The New York Times Magazine Asks, “Can animals be gay?”
Apr 10th
I am not one easily shocked these days. Just a click of the T.V. dial and you can see just about anything. In fact, I try to limit my T.V. exposure as I don’t believe it is a good thing to be so desensitized. Still, one cannot help but realize the agenda that exists to push a secular worldview and so I should not be surprised by anything that comes up as it relates to that very agenda. But, it just so happens that the New York Times Magazine sunk to a new low, and therefore, has once again surprised me with the repugnant way they are pushing their agenda. On Easter Sunday, the New York Times Magazine published an article about gay animals. The cover showed two presumably gay bunnies. I am not for conspiracies, so let’s dispense of any such notion here. It should be obvious to anyone with a pulse that the timing of this article was quite purposeful. Anyway, if you are interested, Albert Mohler has provided a thoughtful analysis of this issue. You can find that article here.
Popularity: 22% [?]
Thoughts on the John Piper-Rick Warren Issue
Apr 10th
I hesitated to address this issue because of the many reactions to this issue, for which it has quickly become a very divisive issue. However, now that I have had more time to think about it, I feel it warrants a few thoughts. I will not get too lengthy, however, so if you would like a more detailed analysis, check out the twitter feed for some links to some well written articles on this matter.
First, for those not familiar with the issue, let me provide a brief synopsis: John Piper’s ministry, Desiring God, holds a national conference each year and invites a number of preachers to attend and speak at the conference. Traditionally, the speakers are very aligned in thinking and theology with John Piper’s views. Thus, they are generally noted Calvinists and either Reformed theologically, or fairly close to it. However, John Piper has on occasion broken from that norm and invited people a little further from that line of thinking. In this case, inviting Rick Warren has ignited a firestorm of criticism of John Piper because Rick Warren is a far departure from the type of ministry and in many cases, the actual belief system of John Piper and those who appreciate his ministry. Some would say that Rick Warren is even an enemy of the faith. And even if not, much of the way he practices his ministry is extremely questionable, so many people are upset that he is being given this stage. So, that is the issue.
As for me and my reaction, I have felt a mix of emotions since I heard the news. Initially, I was shocked and reacted quite negatively to it. I then swung to the complete opposite spectrum and actually began to think of this as a good thing. I have now settled my thoughts a little and believe it is probably unwise to go forward with Rick Warren as a speaker at the event, but that partially depends on the context of the speaking engagement. If this event were a debate or placed in the context that we are hearing an opposing view, it would likely be fine. However, I would be adamantly opposed to this if Rick Warren was actually speaking during a normal church service. That would not be okay because a pastor of a church should guard the flock from false teaching, particularly in a worship service. Should Rick Warren speak during a worship service, then that would send a clear indication that his teaching is approved. I personally have too many reservations about Rick Warren to feel comfortable with that happening. So, here is the question: Is the Desiring God conference akin to a worship service? Or, is it basically a forum for learning theology in the same manner that a theology class, or even a debate might be? I have not been to a Desiring God conference, but I have listened to some of the messages from past conferences and I am aware that they also worship in song at the event. Further, I believe the very aim of the conference (found here) affirms the fact that this conference is not a mere intellectual exercise. Thus, I have to come to a point where I feel uncomfortable with Warren’s presence at the event.
I am hesitant to use language stronger than this at this point, but I nonetheless felt it worthy to at least evaluate this issue. I am hopeful that this works out well and that John Piper is able to create a context for Warren that doesn’t mislead those in attendance about Warren and what he presents. I will be praying for that. In the meantime, I will be praying that we as Christian conduct ourselves in a manner that is worthy of our calling as we debate this issue.
Popularity: 68% [?]
Glory Seekers
Apr 9th
At the heart of man, we find a near constant hunger for glory. It can be seen in almost all of our activities, from stadiums full of people watching a sporting event to a president displaying his bravado as he confidently gives a speech. We can be found seeking glory on the battlefield, or in the office, in the boxing ring, or in the classroom — and many other places. Isn’t that in the end one of our greatest sins? We are made to display the glory of God, but we subvert it to seek our own imitation glory instead. And yet, in the end, we will all display the glory of God.
The Bible says that we will either display God’s glory as objects of wrath or as objects of mercy. So, if you seek temporary glory in this world and subvert the true glory of God, you will for an eternity display the glory of God in being objects of wrath. And yet, in the riches of His kindness, God desires mercy. Wouldn’t you rather be an object of His mercy? Is the temporary satisfaction found in your trivial pursuits really worth it? Can you see how wrong it is to willfully subvert the magnificence of God — how your efforts to establish your fame, popularity, and pleasure-seeking are like an ant shaking its fist at the creator God in willful disobedience? Humble yourself before God and seek His glory, the glory of His Son, and the richness of His mercy.
Popularity: 25% [?]
From the Christian Post: ‘Pastor Calls Christian Atheists to Shed Hypocrisy’
Apr 8th
The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living As If He Doesn’t Exist
This has been something I have been saying for a while. Many, if not most, Christians in America are really atheists. That seems like a harsh statement, but in terms of the way they live their lives, they live as if God did not exist. They make mention of Him, but they do so in a manner that is antithetical to God’s Word. Well, Pastor Craig Groeschel has written a book on the subject. You can hear about it here. Here is an excerpt from that article:
Christian Atheists are everywhere, Groeschel, who leads LifeChurch.tv, writes in his newly released book, The Christian Atheist.
They attend church and seminaries and some even read their Bibles everyday.
“Many of us look the part,” the Edmond, Okla., pastor says. “Or we think we’re Christian because, you know, it’s not like we’re Buddhists. We believe in God, but our lives don’t reflect who he really is.”
I would definitely agree with Pastor Groeschel. In fact, in most cases, this is because the alleged Christian is really a false convert. I wrote about that here: False Conversion.
Popularity: 21% [?]
The Line between Rap and Bible Study Blurred
Apr 6th
Growing up, I was a fan of rap music. Granted, nearly all of it was so utterly sinful that I would no longer listen to any of it. And I am not one to automatically take the Christian alternative. Unfortunately, that is because many times, the Christian alternative is just a cleaned up version of secular music, but not necessarily as good from a musical standpoint. Rarely do you find Christian music that is both excellent and God-glorifying. However, I can say without hesitation that there are some really good options within the Christian rap music genre. In fact, within Christian rap, there are many excellent artists that truly rap with Christ in focus. One such example is an album by 116 Clique (it is a compilation of artists from Reach Records) titled, “13 Letters.” This is a rap expose of the 13 letters penned by Paul in the New Testament. You will find more theology in these songs than in most pulpits in America. I say that without hesitation. Check out the samples below. I will also add that if you expand out and purchase any of the artist’s own individual records, you cannot go wrong there either.
Popularity: 32% [?]
Resurrection Day!
Apr 4th
The cross; it is what we should seek to celebrate this Resurrection Day. And despite the immense meaning behind it, many people will instead celebrate an Easter bunny along with typical American commercialism. I hope this Resurrection Day will be different for you. I hope that you will see the true cross and be saved by it. I am going to keep this post simple. Please consider the words to the worship song, “Jesus, Thank You”:
The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend
The agonies of Calvary
You the perfect Holy One, crushed Your Son
Who drank the bitter cup reserved for me
Your blood has washed away my sin
Jesus, thank You
The Father’s wrath completely satisfied
Jesus, thank You
Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table
Jesus, thank You
By Your perfect sacrifice I’ve been brought near
Your enemy You’ve made Your friend
Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace
Your mercy and Your kindness know no end
Lover of my soul
I want to live for You
I hope you will allow these words to guide you in thought on this Resurrection Day. Here’s a video of this song by Sovereign Grace Music:
Popularity: 20% [?]
True Street Preaching
Apr 3rd
I love this video! In our time, even most Christians disavow street preachers. And yet, if we are being honest, we must acknowledge that if Jesus were on earth today, he would be a street preacher. Watch the video and see a good description of true street preaching:
Popularity: 24% [?]
Sovereign Grace Music – Worship God Live
Apr 3rd
This is by far my favorite worship album I own. Great stuff!
Popularity: 24% [?]
Black children are an endangered species
Apr 3rd
Black children are an endangered species
Popularity: 4% [?]
Walking through the Bible: John 1:16-17
Apr 3rd
John 1:16-17: 16 From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
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In these verses, John is pointing to one of the immediate changes that we find in the messiah. John does not expound on it, but instead hints ever so slightly that the Jewish expectations of the messiah may not be correct. The Jewish people expected a messiah to come and to reign immediately on the earth. However, as we know, Jesus did not – - at least, not on the earth. And so while John does not address this fact immediately, he does hint at it by indicating the purpose of Christ when he says, “grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” By connecting this statement to the one preceding it (the law was given through Moses), we also find the connection of Jesus to the Jewish scriptures.
Again, as indicated previously, John is setting the framework for our thoughts about Jesus prior to going into the events of His life. So, the function of this verse fits nicely into that overall purpose. First, John ensured in prior verses that we saw Jesus as more than a man. In fact, John told us that Jesus was God incarnate (come in the flesh). Now, John is telling us that his coming has essentially two purposes (among others):
Grace: Jesus came this first time to die on the cross. By doing so, He laid down His life as the perfect sacrifice, bearing the judgment of God, and offering His grace to those who believe in Him.
Truth: For those who do believe Him, he offers truth, brought along by the Holy Spirit in our lives as we are molded and made into the image of Christ.
These two concepts are the primary reasons that the covenant held together by the law has been replaced. Jesus has provided a new way, a direct connection to the truth and grace of Christ.
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Walking through the Bible is a verse by verse study of the Bible. A small segment of verses will be looked at each time and a brief, but relevant study of the text will be conducted.
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