Hero Nominations

I had the pleasure last Sunday of preaching a sermon on heroes from Hebrews 11 and 12. Among the notables that I expounded on, I included Martin Luther, George Whitefield, Charles Spurgeon, D. James Kennedy and many other men of faith from the near past. Among my local heroes, I spoke about Jerry Poff and Allen McClellan, local pastors.

Who are your heroes? Leave a comment concerning your hero and I will be selecting three individuals to receive a free copy of "Revolution in World Missions" by K.P. Yohannan. The drawing will take place on November 19th.

Atheists as the New Gays

Richard Dawkins and others of his ilk have proposed that atheists should create a movement similar to the civil rights movement for gays. Believing that atheists are a persecuted class, Dawkins has even proposed that atheists should adopt a new name, much like the homosexuals gravitated to the more positive name "gay" as part of their political agenda.

Dawkins proposed new name is "brights". Of course, this implies that everyone else that disagrees is a dullard. Hard to see how this will not backfire for poor Dawkins.

When have you last seen a martyr for the cause of atheism? When has an atheist been denied tenure for his beliefs? When has an atheist had a burning cross planted on his lawn? Did Nero, Pol Pot, Stalin, and Mao target atheists? When did you last see someone dying for nothing or for someone who wasn't there?

For an article by Dinesh D'Souza on this topic visit Town Hall.

Atheist of the Week

Richard Dawkins, our Atheist of the Week (or two weeks), has been ducking a debate with Dinesh D'Souza, a conservative scholar.

Dawkin's rather inane video may be viewed at Youtube. If you would like to see Dawkins debate Dinesh, write an e-mail of encouragement to Dawkins at dineshjdsouza@aol.com. Dinesh has promised to forward these letters onward to the recalcitrant Dawkins.

Novelty and Mechanics: Building the Church

There has been considerable fascination in the Christian culture with chasing fads and finding new novel concepts. Church leaders are the target of thousands of marketing campaigns, leadership models, avant garde Bible study curricula, trendy videos and vision casting techniques.

All of these mechanisms promise Church leaders growing congregations, health, vitality and a spiritual revolution.

When did God call pastors to resort to novelty? When did mechanics and methodology take over the Church of Christ? Does our current pre-occupation with revolutionary ideas and methodologies show that we trust the power of God's word or the power of human ingenuity?

Cults build big groups using mere methods. I want to know how to participate in building the Kingdom of God. Why should Saddleback, Mars Hill and Willowcreek be our models?

God did not call us to novelty, but to preaching the old, time honored, time proven message of the Gospel -- the message once for all entrusted to the saints by the apostles (Jude 1:3). God builds the house, not the ideas of men (Psalm 127:1).

Episcopalian Courage

Katharine Schori, the current head of the Episcopalian church, was an early supporter of the election of the first openly homosexual bishop in New Hampshire. She is now using her clout to crush the Episcopal diocese in Pittsburgh which is moving to leave the Episcopal Church over the homosexual clergy issue. Threatening all kinds of vengeance, Schori has promised in a letter to levy a civil suit against Pittsburgh's bishop, Robert Duncan.

Her goal is simple. If they lose the Pittsburgh people over the homosexuality issue, they will keep the property through legal entanglements.

Here is Robert Duncan's response:

1st November, A.D. 2007
The Feast of All Saints

The Most Revd Katharine Jefferts Schori
Episcopal Church Center
New York, New York

Dear Katharine,

Here I stand. I can do no other. I will neither compromise the Faith once delivered to the saints, nor will I abandon the sheep who elected me to protect them.

Pax et bonum in Christ Jesus our Lord,

+Bob Pittsburgh

Praise God for this man! In his time of trial, e-mail Duncan at duncan@pgh.anglican.org to show your support. May the Episcopal union be sundered if it be for the cause of Christ.

For more on Robert Duncan, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Duncan_(bishop)
To site the letter directly, go to http://www.pgh.anglican.org/news/local/pbresponse110207
To read about Katharine Shori's gambit, visit http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_91480_ENG_HTM.htm

Way of the Master

There are few ministries that have awakened such an incredible resurgence in Biblical witnessing as Way of the Master. I would strongly encourage anyone to visit Way of the Master or Way of the Master Radio.

Way of the Master Radio has a daily two hour podcast hosted by Todd Friel that emphasizes evangelism and speaking the same message as Jesus Christ. They also have clips of their television show available online at http://www.wayofthemaster.com/watchepisodes.shtml.

Willow Creek Announces Failure

Willow Creek has announced that it is failing to produce spiritually mature disciples. I'm glad that they have acknowledged this issue and I hope that they can begin to turn things around. Bob Burney, a Salem Communications radio show host, has posted a good article at Town Hall.

It is sad that Willow Creek has invited the heretic Brian McClaren to speak at their upcoming youth event known as Shift. This is definitely not a move in the right direction if they desire to spur a new generation to maturity. McClaren represents the new theological liberalism threatening the Church. I doubt if it is coincidental that he is currently organizing a Deep Shift conference.

Environmental Reverence

There is a new religion and Al Gore is its chief priest and prophet. The idol of the environment is our new Lawgiver. Anything uttered in the spirit of the environment is sanctified.

Last week, an article was published in the Hilliard newspaper entitled “Consider Reducing Baby Emissions.” The author was Marianne Gabel, a high powered Columbus attorney, who has funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars into environmental and reproductive related causes. The theme of the article was the need to reduce unwanted pregnancies thereby reducing the environmental impact. Washed in the sanctifying cry of “Environment!” was presented the case for abortion, condoms for sexually promiscuous teens and the depopulation of ‘burdensome’ third world children.

Pastors have also picked up the mantra of the new religion. A battle wages beneath the surface of the National Association of Evangelicals over whether abortion or the environment should be paramount. The issue truly boils down to ‘Who is my enemy and who is my friend?’ Do we side with Al Gore and his cronies or do we champion the weak who have no voice?

Make no bones about it, the liberals will not allow religious conservatives to try to side with both sides of the issue. There is too much at stake in their minds concerning the absolute and dire need to achieve zero population growth.

The environment is the new god of this age because we have entrusted it with our peace and security. Loyalty to the environment is unquestionable and, in the new ideology, the only morality. The sacral creed of the environment is uber-morality, superceding any misguided, Biblical morality.

If you believe that the linkage of the environment to a new religion is a little overblown, consider these quotes by Al Gore taken from his first book “Earth in the Balance; Ecology and the Human Spirit”:

• "A modern prayer of the Onondaga tribe in upstate New York offers another beautiful expression of our essential connection to the earth: `O Great Spirit, whose breath gives life to the world and whose voice is heard in the soft breeze make us wise so that we may understand what you have taught us'" (p. 259).
• "The richness and diversity of our religious tradition throughout history is a spiritual resource long ignored by people of faith, who are often afraid to open their minds to teachings first offered outside their own system of belief.
• "This panreligious perspective may prove especially important where our global civilization's responsibility for the earth is concerned" (p. 258-259).
• "A growing number of anthropologists and archeo-mythologists argue that the prevailing ideology of belief in prehistoric Europe and much of the world was based on the worship of a single earth goddess, who was assumed to be the fount of all life and who radiated harmony among all living things.

We have a new god in mother earth. Abolished are the 10 commandments. In their place, the dictum of peace and safety. Peace and safety at the expense of godless tyranny.

Rob Bell, Emergent Error

Much has been written about the Emergent church movement and its strong ties to postmodern thinking. One of the chief proponents of the movement was a target of Mark Driscoll's speech at the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in September. Rob Bell, pastor of Mars Hill and creator of the popular Nooma videos, has begun to draw significant attention for the postmodern underpinnings of his beliefs.

Rob Bell's Beliefs

1. Rabbinical Authority - Rob Bell believes that listening to the early rabbis is key to unlocking the message of Scripture. As Mark Driscoll points out, however, it is highly questionable whether men who do not love, adore, revere, respect and cling to Jesus would possess God's hermeneutic principles. If their method of interpreting the Scripture did not open their eyes and hearts to Christ, then who would want to follow in their footsteps?

2. Brian McClaren's Influence - McClaren is the leading spokesman for all things Emergent. He denies eternal hell, posits that one can be a good and justified Buddhist who reveres Jesus, enjoys the works of heretics like John Dominic Crossan (Jesus Seminar) and Tillich, and he has sanctioned a five year moratorium on discussing whether homosexuality is sinful. McClaren has often filled Rob Bell's pulpit at Mars Hill.

3. Trajectory Hermeneutics - Rob Bell believes that Scripture contains the kernel of ideas that evolve into their full form over time. This type of trajectory hermeneutics has been used to defend homosexuality (not yet by Rob). Homosexual apologists believe that the principles of love and equality in the Bible lead to the trajectory of total acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle. This type of methodology will produce a multitude of errors and can be used to rationalize and defend almost any sinful behavior.

4. Velvet Elvis - Rob Bell's groundbreaking postmodern work argues that certain doctrines like the virgin birth are discardable. While Rob personally believes in the virgin birth, he questions what Christians really gain from the doctrine of Mary's Holy Spirit inspired pregnancy. Bell asks where we would be if DNA evidence concluded that Jesus had not been born of a virgin. In the paraphrased words of Mark Driscoll, 'How can we believe the extravagant claims of a son of a lying whore?' Without the virgin birth, the entire story changes. Rob further goes on to state that theology is flexible like a trampoline and that it can easily be molded to fit the times. Unfortunately, Rob forgets that even trampolines have to have a solid foundation.

While Rob Bell has not moved to full blown heresy, his ideas will inevitably lead others there. History has taught us that successive generations attempt to live more in tune with the ideas that have been passed to them. There are tremendous dangers in having the wrong perspective of the world, much less God's word.

Fading Beauty and Cultural Decay

Artistic Absence of Beauty

There are few indicators of cultural decline as significant as the disappearance of beautiful art. When one considers the works of early Americans, the ancient Greeks, their works are truly beautiful and inspiring. Upon viewing their craft, one is left with reverence that God has created such beautiful images for the artist to capture on canvas or within chiseled stone.

However, recent American and European art has departed from the beautiful and plunged into the imagination of man. As man has searched for meaning outside of God's word and world, signifying man's repudiation of God Himself, he has delved into his own mind and found the brokenness revealed in Genesis 3. Consider these highly lauded examples of modern American art:





Is there anything beautiful in them? The Scream (the first painting) betokens a silent menace at the end of the bridge. The other two paintings are decompositions of reality. Is there anything redeeming within them? Yet the world has devolved so much from a true appreciation of beauty that empty-headed critics heap praise on these modern debacles.

The message of the paintings is that reality is malleable, chaotic and threatening. While I consider these paintings intellectually intriguing, my four year old has created such masterpieces without nearly the artistic training.

Literature and music follow the same path as the visual arts. There are very few, if any, great literary masterpieces being written. Music has been conquered by drug saturated, blond no-talents who believe that baring all is part of their musical repertoire. The messages of their songs are self-indulgent and decadent.

In the words of a famous deviant, "I care not who makes a nation's laws, so long as I can write its songs." Musicians are the laymen philosophers of every age. Within music, there is real power to influence and shape a nation. Is it any wonder that our children commit atrocities as they gyrate to the music of their lawgivers?

American culture is in decline because it has abandoned God. As a post-Christian nation, America still has vestiges of its former glory. It is up to Christians to redeem the arts and to salvage the ruins of mankind's artistry. When a Christian creates beauty, he does so to the pleasure of his Creator.

A Gospel for Asia Christmas

If you are trying to break out of the rut of a materialistic Christmas, I would like to commend to you Gospel for Asia.

Gospel for Asia (or GFA) is a ministry that builds support for indigenous Asian missionaries. Native missionaries are extraordinarily effective since they have already mastered the languages and nuances of their cultures. Today, over 85 percent of Asian countries do not allow western missionaries to come and freely preach the Gospel and plant churches. These brothers and sisters in Christ live purposefully at the level of their neighbors, often in severe poverty, all for the sake of the Gospel. GFA passes on 100% of your donations directly to the missionaries or the cause that you designate.

For an eye opening experience, take a peek through the GFA Christmas catalogue at http://gfa.org/gift. Here you can find water purifiers, water buffaloes, wells and a spring of life overflowing.

This Christmas, please bust traditional self-gratification and buy an Asian a chicken! Such a small gift will be an incredible blessing.

Note: The picture at left is of K.P. Yohannan, the founder of GFA and an incredible saint in Christ.

Preach the Gospel. If Necessary Use Words?

There is an oft quoted saying "Preach the Gospel. If necessary, use words." This has long been heralded by Christians as a profoundly wise saying. Over the years, I have come to find the sentiments of the quote to be appalling.

First, the quote is often attributed to Francis of Assisi. Unfortunately, a survey of his actual writings will not yield the quote. The Franciscans themselves cannot find those words among Francis' works or legacy.

Second, the statement contradicts the Scriptures. Romans 10:14-15 states it well:

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

Christians favor the quote since they think it obviates them from opening their mouths. The common belief is that a Christian's lifestyle will miraculously lead people to Christ. However, Buddhists live righteous lifestyles (in the eyes of men). Taoists, Muslims, Jehovah's Witnesses, mystics, Moonies, and cultists all live lifestyles that are often commendable and disciplined.

Unless Christians open their months, Jesus Christ never gets the credit for their conduct. Arguing whether we should have both a verbal and a lifestyle witness is like arguing whether the left or right wing of an airplane is important.

Ray Comfort tells a wonderful story that illustrates my point nicely.

One hundred and fifty thousand children had been on the brink of starving to death, but thanks to the kind gift of a very generous billionaire, every child now had enough food to keep him alive. That gift had arrived in the form of one big check. The horror was now over. It was finished. It was just a matter of distributing the food using the few relief workers we had. Without them to get the food to the children, there would have been many more deaths.

Some days later, a frantic worker burst into the camp and cried, "Some of the relief workers have stopped distributing food. Masses of children are dying!"

Why would the workers stop when there was plenty of food? It didn't make sense. The distraught man said, "It's because one of them held up a sign that said, 'Feed the starving children. Where necessary, use food.' That has caused some of the workers to simply befriend the starving children without giving them food. It's insane!"

Christian, who are you to withhold the bread of life?

Sweden Crushes Religious Education

Per an article published in the United Kingdom's Guardian, Sweden will be crushing any faith based teaching even in private schools. The writer of the article argues that this should be par for the course in Britain as well. Sweden is struggling with how to curb fanatical Islam. The full article is at http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/andrew_brown/2007/10/gods_honest_truth.html.

Our religious liberties are a brittle thing. How long before the anti-religious plague striking Sweden crosses the Atlantic?

In a video created by Richard Dawkins, famous scientist and atheist, Dawkins decries the passage of religious beliefs from adults to children as a form of child abuse (The Root of All Evil - The God Delusion). Dawkins encourages government to remove parental rights in the education of their own children. This spirit was recently injected into the American debate when John Edwards announced that he would not "impose" his own morality even on his second grader.

In response to a question of whether he would be comfortable having a fairy tale read to his second-grader that ends with two men kissing and living happily ever after, Edwards had this to say: "… I don't want to make that decision on behalf of my children. I want my children to be able to make that decision on behalf of themselves, and I want them to be exposed to all the information, even in (chuckling), what did you say, second grade? Well, second grade might be a little tough, but even in second grade, to be exposed to all those possibilities. Because I don't want to impose my view – nobody made me God – I don't get to decide on behalf of my family and my children. … I don't get to impose on them what it is that I believe is right."

Prepare to defend your right to transmit your beliefs to your children. Edwards and Dawkins cometh!

Angel's First Half Marathon - From Start to Finish

The sun is just rising . Half the crowd is wearing trash bags for warmth.

Angel and her training group prepare for a day of running.

Everybody crossed the finish line in flying colors!

The Boys!

Bubby Art Work

Apparently, this is supposed to be me... My son's first sculpture. Breathtaking isn't it? By juxtaposing my image over a map of the United States, I assume that he is making a statement that I'm a man of the world.

In all honesty, this is a lot better than many of the things that pass for modern art.

From Evolution to Racism

Dr. James Watson, the famous secular humanist and discoverer of DNA, has recently made statements that black people are less intelligent than white people. The Nobel prize winner has since apologized, but his earlier remarks obviously reflect his beliefs. Stating that black employees are more difficult to manage than their white colleagues, Watson noted that he could not find any qualified black people to serve among his research teams.

Within the evolutionary framework, there is a natural inclination to racism. Theorizing that whites and blacks took divergent evolutionary paths, evolutionists of past ages even shot, killed and stuffed aborigines for museums. I cannot really blame Watson since he is merely stating the logical outcomes of his belief system.

Scripture on the other hand, teaches that there is no such thing as race, just different shades of mellanin. There is nothing more hypocritical than for a Christian to espouse racism. We are all brothers and sisters in Adam and share one blood.

Unlikely Bedfellows

Somewhat to my shock, my favorite living theologian, Wayne Grudem, has announced his support for Mitt Romney. As one of the leading evangelical thinkers of his time, Grudem makes a simple, but intriguing case. To read his article, visit Townhall. To be honest, Grudem's case has me seriously rethinking the 2008 election.

Joel Osteen on 60 Minutes

Joel Osteen was interviewed on 60 Minutes and was portrayed as "America's Pastor". During a subsequent radio show that was discussing the interview, a caller stated that Joel was not preaching heresy because you had to preach doctrine to be a heretic. He believed that Joel did not teach any doctrine whatsoever.

I heartily disagree with the caller. Heresy can be an act of omission as much as inclusion. If a preacher should choose to exclude the life saving message that we have all sinned against God and that Jesus had to suffer for those sins, then he commits heresy. How dare a man of God withhold the single message by which mankind might be saved.

For those that adore Joel Osteen, I want to pose some hard questions. Where does a theology of the life of Paul fit into Joel Osteen's overly positive, prosperity message?

I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? (II Corinthians 11:23-29)

Where does a theology of Jonah fit? Are our brothers and sisters in China "Living Your Best Life Now" as they are driven into prisons and summarily executed?

The truth is that Joel Osteen's message (or lack thereof) does not fit the reality of God's world. It is incapable of bringing comfort to a newly orphaned child. It is incapable of answering the question of why there is pain in the journey.

Watching The Polls

A friend recently sent me an article which detailed a recent Barna Group poll that indicated that the youth of today were increasingly disenamored with the Church. As I scanned through the article, I began to meditate on what I should learn from the poll.

Should churches seek to find a better model? Should they restructure everything that they do and say in order to bring up the favorability rating? Or could it be true that our nation is beginning to enter a state of hardening not seen since Biblical times?

My fear is growing that each new generation is growing more sinful and blinded to the word of God. We may soon reach a point where we will be like the Old Testament prophets who preached their unswerving message to a hard hearted, obstinate and (most importantly) unhearing people.

May God continue to give us a tender heart for the lost, and may He also keep us from negotiating the non-negotiables.