Man committed sin. (Gen. 3:17-19)
Man fell into sinfull nature. (Rom. 5:12)
The penalty for sin is death. (Rom. 5:12)
God became incarnate as man. (Luke 1:35; Matt. 1:18-25)
Jesus, who is God incarnate, lived a perfect, sinless life. (Col. 1:22)
Jesus died even though he was sinless. (Heb. 7:26)
His death must be a penalty for sin, and so it was the penalty for our sin. (Gal. 3:13)
We are atoned for by His perfect life and death. (Gal. 4:4-7)
Thus we may have salvation.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Faith and Theology: Nobody knows who I am till the judgement morning
If you have ever asked "Who am I?" or know someone who has lost touch with his or her self, please read this article by Ben Myers. It is very touching.
Faith and Theology: Nobody knows who I am till the judgement morning
Faith and Theology: Nobody knows who I am till the judgement morning
Monday, March 16, 2009
Faith and Theology: Liturgical giggling
This article from Faith and Theology hit very close to home for me. I find myself suppressing liturgical giggles from time to time. It's very easy to find humor when it is inappropriate to laugh. For example, I sometimes wonder what would happen if I jumped up and started acting crazy. Or perhaps I think of a joke at an inappropriate time. Sometimes I wonder if I sat in the back pew and rolled a marble to the front of the church, how far would it make it before stopping and would anyone notice. Such things make me have to suppress a laugh.
Faith and Theology: Liturgical giggling
Faith and Theology: Liturgical giggling
Thursday, March 12, 2009
St. Patrick
We all know St. Patrick as the guy who preached to the Irish. Visions of leprechauns, clover, and Irish bars come to mind and everything in green. So who actually was this guy and why is he worthy of sainthood?
The story begins with Patrick's childhood. Patrick, was born in Britain. He was the son of a tax collector. As a child, he was kidnapped by Irish slave traders. He was taken to Ireland where he served as a slave for six years. During his time as a slave he began to pray. Prior to living in Ireland he did not believe in God. Some accounts say that Patrick would pray a hundred time a day or continuously through his waking hours.
His last night as a slave he heard the voice of Christ. Patrick reports that Christ told him that his ship was ready. Perplexed, Patrick began walking. He knew not where to go, but went nonetheless. After some 200 miles he came to an inlet with a ship leaving. Thus Patrick escaped slavery and returned to Britain. This story is quite remarkable as it is highly improbable for a slave to travel such a distance unnoticed or without being stopped, much less gaining entry to the ship.
As an adult, Patrick studied in Gaul for the priesthood. He eventually became a bishop. He returned to Ireland, at the time a pagan nation. He is essentially responsible for converted all of Ireland to Christianity. He came to love Ireland and its people with such ferocity that he identified himself with Ireland completely. He considered himself Irish. All this from a man who was kidnapped by the Irish and forced into slavery as a child.
Patrick had such a love for Christ and His people that he could truly love his enemies. Converting an entire country is quite remarkable in itself. Given Patrick's history with that country adds a depth that is difficult to comprehend.
Christ's love shone through Patrick to the world. This is what makes him so great.
The story begins with Patrick's childhood. Patrick, was born in Britain. He was the son of a tax collector. As a child, he was kidnapped by Irish slave traders. He was taken to Ireland where he served as a slave for six years. During his time as a slave he began to pray. Prior to living in Ireland he did not believe in God. Some accounts say that Patrick would pray a hundred time a day or continuously through his waking hours.
His last night as a slave he heard the voice of Christ. Patrick reports that Christ told him that his ship was ready. Perplexed, Patrick began walking. He knew not where to go, but went nonetheless. After some 200 miles he came to an inlet with a ship leaving. Thus Patrick escaped slavery and returned to Britain. This story is quite remarkable as it is highly improbable for a slave to travel such a distance unnoticed or without being stopped, much less gaining entry to the ship.
As an adult, Patrick studied in Gaul for the priesthood. He eventually became a bishop. He returned to Ireland, at the time a pagan nation. He is essentially responsible for converted all of Ireland to Christianity. He came to love Ireland and its people with such ferocity that he identified himself with Ireland completely. He considered himself Irish. All this from a man who was kidnapped by the Irish and forced into slavery as a child.
Patrick had such a love for Christ and His people that he could truly love his enemies. Converting an entire country is quite remarkable in itself. Given Patrick's history with that country adds a depth that is difficult to comprehend.
Christ's love shone through Patrick to the world. This is what makes him so great.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Christian View of Interracial Relationships
The Holy Scriptures clearly forbid all forms of racism. God created all men. And all men are descended from one man. Further, "The dignity of all human beings is given by God, not achieved or earned," as the LCMS president A.L. Barry has said. Barry also stated, "Any and all attempts to identify certain people or groups as some how lesser members of humankind are therefore a blasphemous affront to our Creator."
All men are created in God's image (Gen. 1:26-28). All men are identified with Christ. "Racism grounds the identity and security of human life in self rather than God, in creature rather than the Creator, apart from whom a human being has no identity or security. Self-indulgent pride in "race," therefore, must be regarded as idolatry in one of its crassest forms," says Barry. Thus, we can see the true danger of racism in all of its forms. Racism endangers our very souls.
Christ died for all men equally.
As for interracial marriages, we must again see every person as being in the image of God - valued through God in his identity with God and not distinguished or set apart by any physical characteristic.
We can also look to the book of Ruth, among other things. Ruth, the great-grandmother of King David, was a foreigner. Ruth was a Moabitess. Moabites were looked down upon by other races. Yet Christ specifically identifies Himself with David's line and therefore, Ruth. Yes, David was of mixed blood, so to speak. And our Savior identifies Himself with that line.
It is morally and ethically acceptable to have an interracial marriage. Anything to the contrary is ethically wrong from the Christian perspective and is a form of racism of which President Barry so eloquently warns.
All men are created in God's image (Gen. 1:26-28). All men are identified with Christ. "Racism grounds the identity and security of human life in self rather than God, in creature rather than the Creator, apart from whom a human being has no identity or security. Self-indulgent pride in "race," therefore, must be regarded as idolatry in one of its crassest forms," says Barry. Thus, we can see the true danger of racism in all of its forms. Racism endangers our very souls.
Christ died for all men equally.
As for interracial marriages, we must again see every person as being in the image of God - valued through God in his identity with God and not distinguished or set apart by any physical characteristic.
We can also look to the book of Ruth, among other things. Ruth, the great-grandmother of King David, was a foreigner. Ruth was a Moabitess. Moabites were looked down upon by other races. Yet Christ specifically identifies Himself with David's line and therefore, Ruth. Yes, David was of mixed blood, so to speak. And our Savior identifies Himself with that line.
It is morally and ethically acceptable to have an interracial marriage. Anything to the contrary is ethically wrong from the Christian perspective and is a form of racism of which President Barry so eloquently warns.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Confessional Church
Confessional Churches are Church bodies that require the confession of certain beliefs or doctrines. For example, the Lutheran Church is a confessional Church so each individual church must adhere to and teach the beliefs of the Lutheran Church as a whole. No matter which church you attend, whether in New York, California, Russia, or South Africa you will hear and learn essentially the same things.
The benefit of this uniformity is to be certain of what is being taught. The pastors or teachers cannot teach anything contrary to the Lutheran belief system. This leaves no room for people to make things up as they go or make erroneous assumptions. The things being taught have been agreed upon by thousands of formally educated Lutherans throughout the world.
In a Confessional Church, you have thousands of pastors making uniform decisions, not just one.
What exactly do Lutherans confess?
First and formost the infallible Word of God as recorded in the Scriptures
The Ecumenical Creeds
The Augsburg Confession
The Defense of the Augsburg Confession
The Small Catechism
The Large Catechism
The Smalcald Articles
The Epitome of the Formula of Concord
The Solid Declaration of the Formula of Concord
The Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope
The benefit of this uniformity is to be certain of what is being taught. The pastors or teachers cannot teach anything contrary to the Lutheran belief system. This leaves no room for people to make things up as they go or make erroneous assumptions. The things being taught have been agreed upon by thousands of formally educated Lutherans throughout the world.
In a Confessional Church, you have thousands of pastors making uniform decisions, not just one.
What exactly do Lutherans confess?
First and formost the infallible Word of God as recorded in the Scriptures
The Ecumenical Creeds
The Augsburg Confession
The Defense of the Augsburg Confession
The Small Catechism
The Large Catechism
The Smalcald Articles
The Epitome of the Formula of Concord
The Solid Declaration of the Formula of Concord
The Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope
Pizza or Lasagna?
What's better pizza or lasagna? This is very tough decision. Initially, I say lasagna. It tastes better. However, pizza is more nutritious and has a greater variety of options. Also, you can eat pizza hot or cold. More people like pizza. Well, lasagna tastes better! So, rethink pizza people! Lasagna is better.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Theological Sites
Here are some of my favorite theological sites:
LCMS http://www.lcms.org/
official site of Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Project Wittenberg www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/wittenberg-home.html
works by and about Martin Luther
Issues, Etc. http://www.issuesetc.org/
various Christian issues, etc.
Scholia http://www.scholia.net/
resource site for visitors, vicars, parishioners, pastors, teachers, chaplains, parents, homeschoolers, seminarians and congregations
Lutheran Confessions http://www.bookofconcord.org/
the Book of Concord
Youth E-Source http://www.youthesource.com/
Lutheran Hymnal http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/
Concordia Historical Institute http://chi.lcms.org/
LCMS department of Archives and History
Concordia Publishing House www.cph.org/cphstore/default.asp?ct=true
LCMS bookstore
Logia Journal http://www.logia.org/
journal of Lutheran Theology
Higher Things Magazine for teens http://www.higherthings.org/
Lutheran Hour radio http://www.lutheranhour.org/
KFUO radio http://www.kfuo.org/
e-sword free Bible software http://www.e-sword.net/
free Bible software which includes numerous translations, commentaries, Bible dictionaries, maps, charts, and much more
Focus on the Family http://www.focusonthefamily.com/
Christian family website
Audio Bible www.audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html
listen to the Bible for free
Talking Scriptures.com http://www.talkingscriptures.com/
Bible studies
LCMS http://www.lcms.org/
official site of Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Project Wittenberg www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/wittenberg-home.html
works by and about Martin Luther
Issues, Etc. http://www.issuesetc.org/
various Christian issues, etc.
Scholia http://www.scholia.net/
resource site for visitors, vicars, parishioners, pastors, teachers, chaplains, parents, homeschoolers, seminarians and congregations
Lutheran Confessions http://www.bookofconcord.org/
the Book of Concord
Youth E-Source http://www.youthesource.com/
Lutheran Hymnal http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/
Concordia Historical Institute http://chi.lcms.org/
LCMS department of Archives and History
Concordia Publishing House www.cph.org/cphstore/default.asp?ct=true
LCMS bookstore
Logia Journal http://www.logia.org/
journal of Lutheran Theology
Higher Things Magazine for teens http://www.higherthings.org/
Lutheran Hour radio http://www.lutheranhour.org/
KFUO radio http://www.kfuo.org/
e-sword free Bible software http://www.e-sword.net/
free Bible software which includes numerous translations, commentaries, Bible dictionaries, maps, charts, and much more
Focus on the Family http://www.focusonthefamily.com/
Christian family website
Audio Bible www.audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html
listen to the Bible for free
Talking Scriptures.com http://www.talkingscriptures.com/
Bible studies
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Once Saved, Always Saved?
No doubt, you've heard it asked, "Are you saved?" or "When were you saved?" And all to often you'll hear a response like, "I was saved back in '78."
First of all, no one was saved back in '78." Salvation is a gift of God--God alone. No decision a person makes can facilitate salvation. (Please see post entitled "Decision Theology").
Some believe that once a person is saved, that person can never lose their salvation. The second clause in this belief is often contingent upon an erroneous first clause. Let's give the benefit of the doubt and assume a correct assumption of the nature of salvation (again, see "Decision Theology").
The question then must be, "Can a person lose salvation?"
If not, then Christ becomes a disposable need. Use Him once and you're done needing Him. Some will argue that we still need Him to guide and teach us. But I ask, why? If your salvation is sealed and secured why do need guidance. You don't. Essentially, you could do whatever and it wouldn't matter ultimately. Get saved and then become a hateful mass murderer. It's not impossible; it's happened to people before.
One of the greatest theologians of the modern era, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, wrote extensively on the topic in a book entitled "Cheap Grace." The name may give away Bonhoeffer's position.
Consider the verses: 1 Cor. 10:12; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Peter 3:17; Heb. 2:1-3; Heb. 12-19. All attest to the fact that we can fall out of salvation.
How then do we regain our salvation? The LCMS says it this way, "A person can be restored to faith in the same way he or she came to faith in the first place: by repenting of his or her sin and unbelief and trusting completely in the life, death and resurrection of Christ alone for forgiveness and salvation.
Whenever a person does repent and believe, this always takes place by the grace of God alone and by the power of the Holy Spirit working through God's Word in a persons heart."
First of all, no one was saved back in '78." Salvation is a gift of God--God alone. No decision a person makes can facilitate salvation. (Please see post entitled "Decision Theology").
Some believe that once a person is saved, that person can never lose their salvation. The second clause in this belief is often contingent upon an erroneous first clause. Let's give the benefit of the doubt and assume a correct assumption of the nature of salvation (again, see "Decision Theology").
The question then must be, "Can a person lose salvation?"
If not, then Christ becomes a disposable need. Use Him once and you're done needing Him. Some will argue that we still need Him to guide and teach us. But I ask, why? If your salvation is sealed and secured why do need guidance. You don't. Essentially, you could do whatever and it wouldn't matter ultimately. Get saved and then become a hateful mass murderer. It's not impossible; it's happened to people before.
One of the greatest theologians of the modern era, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, wrote extensively on the topic in a book entitled "Cheap Grace." The name may give away Bonhoeffer's position.
Consider the verses: 1 Cor. 10:12; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Peter 3:17; Heb. 2:1-3; Heb. 12-19. All attest to the fact that we can fall out of salvation.
How then do we regain our salvation? The LCMS says it this way, "A person can be restored to faith in the same way he or she came to faith in the first place: by repenting of his or her sin and unbelief and trusting completely in the life, death and resurrection of Christ alone for forgiveness and salvation.
Whenever a person does repent and believe, this always takes place by the grace of God alone and by the power of the Holy Spirit working through God's Word in a persons heart."
Monday, February 2, 2009
Poison Oak
I've recently conducted a study on Poison Oak.
Poison Oak can affect you any time of the year. Leaves do not have to be present in order to take effect. The leafless stem of the plant will get the job done just fine.
This study consisted of taking one goat and placing him in a large area of Poison Oak. The animal did, in fact, eat the leaves of the poison; however, the plant was not eliminated and continued to be potent.
For more information click here.
Poison Oak can affect you any time of the year. Leaves do not have to be present in order to take effect. The leafless stem of the plant will get the job done just fine.
This study consisted of taking one goat and placing him in a large area of Poison Oak. The animal did, in fact, eat the leaves of the poison; however, the plant was not eliminated and continued to be potent.
For more information click here.
Friday, January 30, 2009
clerkdogs.com
clerkdogs.com is a great site for those who love movies. It is developed upon movie recommendations by video clerks. It recommends movies based on your likes and your current mood. If you have Netflix, you should definitely check this site out.
Decision Theology
One of the most prevalent issues in the modern Church is Decision Theology. Decision Theology states that in order to be saved (obtain eternal salvation) one must decide to accept Christ Jesus as one's personal Savior.
Why should this be a topic of controversy? All Christians uphold the fact that Christ Jesus is necessary for life everlasting. Let us take a closer look.
Jesus says, "You do not choose me, but I chose you..." (John 15:16). Further, Scripture tells us that all people are spiritually dead by nature (Eph. 2:1-3). If one is spiritually dead, how can one make a spiritual decision to live. The dead do not decide to live. The Bible goes on to say, "No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor. 12:3, also see John 6:44). Conversion is done by the Holy Spirit. God alone saves. To contradict this is to say that we are saved--at least in part--by works and not solely God's grace. In no way do we save ourselves through any decision or by any other means.
How then are we saved? We are saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Faith, like grace, is a gift of God (Eph. 2:8-9). We do not deserve it. No decision or action can help us to deserve it. A person does not choose to believe.
Does this mean that everyone believes and is automatically saved? In a word, no. Once faith is bestowed upon us, we have the free will to deny God's Word and reject God's grace. (This leads to a topic to be discussed later. It shall be called "Once Saved, Always Saved?")
So, if we have free will, and can decide to reject, why do we not also have the free will to accept? This is a very simple matter that often confuses people greatly. The answer is this, you can't accept something that you already have. For example, you have a nose (that is, most likely, and if not then just pretend that you do). It's already there. God gave it to you. You never decided to accept it, but it is there nonetheless. However, you can decide to deny yourself that luxury. You can have your nose removed. You can reject having a nose and all that is does. (If this seems too silly, you can substitute an arm or whatever).
Decision Theology is contrary to God's Word. It was started by a man named Charles Finney (8/29/1792 -8/16/1875) . Charles Finney affirmed that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, but also stated that we must accept Christ of our own free will in order to have faith by which to be saved (yes, he was self-contradicting). He did not understand that faith is a gift of God. And so, this was how he attempted to justify salvation through faith. I, personally, am amazed at how far reaching this obvious false doctrine has become.
Why should this be a topic of controversy? All Christians uphold the fact that Christ Jesus is necessary for life everlasting. Let us take a closer look.
Jesus says, "You do not choose me, but I chose you..." (John 15:16). Further, Scripture tells us that all people are spiritually dead by nature (Eph. 2:1-3). If one is spiritually dead, how can one make a spiritual decision to live. The dead do not decide to live. The Bible goes on to say, "No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor. 12:3, also see John 6:44). Conversion is done by the Holy Spirit. God alone saves. To contradict this is to say that we are saved--at least in part--by works and not solely God's grace. In no way do we save ourselves through any decision or by any other means.
How then are we saved? We are saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Faith, like grace, is a gift of God (Eph. 2:8-9). We do not deserve it. No decision or action can help us to deserve it. A person does not choose to believe.
Does this mean that everyone believes and is automatically saved? In a word, no. Once faith is bestowed upon us, we have the free will to deny God's Word and reject God's grace. (This leads to a topic to be discussed later. It shall be called "Once Saved, Always Saved?")
So, if we have free will, and can decide to reject, why do we not also have the free will to accept? This is a very simple matter that often confuses people greatly. The answer is this, you can't accept something that you already have. For example, you have a nose (that is, most likely, and if not then just pretend that you do). It's already there. God gave it to you. You never decided to accept it, but it is there nonetheless. However, you can decide to deny yourself that luxury. You can have your nose removed. You can reject having a nose and all that is does. (If this seems too silly, you can substitute an arm or whatever).
Decision Theology is contrary to God's Word. It was started by a man named Charles Finney (8/29/1792 -8/16/1875) . Charles Finney affirmed that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, but also stated that we must accept Christ of our own free will in order to have faith by which to be saved (yes, he was self-contradicting). He did not understand that faith is a gift of God. And so, this was how he attempted to justify salvation through faith. I, personally, am amazed at how far reaching this obvious false doctrine has become.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
What the heck is Oppshom?
Oppshom is a word my oldest daughter used to say all the time when she was a baby. We still don't know what it means, but I like the way it sounds.
If you've heard it before, then you've heard it from either Runescape or Travian. I'm not on Runescape anymore, but as of now I am still on Travian.
If you've heard it before, then you've heard it from either Runescape or Travian. I'm not on Runescape anymore, but as of now I am still on Travian.
About Me
I live in Taylorsville, a small town nestled in the foothills of North Carolina.
I'm in my mid-to-upper twenties.
I'm male.
I am married and have three children.
I love God.
I love my family.
I love the NFL.
My favorite cuisines are American, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, and I love seafood.
I love Mountain Dew.
My favorite authors are God, Martin Luther, St. Augustin, St. Thomas Aquinas, C.S. Lewis, and John Grisham.
My favorite teams are Detriot Lions (NFL), Carolina Panthers (NFL), Los Angelas Kings (NHL), and the Atlanta Braves (MLB).
I'm in my mid-to-upper twenties.
I'm male.
I am married and have three children.
I love God.
I love my family.
I love the NFL.
My favorite cuisines are American, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, and I love seafood.
I love Mountain Dew.
My favorite authors are God, Martin Luther, St. Augustin, St. Thomas Aquinas, C.S. Lewis, and John Grisham.
My favorite teams are Detriot Lions (NFL), Carolina Panthers (NFL), Los Angelas Kings (NHL), and the Atlanta Braves (MLB).
Friday, January 23, 2009
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