The Puritian Sinners Prayer

I don't remember where I found this, but it was included in the evangelism model I had put together several years ago.  Good Stuff.

Dear God, whom I hate with all my being precisely because you hate and threaten me with hell, I hate this punishment perhaps even more than I hate you. Or, maybe I should say that I love my comfort even more than I hate you. For that reason I am asking a favor of you. I want you to make me love you, whom I hate even when I ask this and even more because I have to ask this. I am being frank with you because I know it is no use to be otherwise. You know even better than I how much I hate you and that I love only myself. It is no use for me to pretend to be sincere. I most certainly do not love you and do not want to love you. I hate the thought of loving you but that is what I’m asking because I love myself. If you can answer this ‘prayer’ I guess the gift of gratitude will come with it and then I will be able to do what I would not think of doing now—thank you for making me love you whom I hate. Amen.

Ergun Caner, Liberty University and SBC Today

I have been following the Caner Saga since Dr. White first made mention of it. I have read, listened to and watched many hours of information from both sides on the issue. I have not commented up to this point, but now that Liberty University has released a formal statement, I will keep silent no longer.

I think that Dr. Caner has disgraced the Name of Christ Jesus our Lord. He clearly has sinned against man and God and I pray that he is seeking repentance.

I think that Liberty University has Moved in the right direction by Removing Dr. Caner as dean, however, it appears to me that when one makes " [...] factual statements that are self-contradictory [...]" and has " [...] discrepancies related to matters such as dates, names and places of residence [...]" on things as basic as where you were born, it seems that one is misrepresenting the truth for gain of some type (In my opinion, with no fact to back this up, it was for the credibility and respect it earned him, not to mention book sales, ect.).

I think that SBC today has made the Stupidest statement I have ever heard regarding a public scandal when it stated, " [...] we praise God that Dr. Caner is exonerated [...]" as it seems clear that he was not exonerated, rather that he was deposed as Dean, and has been shown to be a liar. Yes, I am aware that Dr. Caner, when discussing being called a liar, said the following:

Being called a “liar,” however, is a serious charge, especially when it is made by Christians. That would indicate that (1) the accusers can know the motives of the accused person’s heart, and (2) the accused person intentionally misled people.I have never intentionally misled anyone. I am sure I have made many mistakes in the pulpit in the past 20-plus years, and I am sure I will make some in the future. For those times where I misspoke, said it wrong, scrambled words, or was just outright confusing, I apologize and will strive to do better.

The issue here is, We all know where we were born, Dr. Caner and SBC today. I was born in Glendale, CA. I was not born anywhere else, however Dr. Caner has on recording said he was born in two different countries! Hello! That is not misspeaking, that is not scrambled words or confusing, it is lying!

I don't know anyone from sbc today and I am not a Southern Baptist, however, it seems to me that anyone who can make the statement they did, is blinded by some preconceived notion.

Finally, I do not rejoice in this blasphemy of our Lord. I hope and pray that Dr. Caner and all involved in this will come to their collective senses and repent to God Almighty.

Discussion with A Mormon on Translations

Chelsea: What prompted you to come onto Mormon.org today?

Me: a question

Me: is that ok

Chelsea: yes of course!

Me: it is about the 8th article of the church

Chelsea: alright

Me: has the church stated or defined what the proper translation of the bible is?

Me: should one be using the Joseph Smith Translation?

Chelsea: The church leves the Bible as is, but we have the Joseph Smith Translation to help clarify doctrine that was changed etc.

Chelsea: We use the King James Version of the Bible.

Me: so is the King James the Proper Translation of the Text?

Chelsea: we know that that is not the proper translation completely, because through Revelation Joseph Smith has helped clarify some scriptures. That is why we say in the 8th Article of Faith, we believe the Bible to be the word of Goid as far as it is translated correctly

Me: hmmm

Me: so what is wrong with the King James?

Chelsea: There is just things that have been translaed incorrectly or doctrines that have been changed through mans understanding.

Me: do you have an example

Chelsea: an example is in John 1:1

Me: ok

Chelsea: In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God

Chelsea: In the Bible it says :In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Chelsea: The first was a translation from Revelation through Joseph Smith.

Chelsea: This clarifys it and helps us to understand that the word means the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Word of God—He created all things and was made flesh—John baptizes Jesus and testifies he is the Lamb of God—John, Andrew, Simon, Philip, and Nathanael believe in Christ and follow him. Christ.

Chelsea: alot of people think that that verse means that God and Jesus Christ are the same person. We know that they are two seperate beings but united in purpose

 

I have to admit, that in all my discussions with Mormons, this is the first time that I have heard this, and while I am not 'surprised' I am shocked at the lengths the Joseph Smith and the Mormon Church go to re-translate the clear texts of scripture. 

However, this is where things get more interesting. Go to - http://scriptures.lds.org/en/john/1 and notice the header which reads:  Christ is the Word of God—He created all things and was made flesh—John baptizes Jesus and testifies he is the Lamb of God—John, Andrew, Simon, Philip, and Nathanael believe in Christ and follow him.

Does it seem odd that they wouldn't clear up the misconception that Jesus is God right here? I mean why even publish something that is so bankrupt and clearly wrong, would be a good question for our Mormon friends.

The JST (Joseph Smith Translation) reads as follows:

1 In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made which was made.
4 In him was the gospel, and the gospel was the life, and the life was the light of men;
5 And the light shineth in the world, and the world perceiveth it not. 

....

14 And the same word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

It seems that there is a bit of a hiccup here because it seems that Ol' Joe forgot to re-translate verse 14, because this would mean that the Gospel was made flesh... and then dwelt among us as who??  ... Jesus ... Maybe? If not then who...? 

Despite Ol' Joe's best effort it seems that he missed something, or perhaps the church will get a word about the JST here.

The Hypostatic Union - An Audio Blog

The Hypostatic Union is a deeply important and yet difficult doctrine to understand, in the following Audio Blog I attempt to discuss the issues surrounding it, esp. as it relates to John 17:3.

Believers Reason Apologetics Class pt 1

Ah back on the blog again. I have to be honest, working a sales job is very mentally draining and doesn't leave me much energy to blog, however, I am hoping that this gets me back on track. At the church I have started an apologetics class based on The Believers Reason, that will featured Sundays on this blog until its completion ten weeks from now. It is my prayer that over these next weeks God would work in your heart to give you a desire to defend the truth and the Church (universal). As Part of our homework for this week, please download and listen to one sermon/show, from the two groups and compare them, looking for Christ-Centeredness, The Gospel, Life tips, Pop Psychology, Proper use and context in bible verses, the style and Goal of preaching, What does the pastor want you to walk away with, ect.

Here is the Class Audio, go to menu to download it.

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And For Quality, More Biblical Sermons and Sermon Reviews

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Check Out Fighting for the Faith, A program I listen to frequently, for quality sermon reviews and Christian discernment. Yes, I know its by a Lutheran, but hey, they aren't all bad.

The Consumer Driven Church pt. 2

The more I think about the topic of Consumerism in the church the more comes to mind. Specifically things that are done by mega-churches such as Granger Community Church. Now, I am not condemning large churches in general, but rather the methods that are employed at times, by them. Consider this sign from 'Church Requel.' Notice how the Goal is the drawing of people, not Jesus. Moreover, it is a selfish (sinful) motive that one should come to the church, because YOU want life change. What is worse is the concept being forwarded, is that of life change, and it isn't the Christian Message or even close to it. Yes, Christianity changes lives, but it is because God changes people's hearts, wills and desires, and because we become justified and begin being sanctified. The Christian message is repentance and the forgiveness of sins in Jesus name. The consumerism of our churches has changed that offensive message of the cross to make it more palatable for the unregenerate sinner who has come into the church for 'life change.'

In reality, it seems that the promise of life change is also a simple lie. The main reason I make that comment is that Requel Church, has no power to change lives in the Christian sense, that ability belongs to God alone. Father more it seems to me that the idea of life change is the end goal, and this picture is foreign to biblical authors. In our consumerist desires look to the church/Jesus to increase our comforts, supply desires, and increase prosperity, all while making our quality of life better. Yet consider Paul's statements that he makes without disdain:

To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone else dares to boast of--I am speaking as a fool--I also dare to boast of that. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one--I am talking like a madman--with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. (2 Corinthians 11:21-30 ESV)

Yet in all of this, the modern ideal of comfort is missing. Where is the concept of Life Improvement? I mean, Paul's life was changed, from that of a rich young lawyer, well respected by his community to what we see him describe above. That isn't what I would call improvement, save for his salvation a sanctification in Christ Jesus the Lord. The whole point of this Life Improvement gospel, is an appeal to the consumerist driven American culture.

I think that the recent Facebook postings of womens bra colors are a picture of this same consumerism. How? Walk through any mall, and you will see Large photographs of women in their bra's, designed to excite and spawn desire, the same can be said for TV, Billboards, some Magazines, ect... all this consumerism has lead to a hardening of our minds in terms of sexuality, whereby we need more to be excited, but also we fail to even realize that behavior such as this is even sexual. This is from the root of consumerism that screams "BUY BUY BUY" and as the saying goes, "Sex Sells."

Let us work to recapture our innocence of heart and mind. Let us Strive to realize that the consumerism in our lives and mortify it. If not, We will usher in our children to the Consumer Driven Church.

How to critique, from Dr. James White

Not often do I completely rip off someone else's work for the sake of this Blog. However, today is going to be an exception. I have to say that Dr. White is an incredibly smart yet humble man and that when he critiques someone we should take notice not only of what he says, but how he says it. I want to direct you, reader, to his blog for a critique of William Lane Craig's view of middle knowledge.

Welcome back.

I want to point out several things. First is the biblical emphasis that the post has, the repeated statement of being grieved at the sub-biblical nature of Middle Knowledge (Molinism). I think that this speaks to not only how but why we critique someone else who claims to be within the Christian faith. First, is the relation of their teaching to biblical revelation, in other words, how does what this person says relate to Scripture (our guide). Second, the critique focus upon the effect of the theology on those who embrace it. In this case, Dr. White is saying the theology in question points people away from scripture. Finally, he responds with his desire for repentance toward God for this sub-biblical theology/philosophy.

The Gospel centered focus of this gives all of us something to look toward as an example of how we should critique those whom we disagree. In a someone practical way I believe that we can rightly apply Philippians 4:9 to Dr. James White.