Mark Driscoll on quite a few things

Thanks to Aaron Shaf for getting this up over at Mormon Coffee

Watch this, and he discusses many topics, careful though Mark is "edgy"

Liberal vs. Conservative arguments

Ironically this also seems to match up with Orthodox vs. Emergent thoughts as well. Since many Emergents line up to the left this seems to nail the point.

God chooses those who are saved

Who is responsible for the financial crisis?

I just thought that this was interesting all the lying and covering up, I know it is more political than spiritual, but I think shows some interesting behavior in our government. We all long for Christ to return to rule and reign!

Pastors who dish out junk food

This is a great post over at extremetheology.com

I speak to many people who come to me regularly on this issue. Many are in Churches they feel "stuck" in and they are drinking milk and eating jelly beans when it comes to teaching. "Theology IS IMPORTANT" and the teaching of God's Word to His people is VITAL. Please pray for those who are still in itching ear Churches.

Emergent/Post Modern Sayings

Please feel free to add your own in the comment section. I find that these sayings are very prevalent in the Emergent Groups and in Post Modern Culture.


"There is absolutely NO absolute truth" (Are you absolutely sure?)

"We will not tolerate, intolerance!" (Yeah I can tell)

"We hate it when people use the word hate" (Me too)

"You people are all Heresy Hunters" (does that make you a hunter yourself?)

"You should not judge" (Isn't this a judgment?)

"There is no right or wrong" (so how do we know this statement is right?)

"We will hold you to your own standard even though we do not accept it" (but arent you accepting it by holding someone to it?)

"We are Christians and you don't have a right to tell us who is Christian and who is not" (didn't you just tell me who was a Christian, so only you have that right?)

"There is no authority" (And who gave you the authority to make that claim?)

"We are open minded and inclusive" (Unless of course you are conservative right?)

"We are not sure about anything" (Are you sure about that?)

"We never question our own doubts" (Doubtful that you do)

"We are not arrogant to think we have the truth but we know you are
wrong" (so what are you claiming here?)

Added today 9/26/08

"We need to disagree agreeably" Brian MaClaren (So are you agreeing or disagreeing then?)

-Before we let principles dictate how we view something or let scripture dictate it, we should "listen" for 5 years and be quiet, then we might have the answers- a summation from MaClaren on Homosexuality (so does this mean then that we cannot know if things are right or wrong without spending a predetermined amount of time "listening", how many issues fall into this category? ridiculous!)

Voddie does not compromise

I love it!!!!

The text determines how we live not the culture!!!!

Born Alive Truth

Now Obama claimed he would have voted for the bill if it was identical to the National Bill that Hillary and so many others voted for. Guess what the last one that came through Illinois was identical. What is his excuse now? And if you claim Christianity what is your excuse now for voting for this guy?

More attacks on Christians in India

I do not think these folks are reading the Shack or being Emergent in their thinking. So much of America loves these Eastern Philosophies that we see in India, do they really know how Hindus treat Christians? I highly recommend you sponsor a Missionary in Gospel For Asia.

"India is in a scary situation," says Gospel for Asia President K.P. Yohannan. "While violence continues in Orissa, on India's east coast, anti-Christian extremists have unleashed another wave of attacks on Christians in Karnataka, a state on India's west coast......On Sunday, Hindu mobs rushed into churches and prayer centers of many different denominations in Karnataka, attacking Christians during their times of worship. The extremists then destroyed the church buildings and their properties. At least 11 churches were destroyed, including at least one led by Gospel for Asia missionaries.

Something Funny

This must be the original Christian Rock and Roll?

It is a theological mess that is for sure... but I thought it would be funny and make for some great discussion :) I think the Emergents might like it.

A Biblical Definition of "Christian"

Over at Mormon Coffee there is an excellent post on what the Biblical Definition of Christian his so I posted it here with permission.

By Sharon Lindbloom

There has been some discussion recently on another Mormon Coffee thread about the biblical definition of the word “Christian.” Some years ago I studied out this question. When I had my answer I wrote the following:

What is a Christian?

The word “Christian” is used 3 times in the New Testament.

“…And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.” Acts 11:26

“And Agrippa said to Paul, ‘In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?’” Acts 26:28

“Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.” 1 Peter 4:16

The Greek word, ‘Christianos,’ means simply “follower of Christ.”

What does it mean to follow Christ?

“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’” Luke 9:23

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:13, 14

“‘And you know the way to where I am going.’” Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:4-6

“‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?” And then will I declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”’” Matthew 7:21-23

One who follows Christ is one who does the will of the Father.

What is the Will of the Father?

“For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:40

“Then they said to him, ‘What must we do, to be doing the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’” John 6:28, 29

“And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.” 1 John 3:23

The will of the Father is to believe in Christ.

What does it mean to believe in Christ?

“You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” James 2:19

“And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.’” Mark 1:23, 24

Clearly the belief of these demons, recognizing who Jesus is and understanding His presence, is not what Scripture refers to when we are told to “believe in Him.”

What does it mean to believe in Christ?

“…’The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” Romans 10:8-13

“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” John 3:18

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12

Believing in Christ is not just a head knowledge, but requires complete trust and reliance on Christ, and Christ alone, for all that salvation means.

What is Salvation?

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” Romans 5:8, 9

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” John 5:24

“And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.” Colossians 1:21, 22

Salvation, then, is being justified by Christ’s blood, saved from the wrath of God, passing from death into life, being presented unto God holy and pure.

Where is Salvation’s Eternity?

“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” John 12:26

“…If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father…” John 14:28

The eternal dwelling place of those saved through Christ is in God’s presence, in His kingdom.

What is a Christian?

A Christian is a follower of Christ. A follower of Christ is one who does the will of the Father. The will of the Father is believing in Christ. Believing is not merely acknowledging, but trusting Christ alone for personal salvation. Personal salvation is being reconciled to God, having the promise of spending eternity in His presence.

The relevant question we are tempted to ask here, then, is “According to the biblical definition, are Mormons Christians?” This is not a question we can answer; thirteen million Mormons represent thirteen million different hearts. We can, however, look at the LDS faith system and examine the gospel it promotes. We can determine if Mormonism helps or hinders a person who desires to be a true follower of Christ.

Setting aside, for this discussion, the question of who the Christ of Mormonism actually is, my erstwhile essay on the biblical definition of “Christian” continued,

As we have seen, God has a specific definition attached to the word ‘believe’ when He reveals salvation and His Son to us in Scripture. Mormon doctrine does not allow for the granting of personal salvation to those who trust in Christ alone to be reconciled to God.

[Consider what] Brigham Young taught:

“no man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith. From the day that the Priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding-up scene of all things, every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are…” (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 7, p. 289)

“All those who believe in their hearts and confess with their mouths that Joseph Smith is a true Prophet, at the same time trying with their might to live the holy principles Joseph the Prophet has revealed, are in possession of the Holy Spirit of God and are entitled to a fullness.” (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 9, p. 312)

The Book of Mormon…says:

“For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” (2 Nephi 25:23)

Joseph Smith, the LDS Priesthood, personal worthiness…Mormonism teaches that God requires all of this (and more) to be added and combined with Christ, in order for an individual to gain a place in God’s presence for eternity. Therefore, based on my understanding of the biblical definition of “Christian,” I regard Mormonism to be a severe obstruction for any Latter-day Saint longing to follow Christ.

One Minute Gospel

from Operation513.com

Obama didn't understand?

If he did not understand what was happening to the babies or he was concerned about some other legislation why did he say this?

"They’re Not Just Coming Out Limp and Dead” -- Barack Obama's Chilling Record on Abortion

Anyone who believes that Barack Obama did not understand what was going on when he voted against the rights of the babies who were born alive..... might be mislead.

A good Abortion video

'When the chuch stops being about believers and becomes an event for non believers'

I can name a few that never even went throught this transition in so far as they were never about believers they have always been an event for unbelievers.

KLV BIBLE

This is from a Little Leaven they have a museum of idolatry.
Here is a quote from them "We probably shouldn't be complaining because this thing actually looks far more accurate than The Message."

Here is the original link

Mormon Law of Eternal Progression from James White

Barrack Obama on Abortion, can Christians really vote for this guy?

I think the Matthew25 Network needs to repent! This guy not only supports abortion but stands alone supporting INFANTICIDE!!!! Come on Emergents this is ridiculous!

The answer for the Atheists how God deals with His enemies.

Since they brought it up I found this on Truth Matters which is a great site to visit by the way.

Why are you a Christian? The Gospel can be explained

Why are you a Christian is not the same as how you became a Chrisitan.

Are we conveying the right message?

"Ian cannot help you"

The Atheist Starter Kit by Ray Comfort

If you are a beginner atheist, there's a belief system you should embrace and a language you should learn, or you will find yourself in trouble. Here are ten suggestions for the novice:

1. Whenever you are presented with credible evidence for God's existence, call it a "straw man argument," or "circular reasoning." If something is quoted from somewhere, label it "quote mining."

2. When a Christian says that creation proves that there is a Creator, dismiss such common sense by saying "That's just the old watchmaker argument."

3. When you hear that you have everything to gain and nothing to lose (the pleasures of Heaven, and the endurance of Hell) by obeying the Gospel, say "That's just the old 'Pascal wager.'"

4. You can also deal with the "whoever looks on a woman to lust for her, has committed adultery with her already in his heart," by saying that there is no evidence that Jesus existed. None.

5. Believe that the Bible is full of mistakes, and actually says things like the world is flat. Do not read it for yourself. That is a big mistake. Instead, read, believe, and imitate Richard Dawkins. Learn and practice the use of big words. "Megalo-maniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully" is a good phrase to learn.

6. Say that you were once a genuine Christian, and that you found it to be false. (The cool thing about being an atheist is that you can lie through your teeth, because you believe that are no moral absolutes.) Additionally, if a Christian points out that this is impossible (simply due to the very definition of Christianity as one who knows the Lord), just reply "That's the 'no true Scotsman fallacy.'" PLEASE NOTE: It cannot be overly emphasized how learning and using these little phrases can help you feel secure in dismissing common sense.

7. Believe that nothing is 100% certain, except the theory of Darwinian evolution. Do not question it. Believe with all of your heart that there is credible scientific evidence for species-to-species transitional forms. When you make any argument, pat yourself on the back by concluding with "Man, are you busted!" That will make you feel good about yourself.

8. Deal with the threat of eternal punishment by saying that you don't believe in the existence of Hell. Then convince yourself that because you don't believe in something, it therefore doesn't exist. Don't follow that logic onto a railway line and an oncoming train.

9. Blame Christianity for the atrocities of the Roman Catholic church--when it tortured Christians through the Spanish Inquisition, imprisoned Galileo for his beliefs, or when it murdered Moslems in the Crusades.

10. Finally, keep in fellowship with other like-minded atheists who believe as you believe, and encourage each other in your beliefs. Build up your faith. Never doubt for a moment. Remember, the key to atheism is to be unreasonable. Fall back on that when you feel threatened. Think shallow, and keep telling yourself that you are intelligent. Remember, an atheist is someone who pretends there is no God.

(Written by Ray Comfort - read more at his blog http://raycomfortfood.blogspot.com/)

Learning to Love God's Sovereignty

Seeker friendly church stunt gone bad........ too "relevant"

There are Churches all over that use motorcycles or other gimmicks to lure in unsuspecting people, for their seeker friendly (less) "relevant" messages. I am not sure why they do this since they will likely NOT hear the Gospel of Christ and Him Crucified.

Mark Dever once said, "What you win them with is what you will win them to."

How true and how sad for this people of this "relevant Church"

In House Dirtbike Crash

The Lies Called "Post Modernism"

Emergents and Post Moderns have thrown out the rulebook.

The Shack reveiw by Tim Challies

I was on a plane recently and was sitting next to some "Christians" (I say this because I would prefer to sit next to someone I can witness to). The couple was very nice and from the Texas area, the man was reading a book called "The Shack". I had heard about this book being blasphemous and theologically wrong. So I asked the guy what he thought about the book, he replied that he thought it was "ok" I proceeded to ask him probing questions about the theology and purpose of the book, he did not have great answers and resorted to the fact that it was an emotionally touching book. I have read quite a bit about the book and thought that I would post a link to a great website that does a great review of the book in case you have heard about it.

The Shack review by Tim Challies

So often I am told by my Emergent, Atheist and Mormon friends to Open my mind, and the subtle message of that in our discussion is to Open my mind and Close my Bible. That is what has happened with this book, so I urge you to read the continuation of the review. One of the claims of the proponents of this book is that it is not meant to be Theological...... Tim Challies writes "The Shack is, by the author’s own admission, a work that seeks to change the reader’s perception of God. It is deeply theological!"

I wont be watching the Olympics

China is notorious for their persecution of Christians, they have jailed, raped, tortured, enslaved and killed Christian Pastors and other Christians because of their faith. As is stated in the Chinese Manifesto Communism and Religion (Christianity) are not compatible. (Which by the way you should think about before you vote for Hussein Obama, he has some Marxist ideals that can lead this country into a lighter version of Communism.) Back to China, people are being killed for their faith and yet we as all people who respect Religous freedom will sit and watch so that the Chinese Government can make Trillions of dollars to continue to persecute those who claim Christ? Even if you are not a believer do you really want China to have extra money and a false notoriety so they can build more nukes? Honestly I do not know what we are thinking sometimes, I know my small voice may not be heard, but my family and I will not be watching, endorsing, or condoning the Olympics in any way shape or form. Even more persecution of Christians has resulted because of the Olympics. The Chinese government is trying to clean up so that it will not get bad press. If you want more information please go to one of the following sites:

www.persecution.org
www.chinaaid.org
www.persecution.com

What is the matter? The heart is the MATTER.

Die for your faith?

I wonder if the post moderns or Emergents would die for a faith that they are not sure about........

I still believe

Seriously this is so tough...... We pray for Greg and his family........

What gets me is how people who do not have Jesus cope and live in this world........or worse people who have a false Jesus......

Greg is showing a great example of one who trusts in Christ alone even during hardships.....

Well that's your opinion

Seriously I thank God for Lane and his video ministry. This is another great talk about the "Well that's your opinion" phrase used to falsely unify.