Words mean things–so do grammar, culture, and context
The need for proper biblical hermeneutics
James White of Alpha & Omega Ministries has posted an article on the need for consistent Protestant biblical hermeneutics. Written by White’s friend, Pastor John Samson, emphasizes the absolute necessity of proper biblical interpretation, not only for pastors, but also for all “lay” persons:
We would be horrified to hear of a surgeon who had just two weeks of training operating on someone’s brain. As important as brain surgery is, I believe the job of the Gospel preacher is far more important. Eternal souls hang in the balance, and great care and attention is needed to ensure that a teaching is sound, healthy and accurate. A teacher of the Bible needs rigorous training in the science of biblical interpretation (hermeneutics). But that’s not just true for the preacher; everyone of us needs to know how to gain an accurate knowledge of the Word of God.
Some people think that if God wants you to know something about the Bible, He will just reveal it to you supernaturally. Unfortunately, that’s how a lot of cults get started. 1 Tim 5:17 says, “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.” Correct interpretation requires work; sometimes, a great deal of hard work….”
Read the complete article.
The beginning of wisdom…
I’m so glad that God has blessed me with a church (Occoquan Bible Church) that teaches its people well. Last quarter I co-taught an adult Christian education class (Sunday School) on Protestant Biblical Hermeneutics. It wasn’t an easy class (for the students or the teachers), but it was a chock-full of information vital to all Christians.
When you find the time to read an excellent book on biblical interpretation, in between your reading of the new Harry Potter book and the most recent 40 Days of [Insert Target Here], get a copy of How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth. It’s an outstanding book that you can understand even if, like me, you have no extended education.
May God bless your reading of His Word.
Words mean things–so do grammar, culture, and context
The need for proper biblical hermeneutics
James White of Alpha & Omega Ministries has posted an article on the need for consistent Protestant biblical hermeneutics. Written by White’s friend, Pastor John Samson, emphasizes the absolute necessity of proper biblical interpretation, not only for pastors, but also for all “lay” persons:
We would be horrified to hear of a surgeon who had just two weeks of training operating on someone’s brain. As important as brain surgery is, I believe the job of the Gospel preacher is far more important. Eternal souls hang in the balance, and great care and attention is needed to ensure that a teaching is sound, healthy and accurate. A teacher of the Bible needs rigorous training in the science of biblical interpretation (hermeneutics). But that’s not just true for the preacher; everyone of us needs to know how to gain an accurate knowledge of the Word of God.
Some people think that if God wants you to know something about the Bible, He will just reveal it to you supernaturally. Unfortunately, that’s how a lot of cults get started. 1 Tim 5:17 says, “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.” Correct interpretation requires work; sometimes, a great deal of hard work….”
Read the complete article.
The beginning of wisdom…
I’m so glad that God has blessed me with a church (Occoquan Bible Church) that teaches its people well. Last quarter I co-taught an adult Christian education class (Sunday School) on Protestant Biblical Hermeneutics. It wasn’t an easy class (for the students or the teachers), but it was a chock-full of information vital to all Christians.
When you find the time to read an excellent book on biblical interpretation, in between your reading of the new Harry Potter book and the most recent 40 Days of [Insert Target Here], get a copy of How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth. It’s an outstanding book that you can understand even if, like me, you have no extended education.
May God bless your reading of His Word.
God has blessed and protected!
Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.
—Psalm 50:15
When God shows his grace and mercy to us, we should praise him publicly for what he has done. God has shown me a great deal of grace and mercy recently of which I have not yet spoken, so here it is:
Outsourced
In 2004, the company I work for told my department that it was preparing to outsource our services to India. For the next year we waited to hear more and finally on June 6 the hammer fell. A representative from our headquarters came to our local office and told us that September 6 would be our last day. In the local region, covering three states and about a dozen offices, all the people in my department would be layed off except for two … my boss and me.
I know that I have not earned this place on my own. I’ve done my job and offered to help wherever I could. But so have others. I’ve tried to be an exemplary employee. But so have others. But God graciously chose to maintain my employment for the time being. This has removed a huge burden from my shoulders and has caused me to revel in God’s mercy to undeserving sinners like me.
What a great God we serve!
God has blessed and protected!
Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.
—Psalm 50:15
When God shows his grace and mercy to us, we should praise him publicly for what he has done. God has shown me a great deal of grace and mercy recently of which I have not yet spoken, so here it is:
Outsourced
In 2004, the company I work for told my department that it was preparing to outsource our services to India. For the next year we waited to hear more and finally on June 6 the hammer fell. A representative from our headquarters came to our local office and told us that September 6 would be our last day. In the local region, covering three states and about a dozen offices, all the people in my department would be layed off except for two … my boss and me.
I know that I have not earned this place on my own. I’ve done my job and offered to help wherever I could. But so have others. I’ve tried to be an exemplary employee. But so have others. But God graciously chose to maintain my employment for the time being. This has removed a huge burden from my shoulders and has caused me to revel in God’s mercy to undeserving sinners like me.
What a great God we serve!
Dave Hunt reviles the gospel again
 |
| Dave Hunt |
Dave Hunt of The Berean Call has spent the past half decade railing against Calvinism. Although there are legitimate debates on this topic, Dave Hunt has shown a lack of scholarship and honesty in his campaign that boggles the mind. James White, founder and head of Alpha & Omega Ministries, has posted a short response to Hunt’s newest book, A Calvinist’s Honest Doubts Resolved by Reason and God’s Amazing Grace.
If you’re going to read this book (or Hunt’s earlier travesty, What Love Is This?) be sure to also read The Potter’s Freedom by James White. Keep checking Alpha & Omega Ministries’ web site for further updates to this developing situation. I’m sure James will provide adequate response to Hunt’s arguments. Arguments that bring shame and dishonor to the name of Christ.
Becoming more conservative?
 |
| Rush Limbaugh |
Yahoo! Financial News reports that Rush Limbaugh is the most-listened-to radio talkshow host in New York.
Good news for Christians?
So does this news bode well for the United States? Many evangelicals will answer that question with a hearty “yes,” but many evangelicals are looking for the wrong answer.
Holding to basically conservative politics, I’m pleased that conservatism has become accepted by more young people. I enjoy listening to Rush and Sean Hannity. I especially enjoy watching liberals blow a gasket when they try to debate an issue with Ann Coulter. But this is entertainment, not an answer to what troubles our nation today.
It’s still the cross
Don’t be fooled by the swing toward conservatism. Conservatism does not equal Christianity. The devil is subtle and can throw the unsuspecting Christian off his guard. And that is what is happening right now. Many evangelicals are kicking back, smiling, and saying, “We did it. We voted the right man into office. We’re getting a new conservative Supreme Court justice. Life is good.” But conservatism in politics is not the reason Jesus died. He died to save sinners. And we have been set apart for God’s kingdom with the mandate to tell the world the good news of Christ’s shed blood for the remission of sins.
For some reason, I hear many evangelical and fundamentalist preachers decrying the moral terpitude of our nation and encouraging their congregations to “get out the vote.” But I don’t hear many eschewing politics and running hard after evangelism.
A church that has taken a strong stand on the gospel message and is de-emphasizing political things exists right in our nation’s capitol. Capitol Hill Baptist Church has even removed the American flag from their platform because patriotism is not the point of a gathering of believers for worship. Would to God that more churches would take the gospel seriously and call their communities to repentance rather than encouraging activism in politics.
Dave Hunt reviles the gospel again
|
| Dave Hunt |
Dave Hunt of The Berean Call has spent the past half decade railing against Calvinism. Although there are legitimate debates on this topic, Dave Hunt has shown a lack of scholarship and honesty in his campaign that boggles the mind. James White, founder and head of Alpha & Omega Ministries, has posted a short response to Hunt’s newest book, A Calvinist’s Honest Doubts Resolved by Reason and God’s Amazing Grace.
If you’re going to read this book (or Hunt’s earlier travesty, What Love Is This?) be sure to also read The Potter’s Freedom by James White. Keep checking Alpha & Omega Ministries’ web site for further updates to this developing situation. I’m sure James will provide adequate response to Hunt’s arguments. Arguments that bring shame and dishonor to the name of Christ.
Becoming more conservative?
|
| Rush Limbaugh |
Yahoo! Financial News reports that Rush Limbaugh is the most-listened-to radio talkshow host in New York.
Good news for Christians?
So does this news bode well for the United States? Many evangelicals will answer that question with a hearty “yes,” but many evangelicals are looking for the wrong answer.
Holding to basically conservative politics, I’m pleased that conservatism has become accepted by more young people. I enjoy listening to Rush and Sean Hannity. I especially enjoy watching liberals blow a gasket when they try to debate an issue with Ann Coulter. But this is entertainment, not an answer to what troubles our nation today.
It’s still the cross
Don’t be fooled by the swing toward conservatism. Conservatism does not equal Christianity. The devil is subtle and can throw the unsuspecting Christian off his guard. And that is what is happening right now. Many evangelicals are kicking back, smiling, and saying, “We did it. We voted the right man into office. We’re getting a new conservative Supreme Court justice. Life is good.” But conservatism in politics is not the reason Jesus died. He died to save sinners. And we have been set apart for God’s kingdom with the mandate to tell the world the good news of Christ’s shed blood for the remission of sins.
For some reason, I hear many evangelical and fundamentalist preachers decrying the moral terpitude of our nation and encouraging their congregations to “get out the vote.” But I don’t hear many eschewing politics and running hard after evangelism.
A church that has taken a strong stand on the gospel message and is de-emphasizing political things exists right in our nation’s capitol. Capitol Hill Baptist Church has even removed the American flag from their platform because patriotism is not the point of a gathering of believers for worship. Would to God that more churches would take the gospel seriously and call their communities to repentance rather than encouraging activism in politics.
Marketing for ItchingEaritis
Phil Johnson (PyroManiac Blog) has posted an important observation regarding the church growth fad. His rejection of such popular church growth books as The Purpose Driven Church is sound and not laced with the emotionalism of many such rejections.
Johnson also takes issue with George Barna’s book Marketing the Church, regarding which he asks:
Do you think [the apostle Paul] would have agreed with Barna, who said we must adapt our message to the preferences of the audience, or risk having them reject the message?
We evangelicals need to wake up to this problem. The “religious right” derided the Clinton administration for its dependence on polling data when determining its course of action, but we fall prey to the polling data of our own congregations when determining what programs we should offer and what should be randomly taught from the contents of holy scripture. It’s a travesty.
How free is your freedom?
R.C. Sproul writes an outstanding article about the current state of evangelicalism in the realm of evangelistic outreach. He takes issue with the acceptance of the semi-pelagian view that man must exercise his free will to accept Christ.
Give it a read. It’s worth your time.
Proof text messaging
The delightful Sacred Sandwich, a Reformed Christian satirical e-newsletter has a deliciously funny piece about text messaging with cell phones.
Marketing for ItchingEaritis
Phil Johnson (PyroManiac Blog) has posted an important observation regarding the church growth fad. His rejection of such popular church growth books as The Purpose Driven Church is sound and not laced with the emotionalism of many such rejections.
Johnson also takes issue with George Barna’s book Marketing the Church, regarding which he asks:
Do you think [the apostle Paul] would have agreed with Barna, who said we must adapt our message to the preferences of the audience, or risk having them reject the message?
We evangelicals need to wake up to this problem. The “religious right” derided the Clinton administration for its dependence on polling data when determining its course of action, but we fall prey to the polling data of our own congregations when determining what programs we should offer and what should be randomly taught from the contents of holy scripture. It’s a travesty.
How free is your freedom?
R.C. Sproul writes an outstanding article about the current state of evangelicalism in the realm of evangelistic outreach. He takes issue with the acceptance of the semi-pelagian view that man must exercise his free will to accept Christ.
Give it a read. It’s worth your time.
Proof text messaging
The delightful Sacred Sandwich, a Reformed Christian satirical e-newsletter has a deliciously funny piece about text messaging with cell phones.
By His grace - For His glory 