Opus 2011-139, Basic Beliefs: All Have Sinned

Closely following after the idea of Original Sin is the idea of personal sin.  The Bible makes a simple statement,

(Romans 3:23 KJV)  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

This is a simple statement that is in harmony with the rest of scripture.  All human beings have sinned.  The result of sin is spiritual and eternal death.

(Romans 6:23 KJV)  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

This means that every human being is on the way to hell, not because of a precondition, but because of actions and choices they have made.

homo unius libri

Opus 2011-138, Discernment Watch: Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus

At this point we have an extensive series of books branching out from this basic title.  Long ago I jotted down a quote that started my thinking.  It has been so long I don’t have any idea what page it came from.

“...there are women who have a personality that avoids conflict or confrontation by denying themselves.  On the surface they seem to have a good relationship, but the husband complains that she does not seem to be happy.  That is his only complaint.  The wife will say ‘We have a great relationship, except I am so depressed.’” 

Then the author goes on and talks about the problem being that she is denying herself.  Our current post-modern culture embraces this line of thinking.

The Bible has a different standard regarding self denial.  Jesus spoke very clearly.

(Luke 9:23 KJV)  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Since Jesus said it, as Christians we start by accepting this as a truth.  There is another truth which Paul gets into defining love in Philippians 2 where he talks about love as an attitude that does what is best for the other person.  I will use the NASB since it is much more clear to me.

(Philippians 2:3-4 NASB)  Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

It might seem that on the surface these are the same, but not necessarily.  Jesus is talking about our response to God.  Paul is talking about how we relate to other people.  Many times when we take statements which are designed to explain our relationship with God and we apply them to our relationships with people, we run into major problems. 

For instance, when Jesus speaks he is saying that we are saying “no” to ourselves so we can say “yes” to God.  This is always right.  This is always appropriate. 

Paul’s guidance gets a little more tricky.  He is talking about us denying ourselves to do what is right for the other person.  You are looking after their interests.  This does not mean doing it their way.  It does not mean being manipulated.  Doing what is right for the other person may sometimes mean saying “yes” to yourself and saying “no” to them.  Since we are dealing with people it is not right that they always get their way.  It is not healthy for them to be around people who always let them have what they want.  I would stress that the verses in Philippians don't say give people what they want, but give them what they need.  There is a big difference there. 

The point that the Bible is making is that putting the other person first can be healthy and fulfilling.  I can understand that a garden variety pagan might think it is wrong, but we march to a different drummer.  I vote for the Jesus way.  How about you?

homo unius libri

Opus 2011-137, Key Scriptures: Ephesians 2:8

(Ephesians 2:8 KJV)  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

One misunderstanding about Christian salvation is that you are saved by faith.  Faith is involved but the key thing to remember is that you are saved by grace.  Grace means that something undeserved is given as a gift.  It is true that we must have faith but it is not the strength of our faith that saves us.  It is the power of the grace of God. 

There is nothing that a human being can do on their own power to gain salvation.  The debt of sin is too much for our feeble efforts.  God grants it to us as a gift.  If you are of the Reformed tradition you believe that this grace is only extended to those who are elect.  If you are Arminian you believe that God’s power is available to save any who respond in faith.  Either way it is the grace that does the saving not our ability to believe. 

Let me give a crude illustration.  Sitting in the parking lot is an eighteen wheeler, loaded to the gills and you need to get it over Donner Pass.  We talk as if you are moving it, but the truck does not move because you are powerful.  You may turn the key, release the break and press the accelerator, but it is the engine in the truck and the fuel in the tank that makes the miracle of modern transportation happen.  It is the highways built by others that provide a path.  All you could do on your own was sit and wish.

Salvation is like that.  God’s power is ready to move the load.  You may think you are the driver, but you are nothing without Him.  As Alistair Begg said on a pod-cast,

“We are not saved by belief.  We are saved by a savior in whom we believe.”

Accept the gift if you are not already on board.  Turn the key of faith and let the engine of grace move the load of sin.

homo unius libri

Opus 2011-136, Koran Klarifications: Homosexuality

There are some issues that Christians and Muslims have at least some degree of agreement.  Homosexuality is one of those.  I don’t know what the Hadith has to say or what kind of fatwahs have been issued but the Koran is pretty clear, it does not approve.

“We also sent Lot, when he said to his people, commit ye this filthy deed in which no creature hath gone before you?   Come ye to men, instead of women, lustfully? Ye are indeed a people given up to excess.  But the only answer of his people was to say, ‘Turn them out of your city, for they are men who vaunt them pure.’”  Surah 7, “The Height,” verses 80-82

All Koran quotes are from the translation by Rev. J.M. Rodwell, M.A. provided by the Gutenberg Project.

homo unius libri

Opus 2011-135, Discernment Watch: Public Education

We are failing in our basic education.  It used to be that school was to give you the basic tools to make something of yourself.  You were taught to read and then expected to go forth and read.  You were taught basic mathematics and expected to balance your budget.  You were taught the rudiments of science and knew that turning up the gas made the soup boil quicker.  It worked.  I had uncles who did not go further than high school who knew more about the Bible and theology than a most seminary trained pastors I have met.

We all have gaps in our education.  That is to be understood.  Some of us are getting older and are forgetting much of what we knew.  I can’t help that.  There is, however, an old truth:  You can’t forget what you never knew.  If I just made that up then it is a new truth, but true just the same.

I have in front of me a shiny, new “District Strategic Plan” for the school district I work in.  It has engaging full color photos, glossy paper and a lot of nifty words like “road map,” “collaboration,” “passion,” and “potential.”  It doesn’t say a thing about reading, writing or ‘rithmatic.  To be fair, you need to go on line to find out the full plan, but why would I bother.  If I see a half a worm sticking out of an apple I don’t need to eat the apple to know what is inside.

homo unius libri

Opus 2011-134, Koran Klarifications: Punishment

The American attitude toward war and defeated enemies is an aberration in history.  Much of it comes from a teaching that people think is from Jesus but really is based in the Old Testament.  Here are the words of Jesus.

(Matthew 5:44 KJV)  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Paul echoes the same thought.

(Romans 12:20 KJV)  Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Both of them are looking to the OT times.

(Proverbs 25:21 KJV)  If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

What they are advocating goes against the law of the jungle and the survival of the fittest.  It is the Christian way.  There have been times when God demanded killing but it was location specific, not general directions for all occasions. 

How does the Koran instruct victorious Muslims to treat defeated infidels?

“Only, the recompense of those who war against God and his Apostle, and go about to commit disorders on the earth, shall be that they shall be slain or crucified, or have their alternate hands and feet cut off, or be banished the land: This their disgrace in this world, and in the next a great torment shall be theirs-  Except those who, ere you have them in your power, shall repent; for know that God is Forgiving, Merciful.” Surah 5, “The Table,” verses 33-34

So you have choices.  You can convert, be killed or be mutilated.  But notice that the conversion must come before they are defeated, not after. 

We see the same command in regard to thieves.

“As to the thief, whether man or woman, cut ye off their hands in recompense for their doings.19 This is a penalty by way of warning from God himself. And God is Mighty, Wise.”  Surah 5, “The Table,” verse 38

Some people have noted that this is not usually practiced today.  Okay.  Then I guess some Muslims are living in disobedience.

All Koran quotes are from the translation by Rev. J.M. Rodwell, M.A. provided by the Gutenberg Project.

homo unius libri

Opus 2011-133, The Calvinians Strike Again

This morning I attended a Baptist church.  Like many churches today, it did not admit that on its sign or in its bulletin.  If you listen long enough, though, it is obvious.  I enjoy the worship.  It is a church that is not afraid to declare truth.  The preaching is strong.  Too bad I am an Arminian.

Today was a beautiful example of the confusion in Calvinist ranks.  The sermon was taken from Luke 14:11-24.  It was the parable that tells of a man giving a dinner and everyone cancels at the last minute so he invites everyone to come.  It was an evangelistic sermon.  People were being invited to the table.  At one point the pastor made a big point of how he might remove you from his guest list if you didn’t come, God never would.  He was very clear about once your name was down you were part of the family.  He spoke to those who had once known Jesus but had drifted away.  He said something to the effect that you are a Christian but you have not been to the table recently.  It was very heartwarming except he totally ignored the last verse of the parable.

(Luke 14:24 KJV)  For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

This last verse tends to undermine several points of his doctrine.  This seems to be a grace that is resistible and a perseverance that is not guaranteed. 

I believe that Calvinists will make it to heaven if they repent and believe.  That is true of any theological group.  I don’t have a hard time with Reformed theology because they are going to Hell but because you have to twist and strain so much to make it fit the full counsel of scripture.

Eternity is going to be a very long time because it will take that long to straighten each other out.

homo unius libri