I’m the enemy, ’cause I like to think; I like to read. I’m into freedom of speech and freedom of choice. I’m the kind of guy who likes to sit in a greasy spoon and wonder, “Gee, should I have the T-bone steak or the jumbo rack of barbecued ribs with the side order of gravy fries?” ...Why? Because I suddenly might feel the need to, okay, pal? -Edgar Friendly, character in Demolition Man (1993).
Disclaimer: Some postings contain other author's material. All such material is used here for fair use and discussion purposes.
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Unworthy, Undeserving. Are these biblical concepts? Rethink
Our questions include, how did we arrive at our doctrines? Does the Bible really teach what we think it teaches? Why do churches do what they do? What is the biblical basis of church leadership structure? Why do certain traditions get entrenched?
It's easy to be spoon fed the conventional wisdom, but it's an entirely separate thing to search these things out for one's self. In the past we have read the Bible with these unexamined understandings and interpreted what we read through those lenses. We were lazy about our Bible study, assuming that pastors and theologians were telling us the truth, but we rarely checked it out for ourselves.
Therefore, these Rethinks are our attempt to remedy the situation.
We should note that we are not Bible scholars, but we believe that one doesn't need to be in order to understand the Word of God.
Monday, November 29, 2021
What Is Grace? -by R.C. Sproul
preeminently used of the Lord's favor – freely extended to give Himself away to people (because He is "always leaning toward them").
5485 /xáris ("grace") answers directly to the Hebrew (OT) term 2580 /Kaná ("grace, extension-toward"). Both refer to God freely extending Himself (His favor, grace), reaching (inclining) to people because He is disposed to bless (be near) them.
Ac. 13:46 We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Kyle Rittenhouse Has Gotten Away With Murder—as Predicted - By Elie Mystal
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
How 'Socialism' Gave us Coronavirus Vaccines and Saved the World From a Worse Pandemic - By Bernard Starr
The author lauds government involvement in the development of the vaccine, but somehow never mentions Trump or operation Warp Speed.
Monday, November 22, 2021
The Most Important Aspect Of Dealing With False Teachers - by DEBBIELYNNE KESPERT
Friday, November 19, 2021
Who are Jesus' Sheep? - John chapter 10
Jesus' description of the sheep in John Chapter 10 has attracted our attention, because some cessationists claim that the sheep are those who have the Gospel call issued to them, but they are not saved. So, they are not Christians responding to the voice of the Shepherd, but rather they are lost sheep who are being offered salvation.
Alternately, cessationists will claim that the sheep are indeed Christians, but the Shepherd's voice refers to the Scriptures. They believe that God does not speak to Christians, because we have the complete revelation of God in the form of the Bible. Thus, no prophecy, impression, or "leading of the Holy Spirit" is possible today.
Cessationists make these claims in order to avoid the possibility that Jesus speaks to Christians (contemporary prophecy), an idea they reject.
Charismatics, however, appeal to the verses as proof that Jesus speaks to Christians today. They believe the gift of prophecy continues today. See here and here or our more detailed discussion of prophecy.
We believe that each of these positions are incomplete at best, and misleading at worst. In each case, one's doctrinal predisposition interprets the verse. This is problematic and leads to error.
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
The Regulative Principle of Worship - by Derek Thomas
Jn. 4:24 God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth.
Mi. 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Monday, November 15, 2021
Should I Choose a Church for Its Pastor? by: Mark Dever
It seems the author wants to talk about something else besides the title's subject. He's actually answering the question, "what should be a church's highest priority," or, "why churches should conduct traditional services."
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.
45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Friday, November 12, 2021
THE GREAT EXCHANGE…Romans 8:1 - by ROBIN SELF
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Ro. 8:1-4 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
It is important that we have the passage before us as we consider the author's explanation.3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.
Thursday, November 11, 2021
Discernment and the Sufficiency of Scripture - by John MacArthur
Curiously, the article's body deals neither with discernment nor sufficiency as promised by the title.
Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Parental Rights and Public Education Shouldn't Mix - By Patrick Mattimore
The author makes an exceedingly weak case for excluding parents from the educational process.
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
WHEN THE RACE IS WON…Hebrews 12:1- by ROBIN SELF
Before we begin, let's quote a larger portion of the passage:
He. 11:38-12:1 ...the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. 39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.He. 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Monday, November 8, 2021
More thoughts from a 80 (now 90) year old woman
9/1/13 - Don't let anything bother you. Stay always in my presence and you will have peace. Is. 26:3
9/2/13 - Neh 8:10 Ampli "strength" is "stronghold." Phil 4:13 It is Christ that does everything though you as you give up self.
9/4/13 - Prov 4:22-27 I told you to attend to my words. Keep them ever before you.
10/28/13 - Think of Jesus every day and every hour... but to think of Him every minute is a lifetime.
Why the GOP Beats the Pants off the Democrats - By Earl Ofari Hutchinson
Lastly, there is one surprising true claim: "The other was a mistrust of Democrats. That they were the party that shamelessly pandered to minorities on spending and social programs at the expense of tax-paying middle class and especially working-class whites." We expect that the author will soon be excoriated by his party for this moment of candor.
Friday, November 5, 2021
What is the gospel? - a bad answer - 9marks
Wednesday, November 3, 2021
Existing socialism's successes discredit Friedman's core argument - By Rainer Shea
Tuesday, November 2, 2021
Warnings to 7 churches are so relevant today - By Elizabeth Prata
It is coming to a level of regret that we examine Ms. Prata's writings yet again. This unfortunate woman authors these articles as if she was some sort of authority, completely unaware of her logical foibles. It is a marvel that someone could be so sure of themselves, yet be so utterly unaware of their inadequacies.