New Sermon MP3 added: John 8:31-47

I’ve added a new sermon to the blog. I preached at Berean Baptist Church on 05-02-2010. The sermon was based on John 8:31-47, and is approx. 34 minutes in length.

Click here to listen to it, or right-click and select “Save As” to save a copy on your PC. You have my permission to burn the sermon to CD or put it on your IPOD, put it on Facebook, or distribute it to whomever you’d like.

Rob Bell, Christianity Today, Twitter, and the Gospel?!

There’s a video I did a while back on Rob Bell (it’s at the end of the article). In particular, the video is about Rob Bell’s answer to his interviewer from the magazine Christianity Today. The question given to Rob Was: “How would you present this gospel on Twitter?”

Rob Bell’s response was:

I would say that history is headed somewhere. The thousands of little ways in which you are tempted to believe that hope might actually be a legitimate response to the insanity of the world actually can be trusted. And the Christian story is that a tomb is empty, and a movement has actually begun that has been present in a sense all along in creation. And all those times when your cynicism was at odds with an impulse within you that said that this little thing might be about something bigger—those tiny little slivers may in fact be connected to something really, really big.

In the video, I point out that it is Scripture that is profitable for instruction and correction (2 Timothy 3:16), and that given Twitter’s 140 character limitation on posts, a good way to “tweet” the Gospel would be to use:

Romans 5:8: God demonstrated his own love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

But instead, Rob gave us the quote above. It doesn’t talk about sin, man’s depravity, Jesus, God, etc. Instead, the closest that he gives us is this:

“And the Christian story is that a tomb is empty…”

That’s it? That’s the Gospel? That’s not the Gospel at all, and that was what my post was about.

Out of all the videos I’ve created, this one has caused the biggest stir. I get more hits on that video than any other, and the comments (especially the private ones to my Youtube inbox) are more vicious than any other video I’ve made. Here’s one example:

You seem to forget that if you just throw a bible verse at someone they may not understand what it means or why they should believe, heck, they may even not read it because it’s scripture. If we want to relate to people and actually show them the gospel of love then maybe we actually need to go meet them where they’re at with language that they can relate to. Also, there is no scripture that says that the bible is the ‘ultimate authority’. Further than that, 2 Timothy 3:16 says that it is ‘God-breathed’ or ‘inspired’ not ultimate. And on top of that the original Greek could easily be read as ‘every scripture that is inspired by God is useful…’. Now that changes the meaning hugely. Rob Bell is a man who is after God’s heart and actually has the courage and faith to promote love. He has helped thousands of people in their walks with Christ. And he is part of a long tradition. The long tradition of a reforming church. If you knew about church history, you would know that.

I want to address some of these objections if I can.

First, the writer says: “You seem to forget that if you just throw a bible verse at someone they may not understand what it means or why they should believe, heck, they may even not read it because it’s scripture.”

So, let me get this straight. Rob Bell professes to be a believer, and a pastor/teacher at that. Why would he NOT use Scripture? If someone was going to Rob Bell’s site to read what he tweeted, you’re saying that it’s best NOT to use Scripture because someone may not read or understand it? Should I use that same logic while preaching? Should all preachers jettison the Bible because someone may not understand it?

The Bible itself tells us: “1 Corinthians 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

Next, the writer says: “If we want to relate to people and actually show them the gospel of love then maybe we actually need to go meet them where they’re at with language that they can relate to. Also, there is no scripture that says that the bible is the ‘ultimate authority’.”

As for meeting people where they’re at with language that they can relate to, sure! I am all about that. But if that is what Rob is attempting to do in his Christianity Today article, he missed the mark. He may have come up with a more palatable message, but by the time he was done, it wasn’t the Gospel.

As for no Scripture that says that the bible is the ‘ultimate authority’, how about rereading Psalm 119? It’s all about the power and sufficiency of God’s Holy Word. I would also ask that you go back and restudy the original greek again. Are you claiming that there are some Scriptures in the Bible that are NOT inspired by God? The Holy Word of God is inspired because it is God-breathed. ALL Scripture is God’s Word, and is inspired.

At the end of the letter, my knowledge of church history is called into question, and the statement is made that Rob Bell is part of a long tradition of reformers. Riiiiiight. Rob Bell’s deconstruction of the Gospel is not reformation. It’s deformation.

“Jesus Calling?”

Is “Jesus Calling?”

Recently I was given a copy of Jesus Calling, a devotional by Sarah Young. When I first received it, I began thumbing through it, and something in it struck me as quite odd from the very beginning:

It’s written from Jesus’ point of view, the first person singular.

To give you an example of this, here’s part of the entry for January 1:

“Come to Me with a teachable sirit, eager to be changed. A close walk with Me is a life of continual newness. Don not cling to old ways as you step into a new year. Instead, seek My Favce with an open mind, knowing that your journey with Me involves being transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

That phrase “Come to Me” is supposed to be Jesus talking to me. I have a big problem with this. While Sarah Young says in the intro that she knows that her writing is not on the same level as inspired Scripture, what does she mean to do by writing a book called “Jesus Calling” in first person singular, and saying in the intro that it was “God speaking to her”?

Mrs. Young states on pages x-xi of the introduction:

“During that same year (1992), I began reading God Calling, a devotional book written by two anonymous ‘listeners.’ These women practiced waiting quietly in God’s Presence, pencils and paper in hand, recording the messages they received from Him. The messages are written in first person, with ‘I’ designating God….. The following year, I began to wonder if I, too, could receive messages during my times of communing with God. I had been writing in prayer journals for years, but that was one-way communication: I did all the talking. I knew that God communicated with me through the Bible, but I yearned for more. Increasingly, I wanted to hear what God had to say to me personally on a given day. I decided to listen to God with pen in hand, writing down whatever I believed He was saying. I felt awkward the first time I tried this, but I received a message. It was short, biblical, and appropriate. It addressed topics that were current in my life: trust, fear, and closeness to God. I responded by writing in my prayer journal. My journaling had changed from monologue to dialogue. Soon, messages began to flow more freely, and I bought a special notebook to record these words. This new way of communicating with God became the high point of my day. I knew these writings were not inspired as Scripture is, but they were helping me grow closer to God.”

First, Mrs. Young says she knew that God communicated with her through the Bible, yet she “yearned for more.” Isn’t God’s inspired Holy Scripture enough? God has revealed Himself to Us through His Son Jesus Christ who came in the flesh, through the Holy Spirit who indwells believers, through His inspired, written word, yet it’s not enough? If God came in the flesh and spoke, and if we believe that Jesus is God’s FINAL revealing Word, then WHY do we need 365 days of additional instruction written from God’s point of view? We don’t!

The Bible says:

“John 20:31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”

We can have abundant life in His name, yet it’s not enough?

Second, Mrs. Young stats that she wanted to “hear what God had to say to me personally on a given day.”

The Bible says in 2 Peter 1:20-21: “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, (21) for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

Now I realize that God reveals His word to us. It’s called illumination. James tells us to ask for wisdom from God so that we can understand. Yet how is it that Sarah Young can now write 365 days of devotional material from Jesus’ perspective, state that it’s a “new way of communicating with God”, and have people treat it as just some regular devotional material?

It’s either God’s Word, or it’s not. And if it IS God’s Word, and she is writing it from Jesus’ perspective, then it’s being presented in an authoritative way. That’s probably what bothers me the most about this. I’ve read lots of other devotional material, but never have I read anything that someone says is a message from God, and it be in the FIRST PERSON, as if Jesus is directly speaking. IF Jesus is truly speaking in her writing (and I do not believe He is), then wouldn’t I take His word as revealed to Sarah as seriously as I would Scripture? Do you see the problem? How is a young Christian supposed to read such things in her book and NOT believe that it’s Scripture?

Friends, the words in Sarah’s book are not Jesus’ words, but the way it’s written, it is portrayed as if Jesus is speaking. I tremble at the thought of writing 365 days of anything and claiming in comes directly from Jesus, from His point of view. That’s exactly what she claims when she says: “I decided to listen to God with pen in hand, writing down whatever I believed He was saying. I felt awkward the first time I tried this, but I received a message.”

And what about the accuracy of these messages written as if from Jesus himself to us? Take for example, the June 22nd entry, which begins with:

“Thank Me for the very things that are troubling you. You are on the brink of rebellion, precariously close to shanking your fist in My Face.” How does Sarah Young know this? Another question: How is it that ALL Christians who read this particular entry on June 22nd are on the “brink of rebellion”?

The May 9th entry also says “Because you are human, you will continue to make mistakes. Thinking that you should live error-free is symptomatic of pride.” Where do we find Jesus saying THAT in Scripture?

Or again on February 19th: “You are feeling weighed down by a plethora of problems both big and small.” But what if I’m not? What if I am joyous? Does that mean that I am in the wrong on February 19th?

Are you beginning to see the problems with Sarah Young’s devotional? By writing it from Jesus’ point of view, the presumtion is overwhelming. And it gets worse. Sarah is writing another version of this book… for children!

Yet Scripture teaches us: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; (17) so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

I do not need a word from Jesus from a secondary source when Scripture itself is sufficient. Mrs. Young herself even states that God speaks to us through His Word. GOD’s word is inspired, not Sarah’s. And it is God’s word that is sufficient to train me in righteousness, and according to God’s word, His training that comes through His Word will make me adequate, equipped for every good work.

Phoenix Preacher and How We Treat Bullies

There’s been a “back and forth” on the blogosphere with Ken Silva and Michael Newnham (AKA “Phoenix Preacher”) concerning Leonard Sweet being uninvited from a Calvary Chapel conference due to Ken and others pointing out problems with Leonard’s theology.

I am really amazed at the comment that Michael (AKA “Phoenix Preacher”) posted in his comments section of his blog. He says:

Michael says:
May 10, 2010 at 9:33 am
What Heitzig doesn’t realize is that these people are cowards…they hide behind their blogs and their rhetoric because they don’t have the theological or intellectual capacity to defend their thinking.

There’s only one way to handle a bully…hit them square in the mouth

This comment can be found here. It’s the 12th comment.

Tell me anywhere in Scripture where we are told that “the only way to handle a bully” is to “hit them square in the mouth”. Doesn’t it seem ironic that in a post on his blog called “Selling Hate” that Phoenix Preacher is recommending violence against Ken Silva of apprising.org? Michael accuses Ken Silva and LTR of selling hate, and he’s the one recommending a beating. Uhm, how is that in any way biblical?

Ken has covered this topic in a post entitled: “EMERGENT CHURCH LEADERS AND ODMS—ONLINE DISCERNMENT MINISTRIES“.

Ken’s ministry at Apprising.org is a direct outreach of his local church. They support him and pray for him to be a Godly man and stand in the gap on the Internet. I read Ken’s article, and I certainly didn’t see any libel. I simply saw Ken stating an opinion about how Leonard Sweet’s theology doesn’t line up biblically. Ken stated:

“Despite those of us in this field of ministry being branded with the derogatory slur “ODMs,” which essentially makes us the new lepers, LTR is absolutely correct. And this is becoming a good example of the very real reason Jesus has sent forth online apologetics and discernment ministries.”

Michael (AKA Phoenix Preacher) apparently disagrees, when he states:

“Jesus didn’t send out these ministries. It’s past time to call these what they are… parachurch entities based on selling hate and fear.”

Here are some questions directly to Michael: How do you KNOW that these ministries (Lighthouse Trails and Apprising.org) are not called to do what they do? Did God reveal that to you? Michael, your statement is an absolute. You are stating that Jesus DIDN’T do something. How do you know that? Is Ken wrong? Is his local church wrong? Is Lighthouse Trails wrong? Can you prove any of this? You state that it’s all about the money, and that it’s about selling hate and fear. How do you know that? And finally, even if you dislike Ken Silva this much, what did Jesus tell you to do to enemies?

Jesus says:

Matthew 5:43-48 “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ (44) “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (45) so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (46) “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? (47) “If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? (48) “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

So, isn’t it loving to pray for those who are your enemies? Isn’t that what Ken is doing in this post where he asks his readers to pray for Samir Selmanovic? Or when he asks his readers to pray for Marcus Borg?

Instead, Michael thinks that hitting someone square in the mouth is the best action. Care to back that up with Scripture?

Is Scripture truly sufficient for all our needs?

Is Scripture truly sufficient for all our needs? That seems to be the question for today’s Christians. The evidence is all around us that today’s “postmodern” Christians are relying upon more and more extra-biblical sources for direction in life.
As Christians in the 21st century, do we truly believe that Scripture is sufficient to meet our needs? Unfortunately, many of the bible scholars from today’s liberal schools answer this question with a resounding “No!” By the practice of integration (mixing the Bible with other sources), these theologians are presenting a different Gospel to the world, a gospel without personal holiness.

As a Southern Baptist, I am concerned about my denomination’s willingness to turn aside from God’s inerrant Word when we’re faced with difficult issues. The SBC may have fought the good fight when it comes to the doctrine of Scriptural inerrancy but the doctrine of Scriptural sufficiency is almost totally neglected. SBC pastors will preach from the pulpit that God’s Word is perfect, and yet turn away from God’s Word and turn towards psychology when it comes to answering life’s difficult questions, or when counseling church members in times of crisis.

Why? If we believe that God’s Word is perfect, then from that belief should also flow the doctrine that God’s perfect Word is also SUFFICIENT to do what God wills it to do. (Isaiah 55:11 So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.)

One text in the New Testament that seems to speak volumes about how we are to live sanctified lives by God’s Word is found in Matthew 7: 13-14 where Jesus says, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Somewhere along the way, we Christians have stood on the ground that Jesus Christ Himself is the narrow gate. Absolutely! This should be preached everywhere. People need to hear that salvation is in no other name than the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Act 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”)

If we stand on God’s Word, believing that Jesus is the only way to salvation then what do we do AFTER salvation? Look at what Jesus says in Matthew 7:13-14 again: There is a narrow gate, and there is a narrow way. He says the gate is small and the way is narrow.

How narrow is the way? It’s quite narrow. It’s certainly not the broad path, the path of the world. If that’s the case, then why do we turn away from God when it comes to answering the tough questions of life? I believe it’s because preachers are no longer depending on God’s Word when it comes to life. Sure, we believe Jesus and God’s Word is necessary for salvation, but after that, we jettison Scripture and run to Dr. Phil, Oprah, and Judge Judy. Where did this wickedness come from?

Pastors! It came from pastors who preach half-truths, and a weak watered-down Gospel. Yes, Jesus saves sinners, but he also calls us to live holy, righteous lives. How are we to do that? By living according to God’s Word! And how are we to live according to God’s Word unless we truly believe that His Word is sufficient?

Psalm 119 contains wonderful promises for those who keep God’s Word. Especially beautiful are these verses:

Psalms 119:4-20 You have ordained Your precepts, That we should keep them diligently. Oh that my ways may be established To keep Your statutes! Then I shall not be ashamed When I look upon all Your commandments. I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments. I shall keep Your statutes; Do not forsake me utterly! How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. Blessed are You, O LORD; Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have told of All the ordinances of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts And regard Your ways. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word. Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word. Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law. I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me. My soul is crushed with longing After Your ordinances at all times.

It’s time as Christians that we returned to God’s Word not only for salvation, but for life! God’s Word IS life, and if we are to live holy lives that please God, then we must return to His Word. As Jesus said: “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Bottom line: We must be people of God’s Word. The way is narrow, and God has given us His Word to keep us on His path.