Found here. My comments in bold.
--------------------
There is a small bit of good material here, interspersed with quite a lot of questionable, rambling commentary. We don't think there's enough value here to analyze everything, so we will jump in when appropriate.
The author writes thousands of words about a 200 word letter to the Laodicean church. Most of his presentation it is not connected to that letter and is little more than mere speculation.
------------------
Friday, August 30, 2019
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Beg God to Move Again: Seven Marks of True Revival - by Ajith Fernando
Found here. This expresses my heart so well.
Seven Marks of Revival
While we cannot dictate to God what he will do, history shows us that there are some things that happen before and when revival comes that are worth noting.
1. Faithful Preaching
In Wales, it was a group of young people under seminary student Evan Roberts, who came home from seminary to seek God, sensing that he had lost his fire. Roberts started a prayer group that grew and grew and became a nationwide movement, resulting in about 100,000 people being converted and joining the church.
In the Hebrides Islands of Scotland, two single, housebound ladies in their eighties prayed earnestly for revival. At the same time, in another part of their island, seven young men met regularly to prevail in prayer until revival broke. In Korea in the early 1900s, God spoke to the leaders of the church and revived them first, which then led to a national awakening. In an Indian girls’ school, it was the prodding of a devout leader, Pandita Ramabai, that fired up students to prevail in prayer and trigger revival. Five university students in the United States gathered at a haystack and prayed for missions and helped give birth to the great missionary movement of that nation.
Do not lose heart, dear friends. Keep yearning for a great visitation from God. The seven young people in the Hebrides Islands made Isaiah 62:6–7 their watchword as they prayed for revival: “You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest, and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth.” Let us take no rest, and give no rest to God until he sends revival to our people.
---------------------
Revival means many things to many people. I mean it to describe a situation where large numbers of people are fired up to seek God fully, yearn for obedience, confess sin in their life, and experience the joy and freedom of walking with God.
History shows us that there is no exact prescription for revival. It is an act of the sovereign God, and we can’t dictate what he should do and when he should do it. I have been praying for revival in Sri Lanka since 1975. Only once, while attending a conference, have I seen something close to revival. But I continue to pray that, in my lifetime or after, the Lord would send his showers of blessing upon our people through revival.
Revival means many things to many people. I mean it to describe a situation where large numbers of people are fired up to seek God fully, yearn for obedience, confess sin in their life, and experience the joy and freedom of walking with God.
History shows us that there is no exact prescription for revival. It is an act of the sovereign God, and we can’t dictate what he should do and when he should do it. I have been praying for revival in Sri Lanka since 1975. Only once, while attending a conference, have I seen something close to revival. But I continue to pray that, in my lifetime or after, the Lord would send his showers of blessing upon our people through revival.
Seven Marks of Revival
While we cannot dictate to God what he will do, history shows us that there are some things that happen before and when revival comes that are worth noting.
1. Faithful Preaching
As all the revivals in the history of the church show, the preaching of God’s word is a key ingredient. The Holy Spirit often lights the flames of revival when pastors systematically and faithfully preach the word. Often, pre-revival preaching is characterized by a call to total commitment to God, repentance, and the extolling of the beauty of holiness.2. Unceasing Prayer
The great historian of revival J. Edwin Orr has made famous the statement, “No great spiritual awakening has begun anywhere in the world apart from united prayer — Christians persistently praying for revival.” This is what the disciples of Christ did before the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 1:14). People with a burden recognize others with a similar burden, so they join in and pray. Many of the great revivals were preceded by united, persevering prayer by people who shared a similar burden for revival.3. Precious Unity
Unity is often the trigger for revival, and sometimes the result of revival. Once, when Ugandan Bishop Festo Kivengere was preaching in South India, his interpreter, Samuel Ganesh, felt convicted of the need to make peace with a person in the audience. He took leave from the preacher, went to the audience, and made peace. This triggered a process of person after person making peace with each other. Revival had come; there was no need to complete the sermon. Bishop Festo left room for the Spirit to do his work.
The Bible speaks of the urgency of believers being united (John 17:21, 23; Ephesians 4:1–3). One of the most important callings of leaders is to yearn and pray for unity and do all they can to facilitate it. The Holy Spirit can use a leader’s yearning to trigger revival. Those who pray for revival should make sure that they have done all to be at peace with others.4. Earnest Seeking
The famous revival prayer, “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” (Psalm 85:6) suggests a tone of earnest desire. Revival is preceded by people seeking God with all their heart and wanting to see God’s glory among his people.
My favorite example of such praying is the students at Pandita Ramabai’s school in India. The students prayed fervently, and God answered by reviving them and many others through them. The young Evan Roberts, whose ministry triggered the Welsh Revival, often prayed, “Bend me, O God.” We are open to whatever it takes for God to be totally in control of our lives!5. Pervasive Repentance
Some so-called revivals have been characterized by exotic experiences without much emphasis on repentance. People go like tourists to such places to see what is happening. I wonder whether we could call that revival. After the revival at Asbury College and Seminary in 1971, many students came to the bookstore to return things that they had taken without paying. That is a powerful sign that they had become right with God.
Preaching against sin before the revival often contributes to revival and influences what sins are confessed. In the history of the church, there were times when some sins were neglected in revival preaching — like sexual impurity; exploitation; and race, class, and caste prejudice. This has resulted in revived churches perpetuating sins that the revival should have addressed. In other revivals, like the eighteenth century Wesleyan revival in the UK, revival helped influence social reform and attack injustice.6. Spectacular Phenomena
The revivals associated with the Wesleys and Jonathan Edwards had people falling down with somewhat violent reactions under deep conviction of sin. We need to be open to God’s surprising works and be careful about stifling them. But we also need to remember that, after some time, these phenomena can become rituals that have lost their original meaning. Sometimes these phenomena can be taken to extremes that make them unbalanced and unbiblical.7. Effective Evangelism
While revivals usually result in the awakening of Christians, they are also accompanied by a powerful witness to those outside the church. Unbelievers see the power of God at work in the revived Christians, and these Christians are emboldened to share their faith. The result is that large numbers of people are saved. So, effective evangelism generally accompanies genuine revival.Surprising Beginnings
In Wales, it was a group of young people under seminary student Evan Roberts, who came home from seminary to seek God, sensing that he had lost his fire. Roberts started a prayer group that grew and grew and became a nationwide movement, resulting in about 100,000 people being converted and joining the church.
In the Hebrides Islands of Scotland, two single, housebound ladies in their eighties prayed earnestly for revival. At the same time, in another part of their island, seven young men met regularly to prevail in prayer until revival broke. In Korea in the early 1900s, God spoke to the leaders of the church and revived them first, which then led to a national awakening. In an Indian girls’ school, it was the prodding of a devout leader, Pandita Ramabai, that fired up students to prevail in prayer and trigger revival. Five university students in the United States gathered at a haystack and prayed for missions and helped give birth to the great missionary movement of that nation.
Do not lose heart, dear friends. Keep yearning for a great visitation from God. The seven young people in the Hebrides Islands made Isaiah 62:6–7 their watchword as they prayed for revival: “You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest, and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth.” Let us take no rest, and give no rest to God until he sends revival to our people.
Rick Warren Tries to Defend His Unbiblical Practice of Small Groups - by Rev. Anthony Wade
Found here. My comments in bold.
-------------------------
The more we read Rev. Wade the more perplexed we become. His rhetoric is so over-the-top, his presentation is so unfocused, and his conclusions are so off-the-wall, it's amazing he has any credibility at all.
So once again he is worked up into a lather, this time over Rick Warren. Or is it home groups? Or is it Rick Warren's home group ideas? We cannot tell.
The author will make seemingly endless unsupported assertions, he will hyperventilate over inconsequential things, and he will proclaim with certainty that anyone who does anything other than what the he prescribes is a heretic.
He will conclude his diatribe with some breath-taking statements, which we believe disqualifies him as a teacher and pastor. By his own testimony we deem him a false teacher. He needs to repent.
We need to note that we do not intend to defend Rick Warren, we simply shall examine the author's statements.
---------------------
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. -- 1Peter 5:1-4 (ESV)
https://www.charismanews.com/opinion/77607-what-the-bible-teaches-about-small-groups
Let me start with the obvious. I am not against small fellowship groups. Believers should spend time with other believers. Iron should sharpen iron. It is important to realize you are on this journey with other people who share your beliefs because the world can be a cold place that can make you feel alone as a Christian. (The author will later negate all of these benefits.)
This devotional is not about small fellowship groups. (A devotional? The author intends people to study this for its spiritual benefits and wisdom? No, it's a polemic, and a bad one at that, certainly not a devotional.)
So once again he is worked up into a lather, this time over Rick Warren. Or is it home groups? Or is it Rick Warren's home group ideas? We cannot tell.
The author will make seemingly endless unsupported assertions, he will hyperventilate over inconsequential things, and he will proclaim with certainty that anyone who does anything other than what the he prescribes is a heretic.
He will conclude his diatribe with some breath-taking statements, which we believe disqualifies him as a teacher and pastor. By his own testimony we deem him a false teacher. He needs to repent.
We need to note that we do not intend to defend Rick Warren, we simply shall examine the author's statements.
---------------------
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. -- 1Peter 5:1-4 (ESV)
https://www.charismanews.com/opinion/77607-what-the-bible-teaches-about-small-groups
Let me start with the obvious. I am not against small fellowship groups. Believers should spend time with other believers. Iron should sharpen iron. It is important to realize you are on this journey with other people who share your beliefs because the world can be a cold place that can make you feel alone as a Christian. (The author will later negate all of these benefits.)
This devotional is not about small fellowship groups. (A devotional? The author intends people to study this for its spiritual benefits and wisdom? No, it's a polemic, and a bad one at that, certainly not a devotional.)
Monday, August 19, 2019
Why Eschatology Matters - By Elizabeth Prata
Found here. Our comments in bold.
-----------------------
A little more than a year ago Ms. Prata wrote another article with a similar title. The premise back then was also the same, and in a similar fashion she failed to connect the study of eschatology to anything relevant to one's Christian walk.
As you read this, imagine you know absolutely nothing about end times theology. Then ask yourself if the reasons Ms. Prata gives to study the end times really justify her point. We would say no. None of her reasons are bolstered by knowing eschatology. None of her reasons are impacted at all by knowing eschatology. Every principle she gives remains in existence apart from eschatology.
-----------------------
A little more than a year ago Ms. Prata wrote another article with a similar title. The premise back then was also the same, and in a similar fashion she failed to connect the study of eschatology to anything relevant to one's Christian walk.
As you read this, imagine you know absolutely nothing about end times theology. Then ask yourself if the reasons Ms. Prata gives to study the end times really justify her point. We would say no. None of her reasons are bolstered by knowing eschatology. None of her reasons are impacted at all by knowing eschatology. Every principle she gives remains in existence apart from eschatology.
And there is a paucity of Scriptural documentation for her assertions.
----------------------
I am a fervent believer in the sufficiency of and the importance of all of scripture. (We don't think that all Scripture is equally important. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful... [2Ti. 3:16] "God-breathed" and "Useful" does not mean all Scripture is equally important.
In fact, no Christian reads the Bible in a way that puts equal importance on every part. No theologian makes the case for the equal importance of every passage to the others. No one approaches the Bibles this way. We all have favorite books or verses. We all admit that certain parts of the OT aren't terribly relevant. We all find varying degrees of relevance and power all throughout the Bible.)
Around a quarter to a third of all scripture deals with last things, known as the study of Eschatology. That's a lot. (The amount of Scripture on a topic does not indicate importance.)
I am also a believer in the clarity of the Word. This is known as the doctrine of the Perspicuity of Scripture.
In other words, God didn't set down His clear revelations to us throughout the Bible only to purposely muddy Last Things. It's ALL clear, if one studies hard and remains submitted to the illumination of the Spirit. Eschatology can be understood, if not 100% just like any other doctrine, at least with a high degree of confidence, just like any other doctrine. (The author clearly does not understand the doctrine of Perspicuity:
----------------------
I am a fervent believer in the sufficiency of and the importance of all of scripture. (We don't think that all Scripture is equally important. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful... [2Ti. 3:16] "God-breathed" and "Useful" does not mean all Scripture is equally important.
In fact, no Christian reads the Bible in a way that puts equal importance on every part. No theologian makes the case for the equal importance of every passage to the others. No one approaches the Bibles this way. We all have favorite books or verses. We all admit that certain parts of the OT aren't terribly relevant. We all find varying degrees of relevance and power all throughout the Bible.)
Around a quarter to a third of all scripture deals with last things, known as the study of Eschatology. That's a lot. (The amount of Scripture on a topic does not indicate importance.)
I am also a believer in the clarity of the Word. This is known as the doctrine of the Perspicuity of Scripture.
In other words, God didn't set down His clear revelations to us throughout the Bible only to purposely muddy Last Things. It's ALL clear, if one studies hard and remains submitted to the illumination of the Spirit. Eschatology can be understood, if not 100% just like any other doctrine, at least with a high degree of confidence, just like any other doctrine. (The author clearly does not understand the doctrine of Perspicuity:
So, what does this doctrine not mean, and what does it mean?
First, perspicuity does not mean that all of Scripture is equally clear as to its precise meaning...
Second, the doctrine of the perspicuity of Scripture does not mean that the teaching of Scripture is everywhere equally simple. There is a difference between clarity and simplicity...
Third, perspicuity does not mean that interpretation, explanation, and exposition by a Bible teacher are never necessary...There are a variety of views on the eschatology of the Bible, and its study can be profitable. However, the end times as a doctrine is not automatically high importance simply by being in the Bible.)
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
APOSTLES AND PROPHETS TODAY - Let us Reason Ministries (part 2)
Found here. Part one is here.
-------------------
Having taken on the gargantuan task of responding to the first part of the author's article, we now attempt to gather up the strength to deal with the second half.
As we previously mentioned, this is a long and inelegantly constructed article, with muddled prose and many unsupported assertions and undeveloped ideas. The author rarely quotes Scripture, which is a typical, though perplexing tendency in the defenses of cessationism we have read.
Many of the points presented have been dealt with at length elsewhere in our blog, so for those we will simply provide links. Our article on prophecy, and another on prophecy and the closed canon, address most of the author's points below.
Our criteria for the cessationism debate is that the argument must
--------------------
-------------------
Having taken on the gargantuan task of responding to the first part of the author's article, we now attempt to gather up the strength to deal with the second half.
As we previously mentioned, this is a long and inelegantly constructed article, with muddled prose and many unsupported assertions and undeveloped ideas. The author rarely quotes Scripture, which is a typical, though perplexing tendency in the defenses of cessationism we have read.
Many of the points presented have been dealt with at length elsewhere in our blog, so for those we will simply provide links. Our article on prophecy, and another on prophecy and the closed canon, address most of the author's points below.
Our criteria for the cessationism debate is that the argument must
- be from the Bible
- Not appeal to contemporary expressions of charismata
- Not appeal to silence
- Not appeal to events or practices of history
--------------------
Monday, August 5, 2019
APOSTLES AND PROPHETS TODAY - Let us Reason Ministries (part 1)
Found here. Part 2 is here. My comments in bold.
-----------------
This is a long and inelegantly constructed article, with muddled prose and many unsupported assertions and undeveloped ideas. The author rarely quotes Scripture, which is a typical, though perplexing tendency in the defenses of cessationism we have read.
Many of the points presented have been dealt with at length elsewhere in our blog, so for those we will simply provide links. Our article on the apostles in particular addresses most of these points.
Our criteria for the cessationism debate is that the argument must
------------------
There are those who claim to be apostles and prophets by their own word. Others claim it by showing their signs, wonders and miracles. This so-called signs and wonders movement is part of an effort to restore what they understood to be the five-fold ministry described in Ephesians 4:11. The proliferators of the movement claim that these dynamics are what is necessary for the church to have power. In actuality, those who lay claim to this ministry today are operating under a misunderstanding of apostles and prophets of the Bible. (Appeals to contemporary expressions.)
The Lord confirmed His signs to the apostles' words to show a transition of authority from Israel and its priesthood to the apostles who were laying down the foundation for the church, a new entity. This unique anointing testified to Israel and to the gentiles a new order of leadership, the demonstration of spiritual authority was transferred to the church Christ body. (We hope the author demonstrates these undocumented assertions.)
Becoming aware of what the Bible says about these positions in the early church can help us guard against misleading teachings in the church today.
Validated by signs and miracles, the apostles deemed the faith for the whole Church and established the written word by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Once the scriptures were completed, the Church had all that was necessary in the area of revelational truth. (More undocumented assertions.)
The apostles' instructions were in words, then put to paper for all succeeding generations on how to live in obedience to the faith.
Once a foundation is laid down and a house is built, we don't rebuild the foundation.(Eph.2:20) Neither should we rip apart the house that the Lord has built.
A true apostle would point out the false ones. (More undocumented assertions.)
Yet today, not only do those who claim to be apostles fail to do so, but there are threats and manipulations for those who do not go along with what they are trying to portray. 'Jezebel,' 'Antichrist,' and 'Blasphemer of the Holy Spirit' are common terms used for those who speak against them.
Alarmingly, these impostor’s (sic) claim to be exclusively without error in their interpretations and teachings on these matters. They are to be questioned by no one. (The author continues to assert things as if they were self-evident.)
In reading the letter of Jude, we find him exhorting the believers to contend for their faith among apostates in the church. More specifically, verse 17 reminds the church of the apostles' warnings of mockers coming in the last days that are natural men not having the Spirit. Today we find those who claim to have more of it than others. (What is this "it?" The Holy Spirit is not an "it.")
Nowhere do we find the apostles preaching they are anointed (This is false.
And, we wonder what the point is about the apostles claiming or not claiming to be "anointed." To what is this relevant?)
and certainly did not imply they were more so than others.
-----------------
This is a long and inelegantly constructed article, with muddled prose and many unsupported assertions and undeveloped ideas. The author rarely quotes Scripture, which is a typical, though perplexing tendency in the defenses of cessationism we have read.
Many of the points presented have been dealt with at length elsewhere in our blog, so for those we will simply provide links. Our article on the apostles in particular addresses most of these points.
Our criteria for the cessationism debate is that the argument must
- be from the Bible
- Not appeal to contemporary expressions of charismata
- Not appeal to silence
- Not appeal to events or practices of history
------------------
There are those who claim to be apostles and prophets by their own word. Others claim it by showing their signs, wonders and miracles. This so-called signs and wonders movement is part of an effort to restore what they understood to be the five-fold ministry described in Ephesians 4:11. The proliferators of the movement claim that these dynamics are what is necessary for the church to have power. In actuality, those who lay claim to this ministry today are operating under a misunderstanding of apostles and prophets of the Bible. (Appeals to contemporary expressions.)
The Lord confirmed His signs to the apostles' words to show a transition of authority from Israel and its priesthood to the apostles who were laying down the foundation for the church, a new entity. This unique anointing testified to Israel and to the gentiles a new order of leadership, the demonstration of spiritual authority was transferred to the church Christ body. (We hope the author demonstrates these undocumented assertions.)
Becoming aware of what the Bible says about these positions in the early church can help us guard against misleading teachings in the church today.
Validated by signs and miracles, the apostles deemed the faith for the whole Church and established the written word by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Once the scriptures were completed, the Church had all that was necessary in the area of revelational truth. (More undocumented assertions.)
The apostles' instructions were in words, then put to paper for all succeeding generations on how to live in obedience to the faith.
Once a foundation is laid down and a house is built, we don't rebuild the foundation.(Eph.2:20) Neither should we rip apart the house that the Lord has built.
A true apostle would point out the false ones. (More undocumented assertions.)
Yet today, not only do those who claim to be apostles fail to do so, but there are threats and manipulations for those who do not go along with what they are trying to portray. 'Jezebel,' 'Antichrist,' and 'Blasphemer of the Holy Spirit' are common terms used for those who speak against them.
Alarmingly, these impostor’s (sic) claim to be exclusively without error in their interpretations and teachings on these matters. They are to be questioned by no one. (The author continues to assert things as if they were self-evident.)
In reading the letter of Jude, we find him exhorting the believers to contend for their faith among apostates in the church. More specifically, verse 17 reminds the church of the apostles' warnings of mockers coming in the last days that are natural men not having the Spirit. Today we find those who claim to have more of it than others. (What is this "it?" The Holy Spirit is not an "it.")
Nowhere do we find the apostles preaching they are anointed (This is false.
2Co. 1:21-22 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."Anointed" is χρίω (chrió), which means to anoint by rubbing or pouring olive oil on someone to represent the flow (empowering) of the Holy Spirit. Anointing (literally) involved rubbing olive oil on the head, etc., especially to present someone as divinely-authorized (appointed by God) to serve as prophet, priest or king... Essentially, chosen. Which ironically is exactly what the author will assert later as being a unique characteristic of the twelve apostles.
And, we wonder what the point is about the apostles claiming or not claiming to be "anointed." To what is this relevant?)
and certainly did not imply they were more so than others.
Ac. 9:15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.
2Co. 12:11 I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles”, even though I am nothing.Though the author doesn't want the apostles to be important at this point, later he will make a claim of superiority about the Twelve.)
Thursday, August 1, 2019
The Case for a Coercive Green New Deal - by John Feffer
Found here. My comments in bold.
---------------
This is a long, obtuse, and disturbing article, advocating for what would be a ruthless dictatorship never before seen on the planet.
We would question the imperative the author asserts. What is the basis for the author's prescriptions? Is it moral? Political? Philosophical? He assigns value to some things, while impeaching others. But he never explains why we should agree with these valuations or why they are desirable or a justifiable trade-off.
For the author, climate change is The Problem To Be Solved At All Costs. The ends justify the means. Any means. In fact, the author implicitly or explicitly justifies the curtailing of human and political rights, the possibility of executing the weak, elderly, or sick, the rationing of food and other resources, and forced labor.
The road to utopia is a bumpy one.
----------------
---------------
This is a long, obtuse, and disturbing article, advocating for what would be a ruthless dictatorship never before seen on the planet.
We would question the imperative the author asserts. What is the basis for the author's prescriptions? Is it moral? Political? Philosophical? He assigns value to some things, while impeaching others. But he never explains why we should agree with these valuations or why they are desirable or a justifiable trade-off.
For the author, climate change is The Problem To Be Solved At All Costs. The ends justify the means. Any means. In fact, the author implicitly or explicitly justifies the curtailing of human and political rights, the possibility of executing the weak, elderly, or sick, the rationing of food and other resources, and forced labor.
The road to utopia is a bumpy one.
----------------
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)