Obama a true Arminian, sums up pretty good what “Easy Believable” and “Arminianism” teach...
http://politics.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/09/28/obama-christian-choice?test=latestnews
With statements like “...the kind of life I would want to lead ” and that we should “... see God in other people and do our best to help them find their own grace. ”
Notice the power, and to whom it belongs to. "The kind of life I would want to lead. And this comes from a man who prides himself on his writing and speeches, one who prides himself on his ability to craft words to express what he wants. So it is in all fairness to dissect his crafted speech.
He followed a life that "he" would "want"... Lets stop there a second... This is a life that he wants, that he desires, and notice what follows... not him, he does not want to follow Jesus, he wants to lead... you could say that that is a figure of speech, but his actions prove otherwise on many levels, he does not want to follow, but to lead, and what allows him to lead???
Not the Jesus of the Bible who commands that all men repent, and do the will of the Father... But the Jesus of the Arminian who starts off with an equal relationship of God and man, not Father and child as seen in Scriptures, but as Buddies, Homies, Pals...
There is a major difference in proclaiming that you God is your friend and your God is your Home-Boy. And although Arminianism does not directly teach this, this is the path that it puts its foot on, and that it leads to when followed through.
He also states like may do... “... express my Christian faith “ In typical American Christian (Arminianism*) beliefs, that it is his faith as opposed to "The Christian" faith.
Although this may seem like nit-picking, I can attest through many witnessing opportunities, that one thing Americans are into and that is Universalism, both inside the church and outside the church. So in our speech, we should need to be careful to be sure that people understand that we are not sharing “our” faith, but rather “the Biblical” faith. There is a difference!!!
As clearly seen in Obama's faith, it could be said that it is Obama's Christianity, and his Christianity allows for murder of the un-born, and his Christianity allows for striking out all references to sodomy and homosexuality.
Clearly the popular "personal relationship" mentality has run a-muck, but because he chose God, then he dictates other things. Think about it, the relationship that has just "supposedly" started between Jesus and the Arminian, has them on equal terms, one could not do anything with out the other.
Poor little Jesus probably had to make a deal so that he would get chosen.
* Arminianism not all, but it is from Arminianism that place the next step in this direction.
9/28/2010
8/14/2010
Heart of the Gospel - What does the Bible make clear?
When asked "What is the Gospel?"
I have heard people express what the Gospel is in many different ways.
Most people have a basic summation and that is that Jesus died on the cross to save us. And although that is true, it is only partly true, or to be more precise, it is only a percentage of what the Gospel is. The Gospel is the center of the Bible, and the beginning, and the end of the Bible.
If for example, the Gospel is more like a paragraph, than a sentence, then there is a danger in only including part of that paragraph or a single sentence. It leaves it as an incomplete sentence and leaves an open interpretation of... Saved “From” what, and Saved “to” what?
I have also heard a popular Christian Cliche`, of... “The Gospel in a Nutshell, is John 3:16". This is a terrible cliché. It shortchanges all of John 3, let alone the whole book of John, and yet let alone the entire Bible. It focuses on a narrow part of John 3, that centers on man.
For a quick example, (John 3:16 ESV) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Arminians (many but not all) use this verse to try and show all people their worth...
Yet (John 3:18 ESV) “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” Arminians (many but not all) use the first part of John 3:18 to also tell people that they are not condemned in the eyes of the Lord.
But read in it's whole context, that is not what it is saying, and in addition, it is saying that those who do not believe, “are condemned already”, but “are condemned already” does not fit within their interpretation of all people having worth in Gods eyes.
Now someone may take that last sentence wrong, but when used to counter the way Arminian evangelizing uses John 3:16, it is correct. When people are hearing that God just loves them and that they have worth, they hear that God loves them just the way they are and that they are a good person. They hear this because man is prideful, and already considers himself a good person and now they are being promised that Jesus died for them, when in fact they may be one of those already condemned, and if that is the case they are giving them a false sense of security.
So with this little sidetrack, we can see just one aspect of just how wrong it is to preach only part of a message leaving both the beginning and the end open for self interpretation.
To be continued...
I have heard people express what the Gospel is in many different ways.
Most people have a basic summation and that is that Jesus died on the cross to save us. And although that is true, it is only partly true, or to be more precise, it is only a percentage of what the Gospel is. The Gospel is the center of the Bible, and the beginning, and the end of the Bible.
If for example, the Gospel is more like a paragraph, than a sentence, then there is a danger in only including part of that paragraph or a single sentence. It leaves it as an incomplete sentence and leaves an open interpretation of... Saved “From” what, and Saved “to” what?
I have also heard a popular Christian Cliche`, of... “The Gospel in a Nutshell, is John 3:16". This is a terrible cliché. It shortchanges all of John 3, let alone the whole book of John, and yet let alone the entire Bible. It focuses on a narrow part of John 3, that centers on man.
For a quick example, (John 3:16 ESV) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Arminians (many but not all) use this verse to try and show all people their worth...
Yet (John 3:18 ESV) “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” Arminians (many but not all) use the first part of John 3:18 to also tell people that they are not condemned in the eyes of the Lord.
But read in it's whole context, that is not what it is saying, and in addition, it is saying that those who do not believe, “are condemned already”, but “are condemned already” does not fit within their interpretation of all people having worth in Gods eyes.
Now someone may take that last sentence wrong, but when used to counter the way Arminian evangelizing uses John 3:16, it is correct. When people are hearing that God just loves them and that they have worth, they hear that God loves them just the way they are and that they are a good person. They hear this because man is prideful, and already considers himself a good person and now they are being promised that Jesus died for them, when in fact they may be one of those already condemned, and if that is the case they are giving them a false sense of security.
So with this little sidetrack, we can see just one aspect of just how wrong it is to preach only part of a message leaving both the beginning and the end open for self interpretation.
To be continued...
7/26/2010
Confronting the times with water
Confronting the times
Today after much prayer, I started a “Free Water” outing.
There are special tracts made up explaining why we are giving away free water. The first reason is for an apology that so many are asking for money in the name of Christianity. As Christians we should be giving to the community not taking from it.
So the first corner I was going to try already had some people on it “selling” water. So I drove to another location and it was empty on all corners.
I parked and set up bringing the tracts and a cooler full of Ice Cold Spring Water. It was already about 90 degrees and high humidity with a feels like at 100 degrees at 11:00 AM.
I set up in the median and took out a bottle of water and a tract, and started. Most people were running their AC so their windows were up, and a great may of them were tinted. So I couldn't see inside. At first I concentrated on the cars with open windows., But later decided to be at least trying to offer to all I could.
The first person seemed grateful and as I explained that this was free they tried to offer a “donation”, and that presented me with the opportunity to explain a little that this was not about money, and that seemed to take many by surprise.
Most people seemed to have a glaze about them and I could sense a “Not another Christian asking for money” attitude as they waved me by. And there were many who were prepared for the heat and their drive, they simply raised their drinks they had with them.
Several responses were as follows:
“Free? Really? Why free?”
“I couldn't agree with this more”
“Thank you, here is a donation” (which I politely refused several-donations)
“My brother and I were just talking about this last night, why are so many Christians asking rather than giving to the community”
“I don't have any money on me”
I had a few times where people several cars back held out a dollar from their windows, in which they were surprised to get a cool drink and keep their money.
Then after about an hour, a mini-van stopped in the other lane and the driver screamed at me “Do you have a license for that”, taken back a bit I replied I do not need one. She sneered at me and threatened, “that is my spot, and I am coming to set up so you need to get out”.
Until this point I seemed to have no confrontation from Satan yet, but it would be strange not to have him show up to keep those he “thinks” are his.
As I continued I could see her and another gentleman toting a cooler behind them make their way to the median I was working. They made it to the median, and she then approached me, at which time I could see the guy set up a sign on the cooler. The sign is one of the same ones that helped me start giving water away from free. It was “Right Path Ministries”.
At this time she asked me again if I had a license, and I told her I did not need one as I was not selling anything, but was rather giving away free water and sharing the gospel. She was appalled at this and paused a second before yelling “this is my spot, and we sell here, this guy is homeless, and you are going to make him dive into a dumpster tonight.”
So I asked her, “Are you going to let him dive into a dumpster?”
And she prattled on and on, all the time yelling in a most hostile tone, there was no talking to her as I listened to her go on and on.
Now there were 4 medians, all of which had the same amount of traffic, and she only had 2 people with her, so she could have set up at 3 other locations, but was insistent on this spot.
Now as this was going on, the thoughts that were going through my head were many, but the most prominent were those of Paul where many times he had set up and was confronted, as he could have easily moved at the first rock that was thrown or threat of his life, he had set there to share the Gospel, and there it stayed, unpopular as it was, he dug his heels in to complete his task.
When I asked he which was more important, sharing the Gospel and peoples eternal salvation, or a few bucks, she again seemed stymied. This really seemed to be a foreign concept to her. I then addressed her sign, and told her that unlike what they were doing, selling, getting money in the name of the Church, we should be giving. She then said they are not a Church, the sign says ministry, not Church!
I countered and told her people take it all the same, a ministry is a part of a Church in most cases and people see them as Christians asking for money, when our command was to spread the Gospel and reach out to others.
But she screamed back and started calling me names and a hypocrite. I asked her why she was so hostile and rude? She yelled back that she was doing works and not talking about it.
I have had my fears about Right Path Ministry, as I have seen this ministry for a while from time to time, that they were a pragmatic, and works based religion with no theology but that of earning their way to salvation and are “Jesus Users”.
By “Jesus Users” I mean that they like the “AA” Alcohol Anonymous, they use “Jesus” as a genie. I have met people from AA, and although they talk about Jesus, they only seem to have 1 layer, and if you press, their Jesus is just 1 way to salvation, because the important thing is that you just believe in something. Jesus is simply a tool for these programs, a tool that makes it easy for them to earn their way to salvation.
Still a bit confused, as there are homeless being used as pawns if I am not careful. But at the same time and of the greatest value is that there needs to be a voice speaking out against the falseness being perpetrated in the name of Christianity.
Pray for me this week.
Today after much prayer, I started a “Free Water” outing.
There are special tracts made up explaining why we are giving away free water. The first reason is for an apology that so many are asking for money in the name of Christianity. As Christians we should be giving to the community not taking from it.
So the first corner I was going to try already had some people on it “selling” water. So I drove to another location and it was empty on all corners.
I parked and set up bringing the tracts and a cooler full of Ice Cold Spring Water. It was already about 90 degrees and high humidity with a feels like at 100 degrees at 11:00 AM.
I set up in the median and took out a bottle of water and a tract, and started. Most people were running their AC so their windows were up, and a great may of them were tinted. So I couldn't see inside. At first I concentrated on the cars with open windows., But later decided to be at least trying to offer to all I could.
The first person seemed grateful and as I explained that this was free they tried to offer a “donation”, and that presented me with the opportunity to explain a little that this was not about money, and that seemed to take many by surprise.
Most people seemed to have a glaze about them and I could sense a “Not another Christian asking for money” attitude as they waved me by. And there were many who were prepared for the heat and their drive, they simply raised their drinks they had with them.
Several responses were as follows:
“Free? Really? Why free?”
“I couldn't agree with this more”
“Thank you, here is a donation” (which I politely refused several-donations)
“My brother and I were just talking about this last night, why are so many Christians asking rather than giving to the community”
“I don't have any money on me”
I had a few times where people several cars back held out a dollar from their windows, in which they were surprised to get a cool drink and keep their money.
Then after about an hour, a mini-van stopped in the other lane and the driver screamed at me “Do you have a license for that”, taken back a bit I replied I do not need one. She sneered at me and threatened, “that is my spot, and I am coming to set up so you need to get out”.
Until this point I seemed to have no confrontation from Satan yet, but it would be strange not to have him show up to keep those he “thinks” are his.
As I continued I could see her and another gentleman toting a cooler behind them make their way to the median I was working. They made it to the median, and she then approached me, at which time I could see the guy set up a sign on the cooler. The sign is one of the same ones that helped me start giving water away from free. It was “Right Path Ministries”.
At this time she asked me again if I had a license, and I told her I did not need one as I was not selling anything, but was rather giving away free water and sharing the gospel. She was appalled at this and paused a second before yelling “this is my spot, and we sell here, this guy is homeless, and you are going to make him dive into a dumpster tonight.”
So I asked her, “Are you going to let him dive into a dumpster?”
And she prattled on and on, all the time yelling in a most hostile tone, there was no talking to her as I listened to her go on and on.
Now there were 4 medians, all of which had the same amount of traffic, and she only had 2 people with her, so she could have set up at 3 other locations, but was insistent on this spot.
Now as this was going on, the thoughts that were going through my head were many, but the most prominent were those of Paul where many times he had set up and was confronted, as he could have easily moved at the first rock that was thrown or threat of his life, he had set there to share the Gospel, and there it stayed, unpopular as it was, he dug his heels in to complete his task.
When I asked he which was more important, sharing the Gospel and peoples eternal salvation, or a few bucks, she again seemed stymied. This really seemed to be a foreign concept to her. I then addressed her sign, and told her that unlike what they were doing, selling, getting money in the name of the Church, we should be giving. She then said they are not a Church, the sign says ministry, not Church!
I countered and told her people take it all the same, a ministry is a part of a Church in most cases and people see them as Christians asking for money, when our command was to spread the Gospel and reach out to others.
But she screamed back and started calling me names and a hypocrite. I asked her why she was so hostile and rude? She yelled back that she was doing works and not talking about it.
I have had my fears about Right Path Ministry, as I have seen this ministry for a while from time to time, that they were a pragmatic, and works based religion with no theology but that of earning their way to salvation and are “Jesus Users”.
By “Jesus Users” I mean that they like the “AA” Alcohol Anonymous, they use “Jesus” as a genie. I have met people from AA, and although they talk about Jesus, they only seem to have 1 layer, and if you press, their Jesus is just 1 way to salvation, because the important thing is that you just believe in something. Jesus is simply a tool for these programs, a tool that makes it easy for them to earn their way to salvation.
Still a bit confused, as there are homeless being used as pawns if I am not careful. But at the same time and of the greatest value is that there needs to be a voice speaking out against the falseness being perpetrated in the name of Christianity.
Pray for me this week.
7/17/2010
De Baptizing....
Fox news reports that Atheists are De Baptizing people.
This is possibly not the best, but perhaps one of the best examples of why baptizing children is wrong. But not for the reasons they state. But because it is NOT a true commitment but rather a "religious custom".
This is possibly not the best, but perhaps one of the best examples of why baptizing children is wrong. But not for the reasons they state. But because it is NOT a true commitment but rather a "religious custom".
7/13/2010
Prepping for a move in Winter.
I have been starting to prepare for moving out of State this early Winter, mainly for health reasons. Florida is just too hot and humid in the summer, and the pollen season is also too harsh for us.
So it is with both regret and excitement, that we prepare.
First on the list is to find a Church to attend once we get there.
More to come.
So it is with both regret and excitement, that we prepare.
First on the list is to find a Church to attend once we get there.
More to come.
6/25/2010
Duty, duty, duty...
Duty ! ?
A Christian has duties, obligations, works.
Not for Salvation, but because of the Salvation brought forth by Grace, these things flow from him in unstoppable waves.
In the last few weeks I have been modifying some of the tracts that I have written. I have been advised that they are too strong, and it is not a good thing to look like someone on the street corner protesting.
So in submission, I have been putting aside what is either my feelings or pride, so I presume. I have prayed for humility and guidance to let things work out, whet must be worked out.
But as I drive my car, I see the so-called Christian radio and TV station stickers on cars. I read about the decisions of so-called Christian leaders making news on the Internet. I talk to people and hear how some peoples idea of Church is watching Joel Osteen on TV or the second largest Church is a Church on the Internet and they are making it more and more available to people to "not attend or fellowship" but to watch their broadcast and be their member.
But as I read and study Jesus in Matthew, our Savior is continually pointing out false and dead religion. More than He does of Murder or adultery or most other sins.
Am I doing right by "not offending" people with this in a tract?
I was told that it is OK to mention this if it comes up while talking to people.
But not to put it on a tract.
I was told it does not look right on a tract, and there is no need to try and get attention to the tract with a unique design.
But the outward appearance of tracts that many use are pretty landscapes. The inside message is biblical and solid, but they look just like most other "Jesus Loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life" tracts.
And whole heartedly agree that I do not want a tract cover to shock for the sake of shock, but I want it as Spurgeon says, "a tract should be striking".
And in America, in our culture, which is so prideful and makes light of sin, even has one of its favorite destinations called "sin-city". In this land people need a wake up call, they need to read something and say, "is that really true"? Not read something and just go along with it whether it is true or not.
Do we NOT have a duty to express as truthfully and in as honest of a manner the truth of the false-dead religion in most of America masquerading as Christianity?
A Christian has duties, obligations, works.
Not for Salvation, but because of the Salvation brought forth by Grace, these things flow from him in unstoppable waves.
In the last few weeks I have been modifying some of the tracts that I have written. I have been advised that they are too strong, and it is not a good thing to look like someone on the street corner protesting.
So in submission, I have been putting aside what is either my feelings or pride, so I presume. I have prayed for humility and guidance to let things work out, whet must be worked out.
But as I drive my car, I see the so-called Christian radio and TV station stickers on cars. I read about the decisions of so-called Christian leaders making news on the Internet. I talk to people and hear how some peoples idea of Church is watching Joel Osteen on TV or the second largest Church is a Church on the Internet and they are making it more and more available to people to "not attend or fellowship" but to watch their broadcast and be their member.
But as I read and study Jesus in Matthew, our Savior is continually pointing out false and dead religion. More than He does of Murder or adultery or most other sins.
Am I doing right by "not offending" people with this in a tract?
I was told that it is OK to mention this if it comes up while talking to people.
But not to put it on a tract.
I was told it does not look right on a tract, and there is no need to try and get attention to the tract with a unique design.
But the outward appearance of tracts that many use are pretty landscapes. The inside message is biblical and solid, but they look just like most other "Jesus Loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life" tracts.
And whole heartedly agree that I do not want a tract cover to shock for the sake of shock, but I want it as Spurgeon says, "a tract should be striking".
And in America, in our culture, which is so prideful and makes light of sin, even has one of its favorite destinations called "sin-city". In this land people need a wake up call, they need to read something and say, "is that really true"? Not read something and just go along with it whether it is true or not.
Do we NOT have a duty to express as truthfully and in as honest of a manner the truth of the false-dead religion in most of America masquerading as Christianity?
6/16/2010
He would never have been crucified... !!!
In pondering a quote by Lenard Ravenhill:
"If Jesus had preached the same message that ministers preach today, He would never have been crucified."
I found this very worthy of pondering...
I had a very healthy discussion recently with a Brother about balance in preaching. We agreed on many points and had different thoughts on a few others. But the main thrust of what we were talking about was the preaching of Gods word to the True Church, to Believers, to Gods Elect, and presenting more of a message of joy and celebrating our having all our sins forgiven.
Now I need to make a distinction here, that the Church we attend is a Calvinist Church, and every sermon is preached expounding Gods attributes, from Wrath to Forgiveness. But the discussion engaged 2 t church types, either the American Arminian (seeker-friendly) man centered, or the Doctrines of Grace (God is Sovereign).
The discussion led to a... "Do we really need to preach Wrath to the True Church, if the True Church is not under the Law and therefore Wrath and condemnation no longer apply to it?"
In theory I guess this would be true, but that is in theory.
But I find that most American Churches are already preaching a message like that. Although they may mention the word "sin" most do not mention it, In fact the word "sin" is on an un-written banned-word list, let alone words like "wrath".
And the question arose, should we preach a message without mentioning wrath and sin, and only expounding on the glories of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Then the question was posed to me "couldn't God use just those things to regenerate someone?" And the answer is yes He can.
But although that question is true, it is not demonstrated that I can see in Scripture.
In all of Paul's letters to the Churches, he always presents a message that never forgets to outline, expose, and convict his hearers of sin and the serious consequences of sin, and this many times will be immediately after he opens in a blessing of Love and Grace.
Part of the Glories of God is also Gods Righteousness! A Righteousness that also demands and displays a Holy hatred and wrath towards sin.
To leave this out of a preached message is to only demonstrate a partial display of Gods Wondrous Glory.
All in all as much as we may contemplate on what the ideal Church should be, one thing it is not is perfect, until our Lords coming that is. I do not find any example of a Church where all the congregation are saved Saints who and to whom a message was preached without True Repentance being preached.
Added later...
I also notice that when ever large crowds are addressed, it is NEVER in a LOVE sermon only.
"If Jesus had preached the same message that ministers preach today, He would never have been crucified."
I found this very worthy of pondering...
I had a very healthy discussion recently with a Brother about balance in preaching. We agreed on many points and had different thoughts on a few others. But the main thrust of what we were talking about was the preaching of Gods word to the True Church, to Believers, to Gods Elect, and presenting more of a message of joy and celebrating our having all our sins forgiven.
Now I need to make a distinction here, that the Church we attend is a Calvinist Church, and every sermon is preached expounding Gods attributes, from Wrath to Forgiveness. But the discussion engaged 2 t church types, either the American Arminian (seeker-friendly) man centered, or the Doctrines of Grace (God is Sovereign).
The discussion led to a... "Do we really need to preach Wrath to the True Church, if the True Church is not under the Law and therefore Wrath and condemnation no longer apply to it?"
In theory I guess this would be true, but that is in theory.
But I find that most American Churches are already preaching a message like that. Although they may mention the word "sin" most do not mention it, In fact the word "sin" is on an un-written banned-word list, let alone words like "wrath".
And the question arose, should we preach a message without mentioning wrath and sin, and only expounding on the glories of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Then the question was posed to me "couldn't God use just those things to regenerate someone?" And the answer is yes He can.
But although that question is true, it is not demonstrated that I can see in Scripture.
In all of Paul's letters to the Churches, he always presents a message that never forgets to outline, expose, and convict his hearers of sin and the serious consequences of sin, and this many times will be immediately after he opens in a blessing of Love and Grace.
Part of the Glories of God is also Gods Righteousness! A Righteousness that also demands and displays a Holy hatred and wrath towards sin.
To leave this out of a preached message is to only demonstrate a partial display of Gods Wondrous Glory.
All in all as much as we may contemplate on what the ideal Church should be, one thing it is not is perfect, until our Lords coming that is. I do not find any example of a Church where all the congregation are saved Saints who and to whom a message was preached without True Repentance being preached.
Added later...
I also notice that when ever large crowds are addressed, it is NEVER in a LOVE sermon only.
6/11/2010
6/08/2010
Being Vigilant vs. Obsessed... ??
More and more as my eyes are opened, I see more and more tares, or goats,that I once had seen as Wheat or Sheep or even Under-Sheppard's.
I have been wondering if I am getting obsessed, I mean am I growing more skeptical, or is it really growing in discernment... ?
Today I came across a statistic that affirms my discernment is NOT skepticism. When I say skepticism I am meaning like jumping on a band wagon, or worse, getting excited for gossip.
At any given time, 75% of pastors in America want to quit. 1,500 pastors leave their assignments each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout or contention within their local congregations. 70% of pastors do not have a close friend with whom they can openly share their struggles.*
*Statistics from Focus on the Family, Fuller Institute of Church Growth and Church Resource Ministries
I read this and it provides a lot of insight to why there are so many so-called Pastors not preaching doctrine. Doctrine can only be exciting if your eyes are opened by God. Doctrine is the Word of God being understood in words, and more than that, it is the defining meaning of what is being said and relayed into an understood meaning.
If the statistic is accurate, 75% want to quit... This just confirms the honest few who I have read interviews on who were current Pastors, Youth Pastors ect... who admitted that did not believe in God anymore. They were afraid to quit and they continue with their “gig” because they could not make that much money out in the work place.
No I am not saying that all of the 75% are that way, but it follows suit that most would in some way or form follow in those steps. And as to why they are ready to defend using any means necessary to get more attendance into their theater, so to speak.
“1,500 pastors leave their assignments each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout or contention within their local congregations.”
????????? Spiritual burnout ?????????????
I cannot find it in Scripture...
Trials, tribulations, low points, but never burnt out to the point of leaving.
And “ 70% of pastors do not have a close friend with whom they can openly share their struggles, correct me if I am wrong, but with big churches and hundreds of people, and an Arminianistic ministry that most refuse to adhere to strong doctrines and theology, I do not see how you could get a Brotherhood so to speak that you can relate to on Christ matters if their Jesus differs from the Jesus you follow.
Again I do not mean to sound UN-sympathetic, but just thorn bushes trying to call themselves figs trees.
I have been wondering if I am getting obsessed, I mean am I growing more skeptical, or is it really growing in discernment... ?
Today I came across a statistic that affirms my discernment is NOT skepticism. When I say skepticism I am meaning like jumping on a band wagon, or worse, getting excited for gossip.
At any given time, 75% of pastors in America want to quit. 1,500 pastors leave their assignments each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout or contention within their local congregations. 70% of pastors do not have a close friend with whom they can openly share their struggles.*
*Statistics from Focus on the Family, Fuller Institute of Church Growth and Church Resource Ministries
I read this and it provides a lot of insight to why there are so many so-called Pastors not preaching doctrine. Doctrine can only be exciting if your eyes are opened by God. Doctrine is the Word of God being understood in words, and more than that, it is the defining meaning of what is being said and relayed into an understood meaning.
If the statistic is accurate, 75% want to quit... This just confirms the honest few who I have read interviews on who were current Pastors, Youth Pastors ect... who admitted that did not believe in God anymore. They were afraid to quit and they continue with their “gig” because they could not make that much money out in the work place.
No I am not saying that all of the 75% are that way, but it follows suit that most would in some way or form follow in those steps. And as to why they are ready to defend using any means necessary to get more attendance into their theater, so to speak.
“1,500 pastors leave their assignments each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout or contention within their local congregations.”
????????? Spiritual burnout ?????????????
I cannot find it in Scripture...
Trials, tribulations, low points, but never burnt out to the point of leaving.
And “ 70% of pastors do not have a close friend with whom they can openly share their struggles, correct me if I am wrong, but with big churches and hundreds of people, and an Arminianistic ministry that most refuse to adhere to strong doctrines and theology, I do not see how you could get a Brotherhood so to speak that you can relate to on Christ matters if their Jesus differs from the Jesus you follow.
Again I do not mean to sound UN-sympathetic, but just thorn bushes trying to call themselves figs trees.
Cussing in the Pulpit and Presidency...
As Emergent Pastors are “Cussing” to be relevant to culture…
Odd thing, as I have been reading Ashamed of the Gospel by John MacArthur
I had finished reading about how Pastors are cussing to get attention “in the name of trying to be relevant”.
Even some using Gods name as a cussword.
Then today I came across this:
Obama Looking for 'Ass to Kick' for Oil Spill
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/06/07/obama-looking-ass-kick-oil-catastrophe/
And this reminded me of this overtake of the presidency, and how not only has Obama,sworn before but his Vice recently used the “F” bomb and was caught on mic.
It made news as did this, but in a month or so, like the Vice, people will not remember what it was concerning, just that Obama cussed (again).
In the same manner, I believe the most all of those hearing “pastors” using the “F” bomb and other words will not remember what it was in reference to, but just rather that it was used.
Odd thing, as I have been reading Ashamed of the Gospel by John MacArthur
I had finished reading about how Pastors are cussing to get attention “in the name of trying to be relevant”.
Even some using Gods name as a cussword.
Then today I came across this:
Obama Looking for 'Ass to Kick' for Oil Spill
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/06/07/obama-looking-ass-kick-oil-catastrophe/
And this reminded me of this overtake of the presidency, and how not only has Obama,sworn before but his Vice recently used the “F” bomb and was caught on mic.
It made news as did this, but in a month or so, like the Vice, people will not remember what it was concerning, just that Obama cussed (again).
In the same manner, I believe the most all of those hearing “pastors” using the “F” bomb and other words will not remember what it was in reference to, but just rather that it was used.
6/07/2010
Question
I have a question…
Throughout the Old Testament, generations are mentioned to have followed God.
But the generations that follow them do not follow God.
How can that be, if the 1st generation follows God, they would have taught their children His ways, and meditated with them. If they had not brought them up and taught them to also honor God and teach their children to do the same, then they were not honoring God. But since it is being said of them that they honored God, it is implied that they have done these things.
And am I not mistaken that if they did these things, Gods blessings would keep flowing, and the subsequent generations would do likewise?
Throughout the Old Testament, generations are mentioned to have followed God.
But the generations that follow them do not follow God.
How can that be, if the 1st generation follows God, they would have taught their children His ways, and meditated with them. If they had not brought them up and taught them to also honor God and teach their children to do the same, then they were not honoring God. But since it is being said of them that they honored God, it is implied that they have done these things.
And am I not mistaken that if they did these things, Gods blessings would keep flowing, and the subsequent generations would do likewise?
6/05/2010
Philipians 1:15-18 mis-understood.
Philippians 1:15-18 is often mis-understood!!!
There is an acknowledgment, then the word but.
Where after the word but, he totally dismisses what it was about and lumps the True Gospel being preached with any Gospel being preached.
So in response I sent the following:
Pauls (and our) rejoicing is NOT over a False Gospel being preached...
No! No!
It is over the TRUE Gospel being preached, but with motives that are not centered on God.
They are Preaching this TRUE Gospel out of rivalry to make a name for themselves.
Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
[To Live Is Christ]
Yes, and I will rejoice,
(Philippians 1:15-18 ESV) (italics and bolding mine)
There is the meaning that many do not read, but skip over.
Joel Osteen, is NOT preaching the TRUE Gospel, but a twisted gospel.
And it is NOT that he has not been addressed or warned, or confronted on this.
He is NOT innocently mistaken, he has pride, and that can be clearly seen from many interviews.
So to try and mis-use Philippians 1:15-18 in such a way to defend preachers of false gospels is not only wrong, but conflicts with the rest of Scripture. False doctrine is always confronted and cursed. It is NOT rejoicing over False Preaching, but rather it is rejoicing over the Truth being preached, what ever the motive... There is a complete dichotomy there, and this verse should not be twisted to defend False Preachers.
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