The Importance of Doctrine

05.08.2004 Is Doctrine Important Today, or Does Doctrine Matter Anymore?

Dearly Beloved, I would speak to you
Of mice and men
And things therein.

In the doctrinal world, there are theoretical theologians, practical and pragmatic theologians, almost theologians, wannabe theologians, part-time theologians, several mixed-up theologians, pastors, pastor-teachers, evangelizing pastors and teachers. Then there are expositors, topical readers, evangelists and missionaries, elders and deacons, and disciplers, mentors, leaders and grand poohbas. There are also a lot of people occupying pews who think of themselves as theologians and another group of those in pews who don’t know what to think. There is a vast number of others who prefer not to think, thank you, but really enjoy the social atmosphere and who simply want to feel good. In one or two of these you and I probably think we fit in rather well. Where do you think you fit in? Difficulty always arises when one talks to another about doctrine. Not only do they differ on doctrine, sometimes having different definitions of doctrine, but also they can not agree on very elementary principles of Biblical matters. It is my premise that in these matters, the differences between all denominations and churches and many, if not all theologians can be expressed as their view of the authority of the Bible and good rules of interpretation. Of course, in this Musing, I will give you the correct view.

What is doctrine?
Webster: 1. Archaic! teaching, instruction; 2. Something that is taught: a principle or position or the body of principles in a branch of knowledge or system of belief. Synonyms: doctrine, dogma, and tenet mean a principle accepted as authoritative. Doctrine implies a principle accepted by a body of believers or adherents to a philosophy or school. Dogma implies a doctrine that is laid down as true and beyond dispute. Tenet stresses acceptance and belief rather than teaching and applies to a principle held or adhered to. 3. A principle of law established through past decisions or a statement of fundamental government policy, esp. in international relations.
Greek New Testament: The Greek didaskalos and its other various forms (5 in number, making 6 total) appear some 209 times if I counted correctly. The basic noun means instructor or teacher. In its forms it is translated as to teach or able to teach, teaching (s), instruction, doctrine, preach, taught, etc. But Webster says teaching is archaic as a meaning for doctrine! It is no wonder that we differ on definitions.
Scripturally, doctrine is simply a teaching of a body of spiritual and physical truth that is based on the Word of God. There are fundamentals and there are peripherals. It can be a systematic theology, or it can be a single verse of truth. In the diminutive it could even be translated as a little teaching. In Christendom why are we so confused? We hear about the doctrines of God’s Election, Eternal Security, the Total Depravity of Man and the sinfulness of sin, the Plan of Salvation, the Sovereignty of God, the virgin birth and deity of Christ and His bodily resurrection, the Trinity, Calvinism versus Arminianism, the doctrines of the Council of Trent and the Roman Catholic Church, Covenant Theology versus Dispensationalism, and so many other “isms” that one cannot list them all. We are confused because some “doctrines” lie embedded in other doctrines. We are confused because we are not well taught from the pulpits of the nation today. One believes in the great Doctrine of Salvation by grace through faith alone, but discounts the great creeds of the historic and traditional faith of the reformers. One systematic theologian reminds us that there are at least 48 doctrines or words wrapped up in what we normally call salvation. Another claims that Arminian doctrine is heresy, but discounts Calvinism because “I only want to be known as a Christian, not a follower of Calvin”. Still another in the back of our sanctuary after a Wednesday night bible study asks, “What is Calvinism?” She had never heard of this “doctrine”. The doctrinally ignorant are mostly that way being babes in Christ, or by desire, and by disobedience. Too many of us are simply lazy!

“The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also”
“You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up”
“Teach and preach these principles.”
“Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth”.
“But you follow(ed) my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance”,
“You became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed,”
“Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things”
“Holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict”.
“You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for doctrine (teaching), for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work”.

We must conclude that doctrine is important today because the Bible says so, yet not all will agree! Those who allow experience to lead and those who seek gain by humanistic methodology stand on the other side of the aisle. With this instruction in hand, and with these definitions before us, we inquire of the translators: “Doctrine” appears as follows in your Bible:

KJV 51 x NASB 10 x
NKJV 37 x NIV 5 x
ASV 16 x

The translating theologians of old and more modern times had a hard time deciding on the proper English word!

It is apparent that doctrine and teaching are mostly interchangeable and we no longer have a definition problem. At least, we should not have a problem. Perhaps, however, the actual use of the word “doctrine” better ameliorates the soul in examining the great truths of Scripture. When you hear of “doctrinal teaching”, or “teaching the doctrines” of something, what will you think?
We need another definition. In the long ago when I became a born-again believer in Christ (assurance in October 1957 after attending a fundamental church for a whole year), we were known as fundamentalists and evangelicals, in a fundamental Christian church. Left-wing media and political adherents who use those words to attack “extremists” and the right-wing conspiracy have stolen our label from us. Ah, beloved, I am a fundamentalist. I cling to a fundamental belief in the Bible and the body of truth it contains as the inspired Word of God. Maybe Webster is not so bad, after all. I also lost a perfectly good word from my vocabulary to the homosexual community. Thinking more about this, I recently realized that I lost another good vocabulary word: tolerance. I am not tolerant! The doctrine of being tolerant belongs exclusively to those on the other side of the aisle from me.

Now, I have a confession to make. I was energized in selecting this specific title for my musing by a two set video produced by CrossTV featuring Dr. John MacArthur under the title, “Does the Truth Matter Anymore?” Of course, his purpose and intent was rather specific, while mine is rather, if not completely general. I was further energized by recent years of Christian history review, and by cybertrekking amongst the “Christian” websites for denominational and personal doctrinal positions and sometimes-even often-vitriolic disagreements and arguments. You can find any “doctrinal position” with supporting scripture that you want. There are literally hundreds of thousands of hits (web-sites) available on any topic or doctrine you might care to review using your browser. Listen to this, I found the following in terms of topics and web-sites (some are undoubtedly duplicated);

Calvinism 44,989
Arminianism 12,154
Covenant Theology 96,160
Dispensationalism 12,515
Charismatics 14,293
Denominations 447,201

The diatribes and venom can shake you up. I was also concerned after a whole year of local church searching for an acceptable Statement of Faith to attend there, and by an intense desire to muse over the meaning of the scriptures as applied to those Statements of Faith. I refer especially to those scriptures and resulting doctrines, about which there are intense disagreements with respect to interpretation, causing intense doctrinal disagreements. Unfortunately, the list is too long for the mortal soul to cope with. No two of us can agree on identical positions in everything concerning the scriptures! The best that we can hope for is the loving ability to agree to disagree on some things (since we are close to agreement in other ways), and get on with the business of presenting the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the world and edifying the saints (the church, which is the body of Christ has a two-fold function: evangelism AND edification of the saints). Still, it is important to separate from those whose doctrine radically differs from the historic faith. I suppose this involves hardship and turmoil. Look at the record. A Roman Catholic apologist claims that there are more than 32,000 Protestant denominations, obviously all in intense disagreement over something or other and thereby straying from the correct catholic dogma! Eric Svendsen in his book, Upon This Slippery Rock (Calvary Press, 2002), debunks this myth but admits there are thousands of groups when you consider independent churches, the cults, and major entities within denominations or groups. Doctrinally, just what is a denomination becomes a question! You decide. I can not. Much less can I explain the purpose of the human soul in devising and insisting on their “own group” in many of these protestants. Apostasy runs rampant in these latter days. The nature of the old man, who inhabits many of these groups, always insists on his own correct view. Am I like that? Or can I get past that?

By now you may think that I have the purpose of discussing the divisions in doctrine by causing more divisions. In that regard let me quote from Richard Gregory in the Mar/Apr 2004 issue of the VOICE, an independent church journal. He says, “Through the years I have heard the statement from many that in the pursuit of Christian unity (I think back to the infamous CET or Catholics and Evangelicals Together agreement which prominent theologians on both sides of the aisle signed), we must avoid the discussion of doctrine, for doctrine divides. I have often seen this premise applied to justify overlooking error and to avoid the discussions necessary to refine understanding of the systematic teaching of God’s Word. The Apostle Paul repeatedly challenged Timothy to “teach no other doctrine,” “to be nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine,” and to consent to the “doctrine which is according to godliness.” He reminds him that he is to “hold fast to the form of sound words, which you have heard from me…”” After commenting on doctrinal issues noted in the New Testament, he goes on to say, “One of the characteristics of our Fellowship (and I say any fellowship) is that there is room for discussion on the various aspects of doctrine as long as the essence of a (biblically correct) doctrine is not altered.” Further, “Far too many believers are doctrinal conformists without doctrinal convictions. The lack of open discussion is either the abandonment of doctrinal convictions to utilitarian unity or a deemphasis on the importance of doctrinal truth to the sanctifying process of Christian growth and maturity. Whenever doctrine is de-emphasized, liberalism is not far behind.” “Genuine discussions with a substantive objective of clarifying truth is very profitable, but arguing doctrine with the subjective satisfaction of making your point or defeating your opponent becomes nonproductive and gives much occasion to the flesh.” This is applicable to most of us on the frequently argued minor points that we want to take issue with. It may not be applicable in discussing great doctrinal creeds such as the highly opposing views in Calvinism versus Arminianism, or Covenant Theology versus Dispensationalism, or Charismatic insistence on the sign gifts.

The deemphasis of doctrine precedes liberalism, which precedes apostasy. The “positive thinking” gospel was preceded by the social gospel developed towards the end of the 19th century, then followed by the “possibility thinking” gospel, the seeker sensitive or seeker friendly gospel, and who knows what will be next. Maybe the new “emerging” gospel. The end result appears to be just different kinds of apostasy. I often struggle to put into words what I understand and feel, and the basic convictions that go along with my doctrinal convictions. I found the following by Les Lofquist (executive director of IFCA), also in the Voice, that express them better than I can:
In my short 31 years as a Christian I have observed a subtle yet definite shift within Evangelical churches in America. When I first became a Christian it seemed most believers I met were concerned with the question, "what do you think?" Now it seems that many pastors and people have become obsessed with an entirely different question: "how do you feel?" Is this true? Has a quest for regular, emotional, spiritual highs replaced a careful articulation of the truths of God? Have we drifted into a morass of mysticism in our churches? Does theology matter any more? Do we still have a place in our churches for the truth of God's Word? Over a decade ago, theologian David Wells wrote a scathing indictment of the modern American Evangelical church entitled No Place for Truth or Whatever Happened to Evangelical Theology? (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1993). Devastatingly perceptive, Wells wrote:
"Many of those whose task it is to broker the truth of God to the people of God in the churches have now redefined the pastoral task such that theology has become an embarrassing encumbrance or a matter of which they have little knowledge." (pp. 6-7)
"Evangelicals who were once cognitive dissidents within the culture are rapidly becoming amicable partners with it…This transition has entailed banishing theology from its place in the center of evangelical life and relegating it to the periphery. Behind this banishment is a greatly diminished sense of truth. Where truth is central in the religious disposition, theology is always close at hand."(p. 136)
Elsewhere, Wells has similarly written (God in the Wasteland, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1994):
"There is in present day evangelicalism a hunger for God but an aversion to theological definition of that experience. There is a hunger for God but a disenchantment with doctrine." (p.99)
I don't believe the situation in American Evangelical churches has improved since Wells first penned those words. I think it has continued to deteriorate. Yet, I am quite certain that among the members of IFCA International, theology and doctrine are absolutely essential and central to all that we do! We would state with firm conviction that we seek to understand and proclaim the truth of God's Word no matter what others may be clamoring for. It is my estimation that many, if not all, in IFCA International would resolutely stand against the sweeping tide of doctrinal apathy and theological carelessness, thundering back at this tide with an accurate articulation of God's truth from the Scriptures. But why? Why is it so vital for IFCA pastors to have such a firm commitment? To answer this question, we need look no further than 2 Timothy 2:15. In this one verse, written just weeks before Paul himself died because of his stand for the truth, we see the importance of a disciplined, careful study and explanation of the truths of the Bible.
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling correctly the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15, NASB)
A DILIGENT WORKMAN
Because of the quite-familiar KJV translation of this passage, it is commonly misunderstood that this verse refers to a student ("Study to show thyself approved unto God"). However, the figure Paul actually uses is that of a workman (ergaten) who is eagerly zealous and disciplined (spoudazo) in order to accomplish his task. The diligent workman of the Word gives his full and tireless efforts to scrutinizing, interpreting and explaining the Scriptures. He is persistently zealous in his pursuit of God's truth as presented in the Bible because of his desire to please God ("to present yourself approved to God"). He turns a deaf ear to those who advocate theological indefiniteness, with their aversion to doctrine and attachment to experience, in order to please God and not the crowd. Any other way of ministering will ultimately bring shame…Paul says this kind of ministry means the diligent workman of the Word will "not be ashamed." A pastor or teacher who advocates a truth-minimizing form of Christian ministry ought to be ashamed! Yet, this very thing was celebrated in the cover story of Christianity Today "Reaching the First Post-Christian Generation" (12 September, 1994, pp. 18-23) where it was written: "an emotional experience of God is more important than its theological content" (p. 22). Such notions of ministry as advocated in that article will not meet with God's approval (dokimon) when the work is inspected, but will meet rather with His disapproval (adokimos, 1 Cor. 9:27). Each pastor must remember what it is that he is to do in ministry as well as for Whom he is to do it.
WHO CUTS IT STRAIGHT
God's laborer is to handle His Word accurately and with precision. He is to "cut it straight" (orthotomounta, from orthos "straight" and temno "to cut"). This is a powerful metaphor referring to a craftsman who cuts a straight line, a workman who builds a straight road through forested country, a farmer who plows a straight furrow, a father who cuts a straight portion of meat, or a mason who lays a straight course of bricks or cuts a stone to fit in its proper place. All of these have been proposed by scholars through the centuries. Homer Kent, Jr writes, "Since the context does not provide any light as to what type of workman was in Paul's mind, the interpreter dare not dogmatize. Perhaps he was thinking of his own craft, tentmaking, and pictures the artisan trimming the hides precisely so they will fit together. In some such manner, God's workman must treat with discernment the Word of God." (The Pastoral Epistles, Moody Press, 1982, p. 266).
The pastor is to be an absolutely precise workman who cuts the Word of truth straight. It is his sacred duty to be as accurate as he possibly can be when studying and teaching the Bible. He must be meticulous when piecing together the many individual truths found in Scripture, as Paul had to be meticulous when piecing together the many pieces of cloth when making a tent. This is because truth matters! God's truth, as revealed in His Word, is the sole source of our faith and as such, it must be handled scrupulously at all times (orthotomounta is a Present Participle which refers to continuously, habitually, consistently cutting it straight).
In the face of a feel-good society where truth matters little, the faithful pastor is to eagerly, even anxiously, cut the Word of truth straight whenever he opens it and teaches it. He is to study it meticulously, shape it rightly, expound it precisely, and preach it fearlessly. Even though there are many who would howl with ridicule at such a mindset, God will approve of it. And His is the only approval that really matters. "Just as we have been approved (dokimazo) by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who examines (dokimazo) our hearts" (1 Thess. 2:4, NASB).
CONCLUSION
It is good to note what Dr. Robert Thomas, long-time IFCA member and Professor of New Testament at The Master's Seminary, has written concerning theological precision:
"People don't often go heretical all at once. It is gradual. And they do not do so intentionally most of the time. They slip into it through shoddiness and laziness in handling the word of truth…All it takes to start the road to heresy is a craving for something new and different, a flashy new idea, along with a little laziness or carelessness or lack of precision in handling the truth of God.
All around us today are startling reminders of doctrinal slippage and outright failure. In case after case someone who should have known the truth of God better failed in upholding that truth.
Precision is a compelling desire to master the truth of God in more definitive terms, to facilitate a more accurate presentation of that truth to others and to safeguard against doctrinal slippage that leads to error and false doctrine." ("Precision as God's Will for My Life", Panorama City, CA: The Master's Seminary, 1989).
God's Word demands precise, meticulous study and an accurate, clear presentation. I am confident my brothers in IFCA International agree with every fiber of their being. To help us along this process (which is not an easy path), let us cut straight the Word of truth.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

WHAT:
Rom 12:3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

Gal 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

WHY:
1 John 2:15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

Jude 17 But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18 that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” 19 These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.

Rom 3:10 as it is written,“There is none righteous, not even one;
11 There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God;
12 All have turned aside, together they have become useless;There is none who does good, There is not even one.”

Jas 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.

Jas 4:4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Titus 2:12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age

2 Tim 2:16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene.

Phil 2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves

Jas 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.

2 Tim 3:1-4 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

Jas 3:5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.

Jas 4:16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

Jer. 17:9 “The heart is more deceitful than all else, And is desperately sick;
Who can understand it?

WHO:
I suppose that a more appropriate title would be the bad, the ugly, and the more ugly. For we wish to point out that in our list of those who esteem themselves most highly, it gets very ugly. It is the very real presence of Satan and his world system that influences those “who are perishing”. Never has there been more people who think so highly of themselves, of their own opinions, their own “truth”, and their own certainties. They are inculcated with worldliness, which is abhorrent to the Living God. It affects every part of our culture. It also is visibly seen in all the media forms, on the street, in cars, and national platforms. Enough said, here is my prioritized list of the violators of Rom 12:3b and Gal 6:3:

1. The Hollywood Crowd, and all those who kneel before them

2. A Tie between Politicians, Government and Dictators… the daily quote from the Santa Ana Register: “In our civilization, and under our republican form of government, intelligence is so highly honored that it is rewarded by exemption from the cares of office.” …Ambrose Bierce

3. Sports Figures of every kind

4. Another Tie between such as Union Leaders, CEOs and the like

5. On the air TV Religious Personalities (at least many of them)

6. The University Intellectual community (maybe this should be no. 4)

7. All the cults and New Age people striving to become “gods”

Now, who would you add to the list?

I would like to add these additional references (9/15/06) if I missed some above:
Psa 66:7
Psa 83:2
Matt 23:12/Luke 14:11/ 18:14: Luke 17:14
2 Cor 11:20; 2 Cor 10:12
2 Thess 2:4 (ultimate self-exaltation)
Prov. 15:27; 21:4; 16:18; 30:32; 16:5; 21:24; 27:1-2

My Name is Ezekiel

“But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not”.

In the fall of 2003 I undertook to warn my distribution list and class about the dangers of The Purpose Driven Church and Life Books by Rick Warren, and the methodology that is employed. Some or many of you have gone through the books and the 40 day plan. Some groans and cries of anguish came back to me in spite of the (somewhat brief) reviews that I had provided by fundamental pastors of the Shepherd’s Fellowship:

“Why listen to these critics? Why can’t we just get along with each other? There
are some practical helps there that we need”

“My pastor (he can’t be wrong) is going through the Purpose Driven Life for us”

“Don’t knock (criticize) Rick Warren. He is reaching people that no one else can reach”

“The 40 day plan is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me”

“The success of his church is overwhelming. Can’t you see that?”

“Just sour grapes”

“Everybody is doing it. It must be OK.”

“My church can’t be wrong”

“I have met Rick Warren and he is the most loving, sensitive pastor I have ever met. They have something for everyone there”

“He’s all right, just shallow theology”

“I’m reading the Purpose Driven Life, it’s so down to earth”…in gushing tones, and when asked by my wife why are you reading that, the reply was, “He uses scripture to prove his points”

There are several more, but you get the idea. Now, I am not Ezekiel, but those scholars, theologians, pastors and others who have filled the airways with warnings are certainly to be considered as modern Ezekiels in this case. And there are many, many, of them. Of course, there must be justification and resorting to comparison to scripture for these warnings. Let it be known that in my research I have collected dozens of authors, 100s and 100s of pages and such comments as “This is out of the pit of hell”, by an east LA pastor on an LA radio station. Rather brusque, wouldn’t you say? Did you say, “That is not Christian”? Let me put it another way in my words:

“Rick Warren is an apostate preacher-teacher, with an apostate message, building an apostate church”.

Now then, I have said it. So much for America's pastor. And I have friends who are members in good standing in his Saddleback church. If you would like for me to remove your name from my address book and distribution list, I will be glad to do so. Just send me an email note with your request and it will be gone the same day. No offense will be taken.

I would hope that you might consider all the Ezekiels who comment on Warrenism as being representative of the massive content of information that is available on his unbiblical message and methodology. Comparison of his words with scripture, almost line by line, comparison of his methodology with the socio-psychological therapy of the day in order to build his church, and seeing the results should bring bible-oriented Christians back to the question, “Does a feel good message bring people to Christ, or just to feeling good”? There is more where these came from.

I am because HE IS

I AM BECAUSE HE IS

Depp Brit, 2002,
recorded by Cumberland Quartet

There is nothing I can boast of
No works to call my own
Everything I have accomplished
Is mercy from God’s throne
The world can watch in wonder
Of all that they may see
I am just a heart that’s saved by grace
With spirit leading me.

Chorus:
I am because He is
I live because He chose to die
The miracle of all I have
Is the wonder of all He gave
A kingdom for eternity
Held ransom by a grave
Where innocence hung guilty to a tree
He became my sin
So I could be set free
Jesus is my everything
And all I have is His
I am because He is.

There is nothing I could hope for
I have no earthly need
Everything my heart desires
My savior’s given me
The greatest gift was given
When He was lifted high
My righteousness hung on a cross
Between the earth and sky.

(Chorus)
He is the King of glory
He is God’s only son
He is my perfect healer
He is the chosen one
He is my hope and refuge
He is the Great I AM
He is the lion of Judah
He is the risen lamb.

I am because He is
I live because He chose to die
The miracle of all I have
Is the wonder of all He gave
A kingdom for eternity
Held ransom by a grave
Where innocence hung guilty to a tree
He became my sin
So I could be set free
Jesus is my everything
And all I have is His
I am because He is.

What is a Christian Believer to do at the Polls?

Yesterday, I had the privilege to listen to a message from Rev. Bob Vanden Bosch, a former pastor who now labels himself as a lobbyist with the following business card: "Ambassador of Christ to the Illinois Legislature". He is a formidable pro-family advocate to the Illinois state legislature. One of the most inhospitable legislatures in America to the family and Christians in general may well be the Illinois legislature. The attempts at new laws to promote non-family values, such as civil unions etc. is an ongoing process that will not go away. Bitter roots are being sown, and some laws are evidently proposed to "get around" others with vague and/or clever language.
It is interesting that when Barack Obama was a state senator in Illinois, brother Bosch gave us this quote from then State Senator Obama (to Bosch), "You do realize, don’t you, that we (Obama and Bosch) don’t agree on anything." Does this tell you anything? Who is Obama, really, other than the most liberal and socialistic senator congress has in its midst? The PatriotPost has begun a two part series on this. You might want to check that out.

The Current Battle for Truth - Part 4 of 4 Msg Outline

IV. THE BELIEVER'S KEY STRATEGY IN THE BATTLE: RECOVERING TRUTH AND RETURNING TO THE TRUE WAYS OF GOD ALONE

A. The sufficiency of the Word of God
B. The sufficiency of Christ
C. Confidence in the reliability of Creation
D. Complete Trust in the Creator
E. Confidence in Christ and abiding in His Word: John 8:31-32
F. Confidence that Christ is the source of all wisdom and knowledge, not just religious or spiritual knowledge, Colossians 2:2-3

1. Refusing to allow knowledge to be divided into the secular and the sacred
2. Diligent study of the Word of God, gleaning from it every morsel of wisdom that can be applied to faith and living

G. Living the Word of God by a Spirit-generated new man with no confidence in the flesh,
James 1:22; 1 John 3:18; Phil 3:3; Eph 4:22-24; Rom 12:1,2
H. Reject what is false and hold to that which is good (true from the Word of God)
I. Exercise great care with “integrationist" methodology. This method discovers “observable truth" (the practice of generalizing and simplifying "symptoms" of behavior, especially those identified by the "scientific" psychologists and sociologists), and attempts to find a Scripture that seems to verify it.

There are things that we can observe to be "true" that are not on the same par as the absolute or ultimate Truth in the Word of God, and consequently do not have the same reliability. That is the nature of the reasoning of man.

The Current Battle for Truth-Parts 2/3 Msg Outline

II. THE CONTINUOUS REPETITION OF INFORMATION BELIEVED TO BE TRUE BUT OPPOSED TO BIBLICAL REALITY. EXAMPLES ARE:

A. Islam is a religion of peace; other extremist religions are peaceful
B. We all worship the same God; many roads to the top of the mountain
C. We must be tolerant of another's faith, beliefs and practices
D. All religions are going the same place; they are just getting there by different means.
E. No religion has the ownership of truth
F. Homosexuals are born that way; other “deviants” are born that way
G. Pro-Life advocates who believe in the death penalty are hypocrites
H. Creationism in any of its forms, even such as "Intelligent Design”; is not based on facts, does not use any scientific reasoning and its contents are definitely inappropriate for science classes.
Source: Doc. 11375, 17 September 2007; “The dangers of creationism in education”, Report of Committee on Culture, Science and Education; Rapporteur: Mrs. Anne BRASSEUR, Luxembourg, ALDE. THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE
I. From a scientific viewpoint, there is absolutely no doubt that evolution is a (THE?) central theory for our understanding of life on Earth.
Source: Doc. 11375, 17 September 2007; “ The dangers of creationism in education”, Report of Committee on Culture, Science and Education; Rapporteur: Mrs Anne BRASSEUR, Luxembourg, ALDE. THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE

III. THE CURRENT BATTLE IS JUST THE LATEST FROM THE SAME ANTAGONIST WHO ENTERED "IN THE BEGINNING"

A. Lying principles from the Father of Lies:
1. Question one's knowledge of the Word of God
2. Deny the truthfulness and reliability of the Word of God
3. Deny the truthfulness and reliability of God Himself
B. Wisdom literature sees it as the difference between:
1. Wisdom (the wise) or those whose presuppositions rest with the fear of the Lord and
2. Foolishness (fools and the wicked) or those whose presuppositions rest with the fear of man or with self discovery.
C. New Testament statements regarding the strategy of the war
1. Romans 1:18-32,
2. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
3. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
4. Colossians 2:8, 18-23
5. 2 Timothy 3:7
6. 2 Timothy 3:3
7. 2 Timothy 4:4
8. Ephesians 6:10-18
9. 1 Corinthians 2:1-16 Natural man versus spiritual man
10. Galatians 5:16-26 Flesh versus Holy Spirit
11. 1 John 2:15-17

The Current Battle for Truth - Part 1 Msg Outline

I. THE SUBTLE CAPTURE OF THE PERCEPTION OF TRUTH

A. The surrender to "scientific authority;" – if it's degreed, it is authoritative and therefore must be right!
1. The medical field
2. The paleontological field
3. The educational field in its many forms
4. The gurus of higher philosophical and science education

B. Secular truth and sacred truth
1. Secular truth is free from sacred truth
2. Sacred truth must operate only within its realm
3. Secular truth is completely objective
4. Sacred truth, while interesting, holds no value in the operation of the social/economic/political/educational realm. These are the realms of secular truth
5. Sacred truth is relegated to the dark ages, rituals, superstitions, witch hunts and ignorance

C. Believers are not always the "sharpest tool in the shed"
1. Unbelievers are often more capable than believers in many areas of work and study
2. Unbelievers often show greater capacity; at ‘fuller’ lives than believers
3. Unbelievers are often more successful and more generous than believers
4. Believers are considered weak and less capable because they are trapped by their belief system
5. Believers are held to a higher moral standard that unbelievers and in their fall they fall further and with more noise than an unbeliever!

D. In the post-modern view, there is no absolute truth, only rules by which we play the game!
1. Life is like a football game: How many yards must you go to achieve a first down? Who says so? Are these just not agreed upon rules? They are not real; they are just tools!
2. But if you don't like life as a football, change the game and play baseball!
3. Even subjects like mathematics are evidence of unreality;
4. The way business/politics is choosing to know truth is to gain consensus among the "players"

WHAT WOULD OUR LORD SAY TO THESE THINGS ?!?!?!?!!?

What is Truth? - Message Outline

I. THE MYTH OF OBJECTIVE TRUTH IN THE WORLD-SYSTEM
A. No one is free from the influences of philosophy, religion or biases
B. As much as the "secular" media seeks to say it and convince us of it, they are just as biased as anyone else, or more so
C. Everyone is affected by the environment in which they matured
D. Modern man has been engaged in the idolatry of Reason

II. THE EXISTENCE OF ABSOLUTE TRUTH
A. The only being that could know ultimate objective truth would be the One who transcended it all and was above it
B. This is the single greatest battle for modern man - the existence of a transcendent, personal Being, who created all that can be known, the God of the Bible
C. If such a Being exists, then He alone would possess objective and therefore absolute truth
D. Such truth would be applicable for every area of life
E. It differs from culturally relative, pragmatic, observable truth

III. HOW TRUTH AFFECTS ONE'S LIFE
A. It is the basis of how one views the world
B. It is the foundation of one's values
C. It informs one of the hope and manner of attaining those values
D. It motivates one's behavior to attain those values

IV. THE BASIS OF ONE'S TRUTH SYSTEM
A. It has to be provable enough to satisfy his need for evidence
B. It answers the biggest questions of his existence
1. What is the authority for my life?
2. Who am I?
3. How did I (we) get here?
4. Why am I here? What is the purpose of my life?
5. What went wrong or why is there evil and suffering?
6. How can this be changed?
7. Where am I going? What is the end of it all?
8. How should I live?

In the truth/value system, one's answers to the big questions depends on both his values and his understanding of the Creator. The fool has said in his heart, "There is no god". Sin has marred this pursuit of truth with its short-sighted, man-centered limited selfish mix of empirical and imaginative reason. Reason, in and of itself, has become a god. That is one of the worst forms of idolatry.

Eternal values have become secondary or non-existent to temporal values, as formed from that which is true to the individual, with the conscience at work therein. Only Christ can free the conscience. In the unbeliever, the conscience becomes sered and hard. Eternal values can be expressed in terms of hope for the believer, with his expectation of attaining those values (1 Peter 3:15). The believer's motivation is then based on hope, and becomes the reason for his acts. His behavior becomes the visible, outward actions of his life, based on the foregoing.