The Old Gray Dog Ponders: Why Was Jesus Resurrected?

 

Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.  But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.  Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.  Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee,  saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'"

Luke 24: 1-7

 

One word of truth outweighs the whole world.

Alexander Solzhenitsyn

 

            The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the essential tenets of Christianity. The New Testament teaches the certainty of our Savior's literal, physical resurrection as a matter of historical fact.  All four Gospels authenticate this event by offering the many witnesses of the empty tomb and Jesus' resurrection appearances.  Immediately following the resurrection, in Jerusalem before the very people who crucified Him, the apostles repeatedly affirmed the fact that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. 

 

The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen,  to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

Acts 1: 1-3

 

"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— 23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.

Act 2: 22-24

 

But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,  and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.

Acts 3: 14-15

 

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:  If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well,  let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.

Acts 4: 8-10

 

The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.  Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.  And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him."

Acts 5: 30-32

 

            If there was one person at any of these gatherings who could disprove the apostles' witness they would have done so.  But neither the street crowds, nor the legal proceedings could produce one person to refute the fact that Jesus Christ had been raised from the dead.

 

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,  and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.  After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.  After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.  Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

I Cor. 15: 3-8

 

            Paul considered the literal resurrection of Jesus Christ to be indisputable proof that the Gospel was true.

 

The Two-fold Meaning of the Resurrection

 

I. Validation of Limited, Substitutionary Atonement

 

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.  Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed —  in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."
        "O Death, where is your sting?
      O Hades, where is your victory?"

 

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

I Cor. 15: 50-58

            Jesus' resurrection demonstrated His victory over death, vindicated Him as righteous, and confirmed His divinity.  The historical event led to His ascension, enthronement and present Heavenly reign.  The reality of the resurrection guarantees the saints' forgiveness, justification, and eternal security.

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Heb. 7: 25

 

            Not through any merit of our own, but solely through the merit of Christ's perfect sacrifice for His sheep, every believer can know they are going to Heaven.

 

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

John 14: 1-3

 

            Because He lives, we shall live forever!

 

II. From Judgment to Glory

 

            Christ's resurrection moves the focus from divine judgment on the total depravity of this present age to the glorious promise of the future. Jesus rose from the grave so that He might be glorified and reign forever.

 

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,  who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Phil 3: 20-21

 

            Because Christ is resurrected, we have become citizens of His Heavenly kingdom.

 

But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.  Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Heb. 7: 24-25

 

            Though sin continues to ensnare us in this life, the risen Christ makes intercession for us.

 

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Rom. 8: 11

 

            Because of the resurrection, we do not have to face life's trials and temptations on our own. We are empowered by the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. To suggest that God expects us to exercise "free will" when confronted with life's challenges would be to negate the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.

 

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Rom. 6: 4

 

            We live in newness of life even as Jesus does.

 

            Make no mistake about it, Christ's resurrection is just as essential to our salvation as His limited, substitutionary atonement on the Cross.

 

So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption.  It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.  It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.  And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.  The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.  As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly.  And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.   
 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.  Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—  in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."

        "O Death, where is your sting?
      O Hades, where is your victory?"

 

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I Cor. 15: 42-57

 

            It is by union with His resurrection that our mortal bodies are made imperishable and fit our eternal estate in Heaven.

 

Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?  But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen.  And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.  Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise.  For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen.  And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!  Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

I Cor. 15: 12-19

 

            Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our faith would be in vain.  We would still be dead in our sins; we would still be under God's righteous judgment; we would be still be barred from Heaven. Please, don't let anyone try to tell you that the literal, physical resurrection of Jesus Christ isn't important.

 

God sent His Son - they called Him Jesus, He came to love, heal and forgive; He lived and died to buy my pardon, An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives I can face tomorrow, Because He lives all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future And life is worth the living just because He lives. How sweet to hold a newborn baby And feel the pride and joy he gives; But greater still the calm assurance: This child can face uncertain days because Christ lives.Because He lives I can face tomorrow, Because He lives all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future And life is worth the living just because He lives.

 And then one day I'll cross the river, I'll fight life's final war with pain; And then, as death gives way to victory, I'll see the lights of glory - and I'll know He lives.

Because He lives I can face tomorrow, Because He lives all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future And life is worth the living just because He lives.

Bill Gaither

 

 Glory be to Thee, O Heavenly Father,  who didst raise up Thy Son from the dead and made us partakers of His victory over sin and death. Glory be to Thee, O Christ, who for us and our salvation has overcome death and opened to us the gate of eternal life. Glory be to Thee, O Holy Spirit, who dost lead us into all truth as it is in the risen Christ.  Praise be to Thee, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, Who brings life and immortality to light through Thy Gospel!
In Jesus' name we pray.

Amen

Fwd: The Old Gray Dog Ponders . . . Christian Theology, 101

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

 

If people don't like us, they don't like us,

but at least they heard the story.

Lee Scott, CEO, Wal-Mart

 

How to make an Evangelical 

 

Ingredients:

3 parts Methodism

2 parts Finneyism

4 parts Anabaptism

1 part pietism

 

 

Combine all these ingredients and stir vigorously until the flavors

are virtually indistinguishable.

 

Add:

several dashes of Pelagius (or if you can't find any Pelagius, add a

large dose of Arminius)

a handful of Luther

a whiff of Calvin

disdain for tradition

American provincialism to taste

 

 

Simmer over an anti-intellectual flame until all traces of any

knowledge of Christian history have evaporated.

 

Stir in:

contemporary market research theory

a large chuck of P. T. Barnum

way too much obsession with the self

anti-authoritarianism au gratin

 

 

Place onto a bed of American inventive genius. Cook for 100 years or

so. Serve in an Elvis-shaped jello mold.

 

The Rev'd Charles A. Collins, Jr., S.B.R., M.Div.

Hospice Chaplain

 

 

            If we are to avoid serving our Christian witness in an "Elvis-shaped jello mold," we must understand the faith we proclaim.

 

 

    Christians are not called to be popular.  We are called to tell Christ's story.  We can't tell that story if we don't know how to tell it in terms people will understand.

 

God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are in any thing contrary to his Word, or beside it in matters of faith on worship. So that to believe such doctrines, or to obey such commandments out of conscience, is to betray true liberty of conscience; and the requiring an implicit faith, and an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience, and reason also.

Westminster Confession

 

 

 

We have gotten accustomed to the blurred puffs of gray fog that pass for doctrine in churches and expect nothing better. From some previously unimpeachable sources are now coming vague statements consisting of a milky admixture of Scripture, science, and human sentiment that is true to none of its ingredients because each one works to cancel the others out. Little by little Christians these days are being brainwashed. One evidence is that increasing numbers of them are becoming ashamed to be found unequivocally on the side of truth. They say they believe, but their beliefs have been so diluted as to be impossible of clear definition. Moral power has always accompanied definite beliefs. Great saints have always been dogmatic. We need a return to a gentle dogmatism that smiles while it stands stubborn and firm on the Word of God that lives and abides forever.

A. W. Tozer.

 

    There are a lot of terms and expressions we use every day without a clue as to where they came from.    

 

The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water
temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to
be. Here are some facts about the 1500s:


Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in
May, and they still smelled pretty good by June. However, since they
were starting to smell . . brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide
the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when
getting married.

Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the
house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all th e other
sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all
the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose
someone in it. Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the
Bath water!"

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood
underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the
cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it
rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall
off the roof. Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."

There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This
posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings
could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a
sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy
beds came into existence.

The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt.
Hence the saying, "Dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors that would
get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on
floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added
more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start
slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance-way.
Hence: a thresh hold.

 

They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used to all pee
in a pot & then once a day it was taken & sold to the tannery.......if
you had to do this to survive you were "Piss Poor"


But worse than that were the really poor  folk who couldn't even afford
to buy a pot...........they "didn't have a pot to piss in" and were the
lowest of the low.

(Getting quite an education, aren't you?)

In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that
always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things
to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They
would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold
overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in
it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme: Peas
porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days
old.

Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special.
When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It
was a sign of wealth that a man could, "bring home the bacon." They
would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around
and chew the fat.

Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content
caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning
death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400
years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.

Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of
the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the
upper crust.

Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would
sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking
along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial.
They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the
family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they
would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a wake.

England is old and small and the local folks started running out of
places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the
bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave. When reopening these
coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the
inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they
would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the
coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would
have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift.) to
listen for the bell; thus, someone could be, saved by the bell or was
considered a dead ringer.

[I am grateful to my friend Charlotte Meyer for sharing this with me.  OGD]

 

 

 

    It is one thing not to know the origin of an idiom, but it is quite another to not understand the saving work of God in Christ Jesus.  We must know what we are talking about! In that spirit, I offer the following Theology for Dummies to help believers understand some common theological concepts. This understanding could do more than change your life; it could give you Hope and all the confidence that is yours in Christ, enough to revitalize your church by insuring that your leadership is Biblically qualified.

 

       The following theological terms can apply to believers in all Christian traditions, Protestant and Catholic.

 

Evangelical:  Emphasizing the basic tenets of the faith, as set forth in the Bible and expressed in the Confessions.

Conservative:  Upholds the traditional doctrines of historic Christianity based on Scripture.

Liberal:  Adapting religious ideas to modern culture and modes of thinking.

Fundamentalist:  Reaffirms the traditional teachings of Christianity in defense against liberal theology, Darwinism, German higher criticism and secular humanism, all of which undermine the Bible's authority.  The essential doctrines include:

             1.  The inerrancy of Scripture.

             2.  The Virgin birth.

             3.  Substitutionary atonement of Christ.

             4.  Christ's bodily resurrection.

             5.  The historicity of miracles.

 

Reformed:  All Reformed Christians will also share essentials with those who are evangelical, conservative, and fundamentalist.  However, not all evangelicals, conservatives, and fundamentalists subscribe to Reformed beliefs. The essential tenets of the Reformed faith are:

 

Total depravity (Original Sin) 

 Unconditional election (God's Election)

 Limited atonement (Particular Redemption)

 Irresistible grace (Effectual Calling)

 Perseverance of the Saints ("once saved, always saved") 

 

 

"The Five Points of Calvinism"

 

 

HISTORICALLY, this title is of little accuracy or worth; I use it to denote certain points of doctrine, because custom has made it familiar. Early in the seventeenth century the Presbyterian Church of Holland, whose doctrinal confession is the same in substance with ours, was much troubled by a species of new-school minority, headed by one of its preachers and professors, James Harmensen, in Latin, Arminius (hence, ever since, Arminians). Church and state have always been united in Holland; hence the civil government took up the quarrel. Professor Harmensen (Arminius) and his party were required to appear before the States General (what we would call Federal Congress) and say what their objections were against the doctrines of their own church, which they had freely promised in their ordination vows to teach. Arminius handed in a writing in which he named five points of doctrine concerning which he and his friends either differed or doubted. These points were virtually: Original sin, unconditional predestination, invincible grace in conversion, particular redemption, and perseverance of saints. I may add, the result was: that the Federal legislature ordered the holding of a general council of all the Presbyterian churches then in the world, to discuss anew and settle these five doctrines. This was the famous Synod of Dort, or Dordrecht, where not only Holland ministers, but delegates from the French, German, Swiss, and British churches met in 1618. The Synod adopted the rule that every doctrine should be decided by the sole authority of the Word of God, leaving out all human philosophies and opinions on both sides. The result was a short set of articles which were made a part thenceforward of the Confession of Faith of the Holland Presbyterian Church. They are clear, sound, and moderate, exactly the same in substance with those of our Westminster Confession, enacted twenty-seven years afterward.

R. L. Dabney

 

       The following theological terms were once thought to be "fringe" beliefs, but are finding expression more and more in the modern church.

 

Progressive theology:  One of their shared purposes is to portray Biblical doctrine as outdated and inconsistent with modern understanding on a number of issues. For instance, for "progressives," on the issue of homosexual practice, the American Psychiatric Association, which says it is normal, trumps the Bible, which says it is abnormal.

       But progressive theology isn't limited to sexual issues. It questions the Lordship of Christ, the efficacy of Jesus' atoning death, the miracles of the Bible, many of the commandments of God – even revelation itself.

       And neither is it limited to a single theology. One of its advocates, Dr. Douglas Ottati of Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA., speaks of progressive theology as a conglomeration of theologies: process, liberal, Christian realist, liberationist, feminist, black, womanist and Minjung, a Korean philosophy that is a radical re-interpretation of Christianity.

       The phrase progressive theology is not new, even though the theology may have evolved – as progressive theology is always evolving. In 1888, C. H. Spurgeon, writing in the Sword and Towel, addressed the progressive movement of his time with a blunt assessment:

       "The idea of a progressive gospel seems to have fascinated many. To us that notion is a sort of cross-breed between nonsense and blasphemy. After the gospel has been found effectual in the eternal salvation of untold multitudes, it seems rather late in the day to alter it; and, since it is the revelation of the all-wise and unchanging God, it appears somewhat audacious to attempt its improvement. When we call up before our mind's eye the gentlemen who have set themselves this presumptuous task, we feel half inclined to laugh; the case is so much like the proposal of moles to improve the light of the sun. Their gigantic intellects are to hatch out the meanings of the Infinite! We think we see them brooding over hidden truths to which they lend the aid of their superior genius to accomplish their development!" The father of today's progressive theology is reputed to be retired Episcopal Bishop John S. Spong, who has been called "the Martin Luther King of Progressive Christianity." A few years ago, Spong spoke at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago at the invitation of the congregation's senior minister, Dr. John Buchanan, the founding co-moderator of the Covenant Network, a former moderator of the PCUSA and senior editor of The Christian Century.

       Spong has spelled out his version of progressive theology in 12 tenets that, if followed, would dismantle the last vestige of orthodox Christianity:

            1. "Theism, as a way of defining God, is dead. So most theological God-talk is today meaningless. A new way to speak of God must be found."

             2. "Since God can no longer be conceived in theistic terms, it becomes nonsensical to seek to understand Jesus as the incarnation of the theistic deity. So the Christology of the ages is bankrupt."

             3. "The biblical story of the perfect and finished creation from which human beings fell into sin is pre-Darwinian mythology and post-Darwinian nonsense."

             4. "The virgin birth, understood as literal biology, makes Christ's divinity, as traditionally understood, impossible."

             5. "The miracle stories of the New Testament can no longer be interpreted in a post-Newtonian world as supernatural events performed by an incarnate deity."

             6. "The view of the cross as the sacrifice for the sins of the world is a barbarian idea based on primitive concepts of God and must be dismissed."

             7. "Resurrection is an action of God. Jesus was raised into the meaning of God. It therefore cannot be a physical resuscitation occurring inside human history."

             8. "The story of the Ascension assumed a three-tiered universe and is therefore not capable of being translated into the concepts of a post-Copernican space age."

             9. "There is no external, objective, revealed standard writ in scripture or on tablets of stone that will govern our ethical behavior for all time."

             10. "Prayer cannot be a request made to a theistic deity to act in human history in a particular way."

             11. "The hope for life after death must be separated forever from the behavior control mentality of reward and punishment. The Church must abandon, therefore, its reliance on guilt as a motivator of behavior."

             12. "All human beings bear God's image and must be respected for what each person is. Therefore, no external description of one's being, whether based on race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation, can properly be used as the basis for either rejection or discrimination." Spong's list reads like a voucher for a parallel progressive theological movement knew as the Jesus Seminar, in which unbelieving teachers of religion decide arbitrarily which parts of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus are genuine. They delete the substance of faith and leave a moralizing Jesus with no atoning powers. Many Presbyterian congregations have welcomed Jesus Seminar presentations. Ghost Ranch, a Presbyterian conference center in New Mexico, has offered Jesus Seminar programs. 

 

       Progressive theology also has kinship with the Re Imaging God movement that began in 1993. The Re Imaging themes – that the crucifixion was unnecessary, that God is a goddess named Sophia, that Biblical sexual ethics are outdated, that milk and honey are more apt communion elements than those representing the body and blood of Christ – resonate with the teachings of progressive theologians.

       With strong support from some Presbyterian staff leaders – both in money and attendance – the first Re Imaging God conference in 1993 ignited a backfire in the Presbyterian Church (USA), causing the denomination to lose millions of dollars and leading the 1994 General Assembly to declare that the movement was beyond the bounds of the Christian faith.

       But that did not stop "Re Imaging God" from making inroads into the PCUSA. The denomination included writings by prominent Re-Imagining speakers in a resource guide for a group known as the National Network of Presbyterian College Women. Fully funded by the denomination, the NNPCW was essentially a network of radical feminists who, among other things, decided to offer prayers to a female Jesus ("Christa"), promote lesbianism and join others in the progressive theology movement to oppose the denomination's ordination standard.  (John Adams, The Layman)

Natural theology:  The attempt to construct a doctrine of God without an appeal to faith or special revelation (Scripture), but on the basis of human reason and experience alone.

 

Pluralism:  Liberals tend to believe that all religions rest upon a common perception of God and therefore show a hostility toward any exclusive claims for Christian faith.

 

Liberation theology:  Interprets Christian faith from the perspective of the poor and oppressed.  For example, black theology, feminist theology, sexual theology all interpret Christian faith through the lens of their victimhood.  While Evangelical theology struggles to find expression in the postmodern world, the Liberation theologian searches to find the God of righteousness in a world of injustice.  Liberation theologians focus on the victims, not the sinner.

 

Process theology:  Find God through human history, reason and experience.  Knowledge of God in continuously unfolding (evolving) through intellectual insights.

 

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

 

       Hopefully, after reading this, you will have a better understanding of just what it is you believe when you make your confession.

 

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.  praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Acts 2: 42, 47

 

People are not attracted to churches that do not know what they believe.

James Montgomery Boice

 

  One thing is absolutely certain:  Until we know what we believe, the Lord won't be adding Christians to our rolls.

 

 

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you

Matt. 28: 19-20a

 

If people don't like us, they don't like us,

but at least they heard the story.

 

    People don't have to like us, either.  But the Lord has commanded us to teach His story, clearly and unequivocally.

 

" It is only by and through a converted clergy that 'the comfortable

Gospel of Christ may be truly preached, truly received, and truly

followed, to the breaking down of the kingdom of sin, Satan, and

death.'  Untold harm has been done to Christianity in all its severed

sections by the uninspired ministry of men who only know what the

Bible is not; and the saddest side of it is that the anticipated

stampede of the intelligentsia into the Church, which was to follow

the abandonment of miracle, has not taken place.  A return to a

Scripture that is really holy is imperative if our religion is to

survive." -- The Very Rev'd Edmunson John Masters Nutter (1942)

Almighty and everlasting God, Who has revealed Thy glory by Christ among all nations:  Preserve Thy Word of mercy and hope; that Thy Church, which is spread throughout the world, may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of Thy name, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen

 

 

 

 

Blessed are the saints who are equipped with the sound doctrines of TULIP!

The Old Gray Dog
Jim Tuckett

The Westminster Fellowship
Clearly and Unequivocally Proclaiming What It Means To Be Reformed Christians http://www.westminsterfellowship.org

Board in the Eye

He also told them a parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye. (Luk 6:39-42)

After calling us to a heavenly standard of living, Jesus shows the absurdity of leading others while being blind. To correct this blindness takes more than mere knowledge, it takes a transformed life. It’s not enough to know what is right, we must live out what is right if we are to lead others on the right path.

It is easy for us to see the log in our brother’s eye, but not so easy to see the splinter in our own eye. From our perspective the sins of our brothers are often much larger than the sins in our own life. This is primarily caused by a heart that is lifted up with spiritual pride. We act as the Pharisees when we judge others more harshly than we judge ourselves, especially when we claim to know the truth of our own sinful state apart from the mercy and grace of Christ.

When we pull the speck out of our own eye first two things happen. First, we are able to see the problem in our brother more clearly. Second, we are able to see the path that we are to walk on more clearly. In this way, pulling the speck out of our eye helps us to lead by example as we walk more circumspectly as an example to our brother while at the same time being better equipped for removing the log from our brother’s eye.

Many today shy away from the responsibility that we have to confront our brothers and sisters in Christ with their sins. The Scripture makes it clear that we do have a responsibility to Christ and our brethren for such confrontation, but it must be done biblically. We must do it with the proper motivation of love and with the proper methods as laid out in Scripture.

Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, (Luk 17:3)

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. (Gal 2:11)

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment." (Joh 7:24)

These verses give us ample evidence that Scripture wants us to judge, but it wants us to do so properly. In Luke 17:3 we are given a command to rebuke our brother when he sins. But this command is balanced with the further command to forgive him. Following the biblical method as set forth in the above passages helps us to rightly judge and rightly love our brethren.

Do you love your brothers and sisters in Christ? If so, then don’t allow them to walk around with unrepentant sins in their life. Confront them in a direct and loving way, being ready to forgive as God moves them from prideful sinning to humble repentance. Rather than lording it over them come to them in humility, understanding that you too have sins that must be dealt with. Show your faith in God and His word by following His methods rather than the methods of men.

The Old Gray Dog Ponders. . : For Whom Did Christ Die?

But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

John 10: 26-28

 

Nothing in all  the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

       Can there be a more basic question for Christians than for whom did Christ die?  Paul did not think there was.

 

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.  For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

I Cor. 2: 1-2

 

       What was so important about the crucifixion that Paul determined to make it his exclusive message? Do we understand the significance for us of Christ's death over 2000 years ago? How can we truly worship Him and gratefully give Him the glory He deserves if we don't understand what He did for us?

       How can we be His ambassadors, if we don't know for whom He paid this awful price? How can we fulfill the Great Commission if we don't understand why we are making disciples? In short, how can we be The Church if we don't understand for whom Christ died?

 

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. . .

I Cor. 15: 3

 

       How can we find peace and comfort in our Christian faith, if we don't understand that which is of first importance? If you don't know for whom Christ died, go and talk to your pastor.  If he doesn't know, or can't explain the answer to you, logically and Biblically,  find another church!

    Don't all denominations believe the same thing about Christ's Atonement?

    No! Some church people do not seem to think the crucifixion of Christ has any lasting importance.

The Rev. Geoff Crago, communications officer for the Anglican diocese of Gloucester, told the paper (the Church Times, an Anglican weekly) he doubted the film (Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ) would revive religious faith."It's not saying the sort of things I believe are right for presenting the gospel in the 21st century," he said.

H. Richard Niebuhr described sarcastically the preference of many in the church today: "A God without wrath brought man without sin into a kingdom without judgment through the ministrations of a Christ without cross." 

    The Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, have a place on their web site where they explain the differences between their beliefs and others.  Here is what they believe:

The nature of Christ's atonement. Lutherans believe that when Jesus died on the cross He atoned for the sins of all people of all time-even those who have not or will not come to faith in Christ and will spend eternity in hell. Some Presbyterian churches teach a "limited atonement" of Christ, i.e., that Christ's death on the cross atoned only for the sins of "the elect"--those who have been predestined from eternity to believe in Christ and will spend eternity with Him in heaven.

    Everyone believes in "limited atonement."  The question is:  Do you believe Christ's atonement is 'limited' in its power to save or in its scope of those who are saved? Lutherans believe that Christ died for those in Hell.  While they believe Christ died for all -- unlimited -- they believe His power to save is limited. 

 

But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.  Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

Heb. 9: 11-12

 

   Either Christ, by His death on the cross, obtained eternal redemption for those unconditionally chosen by God, and no one else, or He failed. If there is one person in Hell for whom Christ died, then He failed to obtained eternal redemption for that person.

    As I said, everyone believes in 'limited' atonement. That may be exaggeration. Some people have never given much thought to their Christian beliefs. Three Mainline pastors wrote me:

 

In my former congregation no one could even tell you what reformed was, and if you ask who Calvin was they would have all told you he was the kid with the tiger named Hobs. In fact in my last reformed theology class there were only two of us out of 20 who believed in predestination.  The stated clerk of our presbytery when I asked him what reformed meant to him said" It means as a denomination we are open to change and have the ability to reform the way we do things "The reason the PCUSA is in the mess it is in is because they abandon reformed theology a long time ago.


Yes, I am working to bring the church to Westminster theology.  When I first came to the church in May 03, the head of session did not know that Jesus had existed prior to his birth in Bethlehem.  She has attended this church for about 60 years.   And this is pretty typical for the entirety of the church.   Gross ignorance of all Christian doctrine.   No idea of even the existence of Reformed Theology.   We're "just like the Methodists" syndrome.   Stiff resistance to the idea that the Shepard chooses the sheep. I have made some progress but most are not even aware that there is a problem in the PCUSA.  
Blessings,


I am slowly putting the word out about it.   It would not be a quick
decision for our congregation.   In many ways they are still learning how
to define what they believe and how it is different from many other
religious sounding beliefs.   It would take at least our elders actually
reading the Westminster confession and Catechisms* and then learning what
they mean before they'd sign on to anything binding them to uphold
them.   But knowing about WF has helped begin the learning process and
we've been having some interesting session meetings.
In Christ,

 

[*How many elders in your congregation have actually read the Westminster Standards and know what they teach?]

 

    Among those of us who have thought about the meaning of Christ's atonement, we just disagree on what's limited. I have only used the Lutheran church as an example of the differences in beliefs about Christ's atonement.  Does your church believe Christ's atonement is limited in power or scope? Has anyone taken the time to think about this question of "first importance?" Believe it or not, there are pastors in pulpits today who don't "subscribe" to a doctrine of Atonement, or who do not "feel called" to preach about the doctrine of Atonement.  Is your pastor one them?

 

What the Bible Teaches

 

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep . . ."

John 10: 11

 

       The Bible teaches us that Jesus laid down His life for a definite group of people.  This is the Biblical doctrine of Limited Atonement.  Limited not in its power or value, but in reference to the number of people for whom Christ died.

 

But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep. . .

 

       The best way to understand this doctrine is to contrast it with two other prominent views: universalism and general ransom.

 

       General Ransom and Limited Atonement both affirm that the offer of the Gospel is genuine to all who hear the Good News of Christ.  Universalism insists that everyone is saved, regardless of faith in Christ.

 

       We see the differences in these three beliefs when we compare two aspects of the atonement:

 

       1. Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross by which He obtained salvation;

       2. The Holy Spirit's application of salvation to individuals.

 

       Those who believe that Jesus died for everyone -- Universalists -- believe that Christ obtained salvation for everyone, everywhere, and in every period of time.  If there is a Hell, it is empty.

 

       Those who hold to General Ransom believe that although Christ did obtain salvation for everyone, the Holy Spirit applies salvation only to those who profess their faith in Christ.  Only those who make a free will profession of faith in Christ are saved.

 

       Limited Atonement is the belief that Christ obtained salvation only for the covenant people whom God chose before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1: 4); and the Holy Spirit applies salvation only to the elect through regeneration – born again – and drawing us to Christ (John 6: 44).

 

       According to General Ransom, Christ's death made salvation possible for everyone in the world, but it did not make salvation a reality for anyone.  It remains for the individual to make a free will choice whether or not to accept Christ's sacrifice. It is not a sovereign God's providence which determines salvation, but human will. (Logically it follows that if we choose today, we can un-chose tomorrow.  Humans, not God, determine salvation.)

 

       Limited Atonement is the belief that Christ actually redeemed lost sinners by paying the full price for our salvation.  Nothing more is needed.  He did not make salvation a possibility; He made it a reality. The Holy Spirit regenerates all the sin-dead elect so that we are able to respond to the Gospel.  Affirmation of faith is a response, not a condition.

 

Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.  And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Matt. 16: 16-18

 

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

 

       The Bible teaches us that God chose for salvation a great number from the fallen human race.  These are the elect, God's covenant people. Christ came into the world to redeem these people. The Holy Spirit regenerates them so that our eyes can see Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Before Christ came, the true seed of Abraham looked forward in faith to the Messiah's redemption; saints since look back in faith, with the assurance that they, too, are the true seeds of Abraham. One sovereign God.  One covenant people. One plan of salvation.

 

All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.

John 6: 37

 

       This is not a possibility, but an absolute certainty.

 

Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.

John 11: 51-52

 

The elect are not confined to one race, or one nation.  Neither is it for us to define who these elect are.  Our call as Christ's ambassadors is to share the Gospel with everyone so that it may please God to use our efforts to gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.

"I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. . ."

John 17: 9, 20

 

On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed for the elect, for whom He would die.  He knew He was not dying to make a universal atonement; He was making a general ransom. He was dying for the elect.  That is the Biblical doctrine of Limited Atonement.

He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you . . .

I Peter 1: 20

 

    The sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross was God's foreordained -- predestined -- plan of salvation for His children.

.

 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him;  in Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.     In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Eph. 1: 3-14

 

       The elect are those whom the Father chose before the foundation of the world. We were predestined for adoption according to God's will, not ours.  In Christ we have redemption. It is not a possibility, but a completed fact.  From start to finish, our salvation is the work of a loving sovereign, triune God, who has accomplished this according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.  Nothing has been left to chance. 

 

Nevertheless, it is important to affirm the importance of sharing the Gospel with the world.

Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city."

Acts 18: 9-10

 

    Even though many abuse and ridicule us, we are called to share the Good News, and leave the results to God.

 

Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

Acts 13: 48

 

God's irresistible grace will enable all the elect to believe. Those whom the Father has chosen will  respond to the Gospel message because they have been drawn to Christ by the Holy Spirit, and the Son has paid the full price for our salvation.

 

"But how can I know if I am one of the elect?"

 

"But who do you say that I am?"
Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 
Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

Matt. 16: 15b-17

 

 

No one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.

I Cor. 12: 3

 

    Who do you say that Jesus is?  If you say, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Then know for certain, this is not a "free will" conclusion, but a divine revelation.  If you have responded to the Gospel message by receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior it is because the Father chose you and the Holy Spirit has been working to regenerate your heart.  If you can truthfully say that He is your Lord, you are one of the elect.  You can rest assured, with absolute certainty that you will spend eternity with Christ in Heaven. No one -- not people who tempt you, or Satan, or even yourself . . . no one! -- can snatch you out of Jesus' hand.

 

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. . ."

John 14: 1-3

 

    In Jesus Christ, we are eternally secure because He paid the full price for our sins.  We know for whom Christ died.  Isn't this Good News you would want to share with others?

 

 

Blessed Savior, who for our sake did suffer death upon the Cross:

Help us to die to sin and live to Thy glory.

Forbid that we should forget, amid our earthly comforts,

the pain and anguish that our Lord Jesus Christ endured for our salvation.

Grant us this day true vision of all that He suffered, in His betrayal,

His lonely agony, His false trial, His mocking and scourging, and the torture of death upon the Cross.

As Thou has given Thyself entirely for us,

may we give ourselves entirely for Thee,

O Christ, our only Lord and Savior.

In Thy precious name we pray.

                                                                   Amen

 

Blessed are the saints who are equipped with the sound doctrines of TULIP!

The Old Gray Dog
Jim Tuckett

PS  If this is new to you, if you never knew what the Bible taught about why Christ died on the Cross, talk to your pastor.  If he is not aware of what the Bible teaches, show him.  If he accepts the authority of Scripture, he will begin teaching all the members of your congregation the wonderful truth about our eternal security in Christ.  The confidence the saints will gain from this knowledge will make your congregation more productive in doing God's work in the community in which He has placed.  God will be glorified and the saints will be blessed.

The Westminster Fellowship
Clearly and Unequivocally Proclaiming What It Means To Be Reformed Christians http://www.westminsterfellowship.org