Wednesday, January 30, 2019
The Abortion Issue - How Should Christians Respond?
Ethics & Worldview: Abortion
Let's begin with a video that features both sides of the debate:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMEZi345niw
New York State has approved legislation to legalize abortion
up through the third trimester. The governor gladly lit up the New York skies in a pink celebration.
Not living in that state, I wonder… would I
have known about this if the same law was proposed in Florida? Would I care, and would I even do something
about it? How did we get to the place where the crowd shouts for joy with the signing
of this legislation into law? All for a political advantage? The
self-centeredness of our politicians is over the top. What of the baby
involved? Who speaks for this baby? Why is the conversation just about the “woman’s
right”? A contributor to the 8pm news program on Fox was adamant today that “we
will not let men tell us what to do with our bodies.” Wow! Again, who speaks
for the baby? Think of the little kid who’s been kicking and moving in mommy’s
womb, only to have his or her life taken at 39-41 weeks… This is crazy! Nothing
but infanticide. People, we need responsible government; not identity politics
bent self-centered people who have personal agendas.
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Does God Still “Call” Men and Women?
The missionary call still exists. In fact, it
comes in varied forms to different people. I would describe the “call” as God
prodding a person to complete a specific duty or task for him. This call comes
in many ways, as God Himself is unpredictable. One would say that a “call”
is personalized by God, even though it may be fulfilling the same task or duty
as another would. Moreau better describes it as “guidance” from God.
For some people, this prodding to do may come in the form of a dream, a
revelation, a vision, “an undeniable tug on the heart to be involved in a
certain part of the world or with a certain people or in a certain type of
role” (Mor. 160). It is a feeling
that is almost impossible to let go; once that will not dissipate until the act
is fulfilled; one in which the individual finds fulfillment when engaging in
the act/duty.
There are 4 types of calls seen in scripture:
Monday, January 28, 2019
Angels, Demons & The Human Nature
Consider if you will, the doctrine of Angels & Demons and
the Nature of Man. It is important to be aware of the world we live in. We
should not dismiss the reality of both angels, demons and the knowledge
of who we are. Angels exist for purpose including the assignment
to carry God’s messages to us. They minister to us, protecting, guarding,
providing comfort. They are actively carrying out God’s providential judgments
(very necessary), and battle against the demonic world (intentionally working
to defeat us). We are empowered with the knowledge of how God uses His created
beings to accomplish His will. This works for both angels, demons and the
awareness of who we are – (1) Both spirit and body, (2) We are unique
creatures, created in God’s image [we represent the very nature of God], (3) We
are created to have dominion over the earth [Gen. 1:26]. Knowledge is power as
it governs our worldview.
Responding To The Word Of God
The inspired Word of God, the Bible, has to power
to change lives and to bring reform. It is God-breathed and therefore power of
itself. King Josiah with the help of the priests, recovered what is said to be
the Pentateuch during the period of his reformation. His attitude after reading
the book is one which every ministry leader seeks to gain after preaching or teaching
the Word. King Josiah’s attitude is also a model for how all believers should
respond when they conduct devotions. When the book was read in his presence,
the king “tore his clothes” (2 Kings 22:11).
When we read or hear the Word of God, it should prick our
hearts, move us to holy fear, and reveal to us the deficiencies of our
hearts (Henry). Josiah “rend his garment”, but we should “rend our hearts” in
response to God’s holy Words. Under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, Josiah’s
spiritual eyes, ears and heart was opened, moving him to “inquire of the Lord
concerning the words of the book” (2 Kings 22:13). This should be our attitude.
This is the attitude we should expect when we are committed wholly to God
personally and in ministry. When the Apostle Peter spoke the words of God to
the people gathered in Jerusalem “they were pierced to the heart, and said to
Peter and to the rest of the Apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts
2:37) This is the question God wishes to ask us all, so that a sinful people
can obtain redemption and the forgiveness of sins. What God seeks is a
heart like Josiah – a response to His Word that leads to reverence, repentance, restoration and reform.
References:
The Life Application Study Bible (NASB). The United States
of America: Zondervan (2000)
Smith, J. The History of Israel. Joplin, MO: College Press
(1995)
Matthew Henry Commentary. Retrieved from: http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/2-chronicles/34.html
Sunday, January 27, 2019
The Attitude Of The Christian Apologist
Every human being is made in the image of God, and worthy of
respect (Gen. 1:27). This is worthy of consideration before engaging any and
all interlocutors. The Christian apologist in faithfully executing the
discipline of apologetics is called to both defend and commend the Gospel (2
Cor. 10:5; 2 Tim. 2:25; Tit. 1:9; Jude 3; Phil. 2:5-11), in a manner worthy of
the Lord he or she represents (1 Pet. 3:15). Whether the apologist is engaged
in responsive or proactive methods, the making of such defense will be key
towards moving the interlocutor closer to a relationship with Christ. It surely
“is not about you; it is about them.”[1]
Having prayerfully prepared, skillfully considering the audience, the context,
the quality of arguments, along with the all-important reliance upon the Holy
Spirit, the Christian apologist is better equipped to both commend and defend
the faith in a grace-full attitude worthy of a Christ-spirit-filled ambassador
that brings glory to His name.
[1] James K. Belby, Thinking About Christian Apologetics: What
It Is And Why We Do It, (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2011), 176-7.
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