Part 2

Pastor John MacArthur (Grace to You) explains what is the heart of the Gospel (Justification by Faith Alone/Sola Fide) to Actor Kirk Cameron (The Way of the Master) from 2 Corinthians 5:21:

“God made Him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin (offering) for us, so that in Him (Jesus) we might become the righteousness of God.” (The Great Exchange: My sin for Christ’s perfect righteousness).

When church attempts to become friends with this word it is bound to fall short of the standards and teachings of the Bible. Sin quickly becomes part of the fabric of the church, and lack of understanding is prevalent and desire for learning is non-existent. When people like to have their ears tickled, when they use attitude of consumerism to choose church and ministers target their audience by playing to the same game plan then you have recipe for anything goes church. Shame that this still passes as Christianity that millions will accept it without seeing how far removed it is from the original Christianity.   Contradictions are ignored, encouraged and embraced and truth is the only casualty but thank God that there are people who are prepared to speak out.

In 1756, John Wesley delivered an address to a gathering of clergy on how to carry out the pastoral ministry with joy and skill. In it, Wesley catalogued a number of things familiar to most contemporary believers the cultivation of a disposition to glorify God and save souls, a knowledge of Scripture, and similar notions. However, at the first of his list, Wesley focused on something seldom expressly valued by most pastoral search committees: Ought not a Minister to have, First, a good understanding, a clear apprehension, a sound judgment, and a capacity of reasoning with some closeness?¹ Time and again throughout the address, Wesley unpacked this remark by admonishing ministers to know what would sound truly odd and almost pagan to the average congregant of today: logic, metaphysics (including the first principles of being), natural theology, geometry, and the ideas of important figures in the history of philosophy.

Wesley’s remarks were not unusual in his time. A century earlier, the great Reformed pastor Richard Baxter was faced with lukewarmness in the church and unbelief outside the church. In 1667 he wrote a book to meet this need and in it he used philosophy to argue for the existence of the soul and the life to come. The fact that Baxter turned to philosophy instead of small groups or praise hymns is worth pondering. Over a millennium earlier, Augustine summarized the view of many early church fathers when he said that We must show our Scriptures not to be in conflict with whatever [our critics] can demonstrate about the nature of things from reliable sources.² Philosophy was the main tool Augustine used in this task.

For the rest of the article go to the original website:

http://afterall.net/papers/23

I wholeheartedly recommend it, it is full of beneficial charts, books that defend Christianity and most of all it’s not a shamed for what it stands. Free equipping software that has a friendly layabout and can be compared to many £5,00 software’s. Ideal for sermon composition and Bible study groups.

To find more go here: http://www.theword.net/

Kind regards

Defend The Word

Biblical Archaeology Society Staff   •  08/11/2011

The excavation of a 2,000-year-old drainage channel running beneath Jerusalem’s City of David is providing a startling glimpse into the realities of the First Jewish Revolt (66–70 C.E.). According to the Jewish historian Josephus, Jewish rebels used the tunnels to hide from Roman forces attempting to crush the rebellion.

For more information on this topic go to the original web page;

http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/news/jerusalem-tunnel-provides-glimpse-of-jewish-revolt/

Increased life expectancy is leading to people “putting off” becoming involved in religion, UK researchers have said.

Their International Journal of Social Economics paper suggests decisions about “religiosity” depend on perceived social and spiritual benefits.

As people live longer, younger people are less concerned about what happens after death.

The researchers say religion must do more to emphasise the social benefits to the young in order to attract them.

Church attendance in the UK has been dwindling during the past 50 years.

And while 26% of over-65s attend church, only 11% of those aged between 16 and 44 do so.

However, in countries including many in sub-Saharan African and Latin American nations, religious adherence remains strong.

For more on this story go to BBC  here

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13011509

At least 20 Chinese Protestants Christians have been arrested as they tried to gather for an Easter service in Beijing.

The worshippers, from the Shouwang church, were trying to hold an outdoor service because they own no premises.

In recent weeks, the police have arrested dozens of people from the church, which has about 1,000 members.

The authorities have also been carrying out a wider suppression of dissent – harassing foreign reporters and detaining lawyers and activists.

The most high-profile detainee, artist Ai Weiwei, was taken by police as he tried to board a flight earlier this month.

His family say they do not know where he is, whether he has been charged with an offence, or even whether he has been formally arrested.

For more information on this story go to BBC web page here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13180842

Can we trust the Bible to give us the uncorrupted version of who Jesus was. Today much is being said about who Jesus was and how Bible “distorted ” the original story in order to further its ideology. Here is the interesting video that deals with this problem of authenticity and the “quest for the historical Jesus”. It is because of rationalistic philosophical developement were introduced and when mixed with local to Israel nation mythological stories they have developed completely new one could rightly claim invented Jesus of the 21st Century.

Many believe that they have the right view i.e. when the Bible is stripping down of all the “fantasies” recorded in the New Testament true Jesus appears, however often we see that this idea is driven by the preconceived philosophical approach rather than true textual criticism, historical reasearch and being open to the possibility that the Bible actually may be correctly recording the life of Jesus.

I hope you go through the entire video in order to be able to evaluate the validity of Craig Blomberg’s statements.

Kind regards

Defend the Word

And rather than being “destroyed” by the use of the ordinary people, which would have been a great blessing to many generations it was preserved in a “glass coffin” and is now in a very good condition for its age.

It is ironic that it was found on the shelf gathering dust, is this not typical of many so called Christians. Who claim that they believe in God but are completely disinterested in what God has to say in his word?

How do two can be reconciled I do not understand? Just imagine what the bride would tell the groom, if the two were separated for few months and during this time groom was sending her many love letters. When they come to see each other again, and groom asks her about the issues and her decision on them all of which was mentioned in these letters, during their time of separation. At that point she exclaims “sorry my darling but I had more important issues to deal with. I was preoccupied with life’s issues, and had to deal with them I have kept safely all your letters but have yet to read your letters.”

All the outpouring of love and affection has gone unnoticed and every effort that the future husband put in to explain his plan for their future life together has not been considered, he like just like God in this instance would be right to question our love for him.

2 Tim 3:16 Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (2Pet 1:20) ; 17 that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.

If we are to be equipped and ready for what God has planned for us then we must be submitted to the training program that he has in place for us.

Kind regards

Defend the Word

From BBC News

6 March 2011 Last updated at 08:33

The pages of 400-year-old Bible were trimmed by a priest in the 19th Century

A rare original King James Bible has been discovered on a shelf in a Wiltshire church.

The discovery was made by residents researching the history of St Laurence Church in Hilmarton, near Calne.

Geoff Proctor, a member of the parochial church council, said they read about a “fine chained Bible in a glass case” at the church.

They then made the link with a Bible that had been sitting on a shelf at the church for a number of years.

Mr Proctor said: “We started doing some research and discovered that the Bible that, as far as I’d known, had always stood on a shelf at the church was in fact 400 years old.”

Everybody or nobody

There are fewer than 200 original printings of the King James version known to exist. And it is believed that the rediscovered Bible is one of the few remaining editions printed in 1611.

For more on this story go back to BBC web page

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-12647043

How do we explain the definition of Gods grace, it’s very simple. When we think of God s mercy we are reminded of what we do not receive even though we deserve it. We are found guilty in the eyes of the Lord yet through his mercy he does not punish our crimes but if we call upon the name of Jesus we are able to be saved.

Grace on the other hand is all the goodness we receive from God even though we are not worthy of any of those blessings and good gifts.

It is this grace of God that has granted us not only our salvation but also continuity of walking with God and knowledge that he will never forsake us. We know that we are adopted into his family and he has become our heavenly father who we can freely love.

Unmerited Favor – Grace

• Work: When a person works an eight-hour day and receives a fair day’s pay for his time, that is a wage.
• Sport: When a person competes with an opponent and receives a trophy for his performance, that is a prize.
• When a person receives appropriate recognition for his long service or high achievements, that is an award.
• But when a person is not capable of earning a wage, can win no prize, and deserves no award—yet receives such a gift anyway—that is a good picture of God’s unmerited favor. This is what we mean when we talk about the grace of God.

G.W. Knight,

We should all be reminded that it was not free for him but it is free for us.

1.      Quick analysis of the world around me has persuaded me that many artificial changes imposed upon us by the few we call the elite are pure exercise in futility; they are not in control but are reactionary to the changes that they do not control.

a.       Politicians are not in control: Quick look at the financial market shows us that greed and volatility of the market are driven by many variables that are out of our control and not something that is preprogrammed or anticipated by the clever political or banking elite.   Facts that we had to see many states attempt to bail out some of their biggest banks; shows how futile are our attempts to control human nature. When people see greed as something that is desirable and good we have to question their selflessness.

An attempt at social engineering programs by many liberal governments has led to nothing progressive again and again. Try as we may, we continue to live in a miserable failure to create utopian and fairer society. Man still earn more than women, shorter people, fatter, ethnically different and less ecstatically pleasing people are continuously overlooked and discriminated against, on the other hand those who are loud, obnoxious and  selfish seem to thrive in our society. We look on the outside and overlook true potential on the inside at our own peril. Biblical truths that have established our laws in many western societies have now long gone, forgotten and ignored as something to be ashamed of.

b.      “Same rules” for all don’t make things fair: Attempt to impose globalisation of the same rules and standardise methodology on the whole world by advocating airy-fairy fairness that cannot be substantiated can be seen as failed principle that is driven by the ideology and not practical truths. Legalistic approach to the standardisation of many systems like IMF banking system has led to emerging economies like Brazil, India and China but has not done anything for many millions who are still unable to support their families despite their reasonable ability and desire to do so.

United Nations and few permanent members who can control what is approved show lack of unity rather than common interests, in fact blatant self-interests often show that political divide is driven by greed and unpleasant competition and derogatory statement how one nation is superior then the other are ever-present around the table of ironically named “United Nations”.

There are big issues within our political world today, changes within political and monetary restructuring we see in Europe is frightening many, with its European Union and common currency we find many problems.  Nations like Germany are unhappy that they are left to pick up the bill for countries who have not exercised same amount of caution and hard work and diligence. Countries like Greece, Portugal and Ireland had to be propped up by the funds coming from better off economies this was met with great unease by those who initially voted for unified Europe. Common market policy has a price, and increasingly many nations think it may not be worth paying and are questioning whether they should even stick with it, some would in fact like to rewrite the entire rule book.

Psalm 46

For the music director; by the Korahites; according to the alamoth style; ² a song.

46:1 God is our strong refuge; ³ he is truly our helper in times of trouble. ⁴ 46:2 For this reason we do not fear ⁵ when the earth shakes, ⁶ and the mountains tumble into the depths of the sea, ⁷ 46:3 when its waves ⁸ crash ⁹ and foam, and the mountains shake ¹⁰ before the surging sea. ¹¹ (Selah) 46:4 The river’s channels bring joy to the city of God, ¹² the special, holy dwelling place of ¹³ the sovereign One. ¹⁴ 46:5 God lives within it, ¹⁵ it cannot be moved. ¹⁶ God rescues it ¹⁷ at the break of dawn. ¹⁸ 46:6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms are overthrown. ¹⁹ God ²⁰ gives a shout, ²¹ the earth dissolves. ²² 46:7 The Lord who commands armies is on our side! ²³ The God of Jacob ²⁴ is our protector! ²⁵ (Selah) 46:8 Come! Witness the exploits ²⁶ of the Lord, who brings devastation to the earth! ²⁷ 46:9 He brings an end to wars throughout the earth; ²⁸ he shatters ²⁹ the bow and breaks ³⁰ the spear; he burns ³¹ the shields with fire. ³² 46:10 He says, ³³ “Stop your striving and recognize ³⁴ that I am God! I will be exalted ³⁵ over ³⁶ the nations! I will be exalted over ³⁷ the earth!” 46:11 The Lord who commands armies is on our side! ³⁸ The God of Jacob ³⁹ is our protector! ⁴⁰ (Selah)

a)         Should we be united on global warming issue? with issues like global warming  upon which we build our ideology of further economic development we toy with the processes we don’t truly understand but like to think that by tinkering around the edges we could achieve something worthwhile. Refusal to look at the holistic picture where we go back to the principle that God entrusted us with guardianship of the Gods creation and neglecting of our duties yet again for our selfish temporary interests we have decided like a brother of Jacob to sell his birth right for quick satisfaction of temporary hunger for that “sup” that is on offer that Esau could not resist. Where ever quick buck is more important than long term blessing we see self-degradation and ill-conceived efforts to create prosperity.

Genesis 25:29 Now Jacob cooked some stew, ⁴⁶ and when Esau came in from the open fields, he was famished. 25:30 So Esau said to Jacob, “Feed ⁴⁷ me some of the red stuff – yes, this red stuff – because I’m starving!” (That is why he was also called ⁴⁸ Edom.) ⁴⁹ 25:31 But Jacob replied, “First ⁵⁰ sell me your birthright.” 25:32 “Look,” said Esau, “I’m about to die! What use is the birthright to me?” ⁵¹ 25:33 But Jacob said, “Swear an oath to me now.” ⁵² So Esau ⁵³ swore an oath to him and sold his birthright ⁵⁴ to Jacob.25:34 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew; Esau ate and drank, then got up and went out. ⁵⁵ So Esau despised his birthright. ⁵⁶

Our knowledge is limited: We like to think that we are important and often use someone else’s credential and knowledge in order to claim it for our own. This royal “we” is getting in the way of honest debate and realisation that much of what one individual knows is limited to individual specialisation and that we must rely upon each other for moral and intellectual support. But most of all true understanding and knowledge is gained true biblical revelation that equips every human being that is willing to learn and change for the common good.

True Wisdom

James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings. ²¹ 3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth. 3:15 Such ²² wisdom does not come ²³ from above but is earthly, natural, ²⁴ demonic. 3:16 For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice. 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, ²⁵ full of mercy and good fruit, ²⁶ impartial, and not hypocritical. ²⁷ 3:18 And the fruit that consists of righteousness ²⁸ is planted ²⁹ in peace among ³⁰ those who make peace.

Finally let me conclude with the many attempts to get ahead but without God in our own insignificant often illogical and overwhelmingly self-centred egotistical human endeavours we are no further then when we first started. We seem to love to go in circle even when the road is lighted with the truth of Christ. But most wonderful things do happen when instead of battling against God we stop and listen for a change. Jesus was true to his word if you seek honestly you will find the truth.

Futility of Secular Accomplishment

Ecclesiastes 1:12 I, the Teacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. ⁴⁵ 1:13 I decided ⁴⁶ to carefully ⁴⁷ and thoroughly examine ⁴⁸ all that has been accomplished on earth. ⁴⁹ I concluded: ⁵⁰ God has given people ⁵¹ a burdensome task ⁵² that keeps them ⁵³ occupied. ⁵⁴ 1:14 I reflected on everything that is accomplished by man ⁵⁵ on earth, ⁵⁶ and I concluded: Everything ⁵⁷ he has accomplished ⁵⁸ is futile ⁵⁹ – like chasing the wind! ⁶⁰ 1:15 What is bent ⁶¹ cannot be straightened, ⁶² and what is missing ⁶³ cannot be supplied. ⁶⁴ Futility of Secular Wisdom 1:16 I thought to myself, ⁶⁵ “I have become much wiser ⁶⁶ than any of my predecessors who ruled ⁶⁷ over Jerusalem; ⁶⁸ I ⁶⁹ have acquired much wisdom and knowledge.” ⁷⁰ 1:17 So I decided ⁷¹ to discern the benefit of ⁷² wisdom and knowledge over ⁷³ foolish behavior and ideas; ⁷⁴ however, I concluded ⁷⁵ that even ⁷⁶ this endeavor ⁷⁷ is like ⁷⁸ trying to chase the wind! ⁷⁹ 1:18 For with great wisdom comes ⁸⁰ great frustration; whoever increases his ⁸¹ knowledge merely ⁸² increases his ⁸³ heartache.

Ask, Seek, Knock

Matthew 7:7 “Ask ⁹ and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door ¹⁰ will be opened for you. 7:8 For everyone who asks ¹¹ receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 7:9 Is ¹² there anyone among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 7:10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹³ 7:11 If you then, although you are evil, ¹⁴ know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts ¹⁵ to those who ask him! 7:12 In ¹⁶ everything, treat others as you would want them ¹⁷ to treat you, ¹⁸ for this fulfills ¹⁹ the law and the prophets.

It is true we are given great freedom but what you do with it is your responsibility and you should pay great attention to it, as your future depends on it. I just hope that as you observe the world around you, you take into account your starting position and make sure that you are not driven by prejudice but by the God-given logic and reason.

Kind regards

Defend the Word