Found here. My comments in bold.
------------------
The author offers nothing more than a vague opinion. No references, no Scripture, no documentation of any kind.
----------------
Will the debate over the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit ever cease? Maybe not, with many books coming out, debates being held, and conferences taking place on this controversial subject. One of the primary reasons for the intensity of this issue is that it directly relates to how we should live the Christian life. For those who hold that the charismatic gifts continue, we should seek these gifts in our lives so that we will live our lives in the fullness of God’s blessing. But what about those of us who believe these gifts were given during the apostolic age and have ceased with the completion of apostolic doctrine recorded in Scripture? How do we live our lives? What does the life of a cessationist look like? Here are three aspects of our life in Christ.
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Friday, October 26, 2018
#IAmSexist It’s time that we men take responsibility for our role in the problem of violence against women. By George Yancy
Found here. My comments in bold.
-----------------
Being a good little leftist, this guy is desperately virtue-signaling as he tries to insulate himself from the backlash of hysterical feminists who are coming for him.
But it won't be enough, because it's never enough. He's guilty simply by being a white male, and nothing, literally nothing, can atone for that sin.
His apology is simply blood in the water, furthering the white hot rage.)
---------------------
Men, listen up.
In light of a year of disturbing revelations from the #MeToo movement and from last month’s profoundly troubling Brett Kavanaugh hearings and his eventual confirmation to the Supreme Court, it is time that we, men, act. (Apparently, women are not strong, they are helpless. And it's men's job to rescue them.)
Certainly, some of us men have spoken out on behalf of women. But many more of us have remained silent. Some have kept silent out of fear of being judged, (Fear.)
fear of criticism or censure, (Fear.)
others out of genuine respect. (Fear.)
In fact, silence (Actually, fear.)
has become the default stance of many men who consider themselves “allies” of women. But given all that has transpired, staying out of it is no longer enough. (It never has been enough. All the supplication in the world isn't enough. He's just making them even madder.
The issue has evolved to the point that anything other than full-throated support of the leftist agenda is deemed to be opposition.)
I’ve decided not to cut corners. So, join me, with due diligence and civic duty, (And fear.)
and publicly claim: I am sexist! (But I am afraid.)
In fact, perhaps it is time that we lay claim to a movement — #IamSexist. (A movement? A movement of corporate guilt, designed to kowtow to hysterical people who are insatiable in their lust for power? That's going to be a real seller.)
Think about its national and international implications as we take responsibility for our sexism, our misogyny, our patriarchy. (Corporate guilt where none exists. The author is mistaken if the symbolism is going to be accepted as substantive.)
It is hard to admit we are sexist. I, for instance, would like to think that I possess genuine feminist bona fides, but who am I kidding? (Exactly. His feminist credentials are insufficient to insulate him from the coming wrath. It's only a matter of time before he makes some innocent comment or gesture that triggers an emotionally weaponized woman.
It won't matter that he did nothing wrong then, because it doesn't matter right now. When an individual is vested with the power to decide on a per-case basis who is an offender and who is making an acceptable gesture, one is at the mercy of the whims of someone else's feelings. There is no possibility of avoiding violation.)
I am a failed and broken feminist. (He already knows it. The problem is, it will never change. No matter how he signals his virtues, no matter how impressive his feminist credentials, there will come a day when none of it matters. He's living in fear right now, because he knows the unilateral power these women wield.)
-----------------
Being a good little leftist, this guy is desperately virtue-signaling as he tries to insulate himself from the backlash of hysterical feminists who are coming for him.
But it won't be enough, because it's never enough. He's guilty simply by being a white male, and nothing, literally nothing, can atone for that sin.
His apology is simply blood in the water, furthering the white hot rage.)
---------------------
Men, listen up.
In light of a year of disturbing revelations from the #MeToo movement and from last month’s profoundly troubling Brett Kavanaugh hearings and his eventual confirmation to the Supreme Court, it is time that we, men, act. (Apparently, women are not strong, they are helpless. And it's men's job to rescue them.)
Certainly, some of us men have spoken out on behalf of women. But many more of us have remained silent. Some have kept silent out of fear of being judged, (Fear.)
fear of criticism or censure, (Fear.)
others out of genuine respect. (Fear.)
In fact, silence (Actually, fear.)
has become the default stance of many men who consider themselves “allies” of women. But given all that has transpired, staying out of it is no longer enough. (It never has been enough. All the supplication in the world isn't enough. He's just making them even madder.
The issue has evolved to the point that anything other than full-throated support of the leftist agenda is deemed to be opposition.)
I’ve decided not to cut corners. So, join me, with due diligence and civic duty, (And fear.)
and publicly claim: I am sexist! (But I am afraid.)
In fact, perhaps it is time that we lay claim to a movement — #IamSexist. (A movement? A movement of corporate guilt, designed to kowtow to hysterical people who are insatiable in their lust for power? That's going to be a real seller.)
Think about its national and international implications as we take responsibility for our sexism, our misogyny, our patriarchy. (Corporate guilt where none exists. The author is mistaken if the symbolism is going to be accepted as substantive.)
It is hard to admit we are sexist. I, for instance, would like to think that I possess genuine feminist bona fides, but who am I kidding? (Exactly. His feminist credentials are insufficient to insulate him from the coming wrath. It's only a matter of time before he makes some innocent comment or gesture that triggers an emotionally weaponized woman.
It won't matter that he did nothing wrong then, because it doesn't matter right now. When an individual is vested with the power to decide on a per-case basis who is an offender and who is making an acceptable gesture, one is at the mercy of the whims of someone else's feelings. There is no possibility of avoiding violation.)
I am a failed and broken feminist. (He already knows it. The problem is, it will never change. No matter how he signals his virtues, no matter how impressive his feminist credentials, there will come a day when none of it matters. He's living in fear right now, because he knows the unilateral power these women wield.)
Thursday, October 25, 2018
WHEN THE DOWNCAST CAN’T REACH OUR HYMNS - By Keith Getty
Found here. My comments in bold.
---------------------
I certainly respect the desire of the author to go beyond surface musical expressions, but I'm not sure he connects the needed dots here.
------------------
WHY SONGS OF LAMENT ARE IMPORTANT TO CULTIVATING SPIRITUAL DEPTH
“Hello, how are you?”
“Great!”
We all are familiar with this everyday occurrence. In fact, odds are that the majority of our interactions throughout a normal day fall into this kind of category—into courtesy, niceties, and the like.
There is nothing wrong with this kind of conversation, especially when you are picking up food at a drive-through window or are dropping off a deposit at the bank.
But when the question is asked within real relationships, the truth is, we are not always “great.” Not in the slightest. Life is not simply a joyride through pleasant scenery.
Some moments in life are extremely dark. Dangerous. Painful. Full of unknowns and empty of any visible hope. In these moments, when we are asked this same question by someone other than a stranger, our response should go well beyond the shallow, superficial plane of nicety and into the very real plane of reality.
“My heart is broken.”
When the courage is present for these words to be honestly expressed, a different kind of conversation ensues … one that you probably won’t have in passing with a stranger at the grocery store. These words can’t be quickly passed by or easily resolved.
They require someone who deeply cares for the person whose heart is shattered to pull up a chair and sit with them in their anguish. To take time to listen. These moments move far past shallowness, bringing conversations and relationships into places of depth that often surpass anything experienced in either before.
Life is not always about rejoicing … it is often about lamenting as well. (We certainly agree with the author about the nature of life, and the expressions of lament. I'm not entirely convinced, however, that laments are necessarily godly or desirable, even when found in Scripture.
So the author goes on to make a leap of logic from needing to lament and...)
And yet, when we come together to sing songs about the greatness of our God and His role in our everyday lives, we rarely sing songs of lament. (... engaging lament in corporate worship. According to the author. because life isn't good at the moment for some, our congregational musical worship ought to reflect that.
But this must open the door to a discussion about the nature of congregational worship, what we should sing, and why we sing. Unfortunately, the author doesn't address this.)
We lift up lyrics and melodies that soar to the steepest heights of joy and heavenly elation … and unfortunately, our lyrics often soar so high that someone who is drowning on the ocean floor of their personal despair can’t reach them. (Does the author have some evidence this is true? Do we really know that songs of hope have no effect on the hopeless? That songs of encouragement don't encourage? That songs of exaltation don't cause the heart to rise? That songs of exaltation don't give cause to exult?
What do we find in Scripture regarding the edifying nature of musical worship:
Contrast that with
---------------------
I certainly respect the desire of the author to go beyond surface musical expressions, but I'm not sure he connects the needed dots here.
------------------
WHY SONGS OF LAMENT ARE IMPORTANT TO CULTIVATING SPIRITUAL DEPTH
“Hello, how are you?”
“Great!”
We all are familiar with this everyday occurrence. In fact, odds are that the majority of our interactions throughout a normal day fall into this kind of category—into courtesy, niceties, and the like.
There is nothing wrong with this kind of conversation, especially when you are picking up food at a drive-through window or are dropping off a deposit at the bank.
But when the question is asked within real relationships, the truth is, we are not always “great.” Not in the slightest. Life is not simply a joyride through pleasant scenery.
Some moments in life are extremely dark. Dangerous. Painful. Full of unknowns and empty of any visible hope. In these moments, when we are asked this same question by someone other than a stranger, our response should go well beyond the shallow, superficial plane of nicety and into the very real plane of reality.
“My heart is broken.”
When the courage is present for these words to be honestly expressed, a different kind of conversation ensues … one that you probably won’t have in passing with a stranger at the grocery store. These words can’t be quickly passed by or easily resolved.
They require someone who deeply cares for the person whose heart is shattered to pull up a chair and sit with them in their anguish. To take time to listen. These moments move far past shallowness, bringing conversations and relationships into places of depth that often surpass anything experienced in either before.
Life is not always about rejoicing … it is often about lamenting as well. (We certainly agree with the author about the nature of life, and the expressions of lament. I'm not entirely convinced, however, that laments are necessarily godly or desirable, even when found in Scripture.
So the author goes on to make a leap of logic from needing to lament and...)
And yet, when we come together to sing songs about the greatness of our God and His role in our everyday lives, we rarely sing songs of lament. (... engaging lament in corporate worship. According to the author. because life isn't good at the moment for some, our congregational musical worship ought to reflect that.
But this must open the door to a discussion about the nature of congregational worship, what we should sing, and why we sing. Unfortunately, the author doesn't address this.)
We lift up lyrics and melodies that soar to the steepest heights of joy and heavenly elation … and unfortunately, our lyrics often soar so high that someone who is drowning on the ocean floor of their personal despair can’t reach them. (Does the author have some evidence this is true? Do we really know that songs of hope have no effect on the hopeless? That songs of encouragement don't encourage? That songs of exaltation don't cause the heart to rise? That songs of exaltation don't give cause to exult?
What do we find in Scripture regarding the edifying nature of musical worship:
Ep. 5:19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord...
Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Ja. 5:13 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.
Ps. 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
Ps. 40:3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
Ps. 69:30 I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.
Ps. 100:2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.This is all uplifting stuff. Notice in particular James 5:13. Those with troubles are commanded to pray, not expect their low emotional state be reinforced by what the congregation sings.
Contrast that with
Pr. 25:20 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.I think the writer of Proverbs is onto something. Laments pull down, and that is not worship. Laments are downers that can drag people into despair unless a remedy is given. Worship is the remedy to being downcast:
Ps. 42:5-6 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and 6 my God.
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
Responding to the False Teaching of Bethel Church, Jesus Culture, and Todd White - by Gabe Hughes
Found here. My comments in bold.
--------------------------
I am publishing an excerpt of a Q and A regarding a criticism of Bethel Church. My intent is not to defend Bethel, but rather to examine some of the answerer's statements.
First, the question:
--------------
You still don't have proof. God manifest His glory in myriads of ways. What Moses experienced was unique and only occurred one time in the Bible. What about the cloud that was present in the camp? God was present in the cloud by day and the fire by night. God was present in the cloud that covered the tabernacle in the midst of over 2 million people. "Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle" (Exodus 40:34). I'm not defending Bethel but you have made baseless accusations that you simply cannot verify. You do not know with absolutely certainly whether or not your accusations are true. Why not send someone to collect some of the dust and have it analyzed?
Ben
Overland Park, KS
Now the answer:
Understand something: It is Bethel Church that calls this glitter-and-fog-machine manifestation a "glory cloud." That's their name for it, not mine. If it was the glory of God, it would kill everyone in that room. (This is simply false. The author informs us of a "fact," but does not document it. No reference is supplied.
Contrary to the author's undocumented, false assertion, the glory of the LORD does not automatically kill people:
Le. 9:23 Moses and Aaron then went into the Tent of Meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people.
2Ch. 5:13-14 The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: “He is good; his love endures for ever.” Then the temple of the LORD was filled with a cloud, 14 and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the temple of God.
2Ch. 7:1-3 When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. 2 The priests could not enter the temple of the LORD because the glory of the LORD filled it. 3 When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshipped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, “He is good; his love endures for ever.”
Lk. 2:8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields near by, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
Ac. 7:55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Three Easy Fixes to Social Security and Medicare that Republicans Don’t Want You to Know About. - Robert Reich
Found here. My comments in bold.
--------------
Again we comment on Dr. Reich's missive, noting his continuing doctrinaire leftism.
---------------
Republicans would love to get rid of Social Security and Medicare. But they can’t, because Social Security and Medicare are among the most popular of all federal programs. (Popular doesn't equal good or solvent or constitutional.)
Besides, most Americans have been paying into them their whole working lives, and depend on them. (Who makes them pay? Hmm? Doesn't government extract this money from peoples' pay check whether or not there is consent?)
So how will Republicans attempt to end these programs? By doing nothing to save Medicare and Social Security. (Why does it need saving? How many times has it been saved before? How much more will people have to give up in increased taxes and reduced or delayed benefits?)
The trustees for Medicare and Social Security – of which I used to be one – say Medicare will run out of money by 2026, three years sooner than last projected, and Social Security will run out in 2034. (No, it's out of money now. The entire assets of the SS Trust Fund are non-marketable bonds. Those are IOUs you and I will have to pay back.)
Again we comment on Dr. Reich's missive, noting his continuing doctrinaire leftism.
---------------
Republicans would love to get rid of Social Security and Medicare. But they can’t, because Social Security and Medicare are among the most popular of all federal programs. (Popular doesn't equal good or solvent or constitutional.)
Besides, most Americans have been paying into them their whole working lives, and depend on them. (Who makes them pay? Hmm? Doesn't government extract this money from peoples' pay check whether or not there is consent?)
So how will Republicans attempt to end these programs? By doing nothing to save Medicare and Social Security. (Why does it need saving? How many times has it been saved before? How much more will people have to give up in increased taxes and reduced or delayed benefits?)
The trustees for Medicare and Social Security – of which I used to be one – say Medicare will run out of money by 2026, three years sooner than last projected, and Social Security will run out in 2034. (No, it's out of money now. The entire assets of the SS Trust Fund are non-marketable bonds. Those are IOUs you and I will have to pay back.)
Monday, October 22, 2018
How Hillsong Church conquered the music industry in God’s name - By Kelsey McKinney
Found here. On the whole, a balanced and well done article by what looks like a secular site.
-------------------
Known for its celebrity members and chart-topping worship songs, this Australian church’s secret weapon is its army of talented volunteers.
Inside the Hammerstein Ballroom's great double doors, beyond the metal gates and metal detectors, the three-story music venue's lights are turned down, the stage empty. A few people mill about, and to their left is a merchandise table branded as a “welcome lounge” selling T-shirts and CDs and soft-covered books. The sound booth has four technicians and two big cameras for the ground floor alone. Ten hours earlier, the stage was occupied by holographic Japanese pop star Hatsune Miku, the three balconies and large pit filled with her fans. But it's morning now, the floor's no longer sticky, and the event taking place isn’t a concert — it’s church.
Hillsong is one of the largest evangelical Christian churches in the world. What began as a small pentecostal church in a suburb of Sydney now holds services on all six habitable continents, with 30 locations and more than 80 affiliated campuses. More than 100,000 people are estimated to attend Hillsong church services every week, including Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Nick Jonas, and the Jenner sisters. According to the church, for every person attending in person three more watch online.
The worship band at the Hammerstein — Hillsong’s Manhattan campus — isn’t huge. A man plays a guitar and a woman sings lead, along with a bassist, a drummer, four backing vocalists, and a choir of about 15 people at the back of the stage. They play four songs before a local pastor appears with long curly hair, a sleeve of tattoos, and a Hawaiian shirt. “This is not Christian karaoke,” he jokes. “I know the words are on the screen, but that’s not what we’re doing here.” This is a time of worship, a church service — not, I repeat, a concert.
I grew up in a Texas megachurch that played songs written by Hillsong members every Sunday. I didn’t know they were written in Australia. I don’t think I even realized they had been written in my lifetime. Hillsong songs like “Shout to the Lord” and “Everyday” were my hymns, as fundamental to my understanding of music as “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and “The Star-Spangled Banner.” These are not just Christian rock songs — they are worship, and for millions of people around the globe, they are an inseparable piece of Christian life.
But I don’t know any of the songs we sing at Hammerstein. More than half the time I spent in Hillsong’s Sunday service in July was spent singing, but each song was no more than two years old, the product of a constantly producing musical focus — no hymnal or gentle playing of “Come Thou Fount.” Every Hillsong service plays songs produced in-house by one of the church’s three different musical entities: Hillsong Worship, for church services; the touring act Hillsong United; and the youth-focused Young & Free. All three are nestled under the church’s Hillsong Music label.
-------------------
Known for its celebrity members and chart-topping worship songs, this Australian church’s secret weapon is its army of talented volunteers.
Inside the Hammerstein Ballroom's great double doors, beyond the metal gates and metal detectors, the three-story music venue's lights are turned down, the stage empty. A few people mill about, and to their left is a merchandise table branded as a “welcome lounge” selling T-shirts and CDs and soft-covered books. The sound booth has four technicians and two big cameras for the ground floor alone. Ten hours earlier, the stage was occupied by holographic Japanese pop star Hatsune Miku, the three balconies and large pit filled with her fans. But it's morning now, the floor's no longer sticky, and the event taking place isn’t a concert — it’s church.
Hillsong is one of the largest evangelical Christian churches in the world. What began as a small pentecostal church in a suburb of Sydney now holds services on all six habitable continents, with 30 locations and more than 80 affiliated campuses. More than 100,000 people are estimated to attend Hillsong church services every week, including Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Nick Jonas, and the Jenner sisters. According to the church, for every person attending in person three more watch online.
The worship band at the Hammerstein — Hillsong’s Manhattan campus — isn’t huge. A man plays a guitar and a woman sings lead, along with a bassist, a drummer, four backing vocalists, and a choir of about 15 people at the back of the stage. They play four songs before a local pastor appears with long curly hair, a sleeve of tattoos, and a Hawaiian shirt. “This is not Christian karaoke,” he jokes. “I know the words are on the screen, but that’s not what we’re doing here.” This is a time of worship, a church service — not, I repeat, a concert.
I grew up in a Texas megachurch that played songs written by Hillsong members every Sunday. I didn’t know they were written in Australia. I don’t think I even realized they had been written in my lifetime. Hillsong songs like “Shout to the Lord” and “Everyday” were my hymns, as fundamental to my understanding of music as “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and “The Star-Spangled Banner.” These are not just Christian rock songs — they are worship, and for millions of people around the globe, they are an inseparable piece of Christian life.
But I don’t know any of the songs we sing at Hammerstein. More than half the time I spent in Hillsong’s Sunday service in July was spent singing, but each song was no more than two years old, the product of a constantly producing musical focus — no hymnal or gentle playing of “Come Thou Fount.” Every Hillsong service plays songs produced in-house by one of the church’s three different musical entities: Hillsong Worship, for church services; the touring act Hillsong United; and the youth-focused Young & Free. All three are nestled under the church’s Hillsong Music label.
Friday, October 19, 2018
Holy Sprit: Not Welcome Here - BY SETH DUNN
Found here. My comments in bold.
----------------
The author's complaint seems to be pretty prevalent among the more conservative parts of the church. However, because him of being unacquainted with some of the Scriptures that come to bear, his conclusions are errant.
My purpose is not to defend the song or Bethel church, it is to examine the author's claims.
-------------
Holy Spirit is a popular and powerful (Hmm. Powerful? In the very next paragraph he will deem it heretical.)
worship song currenty (sic) played on Christian radio stations and sung in Sunday Services all across America. The song was first released in 2012 by the band Jesus Culture and has since made its way westward from Redding, California, the band’s home. It’s lyrics are as follows:
There’s nothing worth more
That could ever come close
No thing can compare
You’re our living hope
Your presence, Lord
I’ve tasted and seen
Of the sweetest of loves
Where my heart becomes free
And my shame is undone
Your presence, Lord
Holy Spirit, You are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by Your presence, Lord
Your presence, Lord
(...)
Let us become more aware of Your presence
Let us experience the glory of Your goodness
(...)
If this song is being sung in your local church, you should be very alarmed.
First and foremost, it presents a heretical view of God. (I thought it was powerful?)
The singers of this song “welcome” the Holy Spirit to “fill the atmosphere” of the room. God the Holy Sprit (sic) is not some element in gaseous form who can be expected to fill the room like oxygen, nitrogen, or helium. He is not to be breathed in to an intoxicating effect. The Holy Spirit is just that, spirit. He is immaterial. (The author is offended by the literary license taken by the song's writer.
However, figures of speech are not blasphemy.
Or is it blasphemy to describe God as a mighty fortress? Is it wrong to "bring forth the royal diadem?" How about "at the cross where I first saw the light?" These metaphors are intended to use somewhat loose word pictures in an artistic way. It's very common in hymns as well as many other songs.
Further, is the Psalm writer being blasphemous by giving God wings?
He is also the sovereign God of the cosmos. He requires no invitation. (This is incorrect. The Scriptures clearly teach that the Holy Spirit manifests in varying degree.
----------------
The author's complaint seems to be pretty prevalent among the more conservative parts of the church. However, because him of being unacquainted with some of the Scriptures that come to bear, his conclusions are errant.
My purpose is not to defend the song or Bethel church, it is to examine the author's claims.
-------------
Holy Spirit is a popular and powerful (Hmm. Powerful? In the very next paragraph he will deem it heretical.)
worship song currenty (sic) played on Christian radio stations and sung in Sunday Services all across America. The song was first released in 2012 by the band Jesus Culture and has since made its way westward from Redding, California, the band’s home. It’s lyrics are as follows:
There’s nothing worth more
That could ever come close
No thing can compare
You’re our living hope
Your presence, Lord
I’ve tasted and seen
Of the sweetest of loves
Where my heart becomes free
And my shame is undone
Your presence, Lord
Holy Spirit, You are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by Your presence, Lord
Your presence, Lord
(...)
Let us become more aware of Your presence
Let us experience the glory of Your goodness
(...)
If this song is being sung in your local church, you should be very alarmed.
First and foremost, it presents a heretical view of God. (I thought it was powerful?)
The singers of this song “welcome” the Holy Spirit to “fill the atmosphere” of the room. God the Holy Sprit (sic) is not some element in gaseous form who can be expected to fill the room like oxygen, nitrogen, or helium. He is not to be breathed in to an intoxicating effect. The Holy Spirit is just that, spirit. He is immaterial. (The author is offended by the literary license taken by the song's writer.
However, figures of speech are not blasphemy.
Or is it blasphemy to describe God as a mighty fortress? Is it wrong to "bring forth the royal diadem?" How about "at the cross where I first saw the light?" These metaphors are intended to use somewhat loose word pictures in an artistic way. It's very common in hymns as well as many other songs.
Further, is the Psalm writer being blasphemous by giving God wings?
Ps. 17:8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings...Or what about Isaiah referring to the pouring out of the Holy Spirit?
The author objects to the common [and biblical] practice of allegory and simile.)Is. 44:3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.
He is also the sovereign God of the cosmos. He requires no invitation. (This is incorrect. The Scriptures clearly teach that the Holy Spirit manifests in varying degree.
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Why I Stopped Singing Hillsong - by Bruce Herwig
Found here. Our comments in bold.
----------------
The author misrepresents some things, particularly certain Scripture references.
-----------------
----------------
The author misrepresents some things, particularly certain Scripture references.
-----------------
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
The Weight of Being a Pastor - BY SCOTT SLAYTON
Found here. My comments in bold.
-------------------
There is hardly anything in this missive that describes the actual biblical role of pastor. The author will never advise the reader how to transfer the burden to others. He will never explain how gifted people can help carry the burden of leadership.
No wonder present-day "pastors" are so weighted down, they are bearing burdens God never intended for them.
Anyone taking the author's advice is setting themselves up for failure.
---------------
-------------------
There is hardly anything in this missive that describes the actual biblical role of pastor. The author will never advise the reader how to transfer the burden to others. He will never explain how gifted people can help carry the burden of leadership.
No wonder present-day "pastors" are so weighted down, they are bearing burdens God never intended for them.
Anyone taking the author's advice is setting themselves up for failure.
---------------
Friday, October 5, 2018
The power play of the Resurrection
The Resurrection is one of those things we Christians can easily become accustomed to, because it's been so much a part of our thinking. It almost is a given. We take it for granted because we know very well that God can do anything.
And it's familiar. We've read about it many times before. These days we might even just skim over it. We've become inoculated. It's similar to our familiarity with John 3:16. Everybody knows the verse.
I think we've robbed the Resurrection of its incredible power.
And that's what I got to thinking about: The power of the Resurrection. When we stop and think about it, the Resurrection is crazy. Coming back to life is crazy. Rising from the dead is crazy. How did we allow this to become routine and unremarkable?
When we examine the Scriptures, we discover that the Resurrection is God's power move. It is a unique and powerful statement of God's mighty move into the events of history. The Resurrection may be the top expression of God's power ever. If not number one, certainly the top five.
The resurrection is like a Michael Jordan, one of the greatest basketball players to ever play the game. Michael Jordan doesn't just beat his defender and make the shot. No, he leaves the defender in his tracks, spins around, floats 15 feet through the air, and slams it home in a.power move. The defender is not just beaten, he is humiliated. It leaves everyone speechless. How did he do that?
That's a power move. That's the power of the Resurrection.
The difference is between being effective and being exorbitant. Jesus' resurrection was much more than effective, it were an over-the-top power move. It was designed to be untoppable. There would never be anything better than the Resurrection.
Scripture tells us that satan was humiliated.
And it's familiar. We've read about it many times before. These days we might even just skim over it. We've become inoculated. It's similar to our familiarity with John 3:16. Everybody knows the verse.
I think we've robbed the Resurrection of its incredible power.
And that's what I got to thinking about: The power of the Resurrection. When we stop and think about it, the Resurrection is crazy. Coming back to life is crazy. Rising from the dead is crazy. How did we allow this to become routine and unremarkable?
When we examine the Scriptures, we discover that the Resurrection is God's power move. It is a unique and powerful statement of God's mighty move into the events of history. The Resurrection may be the top expression of God's power ever. If not number one, certainly the top five.
The resurrection is like a Michael Jordan, one of the greatest basketball players to ever play the game. Michael Jordan doesn't just beat his defender and make the shot. No, he leaves the defender in his tracks, spins around, floats 15 feet through the air, and slams it home in a.power move. The defender is not just beaten, he is humiliated. It leaves everyone speechless. How did he do that?
That's a power move. That's the power of the Resurrection.
The difference is between being effective and being exorbitant. Jesus' resurrection was much more than effective, it were an over-the-top power move. It was designed to be untoppable. There would never be anything better than the Resurrection.
Scripture tells us that satan was humiliated.
Col. 2:13-15 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having cancelled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Thursday, October 4, 2018
Context Matters: Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit
Found here.
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Perhaps you’ve been told that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19). And perhaps this declaration came in the wake of an argument against drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco, piercing a part of your body, or getting a tattoo. This go-to verse has kept countless multitudes in reverent submission to a variety of cultural expectations. At least until many of those submissive masses come of age. When many inevitably rebel against the behavioral expectations set for them, are they rebelling against the word of God?
Context matters. If we learn to read the Bible for what it is—and not as a collection of independently assembled proverbial sayings—we’ll discover that some of our most familiar passages don’t actually mean what we’ve always assumed.
The Verse
It appears rather straightforward. I’ll even go as far as to quote two verses:
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On the whole the author does a pretty good job. However, I will quibble with him a bit.
The word "outside" (ἐκτὸς) in 1 Cor 6:18b (Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body) is not exactly how the author represents it.
This word is also used in other places, variously translated "except," "unless," and "out of." One particular noteworthy usage is Mt. 23:26:
Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside (ἐκτὸς) also will be clean.
Jesus was criticizing them for cleaning cups, a ritual. Jesus uses this to tell them they need to clean more than the external, they need to clean their inner man.
Notice here that the "outside" is still part of the person. It is not apart or separate. So "sinning against his own body" is simply a distinction about usage of the body itself. There is no difference in various sins themselves.
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Perhaps you’ve been told that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19). And perhaps this declaration came in the wake of an argument against drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco, piercing a part of your body, or getting a tattoo. This go-to verse has kept countless multitudes in reverent submission to a variety of cultural expectations. At least until many of those submissive masses come of age. When many inevitably rebel against the behavioral expectations set for them, are they rebelling against the word of God?
Context matters. If we learn to read the Bible for what it is—and not as a collection of independently assembled proverbial sayings—we’ll discover that some of our most familiar passages don’t actually mean what we’ve always assumed.
The Verse
It appears rather straightforward. I’ll even go as far as to quote two verses:
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Cor 6:19-20)Easy, right? If you profes to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, your body has become a temple for his Spirit. Therefore, it is not appropriate for you to put harmful substances (alcohol, tobacco) into it, or to mutilate your body with excessive piercings. Glorifying God in your body requires you to abstain from such harmful behaviors.
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
The right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness - are they found in the BIble?
A friend of mine recently asserted that the Declaration of Independence's famous phrase,
1) Life: God created us according to the Bible: "...from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." Gen 2:7. Genesis then goes on to note a somewhat curious detail. Genesis 2:9 notes that God put the Tree of Life in the garden: "In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil."
So when God drove Adam and Eve from the garden, He gave the reason why in Genesis 3:22: "He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live for ever.” Adam and Eve had access to eternal life, which was then prevented by their expulsion. But before, they could eat of it any time they wanted.
Revelation 2:7 brings it around full circle: "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." As does Revelation 3:5: "He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels."
Fast forward many years. The apostle John tells us in John 1:12-13, "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God." The true life, the life we receive by right, is eternal life, life in the Spirit, because there is no life without God. "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing." [John 6:63] The fullness of life is what Jesus came to restore to us (John 10:10), because the only other alternative is to have life stolen from us. We cannot have stolen what we do not possess!
And lest you think I am conflating the right to eternal life with the right to natural life, there is this verse: "And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you." [Romans 8:11]
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.is not a biblical concept. I disagreed, and this is the material I came up with:
1) Life: God created us according to the Bible: "...from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." Gen 2:7. Genesis then goes on to note a somewhat curious detail. Genesis 2:9 notes that God put the Tree of Life in the garden: "In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil."
So when God drove Adam and Eve from the garden, He gave the reason why in Genesis 3:22: "He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live for ever.” Adam and Eve had access to eternal life, which was then prevented by their expulsion. But before, they could eat of it any time they wanted.
Revelation 2:7 brings it around full circle: "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." As does Revelation 3:5: "He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels."
Fast forward many years. The apostle John tells us in John 1:12-13, "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God." The true life, the life we receive by right, is eternal life, life in the Spirit, because there is no life without God. "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing." [John 6:63] The fullness of life is what Jesus came to restore to us (John 10:10), because the only other alternative is to have life stolen from us. We cannot have stolen what we do not possess!
And lest you think I am conflating the right to eternal life with the right to natural life, there is this verse: "And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you." [Romans 8:11]
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Christian TV network enters world of 24-hour news - By BEN FINLEY
Found here. My comments in bold.
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Ben Finley, "journalist," is a producer for Anderson 360. He is a leftist by any measure.
So he writes this story for the Associated Press about CBN starting a news channel. But he isn't content to simply write a story about the new news channel. No, he has to egregiously drag President Trump into it. Trump has absolutely no connection to the story, yet occupies a 25% of the narrative.
Mr. Finley is trying to impugn the new network by connecting Trump to it. But he doesn't stop there. He writes, "Critics have accused Brody and the elder Robertson of being less than objective," which is an astonishing statement. Every day for the past 20-30 years, conservatives have been documenting the pervasive bias of the mainstream media with barely a peep of acknowledgment. But apparently it is now an issue because Christians.
Further, Brody is described as CBN’s chief political analyst. Analyst. Opinion. Not journalist. And Pat Robertson is preacher, for God's sake. On what basis should objectivity be imposed on him?
This is exactly why trust of the media has fallen precipitously.
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-------------------
Ben Finley, "journalist," is a producer for Anderson 360. He is a leftist by any measure.
So he writes this story for the Associated Press about CBN starting a news channel. But he isn't content to simply write a story about the new news channel. No, he has to egregiously drag President Trump into it. Trump has absolutely no connection to the story, yet occupies a 25% of the narrative.
Mr. Finley is trying to impugn the new network by connecting Trump to it. But he doesn't stop there. He writes, "Critics have accused Brody and the elder Robertson of being less than objective," which is an astonishing statement. Every day for the past 20-30 years, conservatives have been documenting the pervasive bias of the mainstream media with barely a peep of acknowledgment. But apparently it is now an issue because Christians.
Further, Brody is described as CBN’s chief political analyst. Analyst. Opinion. Not journalist. And Pat Robertson is preacher, for God's sake. On what basis should objectivity be imposed on him?
This is exactly why trust of the media has fallen precipitously.
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Monday, October 1, 2018
The Charismatic Experience - by Erroll Hulse
Found here. My comments in bold.
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We're going to take the liberty of deleting some large sections of this long article so as to get to the meat of the issues.
Before we start we must note that the author needs to provide a biblical critique. But unfortunately he will not restrict his presentation to the biblical argument. We have previously set forth our requirements when considering the claims of cessationists. Any argument presented must
- be biblically based
- not appeal to contemporary expressions of other believers
- not appeal to silence
- not appeal to events or practices of history
The Blessings, Main Problem and Dangers of the Charismatic Experience
1. The blessings
(...)
2. The main problem
The main problem confronting us is simply, Have the charismatic gifts ceased or not? If they have not ceased and were never meant to cease, then the Charismatics have a cogent case when they say that this explains why the Church is weak. Also there is a strong argument that we should down tools and concentrate on the regaining of that which has been lost. This is a problem far greater than the questions posed by the second blessing issue. Thomas Smail in his book already referred to rightly concedes that there is ultimately only one blessing: (We address the semantics of "second blessing" here. Suffice to say, what charismatics mean by the second blessing is actually to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18).
‘How many blessings are there?’ The New Testament answer is ‘essentially one’. God has given us his one gift of himself in his Son, and everything else is contained in him. ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places’ (Eph. 1:3). However many and varied our spiritual experiences, they all have their unity and significance in the fact that they all proceed from him, reflect him, and glorify him.4
In the chapter on the baptism of the Spirit I point out that when we are united to Christ we are united to the whole of him. Regeneration and conversion together with justification and forgiveness do not form a first blessing with sanctification to follow at a later date as a second blessing. The main problem is not the second blessing issue. No, the main problem is the one that has been asserted and which can be stated in a different way as follows. Is this entire dispensation supposed to be extraordinary and charismatic? Is this whole time from Christ’s first advent to his second advent supposed to be filled with the miraculous and extraordinary gifts or not?
This main problem could be settled in a moment if we could find one statement which plainly or conclusively declares that it was God’s purpose to withdraw the charismata. No such text can be found. (Emphasis added.) This discovery by no means ends the dispute because the next question to be posed is this: Can it be proved by inference (Emphasis added.) from the Scripture that the Charismatic period ended with the apostles? As theologians might express it, is there a biblical hermeneutic which is decisive? Is there a principle inherent in the Scriptures which decides the issue? I believe there is. (Let's hope the author will lay out the Scriptures that infer this.)
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