Thursday, April 30, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Guess what I found today? Installment 5
This morning I found the favorite stuffed animal (Ducky) of my youngest daughter in the refrigerator. Image what she does to her stuffed animals that are not her favorites! When I asked her why Ducky was in the fridge, she very casually replied, "Because I was wanted to keep him cold. He likes to be cold."
Guess what I found today? Installment 4
Today my youngest daughter found a sippy-cup under my bed. I believe it once had milk in it. What was in it upon finding it was something altogether different (Yuck!).
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Anti-Arminian
This blog has taken on a strong anti-Arminian flavor. This was not my original intent. I will make no apologies for this, however. It does not displease me. In our search for Truth, we must reject all that opposes and hinders Truth. Arminianism has distorted the truth more than any other Theology has ever done.
Who will answer the altar call?
Most of us have heard of altar calls. You may have even participated in an altar call. But what exactly does one answer? What exactly is an altar call?
Wikipedia says this:
"An altar call is a practice in some evangelical churches in which those who wish to make a new spiritual commitment to Jesus Christ are invited to come forward publicly. It is so named because the supplicants gather at the altar located at the front of the church.
Most altar calls occur at the end of an evangelical address. The invitation may be referred to as an "altar call" even if there is no actual altar present. Many preachers make use of the altar call, notably Billy Graham, Benny Hinn, Franklin Graham, Reinhardt Bonnke, and so on. Those that come forward will usually be asked to recite a sinner's prayer, thereby making a confession of their new faith. They may also be offered literature or counselling and other assistance in their new faith.
It is sometimes said that those who come forth are going to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior. This is a ritual in which the supplicant makes a prayer asking for his sins to be forgiven, and pledges his devotion to Jesus.
Altar calls may also invite Christians to come forward for specific purposes other than conversion; for example to rededicate their lives after a lapse, to request publicly to be baptized, or to receive a particular blessing (such as gifts of the Holy Spirit) or if they are called to certain tasks such as missionary work...."
Sounds good...at least at first glance.
The altar call was unheard of until a man named Charles Finney (August 29, 1792 - August 16, 1875), as a part of his "new measures," taught its practice.
Finney believed that a person gained salvation through deciding to accept Christ. This too was unheard of--mainly because it is anti-scriptural (See post entitled "Decision Theology"). So the altar call was instated for people to publicly become Christians.
In order to get people to "answer" the altar call and come before the church, strong emotions were invoked. Once a person entered a heightened state of emotion he or she would be motivated to come forth to decide to accept Christ and therefore be saved (i.e. gain salvation).
At what point is the person saved? Is it upon approaching the front of the church? Is it upon praying at the front of the church? Is it upon receiving a blessing from the pastor? The answer of course is none of those things.
Heightened emotions and spiritual change are very different things. Once the emotions are gone the person, at worst, may experience no spiritual change whatsoever, or at best, has no understanding at all of how Christ has saved us--without our help at all. It is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Sandy Fiedler* has put it this way, "The emphasis in the church had been placed on the preaching of the Word because the Calvinistic ministers had confidence that the Word would do its work. They preached with prayer and intelligence — expository, systematic, exegetical, doctrinal, structural, applicatory, practical, evangelistic, persuasive sermons — not a rambling about financial prosperity and end times like we sometimes hear today, neither of which deals with the centrality of Christianity. They drove home to the congregations that the power and riches of the Word of God could not be exhausted in a thousand lifetimes.
The new measures went hand in hand with a shift in theology — from Calvinism to Arminianism that took the process of conversion from the sovereign hand of God and put it into the hands of the preachers and respondents. In the old way, it was left to God to move and look upon the hidden heart and for Him to judge. In the new way [Finney's Arminian Theology], for the first time in church history, winning souls was seen as man’s work and he needed an outward sign to judge the results.
The old way held the process of conversion in great awe and reverence. It meant more than getting a ticket to heaven. It involved a total moral transformation of man’s nature from death to life, holy living, purposing entirely to glorify God. The new way, on the other hand, taught that conversion was an act of man’s mind and will. It was instant and easy, rather like deciding to make a purchase. Many who made this "decision" left the church with the attitude that "there is nothing to it." And their lives were not changed."
The altar call has confused many Christians. It is flashy and therefore has attracted many people to come to church, but has corrupted them at the same time. It teaches a false doctrine of salvation. The focus in Church should be on God, not an individual, be it the pastor or anyone else. What good is it to get people in Church only to mislead them?
Our "answer" to the altar call should be, "No, thank you. This practice is contrary to God's Word."
*I do not necessarily agree with the Theology or Ideology of Sandy Fiedler.
Wikipedia says this:
"An altar call is a practice in some evangelical churches in which those who wish to make a new spiritual commitment to Jesus Christ are invited to come forward publicly. It is so named because the supplicants gather at the altar located at the front of the church.
Most altar calls occur at the end of an evangelical address. The invitation may be referred to as an "altar call" even if there is no actual altar present. Many preachers make use of the altar call, notably Billy Graham, Benny Hinn, Franklin Graham, Reinhardt Bonnke, and so on. Those that come forward will usually be asked to recite a sinner's prayer, thereby making a confession of their new faith. They may also be offered literature or counselling and other assistance in their new faith.
It is sometimes said that those who come forth are going to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior. This is a ritual in which the supplicant makes a prayer asking for his sins to be forgiven, and pledges his devotion to Jesus.
Altar calls may also invite Christians to come forward for specific purposes other than conversion; for example to rededicate their lives after a lapse, to request publicly to be baptized, or to receive a particular blessing (such as gifts of the Holy Spirit) or if they are called to certain tasks such as missionary work...."
Sounds good...at least at first glance.
The altar call was unheard of until a man named Charles Finney (August 29, 1792 - August 16, 1875), as a part of his "new measures," taught its practice.
Finney believed that a person gained salvation through deciding to accept Christ. This too was unheard of--mainly because it is anti-scriptural (See post entitled "Decision Theology"). So the altar call was instated for people to publicly become Christians.
In order to get people to "answer" the altar call and come before the church, strong emotions were invoked. Once a person entered a heightened state of emotion he or she would be motivated to come forth to decide to accept Christ and therefore be saved (i.e. gain salvation).
At what point is the person saved? Is it upon approaching the front of the church? Is it upon praying at the front of the church? Is it upon receiving a blessing from the pastor? The answer of course is none of those things.
Heightened emotions and spiritual change are very different things. Once the emotions are gone the person, at worst, may experience no spiritual change whatsoever, or at best, has no understanding at all of how Christ has saved us--without our help at all. It is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Sandy Fiedler* has put it this way, "The emphasis in the church had been placed on the preaching of the Word because the Calvinistic ministers had confidence that the Word would do its work. They preached with prayer and intelligence — expository, systematic, exegetical, doctrinal, structural, applicatory, practical, evangelistic, persuasive sermons — not a rambling about financial prosperity and end times like we sometimes hear today, neither of which deals with the centrality of Christianity. They drove home to the congregations that the power and riches of the Word of God could not be exhausted in a thousand lifetimes.
The new measures went hand in hand with a shift in theology — from Calvinism to Arminianism that took the process of conversion from the sovereign hand of God and put it into the hands of the preachers and respondents. In the old way, it was left to God to move and look upon the hidden heart and for Him to judge. In the new way [Finney's Arminian Theology], for the first time in church history, winning souls was seen as man’s work and he needed an outward sign to judge the results.
The old way held the process of conversion in great awe and reverence. It meant more than getting a ticket to heaven. It involved a total moral transformation of man’s nature from death to life, holy living, purposing entirely to glorify God. The new way, on the other hand, taught that conversion was an act of man’s mind and will. It was instant and easy, rather like deciding to make a purchase. Many who made this "decision" left the church with the attitude that "there is nothing to it." And their lives were not changed."
The altar call has confused many Christians. It is flashy and therefore has attracted many people to come to church, but has corrupted them at the same time. It teaches a false doctrine of salvation. The focus in Church should be on God, not an individual, be it the pastor or anyone else. What good is it to get people in Church only to mislead them?
Our "answer" to the altar call should be, "No, thank you. This practice is contrary to God's Word."
*I do not necessarily agree with the Theology or Ideology of Sandy Fiedler.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Dispensationalist Millennialism
The following link is a tremendous treatment of the millennialist movement. This is an increasingly important issue as so many church bodies and especially liberal theologians are endorsing it. One of the largest church bodies within Christianity is teaching this to its adherents. Millennialism is very confusing and scary. So what exactly will the "end times" be like? This study explains in very clear and unmistakable terms.
http://www.scholia.net/files/pauls/42%20The%20End%20-%20Study%20on%20End%20Times%20for%20Youth%20and%20Parents.pdf
http://www.scholia.net/files/pauls/42%20The%20End%20-%20Study%20on%20End%20Times%20for%20Youth%20and%20Parents.pdf
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Guess what I found today? Installment 3
Today I found a half eaten container of yogurt. The truth is the container was full. It had about a million ants in it!
Do People Become Angels Upon Death?
It's often said of a loved one that, "He has his wings now," or something to the effect of becoming an angel.
This is plainly anti-scriptural. God created man. God created the angels. The number of angels is fixed. Two-thirds of which reside in Heaven with God.
To believe that people become angels is to believe that we change species at death!
Some find it comforting to believe that we become angels. However, it is more comforting to believe that we do not become angels. Humans are God's most special creation. Nothing is more special to God than a person.
This is plainly anti-scriptural. God created man. God created the angels. The number of angels is fixed. Two-thirds of which reside in Heaven with God.
To believe that people become angels is to believe that we change species at death!
Some find it comforting to believe that we become angels. However, it is more comforting to believe that we do not become angels. Humans are God's most special creation. Nothing is more special to God than a person.
Can People in Heaven See Us?
There many mixed beliefs about this. And, to my knowledge, no proofs for any of them.
I believe that people in Heaven cannot see us. Here is why: there is no pain in heaven. Heaven is perfect in every way. If those in Heaven could see us, they would see us in pain and misery, which is impossible. So logically I can't believe that people in Heaven can see us.
I believe that people in Heaven cannot see us. Here is why: there is no pain in heaven. Heaven is perfect in every way. If those in Heaven could see us, they would see us in pain and misery, which is impossible. So logically I can't believe that people in Heaven can see us.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Guess what I found today? Installment 2
Today I found the cat in my oldest daughter's dresser drawer.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
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