Interesting poems I happened across on the internet:
Belshazzar had a Letter
Belshazzar had a Letter—
He never had but one—
Belshazzar’s Correspondent
Concluded and begun
In that immortal Copy
The Conscience of us all
Can read without its Glasses
On Revelation’s Wall.
--Emily Dickinson (1879)
The Feast of Belshazzar
"Keep for thyself the guerdon and the gold-
"What God hath graved, God's prophet must unfold ;
"Could not thy father's crime, thy father's fate
"Teach thee the terror thou hast learnt too late
"Hast thou not read the lesson of his life,
"Who wars with God shall strive a losing strife ?
"His was a kingdom mighty as thine own,
"The sword his sceptre and the earth his throne
"The nations trembled when his awful eye
"Gave to them leave to live or doom to die
"The Lord of Life the Keeper of the grave,
"His frown could wither and his smile could save
"Yet when his heart was hard, his spirit high
"God drave him from his kingly majesty,
"Far from the brotherhood of fellow men
"To seek for dwelling in the desert den ;
"Where the wild asses feed and oxen roam
"He sought his pasture and he made his home,
"And bitter-biting frost and dews of night
"Schooled him in sorrow till he knew the right,
"That God is ruler of the rulers still
"And setteth up the sovereign that he will :
"Oh! hadst thou treasured in repentant breast
"His pride and fall, his penitence and rest,
"And bowed submissive to Jehovah's will,
"Then had thy sceptre been a sceptre still
"But thou hast mocked the majesty of heaven,
"And shamed the vessels to its service given,
"And thou hast fashioned idols of thine own
"Idols of gold, of silver, and of stone ;
"To them hast bowed the knee, and breathed the breath,
"And they must help thee in the hour of death.
"Woe for the sign unseen, the sin forgot,
"God was among ye, and ye knew it not !
"Hear what he sayeth now, ' Thy race is run,
"The years are numbered and the days are done,
"Thy soul hath mounted in the scale of fate,
"The Lord hath weighed thee and thou lackest weight ;
"Now in thy palace porch the spoilers stand,
"To seize thy sceptre, to divide thy land."
He ended and his passing foot was heard,
But none made answer, not a lip was stirred
Mute the free tongue and bent the fearless brow,
The mystic letters had their meaning now!
Soon came there other sound the clash of steel,
The heavy ringing of the iron heel
The curse in dying, and the cry for life,
The bloody voices of the battle strife.
That night they slew him on his father's throne,
The deed unnoticed and the hand unknown ;
Crownless and sceptreless Belshazzar lay,
A robe of purple, round a form of clay.
-- Edwin Arnold (ca. 1852)
Monday, June 22, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
New tax idea
Most politicians seem to never meet a tax they don't like. One of the new ideas in the House Ways and Means Committee to fund government-run health care is a 10 cent tax on a can of soda pop (coke, soft drink, etc.). Perhaps they should check with the President.
Recently President Obama said that no family earning less than $250,000 would see its taxes increased by "a single dime." Anybody out there earning less than $250,000? Any of you ever drink a cold soda? If so, so much for that no new taxes plan. You will see an increase.
Recently President Obama said that no family earning less than $250,000 would see its taxes increased by "a single dime." Anybody out there earning less than $250,000? Any of you ever drink a cold soda? If so, so much for that no new taxes plan. You will see an increase.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
The Bible makes Baptists
"The Bible makes men Baptists. At a certain wicked town in one of the Southern States, some ministers of different denominations once held a revival. Most of the preachers were Baptists; but talent was on the side of the Pedo Baptists. As a result of the meeting 60 persons professed conversions. Some of those were men of fine learning. Some of them afterwards reached great distinction as servants of their native State. At the close of the services it became a question among the ministers, 'How shall we advise the new convents as to church connection?' It was decided to tell them that as Christians they would make a public confession of Christ, and to give them no further advice. The converts were diligent in searching the Scriptures, and every one of the sixty was immersed a Baptist. This is only one of the many similar cases. Is not the Bible a Baptist book?" -- George D. Benton
(Copied from the Landmark Southern Baptist forum. The above quote is from the article "The Bible a Baptist Book" which was in The Alabama Baptist newspaper on May 24, 1887. We do not recommend ecumenical revivals, but found it interesting that these folks, reading the Bible with an open mind, were made Baptists.)
(Copied from the Landmark Southern Baptist forum. The above quote is from the article "The Bible a Baptist Book" which was in The Alabama Baptist newspaper on May 24, 1887. We do not recommend ecumenical revivals, but found it interesting that these folks, reading the Bible with an open mind, were made Baptists.)
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Teen Outsmarts Doctors
Several weeks ago I made a post on A boy, religion, parental rights and government intervention. I think the following article makes a nice follow-up, and indicates that the doctors aren't always right. Shouldn't folks have the right to take the information that doctors provide and make their own informed decisions?
When doctors didn't give A high school senior at a Washington state high school, Jessica Terry, studied her own tissue samples and correctly diagnosed herself -- a diagnosis doctors had missed for several years.
Read HERE.
When doctors didn't give A high school senior at a Washington state high school, Jessica Terry, studied her own tissue samples and correctly diagnosed herself -- a diagnosis doctors had missed for several years.
Read HERE.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Zion Hill Singing
The Zion Hill Memorial Sacred Harp Singing will be held the third Sunday——June 21, 2009——at the meeting house of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church. The building is located off FM 840 on County Road 368, southeast of Henderson, Texas. We will be using the 2006 Cooper Revision of The Sacred Harp. Singing will start at 10 a.m. and we usually close around 3 p.m. Dinner on the Ground served by the church and community. After the close of the singing we will have a planning session for the East Texas Convention.
For a map with directions from Henderson, click HERE.
Come join in, and help us to sing.
BARTIMAEUS.
Mk 10:47,48
Mercy, O thou Son of David!
Thus blind Bartimaeus prayed;
Others by thy grace are saved,
Now to me afford thine aid:
Many for his crying chide him,
But he called the louder still;
Till the gracious Savior bid him
"Come, and ask me what you will."
Money was not what he wanted,
Though by begging used to live;
But he asked, and JESUS granted
Alms, which none but he could give:
LORD remove this grievous blindness,
Let my eyes behold the day;
Strait he saw, and won by kindness,
Followed JESUS in the way.
O! methinks I hear him praising,
Publishing to all around;
"Friends, is not my case amazing?
What a Savior I have found:
O! that all the blind but knew him,
And would be advised by me!
Surely, would they hasten to him,
He would cause them all to see."
John Newton (1725-1807)
Olney Hymns, 1779.
For a map with directions from Henderson, click HERE.
Come join in, and help us to sing.
BARTIMAEUS.
Mk 10:47,48
Mercy, O thou Son of David!
Thus blind Bartimaeus prayed;
Others by thy grace are saved,
Now to me afford thine aid:
Many for his crying chide him,
But he called the louder still;
Till the gracious Savior bid him
"Come, and ask me what you will."
Money was not what he wanted,
Though by begging used to live;
But he asked, and JESUS granted
Alms, which none but he could give:
LORD remove this grievous blindness,
Let my eyes behold the day;
Strait he saw, and won by kindness,
Followed JESUS in the way.
O! methinks I hear him praising,
Publishing to all around;
"Friends, is not my case amazing?
What a Savior I have found:
O! that all the blind but knew him,
And would be advised by me!
Surely, would they hasten to him,
He would cause them all to see."
John Newton (1725-1807)
Olney Hymns, 1779.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Gospel baptism by Rittenhouse
"Gospel baptism, in itself considered, although of the greatest importance to the child of grace, has no power to change from nature to grace, or to turn from darkness to light. It cannot purge the conscience from dead works, or afford any conceivable benefit to a natural, unrenewed man. What then is it? As an act of obedience to Christ, it gives evidence of the gracious and loyal state of its renewed subject as the "answer of a good conscience towards God."
"Is there in baptism a sign of death? Is it a burial and resurrection? Then in the subject that has right to it have its antitype. It is a language, and speaks in a voice that is understood, and finds an answer in the conscience of every renewed soul. As was said of Him who instituted it, it speaks with authority and not as the scribes.
"The administration of this ordinance, as a church ordinance, carries conviction of its divine authenticity to the mind of every unprejudiced beholder, and meets a response in the experience of ever gracious subject. It does not, however, present itself as a task for the subject to perform, but rather the mind is involuntarily led to ask for baptism. There has been a death of former enjoyments. Our former notions about getting religion and serving and pleasing God so as to get to heaven, and our prejudices against the Gospel method of salvation have all expired. We are dead to the law by the body of Christ. Our love of the world, and our satisfaction in the things of the world have given up the ghost. With our former associates we are ready to part. They have become strangers to us. In our feelings we are thus brought to the liquid grave – to the water side. The blessed Jesus has led the way. A company of saints are on the other side. We recognize them as our kindred, as loving friends and relations. Perhaps a solitary companion, a sympathizing friend, is about to enter the stream, and then we shall be left alone. What is baptism now? Among all the things that may be desired there is scarce anything that may be compared to it. Now it is a privilege to the administrator, a privilege to the candidate, and a heavenly season to the church. The candidate comes right. Christian experience has taught Christian baptism. Gospel baptism declares Christian experience. The candidate in the observance of this ordinance preaches the faith of Christ.
"While baptism may thus be considered as a fit and lively emblem of that experience of the Christian affecting his more outward life and conduct, the ordinance of breaking bread may be considered as an emblem of that internal communion with God, and living by faith upon Him which are hidden from public view. Christ is preached in this ordinance also. In these significant emblems the nature and ground-work of the Christian’s hope in all its distinguishing features are set forth. In fact, there is so much of Christ in a Gospel church, in her members, in her doctrine and in her ordinances, that the house of God becomes a home for all those that love Him. It is a fit and desirable place for all His children. However there may be places to stay at, there is no other home. However they may be induced to tarry at other places for a night, in this place alone out of all the earth, do they desire to dwell forever. The wants of the children of God are similar. They have mutual joys and sorrows. Loving one another and sympathizing with each other, they love to dwell together. They love their Father, and He has prepared a home for them. The provisions of His house suit them. They are abundantly satisfied with the goodness of His house, even of His holy temple.- Psalm 65:4. To such characters a Gospel church is presented to view, and they are encouraged to take up their abode in it. The Lord has made it their duty as well as their privilege to follow Him in this way. He has given them directions with regard to shewing their faith in Him, and with the keeping of these things He has connected great reward." – From "Gospel Church and Gospel Ordinances", the 1859 Circular letter of the Baltimore River Association, written by Elder R. Rittenhouse (Daniel L. Harding, Moderator; Isaac P. Hellings, Clerk.)
"Is there in baptism a sign of death? Is it a burial and resurrection? Then in the subject that has right to it have its antitype. It is a language, and speaks in a voice that is understood, and finds an answer in the conscience of every renewed soul. As was said of Him who instituted it, it speaks with authority and not as the scribes.
"The administration of this ordinance, as a church ordinance, carries conviction of its divine authenticity to the mind of every unprejudiced beholder, and meets a response in the experience of ever gracious subject. It does not, however, present itself as a task for the subject to perform, but rather the mind is involuntarily led to ask for baptism. There has been a death of former enjoyments. Our former notions about getting religion and serving and pleasing God so as to get to heaven, and our prejudices against the Gospel method of salvation have all expired. We are dead to the law by the body of Christ. Our love of the world, and our satisfaction in the things of the world have given up the ghost. With our former associates we are ready to part. They have become strangers to us. In our feelings we are thus brought to the liquid grave – to the water side. The blessed Jesus has led the way. A company of saints are on the other side. We recognize them as our kindred, as loving friends and relations. Perhaps a solitary companion, a sympathizing friend, is about to enter the stream, and then we shall be left alone. What is baptism now? Among all the things that may be desired there is scarce anything that may be compared to it. Now it is a privilege to the administrator, a privilege to the candidate, and a heavenly season to the church. The candidate comes right. Christian experience has taught Christian baptism. Gospel baptism declares Christian experience. The candidate in the observance of this ordinance preaches the faith of Christ.
"While baptism may thus be considered as a fit and lively emblem of that experience of the Christian affecting his more outward life and conduct, the ordinance of breaking bread may be considered as an emblem of that internal communion with God, and living by faith upon Him which are hidden from public view. Christ is preached in this ordinance also. In these significant emblems the nature and ground-work of the Christian’s hope in all its distinguishing features are set forth. In fact, there is so much of Christ in a Gospel church, in her members, in her doctrine and in her ordinances, that the house of God becomes a home for all those that love Him. It is a fit and desirable place for all His children. However there may be places to stay at, there is no other home. However they may be induced to tarry at other places for a night, in this place alone out of all the earth, do they desire to dwell forever. The wants of the children of God are similar. They have mutual joys and sorrows. Loving one another and sympathizing with each other, they love to dwell together. They love their Father, and He has prepared a home for them. The provisions of His house suit them. They are abundantly satisfied with the goodness of His house, even of His holy temple.- Psalm 65:4. To such characters a Gospel church is presented to view, and they are encouraged to take up their abode in it. The Lord has made it their duty as well as their privilege to follow Him in this way. He has given them directions with regard to shewing their faith in Him, and with the keeping of these things He has connected great reward." – From "Gospel Church and Gospel Ordinances", the 1859 Circular letter of the Baltimore River Association, written by Elder R. Rittenhouse (Daniel L. Harding, Moderator; Isaac P. Hellings, Clerk.)
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Numerical gaffe
"And one of the points I want to make is, is that if you actually took the number of Muslim Americans, we'd be one of the largest Muslim countries in the world." -- U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama in an interview with a French television station
Even if one takes high estimates of America's Muslims, the United States is not in the top 30, but creeps into the top 40. Michael Goldfarb points out "There are more Muslims in tiny Jordan than there are in the United States, and twice as many in Syria."
"According to [Don] Surber, the US has an estimated three to eight million Muslims, less than one per cent of the world's total and less than at least 23 other countries.
"The average claim for the US Muslim population is about six million. The precise figure is difficult to get because it's not included in US census data and many put the figure at much, much less.
"But even if we assume there are six million Muslims in the US, that makes it only the 34th biggest Muslim country in the world..." - From Toby Harnden's blog
Obama Nation's Low View of Christianity by Robert Knight
Even if one takes high estimates of America's Muslims, the United States is not in the top 30, but creeps into the top 40. Michael Goldfarb points out "There are more Muslims in tiny Jordan than there are in the United States, and twice as many in Syria."
"According to [Don] Surber, the US has an estimated three to eight million Muslims, less than one per cent of the world's total and less than at least 23 other countries.
"The average claim for the US Muslim population is about six million. The precise figure is difficult to get because it's not included in US census data and many put the figure at much, much less.
"But even if we assume there are six million Muslims in the US, that makes it only the 34th biggest Muslim country in the world..." - From Toby Harnden's blog
Obama Nation's Low View of Christianity by Robert Knight
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
The talking dog
A guy is driving around the back woods of Tennessee and he sees a sign in front of an old shanty-style house: "Talking Dog For Sale." He knocks and the owner appears and tells him the dog is in the backyard. The guy goes into the backyard and sees a nice looking Labrador Retriever sitting there.
"You talk?" he asks. "Yep," the dog replies.
After the guy recovers from the shock of hearing a dog talk, he says "So, what's your story?"
The dog looks up and says, "Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young. I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security, wandering near suspicious characters and listening in. I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded several medals. I wanted to help America, so I interviewed with the the CIA. In no time at all they had me traveling around the world and hanging out with spies and world leaders. After all, no one figured a dog could eavesdrop. I proved to be one of their most valuable spies for a decade. But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn't getting any younger. So, I decided to settle down. I got married and had a mess of puppies. Now I'm just retired."
The guy is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog.
"Ten bucks," the guy says.
"This dog is amazing! Why on earth are you selling him for just ten dollars?"
"Because he's a liar! He never did any of that stuff!"
--copied
"You talk?" he asks. "Yep," the dog replies.
After the guy recovers from the shock of hearing a dog talk, he says "So, what's your story?"
The dog looks up and says, "Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young. I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security, wandering near suspicious characters and listening in. I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded several medals. I wanted to help America, so I interviewed with the the CIA. In no time at all they had me traveling around the world and hanging out with spies and world leaders. After all, no one figured a dog could eavesdrop. I proved to be one of their most valuable spies for a decade. But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn't getting any younger. So, I decided to settle down. I got married and had a mess of puppies. Now I'm just retired."
The guy is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog.
"Ten bucks," the guy says.
"This dog is amazing! Why on earth are you selling him for just ten dollars?"
"Because he's a liar! He never did any of that stuff!"
--copied
Monday, June 08, 2009
Homecoming
Holleman Cemetery, Smyrna Church and Oak Flat community annual homecoming will be held at Smyrna Baptist church building on Sunday June 14 (d.v.). Starts at 10 a.m. There will be singing, fellowship and food. Donations are received for the upkeep of the cemetery.
A History of Smyrna Baptist Church, 1873-2008: 135 years in three southern Rusk County communities is a republishing and updating of J. W. Griffith's Centennial + 5 published in 1978. The book contains 116 pages, with history of the church, people and some additional pictures not in the 1978 work. The link above will allow a viewing of the first 20 pages of the book.
A History of Smyrna Baptist Church, 1873-2008: 135 years in three southern Rusk County communities is a republishing and updating of J. W. Griffith's Centennial + 5 published in 1978. The book contains 116 pages, with history of the church, people and some additional pictures not in the 1978 work. The link above will allow a viewing of the first 20 pages of the book.
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Word today
Though I really couldn't find a good definition, here is the word for today, Pandevotionalism. According to Daniel Clark (Ten Thousand Tongues, 1994) "Pandevotionalism...asks us to join Nature's worship of God. Humans are part of Nature, Nature is part of God, and the part worships the whole. The unavoidable implication: human life is best when we live within Nature's design and stop trying to improve on it."
Believe it if you can.
Friday, June 05, 2009
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
In the traditional wedding month
...of June, President Barack Obama proclaimed Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month and former vice-president Dick Cheney supports homosexual marriage.
Nevertheless, the Bible, tradition and logic (common sense) favor marriage between a man and a woman.
Nevertheless, the Bible, tradition and logic (common sense) favor marriage between a man and a woman.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Birds that neither sow nor reap
If birds that neither sow nor reap
Nor store up any food
Constantly find to them and theirs
A Maker kind and good;
If man provide eke for his birds,
In yard, in coops, in cage;
And each bird spends in songs and tunes,
His little time and age;
What care will man, what care will God
For wife and children take?
Millions of birds and worlds will God
Sooner than His forsake.
Roger Williams
A Key Into The Language of America, 1643.
Nor store up any food
Constantly find to them and theirs
A Maker kind and good;
If man provide eke for his birds,
In yard, in coops, in cage;
And each bird spends in songs and tunes,
His little time and age;
What care will man, what care will God
For wife and children take?
Millions of birds and worlds will God
Sooner than His forsake.
Roger Williams
A Key Into The Language of America, 1643.
Monday, June 01, 2009
Paul: The Separated Apostle
Paul: The Separated Apostle, by T. David Simpson
“But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by His grace.” Galatians 1:15
Paul was separated by God
Paul claimed: “when it pleased God, (He) separated me” (Gal 1:15). Separation came not upon the condition of his will but of God’s. The interjection of man’s will into election before time, justification at the cross, or effectual grace in experience is false doctrine.
Paul was separated from false religion
The apostle quoted Isaiah saying, “Come out from among them, and be ye separate” (2 Cor. 6:17). His subject was not morality or marriage, but truth in opposition to error. False doctrine has to do with people: “them”. The gospel, the faith, is a single and settled body of truth. Determining the characteristics of the faith and departing from error is not an option. It is what believers do!
Paul was separated to the gospel
The apostle announced he was: “separated unto the gospel of God” (Rom 1:1). His perspective and preaching were limited and purposeful: condemnation by a representative; justification by a Representative (5:12-19). Those who reject Paul’s gospel of forgiveness, redemption, and justification, not only by, but at the cross, consider him narrow. He didn’t vacillate but declared the gospel to which he was separated.
T. David Simpson, From Shreveport Grace Church Bulletin -- February 15, 2009
“But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by His grace.” Galatians 1:15
Paul was separated by God
Paul claimed: “when it pleased God, (He) separated me” (Gal 1:15). Separation came not upon the condition of his will but of God’s. The interjection of man’s will into election before time, justification at the cross, or effectual grace in experience is false doctrine.
Paul was separated from false religion
The apostle quoted Isaiah saying, “Come out from among them, and be ye separate” (2 Cor. 6:17). His subject was not morality or marriage, but truth in opposition to error. False doctrine has to do with people: “them”. The gospel, the faith, is a single and settled body of truth. Determining the characteristics of the faith and departing from error is not an option. It is what believers do!
Paul was separated to the gospel
The apostle announced he was: “separated unto the gospel of God” (Rom 1:1). His perspective and preaching were limited and purposeful: condemnation by a representative; justification by a Representative (5:12-19). Those who reject Paul’s gospel of forgiveness, redemption, and justification, not only by, but at the cross, consider him narrow. He didn’t vacillate but declared the gospel to which he was separated.
T. David Simpson, From Shreveport Grace Church Bulletin -- February 15, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Hymns for the Camp
I recently received information from Mark Sweat in VA about a small Confederate hymnal that has been reprinted. Hymns For The Camp is a reproduction of part of a hymnal used by Confederate soldiers during the war between the USA and CSA. It has hymns such as Amazing Grace, Just As I Am, Not all the blood of beasts, On Jordan's Stormy Banks I Stand, and There is a fountain. It is a words-only hymn book, no tunes.
The booklet contains 28 pages, each 2-7/8 wide-by-4-3/8 inches tall. Price is $1, plus .50¢ for postage. It can be ordered from the Lane Society. Ordering information can be found at:
Col. John Randolph Lane Society
Full electronic versions of this book can be found at
Documenting the American South and Google Books.
The hymn below is from Hymns For The Camp. It was a new one to me, and I just thought about how in those circumstances 1861-65 how it might have been both comforting and sobering.
1. Another day of soldier life
Is numbered with the past;
It was not filled with bloody strife,
And did not prove our last.
2. Thy grace, O God, hath kept us whole;
To thee we lift our praise;
Accept the homage of each soul,
And keep us all our days.
3. Keep us in safety through the night,
And with us those we love:
Save us, we pray thee, by thy might,
In battle and above.
The booklet contains 28 pages, each 2-7/8 wide-by-4-3/8 inches tall. Price is $1, plus .50¢ for postage. It can be ordered from the Lane Society. Ordering information can be found at:
Col. John Randolph Lane Society
Full electronic versions of this book can be found at
Documenting the American South and Google Books.
The hymn below is from Hymns For The Camp. It was a new one to me, and I just thought about how in those circumstances 1861-65 how it might have been both comforting and sobering.
1. Another day of soldier life
Is numbered with the past;
It was not filled with bloody strife,
And did not prove our last.
2. Thy grace, O God, hath kept us whole;
To thee we lift our praise;
Accept the homage of each soul,
And keep us all our days.
3. Keep us in safety through the night,
And with us those we love:
Save us, we pray thee, by thy might,
In battle and above.
Friday, May 29, 2009
A Sheaf of Psalms
...and Hymns and Spiritual Songs.
Off-and-on over the course of about 6 or 7 years, I have quietly worked on a hymn book. I have mentioned this before to some, but most are not aware of it. I have been compiling hymns for a new words-only hymn book, and setting it up in hymn book format. It seems that I am possibly near being able to go through with printing it. These types of hymn books are not used so much today, but that would not matter if it were something churches might be interested in and could get a blessing from.
On the basis of the apostle Paul’s writing in Ephesians and Colossians, the book would be divided under three heads: I. Psalms; II. Hymns; and III. Spiritual Songs. Under the first head would be poems/hymns based on the 150 Psalms of the Old Testament, varying from metrical rearrangements of the words to paraphrases of a Psalm into New Testament language. Hopefully this might encourage a renewed commitment to singing of the Psalms. I don't hold the position of "exclusive psalmody" -- that all singing must be from the Psalms. But the arrangement will perhaps impress upon our minds that we are singing the Psalms. Other hymn books do indeed contain hymns based on the Psalms, but we are often not made aware that we are singing such. Under the second head would be hymns based on great themes of scripture (atonement, church, faith, grace, judgment, predestination, prayer, repentance, etc.), or upon particular texts of scripture. The third head would be comprised of hymns more of an experiential nature. These are intended to be in accordance with God’s word, but in them the authors relate some experience or experiences through which they have been led by God’s grace and providence. Under these three heads there are a great variety and consistency of poems touching the revelation of God, both Old and New Testament, as well as themes describing how God has continued to work among His people through this age in accord with the divine revelation.
The idea is to fill the book with hymns that are not in Benjamin Lloyd's Primitive Hymns, thereby hoping to make it profitable for use as a supplement to those who already use Lloyd's hymn book. It could supplement other hymn books as well, though it may contain some hymns in common with them. If planned correctly, there is no duplication of this new book and Lloyd's book.
Despite its design to supplement Lloyd's and mainly for use with that words-only hymn book, it could also be used as:
A primary hymn book. It certainly will serve for this, though the absence of such traditional hymns as Amazing Grace, Alas and Did My Savior Bleed, How Firm a Foundation would be quite noticeable.
A source for devotional hymn readings. It contains many old and some new hymns, from various sources.
A gift to give friends. Hopefully the type printing will make it functional and have an appealing appearance.
I am looking at printing it in soft-cover plastic-lamination double wire wrap-around, which would be durable, while allowing the pages to lay flat. The wrap-around would allow for spine printing for edge/bookshelf visibility of the title. The book would be 186 pages, 300 hymns, with first line, meter, and subject indexes, 4¼" x 7" on 60# smooth white paper. Based on the quantity I have printed, shipping, etc., it would cost anywhere from $6 to $10.
I would welcome any thoughts that any of you have.
Off-and-on over the course of about 6 or 7 years, I have quietly worked on a hymn book. I have mentioned this before to some, but most are not aware of it. I have been compiling hymns for a new words-only hymn book, and setting it up in hymn book format. It seems that I am possibly near being able to go through with printing it. These types of hymn books are not used so much today, but that would not matter if it were something churches might be interested in and could get a blessing from.
On the basis of the apostle Paul’s writing in Ephesians and Colossians, the book would be divided under three heads: I. Psalms; II. Hymns; and III. Spiritual Songs. Under the first head would be poems/hymns based on the 150 Psalms of the Old Testament, varying from metrical rearrangements of the words to paraphrases of a Psalm into New Testament language. Hopefully this might encourage a renewed commitment to singing of the Psalms. I don't hold the position of "exclusive psalmody" -- that all singing must be from the Psalms. But the arrangement will perhaps impress upon our minds that we are singing the Psalms. Other hymn books do indeed contain hymns based on the Psalms, but we are often not made aware that we are singing such. Under the second head would be hymns based on great themes of scripture (atonement, church, faith, grace, judgment, predestination, prayer, repentance, etc.), or upon particular texts of scripture. The third head would be comprised of hymns more of an experiential nature. These are intended to be in accordance with God’s word, but in them the authors relate some experience or experiences through which they have been led by God’s grace and providence. Under these three heads there are a great variety and consistency of poems touching the revelation of God, both Old and New Testament, as well as themes describing how God has continued to work among His people through this age in accord with the divine revelation.
The idea is to fill the book with hymns that are not in Benjamin Lloyd's Primitive Hymns, thereby hoping to make it profitable for use as a supplement to those who already use Lloyd's hymn book. It could supplement other hymn books as well, though it may contain some hymns in common with them. If planned correctly, there is no duplication of this new book and Lloyd's book.
Despite its design to supplement Lloyd's and mainly for use with that words-only hymn book, it could also be used as:
A primary hymn book. It certainly will serve for this, though the absence of such traditional hymns as Amazing Grace, Alas and Did My Savior Bleed, How Firm a Foundation would be quite noticeable.
A source for devotional hymn readings. It contains many old and some new hymns, from various sources.
A gift to give friends. Hopefully the type printing will make it functional and have an appealing appearance.
I am looking at printing it in soft-cover plastic-lamination double wire wrap-around, which would be durable, while allowing the pages to lay flat. The wrap-around would allow for spine printing for edge/bookshelf visibility of the title. The book would be 186 pages, 300 hymns, with first line, meter, and subject indexes, 4¼" x 7" on 60# smooth white paper. Based on the quantity I have printed, shipping, etc., it would cost anywhere from $6 to $10.
I would welcome any thoughts that any of you have.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Should Christians 'respect' other religions?
An interesting discussion of Should Christians 'respect' other religions?, by R. Albert Mohler, Jr., 5/19/2009.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
California court rules on Proposition 8
"The California Supreme Court upheld a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage Tuesday, but it also decided that the estimated 18,000 gay couples who tied the knot before the law took effect will stay wed." Read the rest of the story HERE.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Freedom is not free.
Wishing all a happy Memorial Day. This blogger respects those Christians whose consciences allowed them to serve their country in the military when called upon, and those whose consciences would not let them serve. I don't have much respect for some who seem to have no conscience and seek to destroy the freedoms we enjoy.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Poetic blessing
May your troubles be less, your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door.
Friday, May 22, 2009
A boy, religion, parental rights and government intervention
"I feel [the judge's decision] is a blow to families," lawyer Philip Elbert said. "It marginalizes the decisions that parents face every day in regard to their children's medical care. It really affirms the role that big government is better at making our decisions for us."
Last week a Brown County (MN) District Judge ruled that 13 yr. old Daniel Hauser has been "medically neglected" by his parents. Now, this "medical neglect" is not that the parents will not give the child any treatment -- they are trying natural remedies -- but that they are not willing to submit to the specific medical treatment deemed necessary by doctors, and evidently this judge.
Daniel Hauser has Hodgkin’s disease. He and his parents are refusing treatment based on religious reasons. The boy and his mother have fled or gone into hiding. The boy because the judge has awarded his custody to Brown County. The mother because the judge has issued a warrant for her arrest for contempt of court. Police are looking for them.
Doctors claim Daniel will die if he does not receive more chemotherapy. I don't want to sound too cliché or callous, but we are all going to die -- the point being the doctors may have a good guess of what might happen, but they don't know.
All that aside, these kinds of cases are certainly emotional when we're talking about the life or death of a 13 year boy who is very sick. But should the government run roughshod over parental and religious rights? You may think this government action is OK, but what about when they come for you?
A few links to stories about this:
Daniel Hauser is Missing: Defies Court, Runs with Mother to Avoid Chemotherapy
Judge rules family can't refuse chemo for boy
Medicine, religion collide in chemo refusal
Last week a Brown County (MN) District Judge ruled that 13 yr. old Daniel Hauser has been "medically neglected" by his parents. Now, this "medical neglect" is not that the parents will not give the child any treatment -- they are trying natural remedies -- but that they are not willing to submit to the specific medical treatment deemed necessary by doctors, and evidently this judge.
Daniel Hauser has Hodgkin’s disease. He and his parents are refusing treatment based on religious reasons. The boy and his mother have fled or gone into hiding. The boy because the judge has awarded his custody to Brown County. The mother because the judge has issued a warrant for her arrest for contempt of court. Police are looking for them.
Doctors claim Daniel will die if he does not receive more chemotherapy. I don't want to sound too cliché or callous, but we are all going to die -- the point being the doctors may have a good guess of what might happen, but they don't know.
All that aside, these kinds of cases are certainly emotional when we're talking about the life or death of a 13 year boy who is very sick. But should the government run roughshod over parental and religious rights? You may think this government action is OK, but what about when they come for you?
A few links to stories about this:
Daniel Hauser is Missing: Defies Court, Runs with Mother to Avoid Chemotherapy
Judge rules family can't refuse chemo for boy
Medicine, religion collide in chemo refusal
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Congregational history
According to the Roman Catholic Church, "The idea that each distinct congregation fully constitutes the visible Body can, however, be traced to John Wyclif and the Lollard movement" and "The earliest literary exponent of Independence was Robert Brown, from whom the dissenters were nicknamed Brownists." [Catholic Ency.] An interesting history of Congregationalism can be found online: History of Congregationalism from about A.D. 250 to the Present Time by George Punchard (2nd edition New York, NY: Hurd and Houghton, 1865). Punchard’s history appears to disagree with the Catholic view, and I hope to get some time to look at it later.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Words have changed
Not here talking about meaning, but usage. Just reminiscing of some words we used to use around here, or used differently. I will give the word following by a dictionary definition.
Dinner - the main meal of the day, eaten in the evening or at midday. Around here older folks call the noon meal dinner and the night meal supper, while younger folks tend to call the noon meal lunch and the night meal supper. I guess the meaning hasn't changed, but which meal is the main meal of the day for most people?
Divan - a sofa or couch, often without arms or back. We always called the "couch" a "divan", but I seldom hear that anymore.
Gallery - a long porch or portico; veranda. This one was goning by the wayside by the time I came along, but the older folks still used it. I've always called a "porch" porch.
Galluses – a pair of suspenders for trousers. Another in process by the time I saw the light of day, probably because weren't many people wearing galluses anymore. When the made their comeback, slight as it was, they were suspenders.
Stoop - a small porch. Often not even much of a porch, but at least steps and a cover on them.
What words have you noticed change or gone out of common usage?
Dinner - the main meal of the day, eaten in the evening or at midday. Around here older folks call the noon meal dinner and the night meal supper, while younger folks tend to call the noon meal lunch and the night meal supper. I guess the meaning hasn't changed, but which meal is the main meal of the day for most people?
Divan - a sofa or couch, often without arms or back. We always called the "couch" a "divan", but I seldom hear that anymore.
Gallery - a long porch or portico; veranda. This one was goning by the wayside by the time I came along, but the older folks still used it. I've always called a "porch" porch.
Galluses – a pair of suspenders for trousers. Another in process by the time I saw the light of day, probably because weren't many people wearing galluses anymore. When the made their comeback, slight as it was, they were suspenders.
Stoop - a small porch. Often not even much of a porch, but at least steps and a cover on them.
What words have you noticed change or gone out of common usage?
Sunday, May 17, 2009
The rapid flight of Time
From The Baptist Harmony
480 P.M. Dossey's Choice.
The rapid flight of Time, and the Solemnities of Eternity.
My days, my weeks, my months, my years,
Fly rapid as the whirling spheres,
Around the steady pole;
Time, like the tide, its motion keeps,
And I must launch through boundless deeps,
Where endless ages roll.
The grave is near, the cradle seen,
How swift the moments pass between,
And whisper as they fly;
Unthinking man, remember this,
Though fond of sublunary bliss,
That you must groan and die.
My soul, attend the solemn call,
Thine earthly tent must shortly fall
And thou must take thy flight
Beyond the vast expansive blue,
To sing above as angels do.
Or sink in endless night.
480 P.M. Dossey's Choice.
The rapid flight of Time, and the Solemnities of Eternity.
My days, my weeks, my months, my years,
Fly rapid as the whirling spheres,
Around the steady pole;
Time, like the tide, its motion keeps,
And I must launch through boundless deeps,
Where endless ages roll.
The grave is near, the cradle seen,
How swift the moments pass between,
And whisper as they fly;
Unthinking man, remember this,
Though fond of sublunary bliss,
That you must groan and die.
My soul, attend the solemn call,
Thine earthly tent must shortly fall
And thou must take thy flight
Beyond the vast expansive blue,
To sing above as angels do.
Or sink in endless night.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Amish and Open Theism contrasted
A quote from a Yahoo News article not long after the shooting of the Amish school children near Nickel Mines: "Sam Stoltzfus, 63, an Amish woodworker who lives a few miles away from the shooting scene, said the victims' families will be sustained by their faith. 'We think it was God's plan and we're going to have to pick up the pieces and keep going, he said. 'A funeral to us is a much more important thing than the day of birth because we believe in the hereafter. The children are better off than their survivors.'"
Greg Boyd says: "When an individual inflicts pain on another individual, I do not think we can go looking for 'the purpose of God' in the event...I know Christians frequently speak about 'the purpose of God' in the midst of a tragedy caused by someone else...But this I regard to simply be a piously confused way of thinking." (Letters from a Skeptic, Colorado Springs: Chariot Victor Publishing, 1994, p. 47).
I think Amish woodworker Sam Stoltzfus understands more of God's truth than open theist theologian Greg Boyd. What do you think?
Greg Boyd says: "When an individual inflicts pain on another individual, I do not think we can go looking for 'the purpose of God' in the event...I know Christians frequently speak about 'the purpose of God' in the midst of a tragedy caused by someone else...But this I regard to simply be a piously confused way of thinking." (Letters from a Skeptic, Colorado Springs: Chariot Victor Publishing, 1994, p. 47).
I think Amish woodworker Sam Stoltzfus understands more of God's truth than open theist theologian Greg Boyd. What do you think?
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Never forget
A threat to the freedom of Americans is the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. In the Senate, its chief sponsor Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), said, "No members of society – none – deserve to be victims of a violent crime because of their race, their religion, their ethnic background, their disability, their gender, their gender identity, or their sexual orientation." (Boston Globe) Mr. Senator, who does deserve to be a victim of a violent crime? And what state does not already have laws that make violent crimes illegal and appropriately punish the acts?
Hate crimes legislation is a bogus subterfuge of pompous politicans who want to control the thoughts of their citizens and punish them for thinking a certain way. That should be obvious since the crimes that they intend to punish are already illegal and already have harsh penalties associated with them. The "hate crimes" concept is really about "thought crimes". (Perhaps we just thought the "thoughtcrime" and "thought police" in George Orwell's 1984 was futuristic fiction.)
Mr. Chappaquennedy, what were you thinking when you drove off with Mary Jo Kopechne? What were you thinking when you left her to drown? Were you ever prosecuted for what you did, much less for what you were thinking? Seems to me that Ms. Kopechne was the victim of your crime because of her sexual orientation! Physician, heal thyself.
Hate crimes legislation is a bogus subterfuge of pompous politicans who want to control the thoughts of their citizens and punish them for thinking a certain way. That should be obvious since the crimes that they intend to punish are already illegal and already have harsh penalties associated with them. The "hate crimes" concept is really about "thought crimes". (Perhaps we just thought the "thoughtcrime" and "thought police" in George Orwell's 1984 was futuristic fiction.)
Mr. Chappaquennedy, what were you thinking when you drove off with Mary Jo Kopechne? What were you thinking when you left her to drown? Were you ever prosecuted for what you did, much less for what you were thinking? Seems to me that Ms. Kopechne was the victim of your crime because of her sexual orientation! Physician, heal thyself.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Missing person from Austin, TX
From Texas EquuSearch:
"Kellie Hall, aka “Wednesday”, age 29, was last seen on April 25 2009 at around 12 midnight in the 7800 block of Ben White and Highway 71 in Austin, Texas.
"Kellie was last seen wearing a black tshirt, black cotton pants and tennis shoes. Please call if you have any information."
For more information:
Kellie Hall at Texas EquuSearch
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Not to Sinai
Not to Sinai's dreadful blaze,
(Heb 12:18,22)
But to Zion's throne of grace,
By a way marked out with blood,
Sinners now approach to God.
Not to hear the fiery Law,
But with humble joy to draw
Water, by that well supplied,
(Isa 12:3)
JESUS opened when he died.
LORD, there are no streams but thine,
Can assuage a thirst like mine!
'Tis a thirst thyself didst give,
Let me therefore drink and live.
John Newton, Olney Hymns, 1779.
(Heb 12:18,22)
But to Zion's throne of grace,
By a way marked out with blood,
Sinners now approach to God.
Not to hear the fiery Law,
But with humble joy to draw
Water, by that well supplied,
(Isa 12:3)
JESUS opened when he died.
LORD, there are no streams but thine,
Can assuage a thirst like mine!
'Tis a thirst thyself didst give,
Let me therefore drink and live.
John Newton, Olney Hymns, 1779.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Copied
"There is something else in the record of the foot-washing which is significant and should not be overlooked. The way in which our Lord went about washing His disciples' feet dramatizes in capsule form His whole ministry of redemption. The sequence of steps taken in the foot-washing emphasizes what was involved in God's work of cleansing us from sin. Read Philippians 2:5-11 in connection with the following steps from John 13:
-He rose from supper (v.4) -- He rose from His heavenly throne and communion with the Father.
-He laid aside His garments (v.4) He laid aside His glory.
-He girded Himself with a towel (v.4) -- He took the form of a servant and became Man.
-He began to wash the disciples' feet (v.5) -- He began His present ministry of cleansing us from sin. (1 John 1:9)
-He took His garments again (v.12) -- He is now glorified.
-He sat down (v.12) -- He is now seated at the right hand of the Father. (Hebrews 1:3)"
-He rose from supper (v.4) -- He rose from His heavenly throne and communion with the Father.
-He laid aside His garments (v.4) He laid aside His glory.
-He girded Himself with a towel (v.4) -- He took the form of a servant and became Man.
-He began to wash the disciples' feet (v.5) -- He began His present ministry of cleansing us from sin. (1 John 1:9)
-He took His garments again (v.12) -- He is now glorified.
-He sat down (v.12) -- He is now seated at the right hand of the Father. (Hebrews 1:3)"
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Kelly Smith on the pool of Bethesda
John 5:7 - "The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me."
Q. Why do you suppose the pool is available to the less firm rather than the more weak?
Answer by Kelly Smith. There were five porches to this pool, and on each of them waited all those watching for the first sign of trouble in the waters, so they could rush in and hopefully be the one to be healed.
I make several observations in this. Their faith was in the pool. Their faith was in the water. Their hope was in their ability to get into the pool first. They were selfish, and caring not for each other. I believe if they had been more caring of those less able to reach the pool, perhaps the water might have been troubled more often (but that's beside this point).
This impotent man, his faith was in the water and pool as well, yet he had no hope in his own ability to get him there. He had no hope in anyone else helping his ability to receive this healing either. Christ gave him that was without hope, hope -- and made him whole. He showed him that his faith was misplaced. Showed him that Salvation... is of the Lord. Showed them all that the healing contained within the water, was not water at all, but the Grace and Power of Almighty God, in whom our faith and hope should be.
I wonder that of all that were healed in the pool, how many gave proper tribute to the true source of it? This man went on to proclaim this miracle, and Glory was given to God because of it.
[By permission. Kelly Smith, elder, Harmony Primitive Baptist Church, Calhoun, GA]
Q. Why do you suppose the pool is available to the less firm rather than the more weak?
Answer by Kelly Smith. There were five porches to this pool, and on each of them waited all those watching for the first sign of trouble in the waters, so they could rush in and hopefully be the one to be healed.
I make several observations in this. Their faith was in the pool. Their faith was in the water. Their hope was in their ability to get into the pool first. They were selfish, and caring not for each other. I believe if they had been more caring of those less able to reach the pool, perhaps the water might have been troubled more often (but that's beside this point).
This impotent man, his faith was in the water and pool as well, yet he had no hope in his own ability to get him there. He had no hope in anyone else helping his ability to receive this healing either. Christ gave him that was without hope, hope -- and made him whole. He showed him that his faith was misplaced. Showed him that Salvation... is of the Lord. Showed them all that the healing contained within the water, was not water at all, but the Grace and Power of Almighty God, in whom our faith and hope should be.
I wonder that of all that were healed in the pool, how many gave proper tribute to the true source of it? This man went on to proclaim this miracle, and Glory was given to God because of it.
[By permission. Kelly Smith, elder, Harmony Primitive Baptist Church, Calhoun, GA]
Friday, May 08, 2009
Empathy, law & the Supreme Court
"That we are discussing the next Supreme Court justice in terms of group 'representation' is a sign of how far we have already strayed from the purpose of law and the weighty responsibility of appointing someone to sit for life on the highest court in the land." -- 'Empathy' vs. law by Thomas Sowell
Thursday, May 07, 2009
How can we keep from singing?
"We love music – can’t seem to get enough of it. It’s with us everywhere we go – in the car, on hold on the phone, in the restaurant, underlying every TV script, in our CD players, and on our radios. We love listening to music. At least, we have given up trying to escape it. What we don’t do much is sing. In fact, singing with any degree of enjoyment, satisfaction, or overt delight is becoming more and more the practice of a select few. Oh, we may belt out a few bars in the shower, or sing along with a favorite oldie; and we participate (more or less) in the obligatory singing that comes with worship on Sundays. But singing as an activity we enjoy, one that exercises our faith, draws us nearer to God, and puts the world on notice regarding our most basic life convictions – well, it simply isn’t much done." -- Whatever Happened to Singing? Music: Not a Spectator Sport by T. M. Moore December 6, 2003
Amen, oh me, and oh my. It does seem that in many churches singing has become a "spectator sport". Why is this? Well, I suppose to some extent we could say it is part of the times in which we live. But should it be? At least for the Christian? Singing is a command to the church and Christian. Singing is an expression of the heart.
Ephesians 5:19 -- Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Colossians 3:16 -- Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING?
My life flows on in endless song;
Above earth’s lamentation
I hear the sweet though far off hymn
That hails a new creation:
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing;
It finds an echo in my soul—
How can I keep from singing?
What though my joys and comforts die?
The Lord my Savior liveth;
What though the darkness gather round?
Songs in the night He giveth:
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that refuge clinging;
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,
How can I keep from singing?
I lift mine eyes; the cloud grows thin;
I see the blue above it;
And day by day this pathway smoothes
Since first I learned to love it:
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
A fountain ever springing:
All things are mine since I am His—
How can I keep from singing?
--Robert Wadsworth Lowry (1826-1899), Meter: 8.7.8.7.
Amen, oh me, and oh my. It does seem that in many churches singing has become a "spectator sport". Why is this? Well, I suppose to some extent we could say it is part of the times in which we live. But should it be? At least for the Christian? Singing is a command to the church and Christian. Singing is an expression of the heart.
Ephesians 5:19 -- Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Colossians 3:16 -- Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING?
My life flows on in endless song;
Above earth’s lamentation
I hear the sweet though far off hymn
That hails a new creation:
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing;
It finds an echo in my soul—
How can I keep from singing?
What though my joys and comforts die?
The Lord my Savior liveth;
What though the darkness gather round?
Songs in the night He giveth:
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that refuge clinging;
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,
How can I keep from singing?
I lift mine eyes; the cloud grows thin;
I see the blue above it;
And day by day this pathway smoothes
Since first I learned to love it:
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
A fountain ever springing:
All things are mine since I am His—
How can I keep from singing?
--Robert Wadsworth Lowry (1826-1899), Meter: 8.7.8.7.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Miscellaneous
"I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all." -- Unknown
"It's better to have loved and lost than never loved at all" -- Common quote, unknown source
Wisdom divine! Who tells the price
Of wisdom's costly merchandise;
Wisdom to silver we prefer,
And gold is dross compared to her.
Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Hymns for Those That Seek and Those That Have Redemption, 1747.
"It's better to have loved and lost than never loved at all" -- Common quote, unknown source
Wisdom divine! Who tells the price
Of wisdom's costly merchandise;
Wisdom to silver we prefer,
And gold is dross compared to her.
Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Hymns for Those That Seek and Those That Have Redemption, 1747.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
How Does the Lord Direct Today?
The following began in answer to several questions by Jeff Haney in another venue. How do you know the Will of the Lord in unsaid things? How do you hear His voice in day to day life? How can a person KNOW that what they have "heard, been impressed, guided, directed or instructed" has been from the Lord, and know it without any shadow of doubt?
This is an interesting and important question, but also a difficult and complex one. I have always found knowing God's will in this regard very difficult for me.
I believe that there is a will of God (e.g. Eph. 1:11 - Who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will). Further, I believe that includes His will for us. And that within that will for us there are things not expressly or specifically revealed in the Bible -- whom one should marry, whether to accept a certain job, go to a certain church, move to a certain town, etc.
How do we know the Will of God in these kinds of "unsaid" things? The writer of Proverbs says "He shall direct thy paths." But how does He do that? I will offer the following timorous thoughts for the perusal and criticism of the brethren.
Bible study/principles
Though we are talking about things left "unsaid", we must begin with Bible study. It is there that we find what is said, and therefore also learn what is unsaid. From study of the word of God we learn principles that guide us in our decision-making. For example, one cannot turn to the Bible and find the name of the wife he should marry. But he can find principles that approve or rule out certain ones. That is at least a start toward the direction of knowing the will of God in the matter.
Providence of God
This is one I have relied heavily upon, whether rightly or wrongly, perhaps thinking it was more obvious to me than others.
Acts 16:6-9 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. This may be a strange verse regarding providence, since there are some other things operating in it. I have felt providence was involved here as well as revelation. Notice that in whatever way God chose to let Paul know he was not to go into Asia, it was not specific in where he should go. So Paul & company attempted to go into another place -- Bithynia -- where the Lord ultimately did not allow them to go. You may not get a vision of someone calling you over to help, you might get a call on the phone -- "We have no preacher; you are not preaching anywhere. Can you come help us?" This might be a simple thing in God's providence to get one's attention. He opens doors and shuts them. Col. 4:3 - Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: Rev. 3:8 - I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
Inner witness/feeling/conscience
I didn't put this first because I didn't want to scare any Baptists!!
John 16:13 - Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
1 Cor. 2:12-16 - Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Jesus has promised that His Spirit will guide us into truth, though that guidance might fit into several different categories. One is a sort of inner witness or feeling, an answer from God's Spirit to our spirit. Romans 8:14-16 - For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: When we are converted, we cannot find our names in the Bible, and we cannot look into the Book of Life. But there is a witness of the Spirit to us whereby we know we are the children of God. Do we suppose the inner witness ceases shortly thereafter? I think not.
The conscience is not the same as the inner witness. It is something all men have. But having one, in a child of God the conscience can bear witness in accord with the Holy Spirit. If so, shouldn't we listen? John 8:9 - And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience... Acts 24:16 - And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. Rom. 9:1 - I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
Feeling can be very subjective (and some of the other is as well). But sometimes we have a feeling that something is wrong -- a fear, an unsettled heart -- that causes a timidity to move forward (in natural things as well as spiritual). Perhaps that fear may cause us to look around the corner to see if there really is something there to fear before going on. Besides fear, there is a feeling of peace, which we are called to and which can rule in our hearts. Col. 3:15 - And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. A sanctified common sense may tie in here as well. 1 Cor. 11:14 - Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? Whatever Paul meant, something he and others could see in the natural order of things agreed with the principle he was teaching.
The counsel of friends/others
Before his conversion, the eunuch of Ethiopia needed some man to guide him (Acts 8:31). This is somewhat different from the initial question. But some of us, after we become Christians, think we don't need any advice anymore -- don't need anyone to guide us. Untrue. In his book Commenting and Commentaries, Charles Spurgeon wrote, "It seems odd, that certain men who talk so much of what the Holy Spirit reveals to themselves, should think so little of what he has revealed to others." Proverbs 11:14 - Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Experience
Some things we don't know at first, but learn by experience. As we acknowledge God in what we know, through our experiences we learn to follow Him more confidently. Prov. 3:6 - In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. As we renew our mind in living and doing the things of God, the will of God generally becomes clearer to us. Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Perhaps once we learn His will in one instance, we know more of it in another?
Faith/Not knowing
There is a simple fact that we may operate on what we do know, and trust God for what we do not. We do not at this time know all the will of God, and probably His will cannot be completely known in this life by finite, fallible humans. But we move forward knowing He IS at work. He is working in us His good pleasure. Phil. 2:13 - For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. At one point, Abraham had a general knowledge of where he was going, but not a specific one. Hebrews 11:8 - By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. Obey what we do know. Take the rest on faith, not knowing the details, but knowing the God of the details.
I don't think a person can KNOW that what he has "heard, been impressed, guided, directed or instructed" is from the Lord beyond any shadow of doubt if it is a thing not mentioned in the Bible. I am willing to believe that some do know with certainty sometimes, but that is not something they/we can consistently have all the time.
I want to close with two warnings: (1) the above things should work together, though all might not be present on all occasions; and (2) some of what I wrote above can be quite dangerous if divorced from the Word of God.
This is an interesting and important question, but also a difficult and complex one. I have always found knowing God's will in this regard very difficult for me.
I believe that there is a will of God (e.g. Eph. 1:11 - Who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will). Further, I believe that includes His will for us. And that within that will for us there are things not expressly or specifically revealed in the Bible -- whom one should marry, whether to accept a certain job, go to a certain church, move to a certain town, etc.
How do we know the Will of God in these kinds of "unsaid" things? The writer of Proverbs says "He shall direct thy paths." But how does He do that? I will offer the following timorous thoughts for the perusal and criticism of the brethren.
Bible study/principles
Though we are talking about things left "unsaid", we must begin with Bible study. It is there that we find what is said, and therefore also learn what is unsaid. From study of the word of God we learn principles that guide us in our decision-making. For example, one cannot turn to the Bible and find the name of the wife he should marry. But he can find principles that approve or rule out certain ones. That is at least a start toward the direction of knowing the will of God in the matter.
Providence of God
This is one I have relied heavily upon, whether rightly or wrongly, perhaps thinking it was more obvious to me than others.
Acts 16:6-9 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. This may be a strange verse regarding providence, since there are some other things operating in it. I have felt providence was involved here as well as revelation. Notice that in whatever way God chose to let Paul know he was not to go into Asia, it was not specific in where he should go. So Paul & company attempted to go into another place -- Bithynia -- where the Lord ultimately did not allow them to go. You may not get a vision of someone calling you over to help, you might get a call on the phone -- "We have no preacher; you are not preaching anywhere. Can you come help us?" This might be a simple thing in God's providence to get one's attention. He opens doors and shuts them. Col. 4:3 - Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: Rev. 3:8 - I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
Inner witness/feeling/conscience
I didn't put this first because I didn't want to scare any Baptists!!
John 16:13 - Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
1 Cor. 2:12-16 - Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Jesus has promised that His Spirit will guide us into truth, though that guidance might fit into several different categories. One is a sort of inner witness or feeling, an answer from God's Spirit to our spirit. Romans 8:14-16 - For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: When we are converted, we cannot find our names in the Bible, and we cannot look into the Book of Life. But there is a witness of the Spirit to us whereby we know we are the children of God. Do we suppose the inner witness ceases shortly thereafter? I think not.
The conscience is not the same as the inner witness. It is something all men have. But having one, in a child of God the conscience can bear witness in accord with the Holy Spirit. If so, shouldn't we listen? John 8:9 - And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience... Acts 24:16 - And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. Rom. 9:1 - I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
Feeling can be very subjective (and some of the other is as well). But sometimes we have a feeling that something is wrong -- a fear, an unsettled heart -- that causes a timidity to move forward (in natural things as well as spiritual). Perhaps that fear may cause us to look around the corner to see if there really is something there to fear before going on. Besides fear, there is a feeling of peace, which we are called to and which can rule in our hearts. Col. 3:15 - And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. A sanctified common sense may tie in here as well. 1 Cor. 11:14 - Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? Whatever Paul meant, something he and others could see in the natural order of things agreed with the principle he was teaching.
The counsel of friends/others
Before his conversion, the eunuch of Ethiopia needed some man to guide him (Acts 8:31). This is somewhat different from the initial question. But some of us, after we become Christians, think we don't need any advice anymore -- don't need anyone to guide us. Untrue. In his book Commenting and Commentaries, Charles Spurgeon wrote, "It seems odd, that certain men who talk so much of what the Holy Spirit reveals to themselves, should think so little of what he has revealed to others." Proverbs 11:14 - Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Experience
Some things we don't know at first, but learn by experience. As we acknowledge God in what we know, through our experiences we learn to follow Him more confidently. Prov. 3:6 - In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. As we renew our mind in living and doing the things of God, the will of God generally becomes clearer to us. Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Perhaps once we learn His will in one instance, we know more of it in another?
Faith/Not knowing
There is a simple fact that we may operate on what we do know, and trust God for what we do not. We do not at this time know all the will of God, and probably His will cannot be completely known in this life by finite, fallible humans. But we move forward knowing He IS at work. He is working in us His good pleasure. Phil. 2:13 - For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. At one point, Abraham had a general knowledge of where he was going, but not a specific one. Hebrews 11:8 - By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. Obey what we do know. Take the rest on faith, not knowing the details, but knowing the God of the details.
I don't think a person can KNOW that what he has "heard, been impressed, guided, directed or instructed" is from the Lord beyond any shadow of doubt if it is a thing not mentioned in the Bible. I am willing to believe that some do know with certainty sometimes, but that is not something they/we can consistently have all the time.
I want to close with two warnings: (1) the above things should work together, though all might not be present on all occasions; and (2) some of what I wrote above can be quite dangerous if divorced from the Word of God.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Church growth
Conversion is God's success and not our own.
On the blog In Defense of Landmarkism, the author wrote the following:
Church growth is building up the church in spirituality and then (as a result) in numbers. Church growth depends on these factors: (Based on 33 years experience preaching and pastoring churches)
1) Christ centered, Bible preaching 1 Tim. 4:2
2) Lifestyles that reflect Christ Matt. 5:16
3) Good fellowship Acts 2:42
4) Faithfulness Heb. 10:24, 25
5) Prayer John 14:14
6) Witnessing Ps 126:5, 6
7) Sacrificial giving (tithes and offerings) Mal. 3:10
8) Worshipful music Col 3:16
9) Strong teaching ministry 2 Tim 2:2
10) Right literature Matt 28:20; Luke 1:1; Jude 3
11) First love is Christ Eph. 2:5
12) Right love John 13:34, 35; 15:12
When a church struggles with a lack of growth, one or more (usually several) of these factors are lacking. God's power still blesses His Word. His churches that work by His plan do not need music that is not worshipful, literature from outside the associated work, gimmicks, compromise, fund raisers or self help seminars. What we need is to work God's plan! His plan still works when we work the plan!
What do you readers think? Is a strict following of this plan like a "step-plan" that will always lead to the expected results? Do any of the proof texts actually say that doing those things will lead to church growth?
On the blog In Defense of Landmarkism, the author wrote the following:
Church growth is building up the church in spirituality and then (as a result) in numbers. Church growth depends on these factors: (Based on 33 years experience preaching and pastoring churches)
1) Christ centered, Bible preaching 1 Tim. 4:2
2) Lifestyles that reflect Christ Matt. 5:16
3) Good fellowship Acts 2:42
4) Faithfulness Heb. 10:24, 25
5) Prayer John 14:14
6) Witnessing Ps 126:5, 6
7) Sacrificial giving (tithes and offerings) Mal. 3:10
8) Worshipful music Col 3:16
9) Strong teaching ministry 2 Tim 2:2
10) Right literature Matt 28:20; Luke 1:1; Jude 3
11) First love is Christ Eph. 2:5
12) Right love John 13:34, 35; 15:12
When a church struggles with a lack of growth, one or more (usually several) of these factors are lacking. God's power still blesses His Word. His churches that work by His plan do not need music that is not worshipful, literature from outside the associated work, gimmicks, compromise, fund raisers or self help seminars. What we need is to work God's plan! His plan still works when we work the plan!
What do you readers think? Is a strict following of this plan like a "step-plan" that will always lead to the expected results? Do any of the proof texts actually say that doing those things will lead to church growth?
Saturday, May 02, 2009
A Name in the Sand
Alone I walked the ocean strand;
A pearly shell was in my hand:
I stooped and wrote upon the sand
My name—the year—the day.
As onward from the spot I passed,
One lingering look behind I cast;
A wave came rolling high and fast,
And washed my lines away.
And so, methought, 'twill shortly be
With every mark on earth from me:
A wave of dark oblivion's sea
Will sweep across the place
Where I have trod the sandy shore
Of time, and been, to be no more,
Of me—my day—the name I bore,
To leave no track no trace.
And yet, with Him who counts the sands
And holds the waters in His hands,
I know a lasting record stands.
My hope is in His name.
In all the wonders He has wrought.
Whose power fills my deepest thought
And in those fleeting moments sought,
The glory due His name.
A combination of "A Name in the Sand" by Hannah Flagg Gould (from An American Anthology, 1787–1900: Selections Illustrating the Editor’s Critical Review of American Poetry in the Nineteenth Century), and the poem as published in The Sectarian, November 1903, William M. Smoot.
A pearly shell was in my hand:
I stooped and wrote upon the sand
My name—the year—the day.
As onward from the spot I passed,
One lingering look behind I cast;
A wave came rolling high and fast,
And washed my lines away.
And so, methought, 'twill shortly be
With every mark on earth from me:
A wave of dark oblivion's sea
Will sweep across the place
Where I have trod the sandy shore
Of time, and been, to be no more,
Of me—my day—the name I bore,
To leave no track no trace.
And yet, with Him who counts the sands
And holds the waters in His hands,
I know a lasting record stands.
My hope is in His name.
In all the wonders He has wrought.
Whose power fills my deepest thought
And in those fleeting moments sought,
The glory due His name.
A combination of "A Name in the Sand" by Hannah Flagg Gould (from An American Anthology, 1787–1900: Selections Illustrating the Editor’s Critical Review of American Poetry in the Nineteenth Century), and the poem as published in The Sectarian, November 1903, William M. Smoot.
Friday, May 01, 2009
"Repairing" a broken link
AOL® Hometown has been shut down permanently. I noticed on a former post about Landmarkism Under Fire, there was a link to there (now broken).
To read Landmarkism Under Fire: a Study of Landmark Baptist Polity on Church Constitution by J. C. Settlemoir click on this new link.
To read Landmarkism Under Fire: a Study of Landmark Baptist Polity on Church Constitution by J. C. Settlemoir click on this new link.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Help with info on J.R. Graves
What was J. R. Graves doing during the War Between the United States and Confederate States? I am trying to help find information on Graves' activities between 1861-1865. I have not found anything specific -- just that he was a supporter of the Confederacy. Do any of you have information about this or know where such can be obtained? If so, let me know. Thanks.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Face to face
HYMN 145, C. M.
Sight through a glass, and face to face.
I love the windows of thy grace,
Through which my Lord is seen,
And long to meet my Savior's face
Without a glass between.
Oh that the happy hour were come
To change my faith to sight!
I shall behold my Lord at home
In a diviner light.
Haste, my Beloved, and remove
These interposing days;
Then shall my passions all be love,
And all my powers be praise.
Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Book II, 1707
Sight through a glass, and face to face.
I love the windows of thy grace,
Through which my Lord is seen,
And long to meet my Savior's face
Without a glass between.
Oh that the happy hour were come
To change my faith to sight!
I shall behold my Lord at home
In a diviner light.
Haste, my Beloved, and remove
These interposing days;
Then shall my passions all be love,
And all my powers be praise.
Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Book II, 1707
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Odds and ends
"Bro. J.B. Gambrell is a staunch defender of old time Baptist strictness and protests against entangling alliances with those not Baptists. Once in a while however he seems to favor entangling alliances with loose Baptists. In this way he may be right but as for us, we are no more inclined to yoke up with those who wear the Baptist name but refuse to stand for Baptist principles and practice than we are with Pedo-Baptists. Lloyd George is a great statesman, but as a Baptist he is not our kind." - Illinois Baptist
(The above quote was in the Illinois Baptist, the weekly paper of Southern Baptists in Illinois in July, 1920. J.B. Gambrell was a Baptist leader in Texas and Lloyd George was Prime Minister in England.) Sent by Ben Stratton
(The above quote was in the Illinois Baptist, the weekly paper of Southern Baptists in Illinois in July, 1920. J.B. Gambrell was a Baptist leader in Texas and Lloyd George was Prime Minister in England.) Sent by Ben Stratton
Monday, April 27, 2009
God sends Joseph to Egypt
Talking of all God's wondrous works...remembering the "marvellous works that he hath done," the Psalmist writes--
Psalm 105:17 - He [God] sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:
In selling Joseph, the sons of Jacob acted of their own sinful nature. When Joseph says of his brothers "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive," he is clearly talking about the same thing, not two different events. What is the antecedent of "it"? God either meant it or He didn't. Joseph says He did. If any of us say otherwise, we say differently than God's word. God neither forced their actions nor simply knew in advance what they would do. It is that their evil, meant by them as evil, He chose to bring about good. Joseph would not have been in Egypt to deliver the sons of Jacob if they had not sold him in slavery (as well the rest of the chain of events where God's Providence put him in the exact places at the exact times). God chose that it be so. It would not be some other way. But his choice was not causative. He did not make the evil enter into their heart.
God is good in His means as well as in His ends. Is not Joseph's brothers selling him into slavery part of God's means? He might have theoretically gotten there any number of ways. But he did not. Neither does the Bible indicate that God meant that Joseph get there some other way. Did God have to wait to see what choice the brothers would make and then figure out something from there, in time? Or did He purpose from eternity what He would do?
Psalm 105:17 - He [God] sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:
In selling Joseph, the sons of Jacob acted of their own sinful nature. When Joseph says of his brothers "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive," he is clearly talking about the same thing, not two different events. What is the antecedent of "it"? God either meant it or He didn't. Joseph says He did. If any of us say otherwise, we say differently than God's word. God neither forced their actions nor simply knew in advance what they would do. It is that their evil, meant by them as evil, He chose to bring about good. Joseph would not have been in Egypt to deliver the sons of Jacob if they had not sold him in slavery (as well the rest of the chain of events where God's Providence put him in the exact places at the exact times). God chose that it be so. It would not be some other way. But his choice was not causative. He did not make the evil enter into their heart.
God is good in His means as well as in His ends. Is not Joseph's brothers selling him into slavery part of God's means? He might have theoretically gotten there any number of ways. But he did not. Neither does the Bible indicate that God meant that Joseph get there some other way. Did God have to wait to see what choice the brothers would make and then figure out something from there, in time? Or did He purpose from eternity what He would do?
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Benefits of the study of Church History
Some good points, in my opinion:
Benefits to be gained from the study of Church History
A. A perspective informed by a sense of continuity
1. The whole family in heaven and earth (Eph.3:14)
2. Connecting the canonical history with our own time (Acts 28ff)
3. Escape from the theological and ecclesiastical provincialism (1 Cor.14:36).
B. The encouragement of a Godly Heritage
1. The great cloud of witnesses (Heb.11; 12:1)
2. Perspective on persecution (James 5:10-11)
C. Learning from the mistakes of others (1 Cor.10:6-10)
1. A wise man learns from others’ mistakes, a fool must make his own.
2. Those who will not study history are doomed to repeat it.
From "Church History" by Steve Gregg
Benefits to be gained from the study of Church History
A. A perspective informed by a sense of continuity
1. The whole family in heaven and earth (Eph.3:14)
2. Connecting the canonical history with our own time (Acts 28ff)
3. Escape from the theological and ecclesiastical provincialism (1 Cor.14:36).
B. The encouragement of a Godly Heritage
1. The great cloud of witnesses (Heb.11; 12:1)
2. Perspective on persecution (James 5:10-11)
C. Learning from the mistakes of others (1 Cor.10:6-10)
1. A wise man learns from others’ mistakes, a fool must make his own.
2. Those who will not study history are doomed to repeat it.
From "Church History" by Steve Gregg
Friday, April 24, 2009
Texas Baptist history
The Baptist History Homepage has created a page for Texas Baptist history. Click HERE.
It doesn't contain a lot of information right now, but hopefully it will grow.
It doesn't contain a lot of information right now, but hopefully it will grow.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Redland and Pine Grove
Two singing in Rusk County this weekend -- see the following links for more information.
Redland
Pine Grove
Redland
Pine Grove
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Jonah, a great fish and a whale
A common modern complaint about the book of Jonah is “a whale is not a fish”. Jonah 1:17 speaks of “a great fish” and “whale” is used in Matthew 12:40. This can become a complicated debate for some, but let us reserve the debate over technicalities to within “the family”. There is no reason to run from this issue like a frightened schoolchild. Let us stand firm, look the scientist and skeptic in the eye and say, “God is sovereign.” God is the Sovereign of the universe and the Creator of all things. He is under no obligation to categorize fish and mammals by the classifications some modern scientist has chosen. He is the creator of the whale. He can call it what He wants. When you or I can place a man inside a big fish or whale and keep him alive for three days and three nights, maybe we will have earned some right to call him what we wish.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Why Jonah?
Any thoughts on why God chose Jonah to preach to the Ninevites? Some people seem to be of the impression that he was all God had or the best God could locate at the time. I don't believe that. Jonah was not the only prophet of God in this period (he prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam II; II Kings 14:25). Other prophets of the roughly the same period include Isaiah, in Judah the latter part of Jeroboam’s reign (Isaiah 1:1; 6:8; II Kings 15:1); Hosea, mostly to Israel, about the same time as Isaiah (cf. Isaiah 1:1 with Hosea 1:1); and Amos, from Judah, who prophesied in Israel (Amos 1:1; 7:14-15). Seeing we find some prophets and might find more on closer inspection, might we assume God wasn't hard put to find a prophet and just "settled" on Jonah? If so, why Jonah?
Monday, April 20, 2009
Submission and deliverance
HYMN 129, L. M.
Submission and deliverance; or, Abraham offering up his son. Gen. 22:6, etc.
Saints, at your heav'nly Father's word
Give up your comforts to the Lord;
He shall restore what you resign,
Or grant you blessings more divine.
So Abram with obedient hand
Led forth his son at God's command;
The wood, the fire, the knife, he took,
His arm prepared the dreadful stroke.
"Abram, forbear!" the angel cried,
Thy faith is known, thy love is tried
Thy son shall live, and in thy seed
Shall the whole earth be blest indeed."
Just in the last distressing hour
The Lord displays deliv'ring power;
The mount of danger is the place
Where we shall see surprising grace.
Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1707
Submission and deliverance; or, Abraham offering up his son. Gen. 22:6, etc.
Saints, at your heav'nly Father's word
Give up your comforts to the Lord;
He shall restore what you resign,
Or grant you blessings more divine.
So Abram with obedient hand
Led forth his son at God's command;
The wood, the fire, the knife, he took,
His arm prepared the dreadful stroke.
"Abram, forbear!" the angel cried,
Thy faith is known, thy love is tried
Thy son shall live, and in thy seed
Shall the whole earth be blest indeed."
Just in the last distressing hour
The Lord displays deliv'ring power;
The mount of danger is the place
Where we shall see surprising grace.
Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1707
Sunday, April 19, 2009
We're travelling to the grave
HYMN 55, C. M.
Frail life, and succeeding eternity.
Thee we adore, Eternal Name,
And humbly own to thee
How feeble is our mortal frame!
What dying worms are we!
Our wasting lives grow shorter still
As months and days increase;
And every beating pulse we tell
Leaves but the number less.
The year rolls round, and steals away
The breath that first it gave;
Whate'er we do, where'er we be,
We're trav'lling to the grave.
Dangers stand thick through all the ground
To push us to the tomb,
And fierce diseases wait around,
To hurry mortals home.
Great God! on what a slender thread
Hang everlasting things!
Th' eternal states of all the dead
Upon life's feeble strings.
Infinite joy or endless woe
Attends on every breath,
And yet how unconcerned we go
Upon the brink of death!
Waken, O Lord! our drowsy sense,
To walk this dangerous road;
And if our souls be hurried hence,
May they be found with God.
Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Book II, 1707.
Frail life, and succeeding eternity.
Thee we adore, Eternal Name,
And humbly own to thee
How feeble is our mortal frame!
What dying worms are we!
Our wasting lives grow shorter still
As months and days increase;
And every beating pulse we tell
Leaves but the number less.
The year rolls round, and steals away
The breath that first it gave;
Whate'er we do, where'er we be,
We're trav'lling to the grave.
Dangers stand thick through all the ground
To push us to the tomb,
And fierce diseases wait around,
To hurry mortals home.
Great God! on what a slender thread
Hang everlasting things!
Th' eternal states of all the dead
Upon life's feeble strings.
Infinite joy or endless woe
Attends on every breath,
And yet how unconcerned we go
Upon the brink of death!
Waken, O Lord! our drowsy sense,
To walk this dangerous road;
And if our souls be hurried hence,
May they be found with God.
Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Book II, 1707.
Friday, April 17, 2009
History review
"Baptists need desperately to review their own Baptist history, re-think the Baptist old position and rediscover the Baptist conscience." -- evidently by John Reaves Sr. in the unattributed article The Universal Church Heresy
Baptist Pillar
It is my observation that most Baptists don't "know their history", even some of those who think they do.
Baptist Pillar
It is my observation that most Baptists don't "know their history", even some of those who think they do.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
French word of the day
dernier resort -- last, or final resort; a means of last resort after all other avenues have been exhausted
In a sentence:
"This instrument, which from time immemorial has been associated with cathedral pomp and prelatical power, and has always been the peculiar favorite of great national churches, at length found its way into Baptist sanctuaries, and the first one ever employed by the denomination in this country, and probably in any other, might have been seen standing in the singing gallery of the old Baptist meeting house in Pawtucket, about forty years ago, where I then officiated as pastor; and in process of time, this dernier resort in church music was adopted by many of our societies which had formerly been distinguished for their primitive and conventicle plainness." -- From Fifty Years among the Baptists, by David Benedict, pp. 282-83
In a sentence:
"This instrument, which from time immemorial has been associated with cathedral pomp and prelatical power, and has always been the peculiar favorite of great national churches, at length found its way into Baptist sanctuaries, and the first one ever employed by the denomination in this country, and probably in any other, might have been seen standing in the singing gallery of the old Baptist meeting house in Pawtucket, about forty years ago, where I then officiated as pastor; and in process of time, this dernier resort in church music was adopted by many of our societies which had formerly been distinguished for their primitive and conventicle plainness." -- From Fifty Years among the Baptists, by David Benedict, pp. 282-83
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Happy tax day
Happy taxing be taxed day. On top of that tax, school districts are engulfed in TAKS.
This day should be a holiday!
This day should be a holiday!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Real and ideal
"Real things cannot usually stand up to our vision of ideal things." -- Gary Ledbetter in Is There a Church within Your Church? (Center for Theological Research, March 2009)
Do we forget the ideal and settle down with the real?
Do we live with the real and strive for the ideal?
Do we ignore the real and pretend to be ideal?
Do we just throw up our hands?
Thoughts?
Do we forget the ideal and settle down with the real?
Do we live with the real and strive for the ideal?
Do we ignore the real and pretend to be ideal?
Do we just throw up our hands?
Thoughts?
Monday, April 13, 2009
True Servant
Heard this on the radio from Charles Stanley:
"Based on those words, many churches have made foot washing an obligation. They believe this act shows Christlikeness and demonstrates willingness to 'serve'. Perhaps that’s true for some believers. But, many perform the ceremony solely out of obedience. Jesus’ message to the disciples and to modern believers is not literally to wash dirty feet. He wants us to serve one another with humility and love."
John 13 -- The true servant
The true servant does not wait to be asked to serve (sensitive to needs; volunteers)
The true servant does not criticize others who don't serve (doesn't compare with others; not looking for recognition).
The true servant serves without expecting reciprocation (not giving to receive)
The true servant learns to receive as well as give (pride not only keeps us from giving, but from receiving as well).
The true servant serves those who reject him (Judas, e.g.)
On the first quote, I don't completely agree because I don't think it has to be either/or. The five points on the true servant seem valid and true to the text/context.
"Based on those words, many churches have made foot washing an obligation. They believe this act shows Christlikeness and demonstrates willingness to 'serve'. Perhaps that’s true for some believers. But, many perform the ceremony solely out of obedience. Jesus’ message to the disciples and to modern believers is not literally to wash dirty feet. He wants us to serve one another with humility and love."
John 13 -- The true servant
The true servant does not wait to be asked to serve (sensitive to needs; volunteers)
The true servant does not criticize others who don't serve (doesn't compare with others; not looking for recognition).
The true servant serves without expecting reciprocation (not giving to receive)
The true servant learns to receive as well as give (pride not only keeps us from giving, but from receiving as well).
The true servant serves those who reject him (Judas, e.g.)
On the first quote, I don't completely agree because I don't think it has to be either/or. The five points on the true servant seem valid and true to the text/context.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter Sunday
"The average Baptist takes no stock of Easter, and the like, not that he does not believe in the resurrection; not that people may not observe days; but, like Paul, he is skittish of these extras and prefers the plain, old, level Jordan road, with a steady incline up, all the way till it reaches the city of God." -- J. B. Gambrell, from The Baptist Standard, May 1907
I wonder if Gambrell would recognize "the average Baptist" today?
I wonder if Gambrell would recognize "the average Baptist" today?
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Coming soon
...to a Redland Church (possibly) near you!!
The FIRST EVER HOPEFULLY ANNUAL TEXAS CHRISTIAN HARMONY SINGING CONVENTION*
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Location: Old Redland Methodist Church/Community Center
Corner of FM 1798 and FM2 496
Laneville, Texas
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Deason-Parris Christian Harmony Revision
*"First ever" as far as records and memories go; we have neither records nor memories of Christian Harmony singings in Texas. It is possible there could have been.
The FIRST EVER HOPEFULLY ANNUAL TEXAS CHRISTIAN HARMONY SINGING CONVENTION*
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Location: Old Redland Methodist Church/Community Center
Corner of FM 1798 and FM2 496
Laneville, Texas
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Deason-Parris Christian Harmony Revision
*"First ever" as far as records and memories go; we have neither records nor memories of Christian Harmony singings in Texas. It is possible there could have been.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Of cars and garages
Someone said, "being in church no more makes you a Christian than being in your garage makes you a car."
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
"Problems" of successionism
I use the word "problems" in quotes, because the first two of these are usually only problems to those who do not believe in Baptist succession, and the third is a self-created problem by those who do.
Definition. The idea of church perpetuity or successionism may vary a bit among Baptists, but in this post I am using it to mean: "there has never been a day since the organization of the first New Testament church in which there was no genuine church of the New Testament faith existing on earth, and that this will continue to the end of the age."
Historical problem. The historical problem is a problem of the preservation of valid records and the interpretation of those records. No local church can demonstrate a valid succession all the way through history back to Christ. Neither is it historically demonstrable that every day and every year has had a New Testament church existing. This seems to be a problem for some who reject perpetuity, but those whose accept it usually do so on the basis of the words of Jesus "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it", et al. Church perpetuity is based on the promise of Jesus Christ, and historical research is just a sideline. Historical research is much more likely to run across some heresy that puts one "out of the line" of the true church than to discover the links in a chain all the way back to the time of Jesus.
Theological problem. The theological problem exists for those who believe the promise of continuance is only for some kind of universal mystical invisible thing they call a church. This creates a debate over the meaning of scripture between those who believe that and those who believe in the promise for a visible church.
Historical/theological problem. This last one is my main point. There is a historical/theological problem for those Landmarkers who build up complicated theories on what makes a church lose its candlestick, when in fact they have churches of that very sort in their theological lineage. Can a church that teaches the universal church teaching be a New Testament church? Can a church that practices close communion be a New Testament church? Can a church that practices open communion be a New Testament church? Etc. This is where some create a theological/historical problem. Their theology does not match their history. If a gathering of believers holding universal church and/or close communion is not a Scriptural church, how does one deal with such in their church ancestry? Let me say plainly that I have seen time and again folks boldly proclaim this type church or that type church is not scriptural, to only stick their collective heads in the sand when challenged with such a church in their own ancestry.
Most successionists probably cannot trace their Baptist heritage back more than one hundred years without finding close communion, and not more than 300 without finding some kind of church of the redeemed idea. If so, one might need to check out his or her own baptism rather than just pointing fingers at others.
Definition. The idea of church perpetuity or successionism may vary a bit among Baptists, but in this post I am using it to mean: "there has never been a day since the organization of the first New Testament church in which there was no genuine church of the New Testament faith existing on earth, and that this will continue to the end of the age."
Historical problem. The historical problem is a problem of the preservation of valid records and the interpretation of those records. No local church can demonstrate a valid succession all the way through history back to Christ. Neither is it historically demonstrable that every day and every year has had a New Testament church existing. This seems to be a problem for some who reject perpetuity, but those whose accept it usually do so on the basis of the words of Jesus "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it", et al. Church perpetuity is based on the promise of Jesus Christ, and historical research is just a sideline. Historical research is much more likely to run across some heresy that puts one "out of the line" of the true church than to discover the links in a chain all the way back to the time of Jesus.
Theological problem. The theological problem exists for those who believe the promise of continuance is only for some kind of universal mystical invisible thing they call a church. This creates a debate over the meaning of scripture between those who believe that and those who believe in the promise for a visible church.
Historical/theological problem. This last one is my main point. There is a historical/theological problem for those Landmarkers who build up complicated theories on what makes a church lose its candlestick, when in fact they have churches of that very sort in their theological lineage. Can a church that teaches the universal church teaching be a New Testament church? Can a church that practices close communion be a New Testament church? Can a church that practices open communion be a New Testament church? Etc. This is where some create a theological/historical problem. Their theology does not match their history. If a gathering of believers holding universal church and/or close communion is not a Scriptural church, how does one deal with such in their church ancestry? Let me say plainly that I have seen time and again folks boldly proclaim this type church or that type church is not scriptural, to only stick their collective heads in the sand when challenged with such a church in their own ancestry.
Most successionists probably cannot trace their Baptist heritage back more than one hundred years without finding close communion, and not more than 300 without finding some kind of church of the redeemed idea. If so, one might need to check out his or her own baptism rather than just pointing fingers at others.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Something new
"It is not our job to brainstorm and come up with something new, and then seek to add God to it. It is not our job to create an approach to ministry, and then beg God to bless it. Our job is to read the Word of God, understand and know the Will of God, and then get on board with the Lord. We do not ask the Lord to go the direction we are going, we ask the Lord to show us clearly the direction He is going and then we go in that direction." -- Joe White
Friday, April 03, 2009
Love to enemies
Psalm 35 Part 2 v.12-14, C. M.
Love to enemies; or, The love of Christ to sinners typify'd in David.
Behold the love, the generous love,
That holy David shows;
Behold his kind compassion move
To his afflicted foes!
When they are sick his soul complains,
And seems to feel the smart;
The spirit of the gospel reigns,
And melts his pious heart.
How did his flowing tears condole
As for a brother dead!
And fasting mortified his soul,
While for their life he prayed.
They groaned, and cursed him on their bed,
Yet still he pleads and mourns;
And double blessings on his head
The righteous God returns.
O glorious type of heavenly grace!
Thus Christ the Lord appears;
While sinners curse, the Savior prays,
And pities them with tears.
He, the true David, Israel's King,
Blest and beloved of God,
To save us rebels, dead in sin,
Paid his own dearest blood.
Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
The Psalms of David, 1719.
Love to enemies; or, The love of Christ to sinners typify'd in David.
Behold the love, the generous love,
That holy David shows;
Behold his kind compassion move
To his afflicted foes!
When they are sick his soul complains,
And seems to feel the smart;
The spirit of the gospel reigns,
And melts his pious heart.
How did his flowing tears condole
As for a brother dead!
And fasting mortified his soul,
While for their life he prayed.
They groaned, and cursed him on their bed,
Yet still he pleads and mourns;
And double blessings on his head
The righteous God returns.
O glorious type of heavenly grace!
Thus Christ the Lord appears;
While sinners curse, the Savior prays,
And pities them with tears.
He, the true David, Israel's King,
Blest and beloved of God,
To save us rebels, dead in sin,
Paid his own dearest blood.
Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
The Psalms of David, 1719.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Latin word for today
mirabile dictu (Latin): wonderfully, amazingly; wonderful to relate; It's a miracle!
Used in a sentence:
"Repeatedly, Dodd insisted that he had had nothing to do with the bonus-protection language in the, ahem, Dodd Amendment until, mirabile dictu, he remembered that he had." -- "Forget Bonus Outrage, What About 'ShariAIG?'" by Diana West, Henderson Daily News, March 26, 2009, p. 2
Used in a sentence:
"Repeatedly, Dodd insisted that he had had nothing to do with the bonus-protection language in the, ahem, Dodd Amendment until, mirabile dictu, he remembered that he had." -- "Forget Bonus Outrage, What About 'ShariAIG?'" by Diana West, Henderson Daily News, March 26, 2009, p. 2
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Quartodeciman Controversy
Random quotes on the Quartodeciman Controversy, the first-recorded Easter controversy
Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna in Asia Minor and a disciple of the Apostle John, observed Easter or Communion on Nisan 14. After Anicetus became bishop of Rome, Polycarp visited Rome and discussed their differences on this custom (the Sunday following for Anicetus), among other things. According to Irenaeus:
"Anicetus could not persuade Polycarp to forgo the observance [of his Nisan 14 practice] inasmuch as these things had been always observed by John the disciple of the Lord, and by other apostles with whom he had been conversant; nor did Polycarp persuade Anicetus to keep it: Anicetus said that he must hold to the way of the elders before him."
Neither persuaded the other, but it did not cause a schism.
Polycrates (around AD 190) says he followed the tradition as passed down:
"As for us, then, we scrupulously observe the exact day, neither adding nor taking away. For in Asia great luminaries have gone to their rest who will rise again on the day of the coming of the Lord...These all kept the 14th day of the month as the beginning of the Paschal feast, in accordance with the Gospel, in no way deviating therefrom, but following the rule of faith." [Polycrates bishop of Ephesus, to Victor bishop of Rome, as quoted in Eusebius, Church History, 5.24.]
Victor, a later bishop of Rome wanted to impose the "Sunday view" on all the churches, including those in Asia who ended their fast on the 14th.
See, e.g., The Early Christians in Ephesus from Paul to Ignatius, by Paul Trebilco, Eerdmans, 2007
Note: Quartodeciman refers to the 14th (day of the month).
Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna in Asia Minor and a disciple of the Apostle John, observed Easter or Communion on Nisan 14. After Anicetus became bishop of Rome, Polycarp visited Rome and discussed their differences on this custom (the Sunday following for Anicetus), among other things. According to Irenaeus:
"Anicetus could not persuade Polycarp to forgo the observance [of his Nisan 14 practice] inasmuch as these things had been always observed by John the disciple of the Lord, and by other apostles with whom he had been conversant; nor did Polycarp persuade Anicetus to keep it: Anicetus said that he must hold to the way of the elders before him."
Neither persuaded the other, but it did not cause a schism.
Polycrates (around AD 190) says he followed the tradition as passed down:
"As for us, then, we scrupulously observe the exact day, neither adding nor taking away. For in Asia great luminaries have gone to their rest who will rise again on the day of the coming of the Lord...These all kept the 14th day of the month as the beginning of the Paschal feast, in accordance with the Gospel, in no way deviating therefrom, but following the rule of faith." [Polycrates bishop of Ephesus, to Victor bishop of Rome, as quoted in Eusebius, Church History, 5.24.]
Victor, a later bishop of Rome wanted to impose the "Sunday view" on all the churches, including those in Asia who ended their fast on the 14th.
See, e.g., The Early Christians in Ephesus from Paul to Ignatius, by Paul Trebilco, Eerdmans, 2007
Note: Quartodeciman refers to the 14th (day of the month).
Monday, March 30, 2009
On degrees
"To-day, one cannot pastor a church of 25 members without at least a ThD. You will also notice that these degrees are broadly advertised as well.
"Perhaps if we went back to the simple men of old along with the book of old and the gospel of old we might again experience the Holy Spirit of old enacting in all our hearts and lives anew and burst out in triumph in our society." -- Jim on The Baptist Board 12/29/2008
"Perhaps if we went back to the simple men of old along with the book of old and the gospel of old we might again experience the Holy Spirit of old enacting in all our hearts and lives anew and burst out in triumph in our society." -- Jim on The Baptist Board 12/29/2008
Saturday, March 28, 2009
O LORD, I will praise thee!
Isaiah 12:1-6 You will say in that day: "I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me. "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation." With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: "Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. "Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel."
1 I will praise thee every day
Now thine anger's turned away!
Comfortable thoughts arise
From the bleeding sacrifice.
2 Here in the fair gospel field,
Wells of free salvation yield
Streams of life, a plenteous store,
And my soul shall thirst no more.
3 Jesus is become at length
My salvation and my strength;
And his praises shall prolong,
While I live, my pleasant song.
4 Praise ye, then, his glorious name,
Publish his exalted fame!
Still his worth your praise exceeds,
Excellent are all his deeds.
5 Raise again the joyful sound,
Let the nations roll it round!
Zion shout, for this is he,
God the Savior dwells in thee.
By William Cowper (7s.)
Olney Hymns, Book 1. Hymn 58
1 I will praise thee every day
Now thine anger's turned away!
Comfortable thoughts arise
From the bleeding sacrifice.
2 Here in the fair gospel field,
Wells of free salvation yield
Streams of life, a plenteous store,
And my soul shall thirst no more.
3 Jesus is become at length
My salvation and my strength;
And his praises shall prolong,
While I live, my pleasant song.
4 Praise ye, then, his glorious name,
Publish his exalted fame!
Still his worth your praise exceeds,
Excellent are all his deeds.
5 Raise again the joyful sound,
Let the nations roll it round!
Zion shout, for this is he,
God the Savior dwells in thee.
By William Cowper (7s.)
Olney Hymns, Book 1. Hymn 58
Friday, March 27, 2009
Southwest Texas Convention
With lots of things going on, I forgot to mention our singing this weekend (d.v.).
Saturday & Sunday, March 28-29, 2009
Bethel Primitive Baptist Church
FM 713
McMahan, Texas
Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
2006 Cooper Revision
Saturday & Sunday, March 28-29, 2009
Bethel Primitive Baptist Church
FM 713
McMahan, Texas
Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
2006 Cooper Revision
Thursday, March 26, 2009
“We” and “Us”
I Thessalonians 4:15 - For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
I Thessalossians 4:17 - Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
I Corinthians 15:51 - Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed
Some infer from Paul’s use of “we” that he believed Christ would come in his own lifetime. But he says he does not know when he will come (I Thess. 5:1-2). Some would not go so far to say that it meant Paul thought Christ would come in his own lifetime, but that it is proof His return is imminent – could happen at any time.
In two “us” usages Paul numbered himself among those who could be raised from the dead (I Cor. 6:14; II Cor. 4:14). Cf. I Cor. 15:51; Phil. 3:10-11; II Tim 4:6. So isn’t it likely that we should be careful not to assume too much when Paul uses “we” and “us” in this way? Is he possibly identifying with his readers? Using “editorial we”? Something else?
I Corinthians 6:14 - And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
II Corinthians 4:14 - Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
Gordon “Fee explains that Paul’s use of ‘we’ simply means that Paul was currently a part of the group he was speaking of and if the parousia happened in his life, he would experience this transformation. The use of ‘we’ really only means that Paul was among the living when he wrote this letter. If Paul expected the parousia in his life time, we cannot determine that from this passage.”
Thoughts?
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Word today
Nosism (NO-siz-em) noun: The use of 'we' when referring to oneself.
Nosism is also called the "editorial we" (because used by editors) or the "royal we" (because used by royalty). One web owner explains his use of 'editorial we' thusly, "The editorial 'we' is used to express the belief that others guided by the Spirit of God may share" in his view and purpose.
Though he was wrong, Mark Twain once said, "Only kings, presidents, editors, and people with tapeworms have the right to use the editorial 'we'." Good humor, but he left out the fact that God can use 'editorial we' and can inspire anyone He wants to use it as well.
Nosism is also called the "editorial we" (because used by editors) or the "royal we" (because used by royalty). One web owner explains his use of 'editorial we' thusly, "The editorial 'we' is used to express the belief that others guided by the Spirit of God may share" in his view and purpose.
Though he was wrong, Mark Twain once said, "Only kings, presidents, editors, and people with tapeworms have the right to use the editorial 'we'." Good humor, but he left out the fact that God can use 'editorial we' and can inspire anyone He wants to use it as well.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Savannah State and feet washing
Nearly two years ago, I mentioned an incident concerning Savannah State University kicking a group off campus for hazing, etc. The group members were washing the feet of new members! Well I had not heard of the resolution of the matter, so I went searching. What I found can be read HERE and HERE. The university settled and allowed Commissioned II Love back on campus. Though they were careful in not awkwardly admitting wrongdoing too loudly in the public arena, "Savannah State spokeswoman Loretta Heyward said the university has not changed any of its policies related to student organizations as a result of the lawsuit." If they have not changed any policies AND let the group come back, obviously they were wrong.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Mitchell and McBeth
In 1987 Leon McBeth wrote "that Baptist commitment to religious liberty might be weakening. Baptists who bore the scars of religious persecution struggled to attain religious liberty; it remains to be seen whether Baptists who live in comfort can preserve it." -- H. Leon McBeth, The Baptist Heritage, Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1987, p. 282
“I can do all thing through Christ, which strengtheneth me.” “without Me ye can do nothing.”
"Ye can neither pray nor sing in the spirit of true worship, preach or do any other Christian duty, only as Christ strengthens you for the work. Salvation is by grace, and grace carries its own conditions and qualifications in itself; it demands nothing of its subjects but what it furnishes. It writes the law of the new covenant in the new heart, and puts it in the mind and gives the poor soul a will and desire to do the very things commanded to be done. And when he has done all that is commanded, he is taught by the Spirit and grace of God, as well as by written word, to feel and say, 'we are unprofitable servants; we have done that which was our duty to do'." -- W. M. Mitchell, The Gospel Messenger, Vol. 19, No. 5, for May, 1897
“I can do all thing through Christ, which strengtheneth me.” “without Me ye can do nothing.”
"Ye can neither pray nor sing in the spirit of true worship, preach or do any other Christian duty, only as Christ strengthens you for the work. Salvation is by grace, and grace carries its own conditions and qualifications in itself; it demands nothing of its subjects but what it furnishes. It writes the law of the new covenant in the new heart, and puts it in the mind and gives the poor soul a will and desire to do the very things commanded to be done. And when he has done all that is commanded, he is taught by the Spirit and grace of God, as well as by written word, to feel and say, 'we are unprofitable servants; we have done that which was our duty to do'." -- W. M. Mitchell, The Gospel Messenger, Vol. 19, No. 5, for May, 1897
Friday, March 20, 2009
My Rock
Do rocks defend me from blasts, from whatever quarter they blow? So does my Rock! Is the blast from hell? Well, He has the keys of hell and of death! Is it from sin? He is my righteousness! Is it from Satan? He has conquered principalities and powers! Is it from afflictions? He is my sympathizing and loving High Priest! Is it from losses? He is my exceeding great reward! Is it from crosses? He makes all things work together for good to His people! Is it from anguish? He is my joy! Is it from darkness? He is my Sun! Is it from doubts? He is my Counselor! Is it from deadness? He is my life! Is it from enemies? He is my shield! Is it from temptation? He is my deliverer! Is it from false friends? He will never leave me, nor forsake me! Is it from solitude or banishment? He is everywhere present! Is it from disease? He is my healer! Is it from death? He is the resurrection and the life! O glorious refuge! O sure defense! O everlasting fortress! Here do I defy the worst that earth and hell can do! -- Selected (Copied from Shreveport Grace Church Bulletin - March 28,2009)
Thursday, March 19, 2009
If this doesn't scare you...
...nothing will.
It is "time for us to assert our ownership rights," said Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., chairman of the full Financial Services committee. Frank said Congress will be asking for the names of the bonus recipients — and if AIG declines to provide it, he will convene the committee to subpoena for the names. "We do intend to use our power to get the names," he said. [copied from the internet; emphasis mine] See also The Kabuki theater of AIG outrage
While Frank and his cohorts assert their "ownership rights", it will be interesting to see whether they use their power to "get the names" of congressmen and presidential candidates who accepted campaign contributions from AIG. Will they assert their ownership rights and ask that they also give back the money? If Barney Frank and his assertion of ownership rights scares you, remember...
"My kingdom is not of this world" has never looked sweeter, and is among the very few thoughts in my mind that affords me comfort in my latter days. For those that think the current outrage over $165 million payouts will rectify the trillions (TRILLIONS) of outflow this pure socialist government is wasting will help, forget it. We are doomed as a human government!!!
Dear friends, take refuge in our eternal Rest, Jesus, for His kingdom is free to all those who are led to follow him. All the rest can go follow Dodd, Frank, Acorn, the labor unions, and Democrats in particular and Republicans in general. Their whole kingdom is weaved by curious fabric, for they have practiced to deceive. Sadly, many are deceived. [Elder James Poole on the Predestinarian forum, 18 March 2009]
It is "time for us to assert our ownership rights," said Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., chairman of the full Financial Services committee. Frank said Congress will be asking for the names of the bonus recipients — and if AIG declines to provide it, he will convene the committee to subpoena for the names. "We do intend to use our power to get the names," he said. [copied from the internet; emphasis mine] See also The Kabuki theater of AIG outrage
While Frank and his cohorts assert their "ownership rights", it will be interesting to see whether they use their power to "get the names" of congressmen and presidential candidates who accepted campaign contributions from AIG. Will they assert their ownership rights and ask that they also give back the money? If Barney Frank and his assertion of ownership rights scares you, remember...
"My kingdom is not of this world" has never looked sweeter, and is among the very few thoughts in my mind that affords me comfort in my latter days. For those that think the current outrage over $165 million payouts will rectify the trillions (TRILLIONS) of outflow this pure socialist government is wasting will help, forget it. We are doomed as a human government!!!
Dear friends, take refuge in our eternal Rest, Jesus, for His kingdom is free to all those who are led to follow him. All the rest can go follow Dodd, Frank, Acorn, the labor unions, and Democrats in particular and Republicans in general. Their whole kingdom is weaved by curious fabric, for they have practiced to deceive. Sadly, many are deceived. [Elder James Poole on the Predestinarian forum, 18 March 2009]
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
What's that smell?
The bad odor most people associate with natural gas is not the gas at all; it is Mercaptan, an odorant added to odorless gas.
Once it was not so...until after a tragic East Texas disaster considered the worst known school disaster in history. On March 18, 1937, a natural gas leak built up under the New London school. When ignited by a spark, it blew the school off its foundations. It came back down in a mass of rubble that killed about 300 people -- more than half of the schools' teachers and students.
Not long afterward, the 45th Texas State Legislature enacted House Bill 1017. This bill gave the Railroad Commission "the authority to adopt rules and regulations pertaining to the odorization of natural gas or liquefied petroleum gases," the commission archives states. "On July 27, 1937, Gas Utilities Docket 122 was adopted and the commission began enforcement of odorization requirements for natural gas." An East Texas disaster started a trend in odorizing natural gas that has probably been adopted around the world.
One can stroll many a rural East Texas cemetery and feel the sorrow of a community that lost a number of children in a short span due to some outbreak of disease. A tour of the Pleasant Hill Cemetery -- with tombs of over 100 people who died on the same day -- is a quite eerie experience. A short version of the New London story is HERE. Those who perished are memorialized HERE.
Once it was not so...until after a tragic East Texas disaster considered the worst known school disaster in history. On March 18, 1937, a natural gas leak built up under the New London school. When ignited by a spark, it blew the school off its foundations. It came back down in a mass of rubble that killed about 300 people -- more than half of the schools' teachers and students.
Not long afterward, the 45th Texas State Legislature enacted House Bill 1017. This bill gave the Railroad Commission "the authority to adopt rules and regulations pertaining to the odorization of natural gas or liquefied petroleum gases," the commission archives states. "On July 27, 1937, Gas Utilities Docket 122 was adopted and the commission began enforcement of odorization requirements for natural gas." An East Texas disaster started a trend in odorizing natural gas that has probably been adopted around the world.
One can stroll many a rural East Texas cemetery and feel the sorrow of a community that lost a number of children in a short span due to some outbreak of disease. A tour of the Pleasant Hill Cemetery -- with tombs of over 100 people who died on the same day -- is a quite eerie experience. A short version of the New London story is HERE. Those who perished are memorialized HERE.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Luck of the Irish
It's funny how Washington politicians are painting on their faux righteous indignation against AIG executives who received bonuses at the US taxpayers' expense. Yet they don't mind taking money from us! (both for their own overmuch salaries and for their pet projects)
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Barber on theological triage
In the past I have blogged on Theological triage -- good or bad idea? and Categories of truth (see links below). The entire post below the links are comments by Bart Barber, which gives some of his interesting thoughts on the subject.
Theological triage -- good or bad idea?
Categories of truth
You cannot perform theological triage on the lordship of Jesus Christ without severing His will into pieces and picking and choosing what you want to do. You will find out what he says and you will do it all because you know your life is totally dependent on Him.
New Testament Christianity has no secondary doctrines when it comes to the lordship of Jesus Christ. That's why I say Baptism is not secondary nor is it tertiary. It is essential. Founder's Blog
I acknowledge the value of "theological triage" in (a) as an imperfect metaphor, (b) to be used in an external sense, (c) regarding the relative severity of the effects of disobedience in any particular area of what Christ has commanded.
The metaphor is humanly devised and therefore imperfect. The strength of the metaphor, I think, is that "triage" as a medical procedure is employed only in a crisis situation when one cannot possibly treat everything. The desire of the medical staff, however, is to treat every injury and remedy every illness.
Should one, however, take triage to mean some strange state of denial in which one dismisses certain legitimate injuries as non-injurious and unworthy of available treatment, then we've moved from triage to something far less reasonable.
It is plainly obvious that everyone on the Baptist Identity side is not only willing to do something akin to "theological triage" but is constantly engaged in the actual practice. Here's the proof: They all regard Mormons as heretics and Presbyterians as genuine Christians in unrepentant sin and error. You may disagree with the classifications, but you cannot say that they are the same thing, nor can you deny that we make the distinction.
Your statement, then, that BI people have rejected theological triage is therefore an empty one.
You can easily demonstrate that some folks in the Baptist movement have objected to the way that some people have tried to APPLY a concept of theological triage. For example, Wade Burleson's and Morris Chapman's (see his speech in San Antonio) application of the concept has been to deny the appropriateness of separating over "secondary" or tier-two doctrines. This is not Mohler's schema, and he explicitly said so in San Antonio. So, for those who use "theological triage" to eliminate tier two and have only the first and third tiers, yes, the Baptist movement rejects that approach.
Also, because the concept of "theological triage" is human and not divine in origin, somebody needs to counter-balance the idea of triage by reminding us that Jesus expects us to obey all of His commandments.
To employ another imperfect analogy, consider the task of parenting. I expect my children to obey everything that I command them to do. If, by practicing "triage," they should be referring to a process by which they will determine when to obey me and when not to bother, then it is disobedience even to embark upon such an enterprise.
However, this does not mean that I regard all of my commands as equally important. "Clean up your room" and "Don't play in the street" are two commands with vastly different levels of importance to me. Part of their maturing as human beings, and therefore part of my goal as their parent, is for them to learn that the consequences of playing in the street can be far more severe than the consequences of failing to keep their room clean.
And in this second sense, we can see that there is no "internal" validity to playing "triage" but there is some "external" validity to it. Internally, my children are to do no triage at all; they are to do what I tell them to do -- everything that I tell them to do. Externally, if my son sees his sister playing in the street and I'm not around, he has permission to grab her, push her, pull her by her hair, hit her, kick her, punch her, do almost anything to get her out of the street when a car is coming. If, on the other hand, he punches her in the face for her failure to pick up her toys, then he's going to be in trouble. On the other hand, he has my blessing to tell Sarah that she's sinning by refusing to clean up her room and to do whatever he might to persuade her (rather than force her) to be obedient.
I think that this analogy applies quite well to explain my attitude toward "theological triage." -- By Bart Barber, First Baptist Church, Farmersville, TX
Theological triage -- good or bad idea?
Categories of truth
You cannot perform theological triage on the lordship of Jesus Christ without severing His will into pieces and picking and choosing what you want to do. You will find out what he says and you will do it all because you know your life is totally dependent on Him.
New Testament Christianity has no secondary doctrines when it comes to the lordship of Jesus Christ. That's why I say Baptism is not secondary nor is it tertiary. It is essential. Founder's Blog
I acknowledge the value of "theological triage" in (a) as an imperfect metaphor, (b) to be used in an external sense, (c) regarding the relative severity of the effects of disobedience in any particular area of what Christ has commanded.
The metaphor is humanly devised and therefore imperfect. The strength of the metaphor, I think, is that "triage" as a medical procedure is employed only in a crisis situation when one cannot possibly treat everything. The desire of the medical staff, however, is to treat every injury and remedy every illness.
Should one, however, take triage to mean some strange state of denial in which one dismisses certain legitimate injuries as non-injurious and unworthy of available treatment, then we've moved from triage to something far less reasonable.
It is plainly obvious that everyone on the Baptist Identity side is not only willing to do something akin to "theological triage" but is constantly engaged in the actual practice. Here's the proof: They all regard Mormons as heretics and Presbyterians as genuine Christians in unrepentant sin and error. You may disagree with the classifications, but you cannot say that they are the same thing, nor can you deny that we make the distinction.
Your statement, then, that BI people have rejected theological triage is therefore an empty one.
You can easily demonstrate that some folks in the Baptist movement have objected to the way that some people have tried to APPLY a concept of theological triage. For example, Wade Burleson's and Morris Chapman's (see his speech in San Antonio) application of the concept has been to deny the appropriateness of separating over "secondary" or tier-two doctrines. This is not Mohler's schema, and he explicitly said so in San Antonio. So, for those who use "theological triage" to eliminate tier two and have only the first and third tiers, yes, the Baptist movement rejects that approach.
Also, because the concept of "theological triage" is human and not divine in origin, somebody needs to counter-balance the idea of triage by reminding us that Jesus expects us to obey all of His commandments.
To employ another imperfect analogy, consider the task of parenting. I expect my children to obey everything that I command them to do. If, by practicing "triage," they should be referring to a process by which they will determine when to obey me and when not to bother, then it is disobedience even to embark upon such an enterprise.
However, this does not mean that I regard all of my commands as equally important. "Clean up your room" and "Don't play in the street" are two commands with vastly different levels of importance to me. Part of their maturing as human beings, and therefore part of my goal as their parent, is for them to learn that the consequences of playing in the street can be far more severe than the consequences of failing to keep their room clean.
And in this second sense, we can see that there is no "internal" validity to playing "triage" but there is some "external" validity to it. Internally, my children are to do no triage at all; they are to do what I tell them to do -- everything that I tell them to do. Externally, if my son sees his sister playing in the street and I'm not around, he has permission to grab her, push her, pull her by her hair, hit her, kick her, punch her, do almost anything to get her out of the street when a car is coming. If, on the other hand, he punches her in the face for her failure to pick up her toys, then he's going to be in trouble. On the other hand, he has my blessing to tell Sarah that she's sinning by refusing to clean up her room and to do whatever he might to persuade her (rather than force her) to be obedient.
I think that this analogy applies quite well to explain my attitude toward "theological triage." -- By Bart Barber, First Baptist Church, Farmersville, TX
Friday, March 13, 2009
Ministers and marriage
Getting out of the Marriage Business by Keith Edwards is an interesting post on whether or not "it’s time Christian clergy got out of the marriage business."
Thursday, March 12, 2009
New-time quotes, and one old
"Sorry, we don't hold hands with the devil to reach people with the gospel." ~ Jim1999 on the Baptist Board
"The ability of a church to grow is directly related to two things--the work of the Holy Spirit and the fidelity to the scriptures." ~ Tom Butler on the Baptist Board
The German poet/philosopher Goethe said, "Theories are gray while real life is green."
"Too often the small church is seen as a problem to be 'fixed'." ~ bapticus hereticus, February 16, 2009 on Bart Barber's An Exemplary Pastor
"The ability of a church to grow is directly related to two things--the work of the Holy Spirit and the fidelity to the scriptures." ~ Tom Butler on the Baptist Board
The German poet/philosopher Goethe said, "Theories are gray while real life is green."
"Too often the small church is seen as a problem to be 'fixed'." ~ bapticus hereticus, February 16, 2009 on Bart Barber's An Exemplary Pastor
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Tools
Someone said that you only need two tools in life - WD-40 and duct tape! If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.
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