A True Church Needs True Church Discipline

Here is an excellent episode on True Church Discipline: CrossTalk Show Episode with Guest Jeff Noblitt. Just click the link, then select your preferred media type, such as mp3. (By the way, thanks to Lane because I am 99% sure that I found this on his blog or YouTube site.)

Emerging Church: The Voices and Roots of this Mystical Movement

Here is a very important video that helps in understanding some of the people and concepts of the Emerging Church Movement, as well as its roots and goals. It may be more intolerant and purposeful than you think... Voices of the Emerging Church

Presuppositions and Biblical Interpretation

Here are a couple of Sermons by Jim McClarty, of GCA. They were preached in a series on Romans. Jim has his own blog and a YouTube profile. I found these to be very helpful in understanding the role which presuppositions play in Biblical interpretation. The Bible is really not a pretext for 1,000 interpretations. Rather, we just need to hear what it says, instead of presupposing our traditions and beliefs on it. Philosophical Presuppositions & Free Will and Suppositions

A Sermon from Spurgeon

Our beloved sister from "Thus Saith the Lord" has posted a very beautiful sermon from Spurgeon that I am compelled to post here: Spugeon's Sermon. I know that she probably gets a lot more traffic on her blog, but if one or two people drop by and learn of this sermon or her blog through this post, it will be worth it indeed!

No Replacement Lumber Sold Here!

This series by Jim McClarty, which I am working through, deals with the question, "Is the Church Spiritual Israel?" It is in 13 parts: Hour 1, 1-7; and Hour 2, 1-6. I will link to the first part here: Hour 1, part 1

Scripture as THE Criterion

I came across a great series on Sola Scriptura on Youtube. It is in several parts: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 2a, 2b, and 2c. I will link to the first part here: 1a.

Covenantalism and Reformed Presuppositons

The Reformers came out of the darkness of unbelief, and particularly the unbelief of the Roman Catholic Church, into the light of the Gospel. They realized that, despite the world around them (or even what was called the "Church") they had to stand on the basis of Pauline truth. They were not alone. The basic Gospel truths which they received from the Bible were given of God, held by the Apostles and early church, and echoed to some degree by men such as Augustine. The Reformation spread from England to Bohemia to Germany, Switzerland, and France. The Reformers realized that the Bible was true and not a lie, and those who opposed it; no matter what they called themselves or how gloriously they were heralded by the world, were liers who stood not on the side of truth. They valiantly fought for the Pauline and Apostolic faith as they saw it. The historical witness and stand of the Reformers has proven of invaluable benefit to Christians today. BUT, they were not the Apostles. They were a shining light in testimony to the truth of God, BUT they were not that truth. The held an infallible Bible, BUT they did not proclaim it infallibly. What I am trying to say is this: if in any point the Reformers contradicted the word of God; the Apostolic, Pauline, infallible Scriptures are to take precidence; since, as they put it, Scripture is the ONLY rule of faith and practice (i.e., SOLA SCRIPTURA). It is important to both uphold the Biblical truths displayed and defended in the Reformation, AND to also set aside what is not Biblical truth, lest we set up the Reformers above the Scriptures. It is important to realize the context of the Reformation in order to help us to properly benefit from it. The Reformers came out of the Catholic Church. Originally, they wanted to Reform the Catholic Church. But eventually, they came to see that that Church is ruled by the Pope, and as it is with the Devil who rules this world, the Pope keeps his goods in peace. NO one is going to take authority away from the Pope, not even if the Scriptures necessitate it, because the Pope will not allow it. Add to this the Sacramental traditions of Rome, which make the Word of God to no effect, and you begin to see what the Reformers saw: they had to "come out of her". But when they began to set up Biblical Churches as best as they knew how, they carried with them certain assumptions and presuppositions which they obtained from the Roman Catholic system. These beliefs have the ability to seriously hinder fidelity to Divine Revelation (i.e., the Bible) and the NT pattern for the Church. One of these beliefs was that of a State Church versus a regenerate Church membership. Another was the belief that Sacraments can help or somehow add to faith, or else serve some kind of Covenantal purpose. Yet another was Covenantalism, which was a dispensational (really, an anti-Dispensationalist view; so I used "dispensational" showing that it is a view about how God deals with man over the ages or dispensations, hence "dispensational" versus "Dispensationalism" which is a seperate and distinct view of how God works in dispensations) view that kind of worked together the State Church, infant baptism as the sign of membership into the Covenant, and Amillenialism (the belief that the Millenium is not a literal thousand years). And these groundless traditional assumptions and presuppositions of the Roman Catholic system are contrary to the entire idea of the New Testament. I will try to deal with this in further posts, but let me summarize my statements here: in order to be a Biblical Christian with a Biblical view of Christianity, there is a certain amount of Reformed teaching which you MUST accept, because it is clearly Biblical; however, there is also a lot of Reformed teaching (such as the common sacramental & Covenantal presuppositions of the Reformers) which you MUST reject, because it is simply neither part nor parcel of what the Scripture teaches. Here are a couple of good links on Biblical errors which are found in Covenant Theology and in some Reformed teaching: Dr. Chafer on Covenant Theology & The Subtle Errors of Covenant Theology. It might also be beneficial to check out Jim McClarty's Sermon in the "Plank of Wood" video below all of the posted items.

We are Called to Judge by the Criterion of the Scripture

I came across this valuable study on Biblical discernment which is entitled "The Believer's Call to Judge". It is in several parts: Part 1a , Part 1b , Part 1c , Part 2a , Part 2b , and Part 2c .

"No amount of earnestness can be condemned when pleading, on straight lines, the cause of God. ... To employ soft words and honeyed phrases in discussing questions of everlasting importance; to deal with errors that strike at the foundations of all human hope as if they were harmless and venial mistakes; to bless where God disapproves, and to make apologies where He calls us to stand up like men and assert, though it may be the aptest method of securing popular applause in a sophistical age, is cruelty to man and treachery to Heaven. Those who on such subjects attach more importance to the rules of courtesy than they do to the measures of truth do not defend the citadel, but betray it into the hands of its enemies. Love for Christ, and for the souls for whom He died, will be the exact measure of our zeal in exposing the dangers by which men's souls are ensnared." -- George Sayles Bishop, 1885

If a doctrine is not found in Scripture, then it is to be rejected. Historical witness is indeed important, but is quite worthless as a definitive source of certainty outside of the criterion of the Scripture. All things are to be tested by the Scripture and no doctrines are to be received outside of the Scripture. The only certain apostolic witness is in the Scripture. Also, most of the pre-eminent traditions in any church of any age are diametrically opposed to the Bible. Scripture is not merely materially sufficient, it is entirely sufficient for every matter of faith and life, for everything pertaining to life and godliness. There is no other revelation in this dispensation and no other inspired source necessary or capable of either adding to or clarifying the Scriptures (i.e., the Scriptures are the only rule and criterion for faith and practice and nothing can be held to be equal with them at all). We must hear God's voice alone as speaking with authority. Sola Scriptura!

"Again, men say that instead of engaging in controversy in the Church, we ought to pray to God for a revival; instead of polemics, we ought to have evangelism. Well, what kind of evangelism is it that is indifferent to the question what evangel it is that is to be preached? ... not the evangelism that Paul meant when he said, 'Woe be unto me, if I preach not the gospel.' No, my friends, there can be no true evangelism which makes common cause with the enemies of the cause of Christ. ... Every true [moving of the Holy Spirit] is born in controversy, and leads to more controversy." -- J. Gresham Machen

"It makes me weep to watch the growing deception, to cry out against it, and to be heeded by so few and opposed by so many. Why is that essential correction which Scripture so clearly demands left to a few of us nobodies and shunned by church leaders who would be heeded by millions? Write to the most influential so-called evangelical leaders and ask how they can "preach the Word" without involving themselves in the reproof and rebuke of rampant error that Paul said must be at the very heart of Biblical preaching!...'Positive' or 'negative' is not the issue, but truth and simple obedience to the Lord and His Word." - Rick Miesel ("Are We Too Negative?". Jan 1999. June 2008. http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Introduction/toonegative.htm)

Neo-Evangelicalism's Attitude

Do you think this attitude of unbelief and directly denying the Scripture is pleasing to God?: "[Graham's Brother-in-law] was quoted as saying, 'Preach the Gospel, but don't be so negative as to refuse to endorse or work with those who belong to a group that proclaims a different Gospel!' [Graham's Brother-in-law]'s words seem to be an open defiance of Paul's words: 'But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.' New evangelicalism may [not] have...set out to defy God's Word, but the compromises of its system have brought it to that point." -- Ashbrook, John E. The New Neutralism II. 1 July 2008 .

Pre -Tribulation Rapture: Plank of Wood Style

Jim McClarty dicusses the Pre-Tribulation Rapture in this series of videos... They are in 5 parts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDD_iBC0HzU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqFR3SZfeeg&watch_response http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeHPMil-o_w&watch_response http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQkEIVFN4sg&watch_response http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHwZiaBJJu4&watch_response

Amillenialism vs. Plank 'O Wood

Here is some of Jim McClarty's teaching on end time events (particularly Amillenialism) from Reformed Voices Blog: http://reformedvoices.blogspot.googlepages.com/examiningamillenialism I look forward to seeing how Jim deals with this issue, and I may post more as I work through the messages.

The Emergent Church Emergency

The Emergent Church and its philosophies are gaining a much wider audience than I first anticipated. I thought it was limited to a kind of counter-church, counter-culture movement; but it has a wide appeal through the many churches, colleges, and publishers which are supportive of it. It is a direct denial of the Gospel,very similar to liberalism but with an added component of Mysticism. I will try to post several items on the Emergent church, because it is a conduit of mysticism as well as an illustration of it. Interestingly enough, this ties into Neo-Evangelicalism because of the many publishers, colleges, and churches which are Neo-Evangelical end up as proponents of the Emergent Church in their insatiable desire to "Try something new", which is actually a rejection of the Gospel (we don't need a new solution because we don't have a new problem).

History of the Neo-Evangelical Movement

Here are links that give some insight into the background and character of the Neo-Evangelical movement: http://www.americanpresbyterianchurch.org/new_neutralism.htm http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/fundamen1.htm Neo-Evangelicalism is extremely dangerous because it is designed to preach only those parts of the truth which people can agree on (Or, it speaks the truth in a way that qualifies it and makes it to no effect); it loudly proclaims that it believes God, but then it fellowships, serves, and praises those who deny God, and ends up denying God itself; it is a system of rebellious unbelief, and ultimately must resort to the complete dishonesty of dialectic and convolution. It calls darkness light, and light darkness; and it pretends that only in doing this can it present light to the world. It opposes the truth and those who speak it. It consoles itself that it has light, no matter whether it is hid under a bushel. It assumes that making a mockery of God's Word is no great sin, but to offend man is unpardonable. It is one of the cheifest strategies that underlies the present confusion. Light can have no fellowship with darkness, or it is no more light. Little Children, keep yourselves...Amen.

Other Posts

All other posts will probably be in "random". Also, these "series" are a little bit more like "categories" because they might not be all in sequence.

Jesus Christ is made unto us...Sanctification

This series will attempt to correctly express that Biblical Sanctification is by grace, through faith. It will also try to provide Biblical insight on how it is wrought out in our lives, and what our responsibilities are in the process.

Sovereign, Unmerited Grace

This series will consider the nature of Divine, Sovereign, Unmerited Grace.

Neo-Evangelicalism: Another Gospel than that Received by Paul!

This series will attempt to deal with a very painful subject: the loss and opposition of the Gospel by those who claim to be preaching it!

CRITERION

This series will uphold Sola Scriptura, the belief that the Bible is God's only "God Breathed" special revelation, necessary & sufficient as a rule (or criterion/standard of judgement) for every belief and practice.

The Modern Mystical Movements

This series will attempt to cover a few of the myriad of mystical movements promoted today. I will try to cover popular movements and movements/concepts which have affected churches.

Got Wood?

Okay, I admit that I borrowed this series title ("Plank of Wood") from one of Jim McClarty's (The Pastor of Grace Christain Assembly) sermon clips that I found on YouTube. And this post title ("Got Wood?") I got from an old statement by Mr. Bush, in the Kerry - Bush Presidential debate. So what in the world am I talking about? This series will dicuss a little about Dispensationalism and Convenantism, and, of course, Plank of Wood (R) (Not really a Registered Theological term...yet). I admire Mr. McClarty's sermon on the subject. I feel that there is a system out there which he has overlooked - Classic Pauline Dispensationalism - but he is right that the classic regular Convenantism and Dispensationalism don't really play fair with the Bible. I admire his courage to formulate "Plank of Wood" but I hope he will take up Classic Pauline Dispensationalism, otherwise "Plank of Wood" is going to sound pretty confusing... Then again, when was the last time (if ever) that you heard someone mention Classic Pauline Dispensationalism?

Considering the Church

This Series will deal with how the local church is governed, organized, and functions.

Reforming the Reformation

This series will attempt to discuss some of the rich Biblical fruit that came out of the Protestant Reformation, while also addressing some of the doctrinal areas which the Reformation never even touched, or contradicted the Scriptures in.

Reconsidering Revival, Watching Waves, Resisting Rivers

This series will deal with popular Revivals and touted moves of the Holy Spirit, and hopefully also cover Charles Finney, Pentacostalism, and other related teachings.

Adventures in Exegesis

This will be a category that deals with Hermeneutics, Exegesis, contextual interpretation, and possibly NT Greek.

I think I will try to categorize my posts not only by topic, but also into some distinct series which will discuss related important issues.

Once the blog is underway, I will try to combine some simple good teaching with some lesser considered thoughts, also.

I will focus on constructing features of the Blog (such as websites, favorite Blogs, etc.) before I will work on posting much.