Not That I Agree With Everything They Teach

Lately, this phrase (the post title) has been showing up on my radar. Now everyone thinks and believes things that other people will not agree with, or hold to. But it seems a popular thing these days to have your own system of beliefs or your own way of looking at things. It also seems to be increasingly unpopular to bring the Bible to bear on these teachings and belief systems.

For example: I listened to a song on the radio during the Christmas season that went on and on about “family” and then ended with “that's what Christmas means.........to me.” The thing is, “family” is not what Christmas is about. Another radio excerpt had a person being interviewed who was praising the local food bank. “The food bank helps those who are less fortunate, and this is what Christmas is all about.” Again, Christmas is not about helping those who are “less fortunate”. This kind of reasoning is to be expected from the world. Look what it's done with Easter: An Easter bunny = Jesus death and resurrection???

Years ago, I attended a Bible School, and awhile ago I was in discussion on Facebook with a fellow- classmate of mine about Hell. He mocked the clear, biblical teaching about eternal torment, fire, etc., saying it was something the church invented. When I asked him to interpret some verses where Jesus used those exact phrases (Mark 9:42-48; Matt 13:40-43) he told me he didn't have time to get into a lengthy discussion outlining why he didn't believe these things, but pointed me to a website I could check out. He said they had some good teachings, but he had this caveat: “Not that I agree with everything they teach.” So, I checked the website out. From what I remember the link sent me to a church site that had a Sunday bulletin insert or Bible study page teaching on Hell and The Judgement. They appeared to also say that after one dies there appears to still be hope for salvation, and then they had some scripture references for this teaching. I sent a message to my friend informing him that he would have to clarify exactly what he agreed with and didn't agree with on this site because there were multiple areas of concern, and I couldn't pick out what wrong teachings he agreed with and didn't agree with. He never responded.

It is this kind of thing that is worrisome and troubling to me. It appears Christians are more than willing to tolerate unbiblical teachings and practices, attach this little phrase and it suddenly becomes okay. One must wade through the chaff to find the kernel of wheat. When these unbiblical teachings are challenged one is met with indignation and sometimes mockery. I do not find this attitude in the apostle Paul towards unbiblical teachings and false teachers (2Tim3:1-9; Titus 3:9-11).

This is also worrisome to me because it hits me where I'm at. I think the very root of the problem is an almost total abandonment in the church of teaching sound doctrine. One example: A Sunday school class where there is no teaching/exegesis on the text we're “studying”, but everyone around the room gives their opinion on what the text means to them. The text has as many meanings as there are people in the room and the actual intent and meaning of the text is lost.

If I don't know what sound doctrine is, I have nothing by which to measure what is being taught. I, then, develop my own weights and scales. As long as the teacher is nice or “loving” or funny, then this appears to be the only key to unlocking the hearer's heart and then that person accepts everything being taught. This is a long way from Acts 17:11!

I was lead into charismaticism when I was a relatively new Christian. I had little to no foundation in sound doctrine and those whom I gobbled up the teaching on tongues from were Pastors. BTW, they were also very nice people. How was I to determine if what I was experiencing was real or counterfeit? I was told, “Just love Jesus”, and “Don't entertain a thought that this could be counterfeit and you'll be fine.” I can't tell you how messed up I got after months and months of being involved in this. Straying from the Word of God and living by emotion, experiences, imaginings, and what I saw with my eyes almost destroyed me. What rescued me out of the nightmare? Actually learning what the Word of God says about the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit = Sound Doctrine.

Sound doctrine, by it's very nature, is divisive because it is a plumb line showing right from wrong. In our culture such a concept is anathema! The Apostle exhorts Pastors/Elders to teach sound doctrine (Titus 1:5 – 2:1), but it appears everything else but sound doctrine suffices. 2Timothy 4:3,4 is so applicable for our age: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths”.

“Not that I agree with everything they teach” may be a sign you're on the wrong road.

John MacArthur on Titus

One of the really cool things about my job is that I'm on the road a lot.  I'm an insurance adjuster so a couple days a week I'm in the car driving to different towns and farms, mostly rural locations. 

As I'm travelling I've taken to listening to Bible teaching CD's.  John MacArthur has preached and taught on the ENTIRE New Testament!  All those books are available for download from the Grace to You website for free.

Over the last few weeks I have been listening to the series on the letter to Titus.  This teaching series has been such a blessing to me.   I am so thankful for John's faithfulness to preach and teach the Word of God, regardless of how the Word conflicts with the culture today. 

Titus is a word to Pastors/Elders, and to those desiring that office.  It has also been a blessed and convicting word to me...and I praise and thank God for that.  I am SO looking forward to the remaining lessons  - I'm on #24 at the moment. 

Acts 13 - Some Thoughts

Acts 13: 36-52 “For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay; but He whom God raised did not undergo decay. “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. “Therefore take heed, so that the thing spoken of in the Prophets may not come upon you:
‘BEHOLD, YOU SCOFFERS, AND MARVEL, AND PERISH;
         FOR I AM ACCOMPLISHING A WORK IN YOUR DAYS,
         A WORK WHICH YOU WILL NEVER BELIEVE, THOUGH SOMEONE SHOULD DESCRIBE IT TO YOU.’”
      As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people kept begging that these things might be spoken to them the next Sabbath. Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were urging them to continue in the grace of God.

      The next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming. Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.
“For so the Lord has commanded us,
         ‘I HAVE PLACED YOU AS A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES,
         THAT YOU MAY BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.’”
      When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region. But the Jews incited the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. But they shook off the dust of their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”


Currently, I am reading through Acts and I read chapter 13 last night. Firstly, I am amazed how I am “discovering” verses throughout the NT (I'm not much in the OT at this point) that highlight the sovereignty of God in Salvation. Verse 48 “...as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.” - a clear statement if ever there was one! As I continue to think on these things, I am so encouraged, and greatly humbled, that I believe, and that inherent in my believing is the fact that I was appointed by God for eternal life in Christ Jesus. Knowing how great a sinner I am, I can only thank Him, and ask, “Why me?”.

This question leads into the other aspect I see here. Paul and Barnabas say to the Jews, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.
“For so the Lord has commanded us,
         ‘I HAVE PLACED YOU AS A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES,
         THAT YOU MAY BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.’” (emphasis mine).


The Jews rejected the word of God. Here, the NAS has it translated “since you repudiate it”. The ESV translates it “since you thrust is aside.” The NIV translates it as “Since you reject it”. The KJV translates it “but seeing ye put it from you”. Paul, in Romans 11, elaborates on the how's and why's of the Jews' rejection of the Gospel. Verse 1 says that God has not utterly rejected His people, as Paul himself is evidence of this. In verse 11, “Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.” And verse 25 and 26, “Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved.” (BTW, there's another “sovereignty of God” passage. “Until the full number of Gentiles has come in.”). There is still hope for Israel. But since they have rejected the word of God, the Lord has commanded Paul and Barnabas that the gospel be given to the Gentiles. Acts 11:18, another one of those “sovereignty of God” passages, states “When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” And “the Gentiles” includes me.

Compare the response of the Gentiles with the response of the Jews in the Acts 13 passage: “When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord.” “But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming.” The more I read this the more the Gentiles' response becomes my own. The Jews rejection brought the Gospel to the Gentiles. As Romans 11:30-32 says, "Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.”

And all this has taken place as a result of the sovereign plan of God that was put in place before the times of the ages began (Titus 1:1-3, Eph 1:4). It only seems fitting to conclude with Paul's Doxology in Romans 11:

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable his judgments,

and his paths beyond tracing out!

“Who has known the mind of the Lord?

Or who has been his counselor?”

“Who has ever given to God,

that God should repay him?”

For from him and through him and to him are all things.

To him be the glory forever! Amen.”

Al Mohler on "Athiests in the Pulpit - the Sad Charade of the Clergy Project"

A very sobering article Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary .  Not in the sense that there are those in leadership in the church who are professing atheism.  Don't get me wrong, that is terrible.  It was these paragraphs from the article that really opened my eyes:

"Dennett and LaScola made a very interesting and important observation in their research report. They acknowledged that defining an unbelieving pastor is actually quite difficult. Given the fact that so many liberal churches and denominations already believe so little, how is atheism really different? In the name of tolerance, the liberal denominations have embraced so much unbelief that atheism is a practical challenge.

In the words of Dennett and LaScola: “This counsel of tolerance creates a gentle fog that shrouds the question of belief in God in so much indeterminacy that if asked whether they believe in God, many people could sincerely say that they don’t know what they are being asked.”

 You can link to the rest of the article here.

  
"The greater danger to the church is a reduction in doctrine that leaves atheism hard to distinguish from belief. And the real forces to fear are those who would counsel such a reduction." ~ Al Mohler, from this article

The World Tilting Gospel by Dan Phillips - my brief thoughts.

I have been frequenting the blog Pyromaniacs almost daily for a few years now and it was there is discovered one of the blogs writers, Dan Phillips.  Off and on Dan had/has been promoting The World Tilting Gospel (TWTG) and I became curious about it.  After awhile I decided to purchase it and, boy am I glad that I did!

A few years ago I realized that I didn't know what the Gospel was.  Specifically, how to articulate it.  I didn't understand the various rich aspects of it.  Mine was a relatively surface understanding and, as I found out the more I looked into it, "surface" may have been an understatement!

I've been a Christian for years and over time just took for granted that I really knew the Gospel.  How could I be a Christian and NOT know it?!  I knew I was a forgiven sinner, that Jesus Christ had died for me and rose again.  I rested there.  However I started to take notice when I would hear phrases in sermons like, "We can do such-and-such because of what Jesus has done for us."  Or, "Because of what Jesus has done for us we are no longer this-or-that."  I realized that I had never really looked any deeper into the "WHAT" that Jesus "HAS DONE".  Dan Phillips has done just that in TWTG.

He shows from the Scriptures what the Fall did to humanity, the far-reaching effects of it.  How "bad", how sinful we really are, and how utterly hopeless we are to do anything about it.  On page 69, ..."sin not only makes us behave badly, it makes us think badly."  Further, "We may see things, but we do not see them as they are, do not know what they mean, do not rank priorities rightly.  We look at the world through distorted lenses."  It was this portion of the book, these paragraphs, that opened my eyes to my sin.  I had repented as best I knew how.  I believed that Jesus paid the penalty for my sin.  It just didn't "feel" like it.  When I read those words describing just how much sin has affected me I realized I had been wanting some feeling, some kind of comfort to confirm my repentance and forgiveness - my thinking was twisted!  I turned from this and read Romans 10:9 which says, "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." I now trust His Word and what it says to confirm my salvation, rather than waiting on a feeling.  There is a "settledness" now that I am trusting His Word, the sure foundation, which is far deeper and sturdier than any feeling.

There is a chapter called "The Quagmire of Muzzy Mysticism" which addresses the "Letting Christ live through us", or "Let go and let God" teaching that I had been taught in a Bible School I attended years ago.  I've struggled with this teaching and how it applies to my life for years but not known why.  That's all I will say on this as Phillips blows the lid off the whole thing!  It's really good!!!

What I have taken from this book is immense!  How great a salvation we have in Jesus Christ, how far-reaching the effects sin has on me, how awesome God is.  There is SO MUCH here!

All I can say is: Thank you, Dan Phillips, for writing this book, a book that is easily readable and understandable and so pertinent, so needed!, for the Body of Christ today.  Everyone who names the name of Jesus Christ today should dig into this treasure!

Prep and Delivery - The Sermon

I never realized how hard it is to write sermon. You read the Bible and pick a topic. You find out where the Bible talks about that topic, you gather all the Scriptures together, taking into account the context. You begin to see God's mind on that particular subject. If you know the original languages (I don't) and are well versed in interpreting the original languages (I'm not) there is an even greater nuance given to the topic. Then you search other authors, pastors, commentaries, etc., and see what they have to say on the topic. You then begin your draft.

You flesh out those areas that kind of hit you but you NEVER stray from the original intent of the author. As the sermon begins to take shape you realize that YOU are the one being taught. You never understood this topic in that way before. Your understanding is being challenged and then, as you submit to the Word of God, your understanding is being changed. This is just AMAZING! And this is all taking place right there at your table, or your desk, in your home, in your office, etc.

Then reality hits you. You have a choice to make. Will you actually preach this? Will you stand up there and tell people this. You know that what you have just learned, even though it's so cool and amazing, flies in the face of where our culture is at today. It flies in the face of what is being advocated by other pastors, other teachers in the church. As you think more and more about this you realize that maybe it would be easier to just trim it down a bit. Take off the “hard edges”, not wanting to offend your listeners. After all, these are nice people. Sure, they make mistakes. But who doesn't? Why not tell them something that will bring them comfort after a hard week of being out there “in the world”? You know, build them up, encourage them. If you do this what will they say to you? What will they do to you? The more you think about it the more you realize that you don't need THAT kind of trouble! What will you do?

Being a preacher of God's Word means you must have courage. You must have the courage to stand there and deliver the Word of God to people, to His chosen people, regardless of how hard it is or how it may offend. If you don't faithfully proclaim the truth of the Word of God then you are useless. It takes a lot of courage to remain faithful and do this.

I recently read a blog post from a pastor, who also teaches at a Bible school I once attended. He discusses homosexuality and what he sees in the gay people he knows and how the way they are appears to be in conflict with the most common reading of Romans 1. He says, “I know the right answer here is “don’t let your experience determine your interpretation”, but after meetings dozens of gay people who read their Bibles regularly, pray, and desperately want to honor God with their lives, I’m beginning to wonder if the standard interpretation might be wrong...”

Rather than teach what the Word of God says about homosexuality he is prepared to alter “the most common reading of Romans 1” because the gay people he knows “ are big hearted, and many of them pray, read their bible regularly, and are seeking God’s best for their lives.” Rather than proclaim the hard truth of the Word of God which reveals sin, and risk offense, he wonders if this interpretation might be wrong. What is so clear is now being muddled, confused and reinterpreted in order to "be loving" and not offend. 

The Apostle in Romans 1 says, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes...” The Apostle was not ashamed of the Gospel...and he pulled no punches when proclaiming the Word. Read his encounters with angry crowds in the Book of Acts to see the outcome of this.

It takes courage to be faithful and preach the Word of God.

*** Important ***

 A blog that I follow regularly called Hip and Thigh, written by Fred Butler recently had a post I have to link to here (Hip and Thigh - Geopolitics and the Bible).

There is a 3 part series called Geopolitics and the Bible that I've been listening to.  It's very interesting.  Check it out!