Most people would consider themselves to be a good person. They would say the good outweighs the bad and they are basically a good person. Even many of those in prison would still consider themselves basically good. Is this really the case? Lets take a look at some of the Ten Commandments and see if we are actually good people.
Have you ever lied in your entire life? The answer will be yes for all of us except for those who are lying. A person who tells lies is called a liar. Have you ever stolen anything in your life, even the smallest of things? Most, if not all of us would have to say yes to this one also. A person who steals is called a thief. Have you ever taken God's name in vain? This includes using his name as a cuss word as well as using it in an empty or careless way. Every time someone says "oh my god" they are guilty of breaking this one. We have probably all broken this one at some time or another. This is called blasphemy.
Have you ever looked at a woman with lustful intent? Jesus said that if you look at a woman with lust you have already committed adultery with her in your heart. We would have to answer yes to this one. Have you ever had unrighteous anger or hatred toward someone? We probably have all done this. Jesus said if we have done this then we are guilty of murder.
So after looking at some of the Ten Commandments we have been found to be liars, thieves, blasphemers, adulterers, and murderers. If God judges you by the Ten Commandments (his standard) will you be innocent or guilty? The answer should be obviously guilty. When we are judged by God's standard we are not found to be the good people we think we are. We try to compare ourselves with other people and you can always find someone who is worse than you are. There are none who are righteous and all have sinned against God. We do not deserve to go to heaven but instead we deserve hell. Because of our sinfulness we are under the wrath of God. So what is the answer to our problem?
The solution is Jesus Christ. God sent his Son to save sinners. He died on the cross to pay for the sins of all who believe in him. He was raised from the dead victorious over sin and death. Jesus lived a perfect life without sin and his perfect righteousness is credited to all who believe in him. People must repent of their sins and trust in Christ alone for salvation. Jesus is the only way to heaven.
Scripture References
Exodus 20
Matthew 5
Romans 3
Monday, September 29, 2014
Monday, September 22, 2014
J. Gresham Machen, Fundamentalism, And Liberalism
J. Gresham Machen lived from 1881-1937. He was a New Testament professor and apologist who taught at Princeton Seminary and later Westminster Seminary. Machen became a prominent leader of the fundamentalist movement. He did not use the term fundamentalist himself, but preferred Bible believing Christian.
In the 1800's theological liberalism arose in Germany. By the late 1800's and early 1900's it had spread to the United States. Liberalism was an effort to bring Christianity in line with the teaching of the Enlightenment. Human reason and science were the authorities instead of Biblical revelation. The liberals ended up denying the authority and inerrancy of Scripture. It denied miracles as well. The virgin birth, the deity of Christ, the substitutionary atonement, the bodily resurrection, and the second coming of Christ were all denied.
In the early 1900's fundamentalism arose to combat liberalism. The fundamentalists got their name because they were defending the fundamentals of the faith. They were simply standing for historic, orthodox Christianity. The early fundamentalism of Machen and others was excellent. But unfortunately the movement strayed away from it's early roots and became known for separatism, pietism, and moralism.
Machen's most prominent work was "Christianity and Liberalism". In it he contrasts Biblical Christianity with Liberalism. Machen concluded that liberalism was not Christianity at all. He taught at Princeton Theological Seminary but eventually left because of it's liberal turn in the 1920's. He went on to start Westminster Theological Seminary. He was also put out of the Presbyterian Church (USA) for his opposition to it's liberalism in the 1930's. After this Machen started the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.
J. Gresham Machen was a great leader in church history. He was an excellent New Testament scholar and Christian apologist. He stood for the truth and defended Biblical Christianity even when it was unpopular.
In the 1800's theological liberalism arose in Germany. By the late 1800's and early 1900's it had spread to the United States. Liberalism was an effort to bring Christianity in line with the teaching of the Enlightenment. Human reason and science were the authorities instead of Biblical revelation. The liberals ended up denying the authority and inerrancy of Scripture. It denied miracles as well. The virgin birth, the deity of Christ, the substitutionary atonement, the bodily resurrection, and the second coming of Christ were all denied.
In the early 1900's fundamentalism arose to combat liberalism. The fundamentalists got their name because they were defending the fundamentals of the faith. They were simply standing for historic, orthodox Christianity. The early fundamentalism of Machen and others was excellent. But unfortunately the movement strayed away from it's early roots and became known for separatism, pietism, and moralism.
Machen's most prominent work was "Christianity and Liberalism". In it he contrasts Biblical Christianity with Liberalism. Machen concluded that liberalism was not Christianity at all. He taught at Princeton Theological Seminary but eventually left because of it's liberal turn in the 1920's. He went on to start Westminster Theological Seminary. He was also put out of the Presbyterian Church (USA) for his opposition to it's liberalism in the 1930's. After this Machen started the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.
J. Gresham Machen was a great leader in church history. He was an excellent New Testament scholar and Christian apologist. He stood for the truth and defended Biblical Christianity even when it was unpopular.
Monday, September 15, 2014
Young People, Postmodernism, And The Bible
Postmodernism is the view held by most of the young people today including many professing Christians. Postmodernists believe there is no absolute truth and no ultimate right and wrong. They hold to moral relativism. We are not to judge and we must be tolerant of all things, except of course those people who have been deemed intolerant. The postmodern children do not want to declare anything right or wrong because all things are just opinions and preferences.
The postmodernists cannot consistently declare anything to be good or evil. They cannot even say that murder and rape are wrong, they have to just say it is not preferred. Postmodernism recognizes no truth and no authority. There can never be any certainty about anything either. In a postmodern worldview all religions and beliefs are equally valid. Those making truth claims or exclusivity claims will be rejected.
In reality postmodernism is utter nonsense. It is simply the suppression of the truth about God. Ultimately it is the rejection of the God who is there.
So what is the answer in dealing with all of this? According to the modern church it must be fun and games. You definitely do not want to be serious. Modern youth ministry seems to major in triviality and just plain stupidity.
How often have we heard that we do not need theology? But theology is simply the study of God. In reality theology needs to be recovered. What could be more important than the study of God? Reaching the postmodern children requires a supernatural answer. Reason alone will not persuade the young people of today. We must go to the Bible, the book from God, the very word of God. The Bible needs to be understood as a whole and not just in bits and pieces. Postmodernists need to see the real Jesus. They need the one who is the way, the truth, and the life.
The postmodernists cannot consistently declare anything to be good or evil. They cannot even say that murder and rape are wrong, they have to just say it is not preferred. Postmodernism recognizes no truth and no authority. There can never be any certainty about anything either. In a postmodern worldview all religions and beliefs are equally valid. Those making truth claims or exclusivity claims will be rejected.
In reality postmodernism is utter nonsense. It is simply the suppression of the truth about God. Ultimately it is the rejection of the God who is there.
So what is the answer in dealing with all of this? According to the modern church it must be fun and games. You definitely do not want to be serious. Modern youth ministry seems to major in triviality and just plain stupidity.
How often have we heard that we do not need theology? But theology is simply the study of God. In reality theology needs to be recovered. What could be more important than the study of God? Reaching the postmodern children requires a supernatural answer. Reason alone will not persuade the young people of today. We must go to the Bible, the book from God, the very word of God. The Bible needs to be understood as a whole and not just in bits and pieces. Postmodernists need to see the real Jesus. They need the one who is the way, the truth, and the life.
Monday, September 8, 2014
John Calvin Defended
John Calvin lived from 1509-1564 and was born in France. He initially studied law, but he soon developed an interest in theology after coming under the influence of the Protestant Reformation. Calvin became a pastor, theologian, and leader of the Reformed church. John Calvin became the second most prominent figure in the Reformation behind only Martin Luther. Calvin eventually had to leave France because the Reformed were facing persecution from the Roman Catholic Church there. He ended up in Geneva where he became very influential in the church and society.
John Calvin's major works include "Institutes Of The Christian Religion" and commentaries on almost all the books of the Bible. The "Institutes" was a systematic theology meant to be an introduction to the teaching of the Bible. Calvin's "Institutes" is one of the greatest books in church history. John Calvin held to the great teachings of the Reformation. We are saved by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone. Scripture alone is authoritative and to God alone belongs the glory. But unfortunately in some circles Calvin has a bad reputation.
Didn't John Calvin have his daughter-in-law put to death because of adultery? The problem with this one is that Calvin did not have a daughter-in-law. This accusation is obviously not true.
But didn't John Calvin have Michael Servetus executed? First of all Servetus was a heretic who denied the Trinity. He even referred to God as a three headed monster. Calvin held no government position so he had no authority to execute anyone. He was not a crazy tyrant as some would have us to believe. Execution of heretics was the policy in Geneva before Calvin even arrived there. It was simply the common view of the day held by most Protestants and Catholics. They saw the heretic as a murderer of the soul. So by this reasoning a murderer deserved to be executed. Trying to lay the blame for this on Calvin is terribly unfair. People must be looked at in their historical context.
Didn't John Calvin invent that horrible doctrine of predestination? Calvin believed in the absolute sovereignty of God and this leads necessarily to predestination. It is the belief that God has determined beforehand who he will save. He has chosen to save some while passing over others. The doctrine of predestination was not invented by John Calvin. The same view was held by Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, and most of the Reformers. The church father Augustine held to predestination and most importantly it is taught in the Bible. Since it comes from the Word of God it is not a horrible doctrine but a wonderful doctrine.
John Calvin was not a perfect person but the bad reputation is not deserved. He was one of the greatest theologians and leaders in church history. In fact if some of the Calvin opponents would simply read his work they might be surprised to find out how much they agree with him. John Calvin has been described as a fanatic for the glory of God. If only more of us could be described that way.
John Calvin's major works include "Institutes Of The Christian Religion" and commentaries on almost all the books of the Bible. The "Institutes" was a systematic theology meant to be an introduction to the teaching of the Bible. Calvin's "Institutes" is one of the greatest books in church history. John Calvin held to the great teachings of the Reformation. We are saved by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone. Scripture alone is authoritative and to God alone belongs the glory. But unfortunately in some circles Calvin has a bad reputation.
Didn't John Calvin have his daughter-in-law put to death because of adultery? The problem with this one is that Calvin did not have a daughter-in-law. This accusation is obviously not true.
But didn't John Calvin have Michael Servetus executed? First of all Servetus was a heretic who denied the Trinity. He even referred to God as a three headed monster. Calvin held no government position so he had no authority to execute anyone. He was not a crazy tyrant as some would have us to believe. Execution of heretics was the policy in Geneva before Calvin even arrived there. It was simply the common view of the day held by most Protestants and Catholics. They saw the heretic as a murderer of the soul. So by this reasoning a murderer deserved to be executed. Trying to lay the blame for this on Calvin is terribly unfair. People must be looked at in their historical context.
Didn't John Calvin invent that horrible doctrine of predestination? Calvin believed in the absolute sovereignty of God and this leads necessarily to predestination. It is the belief that God has determined beforehand who he will save. He has chosen to save some while passing over others. The doctrine of predestination was not invented by John Calvin. The same view was held by Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, and most of the Reformers. The church father Augustine held to predestination and most importantly it is taught in the Bible. Since it comes from the Word of God it is not a horrible doctrine but a wonderful doctrine.
John Calvin was not a perfect person but the bad reputation is not deserved. He was one of the greatest theologians and leaders in church history. In fact if some of the Calvin opponents would simply read his work they might be surprised to find out how much they agree with him. John Calvin has been described as a fanatic for the glory of God. If only more of us could be described that way.
Monday, September 1, 2014
ISIS, Islam, And The West
The terrorist group known as ISIS has been in the news a lot lately, especially after they beheaded journalist James Foley. The group is active in Syria and Iraq. They have actually existed since 2010 even though they have just recently caught the attention of the Western world. Al Quaeda has distanced themselves from ISIS because they are too extreme even for them. They persecute and murder Christians and others if they will not convert. The group seeks to establish a caliphate (Islamic state). They are seen as a real threat to the United States and the West.
But isn't Islam a wonderful, peaceful religion? Aren't ISIS and other terrorist groups just extremists who are hijacking Islam? In reality these groups may be holding to the actual teaching of the Koran, though we must point out that not all Muslims are terrorists. In fact the history of Islam is one of conquest. In the Koran there is no separation of religion and government. Unfortunately the true nature of Islam is not peaceful. We must realize that not all religions are the same.
America and the West are weak when they need to be strong. They have rejected their Christian roots and have embraced secularism and paganism. The West now lacks a moral foundation to stand on. With the loss of a Biblical worldview we are no longer able to take a strong stand against evil. The West has embraced moral relativism and can no longer stand for truth.
Unfortunately American leadership is weak. President Obama is not a strong leader. He seems to see everything through his Marxist worldview. It is always about the oppressed and the oppressors. Of course Islam has been the oppressed. We have had bad policy in the U.S. and not just from Leftist like Obama. Former President George W. Bush and the neoconservatives have also had bad policy. Going in to Iraq seems to have been a mistake. It created instability and paved the way for ISIS.
The idea of nation building and inserting democracies throughout the middle east was foolish. It simply does not work on an Islamic foundation. Our leaders fail to understand Islam. It is not a wonderful, peaceful religion.
But isn't Islam a wonderful, peaceful religion? Aren't ISIS and other terrorist groups just extremists who are hijacking Islam? In reality these groups may be holding to the actual teaching of the Koran, though we must point out that not all Muslims are terrorists. In fact the history of Islam is one of conquest. In the Koran there is no separation of religion and government. Unfortunately the true nature of Islam is not peaceful. We must realize that not all religions are the same.
America and the West are weak when they need to be strong. They have rejected their Christian roots and have embraced secularism and paganism. The West now lacks a moral foundation to stand on. With the loss of a Biblical worldview we are no longer able to take a strong stand against evil. The West has embraced moral relativism and can no longer stand for truth.
Unfortunately American leadership is weak. President Obama is not a strong leader. He seems to see everything through his Marxist worldview. It is always about the oppressed and the oppressors. Of course Islam has been the oppressed. We have had bad policy in the U.S. and not just from Leftist like Obama. Former President George W. Bush and the neoconservatives have also had bad policy. Going in to Iraq seems to have been a mistake. It created instability and paved the way for ISIS.
The idea of nation building and inserting democracies throughout the middle east was foolish. It simply does not work on an Islamic foundation. Our leaders fail to understand Islam. It is not a wonderful, peaceful religion.
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