Dr. C. Everett Koop died at age 96 on Feb 25, 2013. He was the Surgeon General during the Reagan administration. Dr. Koop was president of Evangelical Ministries and had been for many years an elder at the Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, Pa. I recently noticed an article that he wrote in a book that I had in my library entitled “The Agony of Deceit”. He was asked to write this piece for the 1990 book by Michael Horton, editor. His article is entitled “Faith-Healing and the Sovereignty of God” Here are a few quotes from the book by this great pediatrician and surgeon-in-chief at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia:
"A surprising number of Christians are convinced God will not be believed unless He makes tumors disappear, causes asthma to go away, and pops eyes into empty sockets. But the gospel is accepted by God-given faith, not by the guarantee that you will never be sick, or, if you are, that you will be miraculously healed. God is the Lord of healing, of growing, of weather, of transportation, and of every other process. Yet, people do not expect vegetables without plowing."
"The proper response of Christians to affliction is not to demand healing but rather to witness to the world that through the grace of God a Christian is able to accept affliction, trusting in the sovereignty of God."
"If it were the sovereign will of God that humans be healed of all illness and of all afflictions, all humans would be immortal. Isn’t death, after all, the ultimate illness?"
Monday, March 4, 2013
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
A Poignant Prophecy
Concerning worship in song:
“We shall in the end have a mass of corrupting religious poetry against which the church will have to wage a sore contest. The danger is that of habituating the taste of Christians to a very vapid species of pious doggerel (nonsense, drivel), containing the most diluted possible traces of saving truth, suitable to the most infantile faculties supplemented by a jingle of vain repetitions.” (R.L Dabney, 1876)
“We shall in the end have a mass of corrupting religious poetry against which the church will have to wage a sore contest. The danger is that of habituating the taste of Christians to a very vapid species of pious doggerel (nonsense, drivel), containing the most diluted possible traces of saving truth, suitable to the most infantile faculties supplemented by a jingle of vain repetitions.” (R.L Dabney, 1876)
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Alter the Altar Call
This is your opportunity to be saved; do not let it pass you by....is the concluding call from many preachers.
“You must decide for Christ...” many in the pulpit are saying. “If you would only give yourself to Him, He will give Himself to you”....say the evangelists of “decisional regeneration”. Or as Finney used to preach it.....”and you must decide now whether you will follow Him or not -- and decide for eternity!” “You can make the choice tonight. You can make the first step....by a choice you make,” says Billy Graham
There is a very familiar verse found in I Cor 1:18 that says, “for the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness.” It seems that this verse is being twisted around by some in the evangelistic community. It is the preaching of foolishness that is being used to attempt to save the perishing, especially concerning what has become known as the “altar call”. Please raise your hand if you’ve ever heard of the modern altar call. Yes..I see those hands. Now for those of you who raised your hands I’m going to ask you to get up out of your seat and come to the front; you must come openly and publicly. You can come, just as you are (but evidently not where you are)...but you must make the first move. Sound familiar? Too! One local pastor in the KC area has written about his early years in his ministry: “we sang verse after verse of invitation hymns like "Just As I Am" and we sometimes sang on for an hour or more trying to get people to come forward. I once had an evangelist in a church where I pastored and his entire program consisted of night after night telling sob story after sob story climaxing with the saddest one of all and then giving an invitation to come to the front and accept Christ.” http://www.victorybaptist.us/show.wc?msgaltarcall (see my blog..Emotional Engineering)
Not only is the “altar call” unbiblical, (not found in Holy Writ) I believe, it is also anti-biblical (putting works prior to faith). The problem is that we are a “results” oriented people. We need to see the results...NOW! We can’t preach like Noah did for 100+ years and not see someone come forward or walk the aisle. We can’t wait for the Holy Spirit to do his regenerating work. We need to usurp that part of the gospel or we may be deemed unsuccessful preachers...even though we were never called to be successful preachers....just faithful preachers....you know...like Noah.
Now here is my problem or issue with the modern day gospel preachers. Many are giving a false gospel. “Do this and live”...kind of appeal. Even one of my favorite Reformed theologians hints at “do this and live”. “The Bible makes it clear that we are justified not by our works, not by our efforts, not by our deeds, but by faith – and by faith alone. The only way you can receive the benefit of Christ’s life and death is by putting your trust in Him – and in Him alone. You do that, you’re declared just by God, you’re adopted into His family, you’re forgiven of all of your sins, and you have begun your pilgrimage for eternity.” R.C. Sproul ( http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-gospel/) How can one who is “dead in trespasses and sin” (Eph 2:1)..”do that”? The only way one can (is able, or has the ability to) “do that” is with a changed heart or nature. Now R C Sproul makes this abundantly clear in his 213 page book “Chosen By God”....but that is not explained in the link above to “What is the Gospel?” Perhaps some may think that if I only lift myself up by my own bootstraps I can achieve what God requires. There is a popular preacher I call “The When We Begin Ta’...”preacher. His sermons are full of “when we begin ta’ fill in the blank, then God will fill in the blank R. C. does explain the futility of this thinking in Chosen By God: “In regeneration God changes our hearts....regeneration precedes faith. Without rebirth (regeneration) we have no desire for Christ”. Any of our outward responses to Christ are initiated inwardly by Him. It is God that works in you....(Phil 2:13) Only in this manner can the bible truly declare..”Salvation is of the Lord” (Jonah 2:9)
How was it that Spurgeon, Edwards, Whitfield and many other Reformed preachers got the message out without the use of an “altar call”? (which, by the way, was unheard of prior to Finney, early-mid 1800’s) Basically the same way Peter and Paul did: “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ...” Acts 2:38 And Paul: “I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: but shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God...” (Acts 26:19) In Peter’s call to repentance, 3000 souls were added to the church. How were they added? “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:47) Can you believe it...without any emotional engineering? No “Just as I Am” sung “Softly and Tenderly”? No altar call? No hour long begging and pleading by the evangelist? No! The Holy Spirit was active... “it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” "For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom he wishes" (John 5:21) May we just have faithful preachers that leave the altar call to the working of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of those whom He has foreknown, predestinated, called, justified and glorified. (Rom 8:29, 30 When the Holy Spirit alters (quickens) the heart there is no need for an "altar call".
“You must decide for Christ...” many in the pulpit are saying. “If you would only give yourself to Him, He will give Himself to you”....say the evangelists of “decisional regeneration”. Or as Finney used to preach it.....”and you must decide now whether you will follow Him or not -- and decide for eternity!” “You can make the choice tonight. You can make the first step....by a choice you make,” says Billy Graham
There is a very familiar verse found in I Cor 1:18 that says, “for the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness.” It seems that this verse is being twisted around by some in the evangelistic community. It is the preaching of foolishness that is being used to attempt to save the perishing, especially concerning what has become known as the “altar call”. Please raise your hand if you’ve ever heard of the modern altar call. Yes..I see those hands. Now for those of you who raised your hands I’m going to ask you to get up out of your seat and come to the front; you must come openly and publicly. You can come, just as you are (but evidently not where you are)...but you must make the first move. Sound familiar? Too! One local pastor in the KC area has written about his early years in his ministry: “we sang verse after verse of invitation hymns like "Just As I Am" and we sometimes sang on for an hour or more trying to get people to come forward. I once had an evangelist in a church where I pastored and his entire program consisted of night after night telling sob story after sob story climaxing with the saddest one of all and then giving an invitation to come to the front and accept Christ.” http://www.victorybaptist.us/show.wc?msgaltarcall (see my blog..Emotional Engineering)
Not only is the “altar call” unbiblical, (not found in Holy Writ) I believe, it is also anti-biblical (putting works prior to faith). The problem is that we are a “results” oriented people. We need to see the results...NOW! We can’t preach like Noah did for 100+ years and not see someone come forward or walk the aisle. We can’t wait for the Holy Spirit to do his regenerating work. We need to usurp that part of the gospel or we may be deemed unsuccessful preachers...even though we were never called to be successful preachers....just faithful preachers....you know...like Noah.
Now here is my problem or issue with the modern day gospel preachers. Many are giving a false gospel. “Do this and live”...kind of appeal. Even one of my favorite Reformed theologians hints at “do this and live”. “The Bible makes it clear that we are justified not by our works, not by our efforts, not by our deeds, but by faith – and by faith alone. The only way you can receive the benefit of Christ’s life and death is by putting your trust in Him – and in Him alone. You do that, you’re declared just by God, you’re adopted into His family, you’re forgiven of all of your sins, and you have begun your pilgrimage for eternity.” R.C. Sproul ( http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-gospel/) How can one who is “dead in trespasses and sin” (Eph 2:1)..”do that”? The only way one can (is able, or has the ability to) “do that” is with a changed heart or nature. Now R C Sproul makes this abundantly clear in his 213 page book “Chosen By God”....but that is not explained in the link above to “What is the Gospel?” Perhaps some may think that if I only lift myself up by my own bootstraps I can achieve what God requires. There is a popular preacher I call “The When We Begin Ta’...”preacher. His sermons are full of “when we begin ta’ fill in the blank, then God will fill in the blank R. C. does explain the futility of this thinking in Chosen By God: “In regeneration God changes our hearts....regeneration precedes faith. Without rebirth (regeneration) we have no desire for Christ”. Any of our outward responses to Christ are initiated inwardly by Him. It is God that works in you....(Phil 2:13) Only in this manner can the bible truly declare..”Salvation is of the Lord” (Jonah 2:9)
How was it that Spurgeon, Edwards, Whitfield and many other Reformed preachers got the message out without the use of an “altar call”? (which, by the way, was unheard of prior to Finney, early-mid 1800’s) Basically the same way Peter and Paul did: “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ...” Acts 2:38 And Paul: “I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: but shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God...” (Acts 26:19) In Peter’s call to repentance, 3000 souls were added to the church. How were they added? “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:47) Can you believe it...without any emotional engineering? No “Just as I Am” sung “Softly and Tenderly”? No altar call? No hour long begging and pleading by the evangelist? No! The Holy Spirit was active... “it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” "For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom he wishes" (John 5:21) May we just have faithful preachers that leave the altar call to the working of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of those whom He has foreknown, predestinated, called, justified and glorified. (Rom 8:29, 30 When the Holy Spirit alters (quickens) the heart there is no need for an "altar call".
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Christianese
Just as the big corporations have their own special language or buzz words, such as “ideate” for meet and discuss and “action item” for get ‘er done...so also in the modern theological arena a special language has emerged amongst some of the “spiritual elite”. I have heard or read most of the following terms, primarily, in super-duper multi-campus evangelical organizations or websites. Therefore, for the edification of the small, financially struggling, faithful congregations that are dedicated to the pure teaching and preaching of the gospel and to the correct adminstration of the sacraments, here is a sampling of buzz words used by your big brothers in the faith:
Term & Translation
Testimony (An iteration of what God has done/is doing in your life)
Fellowship (A gathering of Christian friends, usually involves food)
Moral failure (Just plain old sin)
Unpacking the scripture (An explanation via empowerment or annointing of a particular scripture)
Are you tracking with me (Do you understanding what I am saying)
Love on them (Do something nice for someone)
Empowerment (The Holy Spirit’s influence at work in your life)
Find your divine destiny/design (Unpacking your God given gifts and calling in the Church)
Annointing (God’s special Holy Spirit power...used frequently in charismatic assemblies)
Gifting (What you are empowered to be really good/passionate about)
Catalyze spiritual growth (Develop Church programs for laity to understand your divine design/destiny)
Passion area (Areas of gifting or annointing that one loves to do)
Transformational power (Supernatural abilities for serving others, e.g., unpacking scripture)
All-In or Not in At All (I have no clue)
Relational Growth (Growing in the faith through small groups)
Transformative Opportunity (A big, big theological deal)
Sacred Rhythms (The “working outward” part of faith)
Missional (Just too many definitions for this word to even be relevant;...google it if you must know)
Worldview (How you view history and current events and where and how and why it will one day culminate)
Update...How could I have left out "Intentional" (Used in Christian circles to indicate, of all things, intent. Also used to admonish one towards decisivness or getting with the program...quickly.)
Term & Translation
Testimony (An iteration of what God has done/is doing in your life)
Fellowship (A gathering of Christian friends, usually involves food)
Moral failure (Just plain old sin)
Unpacking the scripture (An explanation via empowerment or annointing of a particular scripture)
Are you tracking with me (Do you understanding what I am saying)
Love on them (Do something nice for someone)
Empowerment (The Holy Spirit’s influence at work in your life)
Find your divine destiny/design (Unpacking your God given gifts and calling in the Church)
Annointing (God’s special Holy Spirit power...used frequently in charismatic assemblies)
Gifting (What you are empowered to be really good/passionate about)
Catalyze spiritual growth (Develop Church programs for laity to understand your divine design/destiny)
Passion area (Areas of gifting or annointing that one loves to do)
Transformational power (Supernatural abilities for serving others, e.g., unpacking scripture)
All-In or Not in At All (I have no clue)
Relational Growth (Growing in the faith through small groups)
Transformative Opportunity (A big, big theological deal)
Sacred Rhythms (The “working outward” part of faith)
Missional (Just too many definitions for this word to even be relevant;...google it if you must know)
Worldview (How you view history and current events and where and how and why it will one day culminate)
Update...How could I have left out "Intentional" (Used in Christian circles to indicate, of all things, intent. Also used to admonish one towards decisivness or getting with the program...quickly.)
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Here I Stand, I Can Do No Other
Here is Martin Luther’s Prayer the night before standing trial as a heretic and facing certain death unless he recanted of his teaching:
O God, Almighty God everlasting! how dreadful is the world! behold how its mouth opens to swallow me up, and how small is my faith in Thee! . . . Oh! the weakness of the flesh, and the power of Satan! If I am to depend upon any strength of this world – all is over . . . The knell is struck . . . Sentence is gone forth . . . O God! O God! O thou, my God! help me against the wisdom of this world. Do this, I beseech thee; thou shouldst do this . . . by thy own mighty power . . . The work is not mine, but Thine. I have no business here . . . I have nothing to contend for with these great men of the world! I would gladly pass my days in happiness and peace. But the cause is Thine . . . And it is righteous and everlasting! O Lord! help me! O faithful and unchangeable God! I lean not upon man. It were vain! Whatever is of man is tottering, whatever proceeds from him must fail. My God! my God! dost thou not hear? My God! art thou no longer living? Nay, thou canst not die. Thou dost but hide Thyself. Thou hast chosen me for this work. I know it! . . . Therefore, O God, accomplish thine own will! Forsake me not, for the sake of thy well-beloved Son, Jesus Christ, my defence, my buckler, and my stronghold.
Lord – where art thou? . . . My God, where art thou? . . . Come! I pray thee, I am ready . . . Behold me prepared to lay down my life for thy truth . . . suffering like a lamb. For the cause is holy. It is thine own! . . . I will not let thee go! no, nor yet for all eternity! And though the world should be thronged with devils – and this body, which is the work of thine hands, should be cast forth, trodden under foot, cut in pieces, . . . consumed to ashes, my soul is thine. Yes, I have thine own word to assure me of it. My soul belongs to thee, and will abide with thee forever! Amen! O God send help! . . . Amen!
Watch this great teaching video about Luther's stand for truth from R.C. Sproul of Ligonier Ministries: Progress to Worms
O God, Almighty God everlasting! how dreadful is the world! behold how its mouth opens to swallow me up, and how small is my faith in Thee! . . . Oh! the weakness of the flesh, and the power of Satan! If I am to depend upon any strength of this world – all is over . . . The knell is struck . . . Sentence is gone forth . . . O God! O God! O thou, my God! help me against the wisdom of this world. Do this, I beseech thee; thou shouldst do this . . . by thy own mighty power . . . The work is not mine, but Thine. I have no business here . . . I have nothing to contend for with these great men of the world! I would gladly pass my days in happiness and peace. But the cause is Thine . . . And it is righteous and everlasting! O Lord! help me! O faithful and unchangeable God! I lean not upon man. It were vain! Whatever is of man is tottering, whatever proceeds from him must fail. My God! my God! dost thou not hear? My God! art thou no longer living? Nay, thou canst not die. Thou dost but hide Thyself. Thou hast chosen me for this work. I know it! . . . Therefore, O God, accomplish thine own will! Forsake me not, for the sake of thy well-beloved Son, Jesus Christ, my defence, my buckler, and my stronghold.
Lord – where art thou? . . . My God, where art thou? . . . Come! I pray thee, I am ready . . . Behold me prepared to lay down my life for thy truth . . . suffering like a lamb. For the cause is holy. It is thine own! . . . I will not let thee go! no, nor yet for all eternity! And though the world should be thronged with devils – and this body, which is the work of thine hands, should be cast forth, trodden under foot, cut in pieces, . . . consumed to ashes, my soul is thine. Yes, I have thine own word to assure me of it. My soul belongs to thee, and will abide with thee forever! Amen! O God send help! . . . Amen!
Watch this great teaching video about Luther's stand for truth from R.C. Sproul of Ligonier Ministries: Progress to Worms
Saturday, November 10, 2012
The Election: A Word (or two) from The Lord
Republicans, Libertarians, Independents, Democrats?
I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are on the ground, by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and have given it to whom it seemed proper to Me. (Jeremiah 27:5)
Red States or Blue States?
For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another. (Psalm 75:6-7)
The Electoral College?
And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings... (Daniel 2:21)
...the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men. (Daniel 4:17)
Polling Places?
...the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses. (Daniel 4:25 and 32)
Political Ads?
He loosens the bonds of kings, and binds their waist with a belt. (Job 12:18)
The Debates?
All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, "What have You done?" (Daniel 4:35)
Political Plans?
[God] works all things according to the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11).
America Decides?
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. (Proverbs 16:33)
Four More Years?
Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.
He brings the princes to nothing; He makes the judges of the earth useless. Scarcely shall they be planted, scarcely shall they be sown, scarcely shall their stock take root in the earth, when He will also blow on them, and they will wither, and the whirlwind will take them away like stubble.
Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel: "My way is hidden from the LORD, and my just claim is passed over by my God"? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:13-31)
Plans for Progressive Change?
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void [literally, fruitless], but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:8-11)
The Election that REALLY Counts:
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:10,11
I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are on the ground, by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and have given it to whom it seemed proper to Me. (Jeremiah 27:5)
Red States or Blue States?
For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another. (Psalm 75:6-7)
The Electoral College?
And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings... (Daniel 2:21)
...the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men. (Daniel 4:17)
Polling Places?
...the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses. (Daniel 4:25 and 32)
Political Ads?
He loosens the bonds of kings, and binds their waist with a belt. (Job 12:18)
The Debates?
All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, "What have You done?" (Daniel 4:35)
Political Plans?
[God] works all things according to the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11).
America Decides?
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. (Proverbs 16:33)
Four More Years?
Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.
He brings the princes to nothing; He makes the judges of the earth useless. Scarcely shall they be planted, scarcely shall they be sown, scarcely shall their stock take root in the earth, when He will also blow on them, and they will wither, and the whirlwind will take them away like stubble.
Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel: "My way is hidden from the LORD, and my just claim is passed over by my God"? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:13-31)
Plans for Progressive Change?
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void [literally, fruitless], but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:8-11)
The Election that REALLY Counts:
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:10,11
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