Commentary, analysis and opinion.

At Star-Studded Rally, Trump Makes Closing Argument: ‘Stop Radical Resistance In Its Tracks’

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President Trump and Fox News host Sean Hannity

“Hannity said Trump is a man of his word: “Promises made, promises kept.” And Pirro, host of “Justice With Jeanine,” knocked out the crowd when she said: “If you like the American that he is making now, you’ve got to make sure you get out there tomorrow if you haven’t voted yet.”

(Joseph Curl – Daily Wire)  President Trump brought out the big guns in his final rally before Election Day as he made his closing argument, urging voters to “stop the radical resistance in its tracks” to prevent Democrats from undoing the gains he’s made in his first two years.

In a rally in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, talk radio host Rush Limbaugh emerged first, drawing cheers from thousands packed into an arena. Continue reading →

Nadia Bolz-Weber: It’s okay to look at porn, especially if it’s ‘ethically sourced

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Lutheran “pastor” Nadia Bolz-Weber

“Exposing the ELCA, a website which is critical of the teachings and pastoral practices of the Lutheran sub-denomination, identifies Bolz-Weber as its most famous pastor, author, and speaker, noting that she was chosen to speak to 31,000 ELCA teenagers at a summer youth conference.”

EXPLICIT

(Doug Mainwaring – LifeSiteNews)  A prominent progressive pastor has said viewing pornography is just fine, especially if it is “ethically sourced porn.”

Reverend Nadia Bolz-Weber of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) heads a congregation composed of many LGBT members and which features a “Minister of Fabulousness,” according gay news site outinjersey.net. That website recently released a lengthy interview with the female pastor in which she shared some of her pro-LGBT and pro-pornography opinions. Continue reading →

The importance of teaching sound doctrine

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Much is at stake, but great things are in store if a church stops playing games and bolts the Bible to the pulpit and the pulpit to the floor boards. Sure, some people may not like it, but God’s word promises that the blessings will outweigh the backlash. Let’s look at five reasons that preaching sound doctrine matters…

(Costi Hinn – Servants of Grace)  Some years ago we did things a little differently at our church than we do now. We had a band that was filled with hired guns and we paid them to play the lights out every Sunday. To illustrate: our guitarist would tour the world with a famous boy-band, then roll in on Sundays to put on a show for our church—true story. Continue reading →

Tim Keller: Darwinian Evolutionist

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By Toni S. Brown

“In order to be true to my own principle, I won’t bother you with information about the different views of the flood. Let me just lay out my own assumptions. I believe Noah’s flood happened, but that it was a regional flood, not a world-wide flood…those who insist on it being a world-wide flood seem to ignore too much the scientific evidence that there was no such thing.”   (Tim Keller, Genesis: What Were We Put in the World to Do? [New York: Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 2006], pg 81

My own principle? My own assumptions? Scientific evidence there was never a global flood???

Take note of the dire warning to the Lord’s church by the Apostle Peter from his second epistle, whereby he clearly illustrates how to recognize the “scoffers” in this warning:

“This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:  That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, for this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:  Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished.”   2 Peter: 3: 1-3, 5-6

Question: What does Peter say will be the mark of the coming ungodly scoffers?

Answer:  Denial of the worldwide flood.

Keller is a Darwinian evolutionist and you will find him regularly partnering with the BioLogos Foundation, which was organized for the sole purpose of replacing the biblical account of creation with Darwin’s theory of evolution inside the church. This heresy is being cleverly propagated onto the church as “theistic” evolution, and again we see the manipulation of language used to promote heinous error in the church.

Theistic

ADJECTIVE

belief in a personal God as creator and ruler of the world.

“Animals, whom we have made our slaves, we do not like to consider are our equal.”  Charles Darwin

There is not a word of scripture that suggests any type of evolutionary process in the Genesis account of creation, as scripture makes clear that God created in six literal days and rested on the seventh. How do we know the six days are literal? Because a day is defined in the creation account:

“And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.” Genesis 1:5

Can it possibly be any clearer than this? No.

To prefix the theory of evolution with the term “theistic” makes it a much easier “sell” to the churches. A clear, concise creation account of what God did in the span of six days comes from the word of God. Darwin’s profane and dastardly theory, developed for the sole purpose of eliminating God, comes from the pit of hell. There is nothing “theistic” about Darwin’s godless theory, as we review the full title of (and concept behind) Darwin’s thesis:

“On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle For Life.”

By means of natural selection?

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”  Genesis 1:27,2:21-23

Preservation of favored races?

“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” Acts 10:34

Evolution, from the idea of natural selection to the perversion of preserving only favored races, cannot be “Christianized.” But that will not stop the false teacher, as they never allow truth to get in their way. Dr. Timothy J. Keller says the Genesis account of creation is just poetry, insisting that “science falsely so-called” should have the last word in the church.

“O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.”   1 Timothy 6: 20-21

In an essay he wrote for BioLogos titled Creation, Evolution and Laypeople, Dr. Keller revealed something that is both troubling and very telling about himself and his mission:

“If as a pastor I want to help both believers and inquirers to relate science and faith coherently, I must read the works of scientists, exegetes, philosophers, and theologians and then interpret them for my people. Someone might counter that this is too great a burden to put on pastors, that instead they should simply refer their laypeople to the works of scholars. But if pastors are not ‘up to the job’ of distilling and understanding the writings of scholars in various disciplines, how will our laypeople do it?  This is one of the things that parishioners want from their pastors. We are to be a bridge between the world of scholarship and the world of the street and the pew.  I’m aware of what a burden this is. I don’t know that there has ever been a culture in which the job of the pastor has been more challenging. Nevertheless, I believe this is our calling.”   https://biologos.org/blogs/archive/creation-evolution-and-christian-laypeople-part-1

Tim Keller says the pastor must build bridges of unity between the world and the church; he says it is their “calling.” He says it is what believers want from their pastors…? God’s word is void of any such concept but rather completely condemns this idea, as Paul warns us:

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord.”  2 Corinthians 6:14-17 

And the Apostle John couldn’t agree more:   “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.”   1 John 5:19 

Peter concurs that the church and the world are incompatible:

“Dear friends, I warn you as temporary residents and foreigners to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.”   1 Peter 2:11

The Apostle Peter identified believers as “temporary residents” and “foreigners” in this corrupt world; this doesn’t help much to promote Keller’s idea of “unity” and community. Jesus is completely at odds with the idea of his church uniting with the world:

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me first.  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you.”   John 15:18-20 

The Apostle Paul details the role of the men who teach the church in undeniably clear language and it is the polar opposite of Keller’s definition of pastoral ministry:

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.”  2 Timothy 4:1-2 

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”  Acts 20:28 

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ”  Ephesians 4:11-13 

Below is a link to the list of pro-evolution essays Keller has produced for The BioLogos Foundation:  https://biologos.org/author/tim-keller 

Pastor John M. Otis has written a great book exposing the sinful error of any form of evolutionary thought in the church, as it robs God of his glory in creation, undermines all confidence in the word of God and collapses the very foundation of the Cross regarding the fall of Adam, sin and death.

Chris Arnzen interviews John Otis about his book on the sinfulness of evolutionary compromise, with warnings about Tim Keller.  (159.24 minutes) http://www.ironsharpensironradio.com/podcast/july-24-2015-isi-radio-show-with-john-otis-on-theistic-evolution-a-sinful-compromise/

PDF file of John Otis’ book (to read Chapter 8 “The Compromisers: Dr. Tim Keller” click on the link and scroll down to page 121, which is the beginning of chapter 8 on Keller) http://triumphantpublications.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/TheisticEvolution.pdf

You can add Darwinian evolution to the long list of heresies Tim Keller is promoting in the Lord’s church. 

Research:

Tim Keller

Creation vs Evolution

Research: Progressive (Social Justice) ‘Christianity’

Published with permission www.judeonefour.com

Leftist Race Slander Could Backfire

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“Liberals seek to disparage, intimidate and silence conservatives with these slurs, but they’ve raised it to a new level in the Trump era because they are running out of rational arguments to explain away Trump’s policy successes and they live in abject fear of losing their vise grip on the minority vote.”

(David Limbaugh – Daily Wire)  If you don’t think the political left is conspiring to smear President Trump, his supporters and the GOP as racists, then you probably haven’t been paying close enough attention.

I’m aware of the preferred school of thought that says targets of false political accusations shouldn’t take the bait and respond, the rationale being that defensiveness just makes them sound guilty and calls undue attention to the charge. Continue reading →

Voting – what does the Bible say?

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Bible teacher and pastor Alistair Begg of Truth For Life offers biblical advice on voting. He writes:

Dear Friend,

In less than a week, those of us in the US will exercise our right to vote. I thought it would be timely to consider what the Bible has to say about the privileges and obligations of citizenship.

Many passages and examples in the Bible clarify our responsibilities as citizens, not the least of which is found in Paul’s letter to the Romans, where he writes, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment” (13:1–2). Continue reading →

Sin is at the heart of what is wrong in your life

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FLASHBACK FRIDAY

This article by CRN managing editor Marsha West was first published October 8, 2013.

No one has any right to believe that he is indeed a Christian unless he is humbly seeking to obey the teachings of the One whom he calls Lord. Christ once asked a question that can have no satisfying answer, “Why do you call me, `Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” –A. W. Tozer

Bill and Beth (not their real names) are professing Christians.  Bill gave Beth a “promise ring” so she decided that God would be okay with them living together as man and wife.  If the arrangement works out, they’ll marry.  If it doesn’t work out they’ll move on to the next relationship.

Beth’s mom is also a Christian.  Beth opened up to me that when her mom found out she had decided to live in sin her only concern was that she could become pregnant.  Both of Beth’s sisters have children out of wedlock and this understandably distresses Mom as she worries that her youngest may follow in her two older sisters’ footsteps.  To me what’s more troubling than the pregnancy issue is that this Christian mother isn’t all that concerned that by living together Beth and Bill are sinning against God!  In fact, she hasn’t even broached the subject with her daughter. Continue reading →

What the Tree of Life Synagogue Massacre Means

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“For Jews to blame the most pro-Israel president since Harry Truman — the only president with a Jewish child and Jewish grandchildren, moreover — for increasing anti-Semitism is another example of a truism this Jew has known all his life: Unlike Jewish liberals, who get most of their values from Judaism, Jewish leftists are ethnically Jewish but get their values from leftism.”

(Dennis Prager – National Review)  ll my life I have reminded fellow Jews in America that we are the luckiest Jews to have ever lived in a non-Jewish country. I know what I’m talking about. I wrote a book on anti-Semitism, taught Jewish history at Brooklyn College, and fought anti-Semitism since I was 21, when Israel sent me into the Soviet Union to smuggle in Jewish religious items and smuggle out Jewish names. Continue reading →

Why Did Media And Democrats Abandon Their Investigation Into Brett Kavanaugh?

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“Any reporter who was able to verify the claims against Kavanaugh would be an instant hero and awarded all the journalism prizes. Is anyone even attempting to do so? Democrats took the claims so seriously that they charged Kavanaugh with the crimes in Senate hearings. Did they mean what they said? If they’re telling the truth, he should be impeached and imprisoned.”

(Mollie Hemingway – The Federalist)  What happened to the multiple allegations of sexual misconduct levied against Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation battle? The claims ranged from Christine Blasey Ford’s remotely plausible if unsubstantiated allegation of a violent attempted rape to Michael Avenatti’s completely outlandish and also unsubstantiated allegation of hosting serial gang rape parties. Continue reading →

The First Project Between the Obamas and Netflix Could Be a Trump Takedown

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Former president and first lady have a major deal with the streaming giant — and they seem to be going political with it.

(Zachery Lehman – LifeZette)  Remember earlier this year when the Obamas got in bed with Netflix?

And remember how they promised that the content they pushed out would highlight “the talented, inspiring, creative voices who are able to promote greater empathy and understanding between peoples” in a public statement? Continue reading →

Roma Downey Promotes New Age Doctrine (God ‘In’ Everyone & Everything)—Christian Leaders Say Nothing

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Pastors Rick Warren, David Jeremiah, Greg Laurie … “The tragedy about this situation between Roma Downey and Christian leaders is that the leaders are using Roma Downey, Roma Downey is using the leaders, and our Adversary is using them both—and countless naïve and undiscerning Christians are buying into the whole thing.”

(Lighthouse Trails)  Proclaim 19

First she’s there; now she’s gone, or is she? New Age sympathizer Roma Downey was scheduled to speak at the National Religious Broadcaster’s 2019 convention, Proclaim 19. … Continue reading →

Political Subversion Moving Christians Into Democrat Party Fold

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“Former Obama administration Faith Based and reelection campaign Faith Outreach Coordinator Michael Wear is now working with [Tim] Keller’s TGC. Wear’s book sports endorsements from Keller and Evangelical leaders Russell Moore, Andy Stanley, Ann Voskamp and fellow Obama spiritual advisor Joel Hunter. Wear is also writing for TGC on topics like ‘Holding the Christian Ethic Together.’” 

(Thomas Littleton – Thirty Pieces Of Silver)  Midterm elections demonstrate that the classic battle lines are being redrawn among Evangelical voters. Ongoing and concerted efforts through American conservative Christian seminaries, churches and secular mainstream media are intensifying to reshape the foundations and convictions which drive the Evangelical vote. … Continue reading →

Reformation Day Should be Bible Appreciation Day

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“I think it’s appropriate today to thank the Lord for the Bible that you hold in your hand.”

(Jordan Standridge – The Cripplegate)  October 31 should be Bible Appreciation Day.

While the world’s children appreciate candy and playing dress up, we Christians ought to appreciate those who shed their blood in order for us to hold the Bible.

If only Wycliffe, Hus, and Tyndale could have seen a vision of my iPhone as they were being killed for their hard work! They would have seen the dozens of translations I hold in my Bible gateway app, or my Logos app, that allows me to have access to so many tools, including the ability to parse Greek words at the drop of a hat! Continue reading →

‘Churches’ Celebrate Halloween With Zombies, Dancing Skeletons, ‘Haunted Hayrides’ and ‘Spooktaculars’

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“Matt Chandler of The Village Church…released a video last week in which he opined that Halloween is, to most people, ‘probably far less about demons and witches’ and ‘far more about candy and costumes and fun for the kids.’”

“Demons are for real. Witches are for real. Sorcery is for real. There is nothing good or clean or funny about any of it,” wrote Alan Morrison of Diakrisis International. “To encourage children to be involved in such things in any way is surely irresponsible and can ultimately be damaging to their spiritual health.” Continue reading →

Four Things You Can Do Right Now to Harden Your Place of Worship Against a Shooter

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“It is critical for everyone on the security team to understand that church members are the first responders. If someone gets through security and starts attacking, you cannot wait for the police to show up.”

(Jeff Sanders – PJ Media)  Sadly, America has experienced yet another maniac shooting up innocent people at a house of worship. On Saturday, a man armed with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle (which is NOT an “assault rifle” since it cannot fire automatically as only a true assault rifle can) and three semi-automatic pistols murdered 11 people in a Pittsburgh synagogue and wounded several others (including four police officers). This kind of attack on houses of worship is no longer unheard of. Continue reading →

Denying reality at a steep price

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“This is about much more than some people claiming to be the other sex and trying with the help of the media to rig the culture and legal system to their version of reality. It’s a power struggle. The ruling elites aim to make us say that up is down, right is wrong, sweet is bitter and life is death.”

(Robert Knight – The Washington Times)  The idea of two distinct sexes has been acknowledged as fundamental reality for thousands of years by billions of people, biology and every major religion. Continue reading →

When Do We Use the Word Sin, and Why?

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“Are we as a church clearly communicating to one another and the watching world what sin really is?” 

(Aimee Byrd – Mortification of Spin)  A couple days ago, I wrote about how even the world of Reformedish evangelicalism is contributing to the sad “State of Theology” that is evidenced in the Ligonier Ministries’ survey. Bad theology is perpetuated in our own circles when ethics is prioritized over our theology of God, his Word, man, and the gospel. Continue reading →

White Coat Sorcery Can’t Hide Child Mutilation and Death

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“On Friday, November 9, a Planned Parenthood clinic on the east side of Columbus, Ohio will hold an interfaith “blessing” on their facility, a place where the lives of unborn children up to 19 weeks’ gestation end.”

(Linda Harvey – Mission: America) It’s not a Halloween horror flick, and it’s not some gruesome, colossal joke.

Child mutilation and sacrifice are becoming so widespread in America that they are now considered sound health care and even “blessings” from God. Continue reading →

Ken Ham Pushes Back After Conservative Commentator Matt Walsh Argues Against a Young Earth

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“Jesus, the Creator, makes it clear that the first marriage between man and woman (Adam and Eve) came at the beginning of creation. From the chronological information given in Genesis 5 and 11 and in other biblical passages, Jesus was speaking about 4,000 years after this creation,” [Ken Ham] said, noting that the genealogy from Adam to Jesus is 4,000 years.

(Heather Clark – Christian News)  Apologist Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis is pushing back after conservative commentator Matt Walsh recently released a lengthy video explaining why he is not a young earth creationist, but rather believes that the text of the Book of Genesis leaves room for interpretation as to how long a day was at the time that God created the heavens and the earth. Walsh also asserted that advocating for a young earth can “put obstacles in the way” from people coming to Christ because it pits faith against science. Continue reading →

Should Christians Participate in Halloween? 7 Scriptures to Consider (Repost)

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Is it appropriate for evangelicals to celebrate Halloween? Some say “absolutely not” while others say “what’s the big deal anyway?” Bible study author, speaker and podcaster Michelle Lesley goes right to the scriptures to help Bible believing Christians make their decision. She writes:

Since there is no specific Bible verse that says, “Thou shalt/shalt not participate in Halloween and its related activities,” this is an area of Christian liberty that must be decided by each individual or couple on the basis of scriptural principles and prayer. If there are Halloween activities available to you that do not violate scriptural principles or your conscience or cause you to become a stumbling block to someone weaker in the faith (which may even be your spouse or child), you are free to participate in those aspects of Halloween.

Here are some Scriptures and principles that may be of help as you make your decision:

1 Corinthians 10:23: “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.”

Is it helpful? Does it build you/your family up?

1 Corinthians 10:24-30: Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26 For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— 29 I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?

Who is watching what your family does? Are you serving your neighbor and drawing him closer to Christ by the activities you participate in?    View article →

Research:

Occult – Sorcery

Discernment

What does it mean to glorify God?

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“Do you long to give glory to God with your life?”

(Jordan Standridge – The Cripplegate)  You hear it said often, don’t you. You need to glorify God! But what does it mean exactly? How can someone glorify God?

Perhaps one of the best pictures of glorifying God in the Bible is found in Luke 9:9. Herod says, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” Continue reading →

Is God More Tolerant Today?

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“Most people—past and present—think that God can be approached by anyone, in any way. They believe that God is always loving and embracing, never wrathful and judging.  But that isn’t true. God appears this way—and Hebrews highlights it for us—to demonstrate that God is a lethal threat to anyone who dares approach Him through the law.”

(Tim Barnett – Stand To Reason)  We are all prone to imagine a god that is more like our culture than who God truly is. If we’re not careful, the culture will shape our view of God. Continue reading →

What Does the Bible Say About Angels?

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“And when we come to die they will be there to receive our spirit and take us to Paradise…Never again, Christian people, imagine that when you come to die you will be going into some awful loneliness…the angels of God will be there to receive you.

(James Williams – Servants of Grace)  We continue our study of Great Doctrines of the Bible by Martyn Lloyd-Jones (MLJ) by examining chapter 10 entitled, “Good Angels.”

The term ‘angel’ means ‘messenger.’ There’s a mysterious element to angels that often leads to either overemphasizing or ignoring them altogether. Scripture often mentions angels, and while we can’t satisfy all our curiosity about them, there are certain truths we can know. MLJ begins with 10 general points: Continue reading →