindness of our own independence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">Are you suggesting that everyone is saved? That you believe in
universal salvation?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">That is exactly what I am saying!”</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">You can see Young’s universalism shining through in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.albertmohler.com/2010/01/27/the-shack-the-missing-art-of-evangelical-discernment/">The Shack</a></i> when “Papa” (a female playing
the part of God the Father) exhorts Mack that he has now reconciled himself to
the whole world. Mack responds almost in disbelief, “The whole world? You mean
those who believe in you, right?” Papa, however, replies, “The whole world,
Mack.”</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Doesn’t
universalism make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside? No matter how you live,
everything will ultimately turn out great for you in the end. Unfortunately for
the universalists, they have to deal with the simple words of the New
Testament. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p style="background-color: black;"><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhByAjHOo5Le__4ki-zqNrokRaofFMhyQRquutYZGdckxeQ_dLjZ1IluGeneYPjvpn6WT1iua1n5-vGDV_08CZh0RL7qSqDpAKo5sRsyADXAogqf-KeQdFOp-d9ah7CXVc4A1lRf4TJceqg/s1600/shack+on+fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhByAjHOo5Le__4ki-zqNrokRaofFMhyQRquutYZGdckxeQ_dLjZ1IluGeneYPjvpn6WT1iua1n5-vGDV_08CZh0RL7qSqDpAKo5sRsyADXAogqf-KeQdFOp-d9ah7CXVc4A1lRf4TJceqg/s320/shack+on+fire.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">Take a moment to read these three passages
(though many more could’ve been cited) and see if you notice any reoccurring
words. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Enter
through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads
to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small
and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">– Matthew 7:13-14</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">For many
walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">that they are</span> enemies of the cross of
Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">their</span> appetite, and <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">whose</span>
glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. </span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">– Philippians 3:18-19</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 13.0pt;">It
is <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">only</span> just for God to repay
with affliction those who afflict you, and <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">to give</span> relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when
the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming
fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do
not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal
destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His
power.</span></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">–
2 Thessalonians 1:6-9</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">Destruction.
Not merely temporary heavenly punishments. Eternal, fiery destruction. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">But is that the testimony of the
early Church? Please read these three short quotes that faithfully represent
the overwhelming consensus of Ante-Nicene Christianity. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">The way of darkness is crooked, and
it is full of cursing. It is the way of eternal death with punishment.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> – Epistle of Barnabas 70-130CE, ANF
Vol. 1, p. 235 [CD-ROM]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">You should fear what is truly death,
which is reserved for those who will be condemned to the eternal fire. It will
afflict those who are committed to it even to the end.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> – Letter to Diognetus 125-200CE, ANF
Vol. 1, p. 52 [CD-ROM]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Sinners will be consumed because
they sinned and did not repent. … Those who have known God and have seen His
mighty works, but still continue in evil, will be chastised doubly, and will
die forever.</span></span></i><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> –
Hermes 150CE, ANF Vol. 2, p. 52, 81 [CD-ROM]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">We should neither smile nor joke about men and women burning in hell. If we take Jesus at His
word, more people will wind up in the lake of fire than in the new heavens and
new earth. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The reality of hell should neither be
the primary d</span><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">riving force behind choosing to follow Jesus nor telling others
about Him. However, it should be a motivating factor. Just like I lived in
denial of my Papaw’s death for a few days, we don’t like to consider the truth
that every single person we love is going to die one day and face judgment. No
amount of wishful thinking or fictional pseudo-Christian literature will change
that universal law. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">So, who do you know and love that isn’t
following Jesus? Will you make it a point to earnestly pray for his or her
salvation? What can you do to demonstrate the reality of the gospel to them
this week? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #f3f3f3;">We
always think we’re going to have much more time with our loved ones, but we
never know when that phone call is going to come. </span></span><!--EndFragment-->Phil Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070932654089603927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689667370882607129.post-57349838329198779382017-03-26T18:50:00.003-07:002017-03-27T06:29:50.268-07:00The Transgender god of the New Christian Gnostics<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">An <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/mar/17/bethel-university-urges-faculty-students-to-not-us/">article</a> was recently published by the Washington Post chronicling
Bethel University’s new stance, which strongly encourages their students to not
use words like “man” or “mankind” when referring to the human race. The university
in St. Paul, Minnesota, wrote in a statement to its students, </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">“The Bible teaches us to value all people because they
are created in God’s image. …</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">To be clear in
our Christian witness, the faculty encourages the use of inclusive language.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The phrase, “image of God,” seems to be the focal point of the controversy
at Bethel. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Genesis 1:26-27</b> states, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our
image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea
and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and
over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ God created man in His own
image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Bethel University appears to interpret <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">verse 27</b> as saying that the image of God is both male and female.
Therefore, according to that interpretation, the use of the words “mankind” or
“man” when referring to humanity is not inclusive and a denial of 50% of the
image of God. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">A
different Bethel has taken this line of reasoning a step further. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLVhlmU-BDc">Kris Vallotton</a>, the Associate Pastor at Bethel Church in Redding,
California, proclaimed at a women’s conference, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“God made you after His kind, and God made
Adam. The word “Adam” and the word “man”, the Hebrew word is the exact same
word. He made Adam both male and female as you know. How many of you know God
is not a man? God is both male and female. … It took a man and a woman to
demonstrate the revelation of who God is.”</i>
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">God is both male and female? Really? Adam was created as both a male and
a female? Wow. Vallotton even expands this point in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r66SKcrIxk">a different message</a> by
suggesting that Adam had the sexual capacity to replicate himself independent
of Eve. Unbelievable. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">But you know, Kris may not be in the minority for much longer. The book
and movie, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.albertmohler.com/2010/01/27/the-shack-the-missing-art-of-evangelical-discernment/">The Shack</a></i>, represent both
God the Father and the Holy Spirit as women. </span><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Perhaps to balance things out in his mind, the
writer chose to allow Jesus to still be a man.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmnmIiXufrUc7S4YHLD9J8HwG4iA46dvOpP4Z1Hiv3My6hd8M-ZHCC3OiE9ov9CWFsAfvfazrFjZyQ8jIjifaPdYGu7AO3c3se4IFAPYwrnzYcEEafoKfoLaswCJNh12xlo2v3nntXCNxM/s1600/shack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmnmIiXufrUc7S4YHLD9J8HwG4iA46dvOpP4Z1Hiv3My6hd8M-ZHCC3OiE9ov9CWFsAfvfazrFjZyQ8jIjifaPdYGu7AO3c3se4IFAPYwrnzYcEEafoKfoLaswCJNh12xlo2v3nntXCNxM/s320/shack.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Pastors
across the country are lauding this new film, but perhaps they wouldn’t be so
quick to sing its praises if they knew the origins of these strange beliefs
about the image of God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The early Church faced intense opposition throughout the first three
centuries. The persecutions they endured by various Roman Emperors are well-documented
historical atrocities. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">However, just as it is today, the greatest threat to Christianity in the
first three centuries of the Church was not persecution by violent unbelievers.
The greatest threat to the Church came from wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing.
Gnosticism ravaged the Church in those days, and its deceitful influence upon modern
Christianity is clearly evident in these descriptions of the heretical beliefs of Gnostics about members of
the Trinity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">They go on to say that the Demiurge imagined that he created all
these things of himself, while he in reality made them in conjunction with the
productive power of Achamoth (mother). … This mother they also call Ogdoad,
Sophia, Terra, Jerusalem, Holy Spirit, and, with a masculine reference, Lord.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> – Irenaeus 180CE, Volume 1, p. 528 [CD-ROM]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Hereupon the Father by and by, being moved, produces in his own
image, with a view to these <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">circumstances</span><span style="mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;"> </span>the Horos
whom we have mentioned above; (and this he does) by means of Monogenes Nus, a
male-female (Æon), because there is this variation of statement about the
Father’s<span style="mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;"> </span>sex.
… Meanwhile you must believe<span style="mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;"> </span>that Sophia has the surnames of earth and of
Mother—“Mother-Earth,” of course—and (what may excite your laughter still more
heartily) even Holy Spirit. In this way they have conferred all honour on that
female, I suppose even a beard, not to say other things.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">– Tertullian 200CE, Volume 3, p. 887,
898 [CD-ROM]<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">Marcus, making a similar attempt<span style="mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5.0pt;"> </span>with this (heretic), asserts that the
Tetrad came to him in the form of a woman,—since the world could not bear, he
says, the male (form) of this Tetrad, and that she revealed herself who she
was, and explained to this (Marcus) alone the generation of the universe.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">– Hippolytus 225CE, Volume 5, p. 171
[CD-ROM]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">To sum up these quotes, the Gnostics wrote that a heavenly mother and
father created all things. They said the divine father is literally both male
and female, and that another name for the Holy Spirit is “Mother-Earth”. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Though Gnosticism is almost 2,000 years old, remarkably, it is obviously
still doing damage to Christians in the 21<sup>st</sup> century. The transgender
false god of the new Christian Gnostics is steadily sweeping away masses of
church-goers into serious doctrinal error. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">What does it mean to be made in God’s image? Biblical languages
scholar, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy1ru7x4QSQ">Dr. Michael Heiser</a>, argues that perhaps we’re asking the wrong
question. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">“It’s not an attribute given to humanity. Think of it as a
verb. … I think we should understand <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Genesis
1:26-27</b> as referring, as meaning that humankind was created to function in
the capacity of God. Let us make humankind <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">as</i></b> our image. All of this points to
viewing the image in a functional sense. We are created to “image” God. … We
are His representatives. It’s a status given to us. It’s a function that we
need to fulfill.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">So,
how can you faithfully be God’s imager this week? How can you authentically fulfill
your calling to represent the character of our great Redeemer to those you
encounter? If you’re wrestling with what that will look like, just turn your
eyes upon Jesus, for He is <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1%3A13-23&version=NASB">the image of the invisible God</a>. </span></span><!--EndFragment-->Phil Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070932654089603927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689667370882607129.post-7244266740860774832017-03-19T19:22:00.000-07:002017-03-20T14:16:26.324-07:00Fire of Fire<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Occasionally, we have a random maid come by to clean the house. Just
like when the Jehovah’s Witnesses ring our doorbell, I try to make the most of
these opportunities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">After she finished up, I asked her if she liked to read. When she said she
did, I offered her a copy of my book <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/New-Wineskins-Simple-Words-Christ/dp/1940269792">New: Wineskins and the Simple Words of Christ</a></i>. I explained how I believe that everyone who comes into a relationship
with Jesus carries baggage that influences him or her to not take God at His
word.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Societal and familial traditions, religious and denominational leanings,
philosophical pontifications of teachers and university professors, traumatic
experiences, affluence, poverty and the values of our closest friends are all potential pieces of luggage we bring into the journey of following Jesus. And most of
the time, we have no concept of the tremendous weight they carry in shaping our
worldviews. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Also, it is very natural to see God through the lens of how we feel
about our fathers. If our fathers were dependable, we often find it easier to
trust God, who is referred to as our heavenly Father. However, if we had rocky
or nonexistent relationship relationships with our dads, taking God at His word
often proves to be a difficult endeavor. The cleaning lady told me she hadn’t
seen her father in roughly twenty years, and had only just begun going back to
church after about that same amount of time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;">It’s
interesting how the Scriptures inform us that instead of passing God through
the filter of our earthly fathers, we should let the life and ministry of Jesus
be the living, visible definition of our unseen heavenly Father. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">For the
Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus
Christ. No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the
bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> – John
1:17-18<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Only </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">begotten” is a weird phrase we do
not often hear in our culture, which literally translates as “one of a kind”.
To help understand what it means that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God,
let me explain by using an analogy from the early Church (remembering, of
course, that all analogies will fall short at some point). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">It is
just as we see also happening in the case of a fire, which is not lessened when
it has kindled another fire. Rather, it remains the same. And that which has
been kindled by it likewise appears to exist by itself, not diminishing the
fire from which it was kindled. The Word of Wisdom … is Himself this God,
begotten of the Father. … “The Lord made me the beginning of His ways for His
works. From everlasting He established me in the beginning, before He had made
the earth.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> – Justin Martyr 160CE, Volume 1, p. 365 [CD-ROM]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHxV8lkdSs7Y7fgkCo2EUBRY1i2LWeWZAxG_Pe5dI9MkbZnig21XJvWvJSGzgCdHYcXYQl93hOINzDcPHwnIni3RapFRtaqlkeBUuS0mbhLdPguBM35sxJ9RzJ2muTaObM5NmGUdzNBLR/s1600/consuming+fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHxV8lkdSs7Y7fgkCo2EUBRY1i2LWeWZAxG_Pe5dI9MkbZnig21XJvWvJSGzgCdHYcXYQl93hOINzDcPHwnIni3RapFRtaqlkeBUuS0mbhLdPguBM35sxJ9RzJ2muTaObM5NmGUdzNBLR/s320/consuming+fire.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Fire of Fire. Light of Light. God of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Jesus, the Word who was God and was with God from
the beginning, was never created, for by Him <i>all </i>things were created. Jesus
was begotten. He is very God of the eternal one true God. All these truths
reveal why Jesus could say to Philip, <i>“Have I been so long with you, and yet
you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father” </i>(John
14:9). Those words can be life-changing for people like me who have grown up
with trust issues. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Maybe you’ve been wounded by a parent, so it’s hard
for you to trust in a God who calls Himself a heavenly Father. Maybe you’ve
been hurt by Christians who call God their heavenly Father, so it’s difficult
for you to become part of what you consider a dysfunctional family. Maybe
you’ve read sections of the Old Testament where you see God making laws or
doing things that appear to be contradictory to One who calls Himself slow to
anger and abounding in steadfast love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Whatever the case, whatever baggage you carry, let
me ask you: <i>How do you feel about Jesus? Is He someone you feel you can
trust? </i>Personally, I can’t think of anyone more trustworthy, and He is the
exact representation of the Father’s nature. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">The apostle Paul wrote, <i>“For while we were still
helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly
die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare
even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were
yet sinners, Christ died for us” </i><b>(Romans
5:6-8)</b>. This passage does not imply that God forced Christ to die for us,
but that Jesus willingly engaged in this selfless act. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">In fact, <b>Hebrews
12:2</b> tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus, <i>“who for the joy set before Him
endured the cross.” </i>His joy was not found in experiencing the agony, but in
what would be accomplished through His humiliation—our reconciliation. Our
deliverance from the domain of darkness brought Jesus Christ joy as He
contemplated and endured the physical and spiritual torture of the cross. We
fix our eyes on Jesus because He shows us God the Father. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">For nearly two decades, I believed I had a terrible
earthly father, and thus a sketchy heavenly one. But how many people can say
they had fathers who constantly told them they loved them? Or had fathers who
always pro- vided new clothes for school? Or had fathers who came to virtually
all their sporting and musical events? Or had fathers who played sports with
them, even if they did not particularly enjoy those sports? Or had fathers who
were separated from their mothers but still managed to keep doing these things?
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">I could go on, but you get the idea. Perception is
not always reality. The truth is I am blessed to have the father I do, and I
had a much better upbringing than millions of other people. Likewise, though for
a while I thought my heavenly Father was untrustworthy, nothing could be
further from the truth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Jesus Christ, the image of the invisible God, has
demonstrated to us the character of God the Father, and He is good. He
is worthy of us laying down our lives for Him, because Jesus has already laid
down His life for us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">It was amazing seeing
the fire come into that woman’s eyes as we talked and she began to view her
heavenly Father in a new and true light. May the fire of the Holy Spirit ignite
a new love for your heavenly Father that manifests in a passionate commitment
to following the simple words of Jesus Christ.</span> Phil Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070932654089603927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689667370882607129.post-81362896668384805212017-03-12T07:11:00.002-07:002017-03-13T05:52:52.035-07:00“How Do You Become A True Christian?”<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">After preaching a chapel service for a local Christian school, a student
approached me and asked, “How do you become a true Christian?” What a great
question, right? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNA32TF2Q6hcrojTsvPXCJsGzF9h7PGfY2b8OkNX5TXRpH6-UIpLshJ3hFQkOlAkgQzwxnxrQ2LdsG7yR85MpMoESxpIhzp-VnaLIG7tRItuFqhIVRm5BGoEGJcJhDTCThi5dvFObX5L4V/s1600/ravenhill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNA32TF2Q6hcrojTsvPXCJsGzF9h7PGfY2b8OkNX5TXRpH6-UIpLshJ3hFQkOlAkgQzwxnxrQ2LdsG7yR85MpMoESxpIhzp-VnaLIG7tRItuFqhIVRm5BGoEGJcJhDTCThi5dvFObX5L4V/s320/ravenhill.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">I began by explaining that we must get first things
first. Jesus gave His entire life for us. When we
repent of our sins and give our lives to Him, He pours His life into us through
the Holy Spirit. We are reborn from above with Jesus’ life flowing through us. As
we walk with Him by faith each day, He begins to transform us to be more like
Him in our thoughts, desires, dreams and actions. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The next step, I told the young man, is to find an older Christian man
that is passionate about following Jesus. I urged him to ask if they can meet
up on a regular basis so the man can mentor him in the basics of Christian
life. Finally, I encouraged the student to pass on what he learns in his walk
with Jesus to his siblings and friends. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">I thought I had given the young man a fairly solid reply. However, I soon
realized that I had not addressed his actual point of interest. He told me that
he has been in the Church for many years, and has come across so many
hypocritical Christians. I asked for some clarification, so he gave me an
example of what he believed a genuine Christian looks like. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The young man said that he recently saw the movie, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sslCRVx7nPQ">Hacksaw Ridge</a></i> (which is based on a true story), and was inspired by
the main character’s integrity and desire to live out the simple words of Christ.
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hacksaw Ridge</i> tells the story of WWII
American Army Medic Desmond T. Doss, who served during the Battle of Okinawa
but refused to kill people, and eventually became the first Conscientious
Objector in American history to be awarded the Medal of Honor. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Doss believed that the Sermon on the Mount is not merely a high and
lofty ideal Christians are to aspire to, but are not actually called to live
out. No. Doss believed that followers of Jesus are actually supposed to follow
Jesus’ lead. Though Private Doss’ approach to the simple words of Christ may
seem novel or exceptional to modern Christians, in many ways he would just be considered a
normal Christian in the first 300 years of the Church. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Aristides
is one of those Ante-Nicene Christians. His 2<sup>nd</sup> century letter to
Emperor Hadrian is one of many apologetic works that reveals how the early
Christians’ steadfast adherence to the red letters of Jesus is powerful
evidence of the validity the gospel message.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The
Christians, O King, went about and searched, and they have found the truth. As
I have learned from their writings, they have come nearer to the truth and
genuine knowledge than the rest of the nations. For they know and trust in God,
the Creator of heaven and of earth, in whom and from whom are all things. …<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Therefore,
they do not commit adultery or fornication. They do not bear false witness. …
They do not worship idols made in the likeness of man. Whatever they would not
wish others to do to them, they do not do to others. They do not eat food
consecrated to idols, for they are pure. They comfort their oppressors and make
them their friends. They do good to their enemies. … Falsehood
is not found among them, and they love one another. From widows they do not
turn away their esteem, and they deliver the orphan from him who treats him
harshly. And he who has, gives to him who has not, without boasting. …
They follow the commandments of their Christ with much care, living justly and
seriously, just as the Lord their God commanded them.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> –
Aristides 125CE, Volume 9, p. 443-444 [CD-ROM]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">How many Christians like that have you met
throughout your life? How many Christians have you met that seriously seek to follow
the commands in the Sermon on the Mount? I’m guessing if you’re a typical
American Christian, you probably haven’t run into a lot of them. And yet, if you
were alive in the first three centuries of the Church, that type of Christian would
basically be all you encountered. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">So, why
do Christians today often look very different from the fathers of our faith?
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVQeAG2MYFs">Francis Chan</a> says it quite well:</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">“When I
was a kid we would play follow the leader. … We would play outside and one guy
would flap his wings, and so you’d do the same thing. It’s so crazy but in the
Church we’ve twisted things around, and follow Jesus is different than follow
the leader. With follow Jesus you just have to do something in your heart that
no one sees. … <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">We all
played Simon says, right? Simon says pat your head, and that’s what you do. But
Jesus says is a totally different game. If Jesus says pat your head, you just
memorize it. Jesus says go into the world and make disciples of all nations,
and you get that memorized. It doesn’t make sense." </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 17.33333396911621px;">–</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> Francis Chan<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">The early Christians took Jesus simply and
seriously, and so they ended up looking a lot like their leader. Christian academia
over the last several centuries has influenced our leaders to feel justified in
paying lip service rather than life service to our Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">How do you become a true Christian? Follow the Leader.
It may be hard and scary to do, but it really is that simple. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">There is a war going
on for the souls of men. We need more Christians with the conviction of Private
Doss to stand for Christ so that the eyes of unbelievers would be <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+26%3A12-18&version=NASB">turned from darkness to light</a>, and from the dominion of Satan to God. May we encourage one
another to faithfully follow Jesus.</span><!--EndFragment-->
Phil Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070932654089603927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689667370882607129.post-45116194197033167262017-03-05T12:41:00.000-08:002017-03-05T17:51:22.951-08:00The Hope of All Mankind?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Being
without my primary source of income over the last month has been an interesting
experience, to say the least. I have noticed a low-grade pessimism creeping
into my attitude, and with that, an increase in irritability. Multiple studies
have demonstrated <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/171044/depression-rates-higher-among-long-term-unemployed.aspx" target="_blank">joblessness</a> has an <a href="http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1250687-unemployment-kills-45000-people-commit-suicide-each-year-over-joblessness-study-says/" target="_blank">affect</a> on one’s ability to posses a hopeful
outlook. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">It makes
sense. Without a job, we can’t make money. Without money, we can’t afford the
things that give us a sense of security. When our sense of security has been
threatened for a significant period of time, feelings of despair often creep
in. And though I cannot speak for others who are going through similar
circumstances, I think this season has revealed that too much of my hope and
sense of security lies in things of this world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Hope is not
only critical to us individually, it is also a vital component to a society’s
ability to thrive. Politicians are well aware of this need, so they masterfully
manipulate the populace to continually place their faith and hope in the god of
the State. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Consider these quotes from America’s
previous two presidents.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">People outside of this country are
expressing disappointment because they got high expectations for America. And
they want America to lead. They want America to lead through our values, and
through our ideals and through our example. But they have high expectations of
us because, I think, that this country is still the last best hope on earth.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAVauLsJ56Q" target="_blank">President Barack Obama</a> on The
Late Show with David Letterman, April 9, 2007</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">September
the 11th, 2001 will always be a fixed point in the life of America. … We
resolved a year ago to honor every last person lost. … We owe them and their
children, and our own, the most enduring monument we can build, a world of
liberty and security, made possible by the way America leads and by the way
Americans lead our lives. The attack on our nation was also an attack on the
ideals that make us a nation.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> … This ideal of America is the hope
of all mankind. That hope drew millions to this harbor. That hope still lights
our way. And the light shines in the darkness. And the darkness will not
overcome it. May God bless America.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwTgg3vSXuA" target="_blank">President George W. Bush</a> on Ellis Island, September 11,
2002</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">The last
best hope on earth? The hope of all mankind? Wow. Those are some strong words,
especially coming from purported Christ followers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Did
President Bush’s last few sentences stand out to you? Did you recognize them?
That’s right. He quoted <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A1-18&version=NASB" target="_blank">John 1:5</a></b>, but
instead of saying that the Light that lights our way is Jesus Christ, he said
it is the ideal of America. Isn’t that the very definition of blasphemous
idolatry?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">And yet, many
Christian Americans read and heard those words without batting an eyelash. Some respond with whole-hearted approval. Why? Because our hope is where our
citizenship is. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;">The New Testament has quite a bit to
say about hope and citizenship, but one of the most striking examples is found
in Philippians 3.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">For many walk, of whom I often told
you, and now tell you even weeping, <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">that
they are</span> enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose
god is <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">their</span> appetite, and <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">whose</span> glory is in their shame, who
set their minds on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which
also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform
the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the
exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">– Philippians 3:18-21</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">It’s
interesting to note that Paul says the real enemies of the cross are not
unbelievers. The actual enemies of the cross are professing Christians whose functional
god, whose true security, whose real hope is this world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">True
followers of Jesus, Paul writes, identify as citizens of heaven. Accordingly,
citizens of heaven find their hope and security in heavenly realities, which
should therefore cause Christians to live in a manner that is in stark contrast
to citizens of earthly governments. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;">These truths were powerfully
articulated in an early Christian document entitled, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Letter to Diognetus</i>, which was written in the second century and
details the attitudes and actions of followers of Jesus throughout the known
world at the time. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Christians … live in their own
countries, but only as guests and aliens. … Every foreign country is their
homeland, and every homeland is a foreign country to them. …</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">They live on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven. They obey the
established laws, but through their life they surpass these laws. They love all
people and are persecuted by all. Nobody knows them, and yet they are
condemned. They are put to death, and just through this, they are brought to
life. They are poor as beggars, and yet they make many rich. They lack
everything, and yet they have everything in abundance. They are dishonored, and
yet have their glory in this very dishonor. They are insulted, and just in this
they are vindicated. They are abused, and yet they bless. They are assaulted,
and yet it is they who show respect. Doing good, they are sentenced like
evildoers. When punished with death, they rejoice in the certainty of being
awakened to life. … In a word: what the soul is in the body, the Christians are
in the world.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> – Letter
to Diognetus 125-200CE, Volume 1, p. 47-48 [CD-ROM]</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">The
attitudes and actions of the early Christians don’t make sense from a worldly
point of view. The <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5-7&version=NASB" target="_blank">Sermon on the Mount</a></b> doesn’t make sense if one views the
things of this world as his or her source of security and hope. Yet, the early
Christians lived with a tremendous sense of security because their hope was in
heavenly, eternal realities. They also saw <a href="http://reclaimingthefaith.blogspot.com/2014/12/irenaeus-on-gifts-of-spirit-in-180ad.html" target="_blank">countless lives transformed</a> by the
power of the Holy Spirit as the kingdom of God grew like a mustard seed in
their midst. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">People
need this heavenly hope demonstrated to them by the Church like the body needs
the soul. Without the soul, the body is a lifeless corpse. Therefore, if the
Church’s hope is in the things of the world, we’re all in a lot of trouble. But
if the Church has its hope fixed completely on the gracious realities brought
to us through Jesus Christ, then His light will shine brightly through us and
the darkness will not overcome it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Jesus Christ is the true and eternal hope of all
mankind. So whether your trial is currently one of joblessness or abundance,
how do you respond inwardly and outwardly when you feel your temporal, earthly securities
being threatened? How can you demonstrate the hope of heavenly citizenship to
others in the situation you find yourself today? </span><!--EndFragment--><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
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<!--StartFragment--><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Though the politicians would have you to believe otherwise, the world and all its
desires are passing away; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. Put your hope in Jesus. </span><!--EndFragment-->Phil Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070932654089603927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689667370882607129.post-36800682799349693042017-02-26T13:49:00.000-08:002017-02-26T13:55:08.316-08:00Fake News and the Gospel<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">There’s a
new cliché that been sweeping our nation. “Fake news” can be heard from the
lips of presidents, news anchors, protestors and even parents. Yeah, there was
a time I called “fake news” after being accused of taking some of my daughter’s
candy. Maybe that wasn’t fake news, though. It’s hard to know who to trust
these days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhiHRZYV7npK1f6lkrc17oUqG76u0HWSHqI5tyhorgtu7b_RYyYfccXBq2Yoo8bZv5EiYhIy0LwbljZcIR841udGnR5afFCi81QdIJy48wR_LoTNXiwVKWQVdkK3ZwYSLQB_iXPLf2MtKT/s1600/Fake+News.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhiHRZYV7npK1f6lkrc17oUqG76u0HWSHqI5tyhorgtu7b_RYyYfccXBq2Yoo8bZv5EiYhIy0LwbljZcIR841udGnR5afFCi81QdIJy48wR_LoTNXiwVKWQVdkK3ZwYSLQB_iXPLf2MtKT/s320/Fake+News.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">For the
disciples of Jesus, it was also difficult to determine reality in the days following
His crucifixion. Matthew records that just after Jesus rose from the dead, the
Jewish authorities conspired together with the soldiers guarding the tomb to
disseminate fake news among the people. They instructed the soldiers, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“You are to say, ‘His disciples came by
night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ And if this should come to the
governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matthew 28:13-14</b>).”</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;">The possibility of fake news reeked
havoc in the mind of one of Jesus’ disciples that same resurrection Sunday. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Even though
John and Peter had seen the stone rolled away and Jesus’ burial cloths folded
in the tomb, even though Mary Magdalene reported to the disciples that she had
seen, spoken with and hugged the risen Lord, the disciples huddled together in
an upper room in unbelief. Then suddenly, Jesus stood in their midst and showed
them the scars from His hands and side. They all rejoiced together and received
the Holy Spirit. All of them, that is, except Thomas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+20&version=NASB" target="_blank">The Gospel of John</a> records that Thomas happened to be out and about at the time Jesus
arrived, and when he finally made it back to the upper room, Jesus had vanished.
Can you imagine the emotional roller coaster he must have been on when he heard
the news? It all seemed to good to be true, so Thomas called “fake news”. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">He said to them, “Unless I see in
His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the
nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John 20:25</b>).”</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Exactly one week later, though,
Jesus again returned to the upper room, this time when Thomas was with the
others. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here
with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My
side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” Thomas answered and said to
Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have
you believed? Blessed <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">are</span> they
who did not see, and <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">yet</span>
believed (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John 20:27-29</b>).”</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">It seemed
unbelievable to Thomas that real, death-defeating power could spring forth from
his Lord being marred beyond all recognition and savagely murdered. But with
the resurrected Jesus starring him in the face, Thomas could live in denial no
longer. Belief in the gospel transformed Thomas. According to Church history he
courageously took that life-changing message to Parthia and India where he was
eventually martyred. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">The good
news of the way, life, death and resurrection of Jesus quickly began to spread
all over the known world by believers like Thomas. Soon, thousands, hundreds of
thousands and even millions of people throughout the Roman Empire were
renouncing their hope in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pax Romana</i>
for gospel of the kingdom of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Justin Martyr was one of several
early Christians who wrote about the drastic shift that occurred in the lives
of those who dared to take Jesus at His word.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">We who hated and
destroyed one another, and on account of their different manners would not live
with men of a different tribe, now, since the coming of Christ, live familiarly
with them, and pray for our enemies, and endeavor to persuade those who hate us
unjustly to live conformably to the good precepts of Christ, to the end that
they may become partakers with us of the same joyful hope of a reward from God
the ruler of all. … We who were filled with war, and mutual slaughter, and
every wickedness, have each through the whole earth changed our warlike weapons
- our swords into ploughshares, and our spears into implements of tillage - and
we cultivate piety, righteousness, philanthropy, faith, and hope, which we have
from the Father Himself through Him who was crucified.</span></span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"> – Justin Martyr 160CE, Volume 1, pg. 167, 254
[CD-ROM]</span><span style="color: #262700;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">How do you
feel about Justin’s testimony? Does it make you want to call “fake news”?
Justin Martyr proclaimed that throughout the entire world, the eschatological
prophecies of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+2%3A1-4&version=NASB" target="_blank">Isaiah 2</a></b> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Micah+4%3A1-8&version=NASB" target="_blank">Micah 4</a></b> were already coming true in the
followers of Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">How powerful
do you believe the gospel is? Do you believe it’s not only powerful enough to
transform enemies of God into His friends, but your enemies into your friends
as well? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">There is much propaganda and fake news floating
around in our world, it’s true. But the timeless truth of the gospel will
continue to regenerate and transform those like Thomas who will humbly and
simply give their lives fully over to Jesus and His kingdom. </span><!--EndFragment--></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Phil Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070932654089603927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689667370882607129.post-75146422681056009612017-02-19T08:07:00.001-08:002017-02-19T13:45:01.111-08:00Jeffress Vs. Jesus<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Dr. Robert Jeffress is the
pastor of First Baptist Church Dallas, TX, and a strong supporter of Donald
Trump. Evidently, the admiration is reciprocal, because President Trump had
Jeffress preach a special <a href="http://time.com/4641208/donald-trump-robert-jeffress-st-john-episcopal-inauguration/" target="_blank">sermon</a> for him the night before his inauguration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjz9r6Akrqcgued4i2Zp8RSg0rmIvgLA5kjKj0xCyEPwsBvJnJxwpPcpAK_763t26z60j2vgRQuOa-lDwvSi18pLgZKEWoWjqbyrJ4QHtKrl4SaK1woap_TcrLCjo-zhy8cTIf0DzEZwTM/s1600/trump-Jeffress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjz9r6Akrqcgued4i2Zp8RSg0rmIvgLA5kjKj0xCyEPwsBvJnJxwpPcpAK_763t26z60j2vgRQuOa-lDwvSi18pLgZKEWoWjqbyrJ4QHtKrl4SaK1woap_TcrLCjo-zhy8cTIf0DzEZwTM/s320/trump-Jeffress.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">A few weeks before the
election, Pastor Jeffress was <a href="http://www.npr.org/2016/10/16/498171498/pastor-robert-jeffress-explains-his-support-for-trump" target="_blank">interviewed</a> on National Public Radio about his
unabashed support for Trump. Toward the end of the conversation, Jeffress was
asked how he felt about one of Max Lucado’s election-themed blog posts, in which he called
Christians </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">to
restore each other's humanity and stop being mean.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">This was Jeffress’ reply:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Well,
first of all, I see a lot of common ground with Max Lucado. I love Max Lucado.
And, you know, I've disagreed with his point of view. When I'm looking for a
leader who's going to fight ISIS and keep this nation secure, I don't want some
meek and mild leader or somebody who's going to turn the other cheek. I've said
I want the meanest, toughest SOB I can find to protect this nation. And so
that's why Trump's tone doesn't bother me. But having said that, I do agree
with Max Lucado. There needs to be unity, especially in the body of Christ.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">When I first read those
words, several questions came to my mind such as: What should the body of
Christ be looking for in a leader? Shouldn’t the head of the body of Christ,
Jesus, be the leader of the Church? What should be the unifying principle that
binds the body of Christ together? Shouldn’t we be unified around the cross?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">I don't want to insinuate that he is not a Christian, but what seems to be going on with Pastor Jeffress is an
example of 1 Corinthians 1:18, 27-28 playing itself out in our culture. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">For
the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who
are being saved it is the power of God. …</span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the
wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which
are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the
things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">On the cross, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+5%3A6-11&version=NASB" target="_blank">Jesus died for His enemies</a> in order to reconcile them to God. On the cross, Jesus looked foolish. On the
cross, Jesus looked weak. On the cross, it looked like Jesus had lost and evil
had won. Yet, on the cross, Jesus displayed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the</i>
great power of God. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Perhaps one of the greatest
examples of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1 Corinthians 1:18</b>
playing itself out in the New Testament happens in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+16%3A13-28&version=NASB" target="_blank">Matthew 16</a></b>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">In the
latter days of His ministry, Jesus asks the disciples who they and the crowds say
that He is. It’s a good question we need to ask ourselves from time to time. Is
Jesus just a good teacher? Is He just a kind fellow who shows us a nice and
fanciful ideal? Or, is He God? Is He the Lord of our lives? Is He <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the</i> leader whose example we must follow?
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">After
Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, Jesus proceeds to </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">tell
the disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the
elders and chief priests and scribes. He says that He must be killed and raised
back up on the third day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Peter can’t fathom the Messiah losing
like that so he says, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to
You.” But Jesus immediately looked back at Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan!
You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s
interests, but man’s.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">In
Matthew 16, Peter views the cross as foolishness and weakness. Peter views the
cross as losing because he was being deceived by the devil. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">However, Jesus
came to destroy the works of the devil, so He begins to reveal to Peter and the
other disciples the way to overcome Satan, the way to live in victory and achieve
spiritual prosperity. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he
must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to
save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find
it."</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Jesus elucidated to the disciples and to us the manner in
which the great power of God is unleashed. Cyprian, bishop of Carthage and
eventual martyr for Christ, echoed his Lord’s words in one of his many works
during the third century. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">The
kingdom of God is not in the wisdom of the world, nor in eloquence, but in the
faith of the cross. … In the first Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians: “Christ
sent me to preach, not in wisdom of discourse, lest the cross of Christ should
become of no effect. For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who
perish; but to those who are saved it is the power of God.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> – Cypran
250CE, Volume 5, p. 980-981<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">I believe
that Pastor Jeffress is attracted to Trump’s tone and approach toward evil because
it appears to be powerful. However, from a kingdom of God perspective, it is weak and
foolish because it is completely antithetical to the cross. Is it possible </span><span style="font-size: 17.33333396911621px;">that</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> Pastor Jeffress does not have in mind the thoughts of God, but rather is unintentionally promoting the agenda of the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+4%3A3-4&version=NASB" target="_blank">god of this world</a>?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">As Paul, the writer of <b>1 Corinthians</b> proves in
his <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+9%3A1-31&version=NASB" target="_blank">testimony</a>, it is the cross, not a mean SOB, that truly has the power to transform evil into good in the world. It is the cross that turns hate-filled terrorists into
love-driven missionaries. And I realize that may sound like nonsense to some, but
it is the wisdom and power of God. </span></span><!--EndFragment-->Phil Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070932654089603927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689667370882607129.post-28862958850337970642017-02-12T15:07:00.000-08:002017-02-12T15:11:29.397-08:00An American Boogeyman<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">When the first plane collided into the World Trade Center, I was at my
parents’ house getting ready to leave for my Koine Greek class at Houston
Baptist University. I couldn’t believe what was happening, and rage began to
flood my heart. The anger only intensified when I learned my professor hadn’t
cancelled class. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">We were soon told that Islamic terrorists were to blame and I can
remember telling my dad, “We need to blow those Middle Eastern folks off the
face of the earth.” That’s not the kind of talk that should come out of a
Christianity major’s mouth, but in that moment, I wasn’t thinking like a
Christian. I was thinking like an American.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtaieY_62rHxdZpEOGohAbypO_lVAUoevrZYmf8Q7sRVP56gTjUkPsBhFyg9MpQMJbe6-wI7h1egfyI8vaT6QEDHKBKnG3uJtl3OMOX15If9_w6H8lUnrBqXlts4yGKI0ZkEz2MLMqtvz/s1600/american_art_of_war.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtaieY_62rHxdZpEOGohAbypO_lVAUoevrZYmf8Q7sRVP56gTjUkPsBhFyg9MpQMJbe6-wI7h1egfyI8vaT6QEDHKBKnG3uJtl3OMOX15If9_w6H8lUnrBqXlts4yGKI0ZkEz2MLMqtvz/s320/american_art_of_war.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">America loves war. It’s been documented that as long as the USA has
existed, there have only been a total of <a href="http://www.infowars.com/america-has-been-at-war-93-of-the-time-222-out-of-239-years-since-1776/" target="_blank">21 years</a> when we haven’t been fighting with someone somewhere. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Because America loves war, America needs a boogeyman. A boogeyman is
anything or anyone we are told is a threat to our God-given right to
experiencing the American dream. America not only needs boogeymen, but loves
them because they give us a reason to actualize the violence we fantasize about.
They give us a reason to come together. Boogeymen give us a reason to believe
in the cause of America again and make sacrifices for the State, whom we view
as our practical provider and protector. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Various boogeymen throughout America’s history have included the Native
Americans, the British, African Americans, Fascists, Communists, drug dealers,
Democrats and Republicans. Over the last decade-and-a-half, the main boogeyman
that has supposedly been threatening the freedoms of America has been radical
Islam. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;">Newly
elected President Donald Trump reignited Americans’ fear and hatred of radical
Muslims in his <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/transcript-of-trump-inauguration-speech-full-text/" target="_blank">inaugural address</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">"We will seek friendship and goodwill with the nations of the
world -- but we do so with the understanding that it is the right of all nations
to put their own interests first. We do not seek to impose our way of life on
anyone, but rather to let it shine as an example for everyone to follow. We
will reinforce old alliances and form new ones -- and unite the civilized world
against Radical Islamic Terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the
face of the Earth."</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">President Trump is clearly seeking to annihilate the people who believe
in radical Islam. When you try to destroy an ideology by destroying the people
who adhere to that ideology, history proves that these endeavors generally fail.
Attempting to destroy a philosophy or an ideal through violence releases the
seeds of martyrdom, which only causes that movement to spread. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Don’t get me wrong, though. Like all belief systems that set themselves
up against the gospel of the kingdom of God, I do not think that Islam is a
good or even neutral thing. It needs to be confronted. However, according to
the Scriptures, the way Christians fight against evil is diametrically opposed
to the methods of worldly warfare. It is also exceedingly more effective. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;">For
though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the
weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the
destruction of fortresses.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">– 2
Corinthians 10:3-4</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Before
you neuter these divinely inspired words or think Paul to be naïve, take a
moment to read this account of the way Christians powerfully fought against
terrorism in the third century. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;">The adversary had leapt forth to disturb the camp of Christ with
violent terror; but, with the same impetuosity with which he had come, he was
beaten back and conquered. … But when beaten back … he perceived that the
soldiers of Christ are now watching, and stand sober and armed for the battle;
that they cannot be conquered, but that they can die; and that by this very
fact they are invincible, that they do not fear death; that they do not in turn
assail their assailants, since it is not lawful for the innocent even to kill
the guilty; but that they readily deliver up both their lives and their blood.
… Let us be urgent, with constant groanings and frequent prayers. For these are
our heavenly arms, which make us to stand fast and bravely to persevere. These
are the spiritual defenses and divine weapons which defend us.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13pt;"> – Cyprian 250CE, Volume 5, p. 622-623 [CD-ROM]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">I don’t think it’s fair to call the Christians of the first three
centuries pacifists. They were fearless and passionate warriors. However,
because they belonged to a kingdom that is not of this world, the method of
their warfare was otherworldly. Instead of firing arrows at their assailants,
they called upon the name of the Lord. Instead of attacking and killing their enemies,
they blessed and loved them into friends. Instead of mirroring evil with evil,
they overcame evil with good and destroyed the works of the devil. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The early Christians were not naïve. They knew exactly what they were
doing. And by the end of the third century, despite Christianity being an
illegal religion, 1/10<sup>th</sup> of the people in the Roman Empire followed
the kingdom way of Jesus Christ. They radically changed the religious landscape
of the world by loving their enemies without any qualifications, just like
their Lord did on the cross.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">So please, fellow Christian, do not be deceived.
Radical Islam is not the boogeyman. President Trump is not the boogeyman.
Neither Democrats nor Republicans are the boogeyman. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">When we pause to
think like Christians, we remember that Satan is the real boogeyman; he is our
adversary. Satan is the ruler of all the kingdoms of this world, the father of
lies who deceives the whole world, and he delights in the destruction of the
image of God. But those who follow Jesus will <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+12%3A10-11&version=NASB" target="_blank">overcome</a> him by the blood of the
lamb and the word of their testimony, for they will not love their lives even
when faced with death.</span></span><!--EndFragment-->
Phil Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00070932654089603927noreply@blogger.com0