End Times Primer

Ever want a simple definition of the varying end-times worldviews, or better known as 'eschatology', it is essential for the Christian to know what they believe and why they believe it. I have always found that the framework in which we read the end-times Scriptural references has a significant impact on how we live today as believers.

At Head Heart Hand, David Murray has posted several videos from his most recent presentation at the 2010 Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology. He has also included an e-book for download. The videos are also available for download on Vimeo for your viewing/sharing purposes.

For simplicity sake, I have compiled his four videos concerning Dispensational Premillenialism, Amillenialism, Post-Millenialism, and Historic Premillenialism, along with the Endtimes Q&A e-book into a compressed zip file for download.

I hope this resource is beneficial to you as you seek to learn more about these varying end-times views.

Street Preaching in Detroit: Stoplight Style

Some retro street-preaching in downtown Detroit, stop-light style about 3 years ago. Law and Grace and the Gospel in 60 seconds.

First Up:




Second Up:

My Utmost For His Highest: Am I Carnally Minded?

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Where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal . . . ? —1 Corinthians 3:3 

 

The natural man, or unbeliever, knows nothing about carnality. The desires of the flesh warring against the Spirit, and the Spirit warring against the flesh, which began at rebirth, are what produce carnality and the awareness of it. But Paul said, "Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" ( Galatians 5:16  ). In other words, carnality will disappear.

Are you quarrelsome and easily upset over small things? Do you think that no one who is a Christian is ever like that? Paul said they are, and he connected these attitudes with carnality. Is there a truth in the Bible that instantly awakens a spirit of malice or resentment in you? If so, that is proof that you are still carnal. If the process of sanctification is continuing in your life, there will be no trace of that kind of spirit remaining.

If the Spirit of God detects anything in you that is wrong, He doesn’t ask you to make it right; He only asks you to accept the light of truth, and then He will make it right. A child of the light will confess sin instantly and stand completely open before God. But a child of the darkness will say, "Oh, I can explain that." When the light shines and the Spirit brings conviction of sin, be a child of the light. Confess your wrongdoing, and God will deal with it. If, however, you try to vindicate yourself, you prove yourself to be a child of the darkness.

What is the proof that carnality has gone? Never deceive yourself; when carnality is gone you will know it-it is the most real thing you can imagine. And God will see to it that you have a number of opportunities to prove to yourself the miracle of His grace. The proof is in a very practical test. You will find yourself saying, "If this had happened before, I would have had the spirit of resentment!" And you will never cease to be the most amazed person on earth at what God has done for you on the inside.

You can get more of these devotionals at RBC Ministries
 

Your Church Is Too Small by John Armstrong: Book Review

John Armstrong's subtitle, "Why Unity In Christ's Mission Is Vital To The Future Of The Church" helps bring in to perspective just what he means by the statement, "your church is too small." I wish that I had more time to be a little more thorough with this review, but am confident that the following will provide as much of my thoughts regarding the read as possible.

Admittedly, the reading began with a reservation of Armstrong's perspectives regarding catholicity and the call to a missional ecumenism. Don't know what those words are? That's okay, Armstrong has provided a handy glossary at the end of the book to help clarify terms that most of us may not use in conversation regularly. However, I believe the audience that will be reading this book will be acutely aware of the buzzwords missional, catholicity, and ecumenism that generally raise the heresy antennae for the majority of us. It is indeed nice to see someone being thoughtful enough to consider that most believers may be completely unaware of this terminology.

John Armstrong takes a narrative approach and introduces us to his journey from what I would call close-mindedness to open-dialogue with the historic Christian powerhouses of Protestantism, Catholicism, and The Orthodox Church. His agenda is simple, promoting a desire within Christian congregations to accept the idea that the Christian Church is much larger than their local assembly. Armstrong does not stop there, he goes on to implore with his readers that there is a need to assess their own position in the current state of dialog occurring with members of different denominations and faith backgrounds in the Christian context.

Armstrong addresses several different spectrum's concerning the Church today. Where I resonate with him is his desire to see the restoration of what he calls an "Ancient-Future" faith. It is essential for the Christian to understand the roots and heritage of their faith in order to approach the future and their place in the mission of the Church. While Armstrong does not appear to be calling for a new reformation, he does infer that reformation will occur when the Church at large, the universal, Catholic Church of the Apostle's Creed realizes it's true place in history, its present need for mobilization, and the removal of a handicap that inhibits the actions of believers. The Church must wake up from its slumber and take note of those who may belong to other historic schools of faith but yet love Jesus.

By reading this book you will be challenged to think outside of the closed mind perspective that is often bred by our local assemblies. You will find yourself challenged to consider your own position in the theater of Christianity. You will have to evaluate your own membership of the Church of Christ that inherits, proclaims, and trusts in the Kingdom of God. I do not affirm all of Armstrong's perspectives regarding Catholicity with faiths that historically embrace doctrines long accepted as heresy, but do sympathize with the need to interact with those who believe they are trusting in Jesus and loving them because we are required to do so. If you know the Apostle's creed, and often wonder why you recite affirmation of the 'Catholic Church' this book will help you understand the implications that these words have.

Armstrong appeals to the unity of Ephesians 4 as a guiding premise for his thoughts and assessments. I accept that sectarianism and denominationalism have shattered and polarized many assemblies in the whole of Christian history and believe that a true embrace of Ephesians 4 will impact the believers life in more than just an ecumenical approach to modern ministry. Although I believe the continuity of this book redeems the uneasiness first felt in the beginning, I still have one last question for John Armstrong to answer.

Is the unity proposed by a missional ecumenism a unity that promotes an agreement to disagree for the sake of unity, or is for the purpose of believers being lead by the Holy Spirit in to unity of the faith, which then precedes an opportunity that allows us to fellowship in more than macro-ministry, but in the breaking of bread and drinking of the cup?

This book is for purchase at Zondervan
Find out more about the book and the author at the book's website

Scripture... As We Live It: From Alan Knox @ The Assembling of the Church Blog

Alan Knox posts a series at his blog that takes the Scriptures and adds a twist to them. This twist often infers upon the text what we see currently being practiced in our modern settings. Below you will find his latest installment, it was too good to pass up so I am re-posting it here. Thanks Alan!

This is the 97th passage in “Scripture… As We Live It“:

They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long wear their nice suits and clerical robes, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues church buildings and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi Pastor by others. (Matthew 23:4-7 re-mix)

(Please read the first post for an explanation of this series.)

Zacchaeus the Tax Collector With a Twist

Some of you might be interested in a post from a brother at 'Flee From Babylon'. It offers a few twists on how some of our ridiculous sectarianism suppresses the Holy Spirit, or at least, does so by acting as if there is such a thing as exclusive licensing on when, and how He works. Here's a snippet below, the rest can be found here.

The religous [sic] crowd of that day had nothing good to say about the saving work of Jesus Christ.  I was thinking that if this were to take place in America today, here are some of the comments you might hear shouted from the crowd after our Lord finished speaking…

“Lord – did you hear how Zacchaeus was trying to justify himself by his works, teach him the five points of Calvinism so he can REALLY be saved” ~ Hyper Calvinist

“Very good Lord, because that man has made a good moral decision he is now righteous in the site of God and so it is as you said, he has saved himself!” ~ Hyper Armenian / Pelagian

“Quick Lord, get Zacchaeus to repeat a sinners prayer and ask you into his heart before he changes his mind” ~ Modern Evangelist

Six World Vision Aid Workers Killed In Pakistan : NPR

Six World Vision Aid Workers Killed In Pakistan : NPR

I am impressed. NPR is actually reporting an incident that illustrates Muslims killing Christians. I wonder when the last time there was an incident involving Christians killing Mohammedans? Seriously, consider this, and if you just responded with a comment in your head like 'well the crusades ring a bell,' let me encourage you to brush up on your history, read the Bible, and re-evaluate the Christian by the standard of Scripture, not by the standard of the Papists or the American Evangelical.

Just think, coming in the name of Christ, loving your neighbor on behalf of Christ, or even affiliating with the name of Christ, can get you killed. How much more for those who boldly proclaim the truth of the Gospel in its entirety? What have you done for His namesake today Christian?

Rom 10:15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"

Good Ministry, Bad Ministry, You Decide...

Good Ministry: Running after the lost sheep, feeding the sheep, equipping the Saints, and obeying your calling as teacher all of your days.

Bad Ministry: Speeding down the freeway in your Lincoln while announcing to the world your 'Retired Pastor' status on your handicap license plate frame.



Wonder where one should park in this case?