Strangeness in Radio Land.
As I was driving in my wife's car, and she listens to Country Music, I listened for some time between several trips. I found that most songs were actually either about boozing, cheating, or some aspects of Adultery, put into a Country Poetic song.
Also with in an hour's time between 2 songs I heard 1 that was a good song, and in it no booze or adultery, and even mentioned a Church of Christ with no room due to good attendance. But after a short while later, there was a song with a cowboy singing just how "Hot" the preachers daughter was.
Being honest, there were a few other songs that were just good time songs to sing along with, but the majority was still what I remember of Country Music... Boozing, 2-Timing, Cheating, and Stealing another fella's gal...
Just an observation.
5/30/2010
5/28/2010
Response to a forwarded email...
I recieved an email that started out like this...
I SUGGEST WE LINE A COUPLE OF ARMY DIVISIONS ALONG THE MEXICAN BORDER AND SHOT EVERYONE THAT TRIES TO CROSS .... I REALIZE THIS IS NOT CHRISTIAN; HOWEVER, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
The it went on how Mexico's own immigration policy is strict.
But I had to send a response back to all, and it went like this...
I find it interesting, yet freighting when people seem to “claim” to know a “Christian concept”, like in this case…
Yet in the same breath, deny it, justifying it on man-centered terms.
There are tons of examples God has set before us in His Word to us, concerning thinks like this, in both the Old Testament & the New Testament.
The best one for this maybe is about “the good Samaritan”…
This is also one of the most mis-understood in American Christianity.
Unlike the popular understanding that this was a story to do good for your neighbor…
That is NOT what it was about.
Like this email, it was about man trying to justify a political “type” agenda.
It was Jesus harsh response to a loaded question given to Him… as he was trying to justify himself.
Jesus did not say “be nice to people next door to you”.
He used a Samaritan, of all the people groups, a Samaritian.
The Jews had more respect and dealings with the Romans.
They would pass by a Roman soldier on the street, but they would go out of their way to avoid even having eye contact with a Samaritan.
To say that we need to strengthen our boarders, and that we have a right to do so is correct. But to suggest shooting and killing someone... and then trying to justify it... and on top of that, sending the hatred to others...
Well lets just say that one of the #1 reasons for Atheism in America is so-called Christians who praise Jesus with their lips in a Church building, but outside of that building, demonstrate their true belief of a worldly manner. The hypocrisy is astounding.
If you think it is not, then why not mention this to everyone in your Church and your Pastor.
You wouldn't, because in a Church building is where your once a week and ½ dose of Jesus exists.
I am not trying to be hard in my response here, but Jesus was not a “funny Guy” who was half hearted about His command, (not a suggestion as most American Christians take it) to love one another.
[The Parable of the Good Samaritan]
And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”
But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
(Luke 10:25-37 ESV)
If you call yourself a Christian (follower of Christ) and can say things like this, then I ask you to examine your self in the light of Scripture, and what Scripture says a true believer will demonstrate.
I don't know your true heart, this email does not know your true heart, but God knows it, even your thought life, He says if you hate your brother, you have committed murder.
I SUGGEST WE LINE A COUPLE OF ARMY DIVISIONS ALONG THE MEXICAN BORDER AND SHOT EVERYONE THAT TRIES TO CROSS .... I REALIZE THIS IS NOT CHRISTIAN; HOWEVER, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
The it went on how Mexico's own immigration policy is strict.
But I had to send a response back to all, and it went like this...
I find it interesting, yet freighting when people seem to “claim” to know a “Christian concept”, like in this case…
Yet in the same breath, deny it, justifying it on man-centered terms.
There are tons of examples God has set before us in His Word to us, concerning thinks like this, in both the Old Testament & the New Testament.
The best one for this maybe is about “the good Samaritan”…
This is also one of the most mis-understood in American Christianity.
Unlike the popular understanding that this was a story to do good for your neighbor…
That is NOT what it was about.
Like this email, it was about man trying to justify a political “type” agenda.
It was Jesus harsh response to a loaded question given to Him… as he was trying to justify himself.
Jesus did not say “be nice to people next door to you”.
He used a Samaritan, of all the people groups, a Samaritian.
The Jews had more respect and dealings with the Romans.
They would pass by a Roman soldier on the street, but they would go out of their way to avoid even having eye contact with a Samaritan.
To say that we need to strengthen our boarders, and that we have a right to do so is correct. But to suggest shooting and killing someone... and then trying to justify it... and on top of that, sending the hatred to others...
Well lets just say that one of the #1 reasons for Atheism in America is so-called Christians who praise Jesus with their lips in a Church building, but outside of that building, demonstrate their true belief of a worldly manner. The hypocrisy is astounding.
If you think it is not, then why not mention this to everyone in your Church and your Pastor.
You wouldn't, because in a Church building is where your once a week and ½ dose of Jesus exists.
I am not trying to be hard in my response here, but Jesus was not a “funny Guy” who was half hearted about His command, (not a suggestion as most American Christians take it) to love one another.
[The Parable of the Good Samaritan]
And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”
But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
(Luke 10:25-37 ESV)
If you call yourself a Christian (follower of Christ) and can say things like this, then I ask you to examine your self in the light of Scripture, and what Scripture says a true believer will demonstrate.
I don't know your true heart, this email does not know your true heart, but God knows it, even your thought life, He says if you hate your brother, you have committed murder.
5/24/2010
Confused about credibility given where it shouldn't...
I am bewildered how blatant, "False-Teachers" and "Solid Teachers" can exist side by side.
I am speaking directly of the "Quote" Christian Broadcasting...
Taking " TBN " for example... (The Blasphemy Network)
As I was pointed today to yet another of Benny Hinns performances, I had also to note on the Schedule for TBN was a mix-mash of Goat food & Sheep food, Tares & Wheat, Bad fish & Good fish...
Or to put it another way...
(Not in exact order)
Questionable Preaching followed by Prosperity Preaching, followed by Feel good Preaching, followed by Self Help Preaching, followed by Biblical Preaching, followed by Divorced Woman in it for the money Preaching, followed by Worldly Preaching... Name it and claim it Preaching...
Mostly false teaching with a few sound teachings smattered in between...
Part of me understands a desire to have a truthful presence...
But every tine I look at Scripture, and not only watch what Jesus did, but what He instructs...
Every time I look at what Jesus showed and taught through Paul...
I see that we are not to associate with such people.
(Osteen, White, Hinn, Dollar, Couch, Copeland etc...)
I see that we are to seek the lost, but not in towns where their hearts are hardened and we are told to shake the dust from our shoes of such places. Places where these people are there in response to those people gathering them unto themselves to have their ears tickled...
I see much unfortunate credibility being placed in TBN and the likes by having the claim of those few Truthful Preachers being part of their Schedule.
One of my issues is if I share the shamefulness of those Prosperity-Name it Claim it preachers on these "for-profit" Networks, is that they can right back to me, isn't that the station where your "sound teacher" is on also?
Hence a major red-herring...
What say you?
)
I am speaking directly of the "Quote" Christian Broadcasting...
Taking " TBN " for example... (The Blasphemy Network)
As I was pointed today to yet another of Benny Hinns performances, I had also to note on the Schedule for TBN was a mix-mash of Goat food & Sheep food, Tares & Wheat, Bad fish & Good fish...
Or to put it another way...
(Not in exact order)
Questionable Preaching followed by Prosperity Preaching, followed by Feel good Preaching, followed by Self Help Preaching, followed by Biblical Preaching, followed by Divorced Woman in it for the money Preaching, followed by Worldly Preaching... Name it and claim it Preaching...
Mostly false teaching with a few sound teachings smattered in between...
Part of me understands a desire to have a truthful presence...
But every tine I look at Scripture, and not only watch what Jesus did, but what He instructs...
Every time I look at what Jesus showed and taught through Paul...
I see that we are not to associate with such people.
(Osteen, White, Hinn, Dollar, Couch, Copeland etc...)
I see that we are to seek the lost, but not in towns where their hearts are hardened and we are told to shake the dust from our shoes of such places. Places where these people are there in response to those people gathering them unto themselves to have their ears tickled...
I see much unfortunate credibility being placed in TBN and the likes by having the claim of those few Truthful Preachers being part of their Schedule.
One of my issues is if I share the shamefulness of those Prosperity-Name it Claim it preachers on these "for-profit" Networks, is that they can right back to me, isn't that the station where your "sound teacher" is on also?
Hence a major red-herring...
What say you?
)
5/21/2010
Year of our Lord 05212010 - Infant baptism...
In Monergism there is featured 2 MP3 views on infant baptism. Here
I have not listened to them yet.
But the 2 speakers are John MacArthur (against) and RC Sproul (for)
I am not sure if I will have time to listen to these, but will try.
However I would NOT be going into this with an open mind.
I have seen and experienced too much of the damage done through infant baptizing.
My whole family, many people I meet.
If you dig, it is to them a "requirement" that they feel they met.
A false assurance that they have Gods seal on them.
Many in the Mob or Mafia are of opinion that their place in Heaven is sealed because they were baptized.
Thayt is all I have on this for now...
5/15/2010
5/13/2010
They had a request...
The Disciples said
“We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard”.
Think of the fate of those the enemy “has taken captive… to do his will.”
While many are content with “Bible Study night,” take a team and go to the unsaved.
Go to the darkness of this world and bring the light of the Gospel...
As I was reading this from Ray Comfort it struck a chord of what happened this past weekend.
We had gone to the Cotee River Seafood Fest, and shared the Gospel with many. We had been there about 2 hours, when we were approached by a couple who claimed to be fellow Christians.
They had a request…
“Please stop passing out tracts, we are Christians too, but we don’t want you to pass out tracts here.”
When I asked if they were officials with the River Fest they said no.
They said they were concerned Christians.
Their concern was that… And I quote…
“We are afraid that if you can spread the word about Christianity… then Satanists can come in here and do the same thing!”
They were particularly experienced at avoiding answering and Christian questions asked of them.
With each of these questions I asked…
“ Are we not commanded to Preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ everywhere?”
“What is more important, spreading the Gospel or worrying about a few possible Satanists?”
“How will they be able to identify the Satanists, if they have not heard Christ preached?”
“What is more important to you, obeying Jesus, or worrying about man made rules?”
With each of the above questions I asked, they answered…
“Please, we are Christians too, and are asking you as politely as possible to leave!”
It was a repeating loop, they would not answer questions. They only stated their cause.
As we were on our way out when this happened, I ended telling them that we were soon to depart, and would be handing them out on the way out of the park.
They seemed happy we were going and then left.
It was odd, that in 4+ years of going to this fest, this was the only time I was asked to leave. And it was by 2 people claiming to be Christians. Yet their actions gave away their hearts desires, which was to deny Christ in favor of man. This is a typical American Christianity that I see played out more and more.
Another oddity, is that as these were NOT the only ones unhappy with us being there. There were several people who voiced things like Jesus was not real, and the Gospel was just our opinion, and the Bible is a man made book... None of those people, happy or not, asked us to leave. They just denied the Scriptures and Gospel, but respected our rights to spread the Gospel.
The only ones that did ask us to leave were American Christians...
By the way... there were many there who not only accepted a tract or conversation about the Gospel, but who thanked us, whether they agreed or not.
P.S. I look forwards to next year, NOT to confront those who oppose the spreading of Gods Word, but to confront those who do not know the Gospel, with the Gospel.
5/11/2010
More strangeness from Catholics…
In the popes latest statement… And here...
In these short articles we can see just how works based and self appointing the Roman religion really is.
The second article is startling as I was unaware that Mary came back to earth, or that she was even raised up yet. But then again, this should not startle me with a cult.
But to the main thrust of the articles…
The pope takes a right step identifying that the main attack is from within their cult.
But then he deflects and doublespeak’s…
By this I mean he offers up works to be done, and then he calls for pardon and justice.
???
If this tragedy hit anywhere else, like a big company, criminal charges and persecution (in the legal sense) would have ensued. But they are immune to even such hideous crimes as homosexual sexual predator and abuse on children. Not to mention all the cover up.
It is Version clear for the most part that they are not sorry so much for the crimes and all that surround them, as they are that they got caught.
In these short articles we can see just how works based and self appointing the Roman religion really is.
The second article is startling as I was unaware that Mary came back to earth, or that she was even raised up yet. But then again, this should not startle me with a cult.
But to the main thrust of the articles…
The pope takes a right step identifying that the main attack is from within their cult.
But then he deflects and doublespeak’s…
By this I mean he offers up works to be done, and then he calls for pardon and justice.
???
If this tragedy hit anywhere else, like a big company, criminal charges and persecution (in the legal sense) would have ensued. But they are immune to even such hideous crimes as homosexual sexual predator and abuse on children. Not to mention all the cover up.
It is Version clear for the most part that they are not sorry so much for the crimes and all that surround them, as they are that they got caught.
5/09/2010
God Loves everybody??? (continued)02
The outing at the Seafood Fest and this mornings Sermon on John 9:35-41, set a more determined attitude to work even more diligently on this tract.
The Deceptive Pragmatic preaching that is all over America is at a high point, lulling people to a false Gospel message.
The Deceptive Pragmatic preaching that is all over America is at a high point, lulling people to a false Gospel message.
Cotee River Seafood fest...
Yesterday we went to the Cotee River Seafood Fest... It was much lighter this year than most years. But there were still a lot of people there. And the Lord created an opportunity to pas out many Gospel Tracts and talk to many. However this year had a lot more people resist accepting a Tract or conversation and there seemed to be a hostility in the air that has not been so before.
And the odd thing was that the longest conversation was with 2 people who called themselves Christians. They spent about 20 + minutes trying to get us not to preach the Gospel in the park, and their reasoning was that if we could preach Christ, then Satanists could spread their lies. ??? They never would answer any questions, they just kept claiming they were Christians and saying that if "we" had our rights, then Satanists would have their rights. ??? However, there were those in our paths who thanked us for the tracts and conversation.
And the odd thing was that the longest conversation was with 2 people who called themselves Christians. They spent about 20 + minutes trying to get us not to preach the Gospel in the park, and their reasoning was that if we could preach Christ, then Satanists could spread their lies. ??? They never would answer any questions, they just kept claiming they were Christians and saying that if "we" had our rights, then Satanists would have their rights. ??? However, there were those in our paths who thanked us for the tracts and conversation.
5/05/2010
God Loves everybody??? (continued) 01
My point is to point out that there is in America (un-like the Bible) a front-runner that starts off, even before the Gospel is attempted to be preached (which in America is usually only half of the Gospel), but there is a front-runner to this that basically says...
"Now, now people, relax, the message I have is an easy message, one which you will like, and it will bring you peace on earth."
How does that line up with what Jesus said:
Can anyone tell me?.
Jesus words when He began his ministry, and what he preached this from the start.
"Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!" Matthew 4:17
Jesus Speaking
"And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Matthew 10:38
Jesus speaking
"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. s I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." Matthew 10:34
Jesus speaking
"You are of your father the devil," John 8:44
Jesus speaking to cities that are un-repentant.
"But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”
And don't forget that there is a WIDE path that "The Many" will follow and go to Hell for eternity.
Or is God just a "Funny Guy" and a comedian who will say on the day of Judgment... "Just kidding!"
"Now, now people, relax, the message I have is an easy message, one which you will like, and it will bring you peace on earth."
How does that line up with what Jesus said:
Can anyone tell me?.
Jesus words when He began his ministry, and what he preached this from the start.
"Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!" Matthew 4:17
Jesus Speaking
"And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Matthew 10:38
Jesus speaking
"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. s I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." Matthew 10:34
Jesus speaking
"You are of your father the devil," John 8:44
Jesus speaking to cities that are un-repentant.
"But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”
And don't forget that there is a WIDE path that "The Many" will follow and go to Hell for eternity.
Or is God just a "Funny Guy" and a comedian who will say on the day of Judgment... "Just kidding!"
5/03/2010
God Loves everybody???
As I was writing a new Tract, I heard a new Christian DJ announce on the airwaves... “God Loves EVERYONE!” Her father taught her this, and she believes it.
I have a question here...
Is that in the Bible?
You can pull it out of the Bible, but if you read the Bible from cover to cover, is that really in the Bible?
Or does the Bible say something different, and this is misquoted?
Gossip Magazines in the Grocery store's check-out counter are some of the best examples of quoting people out of the context of what they really said.
This has been done with Christianity on a huge scale. From America's favorite Mega-Church Preachers Joel Osteen & Rick Warren, down to simple home churches, America has bought into man-centered preaching rather than than God-centered preaching. A preaching that makes God a debtor to mans decisions.
God Loves EVERYBODY???
Better take a scissors and black marker to your Bible and be ready to cut out and cover up a lot of Scripture.
Or just exclude the books in the Bible that don't subscribe to this man-centered idea. Here are a few books (not in order) and a small part of Scripture from each book... that when in context, prove that God does not love everyone.
Romans – 9:13 “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I hated....”
Genesis – 7:21 “And all flesh died that moved on the earth, ... and all mankind.” (Women, Children...)
Ephesians – 2:3 “...were by nature children of wrath...”
John – 8:44 “You are of your father the devil...”
Psalm – 5:5 “you hate all evildoers.”
There are many more throughout the Bible that prove God does not love everybody.
My point is to point out that there is in America (un-like the Bible) a front-runner that starts off, even before the Gospel is attempted to be preached (which in America is usually only half of the Gospel), but there is a front-runner to this that basically says...
"Now, now people, relax, the message I have is an easy message, one which you will like, and it will bring you peace on earth."
How does that line up with what Jesus said:
"Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand!"
I have a question here...
Is that in the Bible?
You can pull it out of the Bible, but if you read the Bible from cover to cover, is that really in the Bible?
Or does the Bible say something different, and this is misquoted?
Gossip Magazines in the Grocery store's check-out counter are some of the best examples of quoting people out of the context of what they really said.
This has been done with Christianity on a huge scale. From America's favorite Mega-Church Preachers Joel Osteen & Rick Warren, down to simple home churches, America has bought into man-centered preaching rather than than God-centered preaching. A preaching that makes God a debtor to mans decisions.
God Loves EVERYBODY???
Better take a scissors and black marker to your Bible and be ready to cut out and cover up a lot of Scripture.
Or just exclude the books in the Bible that don't subscribe to this man-centered idea. Here are a few books (not in order) and a small part of Scripture from each book... that when in context, prove that God does not love everyone.
Romans – 9:13 “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I hated....”
Genesis – 7:21 “And all flesh died that moved on the earth, ... and all mankind.” (Women, Children...)
Ephesians – 2:3 “...were by nature children of wrath...”
John – 8:44 “You are of your father the devil...”
Psalm – 5:5 “you hate all evildoers.”
There are many more throughout the Bible that prove God does not love everybody.
My point is to point out that there is in America (un-like the Bible) a front-runner that starts off, even before the Gospel is attempted to be preached (which in America is usually only half of the Gospel), but there is a front-runner to this that basically says...
"Now, now people, relax, the message I have is an easy message, one which you will like, and it will bring you peace on earth."
How does that line up with what Jesus said:
"Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand!"
5/01/2010
On doctrines
In every age the church is threatened by heresy,
and heresy is bound up in false doctrine .
It is the desire of all heretics to minimize the importance of doctrine.
When doctrine is minimized, heresy can exercise itself without restraint.
Unfortunately in our culture, with Hollywood images and sounds dominating much of our minds, when we hear words like Heresy, it conjures up flashbacks of movie scenes of people (usually idiots) accusing others of “Heresy”. It has been a word that has been minimalized, making light of the serious nature of the word.
But in regards to how and why it is being used here by Dr. Sproul, is the subject at hand.
At this point I think it is important to point out that most Heresy does not start out as an in-your-face type of an issue.
Take a look at how Jehovah Witness started out.
A kid did did not like what the Bible said about Hell. So he started to re-interpret the Bible to exclude Hell. By the way, this is still the most preferred way of straying off the path of light, trivializing or just plain ignoring Hell and Gods Righteousness.
Why just within these last 24 hours there has been a quote by “America's Pastor” Mr. Rick Warren.
http://watcherslamp.blogspot.com/2010/04/twitter-scripture-twisting-with-rick.html
Above is a link to a BLOG with the “Tweet” screen shot, right from Mr. Warrens Twitter page.
Again misquoting Scripture I a way that intentionally does not show the context of what this Scripture is really saying. In fact, he completely inverts it to make it say the opposite so that it will be more pleasing to the opposite crowd it was meant for.
And many Churches and so-called Pastors are doing this same thing.
Before I continue, let me state here that there are Churches and Pastors that do Preach the Word of God and adhere to sound doctrines.
But this is addressing the Wide American gospel Path that is so prevalent.
I heard a phrase coined about Rick Warren's Theology. It was called “File Cabinet Theology”, that is where one would pull it out of their file cabinet and say... “Yes, I subscribe to that Theology”, then they file it away, and it is never present in the Theology they present... But they claim to be part of it.
Personally I have sen many Church Doctrines, and on the paper that are good Doctrines, but when in this pulpit, they teach a doctrine that is not only different, but is diametrically opposite to what they claim.
Then there is the ever popular, and growing, don't use doctrines they divide, saying!
And it is true, they do divide. When properly applied, they separate the sheep from the goats. And although we are called to preach the Gospel to every one, we are not called to worship with those of a different gospel.
No where in Scripture will you find it said that we should worship in an all inclusive manner with peoples believing different Gospels, in fact we are called and responsible to separate ourselves from them.
Now notice I used the term Gospels, rather than Doctrines. But Doctrines are nothing more than a defining of what the Gospels teach. They are what separates a Mormon from a Christian,or a believing that Gods Grace paid for sin, and that works are useless, as opposed to a works based faith such as Catholicism.
This is the tip of what I believe to be the biggest iceberg in American Christianity from Biblical Christianity.
and heresy is bound up in false doctrine .
It is the desire of all heretics to minimize the importance of doctrine.
When doctrine is minimized, heresy can exercise itself without restraint.
Unfortunately in our culture, with Hollywood images and sounds dominating much of our minds, when we hear words like Heresy, it conjures up flashbacks of movie scenes of people (usually idiots) accusing others of “Heresy”. It has been a word that has been minimalized, making light of the serious nature of the word.
But in regards to how and why it is being used here by Dr. Sproul, is the subject at hand.
At this point I think it is important to point out that most Heresy does not start out as an in-your-face type of an issue.
Take a look at how Jehovah Witness started out.
A kid did did not like what the Bible said about Hell. So he started to re-interpret the Bible to exclude Hell. By the way, this is still the most preferred way of straying off the path of light, trivializing or just plain ignoring Hell and Gods Righteousness.
Why just within these last 24 hours there has been a quote by “America's Pastor” Mr. Rick Warren.
http://watcherslamp.blogspot.com/2010/04/twitter-scripture-twisting-with-rick.html
Above is a link to a BLOG with the “Tweet” screen shot, right from Mr. Warrens Twitter page.
Again misquoting Scripture I a way that intentionally does not show the context of what this Scripture is really saying. In fact, he completely inverts it to make it say the opposite so that it will be more pleasing to the opposite crowd it was meant for.
And many Churches and so-called Pastors are doing this same thing.
Before I continue, let me state here that there are Churches and Pastors that do Preach the Word of God and adhere to sound doctrines.
But this is addressing the Wide American gospel Path that is so prevalent.
I heard a phrase coined about Rick Warren's Theology. It was called “File Cabinet Theology”, that is where one would pull it out of their file cabinet and say... “Yes, I subscribe to that Theology”, then they file it away, and it is never present in the Theology they present... But they claim to be part of it.
Personally I have sen many Church Doctrines, and on the paper that are good Doctrines, but when in this pulpit, they teach a doctrine that is not only different, but is diametrically opposite to what they claim.
Then there is the ever popular, and growing, don't use doctrines they divide, saying!
And it is true, they do divide. When properly applied, they separate the sheep from the goats. And although we are called to preach the Gospel to every one, we are not called to worship with those of a different gospel.
No where in Scripture will you find it said that we should worship in an all inclusive manner with peoples believing different Gospels, in fact we are called and responsible to separate ourselves from them.
Now notice I used the term Gospels, rather than Doctrines. But Doctrines are nothing more than a defining of what the Gospels teach. They are what separates a Mormon from a Christian,or a believing that Gods Grace paid for sin, and that works are useless, as opposed to a works based faith such as Catholicism.
This is the tip of what I believe to be the biggest iceberg in American Christianity from Biblical Christianity.
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