We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum. A.W. Tozer
Therefore let God-inspired Scripture decide between us; and on whichever side be found doctrines in harmony with the word of God, in favor of that side will be cast the vote of truth. --Basil of Caesarea
Once you learn to discern, there's no going back. You will begin to spot the lie everywhere it appears.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. 1 Timothy 1:12

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Random Good Teaching


Now that you’ve suffered through yesterdays reports on what is wrong with the Church, today you get to look at some edifying things I’ve come across recently.

Some biblical counseling advice about examining yourself and not returning “to the vomit.”

What does “wives, submit to your own husbands” mean?   Good cartoon graphic.  If only everyone actually understood this.

Good, thought-provoking article by Albert Mohler about the history of the “Heresy of Racial Superiority.”  We in the Church need to accept that the Church often was leading the charge for racism, and admit such teachings were indeed unbiblical.

The Cripplegate has a good article about how Christians have to understand and how we are to confront and deal with “The Self-Deification of a Nation.”

An interesting blog I have been following for a couple months is “A Cry For Justice.”  It’s primary focus is about how the Church fails to deal with domestic abuse and sexual abuse within its membership.  Very often with domestic abuse the wife is just told to submit (we have a good friend whose church would tell her to submit to her husband as she suffered continual abuse until she violated their rules and left him), and merely slap the husband’s hands without every holding him accountable.  The leadership in these churches will be held accountable before God.  I don’t agree with everything on the blog, especially with some eisegetical practices, but overall they do a good job of supporting the victims.  Anyway, this particular article, “Some Thoughts on Broadway, the Narrow Way, and Abuse” was worth sharing.

An excellent commentary on Philemon by Doug Wilson.

One of the biblical passages that skeptics like to assault is Deuteronomy 21:18-21 in regards to the execution of the rebellious son.  What is really going on, though, and is it as unjust and barbaric as the skeptic claims?  I think this excellent commentary should answer all the objections.

In these days of such rapid collapse of all moral conscience in our society, always remember where our Mighty Fortress is.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Interested in the racial thread. Some churches believed that slavery, and'racial segregation' were biblical. Today we believe different, generally, but what guarantees are there that we don't hold views as biblical which aren't, such as racism not that long ago.

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

The only "guarantee" is that we actually read the Bible in context and not accept something because someone says so.

Anonymous said...

I also have appreciated A Cry For Justice, though like you, feel they wander in their theology from time to time. But they are necessarily addressing a problem in the evangelical world - abuse - and the despot-husband mentality as show in the first half of the Adam4D comic. Of course this mindset is common in the patriarchy world, which is based on a ton of terrible theology. Reading ACFJ makes me thankful daily for my godly and gracious husband, and I pray the hurting and battered women can find shelter and freedom in Christ.

Another link for your "Random Good" - actually its related to your Cripplegate post this week - this one by Entreating Favor, on the attack against women. Same issues as Cripplegate addressed, but with an interesting carry through on what those issues do to women in our society. HT to Erin B at DNBS (actually found it on her twitter link). The article's author Nate Pickowitz did an especially beautiful job in his sections "Designing Women" and "Built for More".

http://entreatingfavor.com/plannedparenthood-caitlynjenner-assaultonwomen/

And from your RAAH - thank you again for reminding the saints that the tithe - and tithe guilt-tripping - and tithe mongering - is NOT from the Lord nor His plan for the church.

-Carolyn

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

I did read that Entreating Favor article, but since it had nothing to do with theological matters, really, I didn't include it. Now, if I had a blog about social issues......

But that's sort of where my quote blog comes in - no articles, just citations to make one think.

Anonymous said...

I understand!

-Carolyn