Added April 2008 Section 2.. Reasons To Believe/Archaeology And The Bible Joshua's Conquest: Did It Happen? It would be unreasonable to insist that we be able to prove every detail of an account of events occurring more than three thousand years ago. However, it is rather surprising how much evidence we actually have to corroborate or confirm the account of the Conquest. The skeptic's claim that it never occurred would seem to be the view that should be on the defensive. Section 3a .. Barriers To Faith Joshua's Conquest: Was It Justified? How could a good God commission Israel to destroy women and children in battle? Section 7... Living The Faith/ God And Worship God and Worship [Section] The great single need of the moment is that light-hearted superficial religionists be struck down with a vision of God high and lifted up, with His train filling the temple” Instead what we see in so many churches is "McWorship" of a "McDeity." Perhaps those little simplistic chants we can’t seem to live without help put a smile on our face and allow us two or three glorious minutes of relief so we can pretend there really isn’t anything wrong with our spiritual lives – The blatant absence of sound biblical theology has affected every level of Christian music. Includes Worship.. History, Purpose and Content (have you ever considered what worship may have looked like when the early church gathered?), The Recovery of Authentic Worship and Testing Music In The Church Section 8B / Controversial Issues Chicken Soup for the Soul So why are some Christians critical of these books? If there is something so un-Christian about them, why are so many Christians reading and enjoying them? These are good questions that deserve answers. As is the case with many books dealing with infusing spirituality into the workplace, the books of Jack Canfield contain a great deal of common-sense. Nonetheless, Christians should be aware that the books also are steeped in a spirituality that is opposed to biblical Christianity. Section 10D .. Our Country, Our Children Teen Mania/ BattleCry /Acquire the Fire So how can we tell whether Teen Mania’s success comes from well oiled corporate planning or from a movement of the Holy Spirit, seeking to draw young people to Christ. The Bible says.. By their fruits Ye shall know them " (Matt 7:16 ). So what are some of the fruits of Teen Mania and related organizations? How can one point a finger at a Christian youth organization devoted to steering teenagers away from drugs, alcohol and premarital sex. Unfortunately, Ron Luce and his organization have made it very easy. A person’s zeal for God is useless unless it is an enlightened, discerning, and intelligent zeal. If the organization is leading young people away from substance abuse and sex but is exposing them to other and equally sinister dangers, it has not accomplished much, if anything at all. Section 10A /The Contemporary Church ..And The Pulpits Are Silent Despite what the political parties would like you to believe, the problem in America is not the politicians, it is the pulpits. How did we ever get such man-pleasing leaders? They are concerned with being too harsh, they tell me that “Jesus is in control,” that they are not “called” to fight evil and that "we should pray for our enemies.” Where have these guys come from? What we need is a return of the Voice of God thundering through the prophets standing in America’s pulpits. Not the prissy Purpose Driven drivel passing as the Gospel today. Light A Fire Under Your Pastor Okay, Mr. Kindling-Wood, you have a decision you are going to have to make. Are you sick and tired enough of the lukewarm preaching to come out of your comfort zone and begin to set little brush- fires? If you are not willing to make a stand then you have no reason to complain. It is time to stop waiting on the big log to set the rest of you on fire. Put up or shut up 
Added March 2008 Section 3a .. Barriers To Faith Can God Kill the Innocent? How is it that God could allow the annihilation of thousands and thousands of people, whether that annihilation was through war or natural disaster? In fact, how is it that God could even command such a thing in the Old Testament if it is immoral to take the life of an innocent human being? Section 7... Living The Faith/Essential Christianity The World, The Flesh, And The Devil The Bible teaches that each disciple of our Lord has a number of enemies and that life here on earth is both a testing ground and a battleground. Three in particular that the Christian faces in his daily life of faith are the world, the flesh, and the devil. These enemies war with the Christian as long as he continues beset with personal human frailties and is confined in an imperfect society. How to Grow in Christian Faith and Life In this day of instant coffee, instant pudding, instant replays, instant pictures, instant loans and instant debt, some Christians want to skip the growth process. We want instant sainthood — not seeds, but fruit! We want to be grown up, but We don't want to grow up. Other Christians want to skip the growth process in a different way. We prefer to remain in the raw, unprocessed state in which Christ found us. Beware of postponing the growth process until September — or until you die. Don't count on death to do for you then what you are unwilling to do for yourself with God's help here and now. Cultivating Christian Convictions Convictions are strong beliefs or truths that one is fully convinced of, having been persuaded by evidence or argument and not merely subjective feelings. We have a conviction when we are thoroughly convinced or fully persuaded that something is true. Convictions are more than personal preferences or subjective opinions; they involve strong beliefs that manifest themselves in actions. A conviction is a strong belief that we have obediently made a part of our life and practice. Having convictions is being so thoroughly convinced that something is absolutely true that you take a stand for it regardless of the consequences. Section 7A .. Defending The Faith The Christian And Controversy There is an attitude in the hearts of some Christians that regards debating as beneath the dignity of the followers of Christ and as detrimental to the spread of the Kingdom. The world regards debating with suspicion. This almost universal disapproval of religious debating outside the church has had its effect on the members of the church. For this reason it is good to examine the Scriptures to learn the true attitude one should have toward such matters. Section 8B ... Controversial Issues/Oprah Winfrey Oprah’s Spirituality.. Exploring a New Earth In addressing the Bible, Tolle attempts to play both sides of the street. Although, he does not directly state it, he clearly does not believe that the Bible is an accurate revelation of the character of God and the nature of the universe. His worldview is totally contrary to the Bible in most areas, so he clearly does not consider it an authoritative source. But, knowing that much of his audience has a Christian background, he quotes the Bible over 25 times in this book. In most instances, he takes the verse out of context and misinterprets it to align with his viewpoint and the overall worldview is directly counter to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Tolle’s spiritual teaching will result in eternal separation from God for non-Christians and fruitlessness for Christians taken captive by this unbiblical worldview Oprah’s New Earth Chances are that Tolle would have been just another nobody, with another weird story, relegated in short order to a few dusty book shelves in New Age shops.. had his book not caught the fancy of America’s most dangerous woman. Now thanks to a self styled orchestrator of American spirituality, he is pretty much a household name, with hundreds of thousands wolfing down his diabolical ideas and opening themselves out to whatever it is that controls him.. God have mercy on us. Who Does Oprah Think She Is? GOD?! This question is not meant to be disrespectful. It is meant to illustrate a point. Most amazingly, Oprah Winfrey might be the first person to answer this question with a "yes." And, if you follow Oprah closely and participate in her new endeavors you may eventually answer this question in the affirmative also. This teaching, that we are "God," is at the essence of the emerging global spirituality. And Oprah has just embarked upon an aggressive campaign to educate the world about it. Oprah and Eckhart Do the New Age Shift In her first class with Eckhart Tolle, Oprah asked if people had experienced the “shift” while reading Tolle’s book, A New Earth. The “shift” Williamson, Oprah and Tolle describe is “awakening” to the “Christ within” and the “God within.” “Shift” is the key word. It means to move from one position to another - as in shifting one’s awareness away from the mind and “ego” to the collective “Christ consciousness” or “Christ within.” And, as in shifting your belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior to a New Age belief in the “Christ within.” With her New Age classrooms on satellite radio, and now on the Internet, Oprah apparently feels an urgency to teach everyone how to “awaken” and make this “shift” to the “Christ” within. Section 9B .. The Future/The Rapture Double Talk... How Many Second Comings? Pre-tribbers insist that the second coming of Jesus Christ is in two stages. They frequently display lists of alleged "differences," which, in their thinking, imply the rapture is separate from the second coming. The fact is, each of the "contrasts" are simply manufactured from a preconceived premise of a pre-tribulation rapture. None of these alleged distinctions can stand on their own. Section 10A .. The Contemporary Church / ‘Christian’ Courses/ Purpose Driven Forty Days: Take A Closer Look The first session of the tape on “living with purpose” ended with Warren leading people in a prayer. In the prayer he asked them to “open their life” to the “Lord.” He then congratulated people for praying with him and welcomed them into “the family of God.” He had failed to mention in the presentation that people are sinners in need of a Savior and that God sent His Son, Jesus, to shed His blood at Calvary, who then rose again! he did not mention any of these concepts during the presentation, the prayer, or the follow-up comments! On the contrary, there was great excitement that a large number of people had “prayed the prayer!” Section 11... Cults/ Jehovah's Witnesses What about the 144,000 Many Christians are puzzled when the familiar door-knockers, the Jehovah's Witnesses, tell them they don't want to go to heaven-- they intend to live right here on earth, and furthermore, only 144,000 can go to heaven. What about this Biblical number of 144,000--where is it found, and what does it mean? Do only 144,000 go to heaven? Let's let the Bible interpret itself. Added February 2008 Section 2 .. Reasons To Believe/ Jesus Is Jesus Superior to All Other Religious Leaders? Based on five lines of truth it is entirely possible to come to the conclusion that Jesus is superior to all other religious leaders and that all religions are not equal. Has the Family Tomb of Jesus Been Found? The ramifications of such a find—if true—would be devastating to the truth of Christianity. However there are 5 glaring problems that immediately surface with the suggestion that the tomb of Jesus' family has been identified in Jerusalem Section 4 .. The Heart Of The Matter Why NOT To Ask Jesus Into Your Heart The most fundamental, vital question that anyone can ask is what must I do to be saved?... the answer to which is perhaps the most crucial point of the whole New Testament. Yet there are no end of well meaning Christians who, in answer to that life and death question, will inform you that You have to ask Jesus into your heart. The burning question is whether this phrase accurately communicates the truth of Scripture. Those ‘born again’ Christians The kicker is, the strange places that I run into these “born again” Christians. As I have stated before we do some ministry on the streets and it always sets me back a notch or two when I hear “born again” come out of some folk’s mouths. I find them heading into abortion clinics, outside strip clubs, drinking and swearing at Ohio State Football game parties, sleeping on the streets, and yelling at the referee at high school basketball games. Yep, those “born again” Christians are everywhere. Nearly 85% of Americans, or so George Barna tells us. Maybe we should look at that term. Section 7... Living The Faith/Grace Vs. Holiness Antagonists or Allies? The supposed contradiction between James and Paul has been a theological battleground with James 2:14-26 often being understood as contradicting Paul's teaching that salvation is by faith alone apart from works. James is not writing about how to become a Christian, but rather how to act like one. Having all the correct beliefs about God will hardly suffice: even demons believe in God. Real, life-giving faith should produce motion, and James minces no words in describing the specific spiritual actions expected of Christians. Paul and James On Faith and Works It is most important to note at the beginning that James and Paul were writing for different purposes. Paul's purpose was to explain how the gospel works, the method of justification through Christ. This can be seen not only in Romans but also in Galatians. James, on the other hand, is reproving idle brethren. The Christian and Good Works It seems that the only Scripture a Bible-believer knows about good works is that we are not saved by them (Ephesians 2:8,9)! Sadly from that many have further appeared to adopt an attitude about good works that they are virtually insignificant. Therefore, this article should be very surprising as it reveals Biblical truths about this important subject. Filthy Rags Isaiah 64:6 has long been used as a ‘proof-text’ for two totally distinct yet equally unfounded beliefs. Calvinism uses it to establish the idea that everything the natural man does is wicked... even good deeds. This helps to set up the dogma of "total inability," the engine which drives the entire Calvinist soteriology. The Evangelical uses it to show that good works, obedience, virtue are all useless. This sets the stage for the doctrine of "accepting Christ" through a once-for-all act of faith. But No One every quotes the verse in context. None That Seeketh? Romans 3:11-18 is often quoted to bolster the claims of universal depravity / no one ever seeks after God. However if one examines the source of Paul’s quotes a very different picture emerges. The Psalms in question do not show that no righteous person has ever lived but often spoke of God’s protection and favor towards the virtuous people of that day. What then could Paul have possibly meant? How could he possibly say that it is of no profit for men to live righteously when innumerable verses spoke of God’s protection and favor regarding the righteous. Why did he present one side of the coin and ignore the verses that speak of God’s support and favor for those who feared Him? Section 7... Living The Faith/The Christian and Knowledge Religious But Wrong There is a theory that is common in the world today that all who are sincere in what they believe in their religion will be acceptable to God. In other words, if a man is really religious, as the term is used, he will be eternally saved. It is our purpose to examine some events that are related in the New Testament in order that we may determine whether this theory is true. The Everlasting Rock Several attitudes toward God and toward ourselves, which prevent us from seeing God as the rock he is. Section 10A .. The Contemporary Church 10 Things I Hate About Church Worship Pastors - Seriously? Paid singers? Seriously? Section 10A .. The Contemporary Church/ The Church Growth Movement Willow Creek’s Admission of Failure Willow’s leadership now admits, in the words of Bill Hybels, “We made a mistake.” They have admitted that the model of “doing church” which they have poured 30 years and millions of dollars into has been a mistake is incredulous. However having failed at virtually every level to produce true disciples and develop biblical churches, Willow wants to start all over again and they would like to take us with them. We can trust them this time, we are assured, for they have new research tools, new insights, and new programs. They will guide us correctly this time – promise. This is a bit incredible, but Hybels and Hawkins are so winsome in their presentations, so sincere in their promises, that millions will undoubtedly follow them once again, blindly, with Bibles firmly left unexamined, down the road on this new adventure. Section 10B... Heresy In The Church\Word Of Faith The Word Of Faith Movement: History And Leaders What exactly makes one a “Word of Faith” teacher? What are the core doctrines in the Faith movement? Where did these doctrines originate? Our goal will be first, to define what truly constitutes the Word of Faith movement. Secondly, we shall trace its philosophical roots to the modern “founders.” Finally, we will identify some of its major leaders and to evaluate some of their more distinctive teachings. Section 12A/ The Occult Reiki As the popularity of Reiki grows, many Christians are becoming interested in this healing art and have begun to practice it. They believe that because Reiki is a laying on hands healing technique similar to what Jesus practiced. However Reiki practitioners tell a very different story.. The word Reiki is composed of two Japanese words.. Rei can be defined as the Higher Intelligence that guides the creation and functioning of the universe. Rei is also called God and has many other names depending on the culture that has named it. Added January 2008 Section 2 .. Reasons To Believe/Index To God Is God Different in the Old Testament and New Testament? Skeptics will point to various passages to demonstrate how the Old Testament portrays God as impatient, cruel and merciless. Whereas, on the other hand, it is believed that the New Testament portrays God as the epitome of love and grace who never says a harsh word. However this imagined difference between “the God of the Old Testament” and the God of the New is based on a combination of several false presumptions about both God and Jesus, a tendency to view [or judge] God from our standpoint, an all too common habit of ignoring ‘other’ verses, and disregarding the circumstances of the day. Section 8B ... Controversial Issues How 'Judge Not' .. the Most Misquoted Verse in the Bible.. is Destroying America If Americans don't start to judge and punish evil instead of accepting all ideas and beliefs as equal, we will become a nation that welcomes same-sex marriage, polygamy, pedophilia, incest, euthanasia and likely a host of moral aberrations so bizarre they're still hidden in the darkest reaches of the Internet. Section 9B .. The Future The Truth About Heaven What is Heaven really like? Is Heaven even something we should spend much time thinking about? Or should we relegate thoughts of Heaven to the dusty corners of our mind, lest we render ourselves of little earthly good? Rewards in Heaven Apparently there are those that will make it to heaven, but who have earned little or no additional rewards. The Bema or Judgment Seat of Christ Unfortunately many Christians, draw the conclusion that since all our sins have been forgiven, our works cannot possibly be considered at the judgment Seat of Christ.. Not true according to I Corinthians 3:9-13 Section 10B... Heresy In The Church So Why Not All? You can’t tell me that every follower of the rich preacher has more than enough money in their life. No, many faithful followers give of their hard earned money at the request of these spoiled brats in hopes of pleasing God and doing their part in the ministry. And while money is being begged for this project, or that country, or this satellite, or that TV station, millions of dollars are going into their own homes, furnishings, offices, cars, boats, beach houses, butlers, clothes, and jewelry! Let me make a bold statement.. The prosperity preacher’s wealth is not given to them by God, but by the devil. ... Section 10C.. Questionable Organizations The Masonic Lodge in America is a highly influential organization claiming some four million members. Masonic leaders argue the lodge is not a religion but merely a fraternal body that seeks to better society The relationship of Masonry to Christian faith has been controversial for at least 200 years, and over that period the different sides have attempted to defend their positions to the best of their abilities with a considerable amount of rhetoric on both sides.. Admittedly this is a highly charged, complicated issue, one that I recently started digging into. And the more I dug, the less I liked what I found. Section 12A... The Occult The Secret In the final analysis, The Secret is nothing more than so-called Name It-Claim It, Positive-Confession, Prosperity Theology (minus God and the Bible), built on a foundation of New Age self-deification. In other words, the book is just a secular version of what some TV preachers have taught for decades: Namely, if you will sustain the right thoughts, words and feelings, you will receive whatever you want. But The Secret adds this important twist: your thoughts can bring anything into your life because you are god”. Is Earth Our Mother? A spiritual renaissance is sweeping through churches and seminaries, The the ancient religion of the Earth Mother is bringing pagan empowerment rituals and texts such as Mother Earth Spirituality. This unholy renewal lures children as well as adults, atheists as well as Christians. No part of our culture is immune. Look at the signs of change in our schools and media. Section 12C... Secular and ‘Christian’ Rock Music and Morality: The basic proposition — that different kinds of music produce different effects on the soul — is not entirely radical. Would anyone assert that ” (You Ain’t Nothin’ but a) Hound Dog” has the Same “soul” as Gregorian chant? The one inspires to prayer and contemplation, the other to shouting and stamping. Rock... essentially, is performance music. Music can play a positive role in moral development by creating sensual attractions to goodness, or it can play a destructive role by setting children on a temperamental path that leads away from virtue. Other cultures have found ways of helping the temperamental self keep time with the social self — that is, with the self that must live responsibly with others. Added December 2007 Section 8B ... Controversial Issues/The Holy Spirit What Does It Mean To Be 'Filled With The Spirit'? The interesting thing about being 'Filled With The Spirit' is that you can't seem to tie it down theologically, but perhaps that is what we should expect... Section 8B ... Controversial Issues/Christmas Santa Claus.. Pretender To The Throne For the most part, the world will tolerate stars, angels, Christmas trees, or a baby sleeping in a manger. But there’s still "no room at the inn" for the King who invites us to walk His lowly path. Worse.. Jesus’ place has been usurped by a pleasant fat fellow boasting a red hat and team of reindeer. So how do we understand the Santa Claus phenomenon? What do we REALLY know about Santa? Is he just a harmless, friendly fellow? Or is there something or someone else hiding behind the façade? Section 10D .. Our Country, Our Children The Golden Compass The movie’s 7th December release is engineered to create the most buzz for the newly repackaged trilogy and influence its sales potential among young people during the holiday season. The movie has been sanitized of its “hate God” theme and is being portrayed as another in a long line of fantasy movies that tell a wonderful tale. However, this story is a pernicious [damaging] tale that will cause a large degree of spiritual disillusionment within the hearts of those who view it and later read the books. Section 12A... The Occult Evidence for the Devil "One of the reasons why confusion is spreading in the world is that we are afraid to face its real causes. We believe in a thousand evils, fear a thousand dangers, but have ceased to believe in Evil and to fear the true Dangers. Thus, we can suggest eight lines of reasoning to infer the possibility of a real devil and/or the reality of spiritual evil. What Are Demons Demons have more power and influence than most people may realize. But the question remains .. what are they? The Teachings of the Spirits Many millions of people today believe that these spirits offer teachings that are consistent with the Bible and Christian faith. However a comparison of the spirits’ views from channeled literature with Bible teaching tells us that they are diametrically opposed. The religious teachings of the spirits are exactly what one might expect from demons. What Eastern Gurus Say About Occult Practices In short those who practice the occultism of the East also warn of its dangers. This is why those who seek the so-called "wisdom from the East" frequently get more than they bargained for. The Influence of Eastern Mysticism Eastern mysticism has penetrated every area of Western society and much of the church. How did this transformation overtake a "Christian" America? Section 12B... Alternative Medicine Ayurveda Proponents state that ayurvedic medicine originated in ancient time, but much of it was lost until reconstituted in the early 1980s by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Its origin is traced to four Sanskrit books called the Vedas-the oldest and most important scriptures of India, shaped sometime before 200 B.C.E and is believed to be of Divine origin ... was communicated to the saints and sages of India who received its wisdom through deep meditation.
Added November 2007 Section 2 .. Reasons To Believe/God Christian Cliches About God's Love It has been said that if you repeat something often enough, people will start to believe it even if it isn’t true. This certainly seems to be true concerning many oft-repeated Christian clichés about God's love. Consider the following statements that so frequently reverberate within our Christian circles. God's Love/Hate Relationship with the World What a person does reveals his character—who he is. Thus if God disapproves of sin He of course must disapprove of sinners. God is so pure that His disapproval is very strong, and the word hate describes it well. To separate the sin from the sinner by saying "God loves the sinner but hates the sin" is potentially misleading. Section 6.. Reading and Understanding Your Bible Meditating On God's Word The psalmists' interactions with God were often not a silent matter. Just as meditation is linked with the mouth in Joshua 1:8, it is often connected with the mouth or voice in the Psalms. The whole context of Psalm 5:1-3 suggests that the psalmist's meditation is something vocal and audible, for it involves words, the voice, crying, prayer, and hearing. Section 7... Living The Faith/ Essential Christianity 100% God/100% Man When we're seeking counsel on a problem, the response, "Just let God do it," leaves something to be desired. Does this common phrase reflect bad doctrine? Or should we, as Lee Ezell said, "Pray toward Heaven. Row toward shore." Section 7... Living The Faith/ The Christian and Knowledge Doctrine AND Practice In simple terms, Christian doctrine is the What of Christian theology and Christian practice is the How of Christian theology. The What always determines the How. Section 7... Living The Faith/ Essential Christianity Do You Need Spiritual Exercise? If you are wondering where the joy and peace is you may be spiritually run down and need to ask yourself the obvious questions.- "Am I exercising myself spiritually? Am I receiving sufficient spiritual nourishment?" You can not expect to sit in church and be spiritually nourished one hour per week, be influenced and motivated by the world the rest of the week, and expect to experience the joy and peace Jesus promised. Your diet and your exercise are not properly balanced. Are You Emotionally Mature? In this age, people no longer base decisions and actions on solid moral values. They have been programmed to act according to their feelings. Emotions are something that all Christians must battle. Are you controlling your emotions? Section 8B ... Controversial Issues/Spiritual Warfare Can A Christian Be Demonized? There is a movement within professing evangelicalism today that says, "Yes", teaching that a high percentage of sin among Christians is caused by demons. Followers assent that a person can be a believer in Jesus Christ, experience fullness of salvation, and still be in bondage to Satan and demons. The popularity of this movement can be seen in the seminars being held across the country and the best-selling books being published that promote this teaching. Nonetheless, this teaching of the "demonization of the believer" is contrary to Scripture and is in line with the world's view of everyone being a victim. It is a denial of the sufficiency of the work of Christ and Scripture. Spiritual Warfare... False Cliches However, the more one listens to the ever growing chorus of spiritual warfare teachings, the more he encounters phrases and clichés which reflect and convey the mentality of the popular, but false, "spiritual warfare" teachings. Most of these expressions make sense only if a believer can be demon-possessed or inflicted, which the Bible teaches he cannot. The following is an examination of some of the more popular, but according to Scripture, false spiritual warfare clichés.
Added October 2007 Section 8B ... Controversial Issues/Judge Not Who Are You to Say? The "Who are you to say?" challenge is used by non-Christians and Christians, especially by those who deplore the "heresy hunters" in the church. This rejoinder, though, deftly sidesteps the real issue. Attack Dogs of Christendom? The August 2007 issue of Christianity Today contains an article by David Aikman entitled Attack Dogs of Christendom.. in which he severely criticizes what he calls the “self-appointed attack dogs of Christendom” who “seem determined to savage not only opponents of Christianity, but also fellow believers of whose doctrinal positions they disapprove”. Way of Life ministries correctly called the article hypocritical, shallow and unscholarly, slanderous, biblically and historically wrong, fearful of strong biblical language, and evidential of CT’s own error and spiritual blindness”. Who Are You To Judge Unfortunately.., that is the one Bible verse that most people love to quote. They are not sure where it is found, but they do know that those are the words of Jesus. In fact, in today’s modern Christianity, “judge not” carries more weight than another of Christ’s one-liners, ”Go and sin no more.” [John 8:11] This is a situation where a little Bible knowledge can be a dangerous thing. Section 9B .. The Future How Many Resurrections Will There Be? Although some Christians believe there will be only one general resurrection at the end of time, Scripture seems to speak of more than one resurrection. The first resurrection will be that of believers while the second resurrection will be that of unbelievers. Section 10A .. The Contemporary Church Stop Apologizing To The Devil Is anyone besides me tired of being so nice? You can search the Bible through and through and you will be hard-pressed to find that adjective in reference to Christianity. Somewhere along the line we have become convinced that the greatest thing they can ever say about you as a Christian is that you are a “nice” man. Section 10A .. The Contemporary Church/ The Emerging Church Three Essential Concerns Regarding the Emerging Church The purpose of this paper is two-fold. First, I will raise three areas of concern Evangelicals should focus most of their attention as they assess both the Emerging Church movement (hereafter ECM) and Emergent Village (hereafter EV). Specifically, I will point to some examples of what three prominent EV leaders say regarding each. Section 10A .. The Contemporary Church/ Mysticism In The Church What Is Mysticism? Mysticism is a very ancient and extremely dangerous spiritual practice that should NEVER, under any circumstance, be taken lightly or researched without much prayerful discernment and scriptural comparison. Includes 20 Mystical Beliefs & Practices to Avoid Meditation and The Scriptures Many people quote Scripture to endorse a form of meditation that involves techniques on "quieting" the mind or going beyond the mind. Is this what these verses are talking about? Section 10D .. Our Country, Our Children More Dangerous On College Campuses Than You Think It's entirely up to moms and dads to decide if a child is spiritually ready to go off to college, it's not up to your teenager to decide if he's ready! Christian youths who are unable to "contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints," will enter the swamp of "higher education" and find themselves up to their eyeballs in alligators. Spiritually immature teens and twenty somethings may not survive the swamp. I’ll Have To Pray On It Do you pray before you go fishing? Do you pray before you play golf? Do you seek the Lord about going to a football game? Do you seek the Lord’s guidance before you put your kids on the yellow school bus from hell? Silence isn’t golden, it’s yellow. What Do We Owe The Government? Should we respect leaders and political systems even if we believe they are godless and corrupt? Is flag-waving patriotism a form of idolatry? Do we have the right to withhold taxes if we don't think our government is using the money wisely? Should people who have pledged allegiance to Christ become involved in politics, or should we distance ourselves from the process? How can we pray for our leaders, even if we don't like them? Harry Potter and the Gay Wizard: The Latest From The Harry Potter Saga. The Secret Behind the Story Rowling revealed a bit of the truth behind her billion dollar creation, and surprisingly, she did the Christian world an enormous favor by her perverse revelation: she settled the Harry Potter debate once and for all. Guess the “Christian” supporters are busy wiping the egg off their faces. Section 13B... Social Issues/ Homosexuality Banks vs. Boy Scouts Yes--the Boy Scouts are discriminatory and prejudiced. But what's wrong with that? The point is that discrimination based on moral distinctives is not only the problem of the right wing moralists. Everybody does it. What the banks are really saying here is, "You can't discriminate based on your moral concerns, but I can discriminate based on mine." Homosexuals in the Military? This point relates to privacy as a policy issue and it doesn't relate to morality at all. In other words, if we think it appropriate to protect our sexual privacy in a heterosexual environment, the same considerations should apply for men and women who might be exposed to a homosexual environment. Section 13B... Social Issues/Marriage Marital Abuse Victims of marital abuse need to know that the God of Moses and Jesus cares not only about marital permanence, but also for those who are caught in abuse that is worse than protective separation and divorce.
Added September 2007 Section 7/ Living The Faith/Prayer Can My Prayers Help Some one Else? Can my prayers actually reach out and touch another person? "I’ll pray for you," I promise so easily. But what if I forget? Does that mean the help never goes to them at all? Does God, who loves that person so much more deeply than I ever could--does God hold back, waiting for me? Surely God’s great creative love is not tied to the reliability of a human friend. Surely someone God loves is cared for, with or without my involvement. Section 7/ Living The Faith/Women A Woman of Strength, Who Can Find? As Christian women living in a society that offers so many distorted or inadequate models for women, we should be concerned to take on a mature ideal of womanhood. We need an ideal that applies in all its dimensions to the circumstances we now live in, yet remains fully expressive of God's purpose for women. Section 9b/The Future The Second Coming of Jesus The Details are In The Bible Section 10a/The Contemporary Church/Mysticism Drumming Up "Jesus" Has Christianity “gone wild” or are we in the last days and the grand delusion is underway? Why are professing Christians buying drums to drum up spiritual experiences? Why are they not reading the Bible that warns about doctrines of demons? Section 10d/Our Country..Our Children First Atheist in Congress? As more and more Americans eliminate belief in God from their lives , as atheism progressively encroaches upon our political and educational institutions, we may expect fully to see the withdrawal of His care. Hindu Prayer in Congress It was on June 28, 1787, in the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, that one of the least religious of the Founders, Benjamin Franklin, then in his 80s, rose to his feet and made the proposal that Congress open their sessions with prayer . Yet, on that occasion, the God, the religion, and the sacred Scriptures that Franklin had in mind were certainly not the gods, religion, and scripture of Hinduism. Here was his proposal in his own words... Section 13B/Social Issues/Pre-Marital Sex Sexual Purity Beyond Legalism That which shares in the nature of what is forbidden is likewise forbidden. We should not merely try to avoid the grossest violations of God's law. We should also exclude behavior that goes part way to violating the law, even while not perhaps violating it in its fullness. Added July 2007 Section 2/ Reasons To Believe/God The Foreknowledge of God The majority view among orthodox Christians is that God knows everything that has ever happened, is happening now and will ever happen. However in recent years a few scholars have proposed a radically different view, claiming that there is no divine script for the future. A doctrine that is called Open Theism, which pays lip-service to the omniscience of God. ... Bear in mind that foreknowledge and foreordination are not the same thing. Knowing something will happen is not equivalent to making it happen. Can God Change His Mind? Many western philosophers [and theologians] have ascribed to God the properties they think He should have, which involved taking a handful of verses out of context and coming to the conclusion that this God of our is so ‘sovereign’ that He cannot be influenced by humans and cannot ever be persuaded to change His mind or His course of action... clear evidence to the contrary Section 2/ Reasons To Believe/Jesus Understanding Jesus Often people want a Jesus who, if He were around today, would be a good democrat, probably would think that Bill Clinton was a really good guy and would immediately ban all warfare. Even more, the 'Jesus' these people would wish to serve, would be keen on "'environmental issues" and would uphold "a woman's right to choose." It sometimes seems to be very hard for such people to learn that the God of the Bible is NOTHING like the sort of 'god' who might enjoy attending a U.S. Democratic Party convention, a UK Labour Party rally, or a 'Friends of the Earth' environmental group conference. Sometimes such people, unquestionably often sincere, just cannot see how much they are the products of this modern liberal society. They often truly seem to want 'Jesus,' but only a Jesus who exists in their own image. Section 5/ Other Beliefs/Atheism Morality Apart From God God is the creator and sustainer of all things. We would not even be self aware, let alone aware of right and wrong, if God had not created within us His image, and therefore the ability to make moral distinctions. The truth is we have no reference point for all this discussion about morality except as God reveals it. For us to argue with the source of morality is for the clay to argue with the potter. Hey Atheists ... Get Your Own Moral Code The problem I have, however, with the atheists and their goodness and their morality claims is that all your ethical codes of conduct sound strangely similar to the principles inherent to the Judeo-Christian traditions. Section 11/Cults/Catholicism Pope: Other Christians Not True Churches For the second time in a week, Pope Benedict XVI, has corrected what he says are erroneous interpretations of the Second Vatican Council, reasserting the primacy of the Roman Catholic Church and saying other Christian communities were either defective or not true churches. Section 13B/Social Issues/Euthanasia Section 13B/Social Issues/Euthanasia Call for No-Consent Euthanasia... Taking the euthanasia debate into new and highly contentious territory. Section 13B/Social Issues/Homosexuality What If Homosexuality Were Biological? Many of the same people who tell us homosexuality is inborn also claim that sociopaths may be born and not made. If one is born with homicidal instincts, would it be licit for him to commit murder? Don't scoff, for it's precisely the same reasoning; either morality is dictated by biology or it isn't. “Gays” Don’t Want “Marriage” After All Getting married isn’t even on the radar screen for the vast majority of homosexuals. According to the latest Massachusetts Department of Public Health statistics some 6,121 took place in just over the first six months while the “gay marriage” novelty toy still had its sheen. By the end of April of this year, the number has dropped to a mere 87. In Toronto.. only one Canadian “gay” couple has “married” so far this year
Added June 2007
Section 5/Other Beliefs/Atheism What Are The Odds? Scientists have learned that only an exceptionally fine-tuned planet like Earth has the necessary ingredients to harbor life. Additionally, our solar system and galaxy, as well as our entire universe, appear designed to support intelligent life. The odds that such fine-tuning could have occurred by chance is not just unlikely, it is virtually impossible. “So far no theory is even close to explaining why physical laws exist, much less why they take the form they do. Standard big bang theory, for example, essentially explains the propitious universe in this way: ‘Well, we got lucky.’ Section 7/ Living The Faith/Entertainment and The Media We Are Television In 1977 Jerry Mander wrote Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television, a work that has since gained a cult following. It is a voice for all of those who know that something has gone terribly wrong, and that the television is a major part of the problem. Media and Discernment Of all the forms of media, the news media have become a primary shaper of our perspective on the world. Also, the rules of journalism have changed in the last few decades. It used to be assumed that reporters or broadcasters would attempt to look at events through the eyes of the average reader or viewer. It was also assumed that they would not use their positions in the media to influence the thinking of the nation but merely to report objectively the facts of an event. Things have changed dramatically in the news business. Video Games The best-selling video game in America last year was “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.” The recent controversy over this popular video game is just another reminder of the deception of ratings and the need for parental direction and discernment when it comes to buying video games. Fantasy Games People Play In the real world there are usually two or more sides to an issue, and FRP games are no exception. To categorically declare that all FRP games are "evil" and "of the devil" would be simplistic and erroneous. But to accept all of them uncritically as "good" or "harmless" would also be simplistic and erroneous — and could lead to some undesirable consequences. How can a person make an intelligent assessment of these games? Section 7A/ Defending The Faith Four Killer Questions Dr. Jeff Myers of Bryan College and Summit Ministries suggests four "killer questions" to help anyone think critically.{1} The first question is, What do you mean by that? In other words, define your terms. The second question is, Where do you get your information? The third is, How do you know that's true?, and the fourth killer question is, What if you're wrong?These four killer questions are powerful to spark meaningful conversation and encourage yourself, and others, to think critically. Use them wisely, be prepared for some interesting conversations.
Added May 2007
Section 2/ Reasons To Believe/God The ‘Jealousy’ of God The verses that refer to God as a "jealous God" are often misunderstood. When we use the word jealous, we use it in the sense of being envious of someone who has something we don't have… in other words “envy” or perhaps even “resentment”. However, this is not the intended meaning of the word jealous when used in reference to God. Section 2/ Reasons To Believe/Prophecy The Virgin Shall Conceive There has been great difficulty over the years in seeking to interpret the significance of this prophecy. "Few prophecies have been the subject of so much controversy, or called forth such a variety of exegesis, as this prophecy of Immanuel" [Pulpit Commentary, vol. 10, p. 129]. "This one verse has received more discussion than any other passage in the OT, yet without any consensus emerging among commentators. While Christians agree that it refers ultimately to the birth of Christ, they remain divided about its original and primary meaning" Section 2/ Reasons To Believe/A Remarkable Book What Really Happened At Nicea? The Council of Nicea is often misrepresented by cults and other religious movements. The actual concern of the council was clearly and unambiguously the relationship between the Father and the Son. Is Christ a creature, or true God? The council said He was true God. However Christians do not believe in the deity of Christ today because they have been forced to do so by legislated theology from councils and popes or some concept of an infallible church. They do so because the Scriptures teach this truth. When orthodox believers affirm the validity of the creed hammered out at Nicea, they are simply affirming a concise, clear presentation of scriptural truth. Section 10a/The Contemporary Church True and False Unity Christian unity is unity under and through the gospel. It is nurtured through the teaching of sound Biblical doctrine. False unity is unity that is demanded and prescribed by religious leaders to their own ideas and organizations. This is the unity that the religious leaders of Israel wanted and that Jesus threatened. Lectio Divina-Sacred Divination? Modern day contemplative prayer movement stems from the monastic period of Christianity (early middle ages), which was a time of experimentation and mystical practices. One of the practices, lectio divina, meaning sacred reading, involved taking a page of Scripture and reading it over and over again Section 10b/Heresy In The Church Positive Confession And The Believer It is understandable that some people would like to accept the positive confession teaching. It promises a life free from problems, and its advocates seem to support it with passages of Scripture. Problems develop, however, when Bible statements are isolated from their context and from what the rest of Scripture has to say concerning the subject. Extremes result which distort truth and eventually hurt believers as individuals and the cause of Christ in general. Section 12c/Rock Music Carlos Santana: Saint or Satanic At the 42nd Annual Grammy Award telecast (February 23, 2000), Carlos Santana and Supernatural won an unprecedented nine Grammys, receiving more acclaim and airplay in that year than in all of the previous years of his career as a rock star combined. Additionally Deborah and Carlos Santana founded a nonprofit organization called "The Milagro Foundation" that provides financial aid for educational, medical and other needs of children worldwide. There is, unfortunately, another side to the story. A much darker side. Section 13b/Social Issues/Homosexuality Homosexual Myths Looking at some of the homosexual myths that have pervaded our culture, and hopefully answering their arguments. Added April 2007 Section 5/Religions/Islam What Does Islam Teach About Salvation? Because the Qur’an teaches that, "The true religion with God is Islam" this means for the Muslim that salvation is achieved only through submission to the teachings of Allah. Thus, salvation in Islam requires one must be a member of the Islamic faith. "Whoso desires another religion than Islam, it shall not be accepted of him; in the next world he shall be among the losers." But, what exactly does the Muslim believe about salvation? Below we present four basic teachings that reveal what Islam teaches about salvation. Section 7a/ Defending The Faith On the Failure of the Church to Educate We have woefully neglected our responsibility to train our young people in the solid case for Christianity, and then we wonder why they depart from the faith under the influence of secular university instruction. We give our parishioners and our missionaries no foundation in the defence of the faith, and then wonder why our evangelistic efforts show so little fruit in a world where people have long moved beyond accepting something just because someone else believes it. Where Sincere Christians Sometimes Make Bad Witnessing Mistakes! Why Christians Should Never Argue Beyond Their Personal Level of Knowledge. Section 10a/The Contemporary Church Mosaic Erwin Raphael McManus, A native of El Salvador, and graduate of the University of North Carolina and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is the lead pastor and cultural architect of Mosaic, a Christian community in Los Angeles, California. A futurist and author, McManus was named by ChurchReport.com in January 2007 as one of the “50 Most Influential Christians in America.” But... CCN (Church Communication Network) And Lead Like Jesus Church Communication Network (CCN) broadcasts live programs to over 2500 subscribers representing thousands of viewers. While there have to be quite a few simulcasts that are valuable, there is plenty of dross mixed in. Consider one of the best known programs Ken Blanchard's Lead Like Jesus, featuring among others.. Laurie Beth Jones.. The Emerging Church And Bible Prophecy While the term “Emerging Church” may be new, the ideas being promoted by the Emerging Church can be understood by the warnings we find in the Bible regarding an End Times counterfeit bride that will prepare the way for a counterfeit Christ. How to Know When the Emerging Church Shows Signs of Emerging in Your Church There are specific warning signs that are symptomatic that a church may be headed down the emergent/contemplative road. In some cases a pastor may not be aware that he is on this road nor understand where the road ends up.. | 
