Well i guess its time to stir the hornets nest - a personal struggle i have with the evangelical right winged Christian's of America is their end times theology and their extremely dangerous foreign policy for the middle east.
My next few posts will be arguments taken from Lutheran writer Barbara R. Rossing taken from her teachings at the Lutheran Theology School in Chicago.
Going into my local Christian book store looking at the prophecy section makes me sick. It is a one sided arguement cemented in a very puzzling and incorrect view of what is prophecy and what is the whole purpose of prophecy.
So let me throw out a little question:
What is the purpose of Prophecy?
Monday, October 29, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
#012 - Wyndam Lewis
Great painter and writer of the early 20th century said this awesome quote:
WHEN A MAN IS A YOUNG
HE IS USUALLY A REVOLUTIONARY OF SOME KIND.
SO HERE I AM
SPEAKING OF MY REVOLUTION
Chew on that cud.
WHEN A MAN IS A YOUNG
HE IS USUALLY A REVOLUTIONARY OF SOME KIND.
SO HERE I AM
SPEAKING OF MY REVOLUTION
Chew on that cud.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
#011 - Andrew Murray on Power
Here is an extract from a teaching by Andrew Murray (great South African minister around the turn of the twentieth century)
Is it permissible to ask of the LORD, "Grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak they word, by stretching forth thy hand to heal" Acts 4;29-31?
In this present day God's servants need his power to be clearly evident among them so that the word can be preached with all boldness.
The apostles knew very well that it was not the eloquence of their preaching that caused the truth to triumph. They were aware of their dependence on the Holy Spirit manifesting his presence by miracles. It was necessary for the living God to stretch forth his hand, so that there might be healing, miracles, and signs in the name of his Holy Son Jesus. Only then could his servants rejoice. Strengthened by his presence, they could then speak his word with boldness and teach the world to fear his name.
Is it permissible to ask of the LORD, "Grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak they word, by stretching forth thy hand to heal" Acts 4;29-31?
In this present day God's servants need his power to be clearly evident among them so that the word can be preached with all boldness.
The apostles knew very well that it was not the eloquence of their preaching that caused the truth to triumph. They were aware of their dependence on the Holy Spirit manifesting his presence by miracles. It was necessary for the living God to stretch forth his hand, so that there might be healing, miracles, and signs in the name of his Holy Son Jesus. Only then could his servants rejoice. Strengthened by his presence, they could then speak his word with boldness and teach the world to fear his name.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
#010 Abraham
I read in a book i think by Arthur wallis that Abraham was not only our father in the faith
but he pioneered 'Faith'.
He set the tone to which men and women of Faith walk in.
He walked in obedience - he walked in fear (reverence)
He walked on the highways of faith - and he recieved what God has for him, by Faith.
but he pioneered 'Faith'.
He set the tone to which men and women of Faith walk in.
He walked in obedience - he walked in fear (reverence)
He walked on the highways of faith - and he recieved what God has for him, by Faith.
#009 many promises
The bible is full of great promises, for health, salvation, forgivness, for the individual and the world at large, but there is one promise that starts with a 'THE' and that is the promise of the Holy Ghost-
Luke 24; 49 - Behold i send THE promise of My Father upon you, but tarry in the city of jerusalem until you are enduedwith power from on high.
Acts 2; 38-39 - Repent and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall recieve the gift of the Holy Spirit, For THE promise is to you and your children , and to all who are far off, as many as our Lord God will call.
This is a promise that God gave Abraham -
Galatians 3-13-14 - Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law having become a curse for us (for it is written; cursed is everyone who hangs on the tree) that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus , that we might recieve THE promise of the Spirit through faith.
The Spirit mentioned in Galatians is The one and only Holy Spirit as noted with a capital 'S'.
He is THE Promise -
It can't be just for the 'Charismatics' out there can it? It looks like Abraham was a Holy Ghost man!!
Luke 24; 49 - Behold i send THE promise of My Father upon you, but tarry in the city of jerusalem until you are enduedwith power from on high.
Acts 2; 38-39 - Repent and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall recieve the gift of the Holy Spirit, For THE promise is to you and your children , and to all who are far off, as many as our Lord God will call.
This is a promise that God gave Abraham -
Galatians 3-13-14 - Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law having become a curse for us (for it is written; cursed is everyone who hangs on the tree) that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus , that we might recieve THE promise of the Spirit through faith.
The Spirit mentioned in Galatians is The one and only Holy Spirit as noted with a capital 'S'.
He is THE Promise -
It can't be just for the 'Charismatics' out there can it? It looks like Abraham was a Holy Ghost man!!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
#008 - New Music
Two new albums added to my collection are real fine -
Suburban Kids with Biblical names - self titled - crazy folk music with a great twist of other genre's mixed in.
Au Revoiur Simone - The music of Birds - Three girls who sing and play keyboards, very fun and cute.
Album of the year contender for me - MuteMath - self titled - crazy prog rock with serious melodies - And Debbie and I are off to see them on Friday!!
What are you listenning to?
Suburban Kids with Biblical names - self titled - crazy folk music with a great twist of other genre's mixed in.
Au Revoiur Simone - The music of Birds - Three girls who sing and play keyboards, very fun and cute.
Album of the year contender for me - MuteMath - self titled - crazy prog rock with serious melodies - And Debbie and I are off to see them on Friday!!
What are you listenning to?
Monday, October 8, 2007
#007 T.G.I.S
Thank God for Sunday. Its no good having a friday without a Sunday. If there is a death then there is a resurection to follow.
I love the fact that Christ raised from the Dead as much as i am forever greatful for his death on the cross.
Sunday (yesterday) was an insane time in the Holy Spirit. I go to a church called New Life in Grand rapids Michigan, and for the majority of this year we have spent our Sunday's in the presence of God, lingering like Joshua did after Moses had left the tent of meeting. Most of the church would just bask in the presence for up to hours after the meeting was officially 'dissmised'. but there have been a few times, like yesterday, where the power and the kabod of God is so heavy it stops everything.
the reason i share this is not to tell eveeyone how cool my church is, but to confirm what has been in my spirit for the last year, and it can all be summed up in one word; Power.
One of my favorite stories in the gospels is when the paralized man is lowered in the room where jesus is preaching. jesus tells him that is sins are forgiven and the scribes (or scrubs as i like to call them) told him he was blaspheming, but in verse 10 of the third chapter of Mark Jesus says; but that you may positively and beyond a doubt that tyhe son of man has authority and power on earth top forgive sins- he said to the paralized man, i say to you, arise, pick up and carry your sleeping pad or mat, and be going home.
As we know the man stood up. A demonstration of power brought authenticity to his message and validated him as the son of God.
And now as Acts 1;8 shares, that he has given us, the Church, the Holy Spirit to be wittnesses to the ends of the earth; saying; and you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes apon you.
A demonstration of Power in his people will vallidate us as not an organization, another religion, a club, or just people who follow a doctrine word for word. t's crossed and I's dotted; but a people of POWER and demonstration in the Holy Ghost.
Jesus says that if we can't believe in his words, then believe in his works (or his miracles). So i don't have to believe in God unless there is a demonstarion of power and works.
Peace
I love the fact that Christ raised from the Dead as much as i am forever greatful for his death on the cross.
Sunday (yesterday) was an insane time in the Holy Spirit. I go to a church called New Life in Grand rapids Michigan, and for the majority of this year we have spent our Sunday's in the presence of God, lingering like Joshua did after Moses had left the tent of meeting. Most of the church would just bask in the presence for up to hours after the meeting was officially 'dissmised'. but there have been a few times, like yesterday, where the power and the kabod of God is so heavy it stops everything.
the reason i share this is not to tell eveeyone how cool my church is, but to confirm what has been in my spirit for the last year, and it can all be summed up in one word; Power.
One of my favorite stories in the gospels is when the paralized man is lowered in the room where jesus is preaching. jesus tells him that is sins are forgiven and the scribes (or scrubs as i like to call them) told him he was blaspheming, but in verse 10 of the third chapter of Mark Jesus says; but that you may positively and beyond a doubt that tyhe son of man has authority and power on earth top forgive sins- he said to the paralized man, i say to you, arise, pick up and carry your sleeping pad or mat, and be going home.
As we know the man stood up. A demonstration of power brought authenticity to his message and validated him as the son of God.
And now as Acts 1;8 shares, that he has given us, the Church, the Holy Spirit to be wittnesses to the ends of the earth; saying; and you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes apon you.
A demonstration of Power in his people will vallidate us as not an organization, another religion, a club, or just people who follow a doctrine word for word. t's crossed and I's dotted; but a people of POWER and demonstration in the Holy Ghost.
Jesus says that if we can't believe in his words, then believe in his works (or his miracles). So i don't have to believe in God unless there is a demonstarion of power and works.
Peace
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
#006 Will and Grace verses Friends
In trying to convince a friend of the fact that all sin and fall short of the glory of God, i used this analogy to help him see the error of his ways; only kidding, it was a fun debate had by all.
700pm Friends is on the tv.
A Christian viewer says; "Oh i can't wait for that i love friends."
and then after Friends has ended the tv announces; :And next on Channel 4, Will and Grace!
The Christian Viewer says (in disgust): "Oh i hate that show it's full of homosexuals!!"
Both friends and Will and Grace are both, in my books, very funny shows, however they are very heathen in their subtext, which is often blatant, but neither one is better or worse than the other. one show promotes a bunch of friends who live very promiscuous sexual lives while the other has two starst that are opennly gay and they too have promiscuous sexual lifestyles. both lif choices are sinful in nature and equal in offense towards God and his holy standards.
The point i tried to make to my friend is; that everyone judges some sins worse than others when in fact they are all the creations of a fallen generation
Ben
700pm Friends is on the tv.
A Christian viewer says; "Oh i can't wait for that i love friends."
and then after Friends has ended the tv announces; :And next on Channel 4, Will and Grace!
The Christian Viewer says (in disgust): "Oh i hate that show it's full of homosexuals!!"
Both friends and Will and Grace are both, in my books, very funny shows, however they are very heathen in their subtext, which is often blatant, but neither one is better or worse than the other. one show promotes a bunch of friends who live very promiscuous sexual lives while the other has two starst that are opennly gay and they too have promiscuous sexual lifestyles. both lif choices are sinful in nature and equal in offense towards God and his holy standards.
The point i tried to make to my friend is; that everyone judges some sins worse than others when in fact they are all the creations of a fallen generation
Ben
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