Goats or Sheep?

This is what you don't want to be on that day:

False prophets in these days

A little plain-speaking would do a world of good just now. These gentlemen desire to be let alone. They want no noise raised. Of course thieves hate watch-dogs, and love darkness. It is time that somebody should spring his rattle, and call attention to the way in which God is being robbed of his glory, and man of his hope. - Charles Spurgeon

Wake Up! Wake Up! Wake Up!

This article is by Ken Silva at Apprising Ministries blog site:

Coming on the heels of Saddleback Church Pastors Using Rob Bell Teachings it must be pointed that men like teaching pastor Doug Fields of Saddleback Church have been teaching your youth highly ecumenical Contemplative Spirituality/Mysticism (CSM) right under your nose for years. And yet, you didn’t want to be bothered with looking into the fact that also for years he’s been involved with the spiritually corrupt Youth Specialties of the Emergent Church.

Well, if I had a hammer I’d nail this to the door of every evangelical church in this nation. There has been a spiritually lethal mix of semi-pelagian and neo-orthodox theological poison injected straight into the blood stream of evangelicalism from most of the youth leaders and youth minsters assembled by Doug Pagitt for Leadership Network circa 1997, which would become the Emerging Church. And now evangelicalism has been brought to its knees to become the base of a new counter reformation announced by Rick Warren as “deeds, not creeds.”

What you will now begin to see is more and more churches preaching outright a non-gospel of good works i.e. ”deeds” not “creeds”, their slur on the actual Gospel of Jesus Christ. But know this: A true look at the history of the Reformation will show that at its core it revolved around justification through God’s grace alone; by faith alone, in Christ alone. And the Roman Catholic Church, from which this spurious CSM orignates and would also contribute mightily to bringing about said Reformation, condemned that Gospel; cursing it, and the Lord’s Reformers to Hell.

Today, I urge those involved with CSM to repent of it, and to forsake it, before God gives evangelicalism over completely to its spiritual deceptions. And spiritual deception is exactly what we’re dealing with; and, Rob Bell is a perfect example. Eyewitness sources have informed me he was once a young man who, at Calvary Church, taught in similar fashion to a MacArthur. But then as he became more and more involved with the Contemplative/Centering Prayer of CSM Bell has continued a rapid drift into “preaching” in words far more consistent with those of heretical “Progressive Christian” Marcus Borg—neither progressive nor Christian—than with men like MacArthur.

I can tell you that nothing good is going to come from this new counter reformation of centered on the self good works vs. the Gospel. You mean you really cannot see that this very same stupid spirituality now being taught openly by ecumenical and interspiritual fools like Rob Bell is what brought about the original Reformation in the first place? Well, here I will stand and say: The evangelical church, right now, today, is every bit as in need of spiritual reform as when Martin Luther stood on this earth hammer in hand. The sad fact is; there are no Luthers left…

And I have no illusions; believe me, I know that “love wins.” I’ve read —in the end love of self will win… So, may God have mercy on those of us will never bow our knee to Baal.

WANTED! A committed Christian

ROMANS 1:16

This is from "the expositor" blog site:
Call me naïve, call me hopeful or just call me a doo-doo, but I continue to be amazed at the number of people who say they are Christians, yet they are either ignorant of the commands of Scripture or just outright choose to reject it. You would think after all I have seen, read or heard, there wouldn’t be much that would shock me….but there is. Perhaps I should say there isn’t much that shocks me anymore, but there is a lot that saddens me about the condition of Christians and the Church. Now let me give this caveat, there are many believers who act, live, speak like Christians; who are committed to Scripture and to faithfully serving the Lord. I always have to put this qualifier after being accused so many times of lumping all Christians into the same basket. So, with that said…

Here are a few examples:

• Pastors and preachers who think it is a good thing to incorporate cartoons clips, sporting goods, extended praise and worship sessions, or themes of dress to get people to church and hold them there.
• People who claim to be Christians, but fins absolutely no problem with doing unethical and even immoral behavior, to accomplish a job task or to benefit personally.
• Leaders who are say they are Christians, and want you to know they are Christians, yet Christian principles are seldom found in their day-to-day practices.
  

Here I guess is where the naïve part comes in, is that I see this every day. I failed to mention my classic frustration with those who say they are Christians, or maybe even will describe themselves as born-again Christians (is there any other kind?). yet they will openly, almost proudly claim, that they are too enlighten to be a part of such outdated concepts such as evangelizing, live holy lives or speaking up on behalf of the Gospel and the cause of truth and righteousness.

I think the most common example I see everyday is when it comes to the pocket book. I have shared this on the radio program many times, but in many cases if you want to divide the goats from the sheep, bring up the subject of money. Whether its giving from the pew or committing finances to a Christian effort, in many cases you can tell the bah-bahs from the nah-nahs when it comes to making or spending cash.

I have seen it from two perspectives, Christian businesses who will not support Christian efforts because they fear their support of that cause will cost them profit and/or influence; or a Christian business who will so easily put their Christianity in a drawer so they can close the sale and make the profit. Why? Why can’t one who says they follow the King of kings, follow Him with everything they have? Why wouldn’t any believer use everything at their disposal to proclaim the Gospel? Why would a the head of a corporation, who will tell you at the supper table that he is a member of such-and-such church, pick and choose their convictions? I am not as much impressed or interested in how many committees you serve on or if your uncle twice removed was a missionary. I would be impressed by seeing someone stand up straight and strong and say, by their words, their deeds, their lives and theirs pocket books, that Jesus is Lord and I stand for the Lord, regardless. And you know what…..I will stand with you.

Otherwise, get with it or get out of the way.

What is happening in the American church?

This video explains the "self-help" and "quick fix" approach that the American church-growth movement continues to endorse. Keep in mind this is not "church" as defined by the Bible but a church prototype that we have invented for our consumer mentalities. If you can tell me what I want to hear, at a time convenient for me, and it doesn't impose on my schedule then I will probably attend.
WATCH THIS VIDEO AND LISTEN CAREFULLY TO WHAT IS BEING SHARED REGARDING THE CHURCH TODAY.

Math "the postmodern way"

Just watch this video and move it over into how "post-moderns" want to interpret the Bible. They have a pre-existing condition in which they arrive at and then use the Bible to proof-text what they want it to mean. However in the mainstream orthodox church we go by this cardinal rule. The interpretation for any one Scripture is equal to what the author intended the text to mean when he wrote it.

Have you heard of the "Seven Day Sex Challenge"

Ed Young who is another one of our seeker-friendly and emerging type pastors offers a seven day sex challenge to his congregation. Hey Pastor Young how about a 7 day challenge to get back into the word of God, or seven days of preaching the gospel to yourself. Hmmm...of course that would be Biblical and not culturally appealing and sexy.
Sadly this is what is going on in many church today which brings the attention to man and leaves God on the sidelines to a large degree. In this context God is the one who allows us to enjoy sex. So our attention becomes the blessing and if we can work into our thinking the Blessor then so be it. A sound reading of the New Testament will quickly yield the church to recognize the most important and most consistent message was Christ crucified.

Quote of the day

“Discernment is not simply a matter of telling the difference between what is right and wrong; rather it is the difference between right and almost right.” - Charles Spurgeon

Is Rob Bell a heretic?

This is an unedited sample of a video done by Rob Bell called "Rain." If you are a new Christian or have been a Christian for awhile you need to become aware of Rob Bell and his teaching. It is NOT and I repeat it is NOT considered to be within the evangelical ORTHODOX camp. As a matter of fact many of today's top evangelical pastors and theologians are calling Rob Bell a heretic in the church. Yes that is strong language but the Lord Jesus says in in the last days false teachers will lead many astray. We had some key church leaders, who unknown to me at the time were embracing Rob Bell and his teaching. In this day of ignore your Bible and be tolerant, Rob Bell has picked up quite a following. However when you examine Rob's teaching against the plumb line of the Scriptures you quickly find he is off base.

Also for those who want to explore this subject in greater depth here is a fairly recent LINK regarding Rob Bell and the Dali Lama appearing at the "Seeds of Compassion" conference in Seattle. If you will notice in the 17 spiritual leaders from around the world the emergent church offers two which are Rob Bell and Doug Pagitt. Again both of these gentlemen are considered to be outside the parameters of the orthodox church. If you want to see a scary video regarding Pagitt's church then click on this LINK.



Listen carefully and see if you hear the FULL gospel as Rob Bell tells us in this video how to have a relationship with God.

10 Hymns of Faith

Saturday morning activity

Nancy was determined for us to walk the new greenway in Charlotte this morning. I offered as many excuses as possible but to no avail. So we got in the car parked near Trader Joes and launched on to what turned out to be an incredible walk and a beautiful fall day. I took the camera for some choice pictures and then put it on video mode just in case. And guess what? Coming the other way to our delight, was our 25 year old son Butner B. It was a good time and already looking forward to our next time out on the new greenway.

Church growth without the full gospel

This is an article from Chris Rosebrough's site called "Extreme Theology." For those in Charlotte who often wonder about Elevation Church and pastor Steven Furtick this article is referring to this kind of church. It appears to be seeker-friendly with large crowds and huge appeal but is it gospel-centered is the real question. The answer, according to Chris Rosebrough's research is NO it isn't and he warns in this article what problems you will encounter from a historical Biblical perspective.

The Center of Your Theology Determines the Object of Your Faith

Warning: This article will be challenging for some of my friends who are Church Planters because it is going to take their Material Principle and weigh it in the balance of Scripture. I am not doing this because I get my gollies by ripping apart other people's theologies. Instead, I am doing this because of my deep love and respect for my friends who are Church Planters.

The charge is bandied about that the new breed of Evangelical Seeker-Sensitive pastors are preaching a Me-Centered Gospel, a watered down gospel or are preaching a Christless form of Christianity. But in my conversations with Church Planters and in taking the time to listen to thousands of hours of their sermons I can definitively state that their theology isn't technically 'Christless' and that they believe with ALL of their hearts that they are fulfilling the calling to which they feel Christ has called them.

The problem lies in their popularized form of Baptist theology and its Material and Formal Principles. The center of their religion is off and as a result they are focusing on the wrong things and are trying to produce the results they are seeking with the wrong tools. I know this sounds like an outrageous and conceited charge on my part. But, please bear with me.

I had the opportunity to speak with and interview a large number of pastors at the Evolve 08 conference. I asked every single one of them the exact same question. Here is the question I asked:

"€œWhen was the last time you preached the Gospel message of Christ crucified for our sins and applied it to the BELIEVERS in your church instead of the unbelievers?"

Sadly, tragically, every single pastor that I asked this question answered with these words, "€œThe believers in my church already know that."

That answer more than anything exposes the scriptural bankruptcy of this theology's material principle. It's focus is not on Christ who is the author and the perfecter of our faith (). It's focus is on ME and the things I need to do to change my life. What my friends in the Baptist stream of the Church Planter Movement have failed to understand is that the gospel message of 'Christ crucified for our sins' is not mere information that applies only to unbelievers but that the Gospel message itself is at the very heart of the Biblical doctrine of sanctification. Without the Gospel you cannot and do not produce Christian disciples. You only produce self-righteous followers of a performance-based religion who have no assurance of their salvation.

Let me demonstrate.

Below I've produced a graphic with "MY Changed Life" in the center and orbiting it are the most common sermon topics that I hear preached by those in the Baptist stream of the CPM.


The Material Principle of this popularized form of Baptist theology is the 'Changed Life'

The Formal Principle of this popularized form of Baptist theology is 'The Bible as Guidebook for Living'

Almost without exception the sermons that I hear from this stream of the CPM are all topical, all of them are based upon 2 to 4 verses ripped out of context and preached as a life application. IF Jesus is mentioned in the sermon He is usually brought in as a moral example. AND the main reason given to people by these pastors to apply these Biblical principles to their lives is that '€œGod has called them to greatness or has a special purpose for their lives'€ . All too often the thorny subject of sin is left out or not mentioned at all.

The method of evangelism that these church planters are employing is to market to people in their community offering them advice for becoming a better parent, having a more fulfilling romantic life, financial advice or career guidance. The assumption is that if unbelievers show up then they can apply these Biblical principles as a means of '€˜trying'€™ Christianity before they '€˜buy it'€™. Once they experience positive change in their lives then that will motivate them to make a commitment to Jesus Christ. But the problem is that what they are buying is not the gospel message of Christ crucified for our sins. Instead they are buying a performance based religion that promises to help them overcome and solve the everyday issues of life. Based upon what is being preached the people in these churches are being led to believe the Bible is merely a guidebook for living and that the primary message of Christianity is about life change. Therefore, the object of this religion isn't Jesus Christ it is ME and the progress that I need to be making so that I can experience life change or the methods I need to employ to form better habits. This is nothing more than a merry-go-round of self-improvement and I don'€™t need a savior for this. In reality, all I need is a good life coach and some good advice.

In this theology those who are having success at experiencing this life change are held up and praised for their changed lives while those who are not nearly as victorious silently suffer as they wonder what they are doing wrong or question whether or not God loves them because of their inability to see positive life change in all of these areas. There is no assurance of salvation for anyone who hops onto this merry-go-round. In a performance based religion you never know if you'€™ve done enough and the entire time your conscience is screaming at you every time you sin and fall short. But because Jesus death for sins is ONLY ever applied to unbelievers in these churches the assumption is that Jesus death on the cross DOES NOT APPLY to believers. This is not an overstatement of the facts. I grew up in a performance based form of Christianity and know this is true from personal experience.

Now let me offer an alternate theology. One whose Material Principle is 'Christ Crucified for our sins'€ and whose Formal Principle is Sola Scriptura (the whole council of the word of God instead of the guidebook for living approach)



Notice that the Gospel Message of Christ Crucified for our Sins is the center and substance of this theology. That means that the Gospel is preached Sunday after Sunday and is the main feature of EVERY sermon and EVERY Bible study.

In this theology sin is dealt with as a serious and deadly problem and every person, including the pastor, has the mirror of God's perfect law held up to them to expose their utter depravity and sinfulness. The solution that is offered to solve this problem is NOT practical steps to experience '€˜life change'. The ONLY solution that is offered for this problem is Christ crucified for our sins. Why? Because scripture is clear that the law cannot save us NOR sanctify us. But that we are saved AND sanctified by the good news that Christ died for OUR sins. The good works that we do are not done out of selfish motivations (I want a better sex life) but they are done because we are NEW creations in Christ and our new nature given to us by the Holy Spirit through the preaching of the gospel () naturally produces good fruit and this fruit is produced as an act of worship to our savior who in His love and mercy rescued us from the bondage of sin through Christ's propitiatory sacrifice for our sins on the cross ().

I offer these passages of scripture as further proof that what I am saying is in accord with sound Biblical doctrine.

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

18 "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Notice that Paul said '€œto us who are being saved'€™. The "€œIT"€ Paul is referring to is the message of the gospel NOT the message of the law and the message of principles to be applied for life change.

Paul continues...

"Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Again notice that Paul says in verse 23 '€œwe PREACH (present active indicative) Christ Crucified'. Paul did not limit this preaching to only unbelievers!!! It is undeniably clear that this message was the center and substance of Paul'€™s preaching to both believers and unbelievers.

Then Paul wrote this...

"And I, when I came to you, brothers,did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

Was Paul actually saying that he ONLY preached Christ Crucified? In a VERY real way that is EXACTLY what Paul was saying. He was making it very clear that "Christ Crucified for our sins" (The Gospel) was the Material Principle of his theology and therefore Jesus Christ NOT Paul and his progress in a performance based religion was the object of Paul'€™s faith.

In fact Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote his harshest letter to the churches in Galatia who had abandoned the message of Christ Crucified for our sins and had replaced it with a performance based religion. Said Paul...

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

"O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

So many Christians today talk a lot about 'being in the flesh' versus 'being in the spirit'. But, do they actually know that being on the merry-go-round of a performance based religion is exactly how scripture defines what it means to be in the flesh? Do they actually know that this passage teaches that to 'be in the spirit'€™ means to trust and have faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross as opposed to trusting in your changed life?

Regarding performance based religion, which Paul was all to familiar with, wrote...

"Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh'€” 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith'€” 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Here's the bottom line. Those members of the CPM who have the 'changed life'€™ as their theological center and material principle are in grave spiritual danger. Even worse, it is more than likely that the people who are attending their church plants have the wrong idea about what the Christian faith is about. I therefore am making an appeal to Church Planters to repent and preach the gospel to both believers and unbelievers every single Sunday. I am making an appeal to them based upon the clear teachings of the Word of God to change their material principle from the 'changed life' to 'Christ crucified for our sins'. Then and ONLY then will they witness the Holy Spirit effecting real and eternal change in people's lives.

Obama supporters post election

Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives Are

Praying for President-Elect Obama

This is a wonderful and excellent article by Ligon Duncan of what we as Christians should delight in doing regarding President-elect Obama in the coming days.

We ought to commit ourselves to pray for our new President, for his wife and family, for his administration, and for the nation. We will do this, not only because of the biblical command to pray for our rulers, but because of the second greatest commandment "Love your neighbor" and what better way to love your neighbor, than to pray for his well-being. Those with the greatest moral and political differences with the President-Elect ought to ask God to engender in them, by His Spirit, genuine neighbor-love for Mr. Obama.

We will also pray for our new President because he (and we) face challenges that are not only daunting but potentially disastrous. We will pray that God will grant him wisdom. He and his family will face new challenges and the pressures of this office. May God protect them, give them joy in their family life, and hold them close together.

We will pray that God will protect this nation even as our new President settles into his role as Commander in Chief, and that God will grant peace as he leads the nation through times of trial and international conflict and tension.

We will pray that God would change President-Elect Obama's mind and heart on issues of crucial moral concern. May God change his heart and open his eyes to see abortion as the murder of the innocent unborn, to see marriage as an institution to be defended, and to see a host of issues in a new light. We must pray this from this day until the day he leaves office. God is sovereign, after all.

For those Christians who are more dismayed than overjoyed about the prospects of an Obama presidency, there should be a remembrance that as our President, Barack Obama will have God-given authority to govern us, and that we should view him as a servant of God () to whom we should be subject (; ). Thus, again, we are to pray for Barack Obama (). We are to thank God for Barack Obama (). We are to respect Barack Obama (). We are to honor Barack Obama (; ).

For those Christians who are more overjoyed than concerned about the prospects of an Obama presidency, there should be a remembrance of our ultimate allegiance: Jesus is Lord (and thus, He, not we, decides what is right and wrong), we serve God not man, and the Lord himself has promised to establish "the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him" (). Thus, where our new president opposes or undermines biblical moral standards in our society, fails to uphold justice for the unborn, undermines religious liberties or condones an ethos that is hostile to the Gospel, we will pray for God's purposes to triumph over our President's plans and policies.

Without doubt and whatever our particular views may be, we face hard days ahead. Realistically, we must all expect to be frustrated and disappointed. Some now may feel defeated and discouraged. While others may all-too-soon find their audacious hopes unfounded and unrealized. We must all keep ever in mind that it is God who raises up leaders and nations, and it is God who pulls them down, and who judges both nations and rulers. We must not act or think like unbelievers, or as those who do not trust God.

For the entire article click on this LINK.

What are good works Biblically?

This is part of a radio show called "Fighting for the Faith" in which Chris Rosebrough distinguishes between works to try and get right before God or works that come from the righteousness imputed to us by Christ. We in the evangelical church need to get a solid hold on the difference and check our hearts as to which kind of works we are offering to God.

Leadership of godly men

In Steve Lawson's book "Foundations of Grace" the following quote appears;
Strong men always proclaim a strong message. They do not read the polls and check the surveys before they give their opinions. In fact, they do not even have opinions-they have convictions. They bleed convictions. They are strong men anchored in the strong Word of God and as such, they bring a message with gravitas and punch. When they stand to speak, they actually have something to say-and they say it, whether anyone listens or not. When they sit to write, they do not skirt the issues-they tackle them. When they address the times in which they live, they do not tickle ears-they box them. They do not have one message for one group and a different message for a different group. Wherever they go and whomever they address, they have only one message-God's message. This is what makes them strong men. They speak God's Word, or they do not speak at all.

Barack Obama becomes the 44th president

The following is an article by Mike Huckabee from his blog site.

I'm very proud to have supported Senator McCain and the only regret is that more Americans didn't share my conviction that he would have made an outstanding President. I not only recognize, but respect that we are a nation in which the people choose and tonight they have chosen Senator Obama. He was not my choice, but he will be my President and I will pray for him to lead this great nation with God's help and grace. He will face serious challenges to lead our country and he will need all Americans to give him a chance.

The campaign is over and now is the time for governing and leading. The Republican Party must now reassess where it is and where it is going. Our problem is not that our views aren't acceptable, it is that many in our party have abandoned the very principles that once drew Americans to trust us. Our party will be back with strength, but tonight we should all celebrate the historic nature of this election and put our country ahead of our party.

As disappointed as I am that we have lost the election, I can't help but feel that many courageous leaders of the civil rights movement look down from heaven tonight with a smile that the day has come when a man is elected without regard to his color. I salute President-elect Obama for his discipline and tenacity that has given our country the opportunity to witness this significant event.
Politics is not an event but a process. We sometimes lose the events but it never gives us the right to stop being faithful to our principles that enlisted us in the process. We shall live to fight another day.

An Election Day Analysis

Here is an excellent blog article from Dan Phillips at Pyromaniacs:

Today's American election takes place (normally) every four years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November.

The election I'm thinking of took place once only, before the foundation of a world (Ephesians 1:4).

Today's election involves votes cast by millions of people of wildly varying circumstances, characters, levels of intelligence, and worldviews.

The eternal election only had three participants: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, each the quintessence of perfection in power, wisdom, holiness, and goodness (Ephesians 1:3-14).

Today's election requires that I take into account the career, character, accomplishments, stated convictions, and proposals of the candidates. My vote must be earned, in my estimation.

The eternal election actually is not only irrespective of (Romans 9:11), but contrary to the deserts of its objects. It is an election "that we should be holy and blameless before him" (Ephesians 1:4). If that is the objective (or outcome) of the choice, then what were we before that choice, if not altogether unholy, and blameworthy?

Today's election involves but a handful of candidates, and I can only choose one.

The eternal election considered every man, woman and child who would ever live; and from them, it selected not one, but a vast multitude that no man can number (Revelation 7:9).

Today's election offers me the opportunity to cast a vote that can be defeated by two contrary votes, or by fraud.

The eternal election was executed by the God who "does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, 'What have you done?'” (Daniel 4:35).

Today's election results will go down in the history books, but may well ultimately be forgotten.

The eternal election has as its object "that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:7).

Today's election will result in the praise of the victor and his campaign (— and maybe a few remarks about the media, either way).

The eternal election results in the praise of God's glorious grace, with which He surrounded us in His beloved one (Ephesians 1:6).

Today's election could be reversed or invalidated by evil acts, catastrophes, disasters, or other utterly unforeseeable events.

The eternal election is as certain and sure as yesterday, and there is no power in any part of the universe that can reverse its results (Romans 8:29-39).

Today's election is centered in the kingdom of man.

The eternal election consists of the gift of a chosen people by the Father to the Son (John 17:6), given to Him that He might save them (Matthew 1:21), wash, cleans, and wed them (Ephesians 5:25-27).

Hopefully, we'll know the results of today's election by tomorrow.

The results of the eternal election are known every time the Word of God comes home in power to someone's heart, and he welcomes that word in repentant faith (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5; 2:13).

How people vote today makes some difference, under God's hand (Daniel 4:32).

God's eternal election makes all the difference (Psalm 103:19; 115:3).

John Piper on the presidential election

Seek-Friendly WARNING! Read with caution

If you are part of a seeker-friendly church movement, emerging or emergent church then you probably will not delight in this blog article. But if you are in the mainstream evangelical stream of "reformed" theology then this will be sweet! OK, we will even invite those classic Arminians that do agree with "Total Depravity" in the sense that there is no one righteous and no one does good. So brothers and sisters in Christ please join with me in the "NEW 95 THESES" I took this right from the "Fighting for the Faith" website and have also posted the LINK to this audio.
One of the best radio shows that I have heard to date on this subject!

1. When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said “Repent,” He willed that the whole life of believers should be one of repentance.

2. To “repent” means to be contrite for one’s sins and to trust Jesus Christ and solely in His completed work for one’s forgiveness, life, and salvation.

3. Those who describe the Christian life as purpose-driven deny true repentance, confuse the Law and the Gospel, and obscure the merits of Christ.

4. Impious and wicked are the methods of those who substitute self-help and pop-psychology for the Gospel in the name of relevance.

5. This impious disregard for the Gospel wickedly transforms sacred Scripture into a guidebook for living, a pharisaic sourcebook of principles, and sows tares among the wheat.

6. Relevance, self-help and pop-psychology have no power to work true contrition over sins and faith in Jesus Christ.

7. Like clouds without rain, purpose-driven preachers withhold the proclamation of the forgiveness of sins won by Christ on the cross and enslave men’s consciences to the law which they cleverly disguise as so-called 'Biblical Principles'.

8. By teaching tips for attaining perfect health, debt-free wealth, and better sex in marriage, the purveyors of relevance undermine true fear, love and trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

9. They are enemies of Christ, who distort the Word of God by tearing verses from their original context in order to use them as proof texts for their self-help, pop-psychology agendas.

10. Injury is done the Word of God when it is used as a source book for practical, relevant “life applications.”

11. In the name of relevance, our Lord Jesus Christ is reduced to a life-coach whose “gospel” assists and motivates people to achieve the objectives of their self-centered delusions of grandeur.

12. Apart from the Holy Spirit, the seeker cannot understand the things of God for these are “spiritually discerned” ().

13. The natural man does not naturally seek the Gospel. “I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me” ()

14. The true Seeker of men’s souls is our Lord Jesus Christ who came to seek and to save the lost by His death on the cross ().

15. The truly “seeker-sensitive” church proclaims God’s wrath against our sin and His mercy for Jesus’ sake.

16. The preaching of Christ crucified is a stumbling block to purpose-driven pragmatists and foolishness to church growth consultants.

17. The true gold of the Church is the Most Holy Gospel of the glory and the grace of God.

18. But this treasure is a stench in the nostrils of fallen and sinful men because it exposes man’s complete lack of ability to save himself by his own religious efforts.

19. On the other hand, the fool’s gold of self-help is preferred by sinful men, for it creates the illusion of moral progress and a life that is pleasing to God apart from repentance.

20. The gold of the Gospel is the net by which Christ would make us fishers of men.

21. The fool’s gold of self-help is a snare by which purpose-driven purveyors of relevance attempt to capture the riches and approval of men.

22. The church is holy sheep who hear the voice of their Shepherd.

23. How can sheep hear the voice of their Shepherd when false shepherds preach self-help and pop-psychology?

24. Purveyors of purpose-driven relevance are not shepherds of men’s souls but wolves in sheep’s clothing.

25. Purveyors of relevance claim that self-help, life-applications and biblical principles are the means to reach the unchurched because they meet people’s felt needs.

26. Yet a person’s greatest need is one he does not by nature feel, namely the need for the righteousness that comes from God through faith in Jesus Christ.

27. The true means by which fallen sinners are reached is the preaching of Christ and His sacraments. ()

28. The true need that mankind is seeking but does not know is justification by grace through faith for Christ’s sake.

29. Since justification is through faith and not through works, natural man neither seeks it nor desires it.

30. Therefore, the teaching of justification by grace through faith is neither seeker-sensitive nor relevant to a world that naturally seeks self-justification.

31. To be in the church is to be union with Christ through faith.

32. Regardless of the number of people in attendance, the church does not grow unless men are granted repentance and faith by God through the action of His Word.

33. Scripture clearly teaches that the means by which God grants faith are the the hearing of the Word of Christ (the Gospel) and the water of Holy Baptism.

34.Therefore, even if a congregation, through their own marketing methods and business prowess were able to draw 100,000 people every Sunday, if the Gospel is not heard and the sacraments are not administered according to the Gospel there is no church and the true Church of Jesus Christ has not grown by a single soul.

35. If numerical growth is a measure of God’s approval, then we must conclude that God approves of Islam and the Mormons.

36. If financial success is a measure of God’s approval, then we must conclude that God approves of pornography and gambling.

37. Cancer and crabgrass both grow rapidly, as does the church that obscures the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

38. The purveying of purpose-driven relevance is the theology of glory; the preaching of Christ crucified for sinners is the theology of the cross.

39. The theologian of glory says that the kingdom of God is visible now in buildings, people, and dollars; the theologian of the cross says that the kingdom of God is an article of faith.

40. The theologian of glory asks “How much?” and “How many?”; the theologian of the cross preaches Christ regardless of how much or how many.

41. The theologian of glory prepares people to receive health, wealth, and happiness; the theologian of the cross prepares people to suffer and die in faith.

42. The theologian of glory preaches that God wants to grant you favors; the theologian of the cross preaches the favor of God for the sake of Christ crucified.

43. The theologian of glory proclaims 40 days of purpose; the theologian of the cross preaches daily dying and rising in Jesus.

44. God established the Church to be a “mouth house” of forgiveness not a madhouse of activity.

45. Christ wills that His voice be heard in His Church and not the voice of man when He says, “He who hears you, hears me.” ()

46. Purveyors of purpose-driven relevance obscure the voice of Christ and so draw the sheep away from the Good Shepherd.

47. Christ saves from sin and death not through the motivation of the sinner to do good, but through baptismal death and resurrection.

48. The mission of the church is not to transform the world but to disciple the nations by baptizing and teaching ().

49. Anyone who preaches a vision and demands allegiance to it sets up a new papacy among the churches.

50. A synod or church body is a human institution that exists by the will and consent of its member congregations and pastors.

51. A synod or church body is not merely an affiliation of churches that agree on a common purpose.

52. A synod or church body is not the Church, properly speaking, but a fellowship of churches sharing a common confession of faith and practice.

53. Synods are not of the church’s essence (esse) but for her well being (bene esse).

54. Synodical leaders are not lords over the churches, but servants of the churches and stewards of their common possessions.

55. Synodical leaders are not called to promulgate visions but to execute the collective will of the synod’s churches.

56. The old papacy arrogated the Church’s treasury of merits; the new papacy arrogates the Church’s treasury.

57. The old papacy said, “As the coin in the coffer clings, so the soul from purgatory springs.”

58. The new papacy says, “As the coin in the church coffer clings, so another program out of debt springs.”

59. The old papacy counted plenary indulgences; the new papacy counts money and people.

60. The old papacy suppressed the Gospel through canon law; the new papacy suppresses the Gospel through constitutions and by-laws.

61. The old papacy was a friend of Caesar; the new papacy is a friend of Mammon.

62. The old papacy bound a man’s conscience for the sake his wallet; the new papacy binds a man’s wallet for the sake of his conscience.

63. The old papacy promulgated infallible dogma; the new papacy promulgates undebatable visions.

64. The old papacy claims to sit on the seat of Peter; the new papacy claims to sit on the mandate of the majority.

65. The old papacy reserved the right to judge doctrine and practice; the new papacy judges doctrine and practice by commissions and committees.

66. The old papacy issued “bulls;” the new papacy issues task force reports.

67. The old papacy had a college of cardinals; the new papacy has high-priced consultants.

68. Just as popes and councils have erred in the past, so synodical leaders and synodical conventions err in the present.

69. A synod that is concerned for the true unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace does not excuse unionism and syncretism.

70. Unity in doctrine and practice means discernible interchangeability in teaching, preaching, and practice.

71. Unity in doctrine and practice does not consist in signing confessional statements, but in word and deed.

72. Worship is doctrine put into practice.

73. As one worships, so one believes.

74. As one believes, so one worships.

75. Christian worship consists in God’s service to us through His giving and our receiving in faith the gifts of Christ’s Word, Body, and Blood, and our service to God by our prayer, praise, and thanksgiving.

76. Worship that is focused principles for Christian living obscures the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His gifts and is detrimental to faith and salvation.

77. While Christian liberty allows that worship forms need not be altogether the same in every time and place, unity in faith and practice requires that worship forms must not be altogether different in every time and place.

78. Worship forms serve as identifying banners in the confessional field of battle.

79. Peculiar and novel worship forms obscure the unity of the churches and extol the creativity of the worship leaders.

80. In matters neither commanded nor forbidden in the Word of God (adiaphora), the churches of God are free to change ceremonies according to circumstances, as may be most beneficial and edifying to the churches of God. (Epitome, Art X.4)

81. Such changes must avoid all frivolity and offenses, particularly with regard to those who are weak in faith (Epitome, Art X.5).

82. Where the Gospel is at stake, concessions in ceremony must not be made so as to suggest unity with those who deny the Gospel (Epitome, Art X.6)

83. Therefore, it is contrary to the doctrine of adiaphora to hide the substance of Lutheran doctrine behind a non-Lutheran style of worship.

84. To create and sustain saving faith, God established the office of the holy ministry in the church to preach the Gospel and administer the sacraments according to our Lord’s institution.

85. No one may publicly preach, teach, or administer the sacraments in the churches without his being called and ordained.

86. Those who introduce novelties into the church are the true agents of division.

87. The ordination of women is a novelty that has caused great division in the church.

88. The introduction of worship forms not held in common by the churches is a cause of division and a stumbling block.

89. The church belongs to no man but to Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God, and Lord of the church.

90. Woe to the false prophets who cry, “Unity, unity” when there is no unity.

91. Again, woe to those who say, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace.

92. Again, woe to those who say, “Gospel, gospel,” when there is no Gospel.

93. Blessed are those who say, “Cross, cross,” when there is no cross.

94. Christians are to be exhorted that they be diligent in following Christ, their Head, through all suffering, death, and hell;

95. And thus be confident of entering into heaven through many trials and tribulations, rather than through the assurance of outward peace, unity, and happiness.

Is Obama or Bush a Christian?

Of course since we live in a pluralistic culture that is an offensive way to start an article. I mean can't we all just be happy and agree that there are many pathways to heaven. Hmmm...the answer for the Christian is NO!

Here is a video on this pastor's take why Barack Obama is not a Christian and then I provide a LINK for the rest of this discussion. It is bothersome to me as a pastor that many people today are throwing around the word Christian but have no idea of its Biblical meaning. But for those with ears to hear and eyes to see check out this video.


OK, in the interest of fairness here is a video of President George Bush being interviewed by Charlie Gibson. And according to this definition by Bush himself it is not consistent with the Scriptures. So I don't think the main stream evangelical orthodox church would include Obama or Bush.