Justification and Sin

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: ‘Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin. – Romans 4:6-8

Sola fide—faith alone—is sometimes called the “material cause” of the Reformation because the substance or material of the debate between the Protestant Reformers and the Roman church concerned the instrumental means of justification. The Reformers and their opponents both understood that we must be declared righteous to endure God’s judgment and enter into eternal life…. Continue reading →

Those who insist that the Lord demands what is not in scripture have fallen foul of gnosticism

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , , ,

“If the fullness of God could dwell in human flesh, there can be nothing intrinsically evil about the flesh. In a wider sense, there is nothing intrinsically evil about material things because God is the one who created them for his creatures. And if God called his creation very good, and he created us to enjoy him forever in that very good creation, who are we to insist what the Lord has called good is something else altogether?”

The Gnosticism of Legalism by Stephen Kneale

When legalism rears its head, gnosticism is usually lurking around somewhere. There is a strong dualistic tendency that very often paints ‘spiritual’ things as good and ‘worldly’ things as bad…. Continue reading →

Will There Be Consequences for How the FBI Handled the Flynn Case? Barr Weighs In

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , ,

“As far as consequences for the agents and officials who engaged in corrupt and dishonest behavior in the Flynn case, Barr said he’s waiting for the results of U.S. Attorney John Durham’s investigation. He also said misconduct by government officials must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt.” 

(Katie Pavlich – Townhall) Attorney General Bill Barr is speaking out after the Department of Justice announced Thursday the criminal case against General Michael Flynn, which involved FBI agents engaging in entrapment, has been dropped. Continue reading →

Do Democrats Really Want to Celebrate the FBI’s Heinous Abuses Against Mike Flynn?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , ,

“National Review‘s Andrew C. McCarthy, a former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, explained, Powell’s evidence seemed to confirm not just that Flynn had been set up but that Mueller’s staff had threatened to target his son unless he confessed to the false statements charge.”

(Tyler O’Neil – PJ Media)  When the Department of Justice (DOJ) finally dropped the case against General Michael Flynn, a former national security adviser for President Donald Trump, House Democrats slammed the decision as a partisan attempt to “cover up” for Trump — presumably on Russia…. Continue reading →

CA County Health Dept Could Remove COVID-Infected People From Homes and Place Them in Quarantine Centers

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , ,

“Some of the people we find are going to have trouble being isolated. For instance, if they live in a home where there is only one bathroom and there are three or four other people living there, and those people don’t have COVID infection, we’re not going to be able to keep the person in that home. Every person who we’re isolating for instance needs to have their own bathroom.”

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte) In a shocking revelation, Ventura County in California just north of Los Angeles has announced that they, along with the entire state, are hiring thousands of “contact investigators” to storm the homes of COVID-infected people and remove them from their homes to place them in isolation centers. Continue reading →

Unbelief and the Hard Heart

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

20 Then He began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.  Matthew 11:20-24 (NASB) (Read verses 23-24 on the site)

Compromise and tolerance in our day are seen as ultimate virtues. While our flesh-bound reason agrees with this, there is the problem of our Lord’s own words from Sacred Scripture which say the very opposite. Continue reading →

Acting DNI, House Judiciary & Oversight Committees urge Schiff to release transcripts to back up his assertions of Russian collusion

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , , , , ,

“The transcripts include testimony from Donald Trump Jr., Steve Bannon, Andrew McCabe, Sally Yates, Michael Cohen, Hope Hicks, Susan Rice, Ben Rhodes, and others.”

(Kristina Wong – Breitbart)  Acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell sent a letter to House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA) on Tuesday informing him that transcripts of all 53 interviews the committee conducted as part of its Russia investigation have been cleared for public release. Continue reading →

America the Wuss – From Rugged Pioneers to Cowering Sheep

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , , , ,

“In reality, safety is an illusion. Step out your front door and you risk your life. … In 2018, 647,457 Americans died of heart disease, 599,108 of cancer, 169,936 from accidents of all kinds (including roughly 40,000 highway fatalities), 55,672 from influenza and pneumonia and 47,173 from suicide.”

(Don Feder – Front Page Magazine)  On the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, the paramount question becomes: What happened to the American people? Continue reading →

Coronavirus modeling – how our hysterical culture led to this reaction to pandemic

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , , ,

“The combination of news media desperation for something about which to be hysterical, the Chinese Communist Party’s role in hiding and then lying about the new virus, and absurdly overstated claims of supposedly scientific modelers has led to the greatest self-inflicted economic disaster in history.”

(Newt Gingrich – Fox News)  Claire Berlinski writes an amazing blog called “Claire’s Invariably Interesting Thoughts.”

She recently wrote a series headlined “The Years of Living Hysterically: Reflections on Joe Biden, Tara Reade, #MeToo, and our Hysterical Culture.” Continue reading →

The Difference Between Justification and Sanctification

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion

28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. Romans 8:28-30 (NASB) 

12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13 (NASB) Continue reading →

Over 100 Pastors Sign Letter to Ohio Board of Education Opposing Yoga, Meditation Being Taught in Schools

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , , , ,

The pastors concede that while “[m]ost initiate yoga practice for exercise and stress relief,” for others, “spirituality becomes their primary reason for maintaining practice.” They point to a study of mindful yoga retreat participants, which found that “longer-term meditators were less likely to be religious monotheists and more likely to identify as Buddhist or with ‘all’ religions.”

(Heather Clark – Christian News)  More than 100 pastors recently signed a letter to the Ohio Board of Education, which was also sent to 39 school districts, to express opposition to yoga and transcendental meditation being taught in schools as they are rooted in Eastern religion and are a spiritual practice at their core. Continue reading →

So when does the LGBT movement stop getting a pass for their blatant bigotry?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , , , ,

“The LGBT political movement is working very hard to expose the American people to their intolerance and narrow-minded prejudice against people of faith.”

(Peter Heck – Disrn)  As the entire country has marveled in recent days at the raging hypocrisy of political activists who attempted to destroy the life and reputation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh over alleged sexual assault, now suddenly turning a blind eye to the alleged sexual assault circling the life and reputation of former Vice President Joe Biden, the speaker of the New York City Council Corey Johnson bellied up the microphone and, with a wink, boasted, “Hold my beer.” Continue reading →

How Heretics Shaped Alcoholics Anonymous

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , , ,

“People assume, logically enough, that if the co-founders were mentioning the Word of God, this must mean they were Christians. But the unsaved Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith viewed the Bible along the lines of Fox’s esoteric spiritual wisdom, rather than believing it to be the literal Word of God. One cannot, after all, promote anti-Biblical heresy and simultaneously believe and obey the Word of God.”

(John Lanagan – The Word Like Fire)  When it comes to A.A’.s alleged “Christian” roots, God’s people have been—to use a technical term—snookered. Continue reading →

If you like the pandemic lockdown, you’re going to love the ‘Green New Deal’

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , ,

“The socialist greens acknowledge that the meltdown and shutdown we’re enduring (with gritted teeth) is what their climate agenda entails. They’re right.”

(Washington Examiner)  When socialist darling Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez first floated her “Green New Deal,” it was an intangible vision for society rather than a concrete policy proposal. Even after the New York Democrat and her acolytes added details (including a ban on airplanes and flatulent cows) in a voluminous range of policies costing an astounding $93 trillion, the idea of running the economy without fossil fuels seemed unthinkable. Continue reading →

Warning Against Apostasy

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Hebrews 5:11-14 (NASB) 

Apostasy: [Middle English apostasie, from Old French, from Late Latin apostasia, defection, from Late Greek apostasi, from Greek apostasis, revolt, from aphistanai, aposta-, to revolt : apo-, apo- + histanai, to stand, place; see st- in Indo-European roots.] Continue reading →

A Wizard of Oz virus: The COVID-19 hoax

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , , , , , ,

It would be nice to think that the malicious Machiavellians in media and politics will be held accountable for visiting one of American history’s greatest blunders upon us. But that appears just a dream. It’s lamentable, surely, and can make one understand why G.K. Chesterton once remarked, “It is terrible to contemplate how few politicians are hanged.”

(Selwyn Duke – Renew America)  When I speak of a hoax and The Virus, I don’t mean there isn’t in our population a pathogen identified as SARS-CoV-2 or, as the “unwoke” might say, the Wuhan Flu…. Continue reading →

The Worldwide Lockdown May Be the Greatest Mistake in History

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , , , , ,

“But the American left cares as much about the millions of non-Americans reduced to hunger and starvation because of the lockdown as it does about the people of upstate New York who have no incomes, despite the minuscule number of coronavirus deaths there. Or about the citizens of Oregon, whose governor has just announced the state will remain locked down until July 6. As of this writing, a total of 109 people have died of the coronavirus in Oregon.”  

(Dennis Prager – PJ Media)   The idea that the worldwide lockdown of virtually every country other than Sweden may have been an enormous mistake strikes many — including world leaders; most scientists, especially health officials, doctors and epidemiologists; those who work in major news media; opinion writers in those media; and the hundreds of millions, if not billions, of people who put their faith in these people — as so preposterous as to be immoral…. Continue reading →

Sharp Eyes, Soft Hearts, And Sanctified Minds: Evaluating Christian Books

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , , ,

“A good Christian book should guide the reader to the Celestial City. It should lead them in a Godward direction and inspire them to live hopeful lives and holy lives.”

(David Steele)  I review books – a lot of books. Some people have expressed an interest in how I evaluate them. A few specific criteria govern the way I evaluate the overall effectiveness of Christian books, in particular.

First and most important, is the book biblical? That is, does the content reflect the teaching of the infallible, authoritative, inerrant Word of God? The label “Christian” does not automatically mean that a given book is a faithful representation of orthodoxy…. Continue reading →

Max Lucado Endorses Anti-Trinitarian Word of Faith Heretic Steven Furtick

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , ,

Now, it’s safe to say that Lucado himself should be avoided at all costs since he does not have the discernment, wisdom, and heart to separate himself from false teachers who are harming the Kingdom of God.

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte)  After endorsing the pro-gay Jen Hatmaker earlier this year, Max Lucado’s new-found role of propping up heretics and false teachers seems to have hit overdrive…. Continue reading →

Is Christianity a Life or Is it a Doctrine?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. 1 Timothy 4:6 (NASB) 

From January 1986 until the late fall of 2005 I probably would have, if asked, responded to the question in the title that Christianity is a life or at least a relationship while doctrine, though unnecessary, helps us understand that…. Continue reading →

US, Canadian Conferences of Catholic Bishops ‘Consecrate’ Nations to Mary, Ask Her to Intercede Amid Pandemic

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , , ,

“Evangelicals note that the Bible states in 1 Timothy 2:5 that there is “one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,” and that Jesus taught that men are to pray in His name (John 14:13-14), mentioning nothing of asking the deceased to intercede.”

(Heather Clark – Christian News)  The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops have joined together to “consecrate” their nations to the care of Mary on May 1 and to ask that she intercede to Jesus during the COVID pandemic…. Continue reading →

The Coronavirus Death Rate Is MUCH Lower Than the Estimates Justifying the Lockdowns…

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , ,

“None of these studies were perfect. Some are large, some are small. As you’ll see, they came up with a range of fatality rates, but considering our country was shut down over the belief that the coronavirus had a CFR of 2% to 3.4% and all of these studies suggest the actual CFR is under 1 percent, it makes you wonder why the country was shut down.”

(Matt Margolis – PJ Media)  Appearing on Justice with Judge Jeanine on Saturday night, Dr. Debora Birx admitted something that anyone paying attention to the coronavirus pandemic has known for some time now…. Continue reading →

SBC’s National Day of Prayer Goes All-In on NAR’s ‘Seven Mountain Mandate’

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , ,

The SBC needs to stop borrowing from the NAR and stop repackaging “the seven spheres of influence” as “the seven centers of influence.” 

(PNP)  The SBC Executive committee released a guide designed to support members during the upcoming National Day of Prayer. Captioned ‘How to pray the 2020 theme, Pray God’s Glory Across the Earth, into the Seven Centers of Influence in America for the National Day of Prayer, May 7, 2020.‘… Continue reading →

Nancy Pelosi Blocking Investigation into Chinese Coronavirus Origins, Tax Money to Wuhan Lab

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , ,

“What is perhaps most interesting about all this is how little the Democrats on Capitol Hill seem to care about the origins of the virus in Wuhan, China, or about U.S. taxpayer dollars flowing to this lab in China. Many Democrats have brushed off holding China accountable for the virus and, instead, intend to focus their efforts on attacking President Trump over the Chinese coronavirus.”

(Matthew Boyle – Breitbart)  Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) told Breitbart News this weekend that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi would rather investigate President Donald Trump again than focus on the actual origins of the Chinese coronavirus and U.S. tax dollars that went to the Wuhan Institute of Virology from which intelligence officials increasingly believe the virus leaked. Continue reading →