The Contender's Notebook

Reading Scripture for a Biblical Worldview: 2 Thessalonians 2:15

2008-06-10T10:24:00.000-07:00

Worldview Points: Truth, Biblical Doctrine, Apologetics

2 Thessalonians 2:15 “So then, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.”

The “Man of Lawlessness” and the messengers of deception will arise on the scene of world history proclaiming their “gospel of deceit” yet, Paul exhorts the Thessalonian believers and all believers in every age, in verse 15, to stand firm and hold to the traditions or doctrines taught to them by Paul and the apostles. The verb “hold” means to seize or become master of. The word “traditions” refers to instruction and the substance of teaching. Paul exhorts all believers to refrain from accepting the false notions spread by false teachers. In verse 15 Paul provides a direct imperative for all believers to hold to the belief system and body of doctrine given through the teachings of the prophets, Christ, and the apostles through the revelation of God Himself whether that tradition was handed down by their words spoken or written.

Check Out Albert Mohler's Blog: Salvation Through Christ Alone?

2008-05-27T10:08:00.000-07:00

In this post Mohler comments on a proposal by a lay student in the Anglican Church who has written a motion for the upcoming General Synod that is intended to firmly establish that people are saved through Christ alone.

This post illustrates the importance of standing for the exclusivisity of the gospel of Christ.

Back In The Blogosphere Again

2008-05-27T09:51:00.000-07:00

I'm back in the blogosphere again. After another long hiatus, I am going to start blogging again. With school being over for the summer break, I will now have the time to devote to providing commentary, article links, and worldview/cultural analysis with the intent of edifying Christ's Church. Please feel free to respond to anything I post. Most of you know how much I enjoy good dialogue concerning the deeper issues of our great faith.

Blessings,

Craig

Great Quotes: Martyn Lloyd-Jones

2007-07-12T18:00:00.000-07:00

"In a situation of crisis, the New Testament does not immediately say, "Let us pray." It always says first, "Let us think, let us understand the truth, let us take a firm hold of the doctrine." Prayer may be quite useless and quite void. . . . Prayer is sometimes an excuse for not thinking, an excuse for avoiding a problem or a situation. Have we not all known something of this in our personal experience? We have often been in difficulty and we have prayed to God to deliver us, but in the meantime we have not put something right in our lives as we should have done. Instead of facing the trouble, and doing what we knew we should be doing, we have prayed. I suggest that at a point like that, our duty is not to pray but to face the truth, to face the doctrine and to apply it. Then we are entitled to pray, and not until then." Life in Christ: Studies in 1 John (Crossway,2002), 16.

"The ACLU Never Forgets Its Pro-Communist Roots" by Alan Sears

2007-07-12T17:50:00.001-07:00

The contemporary activity of the ACLU perfectly illustrates their desire to propagate atheistic communism or at least some form of socialism in an effort to preserve so-called "freedom of knowledge." They do this while intolerantly persecuting Judeo-Christian theism in the public square.

Great Quotes: Cornelius Van Til

2007-07-09T17:54:00.000-07:00

"There are those, of course, who deny that they need any form of authority. They are the popular atheists and agnostics. Such men say that they must be shown by 'reason' whatever they are to accept as true. But the great thinkers among non-Christian men have taken no such position. They know that they cannot cover the whole area of reality with their knowledge."

"Bizarre Narratives & Christian Truth" by Chuck Colson

2007-07-06T09:46:00.000-07:00

Colson comments on the Christian worldview at work in the mind of the popular writer Flannery O'Conner.

Reading Scripture for a Biblical Worldview: Psalm 89:11-12

2007-07-05T22:08:00.000-07:00

Psalm 89:11-12, "The heavens are yours; the earth is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them. 12 The north and the south, you have created them; Tabor and Hermon joyously praise Your name."

*What is God like? Both verses point out two things about God. One, He is the Sovereign LORD of the universe. The text states that the heavens and the earth are His exhibiting ownership and lordship- two foundational points for any monarchy. Two, the text also indicated that God is creator of all the universe. The author’s use of the word “founded” personifies this idea of creation.

*Are God and the universe the same? Verse 11 and 12 testify to the truth that God, being the owner and creator of the universe, is distinct or better yet transcendent and not to be equated with the universe. This of course is the antithesis of the monism (all is one) and pantheism (all is God) that you find in the Eastern religions and the New Age movement of the West.

*Where did the universe come from? The text says that it came from the Creator and LORD of all things.

"Prepared To Answer" by Jill Carattini

2007-07-04T15:31:00.000-07:00

The questions of life have been commonly asked throughout history but now we live in a world where culture fails to know what to ask let alone recognize that there are answers to the questions. Jill Carattini reflects on this condition and responds with the point that Christ is the answer for the hope that is in us.

The Barna Update

2007-07-04T09:26:00.000-07:00

Atheists and Agnostics Take Aim at Christians

"That I May See" by Jill Carattini

2007-07-04T09:11:00.000-07:00

Have we been blinded by the prevailing postmodern worldview to the point of not being able to see the world biblically?

Reading Scripture for a Biblical Worldview: False Worldviews

2007-07-03T04:29:00.000-07:00

Text: Micah 4:5 "Though all the peoples walk Each in the name of his god, As for us, we will walk In the name of the LORD our God forever and ever."

There are better days ahead was the hope proclaimed by the prophet Micah in chapter four of his prophecy. In verse five there is a contrast marked between the idolatrous worldview of the surrounding cultures and the God-centered worldview of the people of God. The prophet uses the verb "walk" twice in this verse. The word refers to the manner of life or lifestyle of humanity. Even as the surrounding cultures lived out their idolatrous world and life view the people of God had to remain constant in living out their God centered world and life view before the one true God.

As the surrounding cultures live out their world and life view before the idols of pleasure, entertainment, humanism, and self glorification in this postmodern context, we as the Church must live out our theocentric world and life view before the God who made all things and may we worship Him alone in spirit and in truth.

"The Secret: Creating ONes Reality" by Russ Wise

2007-07-01T20:35:00.000-07:00

Russ Wise, in his article "The Secret: Creating Ones Reality", exposes one of the top selling books of all time for what it truly is: nothing new under the sun. The Secret is the same old proto-gnostic, New Age, humanistic philosophy of an ancient time covered with postmodern wrapping paper but it is hardly a gift to our era.

"Point of Exclusion" by Ravi Zacharias

2007-06-29T04:12:00.000-07:00

In an age of militant tolerance for all things non-Christian these postmodern times provide a societal condition where, in an effort to be all-inclusive, we unknowingly uphold exclusivity. This is the basic point that Ravi Zacharias makes in his commentary "Points of Exclusion." He emphasizes the Law of Non contradiction which is a law of thought that cannot be denied. For it flows from the very character and nature of God who has created man in His image to think and reason to His glory (certainly not independent of His revelation). The rejection or denial of the Law of Non contradiction is certainly not God honoring.

"What is Sociological Fundamentalism?" by Don Closson

2007-06-28T17:23:00.000-07:00

Closson describes two definitions for "sociological fundamentalism" that he has run across in his reading on sociology and culture. I would like to comment on the one concerning the belief that Christians should separate from the rest of society while refusing to be redemptive participants in society and culture. These sociological fundamentalists use 2 Corinthians 6:17 as an argument for their view. ( "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.") Does 2 Corinthians 6:17 provide an argument for such a view? In 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 the apostle Paul is addressing being unequally yoked with unbelievers and in verse 17 he references Isaiah 52:11 where the people of God are summoned from the midst of their Babylonian captors and Babylon's idolatrous mysticism. The apostle Paul and the prophet Isaiah are calling for God's people to not be yoked or united with those that have committed themselves to idolatry and paganism but this does not mean that they are to have no contact with those with such a belief system. In the process of separating ourselves from the yoke of pagan idolatry we should still be committed to providing a redemptive apologetic (or defense) for the Judeo-Christian Faith.

Reading Scripture for a Biblical Worldview: Psalm 72:18-19

2007-05-31T18:31:00.000-07:00

The Exclusiveness of God's Wondrous Activity

"Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, Who alone works wonders. And blessed be His glorious name forever; And may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen."

These verses consist of a closing to a prayer from Solomon to the LORD for His grace and blessing upon Solomon's leadership, kingdom, and ministry. Verse eighteen tells us that in contrast to both the humanistic tendencies and the idolatrous notions of the cultures around God's people that God alone "works wonders." In other words God alone works in wondrous action to accomplish His will and purposes in His created universe. This wondrous activity is in contrast to not only the humanistic activity of depraved man but also the inactivity of vain idols.

Great Quotes: A.A. Hodge

2007-05-29T20:41:00.000-07:00

"If Christ is really king, exercising original and immediate jurisdiction over the State as really as he does over the church, it follows necessarily that the general denial or neglect of his rightful lordship, any prevalent refusal to obey that Bible which is the open law-book of his kingdom, must be followed by political and social as well as moral and religious ruin."

"The Education of Empty Minds" by Ravi Zacharias

2007-05-29T20:16:00.000-07:00

Zacharias writes of recognizing the dominance of the secular worldview and its mindless futility over education but yet the great questions of life and meaning are still left unanswered. Although, the Word of God answers all of these questions leaving the Christian world and life view superior to all other views of life.

"Greater Love Hath No Man..." by Michael Craven

2007-05-29T19:01:00.000-07:00

Craven commemorates Memorial Day by looking at the life and sacrifice of a young Marine who was killed in Iraq. He highlights some of the Judeo-Christian virtues exemplified by this young Marine's life and brings home the point that God's people must teach the Judeo-Christian ethic to our children.

Here is a quote from Craven's commentary:
"It is this attitude of self-sacrifice for the greater good or “other-centeredness” that is absolutely essential to the strength and longevity of any society. If we as a nation continue to neglect the cultivation of true virtue among young people and instead immerse them in a culture which only encourages their most sensate and base desires, we will, in time, see such noble men and women disappear. Simply put, there will be none willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in defense of “ideals” for they will not care about such things because they were not taught too."

Reading Scripture for a Biblical Worldview: The Providence of God

2007-05-23T14:31:00.000-07:00

Text: Isaiah 64:4 "For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, Nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him." (NASB)

Mankind historically has not heard, perceived, nor seen the activity and providence of a god besides the Mighty God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Degenerate humanity committed to the futility of idolatry has only witnessed the worthless activity, which is no activity at all, of idolatrous notions of man's own minds. The true God that mightily created all things acts on behalf of His own redeemed people who wait and worship Him as the one true God. Not that God's activity and providence is determined by His people but rather in His divine grace He providentially works at certain times to provide sovereign grace and mercy upon His elect.

"Life Is Short- Keep Your Committments" by Chuck Colson

2007-05-21T16:58:00.000-07:00

Years ago before my Mom and Dad were divorced they were seeing a so-called "Christian counselor" who told them that my brother and I would be better off if they got a divorce. Twenty years later as I see my children also suffering as a result of my parent's divorce I end up viewing the advice of the Christian counselor in the same way I view the philosophy behind this billboard in Chicago. It is the ranting of a hedonistic culture that is more concerned about personal pleasure and happiness than it is about the God-ordained sanctity of marriage.

"The Culture of Praise" by Michael Craven

2007-05-15T16:17:00.000-07:00

Here is a quote from Craven's commentary:

"Christopher Lasch points out in his important book, The Culture of Narcissism, “The contemporary climate is therapeutic not religious. People today hunger not for personal salvation, but for the feeling, the momentary illusion, of personal well-being, health, and psychic security.” Following the eclipse of the Christian worldview that once shaped American life and culture, the “therapeutic” revolution of the sixties emerged to convince us that “personal happiness” was the ultimate goal of human life. This idea has only further encouraged the individual self to elevate his or her needs and interests above everyone else’s. "

"The Major Religious Alternatives" by Marvin Olasky

2007-05-10T20:54:00.000-07:00

Olasky briefly explains how he teaches on the world's major religious alternatives in one term on the secular university campus. Olasky is a strong conservative evangelical that provides some effective questions to ask when evaluating the different religious worldviews.

Great Quotes: Robert Webber

2007-05-08T18:15:00.000-07:00

Robert Webber, theologian and Church historian, died last week of pancreatic cancer. He leaves with us a legacy of admiration and love for the ancient Church and a desire for the people of God today to diligently remember (and study) the roots of Christ's Church. Here is a selection of some of his great quotes (These are taken from the article "Robert Webber's Ancient-Future Legacy").

"Evangelicals will do well to affirm a Christianity that has a deep kinship with the faith of the early church. … The challenge for us is to return to the Christian tradition."

"Classical Christianity was shaped in a pagan and relativistic society much like our own. Classical Christianity was not an accommodation to paganism but an alternative practice of life. Christians in a postmodern world will succeed, not by watering down the faith, but by being a countercultural community that invites people to be shaped by the story of Israel and Jesus."

"We now live in a transitional time in which the modern worldview of the Enlightenment is crumbling and a new worldview is beginning to take shape. Some leaders will insist on preserving the Christian faith in its modern form; others will run headlong into the sweeping changes that accommodate Christianity to postmodern forms; and a third group will carefully and cautiously seek to interface historic Christian truths in the dawning of a new era. "

"The concern of this writing is to go back to the earliest convictions of Christian spirituality. Why go back? Because the Roman culture in which Christianity first emerged is very similar to the culture of today's world. It was a culture of political unrest, a world of numerous religious options, a time of moral confusion and poverty. The religions of the day made no demands on believing, behaving, or belonging. In this context the Christian message was not presented as one more spirituality among the spiritualities but as Alan Kreider points out, Christians proclaimed, "We believe, we behave, we belong." One would think that the clarity of union with God in the context of the plurality of religions would doom it to failure. But it was that very union with God—lived out in belief, behavior, and belonging—that resulted in the rapid spread of the Christian faith throughout the Roman Empire."

"How do you deliver the authentic faith and great wisdom of the past into the new cultural situation of the twenty-first century? The way into the future, I argue, is not an innovative new start for the church; rather, the road to the future runs through the past. These three matters—roots, connection, and authenticity in a changing world—will help us to maintain continuity with historic Christianity as the church moves forward."

"Why Atheism Fails: The Four Big Bangs" by Frank Pastore

2007-05-07T19:51:00.000-07:00

Pastore, in his article "Why Atheism Fails: The Four Big Bangs" does three favors for those who have a Christian worldview. One, he provides a great list of questions that atheism fails to answer. Second, he provides what he calls "The Four Big Bangs" that must be true in order for atheism to be true. Third, he highlights the atheistic argument strategy that he used for 27 years as a believer in the atheistic worldview.

"At Home in Mud & Darkness" by Jill Carattini

2007-05-07T15:51:00.000-07:00

Carattini uses a popular comic strip episode to illustrate at least three important points: One, people (including Christians) are willing to live a "life of contradiction" in this "age of non-reason." Two, she points out that a worldview that cannot be lived out cannot possibly be true. Third, the Christian Faith (world and life view) makes the most sense of this world and answers all of those "tough" questions of life and meaning.

"Soothing Lies- China & Forced Abortion" by Chuck Colson

2007-05-07T15:33:00.000-07:00

Colson comments on the continuous policy of forced abortions in the totalitarian nation of China.

"New Book, Old Lie- The Secret" by Mark Earley

2007-05-03T20:05:00.000-07:00

What do you want in life? Do you want cars, fancy homes, a huge salary, or a plastic face? According to Rhonda Byrne the "Secret" is proclaimed and all we have to do is tell "The Universe" what we want. What was wise Solomon's God inspired advice? All of this is futility! "Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."

Great Quotes: Augustine

2007-05-02T15:05:00.000-07:00

"Beg God for the gift to love one another. Love all people, even your enemies, not because they are your brothers and sisters but that they may become such. Love them in order that you may be at all times on fire with love, whether toward those who have become your brothers and sisters or toward your enemies, so that by being beloved they may become your brothers and sisters."

Prayer: "To those who love you, O Lord, according to your command, you show yourself and you are all they seek. Thus they do not fall away from you nor back into themselves."

"The Thought Police" by Chuck Colson

2007-05-01T16:57:00.000-07:00

What the Hate Crimes Law Would Do

"Political Passivity- Vice or Christian Virtue?" by Greg Koukl

2007-05-01T16:44:00.000-07:00

Greg Koukl, in his article "Political Passivity- Vice or Christian Virture?", provides a good presentation of what I would argue to be the biblical view of politics and political involvment.

"Fundamentalists Atheist" by Christopher Orlet

2007-04-27T04:08:00.000-07:00

Denominationalism in the Atheist Church- both groups fighting for the hearts and minds of people everywhere. I must admit that I am more impressed with "soft" atheism's desire to be more tolerant of the theistic worldview but the Scriptures tell us that whether or not you are a soft, hard, new or old atheist you are still a fool.

Psalm 14:1 "The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good."

Psalm 53:1 "The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God," They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice; There is no one who does good.

"Three Sides to the Story" by Joe Boot

2007-04-26T04:08:00.000-07:00

While reading this commentary at least two passages come to mind:

Eccl. 3:11 "He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end."

Romans 2:14-15 "For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves,
in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, "

Reading Scripture for a Biblical Worldview: Worldview Bible Commentary- Reality

2007-04-24T20:31:00.000-07:00

Text: Amos 5:8 "He who made the Pleiades and Orion And changes deep darkness into morning, Who also darkens day {into} night, Who calls for the waters of the sea And pours them out on the surface of the earth, The LORD is His name. "

1. Does the universe have a purpose? This passage implies purpose by the fact that God demonstrates providence and sovereignty over His creation. Is there not purpose in all of these earthly events? Day and night, the water of the seas, and the waters entry to the surface of the earth all speak of the providential order of Almighty God.

2. What is the relationship between God and the universe? The last phrase in the verse declares the sovereignty of the Creator over His creation plainly implying that the LORD is transcendent or separate from His creation and most assuredly is not “at one” with it. It is logically incoherent for the creation to say to the Creator “we are one in the same.”

3. Is the universe closed or open? This passage indicates to us that the LORD is providentially active in the universe denying any idea of the universe being closed without outside “intrusion.”

4. What is the relationship between God and the universe? God alone is Creator and is transcendent from creation.

5. Where did the universe come from? The universe came from the sovereign Creator God who created all things out of nothing.

The Problem of Evil

2007-04-23T19:49:00.000-07:00

"How Can A Good God Allow Evil?" by Rick Rood

"Dinosaurs and Digital Phones" by Joe Boot

2007-04-21T22:35:00.000-07:00

Boot speaks of the need to distinguish between operational science ("present observations, technological progress") and ongoing science (hypothesizing about the past). He also writes about the role of presuppositions (assumptions) in science and scientific research.

"Unavoidable Calling" by Jill Carattini

2007-04-21T22:17:00.000-07:00

"A comprehended God is no god," John Chrysostom

"Anger in Public Discourse" by Mark Earley

2007-04-21T22:12:00.000-07:00

The Rules of Engagement

"Thinking 'Worldviewishly'" by Chuck Edwards

2007-04-21T22:01:00.000-07:00

Chuck Edwards, in his article "Thinking Worldviewishly", first defines what a "worldview" is. I personally prefer his definition over others because it better explains that worldview is a total framework of belief. Second, Edwards used the "Worldview Tree" as a metaphor for the worldview concept. Third, he provides examples as to how the Founding Fathers thought "worldviewishly" as they set out to establish a nation that characterized the Judeo-Christian worldview.

Great Quotes: Alexander Hamilton

2007-04-21T20:15:00.000-07:00

"Those who stand for nothing fall for anything."

"Texas May Require Schools To Carry Elective On Bible" by Lianne Hart

2007-04-20T22:07:00.000-07:00

At this point I really don't know where I stand on this legislation. I can say that I seem to be coming up with more negatives than positives. Maybe with more consideration I'll come to a more certain conclusion.

"The Answer Is The Resurrection" By Steve Cable

2007-04-20T21:49:00.000-07:00

Steve Cable argues that the "defense of the resurrection is the foundation for answering many of the objections raised against Christianity. "

"What Luther Said" by Elesha Coffman

2007-04-16T20:33:00.000-07:00

"When Martin Luther stood up for his ideas at the Diet of Worms, did he really say, 'Here I stand'?"

"Mullahs in the Classroom" by Doug Wilson

2007-04-16T20:27:00.000-07:00

Schools where the education is hate.

"Bring the Scrolls!" by Jill Carattini

2007-04-16T04:03:00.000-07:00

Robert Murray M'Cheyne on the spiritual disciplines of reading and study.

Great Quotes: A.W. Tozer

2007-04-12T15:58:00.000-07:00

"The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others. Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian."

"Jesus Tomb Film Scholars Backtrack" by Etgar Lefkovits

2007-04-12T15:53:00.000-07:00

I guess the old adage "That's my story and I'm sticking to it" went right out the window. Now it appears that the very scholars that were used to support the view that the lost of tomb of Christ and His family had been found are now affirming some of the very arguments against such a view.

"Starting From An Empty Tomb" by Betsy Childs

2007-04-10T17:41:00.000-07:00

"But there is nothing more relevant to any human soul than the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and there is no more suitable foundation on which to build a life."

"It's The Culture, Stupid" by Dinesh D'Souza

2007-04-10T17:36:00.000-07:00

"Their (radical Islam) objection is not to McDonalds or Microsoft but to America's cultural values as transmitted through movies, television and music."

“O Come All Ye Faithful?” by Denise Winterman

2007-04-06T14:20:00.000-07:00

Denise Winterman, in her article “O Come All Ye Faithful?” speaks of the growing trend in the United Kingdom (also a growing trend in the United States) of people refraining from church attendance and pursuing alternative forms of “religious worship” whether that take place in their own individualized worship experience or in the chat room of an internet church. This trend illustrates the post-Christianization and post-modernization of so called Christian worship and fellowship thus denying Luke’s ecclesiastical comment concerning not only the early Church’s worship of the triune God but also their devotion to the apostle’s teaching, communal fellowship, to the breaking bread, and to prayer (Acts 2:42). This dynamic cannot truly take place with me, myself, and I or on some sort of superficial and futile “Internet Church” website.

"The World Speaks" by Jill Carattini

2007-03-28T16:00:00.000-07:00

We live in this postmodern era where we find a radical distrust of language and it's ability to communicate truth. In this short commentary Jill Carattini points out that "it is inherently Christian to recognize the weight of language."

"Moral Equivalence Revived" by Suzanne Fields

2007-03-26T16:57:00.000-07:00

"The intellectual elites of the left, both here and in Britain and Europe, are resuscitating moral equivalence, this time promoting the idea that the values of the West are no better than the nostrums of the Islamists."

"A Tale of Two Babies" by Chuck Colson

2007-03-26T16:33:00.000-07:00

When Children Are Less than Human

This passage came to mind as I read Colson's commentary: Psalm 127:3-5

"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate." (ESV)

"Saw This One Coming" by Chuck Colson

2007-03-22T04:05:00.000-07:00

Government's Interest in Order and Morality

"The Tomb of Christ--Empty" by Peter Jones

2007-03-22T03:54:00.000-07:00

In this commentary Dr. Jones highlights some of the more persuasive pieces of evidence against the theory of those who think they have "discovered" the lost tomb of Christ.

"The Myth of Moral Neutrality" by Greg Koukl

2007-03-19T20:24:00.000-07:00

**This was the announcement about Greg Koukl's article on Townhall from Stand to Reason- the apologetics organization that Koukl leads.

Greg Koukl has a new article posted at Townhall.com called "Gen. Pace & the Myth of Moral Neutrality." The uproar surrounding Gen. Pace's moral comments this week "reflects one of the most entrenched assumptions of moral relativism in our society today: that there is such a thing as morally neutral ground, a place of complete impartiality where no judgments nor any forcing of personal views are allowed. Each of us takes a neutral posture towards the moral convictions of others. This is the essence of tolerance, or so the argument goes."
"Moral Neutrality, though, is a myth," as Greg's article illustrates. Please check it out.

Great Quotes: Charles H. Spurgeon

2007-03-19T20:08:00.000-07:00

"Morality may keep you out of jail, but it takes the blood of Jesus Christ to keep you out of hell."

"Why The Rush?" by Mark Early

2007-03-19T20:03:00.000-07:00

The Case Against Gardasil (the vaccine against the human papillomavirus)

Reading Scripture for a Biblical Worldview: Psalm 96:5 God; Reality

2007-03-18T19:11:00.000-07:00

Psalm 96:5 “For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens.”

Planted within this psalm of praise and worship of the one true God there resides a passage that marks a contrast between the theistic and metaphysical (Ultimate Reality) claims of a pagan worldview and the claims of a Judeo- monotheistic worldview.

First we find a monotheistic (one God) declaration. The psalmist states that all of the gods of the surrounding cultures are idols of futility. The polytheistic paganism of the societies in this region were zealous to worship their hand made deities and this worship formed the very foundation for the functioning of these cultures. This idolatry influenced every aspect of life including families, government, entertainment, law, and morality. This is why the psalmist makes the contrast later in the verse.

Second, we see the metaphysical and theistic contrast marked by the conjunction. The psalmist declared that the LORD God, the sovereign King of the universe, created all things including the materials used to mold and shape these vain idols of polytheistic fervor. He alone is responsible for the creation of the universe not the gods of depraved human ingenuity.

The Great Missionary saint Patrick

2007-03-17T20:11:00.000-07:00

Here are two articles on the life and ministry of Patrick. I have intentionally left out the "Saint" part considering he was never officially canonized by the Roman Catholic Church (of course I probably won't be either). Nonetheless saint Patrick had an effective ministry and helped to "Christianize" Western Europe.

The Real St. Patrick

Patrick- patron Saint of Ireland

"The Empirical Demonstration of Truth" by Ravi Zacharias

2007-03-15T03:43:00.000-07:00

"God's answers to life's questions of origin, meaning, morality, and destiny are not just proven by the process of abstract reasoning, but are also sustained by the rigors of experience. "

"The New Family Trump Card" -- Family Time vs. Church Time

2007-03-14T10:09:00.000-07:00

I would like to direct you to the latest posting on Dr. Albert Mohler's blog entitled "The New Family Trump Card -- Family Time vs. Church Time." Let none of us fall prey to the idolatry of over indulgent extracurricular activities at the expense of the communal worship of Almighty God.

"What Ever Happened to Good Preaching?" by John Armstrong

2007-03-13T03:58:00.000-07:00

"The state of preaching in America seems anemic, at least if the evidence I've seen over the past fifteen years is any indication of the actual reality. The "spirit of the times" has impacted the pulpit in both negative and positive ways, but I think the negative outweighs the positive in most instances. Let's explore this a bit more fully."

The "Lost Tomb of Jesus" Controversy

2007-03-06T10:25:00.000-08:00

I apologize for the delay in getting some of this material posted.

Here are some apologetical works dealing with the "Lost Tomb of Jesus" controversy:

1. "Problems Multiply For Jesus Tomb Theory" by Ben Witherington III

2. "Hollywood Hype: The Oscars and Jesus' Family Tomb, What Do They Share?" by Darrell Bock

3. "The Jesus Tomb: 'Titanic' Talpiot Theory Sunk From The Start" by Ben Witherington III

"Has the tomb of Jesus been found?" by Matt Slick

2007-02-27T17:46:00.000-08:00

Mr. Slick of the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry makes some excellent points that have great apologetical value.

The "Lost Tomb of Christ" Controversy

2007-02-26T10:35:00.000-08:00

I heard about this all this morning on the news and I thought I would do some investigating. Here are some "captures" from my hunt:

The Issue: The "Lost Tomb of Christ" documentary

The Apologetic: The Latest Blogs on the controversy
1. Darrell Bock- New Testament scholar from Dallas Theological Seminary

2. Stand to Reason- Christian apologetics website

3. Ben Witherington- New Testament scholar from Asbury Theological Seminary

I'll try to add more info as I find it.

"Letter to a Stupid Atheist" by Mary Grabar

2007-02-19T10:09:00.000-08:00

A quote to get you interested: "What words of comfort would you give to the father of the three-year-old child dying from leukemia (as some, in spite of the advances of science, still do). Would you advise him to euthanize the child to prevent suffering (being as tender-hearted as you are)? Would you explain that this is natural selection?"

"Secularism Is Not the Solution" by Dinesh D'Souza

2007-02-19T09:42:00.000-08:00

D'Souza here argues that radical Islam's problem is not with Christianity but with the modern secularism of Western civilization.

"Like Good Secrets" by Jill Carattini

2007-02-19T09:18:00.000-08:00

"Truly, there is much that is bad and seemingly meaningless in the universe, and certainly, the world is full of men who point this out as the reason for unbelief. But to me the Christian answer is far better."

"Competing Worldviews" by Michael Craven

2007-02-19T08:58:00.000-08:00

In this article Craven makes at least three important points: First he points out that the cultural and political perspective responsible for the licentious sexual immorality in Western culture is not liberalism but the secular humanist worldview. Second, he points out some devastating results of the secular humanist worldview. Third, he points out that the Church seems to be sidelined for the cultural battle stressing the importance of worldview training and instruction.

"Love One Another" by L.T. Jeyachandran

2007-02-15T18:41:00.000-08:00

Christianity is a "one-another" Faith and not some individualistically motivated search for self indulgence.

"The Gospel According to Darwin" by John G. West

2007-02-13T10:10:00.000-08:00

There is scant reporting on the anti-religious zeal with which many atheists promote Darwinism.

"The Booze Didn't Make You Do It" by Chuck Colson

2007-02-11T16:57:00.000-08:00

Recovering Right and Wrong

"Same-Sex Marriage- Challengens & Responses" by Greg Koukl

2007-02-11T15:30:00.000-08:00

In his article Koukl not only shows us how ideas have consequences (ideas pertaining to the need to redefine marriage) but he also provides us with a "point- by- point" response to arguments raised by advocates of same sex marriage.

"Is Seeing Believing?" by Adrian Jervis

2007-02-11T14:59:00.000-08:00

Do we only come to a knowledge of truth through the use of our seeing ability or can we know things without the use of our eyes? Jervis does a good job of answering the question.

"A Tale of Two Cities: Resisting the Atheist Attack" by Ken Conner

2007-02-10T12:50:00.000-08:00

In this article Conner writes of two cities where one is built upon the Judeo- Christian view of human dignity and the other city being built upon the foolish notions of the atheistic denial of human dignity and inherent human value.

Notice this exerpt of a quote by Peter Singer: "Ashley is precious not so much for what she is, but because her parents and siblings love her and care about her." Here Singer identifies Ashley's dignity and preciousness not residing inherently in her personhood but in the love, care, and admiration of her parents. Would it not be reasonable to assume in Singer's Godless universe that if no one loved or cared for this child she would no longer be considered to have "dignity?" Are we to think that Mr. Singer would feel or think the same if no one loved or cared for him? I'll tell you that he is not high on my list of popular people but I would never argue that his dignity is dependent on his name being written on such a list.

Also notice Conner's three point response to the culture's fascination with "pop-cultured" atheism.

"Benedict of Nursia"

2007-02-10T12:46:00.000-08:00

Father of western monasticism

"Benedict's 12- Step Guide to Humility"

2007-02-10T12:43:00.000-08:00

"Brethren, the Holy Scripture cries to us saying: 'Every one that exalts himself shall be humbled; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.' "

Worldview: "Loving Your Enemies" by Chuck Colson

2007-02-08T03:36:00.000-08:00

A Radical Solution to Chaos

"What Ever Happened to Discipleship?" by Michael Craven

2007-02-05T10:58:00.000-08:00

In this commentary Craven speaks of the Church's failure to biblically disciple the youth and train them to view the world through a biblical paradigm. This is Craven's closing comment:

"It is astonishing to note that despite the growing body of evidence demonstrating the American church's failure to adequately and holistically disciple the faithful into maturity, the leadership in so many of our churches continue to do the same thing, employing the same paradigm that emphasizes programmatic evangelism rather than making disciples. Where are the courageous men and women who will raise their voices in the church to lead our congregations back to truly fulfilling the Great Commission?"

Biblical Worldview Learning Center: Daily Bible Reading Guide for January 31 through February 2

2007-01-31T10:11:00.000-08:00

January 31: Genesis 30: 22-43 Commentary
February 1: Genesis 31: 1-27 Commentary
February 2: Genesis 31: 28-55 Commentary

Great Quotes: Noah Webster

2007-01-30T10:15:00.000-08:00

"The Bible must be considered as the great source of all the truth by which men are to be guided in government as well as in all social transactions."

"For Lack of Knowledge" by Betsy Childs

2007-01-30T10:11:00.000-08:00

Learning the "what and why" of another worldview will help us learn the "what and why" of our own.

Great Quotes: Dr. Albert Mohler

2007-01-29T13:20:00.001-08:00

Al Mohler on the reading of books:

"Reading is an important Christian discipline. Further, growth as a Christian disciple is closely tied to the reading of the Bible, as well as worthy Christian books. This is why the Christian church has championed the cause of literacy. It is why the Reformers fought for the translation of the Scriptures into vernacular languages.A loss of literacy and respect for the book amounts to grave danger for the Christian church. The transmission of Christian truth has been closely tied to scrolls, codices, and books throughout the history of the Church — a legacy inherited from the Jews, who often protected the sacred scrolls with their lives. The electronic media have their places and uses, and I am thankful for the accessibility of so much worthy and important information through digital means. Nevertheless, the electronic screen is not the venue for lengthy, thoughtful, serious reading. The vehicle for serious reading is the book, and the Christian should be a serious reader. Do our own young people read books? Do they know the pleasures of the solitary reading of a life-changing page? Have they ever lost themselves in a story, framed by their own imaginations rather than by digital images? Have they ever marked up a page, urgently engaged in a debate with the author? Can they even think of a book that has changed the way they see the world . . . or the Christian faith? If not, why not?"

Great Quotes: Dr. Albert Mohler

2007-01-29T13:20:00.000-08:00

Dietrich Bonhoeffer: German Theologian and Resister

2007-01-29T09:54:00.000-08:00

This article serves as a short summarized bio on one of the Church's great martyrs.

Great Quotes: Dietrich Bonhoeffer

2007-01-29T09:51:00.000-08:00

"Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession. … Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate."

The Biblical Worldview Learning Center: Daily Bible Reading for January 28-30

2007-01-29T09:43:00.000-08:00

January 28: Genesis 28:1-22- Commentary
January 29: Genesis 29: 1-35- Commentary
January 30: Genesis 30: 1-21- Commentary

"There Is a Story" by Jill Carattini

2007-01-29T03:54:00.000-08:00

This devotional presents a humbling thought to the believer.

"The Church as Witness" by L.T. Jeyachandran

2007-01-25T13:29:00.000-08:00

The final apologetic for the Christian Church is love for the brethren. Francis Schaeffer describes this defense as the "Mark of the Christian."

**Resource Note: Francis Schaeffer has a booklet entitled "The Mark of The Christian" that would be an excellent addition to your personal library. You can read or print off a copy from this website http://www.ccel.us/schaeffer.html or you can order a copy from your favorite book site- One of my personal favorite sites for this is http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=834079&netp_id=460995&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW

The Biblical Worldview Learning Center: Daily Bible Reading for January 25-27

2007-01-25T13:22:00.000-08:00

January 25: Genesis 26:1-35- Commentary
January 26: Genesis 27:1-23- Commentary
January 27: Genesis 27:24-46- Commentary

Great Quotes: Augustine

2007-01-24T10:15:00.000-08:00

1. A quote concerning the danger of accepting a perspective that denounces the essential relationship between faith and learning (reason):

"After hearing that they should be humble some persons do not wish to learn anything.They think they will be proud if they have anything. It has been made clear to us where God wishes us to be in the depths and where he wishes us to be in the heights. He wishes us to be humble to avoid pride, and he wishes us to be on high to grasp wisdom."-- Commentary on Psalm 130, 12

Prayer. While I move and bear this body I pray that I may be pure, generous, just, and prudent. May I be a perfect lover and knower of your Wisdom.

2. A calling for those who provide discipleship for the body of Christ (For all believers are called to the eventual provision of discipleship):

"It is also necessary--may God grant it!--that in providing others with books to read I myself should make progress, and that in trying to answer their questions I myself should find what I am seeking.Therefore, at the command of God our Lord and with his help, I have undertaken not so much to discourse with authority on matters known to me as to know them better by discoursing devoutly of them."
-- The Trinity 1, 8

Prayer. Lord, let me offer you the sacrifice of every thought and word--only first give me what I may offer you.

Biblical Worldview Learning Center: Daily Reading- Gen. 25:1-34

2007-01-24T10:08:00.000-08:00

Commentary

The Barna Update for 1/18/07

2007-01-24T10:04:00.000-08:00

Survey Explores Who Qualifies As an Evangelical

Biblical Worldview Learning Center: Daily Bible Reading- Genesis 24:34-67

2007-01-23T10:37:00.000-08:00

**This reading plan is produced by the staff of "Biblical Worldview Learning Center." The views espoused do not necessarily agree with the views held by "The Contender's Notebook."

January 23rd Reading: Genesis 24:34-67

In today's reading we complete the beautiful love story of the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah. Yesterday's devotional brought out the providence of God in this situation and our need to rely upon His providence in our lives. I want to continue that theme here. Abraham's servant faithfully tells the story of his master. He tells of how the Lord has blessed Abraham. He tells of how the Lord gave Sarah a child in her old age. And, he tells all the details from the time when he received his commission from Abraham to the time he met Rebekah at the well. All of this was a witness and a testimony to Rebekah and her family. Additionally, God providentially prepared their hearts to hear what Abraham's servant had to share and to understand that the Lord's hand was in all that had transpired. Laban and Bethuel, Rebekah's brother and father, give their consent to let Rebekah go with Abraham's servant and be Isaac's wife. The next morning they get the consent from Rebekah that she will go and that she is willing to leave immediately. As we reflect on today's reading, consider these two things. First, think of how the Lord has worked in your life and how you might be able to share that with others. Here we have read how the testimony of Abraham's servant had such a great impact upon Rebekah's family. Your testimony can be used of God in the same way with the people you come into contact. Second, ask the Lord to make you sensitive to His working in your life and in the lives of others. As you become more aware of the providence of God in your life and listen for the testimony of God working in the lives of others, these things will bolster your faith, just as they bolstered the faith of Abraham's servant and Rebekah's family.

Biblical Worldview Learning Center: Daily Bible Reading- Gen. 24:1-33

2007-01-23T10:35:00.000-08:00

**This reading plan is produced by the staff of "Biblical Worldview Learning Center." The views espoused do not necessarily agree with the views held by "The Contender's Notebook."

January 22nd Reading: Genesis 24:1-33

Sarah has died and Abraham is getting old. He is concerned about Isaac's future, especially the wife that he has. It is interesting that Abraham does not go to Isaac to speak of this issue, but talks about it with his eldest servant. Apparently, the responsibility of obtaining a wife for Isaac would descend from Abraham to his eldest servant. This method of finding a wife for one's son may seem really strange to us in this modern age where we all think we should get to make all our own choices, but there is much we can learn about the benefits of keeping one's parents prominent in the whole picture. We will speak more about this each time your read through this passage in the future. This time through I want to focus on the providence of God. Providence is a character trait of God that is an aspect of His sovereignty, or overruling power and authority. Noah Webster, in his original dictionary of the English language, defined providence as, "the care and superintendence which God exercises over his creatures." He adds that providence includes, "foresight; timely care; particularly, active foresight, or foresight accompanied with the procurement of what is necessary for future use." We see all these aspects in what God brought about for Abraham's servant to meet Rebekah. Notice these passages. First, Abraham believes completely in God's providence. When his servant wonders about his responsibility should the girl refuse to come with him, Abraham answers, "The Lord God of heaven.shall send His angel before thee, and thou shall take a wife unto my son from thence" (Genesis 24:7). Abraham believed explicitly in God's active foresight and timely care, that is God's providence. Next, we see that Abraham's servant has adopted his master's faith and prays for God to work the situation out so he can easily identify the girl the Lord has chosen for Isaac. It is interesting that the servant speaks to God in his prayer as the "Lord God of my master Abraham" (Genesis 24:12). It may be that the servant is speaking from the position of a servant as he prays to God, but each of us needs to develop our own personal relationship with God. Finally, as we look at God's providence, notice how quickly and precisely God answers the prayers of Abraham and his servant. "And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came" (Genesis 24:15). How gracious of God to providentially work the events in Abraham's servant's life that even before he was done praying and making His request, the answer was already being provided. We need to understand that God does not always work in such an immediate way. Remember how long Abraham and Sarah waited for a son. However, one thing this story does begin to teach us is that God, who knows all things, already knows what we need and how He will answer before we ever ask. Thank God for His providential care in your life. He may not answer yours and my prayers in the immediate fashion that He answered the prayer of Abraham's servant, but we can trust that God in His sovereignty and in His providence knows what we need and the best way to provide for our needs.

Biblical Worldview Learning Center: Daily Bible Reading- Genesis 23:1-20

2007-01-23T10:29:00.000-08:00

**This reading plan is produced by the staff of "Biblical Worldview Learning Center." The views espoused do not necessarily agree with the views held by "The Contender's Notebook."

January 21st Genesis 23:1-20

This chapter contains the simple story of Abraham negotiating the purchase of a cave in which he will bury Sarah. Sarah has died at the age of 127. God had given her 37 years with her son Isaac. I am sure they were wonderful years for Sarah as she saw her miracle child grow up to be a man. I wonder if Abraham or Isaac ever told Sarah about what took place on the mountain in the land of Moriah that we read about in the last chapter. I think they probably did as their joy over how God had spared Isaac and provided the ram for a substitute sacrifice was probably too much to keep inside. If they did tell Sarah, then Sarah would have had even more reason to cherish her son Isaac. He was a son whom, according to all natural laws, she should never have had. And now, he is also a son whom God preserved and gave back to her. I am happy that Sarah was able to enjoy so many years with her son Isaac. As parents, we should thank God for every year we are able to spend seeing our children grow, learn, and mature. As children, we should thank God for our parents and the love and care they give us.

Reading Scripture for a Biblical Worldview- Psalm 93:1-2 God/Reality

2007-01-20T16:00:00.000-08:00

Psalm 93:1-2 "The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.2 Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting." (ESV)

These verses tell us something both about God and Reality.

1. Concerning the biblical view of God He is presented as the sovereign Creator and King of the universe who is robed with majesty and power.

2. He is presented as an eternally reigning king (Pointing to God being eternal and outside of time).

3. We can ascertain from these verses that the King of the universe is not to be equated as one in the same but yet separate and transcedent from His creation. If pantheism is true it would be awfully difficult for the Creator and reigning Sovereign to also restrain the "movement" of the universe considering He Himself would also be "restrained" from the same deteriorating cosmological factors.

4. There is also a metaphysical (Reality) point being made in that it presents the universe being sustained and held together by the sovereign LORD. (Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3)

Helpful Definitions: Taken from http://www.carm.org/dictionary.htm

Metaphysics: The branch of philosophy involved with examining and discussing the ultimate nature of reality. The term comes from "meta" which means "after" and "phusika" which means "physics."

Pantheism: This is an identification of the universe with God. With this view there is a blurring of the distinction between the Creator and the creation as well as an attack upon the personality and nature of God. Pantheism tends to equate God with the process of the universe and states that the universe is God and God is the universe. This is not true because God is the creator of the universe (Isaiah 44:24) and therefore separate from it.

Cosmology: The study of the origin and structure of the universe.

Great Quotes: Augustine

2007-01-20T15:26:00.000-08:00

Concerning faith & understanding and their relationship Augustine stated, "Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand."

Great Quotes: Benjamin Franklin

2007-01-20T15:08:00.000-08:00

"The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: 'that God governs in the affairs of men.' And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?"

Romans 13:1b "For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." ESV