Think On These Things - Battle for Souls

Largest Lutheran U.S. Denomination Not Creation Friendly

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 14:54:00 -0700

Still not sure where my own denomonization comes down on the issue (though unofficially I think it is very similar to the one reported on below), but The Lutheran pulls no punches.

The publication of a major Christian denomination looks at the Creation Museum—and comes out swinging.

In The Lutheran, the magazine of the largest U.S. Lutheran denomination, William Jennings visits the Creation Museum and Big Bone Lick State Park (down the road from the Creation Museum). “Two museums, two viewpoints of creation,” Jennings writes. “Visiting both, I considered what are the questions for Lutheran scholars to consider.” The questions he asks (with excerpts from his answers) are in the full version of the article, which is only available to subscribers:

How do we interpret the Bible? “It isn’t all to be taken literally, and the use of terms like ‘legend’ or ‘myth’ may be helpful.”

Is Christian faith compatible with evolution? “Since the Genesis stories don’t present a factual account of creation, they also don’t contradict scientific views of how the world evolved.”

How are our children taught? “[A]lmost a thousand scientists from the three states nearest the Creation Museum signed a petition objecting to the misinformation being presented by the museum[.]”

Are there social implications in this disagreement? “The social implication [that the acceptance of evolution is behind abortion, drugs, pornography, etc.] isn’t what the museum claims—but rather a recognition that knowledge of science is essential if Christians are to use their God-given abilities to face so many of today’s challenges.”

Jennings sadly sidesteps the entire scientific debate, apparently either having missed—or ignored—the museum’s crucial presentation of how presuppositions influence scientific “evidence.” Furthermore, he is apparently unaware that accepting evolution is a far bigger issue for Christians than whether Genesis is myth; it devalues God’s character and adulterates Christian doctrine. Even many non-Christians are aware of the fatal blow the millions of years of death and suffering of evolution (if true) would deal to Christianity.

If anything, the Lutheran piece shows once again the fundamental importance of presuppositions. If you reject the inerrancy of God’s Word from the beginning, you can make nearly any doctrine “compatible” with Christianity.

Source

Evolution better than any other religion

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 13:10:00 -0700

Some have argued that evolution is better than any other religion because there is no "us versus them" mentality:

Marr’s final conclusion is that Darwinism is superior to religion because it does not “divide mankind into the saved and the ignorant damned . . . there is no us and them.” Yet it seems we have seen exactly the opposite more and more each year as anti-Darwinists are vilified and ostracized. Even committed Darwinists can be excommunicated if they fail to fall in line (see the September 20 News to Note from last year). The behavior of the Darwinian clergy suggests anything but “a deep modesty about conclusions and lifelong readiness to be proved wrong,” as Marr alleges. While Darwinism as a worldview has some uniqueness (as do all worldviews), we nevertheless emphasize that evolution is religion!

When Darkness Reigns

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:26:00 -0700

Dad links son's suicide to 'The God Delusion'
Says atheism-promoting book hidden under mattress, last page bookmarked

Please take time to read this tragic story and take note that there is a war going on for the hearts and minds of our young men and women, a war that the opposition is not taking lightly. They have the upper hand - a monopoly in fact - when it comes to worldviews being taught in our public school system. When faced with such strong opposition and ridicule, Christians can have a difficult time if they cannot defend their faith. In some cases, such as the once great evangelist Charles Templeton, you may lose your faith. In other cases, such as this one, you may lose everything.

The point that needs to be made here is that we need balance in our public schools. We cannot let atheism reign unopposed. As the boy's father points out,

"I'm all for academic freedom," Keith Kilgore said. "What I do have a problem with is if there's going to be academic freedom, there has to be academic balance.

"They were undermining every moral and spiritual value for my [son]," he said. "They ought to be held accountable."

And another good point from this greiving father:

"Here's another thing," he continued. "If my son was a professing homosexual, and a professor challenged him to read [a book called] 'Preventing Homosexuality'… If my son was gay and [the book] made him feel bad, hopeless, and he killed himself, and that came out in the press, there would be an outcry.

"He would have been a victim of a hate crime and the professor would have been forced to undergo sensitivity training, and there may have even been a wrongful death lawsuit.

"But because he's a Christian, I don't even get a return telephone call," the father told WND.

We don't have a blind faith. We have a logically defensible faith, and we need to equip our children with that Truth, beginning with Genesis, and we must earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3).

If only this son had answers, answers like this one, to refute the critics who sought to tear him down, darkness would not have reigned.

"The fool hath said in his heart, 'There is no God.'" Psalm 14:1

Earnestly Contending...

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:02:00 -0700

My good friend "Sally" was having a cordial email debate with our mutal friend "James." James likes to play the cynic/antagonist when it comes to Christian beliefs, and during this exchange, he was using half-truths and straw-man arguments against Sally. When he indirectly brought me up during their dialogue, Sally forwarded me the exchange, and asked me if I would like to join in. So I did, with the goal to speak the Truth in love.

Sally and others who were monitoring the email exchange thanked me for what I wrote, and they passed it on to others, so I decided to post it here in hopes that you may find it uplifting as well.

Below is the exchange. Sally's comments are in red, James' comments are in blue, and mine are in green. It makes for quite a pretty post! I hope you can follow along.

...

> (Sally) Just as the old saying goes, there are no atheists in foxholes

(James) Actually …. http://www.atheistfoxholes.org/

(Myself) There will come a day when these young men and women will take their last breath, and their tomorrow is gonna suck if they don't know Jesus.

> (Sally) I think God should be left alone.

(James) But if we left God alone, wouldn’t he get lonely?

(Myself) It is folly to attempt to attribute human characteristics to God. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD" (Isaiah 55:8).

> There is nothing wrong with having In God We Trust on money or buildings or anywhere else.

Theodore Roosevelt thought it to be sacrilegious and cheapening to the name of God to put it on coins. The original de facto motto of the United States of E Pluribus Unum – Out of many, one. Think deeply about what this means.

You are telling only half the story. Roosevelt's complete opinion reveals a meaningful spiritual conviction in which I wholeheartedly concur:

"[In God we trust] is a motto which it is indeed well to have inscribed on our great national monuments, in our temples of justice, in our legislative halls, and in buildings such as those at West Point and Annapolis -- in short, wherever it will tend to arouse and inspire a lofty emotion in those who look thereon. But it seems to me eminently unwise to cheapen such a motto by use on coins, just as it would be to cheapen it by use on postage stamps, or in advertisements."

> I think if teachers want to pray in class they should be allowed to.

Teachers are indeed allowed to pray privately on their own in class. They are not allowed to indoctrinate, endorse or force ANY particular religion on students. E Pluribus Unum; from many traditions we stand united.

Sadly, only Christianity has been removed from the classrooms, providing evolutionary humanism free reign to indoctrinate our children at great cost. Even questioning evolutionary theory in universities, research institutes, and the media can have one expelled from their jobs, their research, their funding, etc. No, religion is alive and well in the public school classroom, masquerading as "science" and, ironically, breeding intolerance in the name of diversity.

> I think we should celebrate Christmas and be able to say Merry Christmas and not worry about offending someone.

I do too, but then again, I’m typically not too often worried about offending someone. However, I do sometimes feel a bit silly when I say “Merry Christmas” to someone who celebrates Hanukkah.

Sounds like you need to work on your political correctness. You may as well have handed them Isaiah 53 and asked them how in the world could they have missed their Savior. Perhaps you could open their eyes, that their soul might be saved, but we wouldn't want to offend.

> Christmas is because Christ was born. Christmas wasn't meant for Santa Clause.

Christmas is not when Jesus was born (some Historians claim fall). Christmas and nearly all of its traditions has its origins in pagan celebrations. The early Catholic church originally tried to ban the celebrations but were unable to do so (people love their parties). So they turned it into Christ’s Mass. I imagine a small scale analogy of this would be similar to the majority of the church preaching against the evils of Rock music during the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s , then coming full circle with Christian Rock, including a Christianized devil-sign hand signal.

I am sure you are aware that Sally never claimed that Christmas was when Christ was born.

It seems as though you have a passive-regressive animosity against the body of Christ. We aren't perfect, as you are quick to point out, but we love the Lord with our heart, mind, soul, and strength, with a goal to be more like Him every day. Do you think Jesus gets mad when I flash a hand signal to a friend? Which do you think is more important to God, stepping on egg shells to keep from upsetting a few nit pickers, or worshipping my Lord and Savior at full volume, UNASHAMED? I LOVE JESUS! I sing praises to the most High God, and I REJOICE and CELEBRATE his birth, death, and resurrection, because God so loved the world that He would go to such great lengths in order to give me an opportunity to get right with Him. Have you accepted his offer?

> Do I need to sic Andy on you?

I didn’t expect some kind of Spanish Inquisition! Let’s not turn this into a Jihad!

I do not see the connection between my attempt to reach people for Christ, and "some kind" of Inquisition, which resulted in over 300,000 people being burned at the stake, as merely a part of the Catholic Church's atrocities. Such actions are overshadowed only by Jihad, carried out by the followers of Muhammad, totaling roughly 270 million people dead.

My goal is to prevent people from needlessly suffering a permanent spiritual death, by leading them to the Lord. So what about you? Have you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior by repenting and turning to Him? Now that is something to think deeply on.

“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

John 3:35-36

I would love to teach Evolutionism in public schools.

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:34:00 -0700

I would love to teach evolution in public schools. Think of the indelible mark I could leave on these young kids' lives, helping to form their worldview, and perhaps in a generation, even alter the course of government. After all, Abraham Lincoln said,

The philosophy of the classroom today will be the philosophy of government tomorrow.

Yes, indeed, I would love to teach evolution. I would enjoy showing how evolution is impossible. How it could never, ever, happen, not in a billion years. How it doesn't hold up to the scientific method. I would demonstrate how life can never form from non-life (the law of biogenesis), and that even the smartest scientists haven't been able to do it in state of the art laboratories - and believe me - they've tried. That would be the evolution I'd teach, right along side the arguments for evolution. But that is not possible. And now, a new law in England outlaws the critical teaching of evolution. (See link). The article states that

for the first time, state schools are required by law (because the National Curriculum is the legal statutory curriculum for state schools) to teach evolution as fact.

So should we as Christians allow our children to attend public schools where evolution must be taught as fact, where no longer can evolution be scrutinized? Students at one time in history were invited and encouraged to question the "facts" they were being given. No more. As the article states,

Christian parents need to be aware that their children's science lessons are not neutral. If they are not centred on God and His word, then they are actually teaching your children that God is irrelevant.

Expelled - A Case In Point

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 07:32:00 -0700

The movie Expelled - No Intelligence Allowed, opens today, and I can't wait to go see it. Expelled will touch on the oppression scientists and educators face if they even mention the possibility of Intelligent Design, oppression in the form of dismissal, denial of tenure, papers not getting published, and other methods of ostracizing - even in so-called Christian campuses. A dramatic case in point is unfolding in Texas around the Institute of Creation Research's application to run their Master's Level college - the same masters school that has operated out of California since 1981. Their application passed the review boards and was recommended for approval to Commissioner of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Everything seemed fine. Fine, that is, until, a public outcry occurred (well, a public outcry of a whopping 37 people, but I guess that is enough to halt common sense), with the educational elite insisting that only evolution be taught in educational systems. So a public hearing is scheduled on the matter. Please pray for ICR. The letter from ICR regarding the issue is below. [More]...

What is a Cult?

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:54:00 -0700

So what do you think a cult is? Our church reviewed the book Misguiding Lights last semester, and sure, we hit the easy targets, but I believe the book left some cults out. Cultism is defined by Walter Martin as "...any major deviation from orthodox Christianity relative to the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith." The Bible references cults without actually using the word (much like the Bible references dinosaurs without using that word). From there, you can take what you've learned about the doctrine of any religion that resembles Christianity, and if they do not match up with what the Bible teaches, then they can be appropriately labeled as a cult. (This is not the same as "occult," which has a different meaning.) Here's another good explanation of a cult:

When we use the word "cult" and "cultic teaching" we are making reference to distorted teachings and abusive groups that redefine the Biblical, historical Person of Jesus Christ and the essential doctrines of the orthodox Christian faith . . . . all cults end up attacking the real historical Jesus Christ. They ascribe to Him that which is contrary to His character, His nature and His very own claims. To redefine Jesus Christ, Biblical terminology, and the essential doctrines of the Christian Faith in this way is to produce doublethink perversion. Confusion, delusion and spiritual abuse follow. Let us never forget the very sobering words of the Apostle Paul, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:6-9) "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage" (Galatians 5:1).

http://www.spiritual-research-network.com/howcultsdeceive.html

I admire the consistency

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:45:00 -0700

Thomas Huxley, Darwin's Bulldog, made a lot of sense. He knew Scripture. He quoted Jesus saying "The Flood came and destroyed them all." And he had no tolerance for Christians who pick and choose which parts of the Bible to believe. He argued for consistency - that these sorts of believers had to throw out the whole Bible to be true to themselves intellectually. The problem was his approach. He had the wrong presuppositions. He believed Darwin was correct, evolution and millions of years are true, and therefore the Bible is wrong. Nowadays many Christians say Darwin was correct, evolution and millions of years are true, and therefore we need to fit those millions of years into the Bible. Their presuppositions on the age of the earth are the same as Thomas Huxley's. So then, how can one's testimony not suffer when they try to lead someone to Christ but cannot answer consistently about the authority of the Word of God - that His Word is infallible? How do they answer questions like "Why is there death and suffering in the world?" The answer is so simple, yet so many cannot answer it, and their evangelistic efforts suffer. Another opportunity missed and another soul-saving effort falls short - because man's ever changing ideas take precedence over the never changing Word of God.

Creation Resources: A Compendium

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 20:38:00 -0700

For the Creation Class I lead, I provided them a veritable treasure trove of resources for anyone interested in learning more about Creation. Here is that list: On the Web

Literal6.net - This is a web site that I put together. It takes the daily articles from the three biggest Creationist ministries and places them all in one handy location. Updated all the time!
AnswersInGenesis.org - AiG has the largest evangelism web site in the world. Answers in Genesis is a catalyst to bring reformation by reclaiming the foundations of our faith which are found in the Bible, from the very first verse.
CreationOnTheWeb.org - Creation Ministries International is very much like AiG. They are working on an exciting new film entitled Challenging Darwin.
ICR.org - The Institute of Creation Research is a Scientific Academy that seeks to defend Creation scientifically. They have a graduate school and have done some amazing work with endeavors such as the RATE project.
Search A Young Earth - If you ever wish to get the Creationist's perspective on any issue, my Literal6 site has a search engine that only searches creationist ministries.

In Print

These quarterly magazines are GREAT! I am a current subscriber to Answers Magazine and a Former Subscriber of Creation Magazine.

The Creation Museum is a fantastic trip through the "7 C's of History" and is in Cincinatti, OH, just 5 hours away.

There are so many more resources, but everything you would want to know about Creation can be found by following these links. Have fun!

"God, There's Got to Be More Than This"

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 08:34:00 -0700

What do you do for a guy who has everything, who is at the top of his game, has all the money, the fame, and the skill to have accomplished everything he wants in life and more, yet tells an audience of millions "God, there's got to be more than this," and yet has no clue what that "more" is? Who am I talking about? Watch video. That video had an impact on me when I first saw it. The only thing I can do is pray that someone comes into his life to give him the information he needs. For just as I believe that when someone from a remote tribe sincerely calls out to God, a missionary will be provided, so to I think that if Tom Brady earnestly seeks Him, He will be found. "You will find Me when you seek Me with all your heart."

Open Unto Us a Door

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:33:00 -0700

My father in law got baptized yesterday, and as Christians we should be thrilled. Baptism is a public profession of a person's surrendering himself to Christ and his being Born Again. But not everyone was happy. His mom, a Catholic, told him he could not be baptized, because he was already baptized a Catholic at birth. I was not surprised. This negative reaction over someone in the family making a public profession of their faith (as dictated in Scripture) because they were baptized as a child before they had the cognitive capacity to make such a decision (which is contrary to Scripture), caused me to take stock of my relationship with practicing Catholics in my life. I've always kept my knowledge of the Catholic church to myself, because talking about the "other Jesus" worshiped by the Catholic Church is not the easy road. But over the weekend, things went from theoretical to personal. When my Catholic friends talk about Mass, etc, I've become used to biting my tongue, sometimes wondering if I would ever get an opening to dialogue about the differences in our faiths. Then I read today's morning devotional. It was on Colossians 4:2. I opened my Bible, and read the verses following:

And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

So I prayed the prayer. "God, open the door." I didn't want to force anything if it was not His will. God had to do it, and I would do my part. In your walk with Christ, some prayers immediately get answered; some take awhile; others seem to us to fall on deaf ears. This particular prayer was of the first type. I went to the Y at lunch as usual, and while there was generally a very busy "New Year Resolution" crowd, for the moment it was just me and my buddy, who had just started going to mass at the urging of his mother. He brought up his attendance over the weekend, and I told him of the story of my father in law's baptism, and his mother's reaction. This led to a cordial conversation regarding the differences between the two faiths. Finally, I was able to casually discuss salvation with him, and provided him with further materials. God's timing is perfect. We have to do our part. Please pray that God will lead my friend in the right direction.

A small church takes on a big issue

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 21:30:00 -0700

Last week I blogged about the excitement emanating from my father in law's pastor regarding the Creation Museum. I loaned the pastor my Charter Member Guest Passes so he could take his family during his upcoming visit to the Cincinnati area. The incredible impact that visit had on this pastor is mentioned in that previous blog post. But that is just the beginning of the story. Today, I visited that church again because both my father and step mother in law were to be baptized, but as it turns out, that was just one of the reasons this service was such a blessing to me. The sermon itself was about creation versus evolution. I was so excited I nearly jumped out of my pew. I have been waiting years for Biblical Creation to be preached from the pulpit, and here this man was doing just that, on fire for the Truth because his eyes were opened up to the damage a belief in evolution can cause to both the Christian and Non Christian, whether they recognize it or not. But that is not all. Pastor Bill was in no rush to get to his "7 Reasons Why Christians Believe in Evolution" sermon because, well, not only was he going to cover it in his evening service, but he was tackling evolution from the pulpit for the rest of the year in a series of sermons devoted to the topic. In an era where most pastors won't touch the issue, much less preach it from a young earth perspective, here's a man willing to stand on the first 11 chapters of the Word of God, and defend it for a year. So what has started with his side remark about a visit to the Cincinnati area has led to dozens of sermons on this incredibly important issue, and I thank God that I was able to be used by Him in such a mighty way. Please pray for this pastor and his church.

Days of Praise / Acts and Facts Magazine

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:40:00 -0700

Over at Literal6 I aggregate the Days of Praise devotional from the Institute of Creation Research but it was only recently that I subscribed to their paper version which is delivered quarterly, along with the Acts and Facts Magazine, which has been recently revamped and is mailed monthly. Both of these magazines are free and are well worth it. The "devotional" is more like a daily Bible study with many verses you can look up. If I were to lead a Bible study again, I'd just pull up any one of these daily readings and go from there - they are that good. I can't believe they are free. Check them out.

save the drama?

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:28:00 -0700

It's a neat coincidence(?) that Matt Hughes posted on his blog today a link to a skit that our church also showcased over the weekend - first to the teens on Friday night, and then to the congregation on Sunday, as part of a presentation of the Gospel and an invite to the altar to accept Christ. About 40 teens were saved that evening and 30 something rededicated their lives to Christ. Several other people did the same on Sunday. Be sure to check out the skit.

Pack up the bags honey - we're moving to Zimbabwe!

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 07:59:00 -0700

It concerns my wife greatly when people tell her that I should have been a pastor or a missionary, based largely in part to the misapprehension that I'm a good writer and/or speaker. She fears I may wake up one day and say "HONEY! The LORD came to me in a dream! Pack your bags - we're moving to (insert any third world country where there is no place to grab a fountain drink let alone a value meal)!" Ya know, that may make for a good April Fools joke... But let me say that I don't think I'm a very good writer, and I KNOW I'm a good speaker. In fact, I was terrified of public speaking not so long ago, and as for writing, I must have gotten my thesis returned to me at least 20 times before the Chair of my department would accept it. So no, not of my own accord do I think I possess such traits. The other thing I wanted to point out is that, as Christians, we are missionaries regardless of our geographic location. I don't have to travel anywhere outside of the country, nor do I have the urge. I can be a missionary in my back yard. We all can, and we all should. I have been incredibly unsuccessful in leading people to Christ, in my opinion, from what I can see. But being successful at leading people to Christ is not Christ's command; preaching the Gospel is.