Interpreting Scripture by Scripture

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙ ,

16All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Tim. 3:16–17

I have a Bible that was given to my grandfather by all his children as a gift after several life changing events took place in his life (the death of my grandmother, him having to retire from the pastorate for heath reasons, et cetera). He was born in 1877 and I was born in 1951 so my memory of him was always of a very old man. He became a Baptist preacher in the late 1800’s after his wife led him to Christ and taught him to read and write. Here is the note they wrote to him that is pasted to the inside cover.

Dear Dad,

We have said we love you many times, but we want to say it again in this way. The knowledge that you have put this Holy Word above all things will stay with us always.

Then each of his children and their spouses signed the note. This had to have happened in the early 1950’s when I was very young. My grandmother died when I was 3 years old. My grandfather died in 1963 on Christmas Eve. His funeral was held at the First Baptist Church in Purcell, Oklahoma and it was packed. Before my Dad got Alzheimer’s Disease and died and we could still discuss these things I asked him many times about Granddad’s theology and how he handled scripture and what he would have done with all the nonsense going on in the church visible right now. He wouldn’t say much except to say that people’s own interpretations of things meant nothing to him. God’s Word was authoritative and if you could not back up what you were doing or saying from it then watch out. It did not bother him one bit to confront those in error. Also, celebrity preachers were an anachronism to pastors like my grandfather. View article →

Concerning Rick Warren, Deceived On Purpose

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion

He’s received a pass via John Piper into the wider evangelical community and Acts 29 brought Rick Warren even deeper into the younger sectors of the Reformed camp.

So, here via a book review by Tim Challies, Apprising Ministries refreshes your memories about the influence of Robert Schuller upon Warren. View article →

What Was The Purpose Of Sign Gifts In The Bible?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

Apprising Ministries alerts you that the Passion Movement of Louie Giglio is aligning with the ecumenical evangelical magisterium and with New Calvinism.

The issues surrounding signs and wonders in the Bible will then become an important issue in younger sectors of the mainstream of professing Christendom.

Here’s a balanced starting point. View article →

The Wisdom of This World Is Folly with God

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

18 Μηδεὶς ἑαυτὸν ἐξαπατάτω· εἴ τις δοκεῖ σοφὸς εἶναι ἐν ὑμῖν ἐν τῷ αἰῶνι τούτῳ, μωρὸς γενέσθω, ἵνα γένηται σοφός. 19 ἡ γὰρ σοφία τοῦ κόσμου τούτου μωρία παρὰ τῷ θεῷ ἐστιν. γέγραπται γάρ· ὁ δρασσόμενος τοὺς σοφοὺς ἐν τῇ πανουργίᾳ αὐτῶν· 20 καὶ πάλιν· κύριος γινώσκει τοὺς διαλογισμοὺς τῶν σοφῶν ὅτι εἰσὶν μάταιοι. 1 Cor. 3:18–20, NA27

18 Let no one deceive himself; if anyone supposes himself to be wise among you in this age, let him become foolish that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it has been written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”  20 and again, “The Lord knows the reasoning of the wise and they are vain.” 1 Cor. 3:18–20, personal translation from the NA27

I remember it like it was just the other day. It was in the Spring of 2006. I was preparing to teach my Bible Study class on Sunday morning to young couples. There were about 5 in there that were usually there and then another couple that were preparing to be married and a fellow about their age that I didn’t really know. I got ready to start the class. I asked for prayer requests then I prayed. Before I began the young lady who was preparing to be married asked me if she could ask a question. I said, “Sure!” She asked me to tell her what Paul meant in Ephesians 1 with the terms “Predestined” and “Elected.” I simply read those passages, put them in context and before I could even begin to give an explanation her fiancé and the fellow who was with them began a tirade. I was never given a chance to explain anything. I finally put my Bible down, gave them the look I used to give the fellows under me in Boot Camp in the Navy and it got real quiet. I asked, “Do you have a problem with me or the Apostle Paul? Perhaps it’s the Holy Spirit who inspired Paul to write this…” By then some of the other people in the class told them to shut up or leave. That was the beginning of the end of my time at the church. View article →

Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Attacks Church of England Over Gay Bishops

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News

New Vision reports:

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Stanley Ntagali has attacked the Church of England over its recent decision to allow gays to be consecrated as bishops.

Ntagali in a statement on Monday said, “It is very discouraging to hear that the Church of England, which once brought the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Uganda, has taken such a significant step away from that very gospel that brought life, light, and hope to us.”

View article →

The Book Of Beth Moore—Thus Saith The Lord, “My Bride Is Paralyzed By Unbelief”

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

There’s no doubt that Southern Baptist quasi-elder Beth Moore has a large following and that she’s a regular speaker for Louie Giglio and his Passion youth movement.

With this exclusive video clip, Apprising Ministries now gives you a chance to watch the SBC prophetess for yourself from her classic SBC-sanctioned Believing God study. View article →