THE ULTIMATE CHOICE
There has been a lot of concern over the continued violation of First Amendment Rights which started with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This doesn’t just affect Catholics but all Christians and anyone who does not believe in birth control, sterilization, or the use of abortifacients. The recent decision by our government to force religious institution employers (universities, hospitals, and charities) to provide free birth control coverage through employer funded health insurance certainly created a huge dilemma. Should Christians obey God’s Law or Man’s Law?
After a huge public outcry over being forced to violate religious beliefs, the Obama administration attempted to correct their position. The most recent adjustment to the federal health care law allows these same religious institutions to again become exempt from providing free contraceptives due to religious convictions. But there is a catch; women must still be able to receive free contraceptives, sterilization, and abortifacients. What changed exactly?
It didn’t make sense when I first heard about it. Now with an explanation given, it is exactly what everyone thought. While faith based institutions are exempt, their insurance plans must make birth control services available privately. In other words, women will contact their insurance provider directly for free contraceptives, including abortifacients.
In the meantime, employers in non-religious institutions are still mandated to provide these “preventive services” via company insurance plans. For a number of years, laws in some states have required insurance coverage to include birth control, but not necessarily sterilization or abortifacients. No one was allowed to opt out of certain services. Many, who wished to have insurance coverage, suffered the attack on religious faith. Some faith based institutions complied without a quibble.
The problem with compromise is a loss of credibility. A small compromise always leads to a much bigger compromise later on.
Real change is needed here. This latest rule expands the types of preventive services insurance companies are required to provide. For those who do not want to participate in insurance plans that provide these types of services, there has been no recourse. Thankfully there are some Congressmen who have a plan. They are working to ensure people, i.e. employers, health care providers, and individuals can exercise their conscience. The bills are currently in Committees for review. I encourage you to read and support these bills. You can track the progress of all bills at: GovTrack and The Library of Congress Thomas.
The most current bill was introduced January 30, 2012, by Sen. Rubio. Bill #2043 is called the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and is an amendment to the Public Health Service Act. This is a must read because it provides some background about what’s going on.
Rep. Fortenberry’s Bill #1179:
Respect for Rights of Conscience Act of 2011
Senate bill #1467 sponsored by Sen. Blunt:
Respect for Rights of Conscience Act of 2011
If I were an employer I would not want to provide these kinds of extras for my employees. Health care is something all of us need. Contraceptives and preventive services do not fall into this category. Abstinence solves the problem completely.
I’ve tried to reason this through… Why isn’t the individual responsible to pay for her own choices? Why does the world have to be a part of the decision to use birth control? It’s not a health issue, so why the fuss? It’s a profitable business.
As a Christian I have strong views over doing what pleases my Lord, and to be a participant in providing drugs that induce abortion is not acceptable.
Another point to consider… Why is the federal government giving orders to private insurance companies? These are not government owned. Forcing private companies to provide free health care is ludicrous. The private individual who owns insurance as a policy holder or a stock holder is still paying the bill.
There is also the matter of violating our United States Constitution. Freedom to exercise our religion is imperative. The first amendment reads:
*Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
To tell you the truth, I never thought our nation would come to the point where religious views are so callously dismissed. Who should be obeyed God or federal law? In this case, God's Law and the United States Constitution are being violated.
What kind of legislation forces people to choose between God and the Law? The God I am referring to here is the Lord God Jehovah, Father of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of the Bible.
Abortion rights, rights to contraception, aka reproductive rights belong to the individual, because it is a God-given right to obey or disobey God’s Law. When I talk about “choice” that’s the only choice there is. The concept of right and wrong is engraved on our hearts, so we are without excuse. We don’t have to debate the semantics. Forcing others to participate is unconscionable. This is why we must have conscience laws.
Thankfully when we make the wrong choice, the Lord God Jehovah is quick to forgive and restore the repentant one. He knows us so well. Remember He loved us before we loved Him. How it must grieve and anger Him to know we place so little value on life, particularly the life of the unborn. The unborn child isn't just something to throw away. We need to change our thinking.
The ultimate choice must always be to obey God’s Law first.
*Bill of Rights is found at http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights_transcript.html
Copyright © 2012 by Linda Hull
ON THE SANCTITY OF LIFE
I searched my newspaper yesterday and today for photos and articles about the Sanctity of Life marches that took place across the country on Monday, January 23rd. Guess what??? There were none! Nada.
I have read that thousands peacefully marched all over the country! Hurrah for them! I salute their faithfulness!
Instead, on Monday I read in my local paper that Governor Andrew Cuomo (NY) is promising to pass pro-choice legislation by pushing the passing of the Reproductive Health Act (Bill #A06112). This bill was submitted back in 2007, and now Gov. Cuomo has decided it needs to be passed. The bill allows abortion after 24 weeks if the baby is not viable or if the mother’s life is in danger. The worst part of the bill is the section that redefines “person” in the event of a homicide. Here’s the particulars…
This bill says:
1. EVERY INDIVIDUAL HAS THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO CHOOSE OR REFUSE
CONTRACEPTION; AND
2. EVERY FEMALE HAS THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO DETERMINE THE COURSE OF
HER PREGNANCY, WHICH INCLUDES THE RIGHT TO CARRY A PREGNANCY TO TERM OR
TO TERMINATE A PREGNANCY: (I) IN THE ABSENCE OF FETAL VIABILITY; AND
(II) AT ANY TIME IF SUCH TERMINATION IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE PREGNANT FEMALE'S LIFE OR HEALTH.
S 1701. AUTHORIZED PERFORMANCE OF ABORTIONS.
THE PERFORMANCE OF AN ABORTION BY A QUALIFIED, LICENSED HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER, ACTING WITHIN THE SCOPE OF HIS OR HER PRACTICE, IS AUTHORIZED:
1. IN THE ABSENCE OF FETAL VIABILITY; AND
2. AT ANY TIME, IF IN THE GOOD FAITH MEDICAL JUDGMENT OF A PHYSICIAN,
SUCH TERMINATION IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE FEMALE'S LIFE OR HEALTH.
This part explains what “viability” means:
6. "FETAL VIABILITY" MEANS THE POINT IN PREGNANCY WHEN, AS DETERMINED
BY A PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED PRACTITIONER ACTING IN GOOD FAITH
WITHIN THE SCOPE OF HIS OR HER PRACTICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH GENERALLY
ACCEPTED MEDICAL STANDARDS APPLIED TO THE PARTICULAR FACTS OF THE CASE
BEFORE THAT PRACTITIONER: (A) THE GESTATIONAL AGE OF THE FETUS IS TWENTY-FOUR
WEEKS OR MORE, AND (B) THERE IS A REASONABLE LIKELIHOOD OF THE
FETUS'S SUSTAINED SURVIVAL OUTSIDE THE UTERUS WITHOUT THE APPLICATION OF
EXTRAORDINARY MEDICAL MEASURES.
This part explains where the abortion is to be performed...
1.[When an abortion is to be performed after the twelfth week of
pregnancy it shall be performed only in a hospital and only on an in-pa-
tient basis.] When an abortion is to be performed after [the twentieth
week of pregnancy,] FETAL VIABILITY, AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED BY SUBDIVI-
SION SIX OF SECTION SEVENTEEN HUNDRED THREE OF THIS CHAPTER, IT SHALL BE
PERFORMED BY A PHYSICIAN IN A FACILITY WHICH IS LICENSED BY THE DEPART-
MENT PURSUANT TO ARTICLE TWENTY-EIGHT OF THIS CHAPTER AND a physician
other than the physician performing the abortion shall be in attendance
to take control of and to provide immediate medical care for any live
birth that is the result of the abortion, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT AN
ABORTION SHALL NOT BE DELAYED FOR THE PURPOSE OF SECURING SUCH SECOND
PHYSICIAN'S ATTENDANCE IF, IN THE JUDGMENT OF THE PHYSICIAN PERFORMING
THE ABORTION, SUCH DELAY WOULD POSE A RISK TO THE FEMALE'S LIFE OR
HEALTH. The commissioner [of health] is authorized to promulgate rules
and regulations to insure the health and safety of the mother and the
[viable child] LIVE BIRTH, in such instances.
Note it says that an abortion performed after the 12th week must be performed only in a hospital and only on an inpatient basis. But after fetal viability (the 20th week), it can be performed in a licensed facility by a physician and it stipulates another physician not performing the abortion must be present to provide medical care to the baby in the event of a live birth. However the abortion is not to be delayed for the purpose of getting the second physician in attendance (paraphrase) unless the mother’s life is in danger.
My concern here is if an abortion is being performed, we must assume the mother’s life is at risk or the unborn child is no longer alive in the womb. Doesn’t it make sense to perform this in a hospital rather than a "licensed facility" if the mother’s health is at risk? If the argument to abort is because the mother's life is at risk, then she must certainly need special care at a hospital equipped to deal with the life risks she is facing. Saying a licensed facility is an acceptable venue minimizes her health risks or is it merely another word for an abortion facility? The bill does not mention what health risks to the mother would warrant having an abortion.
Another important point; perhaps the worst...
This bill redefines the definition of a person. In the event of a homicide, “person” is now defined as having been born and was alive. This is terrible. This seems to mean if a woman is assaulted and her unborn child is killed as a result, the perpetrator will not be considered guilty of a homicide. Under this bill, the unborn child’s death would be irrelevant.
Thoughts...
When we as a nation devalue human life, even the life of the unborn, we have lost a bit of our humanity. When life means nothing, we have come to a place where no life is sacred. If bills such as this are passed into law, we open the door to writing more laws that allow us to acceptably snuff out a life if is convenient and good for the masses.
This a terrible bill because it devalues the life of the unborn.
Copyright 2012 Linda Hull
SANCTITY OF LIFE SUNDAY
Years ago I volunteered at a Crisis Pregnancy Center with a Christ centered philosophy. It was truly one of the best ministry experiences I’ve ever been involved with. During the years I served, I learned so much about people and about myself.
When people reveal their heart, it is easy to see why the abortion issue is so fraught with conflict. The dispute is not really about whether a baby should live or die. It’s about whether a woman has a right to allow her unborn child to be killed.
It’s very plain that sin is at the root of abortion. That sin is the demand to control. For a Christian, there is no conflict. More to the point, the struggle for control over our lives should not be a conflict. We Believers know that Jesus paid the price for our lives—heart, mind, body, and spirit. He paid with His life. If we choose Jesus and His gift of forgiveness and eternal life, the question is settled. We gave up our rights to “self”. We no longer control anything, but have yielded all to our Savior. He is our Lord and Master.
People are often yielded to the lies of Devil who asks the question, “when does life begin?” The doubt is cast when the question evolves to become, “Does life really begin at conception?” Ultrasound technology allows us to know the truth to these questions. Yes, life does begin at conception. The Devil continues to deceive women, just as he did with Eve long ago in the Garden. He plants doubt, and we fall for it. People have sought an excusable way out of an unplanned pregnancy, and thought they had found it in Roe Vs. Wade.
It is the Devil who says to the heart and mind of women, “Do you really want a baby? A baby requires so much care, time, and effort. You’ll be trapped and your life will be ruined.”
It is the Devil who casts the doubt in a woman’s mind that she is unfit to raise a child, particularly if she didn’t want it in the first place.
It is the Devil who whispers to a woman that her life is more important than that of her child.
The more we listen, the easier it is to convince ourselves that we have the right and responsibility to end a life. I heard these excuses from the Devil so many times, as women tried to convince themselves to follow through on an abortion.
One thing I learned while counseling is that women have a conscience, the one God gives to all of us so we can discern right from wrong. When we violate that conscience, we feel the guilt and the shame. Life is valuable to God. Each life has a purpose God has determined. When we cease to value life, we have violated God’s Law.
I praise our Lord for forgiveness for sin. He alone can provide the absolution so many seek. The Bible tells us that He puts our sin “as far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalms 103:12, KJV). He doesn’t remember our sin: “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” (Hebrews 8:12) Believers, this is why we can believe our sin has been taken away. He doesn’t keep a record around so He can bring it up from time to time. He frees us from that awful guilt and shame.
Unbelievers can also be forgiven and cleansed from sin by turning to Jesus in repentance, asking forgiveness and seeking Him to be your Lord and Savior. If abortion is your sin, please know that if you will accept the righteousness of Jesus, you can be saved from the punishment of your sin. He has already taken your punishment for you when He died on the cross. All you must do is receive it.
Abortion is a hideous crime against women and it is an attempt by the Devil to defeat God’s plan. Do not be fooled. There are many married couples who would be willing to adopt and love an unwanted child. There are many who will help someone in a crisis pregnancy. Seek them out. There is much knowledge available about the in uterine child. Get knowledge to know the truth. If you need to talk about this, contact me.
January 22nd is Sanctity of Life Sunday. Let us defend the life of the unborn.
Copyright © 2012 by Linda Hull
Examining the Question – Are Mormons Christians?
What a furor has been created by identifying the Church of Latter Day Saints as a cult! It is being widely reported that Mitt Romney is under attack because of his Mormon faith. What's going on?
Pastor Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Church of Dallas identified the Church of Latter Day Saints as a cult and implied that Mormons are not Christians in a recent interview after the Values Voter Summit in Washington. Is he right? Let’s find out…
Let’s begin with the definition of a cult. The website, www.dictionary.com defines a cult as “a particular system of religious worship, especially with reference to its rites and ceremonies.” Mormonism has long been considered a cult since it’s founding by Joseph Smith in 1830. Mainstream Christian denominations have never been inclusive of the Church of Latter Day Saints because their beliefs conflict with Biblical teaching.
Some background on my personal involvement with Mormons…
My family history tells the story of family members who converted to Mormonism in the early 1800’s. One particular branch lived in England when they were converted by Mormon missionaries. They immigrated to the United States in 1871, eventually making their way to Utah.
During my growing up years, I was somewhat exposed to Mormon beliefs through relatives. Fortunately, my immediate family did not embrace Mormonism because my mother was a Christian, raised in a Baptist church.
In later years, I had the opportunity to talk at length with Mormon missionaries on several occasions. I also researched Mormon beliefs to clarify things I had heard as a child. Through my conversations with Mormon missionaries, it became clear that our beliefs were very different. However, there were things I learned through my devout relatives that were never mentioned by the missionaries.
What’s the problem? Here’s what I discovered in my personal conversations…
Mormons are taught they are Christians, but they do not know that what they are taught is different from commonly held Christian beliefs. A dear Mormon friend who grew up in a devout Mormon family came face to face with the differences when she volunteered for a position in a local non-Mormon church. When the church administration became aware of her religious affiliation, she was let go. Devastated and confused, she turned to me. When I explained the Gospel message from the Bible, she was astounded. She had never heard the true message of salvation.
Mormons use Christian terms and explanations but the meanings are not the same.
For example:
*Christians’ authority is found in the Holy Bible alone. Mormons include the Bible as God’s Word, but they more commonly find their authority in the Book of Mormon and claim it is also God’s Word. They also embrace a book written by Joseph Smith called the “Pearl of Great Price.”
The Bible is complete as it is and has been for centuries. It has been preserved by God through the ages, basically intact. The Mormon Bible has been revised numerous times according to the wind of the times. In the mid-twentieth century, blacks were not allowed to become priests or participate in temple ceremonies, until the president of the church came up with a new revelation.
*Christians believe Jesus is God’s only begotten son, born of a virgin, Mary. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (KJV)
Mormons believe Jesus is one of God’s many sons, the offspring of a physical, sexual relationship between Mary and God. When they say they believe Jesus is God’s Son, they do, but not in the same context.
*Mormons believe that Jesus and Lucifer are brothers. Christians believe the Bible which says that Lucifer was a created being, an angel who was cast out of Heaven because he aspired to be a god.
*When we use the term “baptism” we mean an individual is immersed in water (some denominations practice infant baptism and sprinkling rather than immersion) after having made a decision to receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. Baptism is a demonstration of a changed life through faith in Jesus and symbolizes the new spiritual birth.
Mormons are baptized by immersion as well, but they are baptized for themselves and others too. In fact, it is a common practice for Mormons to be baptized for deceased relatives and family members who do not embrace Mormonism in the hope that they will one day experience eternal life.
*When we talk about eternal life, we mean life in God’s Kingdom called Heaven with Jesus, forever worshipping and serving Him. Eternal life for Mormons in good standing is spent populating and ruling planets all over the universe.
*Christians believe in a faith based salvation. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Mormons practice a works based salvation. In the Articles of Faith, it is stated that they believe in salvation through obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. Which gospel? The Mormon gospel, not the gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible.
*Many Mormon practices are not found in the Bible. They believe that marriage can continue into eternity, and practice a rite of sealing spouses to each other for eternity.
The Bible teaches there will be no giving in marriage in Heaven. “Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.” Matthew 22:28-30
*Christians believe accepting Jesus is the only way to receive salvation and eternal life. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
*Mormons contradict their own beliefs in practice. Mormons say in their Articles of Faith that they believe everyone should worship God as they see fit. In actual practice Mormon missionaries spend a great deal of time trying to convert others to Mormonism.
Confused?
Following are my Statement of Faith as a Christian, the Mormon Articles of Faith, and the Southern Baptist Faith & Message.
Compare the teachings…
First take a look at basic Christian beliefs from my Statement of Faith. Then examine the Mormon 13 Articles of Faith, and finally examine a more comprehensive statement of Christian beliefs from the Baptist Faith & Message.
I believe you will see the differences in beliefs and come to understand the subtle differences underlying the words of the Mormon Articles of Faith.
My Statement of Faith
1. The Bible was written by men, who were divinely inspired by God. The Bible is inerrant and infallible, and is the sole authority for faith and practice.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:16-17
2. God is triune (three persons in one): God the Father, Jesus Christ the Only Son, and the Holy Spirit. He is all loving, all wise, and all powerful. He is the one true, living God. He is the creator of all things.
"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, The Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." 1 John 5:7
3. Jesus Christ is God in the flesh, born of a virgin, and without sin. He was crucified on a cross and rose from the dead, purchasing, with His shed blood, a place in heaven for all believers and offering forgiveness of sin.
"But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:20-21
"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures; and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve; after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time." 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (written by Paul)
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" Ephesians 1:7
4. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter, present in the heart of every believer from the moment of salvation. His presence is God's assurance of salvation to the believer. He is our teacher, guide, and our convictor of sin and righteousness.
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26
"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." 1 Corinthians 2:9-10
"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." 1 Corinthians 2:12
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:26-27
5. Man is created by God in His image. Man sinned against God and came under condemnation by God. Man as a result has a sinful nature that is inherited by all generations.
"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him." Colossians 1:12-17
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." Romans 3:23-26
"For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight" Colossians 1:19-22
"For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." 1 Corinthians 15:21-22
6. Salvation is by God's grace not by good works. It is offered as a free gift to all who will confess themselves as sinners, repent, and accept the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ on the cross as payment for the penalty of their sin as required by God's law. Salvation restores a personal relationship between man and God through Jesus. Salvation is received through faith.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." Romans 10:9-11
Mormon Articles of Faith (from http://mormon.org/articles-of-faith/ )
13 Articles of Faith
1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul-We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
The Baptist Faith & Message (from http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfmcomparison.asp)
I. The Scriptures
The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God's revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation.
Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 17:19; Joshua 8:34; Psalms 19:7-10; 119:11,89,105,140; Isaiah 34:16; 40:8; Jeremiah 15:16; 36:1-32; Matthew 5:17-18; 22:29; Luke 21:33; 24:44-46; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Acts 2:16ff.; 17:11; Romans 15:4; 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21.
II. God
There is one and only one living and true God. He is an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being, the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe. God is infinite in holiness and all other perfections. God is all powerful and all knowing; and His perfect knowledge extends to all things, past, present, and future, including the future decisions of His free creatures. To Him we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience. The eternal triune God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being.
A. God the Father
God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is all powerful, all knowing, all loving, and all wise. God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. He is fatherly in His attitude toward all men.
Genesis 1:1; 2:7; Exodus 3:14; 6:2-3; 15:11ff.; 20:1ff.; Leviticus 22:2; Deuteronomy 6:4; 32:6; 1 Chronicles 29:10; Psalm 19:1-3; Isaiah 43:3,15; 64:8; Jeremiah 10:10; 17:13; Matthew 6:9ff.; 7:11; 23:9; 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; John 4:24; 5:26; 14:6-13; 17:1-8; Acts 1:7; Romans 8:14-15; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 4:6; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 11:6; 12:9; 1 Peter 1:17; 1 John 5:7.
B. God the Son
Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking upon Himself human nature with its demands and necessities and identifying Himself completely with mankind yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His substitutionary death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever present Lord.
Genesis 18:1ff.; Psalms 2:7ff.; 110:1ff.; Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; 14:33; 16:16,27; 17:5; 27; 28:1-6,19; Mark 1:1; 3:11; Luke 1:35; 4:41; 22:70; 24:46; John 1:1-18,29; 10:30,38; 11:25-27; 12:44-50; 14:7-11; 16:15-16,28; 17:1-5, 21-22; 20:1-20,28; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; 9:4-5,20; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 5:6-21; 8:1-3,34; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2:2; 8:6; 15:1-8,24-28; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; 8:9; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:20; 3:11; 4:7-10; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:13-22; 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16; Titus 2:13-14; Hebrews 1:1-3; 4:14-15; 7:14-28; 9:12-15,24-28; 12:2; 13:8; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 3:22; 1 John 1:7-9; 3:2; 4:14-15; 5:9; 2 John 7-9; Revelation 1:13-16; 5:9-14; 12:10-11; 13:8; 19:16.
C. God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine. He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Through illumination He enables men to understand truth. He exalts Christ. He convicts men of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He calls men to the Saviour, and effects regeneration. At the moment of regeneration He baptizes every believer into the Body of Christ. He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through His church. He seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. His presence in the Christian is the guarantee that God will bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service.
Genesis 1:2; Judges 14:6; Job 26:13; Psalms 51:11; 139:7ff.; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Matthew 1:18; 3:16; 4:1; 12:28-32; 28:19; Mark 1:10,12; Luke 1:35; 4:1,18-19; 11:13; 12:12; 24:49; John 4:24; 14:16-17,26; 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4,38; 4:31; 5:3; 6:3; 7:55; 8:17,39; 10:44; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 19:1-6; Romans 8:9-11,14-16,26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 3:16; 12:3-11,13; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; 1 Timothy 3:16; 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:14; 3:16; Hebrews 9:8,14; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 4:13; 5:6-7; Revelation 1:10; 22:17.
III. Man
Man is the special creation of God, made in His own image. He created them male and female as the crowning work of His creation. The gift of gender is thus part of the goodness of God's creation. In the beginning man was innocent of sin and was endowed by his Creator with freedom of choice. By his free choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race. Through the temptation of Satan man transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original innocence whereby his posterity inherit a nature and an environment inclined toward sin. Therefore, as soon as they are capable of moral action, they become transgressors and are under condemnation. Only the grace of God can bring man into His holy fellowship and enable man to fulfill the creative purpose of God. The sacredness of human personality is evident in that God created man in His own image, and in that Christ died for man; therefore, every person of every race possesses full dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love.
Genesis 1:26-30; 2:5,7,18-22; 3; 9:6; Psalms 1; 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Matthew 16:26; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18,23; 5:6,12,19; 6:6; 7:14-25; 8:14-18,29; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; 15:19,21-22; Ephesians 2:1-22; Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11.
IV. Salvation
Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.
A. Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace.
Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Saviour.
B. Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer unto a relationship of peace and favor with God.
C. Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God's purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate person's life.
D. Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.
Genesis 3:15; Exodus 3:14-17; 6:2-8; Matthew 1:21; 4:17; 16:21-26; 27:22-28:6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:11-14,29; 3:3-21,36; 5:24; 10:9,28-29; 15:1-16; 17:17; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 15:11; 16:30-31; 17:30-31; 20:32; Romans 1:16-18; 2:4; 3:23-25; 4:3ff.; 5:8-10; 6:1-23; 8:1-18,29-39; 10:9-10,13; 13:11-14; 1 Corinthians 1:18,30; 6:19-20; 15:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; 5:22-25; 6:15; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-22; 4:11-16; Philippians 2:12-13; Colossians 1:9-22; 3:1ff.; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 2 Timothy 1:12; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:1-3; 5:8-9; 9:24-28; 11:1-12:8,14; James 2:14-26; 1 Peter 1:2-23; 1 John 1:6-2:11; Revelation 3:20; 21:1-22:5.
V. God's Purpose of Grace
Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the means in connection with the end. It is the glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility.
All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall into sin through neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, and bring reproach on the cause of Christ and temporal judgments on themselves; yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-8; 1 Samuel 8:4-7,19-22; Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 31:31ff.; Matthew 16:18-19; 21:28-45; 24:22,31; 25:34; Luke 1:68-79; 2:29-32; 19:41-44; 24:44-48; John 1:12-14; 3:16; 5:24; 6:44-45,65; 10:27-29; 15:16; 17:6, 12, 17-18; Acts 20:32; Romans 5:9-10; 8:28-39; 10:12-15; 11:5-7,26-36; 1 Corinthians 1:1-2; 15:24-28; Ephesians 1:4-23; 2:1-10; 3:1-11; Colossians 1:12-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2:10,19; Hebrews 11:39-12:2; James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:2-5,13; 2:4-10; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:19; 3:2.
VI. The Church
A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. Each congregation operates under the Lordship of Christ through democratic processes. In such a congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord. Its scriptural officers are pastors and deacons. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.
The New Testament speaks also of the church as the Body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages, believers from every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation.
Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11,21; 5:22-32; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:9-14; 3:1-15; 4:14; Hebrews 11:39-40; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2-3; 21:2-3.
VII. Baptism and the Lord's Supper
Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord's Supper.
The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming.
Matthew 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20; Mark 1:9-11; 14:22-26; Luke 3:21-22; 22:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:35-39; 16:30-33; 20:7; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16,21; 11:23-29; Colossians 2:12.
VIII. The Lord's Day
The first day of the week is the Lord's Day. It is a Christian institution for regular observance. It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should include exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private. Activities on the Lord's Day should be commensurate with the Christian's conscience under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Exodus 20:8-11; Matthew 12:1-12; 28:1ff.; Mark 2:27-28; 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-3,33-36; John 4:21-24; 20:1,19-28; Acts 20:7; Romans 14:5-10; I Corinthians 16:1-2; Colossians 2:16; 3:16; Revelation 1:10.
IX. The Kingdom
The Kingdom of God includes both His general sovereignty over the universe and His particular kingship over men who willfully acknowledge Him as King. Particularly the Kingdom is the realm of salvation into which men enter by trustful, childlike commitment to Jesus Christ. Christians ought to pray and to labor that the Kingdom may come and God's will be done on earth. The full consummation of the Kingdom awaits the return of Jesus Christ and the end of this age.
Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Matthew 3:2; 4:8-10,23; 12:25-28; 13:1-52; 25:31-46; 26:29; Mark 1:14-15; 9:1; Luke 4:43; 8:1; 9:2; 12:31-32; 17:20-21; 23:42; John 3:3; 18:36; Acts 1:6-7; 17:22-31; Romans 5:17; 8:19; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 11:10,16; 12:28; 1 Peter 2:4-10; 4:13; Revelation 1:6,9; 5:10; 11:15; 21-22.
X. Last Things
God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord.
Isaiah 2:4; 11:9; Matthew 16:27; 18:8-9; 19:28; 24:27,30,36,44; 25:31-46; 26:64; Mark 8:38; 9:43-48; Luke 12:40,48; 16:19-26; 17:22-37; 21:27-28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 17:31; Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 15:24-28,35-58; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 1:5; 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 5:1ff.; 2 Thessalonians 1:7ff.; 2; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1,8; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:27-28; James 5:8; 2 Peter 3:7ff.; 1 John 2:28; 3:2; Jude 14; Revelation 1:18; 3:11; 20:1-22:13.
Conclusion….
It is clear to many Christians that Mormonism is not Christian. While the terminology may seem the same, the meanings are different. The Church of Latter Day Saints aka Mormons are not following the tenets of the Holy Bible. They cannot be called Christians because they do not believe Jesus is God’s only begotten Son. They are not saved and are not going to spend eternity with Jesus in God’s Kingdom, because they do not believe God when He says Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
Unfortunately many people are being deceived into believing they will have a place in God’s eternal kingdom. They have taken up the label that belongs to the people who place their trust in Christ and Christ alone. By using terminology frequently associated with evangelical Christians, they have deceived the ignorant into accepting their beliefs as Christian. Few have taken the time and trouble to check to see if they are in keeping with mainstream evangelical Christian doctrine.
Be careful about aligning yourself with the false teaching of the Church of Latter Day Saints. Remember many people do live out their values based on their religious beliefs and will seek to promote their religious views.
Thoughts on Independence Day…
I used to take the annual celebration of the 4th of July for granted. It never occurred to me that the United States of America might one day be lost.
Our people have lost their Judeo-Christian foundation, thus opening the door to an extreme makeover that would leave us under the domination of philosophies that would destroy our American and Christian heritage.
Over the last several years, the horrifying changes that have taken place in the land of the free have moved us ever closer to a land dominated by evil.
So on this Independence Day, I think it is important to remember where we came from…
Excerpt of the Mayflower Compact, November 11, 1620
“In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc. Having undertaken for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and the honour of our King and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia; do by these presents, solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politick, for our better ordering and preservation, and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due submission and obedience.”
Excerpt of The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
(Unanimously approved by the thirteen United States of America which consisted of New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts-Bay, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, South Carolina, Virginia, and New Jersey.)
“When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
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. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present Kind of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states.”
These serve to remind us that we as a people have come out of bondage into the precious tenets of liberty. These people had experienced bondage, and chose another way. They chose to unite as a republic.
What is a republic?
It is characterized by a government of the people, rather than a monarch or hereditary head of state. The people have the supreme rule over the land exercised by their vote and through their elected representatives.
Excerpt of the Constitution of the United States
“We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Our independence came at great cost. People were willing to stand for this just cause and to ensure its perpetuation to this time.
Will our generation be the one to allow our liberty to slip away? This is a question each generation must decide.
Rapture on May 21st? I Don’t Think So!
I’ve been thinking about the people who believe in Harold Camping’s prediction of the rapture on May 21, 2011. They are certain that Harold Camping has inside knowledge of God’s plan for the rapture. I am equally as certain they are wrong, because Jesus said in Matthew 24:36 no one but God the Father knows the day and hour.
Let’s reason this out… Why would God enable Harold Camping to discover the day and hour of the rapture, but not our Savior and Lord? Let’s be clear, Mr. Camping is a false prophet. Prophecies he has made in times past have proven false.
The Bible provides the answers we seek. Harold Camping thinks so too. He used a mathematical formula of some kind to come up with his rapture date. The Bible tells us that false prophets were taken seriously. Deuteronomy 18:20-22 tells us the dire consequences: “But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, how shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”
News reports tell us that the Harold Camping followers are making preparations for their imminent departure. Some have sold their homes and possessions, given away pets, etc. It is clear that his followers believe in him, but they do not believe in the teachings of the Bible. What Biblical understanding they may have had has been snatched from them, distorted into an unrecognizable mishmash.
It seems to me their lack of faith in God’s provision for the “end time” has caused them to embrace a false doctrine of salvation. They are not trusting in Jesus Christ. Salvation is in Jesus, not in the hope of rapture.
Our beliefs drive our actions. IF we truly believe the words of the Bible and we truly have accepted Jesus as our Savior, then we can trust God to have perfect timing. We don’t have to try to pinpoint the time. It’s enough that He knows and is able to act on our behalf in time.
Harold Camping has done people a huge disservice. He has caused them to leave their churches, and confused their understanding of Biblical truths. They have been led away by their fear of the end times to embrace false doctrine. Matthew 24:11 tells us in the last days many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. Harold Camping fits the bill.
The aftermath of a failed rapture is sad. Hope is dashed and fear grows. Now these must wonder if they are even saved. I’m sure Harold will come up with some new reasoning to explain why he was wrong. By the way, Harold Camping is not a Christian.
Dr. Ken Ham vs. Dr. Peter Enns…Two Views that Don’t Mesh
This week, Worldview Times reported that Answers in Genesis guru, Dr. Ken Ham, has been canned from speaking for the "Great Homeschool Convention" in Cincinnati and the Philadelphia area.
Here’s the article at Worldview Times: http://www.worldviewweekend.com/worldview-times/article.php?articleid=7001
It is interesting that Dr. Ham of all people would be removed as a guest speaker at a homeschool convention. He has a reputation of being very much a friend of homeschoolers. So what’s going on?
Here’s the gist of the accusation in an email to Dr. Ken Ham, as printed at the Worldview Times webpage and again at Answers in Genesis:
“After much prayer and deliberation over the weekend, Great Homeschool Convention's Advisory Board has unanimously decided to disinvite Ken and AIG from all future conventions, including the Cincinnati convention next week. The Board believes this to be the Lord's will for our convention and searched the Scriptures for the mind of the Lord and the leadership of the Holy Spirit before arriving at this decision. The Board believes that Ken's public criticism of the convention itself and other speakers at our convention require him to surrender the spiritual privilege of addressing our homeschool audience. Please know that our Board is 100% young earth and we largely share AIG's perspective from a scientific standpoint. That is why Ken was originally invited and treated so graciously and extremely generously in Memphis and Greenville (far beyond what we do for other speakers or their ministries). Our expression of sacrifice and extraordinary kindness towards Ken and AIG has been returned to us and our attendees with Ken publicly attacking our conventions and other speakers. Our Board believes Ken's comments to be unnecessary, ungodly, and mean-spirited statements that are divisive at best and defamatory at worst.”
A little history:
Dr. Enns was invited to the Great Homeschool Convention to promote a new Bible centered curriculum called, Telling God’s Story, by Preben Vang and Terry Carter, published through Olive Branch Books. In this book, the Bible is presented as “one purposely flowing narrative.” Dr. Enns wrote the “Telling God’s Story: Student Guide and Activity Pages, Year One”, the “Telling God’s Story: Instructor Text and Teaching Guide, Year One”, and the “Telling God’s Story: A Parents' Guide to Teaching the Bible (Telling God's Story)”. In times past, Dr. Ham spoke out against The Biologos Foundation of which Dr. Enns is a team member.
The Biologos Foundation consists of Christians who believe that “evolution, properly understood, best describes God’s work of creation.” So the disconnect between Dr. Enns and Dr. Ken Ham is their views on creation. The Biologos Foundation exists because members are concerned about the disharmony between scientific knowledge and the Christian faith. They seek to find a common meeting ground between the two views, incorporating science with Christian faith.
So what exactly did Dr. Ham say that led to this response?
He described his concerns about Dr. Enns beliefs on Facebook and his blog. Dr. Ham offered a warning to Christian parents about Dr. Enns’ teaching on Genesis, saying it is compromising the Book of Genesis and undermining the Word of God.
Check it out for yourself:
I listened to Dr. Enns' presentation at Westmont College via video at his website: http://peterennsonline.com/ . Here are some of the highlights about what Dr. Enns believes based on the video of his presentation:
1. He believes that the Book of Genesis actually tells two stories: Creation and the story of Adam. He says the heart of the tension between the Bible and evolution is Paul’s understanding that Adam was the first human. Dr. Enns leans to the idea that Adam was a prototype of the nation, Israel. He believes God was more interested in the Jews than in the Gentiles.
Truth from a Biblical standpoint: Traditionally Biblical interpretation is that Adam was the first human created. All of mankind is descended from Adam. While Genesis tells the history of the Jewish nation, it does not diminish the truth of man’s creation by God.
Jesus’ lineage is clearly shown in the genealogies of the Bible as part of the Jewish nation, but Jesus also came to save the non-Jewish or Gentile population as well, for Gentiles also descended from Adam and Noah.
These words by Jesus to Paul in Acts 22:21 affirm God’s plan for the Gentiles to receive Jesus as Savior: “And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.” Ultimately, God intended for one people to come together as Christians under the Lordship of Jesus. This people consists of Jews and Gentiles who have accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord.
Clearly Paul understood that no one would be left out when he wrote in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
2. Dr. Enns affirms that Paul was an “ancient man” with the viewpoint of an “ancient time”. Hence Paul understandably doesn’t have the benefit of scientific knowledge. His understanding is therefore colored by his ignorance. He then excuses Paul’s ignorance as expected since he was an “ancient man”.
Truth from a Biblical standpoint: Paul was an educated Jew who had a personal encounter with the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). That personal meeting changed his view of Jesus Christ. He accepted Jesus as God’s Son and received Him as the Savior. You can read Paul’s testimony in Acts 22.
Before his experience with Jesus, Paul’s thinking was in line with the Jewish religious leaders, consisting of Priests, Scribes, Pharisees, and Saducees, who at that time were waiting for the Messiah. They failed to recognize or accept Jesus as God’s Son and hence the Messiah. Their understanding was compromised by sin and unbelief, not by ignorance. Threatened by His miracles and His influence on the people, they had Him crucified.
Paul wrote in Romans 1:20-22, “For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,”
3. According to Dr. Enns, there are gaps in the information throughout Genesis which leaves it open to interpretation, hence different people have different viewpoints. He favors the viewpoint that Genesis is written as the story of Israel because it more easily can support theories of evolution.
Truth from a Biblical standpoint: The theory of evolution has no Biblical foundation. The word “created” is used many times in the Bible to signify how things came about.
Moses wrote the creation story; Isaiah and Ezekiel acknowledge that things were created. Creation is mentioned again in Psalms 138 where the Psalmist writes of praising God for the creation of the heavens, the angels, the sun, the moon, the stars, and the waters. Paul writes in Ephesians 3:9, “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.”
4. Another point that Dr. Enns makes is that Paul’s viewpoint of Jesus is colored by the fact that he's describing Jesus as the Messiah from the understanding of looking back from Jesus' resurrection. He accuses Paul of shaping his view of Adam in the Old Testament in a way that promotes the Gospel message of Jesus in the New Testament.
Truth from a Biblical standpoint: Paul wrote letters, which today make up much of the New Testament, to churches to exhort believers to righteousness through obedience and consecration to Jesus Christ. His understanding of the Old Testament is due to his study and knowledge of the prophets and the writings of Moses.
5. Evolution says that two people were not created by God and set down in the Garden of Eden, despite what the Bible says. The Bible is wrong from a scientific viewpoint says Dr. Enns. However, he believes Paul got the problem of sin and death right, but uses the “Jesus stuff” to get the solution to the people.
Truth from a Biblical standpoint: Dr. Enns promotes Paul as a manipulator who is seeking to persuade the masses of Jesus’ relevance. Jesus is God’s Son and He is real. Paul didn’t have to manipulate the truth, because truth stands alone as it is for Paul personally met Jesus. The truth of Jesus is also recorded by the Apostles John, Peter, Matthew, as well as Luke and Mark. Their viewpoints match up. There is a God-given solution to the problem of sin and death-Jesus.
6. Attacking the Adam and Eve in the garden account, Dr. Enns says that the serpent was crafty and Eve was naïve and childlike. Since the serpent was crafty, Eve was deceived and basically incapable of not being deceived. When the Bible speaks of them eating from the Tree of Good and Evil, Dr. Enns says the knowledge of good and evil wasn’t wrong. He says God surely wanted Adam and Eve to learn this, just as parents want their kids to learn the difference. However God wanted them to learn wisdom the right way, God’s way. Wisdom in the Bible is learning right from wrong and the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, he admits. Yet he believes the purpose of wisdom is to develop craftiness.
Truth from a Biblical standpoint: God is not wishy washy. He doesn’t set us up for a fall to teach a lesson as Dr. Enns implies. Adam and Eve were capable of sin. They were perfect until they sinned. Humans have inherited that sin nature since their fall. We cannot know the intent of God, but based on what we know of His character, we can know that He keeps His Word. Adam and Eve experienced separation from God when they were cast out of the Garden. So too do unbelievers experience separation from God. Accepting Jesus as the Savior, trusting that He paid the penalty for sin, allows us to return to a relationship with God.
The fear of the Lord is a good deterrent to sinning. It is what keeps us from sin, for we have a great love for our Lord and do not want to grieve Him. Fear of punishment keeps us from sin as well, but God uses correction to bring about repentance and reconciliation.
7. Dr. Enns believes that God gave the Law to Moses to give to the people with the expectation that they could keep the law and please Him. He says the idea of people enslaved to sin is not found in the Old Testament.
Truth from a Biblical standpoint: The Law was given to teach the people the difference between righteousness and unrighteousness. Trying to keep the law was impossible, leading to the revelation of a sinful nature. Animal sacrifice (the shedding of blood) resolved the problem of sin, leading to forgiveness.
Reading the Old Testament, particularly the first five books reveals a sinful people who could not keep the Law and found themselves constantly in disobedience. Jesus was the only one without sin. He became the sacrifice for sin God's Law required, ending animal sacrifice.
"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:14-15
Proverbs 21:2, “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.”
Reading the Bible under the direction of the Holy Spirit will lead to a right understanding of Biblical truth. God’s Word is true and can be relied upon for our instruction and edification in righteousness.
Why the big deal about evolution? If evolution could be proven to be true, then God becomes diminished. The Lord God Jehovah cannot be God if he is a liar. He cannot be all powerful if He cannot create. Dr. Enns is clearly misguided, despite his intellectual abilities. Frankly, it takes a lot more faith to believe in evolution than it does the Bible.
Copyright © 2011 Linda Hull, Words of Encouragement
No Eternal Punishment?
Isn’t it alarming that so many prominent “Christians” are presenting a distorted view of the truth of God’s Word or outright denial of the truth?
Recent news stories have prompted me to write the truth...
A recent story, published by The Associated Press, about a pastor being dismissed from his church for false teaching was reported by OneNewsNow.com at this URL:
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Church/Default.aspx?id=1317582
Apparently it started with a book called, Love Wins, by Rob Bell. This Pastor had publicized his support for this book that offered a criticism of the traditional view of Hell. His congregation took offense and fired him.
I haven’t read the book because I have no desire to read false teachings about the Word. However, after reading the article, I believe the congregation did the right thing.
Here’s why…
Rob Bell criticizes the Biblical truth of a literal Hell reserved for unbelievers. He apparently believes that it is misguided to believe that a few Christians will “spend a life of bliss in Heaven” while others go to Hell for eternity.
One News Now quotes him from his book, Love Wins, to clarify: "This is misguided and toxic and ultimately subverts the contagious spread of Jesus' message of love, peace, forgiveness and joy that our world desperately needs to hear,"
Hogwash! This is a sin of presumption, for Rob Bell is disagreeing with God. Guess he thinks he knows better. It is certainly more toxic to withhold the truth of God’s Word from folks, for they will not understand the seriousness of their spiritual condition and the penalty of sin.
This is not a new belief, but it is being discussed by many ill-informed people. The theory is that eventually all will be saved, despite their religious belief. There is no reason for Hell because all will be in Heaven. This is false. The truth is people who reject God will face punishment at Judgment Day.
The Bible says that only those who trust in Jesus for salvation will be saved from the punishment for their sins, no matter how sincere their worship or devotion to other gods. Without Jesus, no one has a hope for a life in eternity with God.
Here are some verses from the Bible about the penalties of sin:
“As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one” Romans 3:10 (KJV)
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:18
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23
God decides how mankind must be saved. He has provided a means for all to be saved; that is, Jesus Christ, His Son. Rob Bell has it wrong. There is no Scripture verse that supports his statement. In fact, Scripture supports the truth that man is a sinner condemned to eternal damnation (death). Jesus is the Savior for all who will believe.
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him, for if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” Romans 5:8-11
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9
If you notice in these verses a distinction is made between those who believe what God says and those who don’t. Clearly God is creating a separation.
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; and delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished” 2 Peter 2:1-9
God has a plan for the ungodly. They will be reserved in Hell until judgment. The flaw in Rob Bell’s thinking is that he thinks at judgment those in Hell will be released into Heaven. Not so. The Book of Revelation makes clear their end:
Jesus said in 1:18: “I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
Then the Apostle John reveals his eyewitness account of future events…
“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” Revelation 20:10
“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:12-15
An understanding of the truth of God’s Word is essential to a Christian’s security of a place with Jesus for all of eternity. Discussions that center around where Believers will spend eternity must be focused on the truth of God’s Word, not on what we hope will happen or think should happen because God is a “god of love”. Let’s not forget He is also just and hates sin. The outcome for the unsaved is dire. We must speak the painful truth so that they will turn from their sin and accept Jesus as their Savior.
Copyright © 2011 Linda Hull, Words of Encouragement
400th Year Anniversary of the Authorized King James Bible!
Celebrating the 400th Anniversary of the King James Bible in 2011!
This year we celebrate the anniversary of the Authorized King James Bible. The work was begun in 1604 at the request of King James of England, with completion in 1611. Today the King James Bible is the only Bible translation in the public domain.
There is much controversy about the Authorized King James Bible and other translations. There are those who believe, like me, that the King James Bible is the accurate translation and the other modern translations contain inaccuracies. As I read the introductory pages of the 1611 version, I learned that controversy is not new.
It is interesting to read what the original translators had to say about their work. Their commentary was a part of the original 1611 Authorized King James Bible. Please take time to read The Translators to the Reader page that is included in the original 1611 KJV at the front. It is a shame that this commentary from the original translators is not found in today’s KJV Bible. It was also missing from my mid-twentieth century Bible as well.
If you would like to download a free copy of the 1611 Authorized King James Bible, please visit this page: http://www.jesus-is-lord.com/thebible.htm
I pulled out my childhood Authorized King James Bible so that I could provide The Epistle Dedicatory as it is written there, which is found in all older versions. It is not included in today’s works. It is quite interesting and reveals the intent of King James in commissioning this work, and it reveals the controversy with the Catholic Church who kept the Word from the people. It is definitely worth reading.
The Epistle Dedicatory
“To the most high and mighty prince, James, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc. The Translators of the Bible wish Grace, Mercy, and Peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Great and manifold were the blessings, most dread Sovereign, which Almighty God, the Father of all mercies, bestowed upon us the people of England, when first he sent Your Majesty’s Royal Person to rule and reign over us. For whereas it was the expectation of many, who wished not well unto our Sion, that upon the setting of that bright Occidental Star, Queen Elizabeth of most happy memory, some thick and palpable clouds of darkness would so have overshadowed this Land, that men should have been in doubt which way they were to walk; and that it should hardly be known, who was to direct the unsettled State; the appearance of Your Majesty, as of the Sun in his strength, instantly dispelled those supposed and surmised mists, and gave unto all that were well affected exceeding cause of comfort; especially when we beheld the Government established in Your Highness, and Your hopeful Seed, by an undoubted Title, and this also accompanied with peace and tranquility at home and abroad.
But among all our joys, there was no one that more filled our hearts, than the blessed continuance of the preaching of God’s sacred Word among us; which is that inestimable treasure, which excelleth all the riches of the earth; because the fruit thereof extendeth itself, not only to the time spent in this transitory world, but directeth and disposeth men unto that eternal happiness which is above in heaven.
Then not to suffer this to fall to the ground, but rather to take it up, and to continue it in that state, wherein the famous Predecessor of Your Highness did leave it: nay, to go forward with the confidence and resolution of a Man in maintaining the truth of Christ, and propagating it far and near, is that which hath so bound and firmly knit the hearts of all Your Majesty’s loyal and religious people unto You, that Your very name is precious among them: their eye doth behold You with comfort, and they bless You in their hearts, as that sanctified Person who, under God, is the immediate Author of their true happiness. And this their contentment doth not diminish or decay, but every day increaseth and taketh strength, when they observe, that the zeal of Your Majesty toward the house of God doth not slack or go backward, but is more and more kindled, manifesting itself abroad in the farthest parts of Christendom, by writing in defence of the Truth, (which hath given such a blow unto that man of sin, as will not be healed,) and every day at home, by religious and learned discourse, by frequenting the house of God, by hearing the Word preached, by cherishing the Teachers thereof, by caring for the Church, as a most tender and loving nursing Father.
There are infinite arguments of this right Christian and religious affection in Your Majesty; but none is more forcible to declare it to others than the vehement and perpetuated desire of accomplishing and publishing of this work, which now with all humility we present unto Your Majesty. For when Your Highness had once out of deep judgment apprehended how convenient it was, that out of the Original Sacred Tongues, together with comparing of the labours, both in our own, and other foreign Languages, of many worthy men who went before us, there should be one more exact Translation of the holy Scriptures into the English Tongue: Your Majesty did never desist to urge and to excite those to whom it was commended, that the work might be hastened, and that the business might be expedited in so decent a manner, as a matter of such importance might justly require.
And now at last, by the mercy of God, and the continuance of our labours, it being brought unto such a conclusion, as that we have great hopes that the Church of England shall reap good fruit thereby; we hold it our duty to offer it to Your Majesty, not only as to our King and Sovereign, but as to the principal Mover and Author of the work: humbly craving of Your most Sacred Majesty, that since things of this quality have ever been subject to the censures of illmeaning discontented persons, it may receive approbation and patronage from so learned and judicious a Prince as Your Highness is, whose allowance and acceptance of our labours shall more honour and encourage us, than all the calumniations and hard interpretations of other men shall dismay us. So that if, on the one side, we shall be traduced by Popish Persons at home or abroad, who therefore will malign us, because we are poor instruments to make God’s holy Truth to be yet more and more known unto the people, whom they desire still to keep in ignorance and darkness; or if, on the other side, we shall be maligned by self-conceited Brethren, who run their own ways, and give liking unto nothing, but what is framed by themselves, and hammered on their anvil; we may rest secure, supported within by the truth and innocency of a good conscience, having walked the ways of simplicity and integrity, as before the Lord; and sustained without by the powerful protection of Your Majesty’s grace and favour, which will ever give countenance to honest and Christian endeavors against bitter censures and uncharitable imputations.
The Lord of heaven and earth bless Your Majesty with many and happy days, that, as his heavenly hand hath enriched Your Highness with many singular and extraordinary graces, so You may be the wonder of the world in this latter age for happiness and true felicity, to the honour of that great God, and the good of his Church, through Jesus Christ our Lord and only Saviour.”
My Testimony about the King James Bible…
I grew up with a King James Bible, but I didn’t read it except at church. After I accepted Jesus as my Savior and Lord as a young teen, I began to have an interest in what the Bible said. It was a daunting endeavor because I had trouble understanding it. Many say they find the King James Version to be difficult, but I learned a secret to finding the hidden treasures the Bible contains.
When the Living Bible was published, I found it so amazingly understandable. I read it from cover to cover. Then I wondered why it was easy and my KJV wasn’t. I was glad that somebody had come up with a way to understand the Bible. It wasn’t until I started carrying it to church that I realized there was a problem. Sunday School teachers would always have somebody else read their version after I read mine. I confess to being insulted. Why wasn’t my Bible good enough? I had not known it was a paraphrase; giving the gist, but not the entirety. So back to the King James Bible, but the problem of understanding still existed.
One day in total frustration, I cried out to the Lord for understanding. Amidst my tears, I asked Him why would He give us His Word and make it totally undecipherable. I prayed and begged for understanding. The next time I picked up my KJV Bible, as I began to read, I realized I was understanding what I was reading. The Holy Spirit had opened my eyes. I read it from cover to cover. Then I studied. I have made it a practice to do daily Bible reading, and over time, I have read it again from cover to cover.
Later, various translations were used at churches we attended. I studied the New American Standard (NAS), and it was good, but I began to notice small things that didn’t seem quite the way I remembered it from the KJV. So I would go to my KJV to check. It wasn’t long before I realized there were differences. The same thing happened with the New International (NIV). I read these two newer versions cover to cover too, but I had to keep going back to the KJV.
Since the King James Bible is the one I was most familiar with initially, it was not surprising that I would catch the differences in wording which altered the meaning of a verse or text in a subtle way. Eventually I just put them away and pulled out my King James for good. I believe the King James is the accurate version, and is the inerrant and inspired Word of God. Now the other versions that I believe contain error, are packed away in a box in a closet.
© 2011 by Linda Hull, Words of Encouragement