“Life is good ... It is a blessing and a privilege to have this life, because God ultimately said, I’ll give this one to Jamie, because I know that he is the right person for it. And I think God gave you your life because he knew you were the right person for it.”
Jamey Carrington, speaking of the privilege of the life he has been able to live with spinal muscular atrophy
Psalm 109 (metrical version from the 1650 Scottish Psalter)
Common Meter.
Suggested tune: Bangor, by William Tansur.
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ...” 1 Thessalonians 5:23
In this description to the Thessalonians, Paul begins from the inside and works to the outside. In the description of the Tabernacle to Moses, God begins with the inside and works to the outside (Exodus 25:10ff). In our salvation, God begins with the inside and works to the outside.
I hesitate to post this, because I usually practice a policy of not saying anything negative about a person when they have just passed. Nevertheless, I think circumstances are different here. After her death, Dolly Parton’s “Christian Faith” has been highly praised. I have noticed many Christian folks have escorted Dolly Parton right on up into heaven.
Dolly Parton had that sort of pleasing personality that put people at ease. Back in the day I was a big fan of her songs “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You.” I don’t know her heart, but I do know some things she has said. If I condemn those sayings in others, I must condemn them in Dolly Parton as well.
Here are a few quotes.
“Well, you have to believe in something bigger than you. And whether you call it science, whether you call it nature, whether you call it this or that, doesn’t matter, you know. There’s a force there. There’s an energy. There’s greatness. And those of us that, you know, do believe like we do. However you find him, just do.”
“We all need something to believe in, whether you believe in God or not, whether you call it Mother Nature or Father Time or a higher wisdom. You need to believe in yourself and you need to believe there’s a force that can push you and lead you on. I was always guided by that.”
“Whether you believe in God or not, you need to be grounded; you need to believe in something greater than yourself.”
“I’m not a religious fanatic in any way. I’m more spiritual but a lot of times when things get crazy during the day, I just kind of stop and just kind of draw in God’s energy or that good higher wisdom, whatever you want to call it. Everybody calls it something different.”
“…the kingdom of heaven is inside. It’s right inside of you. And you can draw from that wisdom, whether you call it God or higher wisdom or a higher knowing, there’s something bigger than you.”
“I try to find the God-light in everybody and everybody shines. I see that in everybody. I go right to that God-light, and I don’t care if you’re Black or white or green or alien gray. I go to that, because we’re all pieces of God and we all have that little God-light inside us.”
“I really don’t know where we go. I don't know if we, If there’s such a thing as reincarnation, I kind of believe all that kind of stuff. I’m just open to things.”
“But anyway, so I’m just saying you don’t really know. You just hope and you have faith. That’s what faith is. But I believe that it’s going to be better. I think it’s not the end of me. I don’t think it’s the end of any of us. I think we’re recycled and if nothing else, we just go back into that great flow of divine energy, and hopefully we can spread ourselves around in other wonderful ways. That’s what I hope.”
To be clear, Dolly did talk about church, the Bible, God, and Jesus. In her interviews, she was exuberant, likable, and relatable. Nevertheless, the more she talks, the more it is clear that that Dolly Parton believed that it was okay to believe what you wanted to believe about God, as long as you believed in something bigger than yourself. (And she consistently talked that way.) That’s not biblical truth.
So, while I can appreciate good things about Dolly Parton, these things she said are just wrong according to my understanding of biblical truth. What Dolly has advocated in such statements is mystical universalism, rather than the biblical teaching of salvation through Jesus Christ alone. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me,” and “if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” The Bible teaches of Jesus: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” The biblical gospel message is exclusive, through Jesus Christ alone, not inclusive of all paths.
Don’t get mad at me. If you agree with Dolly, then agree with her. However, in doing so you are not agreeing with the Bible. I cannot see Dolly’s heart. God will judge that. We can hear and read her words and judge those.
John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
A friend who is a missionary (and who uses Logos) took exception to some comments in an e-book that was warning about the dangers of Logos Bible Software. I generally agree with him, but have some reverse concerns I think are worth considering. For safety’s sake (location-wise), I will not identify him. This friend wrote:
Recently, David Cloud’s ministry wayoflife.org has published an ebook warning about the dangers of Logos Biblesoftare. As a regular user of Logos Bible Software since 2018 who finds much benefit from using the software, I must respectfully but firmly disagree with the warnings issued in this article.
The descriptions given in the article above seem to reflect a misunderstanding of how Logos actually works and what it truly is.
Consider the following excerpt from the article:
“In the very simplest terms, Logos links together thousands of texts and keys them all to the Scripture. The Bible becomes a sort of hub around which the whole tradition revolves. But, all the texts are linked to each other as well. So, as you read the Bible the software is mining the data of the library for information about the passage. What did St. Augustine say? Aquinas? Vatican II? Once you start following a thread, you can go in any direction with it. This is a recipe for doctrinal disaster and spiritual shipwreck.”This comment is misleading. What the article fails to mention is that Logos functions based on the contents of your personal library and you are the one who chooses what goes into it.
For example, my own Logos library consists largely of theologically conservative resources and technical linguistic tools, due to my involvement in Bible translation. I also own a copy of the Quran and a Christian commentary on it for reference. I have a Pentecostal Study Bible as well, not for doctrine, but to understand how Pentecostal readers interpret certain passages, because Pentecostalism is popular in the Ugandan context we minister in. If someone wanted to, they could build a Logos library made up entirely of trusted authors and resources. Logos itself is not deceptive or dangerous, it’s a tool. The danger comes only if someone naively fills their library with bad theology.
Yes, I recognize that the company behind Logos (Faithlife) includes people I strongly disagree with theologically. But so does the company that made the computer or smartphone used to write and publish the article in question and which you are using to read this! Using software developed by people with wrong theological views is not equivalent to partnering in ministry with theological liberals, and it certainly isn’t a violation of biblical separation.
I am a fundamentalist. I am a conservative. I believe in biblical separation. But this article misrepresents both the software and the issue. Separation applies to fellowship and cooperation, not owning or reading reference books that contain error. Even Paul quoted pagan poets (Acts 17:28) and was aware of non-Christian writings (Titus 1:12).
Another article on wayoflife.org claims:
“Logos and Faithlife are actively promoting Catholic books, not to scholars but even to the weakest believers, again, with no warning whatsoever.”Again, this is misleading. When you browse Logos to purchase a base library, you’re clearly presented with denominational options; Anglican, Baptist, Lutheran, Reformed, Catholic, and so on. Suggesting that Logos is “promoting” Catholicism is like claiming your local public library promotes Catholicism simply because Catholic materials are on the shelves.
Don’t take my word for it, visit the Logos website yourself. See if it actually appears to be “promoting” Catholicism. From what I’ve seen, it’s clear that the platform offers theological libraries tailored to various users’ beliefs. Would I personally offer Catholic resources if I ran Logos? Possibly as reference tools. (As I said, I own an Orthodox Study bible and a Pentecostal Study Bible on Logos, not for doctrine or to try and gain edification from them, but to be familiar with their views in order to refute them.)
In the south, there’s a Christian bookstore chain called Mardel. They carry many theologically problematic books, but they also sell KJV Bibles, Strong’s Concordances, and other similar resources. Am I compromising by purchasing only good resources from them? Or am I responsible for exercising discernment in what I choose to buy and use? I believe it’s the latter.
There is no reason why someone who is part of a solid Bible-teaching church could not ask their pastor for guidance on trustworthy authors and then buy resources from those authors and use Logos in a biblically safe and edifying way. The issue is not the software, it’s how it’s used.
Would we also warn against using Amazon Kindle because it offers morally and theologically corrupt books? Amazon offers really awful books, and I mean morally bankrupt stuff. Ironically, the bottom of the wayoflife web page includes this line:
“Format Note: Kindle apps and devices can now use/convert ePub format.”Where is the warning about Kindle? Or Libraries? Or Bookstores?
Logos is a powerful digital tool that can be used for good or bad, depending on the wisdom and discernment of the user. To reject it outright based on guilt-by-association or hypothetical dangers is not justified.
Any tool when used by an untrained or undiscerning person can be misused. That is not an argument against the tool, it’s an argument for biblical discipleship and spiritual maturity. We should be warning people about poor study habits and bad theology, not about Bible software that can serve faithful students of God’s Word if used wisely.
Initial disclaimers: I have read my friend’s critique, but have not read the free e-book on David Cloud’s site, “The Deceptive Dangers of Logos Bible Software,” by Brian Snider. I do not use Logos Bible Software (not because of theological or separation reasons, but for practical and financial reasons).
The short version of the charges asserted by Brian Snider is that Logos (1) is an ecumenical blending machine, and (2) can easily draw the individual into association with heretics and put him under the influence of heresy.
I generally agree with the pushback made by the missionary. We have liberty to do business with companies that serve our needs, whether they are providing food, fuel, facts, and so on. 1 Corinthians chapter 8 provides some helpful direction here. I regularly fuel up my car at a station that provides a decent price per gallon, as well as certain discounts. I have no knowledge of their religious or moral persuasion (nor do I have that knowledge concerning any other fuel providers in my area). I think that rule applies in a general way across the board. It’s not wrong to buy leg of lamb at the local meat market owned by a United Pentecostal couple, even though I might suppose that they tithe in support of their local church, which teaches several heresies.
However, the lines can get a little blurrier with businesses which operate as quasi-ministries. For example, though I assume Faithlife/Logos probably most simply considers itself a business, they do throw around statements that claim they are involved in Christian ministry – like their mission being “to equip the Church to grow,” “to serve the Church,” “to increase biblical literacy,” and such like. Additionally, some of the stuff on their website sounds quite ecumenical and even DEI-leaning. That does not make me feel a need to condemn anyone who is benefitting from this technology. On the other hand, if I were considering such an investment, it would drive me personally to look elsewhere. Your mileage may vary. Here is an illustration of how I would approach it. If we had two meat markets in town, with equally honest and respectable owners, the owner of one being United Pentecostal and the owner of the other being Baptist – I would throw my business toward the Baptists, even if the meat at the other store might tend to be slightly better/cheaper/etc.
Additionally, I believe it is a logical fallacy to say that if someone does not warn against everything, they cannot warn against anything. It is not humanly possible to know and warn about everything! Sometimes we simply prioritize our warnings.
Finally, a sort of Romans 14:3 application might go a long way here: “Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth.” If you believe you need to warn people about possible dangers of Logos/Faithlife, do so. If a faithful friend knows how to navigate it for personal benefit, do not judge him as unfaithful. Receive the benefit you can from both “Brian Snider’s ebook” and the pushback against it. As for me, I can get along fine without Logos/Faithlife, while not condemning everyone who uses it. However, be careful with any and every tool you decide to use! A wonderfully beneficial electric circular saw can also cut off your finger.
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Commenting on Galatians 1:8, Oliver B. Greene said,
“It would be difficult to find anything from Genesis to Revelation more dreadful than that statement. The devil may transform himself into an angel of light, and his ministers may transform themselves as the ministers of righteousness; but whether it BE an angel from Heaven, or one of the devil’s emissaries transformed as an angel . . . or even if it be Paul himself . . . if that person preaches any other gospel than the Gospel of the grace of GOD which Paul had already preached to the Galatian Christians, Paul said, ‘Let that preacher drop into hell . . . let that preacher be accursed! Do not let him deliver any message except the message of the grace of GOD!’
“In Galatians 5:12, Paul thunders out, ‘I would they were even cut off which trouble you!’ That statement would not go over so well, either, in one of the meetings of the National Council of Churches of Christ in America - or The World Council of Churches, where birds of a feather flock together and demand that all ministers come under their wings.
“GOD have mercy on any two-legged human being who claims to be called of GOD, who claims to be a minister of God . . . and yet will support atheism and liberalism such as in these councils of churches around the world.”
Oliver Boyce Greene, The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Galatians, 1962
As a people who are taught to “come boldly unto the throne of grace” and “pray without ceasing,” we often may be weighed and found wanting when it comes to open, honest, sincere, continual prayer. The following hymn by John Burton investigates and questions the “heart” of our prayers.
The following hymn was possibly first published in The Union Hymn Book for the Use of Sunday Schools (Bath Sunday School Union,1840). The text below is as it appears in A Book of Praise for Home and School, compiled by Samuel D. Major (published initially in 1869, No. 237).
The Child’s Hymn Book (F. M. Caulkins, editor. New York, NY: American Tract Society, n.d. [ca. 1840-1850] includes Burton’s hymn under the title “How to Pray aright” (No. 176, 3 stanzas) with the following stanza that does not appear in Major’s Book of Praise for Home and School.[i]
John Burton Jr. was born July 23, 1803, in Stratford, West Ham, Essex, England. The designation “Jr” suggests he is the son of John Burton. John Burton died January 22, 1877, and was buried at the West Ham Cemetery.
John Burton Jr. spent most of his life in his home county where he was born, Stratford, Essex. He ran a business as a cooper for about 50 years. He served as a deacon within the Congregational Chapel he attended. He was a popular hymn writer for children – He is best remembered for his hymnody, with his first submission being to the Evangelical Magazine in 1822. Burton often wrote under the pseudonym J. B. Essex. His publications include:
The hymn is in Short Meter, and has appeared with the tunes State Street, Reeves, and Gorton.
[i] This stanza appears in other books as well, as the second stanza of the hymn. Perhaps it is an original stanza by Burton and A Book of Praise for Home and School merely left it out. I have not found enough old sources to verify that.
