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These three men speak to this much better than I ever could, and sum up my thoughts nicely.
Chris
Friday, December 11, 2009
Manhattan Declaration - discernment needed
Although as believers in Christ we affirm the sanctity of life and Biblically-defined marriage, and we refuse to capitulate these issues to any government, but we must also remember that these issues do not trump the gospel of Jesus Christ. I believe the Manhattan Declaration, no matter how well intentioned or well written, assumes a gospel unity that is non-existent between Orthodox, Roman Catholics and Evangelicals. Since the dividing line between Biblical Christianity and Orthodox and Roman Catholics is blurred, I agree with the three men below and believe the document should not be signed by any Christian.
TBN - false gospel and damnable teaching
Here is a sobering article by John MacArthur on the prevalent and wicked teachings that are promulgated through TBN - Unholy Trinity
May we pray for those being deceived by these hideous doctrines and continue to proclaim the truth of the gospel to counter such heresies.
Chris
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Sin and its effects part 3
- Inherited corruption – Not only was Adam’s sin imputed to us and therefore his guilt, but we also inherited the sinful nature of Adam.
- Scriptural proof:
o Psalm 51:5 - Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.
§ The sin nature we have is clearly from conception and therefore we are sinners from birth.
· See also Psalm 58:3 - The wicked are estranged from the womb; these who speak lies go astray from birth.
o Ephesians 2:3 - and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
§ What other verses?
· Ephesians 2:1-2 – Dead in sin and followed course of this world.
· Colossians
· Romans 8:6-8 – Flesh is hostile toward God and cannot submit to God’s law.
o There are no exceptions in the world for there is no one righteous (Romans
- This means we are born with a disposition to sin all the time.
o Example: Do you teach your children to say “No”?
§ How many train your children to disobey?
· Does this mean nobody can do any good in any sense of the word?
o No - as Grudem says, “This inherited tendency to sin does not mean that human beings are all as bad as they could be, nor does it mean that we can do no good in any sense of the word. However, our inherited corruption, our tendency to sin… means that as far as God is concerned, we are not able to do anything that pleases Him.”
§ This can be seen in two ways.
- First, we lack any spiritual good before God – Every aspect of us is affected by sin: heart, mind and soul.
o Paul says in Romans
o Titus
o Jeremiah 17:9 – The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt, who can understand it?
§ Reiterates that unbelievers can do good in some senses, but we cannot do any spiritual good apart from God
· Quotes Ephesians 4:18
- Second, actions cannot do spiritual good.
§ Romans 8:8 - Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
§ John 15:5 – Apart from Christ we can do nothing.
§ Romans
· Hebrews 11:6 - Without faith it is impossible to please God.
§ Isaiah 64:6 - all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.
· Scripture clearly teaches our actions cannot please God, on there own.
- What does this do to our wills?
o Jeremiah
§ This is a helpful description of the condition and what is often called total depravity.
· For it helps us see that what we determine to do is a product of who we are.
§ Can a leopard change itself?
o No! It will do what is in accordance with its nature.
§ The same with sinful man.
o Man has a will, but as a sinful man he will do only what is sinful. Romans
§ Man is enslaved to His sin Romans 6:17-20.
- This explains verses such as Romans
o And John
§ John
o It is not that people are trying to break down the door into the
§ They do not want it!
o We will revisit this again before we speak about the effective call of God and irresistible grace.
- Punishment of sin – By far the worse effect of sin
o John
o In 2 Thessalonians 1:4-10 – Those who disobey the gospel will be eternally punished.
o The wrath of God is a result of our sin (Romans
- What attribute of God necessitates this punishment of sin? Justice of God.
o Psalm 9:7-8 He (the LORD) has established his throne for justice, & he judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness.
o Isaiah 61:8 For I the LORD love justice; I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense.
§ The great consequence of our sin is separation from God and punishment of God
o Proverbs gives us a verse that makes our case seem almost hopeless.
§ Proverbs
· God must punish sin, for Him not to do so would make Him an unrighteous God.
o God did something to not hinder His love on one hand and not compromise His justice on the other hand.
§ He sent His Son Jesus.
o We will look in depth at the propitiatory sacrifice of Jesus in the weeks to come.
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Sin and its effects part 2
- Inherited guilt – We are counted guilty because of Adam’s sin. Roman 5:12-21 speaks in depth about this.
o First, it is important to notice the context.
§ The context shows Paul is not talking about actual sins committed by people.
· The section is a comparison of Adam & Christ
o Adam and Christ are also mentioned together in 1 Cor 15:22;45
· Also notice how Adam & Christ relate to US.
o This helps us with the seemingly difficult vs 12.
§ Particularly the phrase, “because all sinned”
· Sinned is in the past tense.
o What does Paul mean when he says all sinned?
§ It means that God thought of us all as having sinned when Adam disobeyed.
o Again, the context of Romans
§ Vs 15 – “Transgression of the One many died”
§ Vs 16 – “Judgment arose from One transgress…”
§ Vs 17 – “Transgression of the One, death reigned through the One…”
§ Vs 18 – “Through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men…”
§ Vs 19 – “Through the one man’s disobedience, the many were made sinners.”
o In vs 19 we see that through Adam’s disobedience, the many were made sinners.
§ The word “made” is in the past tense and means appointed, designated or constituted.
· We are designated as sinners because of Adam’s sin, and therefore guilty of it.
§ Just as through Christ’s obedience we are constituted as righteous, and therefore innocent.
o In the context what proves this point?
§ People died without breaking an actual commandment.
· This is the idea of vs 13-14.
o All this proves is that Adam is the representative for the entire human race, and therefore all are guilty sinners.
- Is this right of God?
o Regardless, we have committed actual sins which we will be judged on the last day (Romans 2:6; Colossians
o By saying it’s not fair, we have already shown to be in agreement with Eve.
o We would have done the same thing in their position.
o We should think it is unfair for Christ to represent us, and count us righteous because of His obedience.
- Applications
o God takes sin seriously.
§ He is holy and just in all His ways.
§ There is nothing we can do to make ourselves right with God; we are guilty apart from Christ.
o We should look to the provision by which we are declared righteous in Romans 5:20-21.
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Sin and its effects part 1
- What is sin? Any failure to conform to the moral law of God in act, attitude or nature.
o Definition includes not only actions, but also attitudes & desires.
§ Scriptural examples that show attitudes and desires as sinful: Exodus 20:17 – coveting; Matthew 5 – Sermon on the Mount examples of lust=adultery and sinful anger=murder; Galatians 5 - fits of anger, sensuality, enmity, jealousy, envy.
§ The greatest commandment: Mark
o Sin also relates to our nature.
§ Eph 2:3, we were by nature children of wrath.
§
§ Romans 8:7-8, those in flesh are unable to please God
§ Rom 6:17-20, we were slaves to sin.
o Sin is serious. Why? Sin is painful and destructive to our lives and to others. It is especially serious because it offends a holy and just God.
- Origin of sin
o God did not commit sin, man committed sin.
§ God’s ways are perfect righteous and good.
o But, we also must guard against dualism.
§ Evil is not eternal, nor is it omnipotent – it cannot thwart God’s plans.
o We must remember, God is still in control. (Eph 1:11)
- Where did sin come from? With respect to the human race, through Adam & Eve
o There are three aspects of the sin of Adam & Eve, which characterizes sin in general
§ Sin struck at the base of knowledge.
· What is true? The serpent said they would NOT die if they ate the fruit.
§ Sin struck at the base of moral standards.
· What is right? Serpent denied it would be morally wrong for them to eat.
§ Sin struck at the base of their existence.
· Who am I? Serpent said they would be like God if they ate the fruit.
o The story of Adam & Eve was a real historical event.
· It is in the context of a historical narrative.
· Many scriptures such as Romans 5:12-19, 2 Corinthians 11:3, 1 Timothy 2:14 assumes its historicity.
Why Study the Scriptures?
In our day and age where anti-intellectualism runs rampant in the visible church, it is not surprising to see poll after poll verify what students of scripture have known for many years. The visible church does not know much about the scriptures they profess to believe in. This is sad considering many saints during the Reformation period lost their lives for the sake of being able to read and study God's word. Not to mention the many passages in scripture that speak as such:
Isaiah 66:2 This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
John 8:31-32 Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Psalm 19:7-8 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psalm 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
Psalm 119:11 I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
Psalm 119:103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
Psalm 119:162 I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.
My prayer for these posts is that the people who read them will be encouraged to open their Bible and not just read a verse or two, but learn the scriptures and indeed, be transformed by them. As Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." (John 17:17). This is my prayer as well.
These posts, for the most part, will be Biblical, systematic and simple in nature, although they will periodically deal with contemporary issues. A number of the posts are taken from the Teachings of Faith class that I am teaching at my church, and we are using Dr Wayne Grudem's excellent book Bible Doctrine. This first post is the basis for studying God's Word in depth and comes from the introduction of Bible Doctrine.
- First reason for studying the scriptures.
o Fulfill the command of Jesus in the Great Commission.
§ We are to make disciples, teaching them to observe what he has commanded (Matt 28:19-20).
- Second, this is the only way of knowing the true God and having eternal life in Jesus Christ.
o John 17:3 – (Jesus) This is everlasting life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.
o John 8:31-32 – (Jesus) If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
- Third, it is essential for growth in the Christian faith. Anyone who does not know the scriptures and doctrines they teach does not grow into maturity.
o Hebrews 5:12-6:2 – He rebukes them for only being able to accept milk & not solid food. They should be teachers!
o Ephesians 4:11-16 – God gave the church teachers so we might grow in ALL aspects of Him and NOT be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine.
o 2 Timothy 3:16 – The scriptures are good to teach us, reprove us, correct us and train us in right living.
§ They are good for our entire lives!
o Read any epistle and the apostles give right doctrine and oftentimes correct false doctrine.
- Grudem lists at least 3 benefits from studying the scriptures.
o Helps us overcome our wrong ideas about scripture...
§ Because of sin and an incomplete knowledge of the Bible we often have wrong ideas about topics from God to child rearing.
o Helps us to make better decisions on questions of new doctrine.
§ Those who have continually fed their mind and heart with solid doctrine will be better prepared to tackle new issues.
· This doesn’t just include issues relating to the trinity, but to bioethics, economics, etc.
o The Bible gives us principles that apply to every area of our lives.
- Finally, it helps us grow as Christians.
o Grudem – “The more we know about God, about His Word, about His relationships to the world and mankind, the better we will trust Him, the more fully we will praise Him, and the more readily we will obey Him”
How to Study Theology?
- With prayer.
o It is a spiritual activity and we need the Spirit’s guidance to enlighten our minds to understand spiritual truth.
§ Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.
- With humility.
o Knowledge of anything can puff you up, but pride has no place in the study of scriptures – see James 3:13,17
§ We must clothe ourselves with humility (1 Peter 5:5)
· Isaiah 66:2 This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
- With reason.
o There are limits but we should make logical conclusions from the scriptures.
§ We should use our human reason and understanding when studying God’s word.
o He directs us to Jesus and the apostles as examples.
§ Paul reasoned with the Jews in Acts 17:2
§ In Mark 12 Jesus uses Exodus 3:6 to prove the resurrection.
o Grudem points out that our deductions are not infallible.
§ Grudem “We are free to use our reasoning abilities to draw deductions from any passage of Scriptures so long as these deductions do not contradict the clear teaching of some other passage of scripture.”
- With help from others.
o Understanding that God has appointed apostles, prophets, teachers, pastors, etc.
§ It was God’s intent to give certain people gifts of teaching to help others learn and grow.
o One more good point he makes:
§ It also means we should be talking about the things we learn with other believers – Proverbs 27:17
· Theology is not just regulated to the classroom, but should be talked about at church, home, etc
- With collecting & understanding all passages.
o Find all the relevant verses; Read, take notes, and summarize the points of the verses; note your conclusions.
§ Compare with other theologies for sharpening.
o www.e-sword.net is FREE, easy-to-use Bible software to help with studying. If you’d like to purchase software, Logos & Bibleworks are excellent products.
- With rejoicing and praise.
o Grudem “The study of theology is not merely an intellectual or mental exercise. It is a study of the living God and of the wonders of all His works in creation and redemption. We cannot study this subject as if our hearts and lives are uninvolved! We must love all that God is, all that He says, & all that He does. ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart.’ (Deut 6:5). Our response to the study of the theology of Scripture should be that of the Psalmist who said, ‘How precious to me are your thoughts O God!’ (Psalm 139:17). In the study of the teachings of God’s Word, it should not surprise us if we find our hearts spontaneously breaking forth in expressions of praise and delight like those of the Psalmist.”
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