For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD (Isaiah 55:8). Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be…
Read MoreTypically, religious indifferentism espouses the idea that all religions and religious positions are equally valid. There is a modified version of this that affirms the truth but is willing to accept those who oppose the truth as equal partners in ministry. Many today do not really understand what the fundamentalist/modernist controversy of the 1920s was…
Read MoreDr. Alexander Whyte of Edinburgh, Scotland, was famous for his pulpit prayers which always included words of thanksgiving. One stormy morning a member of the congregation thought to himself, “The preacher will have nothing to thank God for on a wretched morning like this!” Dr. Whyte began his prayer, “We thank Thee, O God, that…
Read MoreAfter a lengthy discussion of the need for and basis of justification by grace through faith in Christ (i.e., salvation or conversion), Paul now explains how this same truth should transform our mindset and lifestyle as Christians (i.e., sanctification or Christian growth). The believer’s close identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection places him or…
Read MoreA Lesson in Maturity and Patience In Philippians 3:15, after a lengthy treatment discussing the supreme importance of following Jesus Christ, Paul writes, “Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.” (ESV) During sermon preparation on this passage, I…
Read MoreTwo weeks ago, I quoted Beale’s History of Fundamentalism where Dr. Beale made the claim that Steve Pettit has led BJU into broader evangelicalism. I did not express agreement or disagreement with Beale’s statement, I just noted it and wondered if there would be a further explanation. Several have pointed out to me that my…
Read MoreYears ago the God-Is-Dead Movement began. This theological position did not argue that God had died; it was more the idea that man had created God (or gods) in the past, and now we had become intelligent and sophisticated enough that we no longer need a god. Similarly, and sadly, for some segments of Evangelicalism,…
Read MoreMany of you have had the experience of visiting an aquarium or terrarium. In the aquarium tank, you may have seen divers go in to feed the fish. Terrariums include plants and animals. Many times, the aquariums or terrariums will have many windows through which you can view the exhibit. Each new window gives you…
Read MoreEvery evangelical church I’m aware of places its belief regarding the Bible first in its Statement of Faith. Article I of our church’s confession says: We believe the Holy Scriptures to be the very Word of God: the product of the breath of God and thus verbally inspired in all parts, and therefore wholly without…
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