tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-361321012024-03-07T19:08:14.216-05:00IN SUBMISSION to SOVEREIGNTY"For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and He does according to His will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay His hand or say to Him,'What have you done?'" Daniel 4:34b-35Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-39130278961967604392010-09-01T11:28:00.003-04:002010-09-01T12:51:55.927-04:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0-b4iEBfurnmIEo5aSo1hfzCvkt8ptiy9avr7PA8pWxdCoWfon-aP776Oqva2gHan_iYrN5aHvfNxmqpqdljYf164gcCYL-SXxy8JRTovJWZZUg_udpul8A7FB-lwT_URa7FZg/s1600/Tolberts+R+Us3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0-b4iEBfurnmIEo5aSo1hfzCvkt8ptiy9avr7PA8pWxdCoWfon-aP776Oqva2gHan_iYrN5aHvfNxmqpqdljYf164gcCYL-SXxy8JRTovJWZZUg_udpul8A7FB-lwT_URa7FZg/s200/Tolberts+R+Us3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511986877893037490" /></a><br /><strong>AT YOUR "BECK" AND "FINAL CALL"<br /><br /><br />The view and priority of the Word of God for many Christians was tested last week; as the 'net and the airwaves were abuzz with the question of whether or not Christians should join conservative television personality and professed mormon, Glenn Beck, at his "Restoring Honor" rally in Washington. D.C. last Saturday. <br /><br />For the record, I was completely opposed to any Christian participation in this event. Beck, himself, said this was to be a "spiritual" revival. That along with the blasphemous joining in "prayer" by mormons, muslims and Christians at his other public rallies, made it impossible for me to be a part of this unholy alliance. I cited II Corinthians 6:14 and Amos 3:3 among the many Scriptural admonitions to have no part in any such denial of the one true God, Yahweh.<br /><br />What I'm finding so frustrating about the Christians who cheered and attended this event is their rationalizing and minimizing the clear teaching of Scripture. Truly, it is their dismissing of its clear teaching. II Corinthians 6:14, Amos 3:3, etc. are quite plain. What amount of human wisdom and contemporary contextualizing is sufficient to trump the holy wisdom of God? He said not to, period. End of contemplation. Why is that so difficult to understand?<br /><br />I Corinthians 10:6 explains that the things that happened to the Old Testament saints were for our example and instruction. Have we forgotten Sarah's "helpful idea" to have Hagar for a surrogate? Have we forgotten that King Saul had his kingdom taken because he disobeyed Samuel's instructions? Have we forgotten that Uzzah was struck down for touching the ark?<br /><br />No, I mean NO, amount of "good" (even the salvation of some of those in attendance/watching) ameliorates the fact the God was disobeyed in this activity and it will reflect. <br /><br />I heard many say that God was glorified and was pleased with this rally. Why, because His name was mentioned? I would be very interested to know if the Gospel of Jesus Christ was publicly proclaimed. Did anyone have the gumption to proclaim that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way of salvation; to the exclusion of all others. Was salvation by GRACE ALONE, through FAITH ALONE, in JESUS ALONE, to the glory of GOD ALONE proclaimed to the mormon host, his brethren and a watching world? <br /><br />I also wonder, how many of the Christians who attended this rally were vehemently opposed to participating in the "Million Man March"(of course, that even was predominantly a CP production; however, I found myself debating with a good number of CP's over this rally)? What were their reasons for not participating in that interfaith event? Could it be because the leader, Louis Farrakhan, is a muslim? Could it be because the muslim god is not the God of Christianity? But isn't the mormon god different than the God of Christianity? In fact was not the mormon god once a man who attained godhood?<br /><br /><br />Could it be that the Jesus of islam is different from the Jesus of Christianity? Could it be because the muslim jesus is only a prophet and not God incarnate? But isn't the mormon jesus different from the Jesus of Christianity? In fact, isn't the mormon jesus just satan's little, nicer brother and the literal son of a god and his wife? <br /><br />I know, I know Farrakhan is overtly muslim (not really, the Nation of Islam is not orthodox muslim). Beck doesn't emphasize his mormonism. And that is with good reason. It would definitely hinder their assimilation if everybody knew that according to mormon founder, Joseph Smith's First Vision, God said that the churches of Christendom "were all wrong"; that "all their creeds were an abomination", and that Christian ministers "were all corrupt" (from One Nation Under gods" by Richard Abanes, p377; quoting Joseph Smith, Pearl of Great Price; Joseph Smith-History 1:19)<br /><br />It might strain relations between us if Christians knew that mormons "have repeatedly confirmed that their church is the 'only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth' and that ' the power of God unto salvation-(Romans 1:16) is ABSENT from all but the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints'" (from One Nation Under gods" by Richard Abanes, p378; quoting Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine p.9).<br /><br />It seems to me there are just as many reasons not to join up with Beck as there were not to join up with Farrakhan. I guess Beck and the mormons are just a bit more subtle. Hey . . . wasn't that the key characteristic of the serpent in the Garden of Eden?<br /><br /><br />Keith,<br />B.L.B.B!!!<br />Be Like the Bereans, Baby!!! (Acts 17:3)</strong>Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-81198553080531955392010-03-09T13:16:00.006-05:002010-03-09T14:16:41.437-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbNnaaOxnhjN9n-x2Yg23b8ehPg5kaizqaylFT6BW8ZEYa3xXJj8_dKeWiEUsd35-WIoJFmA79LbmDRSvRuBdtVLYaX_oZUxg6MZARSW2hL939FisM3UEPLKfAF8hqyhag3k_xg/s1600-h/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbNnaaOxnhjN9n-x2Yg23b8ehPg5kaizqaylFT6BW8ZEYa3xXJj8_dKeWiEUsd35-WIoJFmA79LbmDRSvRuBdtVLYaX_oZUxg6MZARSW2hL939FisM3UEPLKfAF8hqyhag3k_xg/s200/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446705155934309026" /></a><br /><strong>I Think I May Be On to Something . . .<br /><br /><br />I don't read signs into everything that happens; but I do find a tasty bit of serendipity in an article I just read two days ago. If you have been following along, my first post of this year was entitled, "2010: The Year of Thinking Biblically". Most recently, have posted, "The Tyranny of Our Emotions". Well, the wise men (and ladies) over at Modern Reformation magazine obviously have been thinking along the same lines I have. They have published a powerful article by Charlie Mallie who hits one out of the park on this very important subject.<br /><br />Since I barely scratched the surface of the problem of the need for Biblical literacy and commitment; I thought I owed it to my readers to add more meat to the bones. So please dig in to this article and be armed for the Year of Thinking Biblically!!!<br /><br />"Without the Word,<br />by Charlie Mallie <br /><br />I can barely open my eyes this morning as I stumble out of my car into the pre-dawn mist and try to get my bearing. The wonderful aroma of freshly brewed coffee hits my senses and my body turns as if on autopilot. I reach for the door, tripping over the threshold as I step into the soft light and the morning sounds of beans being ground and the espresso machine giving birth to that mysterious dark elixir. The birth pangs continue as ordinary milk is transformed into a magical delight added to the more superior of coffee possibilities. Dr. Rosenbladt once posited that coffee was an ontological argument for not only the existence of God but also that he wanted us to pay attention. I am in complete agreement. I order my usual "Vente Mocha, triple shot with whip."<br /><br />"$3.87, Charlie. How's it going today?" a friendly voice offers.<br /><br />"Mm," my words stick to the roof of my mouth like peanut butter. Plumbing the depths of my pocket I manage a "Good, thanks," as I hand John $4.12. <br /><br />He looks utterly confused by my accounting, as if someone took a big monkey wrench and jammed it straight down into the gears of his mental machinery. He looks at the coins and then at the register and then at me. He tries to give back the change and says, "It's only $3.87." There's a bit of an uncomfortable pause. <br /><br />"I know," I say, "but I need quarters for the meter," but still there's no understanding. It's pointless. In my mind a voice is yelling, "I'm not even going to think about what they didn't teach you in high school math." "Never mind, just keep it," I say, smiling.<br /><br />I grab my beverage and walk over to the corner table and take a seat. As I take my first sip I think, "What if the world becomes like this?" More thoughts like these begin to swirl behind my eyes as I imagine a culture in which the ability to read becomes a lost art, math is treated like magic, and anyone who can make change at the cash register a modern magician. Can you imagine a world where doctors no longer have a competent grasp of human anatomy and physiology? Would you go under the knife knowing it was a gamble? How about a world where lawyers no longer understand the concept of justice? Wait--scratch that last one. Or what about a world where the church no longer bases its teachings on the Bible, or where Christians are completely ignorant of God's Word? It's that last thought that preoccupies the rest of my morning, and the issue that seems to be every solid pastor's challenge these days.<br /><br />Some would argue that we're already there. I know, I've had those arguments with fellow pastors. I don't think that all is lost, not completely, not yet. Things may be bad, but I know some real oases in this wasteland of American Christianity, and for them I give thanks. I hope and pray that all of you reading this are at some such place, a bastion of orthodoxy of some sort. But I also realize that in surveying the landscape, things are not as well as they could be among the Christians in this country. Trying to find water in the desert is becoming more of a challenge.<br /><br />As an adult convert I can say that my first hundred or so encounters with Christians or with various churches didn't impress me much. When I had courage enough to darken the doorway of some assembly, often I found the teachings shallow and gimmicky. There was so very little of the Word, if at all. I remember one mega-thon in Southern California where the "youth dude" was standing in for the main pastor one particular Sunday. When it came time to "do the Supper," he had us all bow our heads and "in our hearts intensely remember Jesus," and then he looked up and yelled, "Here's to Jesus," as if toasting the skylight with his little plastic cup filled with Welch's. That was the last church I walked out of with five-thousand-plus people watching. So began the years of my church fast--and my struggle to find genuine biblical Christianity, one that was saturated through and through with the Word of God.<br /><br />It occurred to me back then (now over fifteen years ago) that the very aspect of what pulled me with great velocity out of those churches seems to be what draws so many others to them. The emphasis on marketing rather than teaching, offering choices, rather than calling for commitment, entertainment rather than substance flows like a chapter out of Neil Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death. If you look at it from 40,000 feet, regardless of the individual manifestations of the malady, the source is always the same: a lack of teaching founded on the whole counsel of God or at the very least an inoculation against such teaching. Why, in some places, you can have solid biblical teaching and have it be rejected wholesale remains, for the most part, a mystery to me. The parable of the sower may offer some explanation with the seed that falls upon the side of the road.<br /><br />How dangerous is it to have a church that isn't completely shaped by the Holy Word of God in doctrine and in practice? What's the big deal? Can't we just form a group of Christians based on whatever we feel will best serve our needs? We need to be culturally relevant and sensitive. As we look at the way the church has operated in the history of Christianity we can certainly say that there are more efficient models for conducting business. We're modern thinkers; look at all the advances in science and technology--look at how much we now know about this human condition called life. Surely the church cannot operate as it has for the past two-thousand years. Surely the times have changed--and the church must change with it, right?<br /><br />Maybe not. I hope you wholeheartedly disagree with the previous sarcastic statements. If you do in fact disagree, it is unquestionably the result of a particular thing in your history. Somewhere in your background the Word of God came to you. A passage that you read or that someone spoke stuck with you. Some pastor preached on a given text and it took root. You read your Bible and the Word was implanted. That living and active Word, the vehicle of the Holy Spirit, was buried in the soil of your heart and it grew. As that seed did its seedy thing, a small part of you was conformed to the image of the Sower. In that moment you were given discernment by the Word and the Word became a part of you. Because of that gift of being taught by the Holy Spirit through his Word, you can look at such silly assertions and say, "I think not."<br /><br />But that's really the key, isn't it? The Word. It all turns on the Word of God. Not just a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, but the very means that guard our steps as we walk with Christ who is the Way, the Truth, the Life. The Word, the Word, the Word! Sola Scriptura we Reformation folk like to say. Once upon a time, people thought it a principle worth fighting for and even dying for. But why? They thought it that important because they knew it was the Word that must be their foundation. They took passages such as Matthew 7:24-25 to heart. They believed 2 Timothy 3:16. They held fast to a whole host of testimony that if condensed said, "Sola Scriptura!"<br /><br />Without the Word, we are sitting ducks for all sorts of trouble. If it is true that the devil roams about like a lion seeking to devour whomever he will and that the only weapon we are given is the Word of God--that double-edged sword of the Spirit that proceeds from the mouth of Christ--then without the Word we are truly vulnerable. Worse than that, we are helpless against whatever wind of doctrine blows through our doors. But I can only know such things from the Word. I will not come to the conclusion of such things by a careful contemplation of the starry sky--sorry, Mr. Kant. Without that transcendent eternal Word dropping down from the lofty realm of the neumena confusion, heresy, even apostasy becomes commonplace and talk of absolutes degrades into discussions of preference. Without a raft of revelation to sail me through this sea of doubt, there is no distilling ought-ness from is-ness. We are adrift in this sea of doubt, seeking and never finding, grabbing hold of whatever promises a remedy, even if it is just a temporary distraction from the pain upstairs that makes our eyeballs ache. The idea of victimhood gives credibility to this destructive narcissism as we become so singularly focused on our own needs to the exclusion of culture, community, and even family. The church fares no better, for it is filled with such individuals who are without the Word to straighten their inborn crookedness (in curvatus se), and instead it panders to their felt needs. <br /><br />The recognition of this total depravity, without the mirror of God's law, is merely an optimistic attempt to place bandages on the devastating cancer of our sin, topically treating an inborn propensity for death with modern-day snake oils, peddled by religious carnies. Without the salve of the gospel, the message of God's salvation in Christ pro nobis (!), these souls are merely relegated to a hot and hopeless eternal existence, and an earthly life where meaning isn't given from above but must be mined from the depth of the human condition. Tell me I'm wrong! But if this were not the state of things in these latter days, there would be no need of a publication such as this calling for a modern Reformation and a return to the solas! We are in dire need of the Word of God to be present in our churches.<br /><br />And it's not just that the Word be present but that we as the body of Christ persist and remain fluent in that Holy Word of God. The old Lutherans called this catechesis: the teaching, or the passing on of the teachings of the apostles, specifically those concerning Christ's death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. This we did from the passages and we believed catechesis was to be lifelong. The best of Lutheran orthodoxy on the subject reveals a deep understanding that the Word of God is to be understood as living and active. It is the creative, redemptive Word that is the vehicle through which the Holy Spirit delivers God's law, illuminating our sin, and thereby showing us our need for our Savior, but it is also the means of communicating the gospel. That gospel, delivered by the Word, was the thing that got into your heart, soul, mind, and body, straightening you up to look anew at Christ's death for you, absolving you of guilt and shame--forgiving your very sins--and that's how you were conformed to his image, by putting to death the deeds of the old Adam in you. It was the gospel, the forgiveness of sins, that delivered the Holy Spirit to you personally; and once the gift was given, faith was created ex nihilo or, as the old Lutherans said, what was delivered was "forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation."<br /><br />Once upon a time every young Lutheran was expected to have memorized about twenty pages of questions with answers that were verses from the Bible in Luther's Small Catechism. These days, many Lutheran churches no longer use the catechism at all. Don't even ask me about their use of the Bible. Because of this, whether it was laziness on the part of the pastors or resistance on the part of the people, biblical ignorance abounds. Within my own church body, it is a huge struggle to try and teach out of several generations that took so much for granted. Scriptural familiarity is at an all-time low. That's a dangerous place to be for a church body that claims to be roundly and soundly about Jesus. It leaves us open to all sorts of things that range from just plain silly to the outright demonic.<br /><br />For without the Word to inform my life in Christ, what do I have? I will almost certainly clench tightly to flowery or fiery words that sound conservative or wholesome. The prophets to whom I give ear will be of my choosing, certainly not those of old to whom the Word of the Lord came. I will be drawn to messages and teachings that anesthetize and comfort my ignorance. I will do this because it is easy, comfortable, and familiar. What I will not do in this is confront my sin. At best, I will define my sin not in biblical terms but in humanistic ones, ways in which I can make progress and chart my ascendance. At worst, I will ignore it and bury it where it cannot be confessed and it cannot be forgiven. I will, given the inclination of my heart, rank myself among my peers and compare my "progress in enlightenment" to that of my associates. I will be a bigger Pharisee than I am already--and not just me, millions like me, all who call themselves Christian. Where will it end?<br /><br />It's one thing when a lack of biblical acumen affects my course in this life, but what happens when the problem becomes so widespread that it pushes the entire Christian church on earth off her intended heading? Students of history well realize this has happened before. The last, most significant realization perhaps, called for reformation when a young Augustinian monk, who, having had the stage set for him by a previous generation of humanists, heard the cry ad fontes and returned to the Holy Word of God for teaching and direction. We know the result; it's a matter of history. For a time there was division, dissention, and destruction; but there was also life and as a direct result, after a while, real peace in a land marked by civil unrest. The gospel of Jesus Christ through Reformers the likes of Luther, Calvin, and others, came to the forefront in the life of the church. Because the gospel of Jesus Christ, understood as the real rescue of sinners sola gratia, came to be the center and the circumference of the public life and expression of the church, the benefits of that gospel flourished as well. God's Word being given its rightful place did what God's Word always does: it creates life.<br /><br />But if it is God's Word that creates life, then what about its absence? Well, if it is true that through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned, and that death reigned from Adam until this present age, and that through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, then through the one transgression there resulted condemnation of all men. That condemnation of sin reigns in death. Without the Word there is only death; without the Word of the gospel, that death is eternal. Without the Word of God--it matters little how you dress it up, market it, or in what words you couch it--it is merely the dry dusty breath of a dead man on his way to the valley of dry bones in the desert. To be without the Word is to be without Christ. To be without Christ is to be without a Savior. To be without a Savior is to succumb to that insidious hereditary darkness that results in our ultimate demise without hope of resurrection. The question is, "Son of man, can these bones live?" What can we say? Our own words fail, even here, "You alone, O Lord, know."<br /><br />What we do know, and that again from the Word, is that the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one death reigned through the one, how much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:17). But here again, what I'm trying to show through example is that it is only a fluency in the Word and with the Word that best provides protection against all forms of this death that manifests itself both in the world and in the church.<br /><br />I don't think there are many in the various camps of the orthodox who would argue that American Christianity has drifted away from Scripture. The signs are too clear, the marketing too effective, the billboards are everywhere. If space permitted, a contrasting of a knowledge of Scripture over and against the smooth-tongued seductive attacks against the Word would make the case even clearer and the need and urgency to return to the Word rather stark; but this article merely paints with a broad brush, leaving the detail work to more competent individuals.<br /><br />Before I close, I'd like to leave you with just a few thoughts. The Reformers understood very well that the entire Scriptures were about Jesus. He himself says as much in Matthew. But in addition to that, Luther and those who followed understood that the Word was not just casuistry concerning Jesus, but that it was about Jesus in a particular way. Holy Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, described in infinite detail the scarlet thread of redemption--Jesus primarily in his dying and saving office for sinners, of which you and I are included. Should we lose that message in its particulars and its entirety, we lose the ability to communicate our very salvation. Apart from God's Word, the only knowledge of God we have is one of power and might, of justice and of law. We lose Jesus, we lose the Christ, and we lose our very salvation. <br /><br />Can we have a church that is completely devoid of Scripture? Will it still be church? I'm afraid, given the current trend, this question might be answered for us all. May it never be, but nevertheless, come Lord Jesus".<br /><br />Charlie Mallie (M.Div., Concordia Theological Seminary) is associate pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Tombal, Texas.<br /><br />Thanks, Charlie!<br /><br /><br />Keith<br />B.L.B.B!!! <br />Be Like the Bereans, Baby!!! (Acts 17:11)</strong>Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-66735193316135678722010-02-22T19:20:00.007-05:002010-02-27T18:33:11.825-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWVAz4vUvqJMS1mufMxXQoXA4F36V1DTLDH3KI_CxC3JU7c-FTs4cTOkGUONlSgzWZaar7-Q4uCf-h23pSVlwszwV4O7FUmwvGpCyY1HcBSpSQtqB7IRCk4mKDDLW5G-Nfwtl-A/s1600-h/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWVAz4vUvqJMS1mufMxXQoXA4F36V1DTLDH3KI_CxC3JU7c-FTs4cTOkGUONlSgzWZaar7-Q4uCf-h23pSVlwszwV4O7FUmwvGpCyY1HcBSpSQtqB7IRCk4mKDDLW5G-Nfwtl-A/s200/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441295649490936802" /></a><br /><strong>THE TYRANNY OF OUR EMOTIONS<br /><br /><br />Much to the detriment of our spiritual growth and maturity, many of us believers are still under the bondage of one very stubborn taskmaster: Emotion. I am all too aware of the common stereotype of us Calvinists: we're supposedly cold, robotic, non-empathetic and dull. Like most stereotypes these are dreadfully wrong; but presenting the "touchy-feely" Calvinist is not the aim of this post. The beast that I would like to destroy here is: The Thing that Ate Their Brains!<br /><br />To our shame "unregenerate emotion" has blunted our witness to the world and made thousands of us prey for every pulpit pimp to come down the pike with a new revelation from a god. Why? Because when unregenerate emotion is on the bench, reason is prima facie evidence for a lack of faith. "Unregenerate emotion" declares "reason" to be antagonistic to trusting God. "Unregenerate emotion" is especially dangerous to a Christian because it negates discernment. The "pimp in prophet's clothing" can go virtually undetected because he tells the "unregenerate emotions" everything they want to hear. Most heinously, "unregenerate emotion"; like the traditions of men makes void the Word of God (Matthew 15:6).<br /><br />I recall a discussion I once had with a dear friend regarding the then popular practice of "pleading the blood of Jesus". I explained to my friend that this nauseating phrase was not only unbiblical; but it also mocks our Lord's precious blood. The word "plead" only appears four times in the entire New Testament (38 times in the OT, but of course it would not appear with Jesus' blood there) and each time it is in the past-tense with nary a drop of Jesus' blood in the vicinity. The phrase mocks the blood of the Lord because it doesn't honor it as the invaluable propitiation for the sin of mankind that it is. It remands it to some sort of mystical, cartoonish force-field that protects even inanimate objects like your car or your lawnmower. Despite the fact that there is no biblical precedent or instruction for this practice (or any proof that Jesus' blood stops bullets or is better for a car than regular scheduled maintenance); my friend stated that he would continue the practice because he "felt" it was right.<br /><br />Consider that ol' chestnut: "slain in the spirit". I've debated this topic a number of times with other believers who swear it's real and that it has happened to them. I've walked with them through the Scriptures and pointed out that there is no account of this phenomenon happening to believers even once. The only occasion that even remotely resembled this side-show attraction was when the men who came to arrest Jesus fell down when He told them who He was (John 18:7). And these men were certainly not believers; but were enemies of Jesus. Yet, in the face of clear reason, "unregenerate emotion" drew the reigns and made them reject truth. <br /><br />Many have somehow allowed a false dichotomy to be forged between the mind and the emotions. As if in the act of saving us, God somehow left the mind unredeemed and it is now imperative that the mind and reason not be trusted. They believe that too much thinking is a foil to going deeper with God or seeing Him really "move" in their lives. The pulpit pimps sense this blood-in-the-water and stoke the frenzied feeling festival with the most outlandish of claims: "stomp on the devil's head", "speak your break-through into reality", "talk to your wallet", "tell cancer it has to go", "tell the devil to give you back your stuff". And <em>we're</em> supposed to judge angels (I Corinthians 6:2-3).<br /><br />True regeneration includes the emotions. Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul AND with all your MIND (Matthew 22:37). The heart and the mind are equally important; but the heart must be informed by the mind. The feelings must be informed and guided by the intellect. God did not create us with an internal civil war raging between our faculties; that's an effect of sin. Our intellect and our emotions should be working in concert allowing us to fully commune with our Creator. That goal can only be reached by divorcing our emotions from the flesh and uniting them with a redeemed, Christ-submitted, Holy Spirit-guided, Bible-renewed mind.<br /><br />We must understand that our salvation and our standing with God are grounded in objective truth. The righteous life, death, resurrection, ascension and return of our Lord Jesus Christ are realities that make a difference for our real eternal destinies. This faith makes claims and proffers doctrines that must be intellectually embraced if ever our emotions will truly glorify our God. <br /><br />Christianity, more than any other pursuit, is truly for the thinking man. Don't worry, when we contemplate with keen minds the majesty of God and the pure genius of the redemption that He has wrought for us more than enough emotional flooding will overtake our hearts.<br /><br />Think. It ain't illegal . . . yet!<br /><br /><br />Keith,<br />B.L.B.B!!!<br />Be Like the Bereans, Baby!!! (Acts 17:11)</strong>Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-5415612867748930362010-01-15T10:02:00.004-05:002010-01-15T10:34:09.303-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznrez1eQ4St_mb8PAbRzTIixJPDM3a6v9A8-ppDhOpG6L1DSCQnInJms8BA2cHLAEmRkX6ku303kJxoKTGOYVdOLYvrC6VaH26jPlYQPJG-KeMsO6CLD7MHPtBTy7xX0_wv8q-w/s1600-h/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznrez1eQ4St_mb8PAbRzTIixJPDM3a6v9A8-ppDhOpG6L1DSCQnInJms8BA2cHLAEmRkX6ku303kJxoKTGOYVdOLYvrC6VaH26jPlYQPJG-KeMsO6CLD7MHPtBTy7xX0_wv8q-w/s200/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425728603165676930" /></a><strong>Is Haiti Cursed?<br /><br /><br />Sure, but so is Houston and Hawaii. Honduras and Hattiesburg. So is Holland and Hong Kong. For that matter the whole earth is cursed!<br /><br />What is so surprising is the fact that so many people who should already understand this (Pat Robertson!) act as if Haiti is being singled out. Can you handle the truth? The truth is: Haitians and all the rest of mankind, in Adam, made a pact with the devil a long long time ago. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve entered in to a pact with satan to throw off God's rightful authority as their sovereign king and creator; to grasp after autonomy, godhood. And because of this ill-fated folly they and consequently all mankind and the earth itself was cursed. God had warned them that in the day they ate of the fruit of the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil" they would surely die. And men have been dropping like flies ever since. We don't get to choose how we go. Some will go in their sleep. Some will be killed in earthquakes. The fact is: we are going to go. Are we prepared to meet God on the other end is the major concern.<br /><br />Perhaps it seems as though Haiti has been receiving a disproportionate percentage of the curse. Like every nation on earth they have sinned against Almighty God. Their government is corrupt. So is ours. There's the practice of voodoo. Ever been to Louisiana? I think, however, the unsaved among us should give heed to Jesus' words when he was questioned regarding some other deaths that seemed to be curse-related . . .<br /><br />" There were some present at that very time who told him [Jesus] about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:1-5.<br /><br />When it comes to "perishing", does it really matter how you get there?<br /><br />Take a look in the mirror, Pat!<br /><br /><br />Keith,<br />B.L.B.B!!!<br />Be Like the Bereans, Baby!!! (Acts 17:11)</strong>Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-81071028016541167932010-01-11T23:26:00.006-05:002010-01-12T01:52:04.476-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznrez1eQ4St_mb8PAbRzTIixJPDM3a6v9A8-ppDhOpG6L1DSCQnInJms8BA2cHLAEmRkX6ku303kJxoKTGOYVdOLYvrC6VaH26jPlYQPJG-KeMsO6CLD7MHPtBTy7xX0_wv8q-w/s1600-h/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznrez1eQ4St_mb8PAbRzTIixJPDM3a6v9A8-ppDhOpG6L1DSCQnInJms8BA2cHLAEmRkX6ku303kJxoKTGOYVdOLYvrC6VaH26jPlYQPJG-KeMsO6CLD7MHPtBTy7xX0_wv8q-w/s200/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425728603165676930" /></a><br /><strong>BEAUTIFUL FEET<br /><br /><br />" . . . As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:15<br /><br />Let's break down what the Apostle Paul is saying in this verse. In chapter ten of the letter to the Romans, Paul is summing up what is required for a person to be justified before our Holy God. As we come to verse 15, he is detailing how one actually comes to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Simply put, the Gospel (the Good News) must be fully heard and believed in order for a sinner to be saved from the just wrath of God. Of course, you don't have to be an ordained minister to be qualified to explain the Gospel; but I hope no one would deny that this is the ordained minister's primary and most crucial function.<br /><br />The verse that I have highlighted is actually a quote from the prophet Isaiah, who in chapter 52 verse 7 of his prophecy stated, <br /><br />" How beautiful upon the mountains<br />are the feet of him who brings good news,<br />who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,<br />who publishes salvation,<br />who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”<br /><br />I wonder how many preachers today have "beautiful feet"? As I look over the biggest names in popular christianity; I have to say, "not too many"! What does every single individual who walks into a church on Sunday morning have in common? The have all sinned against a Holy God. For many people this is a way of life; they are called "the unsaved". This is what they do. The others are believers; but even so, throughout the week they have betrayed the innocent blood Jesus shed for them on the cross. <br />R. C. Sproul aptly refers to this as "cosmic treason".<br /><br />But when these kind of folks walk into the churches of Dollar, Jakes, Osteen, Hinn and their ilk what do they hear? Do they hear of the offense they have given to their Creator? Do they hear that they are fallen creatures in need of a foreign righteousness to clothe them that they will not be condemned by the unrelenting justice of Almighty God? Do they hear that the entire penalty has been borne and full debt has been paid by the sinless Son of God? And that trusting Jesus alone to bear their guilt is the ONLY way to be saved from Almighty God's righteous wrath? Do we hear the Good News that there is now a way for sinful men, like you and me, to stand justified before a Holy God? I've watched a lot of these guys' broadcasts and have yet to hear it, even once.<br /><br />What do we hear instead? We hear: "God wants you to be a champion", "Jesus was rich and His children should be rich, too", "Dogs have little dogs, cats have little cats; so what does God have", "If you have enough faith, sickness cannot exist in your body", "Jesus wasn't God; Jesus was a man, because God wanted to show what He could do through a man"!<br /><br />These preachers (and any who model them) have hammer-toes, bunions and their feet stink to high heaven!<br /><br />We don't need self-glorifying and blatantly false proclamations. We, saved and unsaved, need to repeatedly hear the precious Gospel of Jesus Christ. We must always be brought to terms with the loving God who sacrificed His innocent Son because He did not want to condemn His people. We have to face that even in our saved state we continually spurn that unfathomable love by our every sin. Nonetheless, we still have the promise of forgiveness if we come to Him in repentance. We must constantly be encouraged to mortify our sin and to vivify Godly virtue that we may be conformed to the image of our Lord. Our hope must be perpetually stoked by the proclamation of justification by faith ALONE in Jesus Christ ALONE to the glory of God ALONE! And that hope may only be promulgated through the triune God's sole method of special revelation: the Bible.<br /><br />There are too many pretty hair-do's, too many GQ suits, too many bulging biceps, too many flashy cars, too many shapely legs haunting our pulpits. We need more beautiful feet. Feet tirelessly leading us to the cross. Feet leading us to repentance. Feet leading us to gratitude. Feet leading us to biblical faith. Feet leading us to contentment. Feet leading us to to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. We need beautiful feet!!!<br /><br /><br />Keith,<br />B.L.B.B!!!<br />Be Like the Bereans, Baby!!! (Acts 17:11)<br /><br />P.S. I am eternally thankful for the beautiful feet of men like Michael Leach, R.C. Sproul, Michael Horton and John Piper who have helped me to understand and love this Gospel.</strong>Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-77317471247607498932010-01-05T23:31:00.005-05:002010-01-06T17:15:13.165-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFzCO-3QoP4N7YySbXCFI_Obe6HfcQz03Kx8WXMeo5xNNQKp4jdHI-mw0VoSpdFijqxE04BTlHw2soa2h5sIQIqam6dj1ueR8IX1YGS74Vowu3NbIXw8PJZCoQaN2ET8nGKavQA/s1600-h/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFzCO-3QoP4N7YySbXCFI_Obe6HfcQz03Kx8WXMeo5xNNQKp4jdHI-mw0VoSpdFijqxE04BTlHw2soa2h5sIQIqam6dj1ueR8IX1YGS74Vowu3NbIXw8PJZCoQaN2ET8nGKavQA/s200/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423508701884335090" /></a><br /><strong>2010: The Year of Thinking Biblically?<br /><br /><br />It's a new year and already I'm a little ticked off. If you are the least bit curious as to where I have been hiding since my post of June 7, 2009, the answer is: over at Facebook. Now, you may think Facebook is a monumental waste of time; but it has afforded me the opportunity to share a little of what I talk about here without always preaching to the choir. What has ticked me off is the large number of professing "christians" who have espoused this "designer christianity" that does nothing but make unbelievers all the more resistant to true Biblical theology.<br /><br />Recently, I posted a statement condemning abortion as a sinful and heinous act. One of my friends (a female) responded in opposition stating that there were valid reasons for a woman to have an abortion. I challenged her position in private emails, away from the public forum of Facebook and I was blind-sided by one of her defenses. I shouldn't have been; but I was and I'll explain why. Part of her defense for abortion was her perception that the Bible is "full of contradictions". Of course, she failed to provide even one example of any such contradiction. Here is the kicker: she continually posts these pithy, quasi-spiritual statements on Facebook. One of her recurring posts is the "Go to Church" command that she posts frequently on Sunday mornings. I can't help thinking: "Whatever for? To hear teachings from a book that is (as she believes) 'full of contradictions'"? What is mind-blowing is that she has absolutely no clue as to the duplicity infecting her words.<br /><br />This is the kind of non-thinking that I hope becomes extinct among professing Christians in the Year of our Lord, 2010. Folks, we have to make a decision and commit to it. Either the Bible is the inerrant, infallible and immutable Word of God; authoritative in all it teaches or it is not. It's that simple. If it is the former, then it must be the final rule of our faith and practice.<br /><br />I challenge all of you "designer christians" to at least be honest. If you don't believe the Bible please have the common decency to stop calling yourselves "Christians". Try "Cubic Zirconiums" or "Soy Beans"!<br /><br />Notice I didn't say, " if you're not going to do everything the Bible says . . ." That would mean we all would have to stop calling ourselves "Christians". None of us can keep the whole Word without fail. But if at the very minimum you don't even acknowledge the veracity of Scripture, then you are not a Christian. You are a fake a fraud and a total black-eye on Jesus' bride! So please, go set up a religion of your own; draft official tenets to which you can submit and support. Recruit those who think like yourselves. Before you know it you'll be featured on Oprah and even have a television network of your own . . . you can call it TBN!<br /><br />Now for those of you who love, and I mean Psalm 119-Love, God's Word . . .what must we do to make 2010 the "Year of Thinking Biblically"? The first thing we must do is READ God's Word. ALL OF IT!!! We have many guides to help us read the Bible through in one year. This is a fine goal; but I think it is more important to read the Bible through continually year after year. We must continually feast on Scripture. <br /><br />"But brother Keith, I need a plan". Today is your blessed day for I, indeed, have a plan! I highly recommend reading the Bible chronologically. I'm positive that many of you have read the Bible through in its given order. A chronological study of Scripture will allow you to understand God's redemptive plan linearly as it unfolded. This is particularly helpful when studying I and II Samuel, I and II Kings and I and II Chronicles. When read chronologically the prophecies of the major and minor prophets are inserted into the books where they were historically pronounced. This gives the reader a more clear understanding of the status of the divided Kingdoms; and the acts of the people and various kings in light of the warnings they received. I must say that reading the Bible this way made a huge difference in my understanding. Huge!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bibleinayear.org/chrono_Sched.asp">Here is the chronological list of the books of the Bible</a><br /><br />The next thing we must do is commit to memorizing Scripture. No small order here. Knowing exact chapter and verse is a great goal; but we should at least know where to find just about anything in our book. Thank God for <a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/concordances/strongs-exhaustive-concordance/">James Strong </a>and <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/">biblegateway.com</a>!<br /><br />Next, meditating on the Word. Now I'm preaching to myself. We have to hide God's Word in our hearts if we are going to live by it. A bevy of good sound Bible commentaries are available online for free! Try this one: <br /><br /><a href="http://www.ccel.org/">Christian Classics Ethereal Library</a><br /><br />Finally, we've got to follow James' admonition to be "doers of the Word and not hearers only"! As Nike says, "Just Do It"! Caution: not in a sense that there is any merit toward salvation in it, but because we know the Word is the Truth and we are the people of the Truth. Face it, because you trust chairs to hold you, you never hesitate to sit in one. Because you trust your spouse, you never hesitate to leave your house. Because you trust your President . . . well, y'know what I mean!<br /><br />I'm throwing down the gauntlet fellow believers. Are we "Christians" or are we "Cubic Zirconiums" Let's resolve (strong word) to love God's Word as we do the God who reveals Himself in it!!! Remembering that we can do NOTHING on our own. It is our sovereign king, Jesus who is our nourishing vine. And if you run into any of those "designer christians", give 'em a packet of soy sauce and a smile!<br /><br />Let's make 2010 (and beyond) the year of thinking Biblically!!!<br /><br /><br />Keith,<br />B.L.B.B!!!<br />Be Like the Bereans, Baby!!!(Acts 17:11)</strong>Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-45185755254534200422009-12-29T11:03:00.005-05:002009-12-29T11:59:59.925-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QBKSAMSYu5oLeXq2mKTKOxKYjNU0CZdgRyxIR9Nltsh2u5W4sCphU73qFJy0qZ-iL4enFoKJgZCo2tTe7CqsouUT8iZXu1DXXtyIk5ToMdqX-cTxuUaeMvsFrVyAVcSMfgTFpg/s1600-h/Tolberts+R+Us3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QBKSAMSYu5oLeXq2mKTKOxKYjNU0CZdgRyxIR9Nltsh2u5W4sCphU73qFJy0qZ-iL4enFoKJgZCo2tTe7CqsouUT8iZXu1DXXtyIk5ToMdqX-cTxuUaeMvsFrVyAVcSMfgTFpg/s200/Tolberts+R+Us3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420700357163690930" /></a><br /><strong>The Intertestamental Period<br /><br /><br />Now I know (somewhat) how Israel felt during the period between Malachi 4:7 and the advent of our Lord Jesus . . . No, God has not been silent; but let's just say He hasn't exactly been locquacious where my blog is concerned!!!<br /><br />Sure there's been plenty of fodder for discussion; but none of it has seemed to have been "blog-worthy". I know , I know, Tiger has given us much to discuss about adultery, hero-worship and evasive driving maneuvers. The Prez is always good for a lesson in "how to kill your young and get other people to pay for it". And you just can't beat a good "end of the world" story with the Mayans and 2012 knocking on our door. Certainly there was something I could milk out of these hot issues; but that's exactly what I promised <em>not</em> to do!<br /><br />I want to thank each of you who have checked back here over the last few months to find out if I posted anything new; and I want to apologize for not having anything. I do, however, want to assure you that I am still committed to this blog and to blogging that which has substance and not just space-filling capability. I hope that 2010 will bring a rush of topics for me to give you my insignificant two cents. I hope that anyone who is new to In Submission to Sovereignty was able to get something out of my old stuff and that you'll check me out again in the new year. For those of you who have been with me for a while thanks for not abandoning the ship!<br /><br />Doubtless there will be plenty that the pulpit pimps will serve up more that needs to be debunked. The atheists will provide more distortion and inconsistency to be refuted. TBN will always present more brazen heresy that needs to be denied. At the same time there will be triumphs for God that need to be trumpeted; and God-willing, yours truly will give an interesting perspective on it all.<br /><br />Thanks for reading. May the always triumphant, infinitely Holy and intentionally near God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ continually comfort, protect and mature you throughout a God-glorifying 2010!!!<br /><br /><br />Keith,<br />B.L.B.B!!!<br />Be Like the Bereans, Baby!!! (Acts 17:11)</strong>Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-68343917298387640962009-06-07T23:49:00.005-04:002009-06-08T00:04:30.807-04:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedSCmXaleCR2AD4icSoPF6cc4-Mn70IOotGITUqH5d0DmCHsTEkgx_V70bJVxpJlDmAhTZABf-FcYe_3NIHpLwRCxqXWtQ-U24OmpWpE1aWqnz-L4Wtb31gpr7dlNdzjhN7SLyQ/s1600-h/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedSCmXaleCR2AD4icSoPF6cc4-Mn70IOotGITUqH5d0DmCHsTEkgx_V70bJVxpJlDmAhTZABf-FcYe_3NIHpLwRCxqXWtQ-U24OmpWpE1aWqnz-L4Wtb31gpr7dlNdzjhN7SLyQ/s200/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344800916009319538" /></a><br /><strong>GRACE ALONE<br />by <a href="http://insubmissiontosovereignty.blogspot.com/2007/10/say-ello-to-good-guys-lest-we-believing.html">Dr. R.C. Sproul</a><br /><br />Hi there; long time no pontificate! Well, you know my promise: "NO FLUFF"! Technically I still have nothing new for you so I'm deferring to a true genius: Dr. R.C. Sproul. This article, "Grace Alone" is from the June 2009 edition of Tabletalk Magazine. I think Dr. Sproul's logic and reasoning are air-tight. I double-dog dare you to refute him! <br /><br />Grace Alone (from Dr. Sproul's monthly column: Right Now Counts Forever)<br /><br />Soli Deo gloria is the motto that grew out of the Protestant Reformation and was used on every composition by Johann Sebastian Bach. He affixed the initials SDG at the bottom of each manuscript to communicate the idea that it is God and God alone who is to receive the glory for the wonders of His work of creation and of redemption. At the heart of the sixteenth-century controversy over salvation was the issue of grace.<br /><br />It was not a question of man's need for grace. It was a question as to the extent of that need. The church had already condemned Pelagius, who had taught that grace facilitates salvation but is not absolutely necessary for it. Semi-Pelagianism since that time has always taught that without grace there is no salvation. But the grace that is considered in all semi-Pelagian and Arminian theories of salvation is not an efficacious grace. It is a grace that makes salvation possible, but not a grace that makes salvation certain.<br /><br />In the parable of the sower we see that regarding salvation, God is the one who takes the initiative to bring salvation to pass. He is the sower. The seed that is sown is His seed, corresponding to His Word, and the harvest that results is His harvest. He harvests what He purposed to harvest when He initiated the whole process. God doesn't leave the harvest up to the vagaries of thorns and stones in the pathway. It is God and God alone who makes certain that a portion of His Word falls upon good ground. A critical error in interpreting this parable would be to assume that the good ground is the good disposition of fallen sinners, those sinners who make the right choice, responding positively to God's prevenient grace. The classical Reformed understanding of the good ground is that if the ground is receptive to the seed that is sown by God, it is God alone who prepares the ground for the germination of the seed.<br /><br />The biggest question any semi-Pelagian or Arminian has to face at the practical level is this: Why did I choose to believe the gospel and commit my life to Christ when my neighbor, who heard the same gospel, chose to reject it? That question has been answered in many ways. We might speculate that the reason why one person chooses to respond positively to the gospel and to Christ, while another one doesn't, is because the person who responded positively was more intelligent than the other one. If that were the case, then God would still be the ultimate provider of salvation because the intelligence is His gift, and it could be explained that God did not give the same intelligence to the neighbor who rejected the gospel. But that explanation is obviously absurd.<br /><br />The other possibility that one must consider is this: that the reason one person responds positively to the gospel and his neighbor does not is because the one who responded was a better person. That is, that person who made the right choice and the good choice did it because he was more righteous than his neighbor. In this case, the flesh not only availed something, it availed everything. This is the view that is held by the majority of evangelical Christians, namely, the reason why they are saved and others are not is that they made the right response to God's grace while the others made the wrong response.<br /><br />We can talk here about not only the correct response as opposed to an erroneous response, but we can speak in terms of a good response rather than a bad response. If I am in the kingdom of God because I made the good response rather than the bad response, I have something of which to boast, namely the goodness by which I responded to the grace of God. I have never met an Arminian who would answer the question that I've just posed by saying, "Oh, the reason I'm a believer is because I'm better than my neighbor." They would be loath to say that. However, though they reject this implication, the logic of semi-Pelagianism requires this conclusion. If indeed in the final analysis the reason I'm a Christian and someone else is not is that I made the proper response to God's offer of salvation while somebody else rejected it, then by resistless logic I have indeed made the good response, and my neighbor has made the bad response.<br /><br />What Reformed theology teaches is that it is true the believer makes the right response and the non-believer makes the wrong response. But the reason the believer makes the good response is because God in His sovereign election changes the disposition of the heart of the elect to effect a good response. I can take no credit for the response that I made for Christ. God not only initiated my salvation, He not only sowed the seed, but He made sure that that seed germinated in my heart by regenerating me by the power of the Holy Ghost. That regeneration is a necessary condition for the seed to take root and to flourish. That's why at the heart of Reformed theology the axiom resounds, namely, that regeneration precedes faith. It's that formula, that order of salvation that all semi-Pelagians reject. They hold to the idea that in their fallen condition of spiritual death, they exercise faith, and then are born again. In their view, they respond to the gospel before the Spirit has changed the disposition of their soul to bring them to faith. When that happens, the glory of God is shared. No semi-Pelagian can ever say with authenticity: "To God alone be the glory." For the semi-Pelagian, God may be gracious, but in addition to God's grace, my work of response is absolutely essential. Here grace is not effectual, and such grace, in the final analysis, is not really saving grace. In fact, salvation is of the Lord from beginning to end. Yes, I must believe. Yes, I must respond. Yes, I must receive Christ. But for me to say "yes" to any of those things, my heart must first be changed by the sovereign, effectual power of God the Holy Spirit. Soli Deo gloria.<br /><br />*****<br /><br />Dr. R.C. Sproul is founder and president of <a href="http://www.ligonier.org">Ligonier Ministries</a>, and he is author of the books A Taste of Heaven and Getting the Gospel Right.<br /><br /><br />Unleash your hidden calvinism!<br /><br /><br />Keith<br />B.L.B.B!!!<br />Be Like the Bereans, Baby!!!</strong>Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-16646539031347124032009-05-01T15:43:00.003-04:002009-05-01T15:53:19.633-04:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVsIfnqHuyk8J4eyXGsdopY-Vlubh-4j7OzLAwQNRmVudFNUh02ny0-5hczt3nuP37iCG_U6uP8p7YclQFl219NTsTCGegzpX25hcNC364y8AWvDow-2mmCdCP2IqbTBbK0JI-g/s1600-h/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVsIfnqHuyk8J4eyXGsdopY-Vlubh-4j7OzLAwQNRmVudFNUh02ny0-5hczt3nuP37iCG_U6uP8p7YclQFl219NTsTCGegzpX25hcNC364y8AWvDow-2mmCdCP2IqbTBbK0JI-g/s200/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278376944516203842" /></a><strong>In Submission to Sovereignty: Greatest Hits<br /><br /><br />While still mired in blogging-burnout, I remembered what many popular musicians do when new material is slow in coming: they release a "greatest hits" album. So having complied a modest library of blogs (some of which some of you may have missed)I present to you: In Submission to Sovereignty: Greatest Hits!!! <br /><br />With the increased media exposure of the likes of Creflo "Cashflow" Dollar; I thought we should be reminded of . . .<br /><br /><br />The Subtle Sinfulness of Silence <br /><br /><br />I knew when I began publishing this blog that my comments about heretical teachers, aberrant theologies, etc. would ruffle a lot of feathers. I expected to encounter fierce opposition and that many would be offended by what I have to say. I can honestly state, however, that it is not my intention to offend. It is my hope that someone, somewhere is given pause to think about what their being taught and then to move in a God-honoring direction. One of the unfortunate side-effects of "truth" is frequently "offense". <br /><br />Of greater concern to me, is the prospect of having to stand before God one day and having to explain why I was silent. Having to explain why I said nothing when I observed some of those very near and dear to me walking toward a cliff. I firmly believe that my salvation is a done deal and that my sinful silence would be forgiven; but let's just say that I want to be able to cast as many crowns before the feet of my Savior as is possible. <br /><br />That said, I would like for you to consider a few scenarios and honestly answer for yourself . . . what would you do? <br /><br />Imagine, your mother needs serious medical treatment. She selects a physician whom you know to have been misdiagnosing illnesses, prescribing improper medications and has been successfully sued for malpractice multiple times. Would you warn your mother? She really likes this doctor. She really trusts this doctor. What would you do? <br /><br />Imagine, your brother receives a large sum of money and decides to invest in the stock market. Your brother chooses a stockbroker whom you know to be entirely disreputable. He charges exorbitant fees for his services, all his clients have lost large sums of money while he continually prospers greatly. Would you warn your brother? <br /><br />Imagine, your sister falls in love with the man of her dreams. They become engaged and begin to plan their wedding. One night, your staying at a hotel and you hear the unmistakable sounds of a loud sexual encounter going on in the room next to you. When you leave the next morning, you observe your sister's fiance exiting that same room with another woman (or man, you pick). He looks at you winks and says, "C'mon, dog, you know the deal"! Would you tell your sister? <br /><br />I'm not the "Amazing Kreskin", but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that in each of the scenarios, you would be singing like a canary. So why is that where health, money and romance is concerned we feel duty bound to reveal the truth; but where the more eternally consequential effects of false teaching are concerned, we suddenly clam up? Why are we not concerned about being perceived as judgmental, arrogant and holier-than-thou in those scenarios; but just want to live and let live when a person's walk with Christ is endangered? <br /><br />I recently received a couple of answers to this sort of question. One person said that they would pray for the person and wait for God to reveal to them that their place of worship was apostate. Then they hoped that the person would see it for themselves and leave. Let's apply this solution to the scenarios that I have just presented. Praying is absolutely necessary and should be the first step; but are you going to tell me that as your mother is being prepped for surgery by Dr. Hamhands, all you are going to do is pray?! Please don't tell your brother that you prayed for him as he cashes in his son's college fund to pay his mortgage because Dewey, Cheatum and Howe landed him in the poor house! And after your sister contracts AIDS from her philandering husband, I'd keep that "I prayed you would find out" stuff on the down-low! <br /><br />As bad as these results are, the result of failing to speak up to our brothers and sisters who are under the thrall of false teaching and counterfeit christianity is far more detrimental. A false teacher, by definition, teaches falsehood and a house built on the sands of falsehood will surely collapse. And unfortunately, no one who has been ensnared by these lies can point their finger at the teacher on the day of judgment. They failed to study to show themselves approved and they will reap what they have sown. But you said nothing. <br /><br />It was also suggested that since the person is "saved" it doesn't matter that he is under false teaching because he's going to Heaven anyway. My response to this is always, "are you sure"? I mean you have to be omniscient (God) to rest in this assumption. It was further suggested that, if a person walks down the isle and has the Gospel explained to him and he receives Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior, then he is "saved". My answer to this is, "possibly". It depends on which Jesus he "received". If he received the Jesus of the prosperity gospel, or the Jesus who according to Creflo Dollar was not God is he really "saved"? These are false Jesuses and a false Jesus cannot save, truly. If, however, they somehow trust in the Biblical Jesus Christ (how that is possible in places that barely mention Him is truly a miracle) they are now obliged to forsake false teaching! A "profession" doesn't save anyone. A life of obedience and trust in the person and work of the Biblical Jesus Christ is evidence of our salvation. To paraphrase "Forrest Gump": "saved is as saved does" (see James 2:14-26). <br /><br />In my humble opinion, there are four main reasons why a person who knows better would remain silent in the face of a loved one's peril. <br /><br />1. Fear of losing friends/relations. <br /><br />You might remember the old cliche': "If you love something set it free. If it comes back, then it's yours. If it doesn't come back, then it never was". As mushy as it sounds, I believe that it is true. If you are not allowed to openly express your heart and concerns to someone whom you call "friend", I suspect the term "friend" has been misapplied in this particular arrangement. It is said that "friendship is essential to the soul". Can it be denied that trust is essential to friendship? <br /><br />The stance I have taken has caused major arguments with members of my family; it has even loosened bonds with those who once pledged that nothing could ever do so. I would like to think that if the situation was reversed they would love me enough to warn me, regardless of my reaction. The Word of God says to do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Matthew 7:12). I can sleep well at night knowing that I have. <br /><br />If someday I am shown to have been wrong about the deeds I have charged any of these teachers with, I will be the first to repent and apologize. If the future proves me to be correct, my door will always stand open to them. <br /><br /><br />2. Fear of confrontation. <br /><br />Going along just to get along. I don't have a lot of sympathy for this situation. Let's just say I'm happy that Martin Luther King didn't suffer with this problem. I'm glad Muhammad Ali didn't have this problem. I'm really glad Jesus didn't have this problem. <br /><br />Jude urges us to "contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). Paul instructs us to ". . . rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to . . . the commands of people who turn away from the truth" (Titus 1:13-14).Peter warns us to ". . .take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose you own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3:17-18). <br /><br />"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (II Timothy 1:7). Go grow a backbone! <br /><br />3. Individualism. <br /><br />We as the body of Christ have lost our understanding of community, the communion of the saints. An "I've got mine, you better go get yours" mentality pervades. We are saved individually, but we are ingrafted into a shared vine. We are our brother's keeper. Paul vividly illustrated that we all are to function together and if one of us is damaged, we all are damaged (I Corinthians 12:12-26). <br /><br />4. Lack of love. <br /><br />Oh, I can hear the jaws tightening already. "Who are you to suggest that I don't love my family/friends"! Hold on there, Tex! Don't get your drawers in a wad! As shown in the previous scenarios, "Love" compels us to act in the best interest of those we love. Love compels us to protect those we love. Love sacrifices it own comfort for the sake of others. Love weathers the misunderstandings and anger directed at it. If your "love" is lacking these qualities, maybe your heavy on emotional love and a little light on volitional love, agape love. <br /><br />"Faithful are the wounds of a friend, <br />But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful". Proverbs 27:6 <br /><br />--------------- <br /><br />Is this silence sin? Here's the bottom line, the Word of God states that to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin (James 4:17). We really have no excuse for our silence. Are we going to repeat Adam's folly in the Garden of Eden? Are we just going to stand there knowing the commands of God and say nothing while the serpent seduces our friends and family? That's how we all got into this mess in the first place! <br /><br />"Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand." Ezekiel 33:2-6 <br /><br /><br />Keith <br />B.L.B.B! <br />Be Like the Bereans, Baby!!!</strong>Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-35530707112060529612009-03-26T12:19:00.005-04:002009-03-26T12:35:40.135-04:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUaPt2Z1Ssah9UMWVmWBxczpUyQjGrriOBAOxmFAIzdGaNLa2lMJkshh8KxJfveP2zUWTOpZxh1QVW1hyTiM9iw1r2cZ8u0QIZ84Oije-dVylZj7V9PQv4ku88vBvjRgbk8TTNAw/s1600-h/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUaPt2Z1Ssah9UMWVmWBxczpUyQjGrriOBAOxmFAIzdGaNLa2lMJkshh8KxJfveP2zUWTOpZxh1QVW1hyTiM9iw1r2cZ8u0QIZ84Oije-dVylZj7V9PQv4ku88vBvjRgbk8TTNAw/s200/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317535497613484306" /></a><br /><strong>The Greatest Trick Satan Ever Played . . . Deepak Chopra and Carlton Pearson<br /><br /><br />Every now and then we need something to make us angry and digusted. Well, I have just the thing for you. Last night on ABC's Nightline, they had another in there series of debates called "Face Off". Last Night the topic was, "Does Satan Exist"? On the "pro" side was a former prostitute-turned-evangelist, Annie Lorbert; and a guy who is fast becoming one of my heroes, Mark Driscoll (Pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA- see link on my sidebar). <br /><br />On the "con" side, as you might expect was the elegant idiocy of Deepak Chopra and the apostate Carlton Pearson. Yes, evil does indeed make strange bedfellows.<br /><br />So, put down anything fragile or anything you don't want thrown against your computer screen; in fact for the safety of your computer maybe you'll want to listen to this in another room! Follow the magic link and come back here to give your comments!!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=7170007&page=1">"Does Satan Exist"? an ABC Nightline "Face Off" Debate</a><br /><br /><br /><br />Keith,<br />B.L.B.B!!!<br />Be Like the Bereans, Baby!!! (Acts 17:11)</strong>Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-53450175553712370112009-02-11T23:21:00.006-05:002009-02-12T02:26:24.197-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVsIfnqHuyk8J4eyXGsdopY-Vlubh-4j7OzLAwQNRmVudFNUh02ny0-5hczt3nuP37iCG_U6uP8p7YclQFl219NTsTCGegzpX25hcNC364y8AWvDow-2mmCdCP2IqbTBbK0JI-g/s1600-h/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVsIfnqHuyk8J4eyXGsdopY-Vlubh-4j7OzLAwQNRmVudFNUh02ny0-5hczt3nuP37iCG_U6uP8p7YclQFl219NTsTCGegzpX25hcNC364y8AWvDow-2mmCdCP2IqbTBbK0JI-g/s200/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278376944516203842" /></a><strong>NO RANDOMNESS<br /><br /><br />During the summer of 1982 I had the privilege of attending the United States Marine Corps' Platoon Leaders' Class in Quantico, Virginia. To this day, that remains one of the top three hardest things that I have ever done. My life was not my own; we were told when to eat, when to sleep, when to awaken, when to wash, where to be, etc. We were constantly barked at and nothing we did was ever correct. We were told we would not last an hour in combat; and if we ever even mistakenly brush against one of our instructors we were threatened with certain death. But other than that we had a great time.<br /><br />What I didn't realize at the time was that every detail of our time at PLC was planned to the nines. Even the badgering and death threats were all part of a master plan. There was nothing random, nothing left to chance. Every detail of this six weeks of "hell on earth" had one purpose: to make us battle-ready Marine Corps officers. No randomness.<br /><br />I played football throughout high school and for my first two years in college. I remember two, sometimes three-a-day practices in the heat of summer that made men barf up a lung or two. I remember constant drilling to prepare our team for the gridiron battles that lay ahead. We scrimmaged and watched films of our opponents ad nauseum; yet it was always according to the plans of our coaches. We prepared for every contingency that might happen during the games. All of this was for the purpose of making us ready to fight to the finish on the football field. No randomness.<br /><br />Today, I am an airline pilot. But before I was could wear my airline's uniform, I had to endure two years of professional pilot training, three weeks of indoctrination by my airline and worst of all: nine rounds of "no holds barred" wrestling with a beast they call the "Simulator". Now, some guys are born to fly and they take to that cursed box like a duck to water. I'm not one of them. That unfeeling, merciless contraption of satan has made me want to rip up my pilot's license, put on a blue vest and welcome people to Wal-Mart on more than one occasion! It is also on that "top three hardest things I have ever done" list. By the grace of God; however, I have made it through every time. The point is: they put us through every conceivable emergency scenario for one purpose . . . to make ready to be responsible for the lives of countless travelers. No randomness.<br /><br />While reminiscing over these events recently, it gave me an insight about our lives as followers of Jesus Christ. Let's face it, if you have been a Christian for any length of time you already know the belief that "once you get saved your life get's easier" is a lie from the pit of hell. From relationships to finances, death and disease, from being put down to pagans bent on world domination; our very souls are tried regularly. Thanks be unto God for the gifts of faith and prayer which are the only avenues by which we are strengthened and given peace in the midst of our trials.<br /><br />My insight; however, presented another perspective. One which I hope is biblical and will be of some help. Here it goes: if fallen man rightly attempts to prepare himself for the demands of temporal pursuits, shouldn't Almighty God even more so prepare His children for eternal glories? We proudly boast of our all-knowing, all-seeing, ever-present and almighty God. We profess of a God who is "sovereign" over every facet of life. By this we mean that God is in control of <strong>ALL</strong> things, big and small. God, Himself, testifies to this in Scripture when He says in Isaiah 14: 24, 27: "The Lord of hosts has sworn:<br /><br />“As I have planned,<br />so shall it be,<br />and as I have purposed,<br />so shall it stand . . .<br /><br />For the Lord of hosts has purposed,<br />and who will annul it?<br />His hand is stretched out,<br />and who will turn it back"?<br /><br />These truths, taken to their logical conclusion, say to me that nothing we encounter in this life is random. As a matter of fact, I'm willing to go out on a limb and say that everything we encounter and every event on earth is planned by our sovereign God. If every detail of Marine Corps Officer training or every detail of the Pittsburgh Steelers' training camp, or every detail of airline pilot training is planned in order to arrive at a specific outcome; how much more are the events of God's world planned to bring about His desired outcome of an exalted Savior of men and the bringing of many sons to glory? No randomness.<br /><br />Scripture makes clear that Jesus was the lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8KJV). It also proclaims that those who are in Christ were chosen in Him before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4KJV). This clearly indicates that a plan was in place long before the earth began. A plan that encompassed all the failings, victories, temptations, trials; and yes even sins that the participants would ever commit. Notice that in the Old Testament after God established His covenant with the children of Israel He declared that they would not keep the covenant. "And the Lord said to Moses, 'Behold, you are about to lie down with your fathers. Then this people will rise and whore after the foreign gods among them in the land that they are entering, and they will forsake me and break my covenant that I have made with them'" (Deut.31:16). Consider this: if the Israelites had been faithful and kept the covenant, would Jesus' death have been necessary? I think not. But that's the whole point of redemptive history; the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. An exalted Savior and Lord, a glorified Father and a redeemed people of God; that's the Bible! No randomness.<br /><br />Did God make Israel fail? Certainly not! Israel, as are all mankind, was responsible for their choices; but their failure was inevitable. God is not the author of sin.<br /><br />So, what of the trials and triumphs of our lives today? They are the training eternally planned for each of us. God, in His infinite wisdom, has planned every detail of our lives from the womb to the tomb. All with the purpose of glorifying Himself and producing battle-tested replicas of His perfect son, Jesus.<br /><br />" For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers" (Romans 8:29)"<br /><br />"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)"<br /><br />What does this mean for our prayers and our expectations? If I am correct, does that mean we have figured out God's plan? Does that mean that, now, the jig is up and He must do something new? God forbid! Knowing this, is the reason for an even more uncompromising trust in our sovereign God. Since we know that He is invincible and that He is incapable of failure; we should of all people be the most assured and the most at peace. Jesus was able to endure the cross because of the glory that lay beyond it. Jesus was able to endure the very wrath of God the Father because of the glory that lay beyond it. Who are we to imitate?<br /><br />Talk about "dangling chad" . . . for us who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, this is the most rigged "election" (Ephesians 1:4-6) in the history of the world. I, for one, would have it no other way.<br /><br />No randomness.<br /><br /><br />Keith,<br />B.L.B.B!!!<br />Be Like the Bereans, Baby!!! (Acts 17:11)</strong>Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-37509267468782994962009-01-28T03:44:00.005-05:002009-01-28T04:05:58.043-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVsIfnqHuyk8J4eyXGsdopY-Vlubh-4j7OzLAwQNRmVudFNUh02ny0-5hczt3nuP37iCG_U6uP8p7YclQFl219NTsTCGegzpX25hcNC364y8AWvDow-2mmCdCP2IqbTBbK0JI-g/s1600-h/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVsIfnqHuyk8J4eyXGsdopY-Vlubh-4j7OzLAwQNRmVudFNUh02ny0-5hczt3nuP37iCG_U6uP8p7YclQFl219NTsTCGegzpX25hcNC364y8AWvDow-2mmCdCP2IqbTBbK0JI-g/s200/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278376944516203842" /></a><strong>Why We Contend<br /><br />I'll let the videos speak. Here's Mark Driscoll . . .<br /><br /><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DEFhfIs26AM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DEFhfIs26AM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7IuiUOapK1w&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7IuiUOapK1w&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />Keith,<br />B.L.B.B!!!<br />Be Like the Bereans, Baby!!! (Acts 17:11)</strong>Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-37203495129600668592009-01-28T02:57:00.002-05:002009-01-28T03:18:50.591-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVsIfnqHuyk8J4eyXGsdopY-Vlubh-4j7OzLAwQNRmVudFNUh02ny0-5hczt3nuP37iCG_U6uP8p7YclQFl219NTsTCGegzpX25hcNC364y8AWvDow-2mmCdCP2IqbTBbK0JI-g/s1600-h/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVsIfnqHuyk8J4eyXGsdopY-Vlubh-4j7OzLAwQNRmVudFNUh02ny0-5hczt3nuP37iCG_U6uP8p7YclQFl219NTsTCGegzpX25hcNC364y8AWvDow-2mmCdCP2IqbTBbK0JI-g/s200/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278376944516203842" /></a><strong>The Gospel that Repels<br /><br /><br />Some time ago, I posted a series of blogs called: "Say 'ello to the Good Guys". Somehow I forgot to include this next gentleman. I have to thank "The Pilgrim" over at the blog, "Defending. Contending." for posting the following video of <br />Pastor John MacArthur.<br /><br />If your pastor is not telling you this every Sunday, he is not doing his job . . .</strong><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tNQoOEG8P2I&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tNQoOEG8P2I&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/M_YYNuMN5II&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/M_YYNuMN5II&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><strong>You can slap me silly and call me "Shirley"; but somehow I don't think you'll be seeing Dr. MacArthur on TBN again any time soon. Just a hunch.<br /><br /><br />Keith,<br />B.L.B.B!!!<br />Be Like the Bereans, Baby!!!</strong>Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-14190164879089422302009-01-24T10:38:00.001-05:002009-01-28T03:19:32.542-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVsIfnqHuyk8J4eyXGsdopY-Vlubh-4j7OzLAwQNRmVudFNUh02ny0-5hczt3nuP37iCG_U6uP8p7YclQFl219NTsTCGegzpX25hcNC364y8AWvDow-2mmCdCP2IqbTBbK0JI-g/s1600-h/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVsIfnqHuyk8J4eyXGsdopY-Vlubh-4j7OzLAwQNRmVudFNUh02ny0-5hczt3nuP37iCG_U6uP8p7YclQFl219NTsTCGegzpX25hcNC364y8AWvDow-2mmCdCP2IqbTBbK0JI-g/s200/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278376944516203842" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://stevenjcamp.blogspot.com/2009/01/this-is-kind-of-biblical-prayer-that.html">CAMPONTHIS: THIS IS THE KIND OF BIBLICAL PRAYER THAT GOD HONORS<br>...a prayer for President Obama by Dr. Al Mohler</a>Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-24213395452733501942008-12-29T20:47:00.009-05:002009-01-28T03:20:26.300-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVsIfnqHuyk8J4eyXGsdopY-Vlubh-4j7OzLAwQNRmVudFNUh02ny0-5hczt3nuP37iCG_U6uP8p7YclQFl219NTsTCGegzpX25hcNC364y8AWvDow-2mmCdCP2IqbTBbK0JI-g/s1600-h/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVsIfnqHuyk8J4eyXGsdopY-Vlubh-4j7OzLAwQNRmVudFNUh02ny0-5hczt3nuP37iCG_U6uP8p7YclQFl219NTsTCGegzpX25hcNC364y8AWvDow-2mmCdCP2IqbTBbK0JI-g/s200/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278376944516203842" /></a><strong>In Submission to Sovereignty: Greatest Hits<br /><br /><br />While still mired in blogging-burnout, I remembered what many popular musicians do when new material is slow in coming: they release a "greatest hits" album. So having complied a modest library of blogs (some of which some of you may have missed)I present to you: In Submission to Sovereignty: Greatest Hits!!! <br /><br />This golden oldie is especially appropriate for the New Year . . . <br /><br /><br />Standing on the Verge of Gettin' it Wrong (Originally posted 12/28/06) <br /><br /><br />Well, here we are on the verge of the year of our Lord 2007 (2009). In just a few nights several would-be prophets will speak forth what saith their fertile imaginations for their itchy-eared fans. Charges to launch out into the deep, to lengthen our cords and strengthen our stakes; and promises of a breakthrough will be plentiful as masses of the deceived flood churches on New Years Eve for "Watchnight" service. <br /><br />How quickly they seem to forget that they were promised the same things last year, and the year before that and the year before that. Of course, the failure of the previous prophecies will easily explained away by recognizing that it was not yet their "season". Doubtless, there have been individuals in probably every congregation who have realized a monetary windfall or some tremendous blessing from God; but I have never witnessed any of these wannabe Nostrodamuses (or is that Nostrodami?) identify the exact person or persons who would enjoy these blessings. They always send out some scatter-shot prophecy, general enough to find fulfillment with somebody. As the old saying goes, "if you throw enough mud against a wall, some of it has got to stick". <br /><br />What all the blessing-hungry minions fail to realize is that what their local swami is doing is not prophecy; it's fortune-telling which was strickly forbidden by God in the Old Testament. And why is it that we never hear any "prophetic word" about bad things? The biblical prophets frequently predicted famine, exile and death. I bet you'll never hear any of these junior Jeane Dixons say anything like this: "2007(2009) is going to be a year of severe trial. Some of you will die, some will be imprisoned, some of you will even go broke." Talk about emptying a church. A fire alarm wouldn't do it as fast! <br /><br />I'm no prophet, but the truth is some Christian will die this year. Some Christian will be severely tried, be imprisoned or go broke in 2007(2009). Wouldn't a little forewarning help prepare us? I guess that kind of forecast wouldn't scratch itchy ears. And It would definitely cut into the offering that night. <br /><br />The letter to the Hebrews makes it pretty unmistakable: "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spokento us by His Son . . ."(Heb 1:1-2a). The canon of Scripture is closed. There is no "new revelation". Heck, most of us aren't obeying the old revelation! Whatever 2007(2009)holds, only becoming like Jesus is going to count for eternity. <br /><br />Here's a prediction for you . . . God will continue to be Holy, faithful and in control of ALL things in 2007(2009). <br /><br />". . .fear not for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand". Isaiah 40:10 <br /><br /><br />Keith <br />B. L. B. B.! <br />(Be Like the Bereans Baby!)</strong>Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-13028109484552995622008-12-10T23:12:00.001-05:002008-12-10T23:13:58.212-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVsIfnqHuyk8J4eyXGsdopY-Vlubh-4j7OzLAwQNRmVudFNUh02ny0-5hczt3nuP37iCG_U6uP8p7YclQFl219NTsTCGegzpX25hcNC364y8AWvDow-2mmCdCP2IqbTBbK0JI-g/s1600-h/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVsIfnqHuyk8J4eyXGsdopY-Vlubh-4j7OzLAwQNRmVudFNUh02ny0-5hczt3nuP37iCG_U6uP8p7YclQFl219NTsTCGegzpX25hcNC364y8AWvDow-2mmCdCP2IqbTBbK0JI-g/s200/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278376944516203842" /></a><br /><strong>INTERNAL AFFAIRS<br /><br />As part of my normal cyber-patrol, I have taken part in several forums on various "Christian" websites over the last few weeks. What I have confirmed (much to my chagrin) is that as the Apostle Paul predicted most of our trouble is coming from within the Church. I know that the LORD said that the tares must grow along with the wheat; but judging by what is passing for Christianity out there this wheat field needs some spiritual DDT! The locusts are afoot!<br /><br />The willingness of many to argue to the death for nonsense is unfathomable. Here' a short list of what I have encountered within the last month:<br /><br />1. The Bible has "thousands" of errors.<br />2. The Trinity is a false doctrine.<br />3. Jesus suffered a "spiritual death" on the cross.<br />4. The Bible doesn't teach eternal punishment.<br />5. The Holy Spirit is not a Person.<br />6. We shouldn't eat turkey for Thanksgiving because it is a "bird of prey".<br />7. The repentant thief did not go to paradise as Jesus promised him on the cross.<br />8. Those dead in Christ remain in the grave until Jesus' return.<br />9. Culture trumps Christianity.<br />10. God does not give people faith.<br /><br />There is obviously an attack of lunacy infecting the Church! <br /><br />After expending far too much time and energy debating these nut-jobs, yours truly is suffering from burnout. I simply have not been able to focus on any one subject long enough to come up with a decent post. So please bear with me; I'm going to clear my head for a little while. When the muse hits me again, you'll be the first to know!<br /><br /><br />Keith<br />B.L.B.B!!!<br />Be Like the Bereans, Baby!!!<br /><br />P.S. If you would like a first-hand look for yourself . . . pray hard, then visit <a href="http://www.theblackchurchpage.com/modules.php?name=Forums">The Black Church Page </a>and <a href="http://www.gospelpals.com/group_discussion.php?group_id=6">Gospelpals</a></strong>Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-60128283327359046922008-10-15T14:18:00.006-04:002008-10-16T20:32:14.468-04:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6Q8As0pD7M2apu8Jhp_jmwU-hDJ4RjZMDGgggYj4jciXWhA-AJv2ukBxq4tKmh0WCx6FZ0fAVNoml7r_a1o-X5feVba99YrCYj3jXhwQf521LvV3bPqHCZHYO_H8SepmU8FbrA/s1600-h/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6Q8As0pD7M2apu8Jhp_jmwU-hDJ4RjZMDGgggYj4jciXWhA-AJv2ukBxq4tKmh0WCx6FZ0fAVNoml7r_a1o-X5feVba99YrCYj3jXhwQf521LvV3bPqHCZHYO_H8SepmU8FbrA/s200/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257474487466565218" /></a><br /><strong>What? You Mean It Was True!!! (Part III)<br /><br /><br />In our last episode Adam and Eve had just eaten the forbidden fruit . . . The Bible states that after consuming the fruit Adam and Eve's eyes were opened. This means that they now recognized that their nakedness was exposed and it also means that they understood that they had done something very wrong. This is evident in their hiding themselves from God when He entered the Garden for His evening stroll. When God asked Adam why they were hiding themselves, he answered that it was because they were naked. Adam then blamed Eve for their disobedience and Eve then blamed the serpent. God then pronounced curses on each of them for their role in this act of cosmic treason. Most interesting was the curse He pronounced on the serpent. Keep in mind that this was no garden-variety snake. This snake was under the influence of the Adversary, satan himself.<br /><br />God said to satan that He would put enmity between satan and the woman; between satan's offspring (the wicked throughout the ages) and the woman's offspring (the faithful throughout the ages, epitomized by Jesus Christ). Enmity is defined as, "positive, active, and typically mutual hatred or ill will ". So basically this curse created an enduring hatred and warfare between those who would be the followers of satan (offspring) and ultimately the prominent child of Eve and His followers (Eve's faithful offspring). God goes on to say that satan will do harm to this ultimate offspring; but this offspring will utterly crush satan and triumph over him. This passage of Scripture has been dubbed the "proto-evangelion" or "first pronouncement of the Gospel". It is here that the redemption of the now fallen human race is promised.<br /><br />So what does this all mean? What does it have to do with you and me today? Well, Adam and Eve's sin in the Garden affected all of us. Adam was declared, by God, to be mankind's perfect representative. Not perfect as in he was incapable of failing; but perfect in that all of mankind after him would be of equal character and capability. Therefore, we can never say that if we had been in Adam's place we would not have done the very same thing. It's easy to play Monday-morning quarterback and tell Adam what he should have done. The truth is, we would have fallen just as hard.<br /><br />But here we have it, a fallen creation. What is God going to do? The more proper question is, what had God already done? The remainder of the Bible is God's revelation of His glorious plan of redemption for fallen mankind. To demonstrate His grace, glory and might, God chooses one man, Abraham, and his people to be the example of all these truths throughout human history. You might say, "why him"? The answer is simply because he was God's choice, period. From the introduction of Abraham, God's dealings with him and his people come to fruition with the entry of the Savior Jesus Christ some two thousand years later. Now, I would be posting forever, if I were to attempt to recap the whole Bible for you. No can do. <br /><br />Man's fall radically altered his nature. Prior to that fall, man had perfect fellowship with his Creator and could stand before Him without a mediator. With his fall man did die just as God warned him. He died spiritually and volitionally, the instant he ate the fruit. Man's physical death was progressive with time. That spiritual and volitional death made man completely unresponsive to God. Man no longer wanted to be with God, nor obey God, nor love God. With the onset of spiritual and volitional death, men became haters of God and set out to be their own god. This all was to the absolute delight of the Adversary.<br /><br />Now I ask you, if you were the Adversary how far would you go to prevent man from ever be reconciled to the God you hate more than anything in the universe? Would you influence man to worship himself or gods that didn't exist? Man is incurably religious. Yes, even the atheists. We will worship something or some one; it's built into us. Whether it's money, power, sex, self, science, allah, Oprah or Obama, we will worship something. The Adversary is very aware of this; so would it not be a useful tool in your tool belt to have as many false religions around as possible in order to keep men off the trail of the true God? Wouldn't it be amiable to your cause if you could keep people so distracted by economic issues and wars and racism and various supposed rights? Wouldn't you prop up false teachers who come performing signs and wonders that they claim come direct from heaven's throne-room? Wouldn't you promise prosperity, health and influence if it would keep people from reading the truth from Scripture? Speaking of Scripture wouldn't you do your best to discredit the Bible and make it seem unreliable and irrelevant? Wouldn't you promote killing more potential believers in Christ by killing them in the womb? Wouldn't you place innocent children in homosexual homes in order to completely obliterate their understanding of sexual roles?<br /><br />How far would you go if you knew that there's no way in heaven you can strike directly at God Himself? How far would you go having already been kicked out of heaven and knowing that you ultimate home is hell and eternal torment? Would you drag as many as you could to go down with you? satan would and he's working on it while your sleeping.<br /><br />Of course, all our modern knowledge will tell you that this is all mythology. That this is insecure man's way of dealing with the unknown. Science has proven that we all come from slime, hasn't it? Or could that be another of the Adversary's ploys to keep you with him where he's going? What say you?<br /><br />So here it is. What has God done to make this date with the devil avoidable? Here is the ultimate question? How can a sinful man stand justified before a Holy God? There is only ONE way. Every single human being since Adam's fall in the garden stands condemned before God. Without some kind of intervention on his behalf every man will justly join the Adversary in hell for all eternity for both the infection of original sin AND the actual sins every man commits. God has only one penalty for sin, that penalty is death(Romans 6:23a, " For the wages of sin is death . . .). There's no community service, there's no paying a fine, there is only death. God is just and therefore He must punish sin, every man's sin. But God is also loving and He does not want to banish His entire creation to hell. So what was required was that someone would fulfill all (each and every one) of God's righteous laws and live a perfect life (in word, thought and deed). This perfect man would also have to pay the penalty due to those who had sinned against God and endure their punishment in their place. This is because God had decreed that without the shedding of blood there is NO forgiveness of sin (Hebrews 9:22, "Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins."). It's God's rule, deal with it!<br /><br />I submit to you that the man who accomplished this task was none other than Jesus Christ, the ultimate seed promised to Adam and Eve way back in Genesis. Jesus was the seed of the woman and He is also the Son of the living God, the triune God. This second person of the Godhead was given human flesh in the womb of the virgin Mary and was born into the world of sinful man. He lived 33 years without so much as a sinful dream, fulfilling the law and willfully laid down His sinless life on the cross of Calvary. His death and His death alone was sufficient to satisfy this just demands of Holy God for sin. And because Jesus was sinless death could not keep Him and God raised Him from the dead. This gracious act of God now paved the way for sinful man to be born again and reconciled to God. This miraculous act, planned before the world was ever created, enabled God to carry out His justice while at the same time extend mercy to repentant sinners. It is often said that in this transaction, mercy and justice kissed each other.<br /><br />What is required now is that man confess and repent that he is a fallen, rebellious and sinful creature who is in need of a Savior; if he is to avoid the Adversary's fate. Man must place his trust in Jesus Christ ALONE for the forgiveness of his sin and rebellion. This being done, God has promised that that man shall in no way be condemned. His sins will be forgiven and the righteousness of Jesus Christ is imputed to his account. This is indeed GOOD NEWS for sinners like me and you! The only catch is that you must accept this good news now, today. Because a day is coming when God is going to settle all accounts. We don't know when that day is; it could be one hundred years from now. It also could be tomorrow. And it would be the tragedy of tragedies to appear before the judgment seat of Almighty God and utter these bewildered words: "What? You mean it was true!"<br /><br />I know there will be severe objections to what I have written here. If you were satan, wouldn't you have objections?<br /><br /><br />Keith,<br />B.L.B.B!!!<br />Be Like the Bereans, Baby!!! (Acts 17:3) </strong>Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-81920628365170158082008-09-23T12:42:00.003-04:002008-09-23T14:21:35.015-04:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dGXS3TL1HCelQgQMAPNowMiekfePrLl_RQDZ6hJfpGicpxrRqsEmIm7NtT_nTqUguYb-7k-VONGXBPKhIfE29sefRLlgIQ0l8y9qzx1rkjwHsnpEidm9ZknB-PT38_yyEOWq3A/s1600-h/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dGXS3TL1HCelQgQMAPNowMiekfePrLl_RQDZ6hJfpGicpxrRqsEmIm7NtT_nTqUguYb-7k-VONGXBPKhIfE29sefRLlgIQ0l8y9qzx1rkjwHsnpEidm9ZknB-PT38_yyEOWq3A/s200/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249280498270968994" /></a><br /><strong>What? You Mean It Was True!!! (Part II)<br /><br /><br />When last we left our Hero, He had given specific instructions to the first man and woman to not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. An intruder, however, has come into the garden to tempt sweet innocent Eve . . .<br /><br />As any good husband would, Adam warned his wife about God's instructions. However, Eve got the story a little twisted. The Adversary (disguised as a serpent) asked her: "Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'"? You see, this was a very loaded question. First of all, God never said that Adam and Eve were forbidden to eat from "any tree in the garden". He only forbade the tree in the center of the garden; the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Second, the Adversary was subtly bringing doubt on the Word of God. To this very day, God is being charged with things that He has never said in His Word and He is being misrepresented by distortions of what He has said in His Word. As we are about to see, loose lips certainly do sink ships.<br /><br />Oblivious to the Adversary's ploy, Eve volunteers a distortion of her own. She stated that God said, " We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” Notice the subtle addition that she made, "neither shall you touch it". God never said that. You might say "big deal, if they didn't touch it; they certainly couldn't eat from it". This is true, however, it gave the serpent more to work with in inducing doubt into Eve about her Creator.<br /><br />Now the serpent lowers the boom, "You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil”. The Adversary audaciously impugns the character of God. By this statement he accuses the triune God of lying, jealousy and insecurity. Assailing God's character, casting doubt on the veracity of His Word(s) and portraying Him as an evil dictator has been the serpents tactic since the garden and he continues it to this very day. As I previously stated, the adversary is powerless before the triune God; so his only hope is to distort Him to us or destroy us in order to get at Him.<br /><br />So what was Adam doing during this dialogue between his wife and the talking snake? Well Scripture makes it clear that he was right there with Eve, yet he said nothing. I can't begin to explain this. As you might have guessed Eve, drawn by the beauty of the tree's fruit, eats and also gets silent Adam to join in. If I may come to ol' Adam's defense for just a moment, when a beautiful naked woman asks you to have some fruit . . . you have some fruit!<br /><br />With this act all creation is cast into utter bondage. This act of disobedience to the clear command of God introduces that thing which severs man from his creator and deprives man of spiritual, volitional, and ultimately physical life. That thing is SIN. You might say, "is it really <em>that</em> deep"? Yes, it is. Wrapped up in that little piece of fruit was mankind's whole future. Had they obeyed and not eaten the fruit Adam and Eve and thereby all of their descendants would have lived forever in perfection with their triune God. By eating the fruit, they committed treason on the grandest scale against their triune God and ushered in all of the evil, sickness, war, famine, pestilence and death that you see overrunning our world today.<br /><br />You are probably saying that that is much too great a penalty for such a simple transgression. It was just a piece of fruit. Consider who was transgressed against in this event. This triune God is the more than the supreme example of holiness, goodness, truth, justice, love, mercy, faithfulness, power or any other superlative you can think of. <em>HE is the being who gives these words their meaning . . . and then some!!!</em> Adam and Eve by their disobedience sided with and trusted a snake. Need I say more. The question that now might be asked is, is the triune God petty and vindictive in banning the first couple from His garden and declaring their death? ABSOLUTELY NOT! As I said, He already knew what was going to happen and He already planned the outcome. This outcome would be the most glorious outcome "inconceivable" . . .<br /><br />Is it all over for Adam and Eve? Has the Adversary overthrown God's creation? Is God wringing His hands in despair? Is Obama really a muslim? The answer to these questions and more, next time when: The Umpire Strikes Back!<br /><br /><br />Keith,<br />B.L.B.B!!!<br />Be Like the Berans, Baby!!! (Acts 17:11) </strong>Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-7069283145144160162008-09-16T13:29:00.003-04:002008-09-16T18:59:40.359-04:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DgJJ1q1XXUBZX6y1CmFEPbtnKWSKldBGndc-0eeT9vRJAwnOpRXiFn6PAY22jNwK2jz_xWWGsfadbVcHK87KhUoo1JBUgmJ5Nyfr6d4Zglt1NlfUyLQjAvhYspVV4DCAfF_LwA/s1600-h/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DgJJ1q1XXUBZX6y1CmFEPbtnKWSKldBGndc-0eeT9vRJAwnOpRXiFn6PAY22jNwK2jz_xWWGsfadbVcHK87KhUoo1JBUgmJ5Nyfr6d4Zglt1NlfUyLQjAvhYspVV4DCAfF_LwA/s200/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246669662872482770" /></a><br /><strong>What? You Mean It Was True!!! (Part I)<br /><br /><br />What I have in mind for the next few posts isn't for you. "You" being my readers who are my brothers and sisters in Jesus the Christ. Of course I still want you to read it; but it's really for the unbelievers out there. What are the chances that there are actually unbelievers who read this blog? Well, being a Christian I don't believe in chance. And being a reformed Christian, I believe that if it is God's will, He will providentially lead that unbeliever whom He wants to read it directly to this blog . . . even if the unbeliever thinks it's an accident.<br /><br />I have recently been thinking about how this blog and many of my buddy-bloggers (see my blogroll) have been battling a lot of in-house (?) problems. We are usually sounding the alarm against the false teachers out there and decrying the unbiblical trends that are developing in the church. I realized that as far as my blog is concerned, I had never extensively addressed the unbelievers. I guess that's because I didn't think many would ever read this blog. Charge it to a lapse in my reformed thinking. So, Mr. or Ms. unbeliever . . . this one is for you!<br /><br />I realize that there are many different kinds of unbelievers out there. You have your Richard Dawkins/Michael Hitchens/Bill Maher-types who nothing short of a slap in the face by Jesus Himself will convince. You also have the "I believe in God, just not the God of Christianity"-types. And then there's the type I really want to engage: the "I'll listen to what you have to say and I'll give it some serious thought"-types. I pray that at least these last two groups will hear me out.<br /><br />Humor me for the next few posts and assume that there exists an infinite, all-powerful, all-knowing, loving and just God. This God is the source of all goodness righteousness and justice. And as incomprehensible as it may be; this one God subsists in three distinct persons. I know I'm asking you to go quite far with me; but just hang in there. This God's goodness and glory is of such magnitude that it simply must be displayed. This unbounded goodness cannot be subdued. So in order to give full expression to this glory, this one God takes counsel among His persons. The outcome of this counsel is that this one God will create a universe upon which to display His infinite glory.<br /><br />The pinnacle of this created universe was man. I say he was the pinnacle of God's creation because it was in man alone that the triune God decided to place His own image. Trust me, that's no small deal. As with all finite creatures mankind had to start with the first man; let's call him "Adam". The triune God (one God who subsists in three distinct persons)created a planet, Earth, and on that planet created a garden and gave it to Adam to live in. After an undetermined amount of time God observed that Adam needed a mate; so He removed one of Adam's ribs and created "Eve", the first woman. As was His prerogative, the triune God laid down some regulations for Adam and Eve. These were no mere suggestions; but the very grounds on which their continued existence in the garden were based. Little did Adam and Eve realize that God already knew that they would fail to obey the regulations. You see, God had plans that were much larger than just giving the first couple a nice place to live. As I said, this triune God's goodness and unbounded glory simply must be displayed. So God had already prepared a plan that would display that glory in the most significant way conceivable.<br /><br />What were these regulations? Well, there were a few but the most important one had to do with the first couple's diet. Basically, they could eat anything the land produced except the fruit of one particular tree. This tree was in the center of the garden and God had enriched the fruit of this particular tree with the ability to give its eater the God-like knowledge of good and evil. God warned Adam that this tree was off limits. They could eat from any other tree; but eating of this tree was strictly forbidden. In fact, He made it clear to Adam that should he or Eve eat the fruit of this tree; they would <em>surely</em> die! This regulation served as a test of the first couple's trust and willingness to obey their Creator. Their decision in regard to this regulation would also have enduring consequences for their progeny; for the triune God had determined that Adam would represent all of mankind in this test. The blessings of his obedience would be imputed to all of his descendants. The curse of his disobedience would also be imputed to all of his descendants. The theological big-brains call this the Covenant of Works.<br /><br />Among the triune God's other creations were the angels. No long lesson on angels here; let's just say they all didn't remain true to their Creator. One in particular got really full of himself and tried to lead a coup. Well, God laid the smackdown on him and he never got over it. We'll call this erstwhile angel, "the Adversary". This is a very apt name because he is stridently against anything the triune God is in favor of or is favorable toward. One thing that it is very important to understand about the Adversary is that he is a creature. He is not some evil doppelganger of the triune God. Although as a former angelic being he has much greater than human strengths and abilities; he is a mere flea before the might of the triune God. Nonetheless, he does come in handy to God in the ultimate display of His unbounded goodness and glory.<br /><br />Meanwhile back in the garden . . . Adam and Eve are walking through when Eve's attention is attracted by a talking snake (go figure!). By means way to complicated to explain here, the Adversary is allowed to spiritually in habit a serpent. Somehow Eve is not startled by the discovery of this loquacious reptile. And as is his penchant, the Adversary begins to cast aspersions on the character of the triune God. He asked Eve whether God said that she could eat from the tree in the center of the garden (the one with the fruit that would make them know good and evil). . . <br /><br />Will Eve hold a conversation with a snake? Or will she realize that the snake speaketh with a forked-tongue? Will Adam intervene and defend his wife? Or will they take the snake's bait? For the answer to these questions and more be sure to tune in next week for: The Fall of Man! <br /><br /><br />Keith,<br />B.L.B.B!!!<br />Be Like the Bereans, Baby!!! (Acts 17:11)</strong>Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-79991578167467649582008-08-29T23:38:00.004-04:002009-01-27T23:03:54.795-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUmG5YtNo0obTaBJrPKm3j0_Y-tAEOcZScSPskLhIZyUuLj_OimQAc4c4E6iwX941AtEDgMWsYjBKfswBEiZFlvp5XXn0m6ilGprj_WRGVurYqSJt4qJj5uCCLWh9fvA_D_aaQQ/s1600-h/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUmG5YtNo0obTaBJrPKm3j0_Y-tAEOcZScSPskLhIZyUuLj_OimQAc4c4E6iwX941AtEDgMWsYjBKfswBEiZFlvp5XXn0m6ilGprj_WRGVurYqSJt4qJj5uCCLWh9fvA_D_aaQQ/s200/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240151078067554082" /></a><br /><strong>You Can't Spell "Morality" Without G-O-D<br /><br /><br />I said that I wasn't going to do it; but I did. I watched Obama's speech last night and I must say that I wasn't disappointed. I wasn't disappointed because I expected him to give an eloquent and persuasive speech. I also expected him to give a speech totally void of a godly perspective. As I said, I wasn't disappointed. <br /><br />Sure, he spoke of opportunities for education for all people. Sure, he spoke of re-establishing America as the beacon of hope for the world. Sure, he spoke of sacrifice and individual responsibility. He spoke of finding common ground between those who are pro-death and those who are pro-life. He spoke of finding common ground between those who want to protect the 2nd amendment and those who want complete gun control. He spoke of finding common ground between those who want to protect our borders and those who want to fling them open. All very fair proposals. However, Obama and his minions continue to overlook (perhaps ignore) one very simple, yet indispensible fact. A fact that he, as a professed Christian and as one who respects the "Great Teacher", should understand . . . the fact that morality apart from God is still SIN. <br /><br />I have no doubt that Obama wants to achieve what he spoke of last night; but just as he accused his opponent "he just doesn't get it". As a Christian he should realize that mixing pagan/godless morality with the truth of God will not work. Has he not understood what caused Old Testament Israel to be sent into exile? The very same syncretic dabbling with paganism in which the church and our country is engaged today. Christians like Obama and our society in general compromise God's clear denunciation of abortion homosexuality, etc. under the guise of tolerance and inclusion. DO NOT BE DECEIVED; GOD IS NOT MOCKED (Gal 6:7)!!! <br /><br />Doesn't anyone get it that the material ills this country is currently enduring are merely the symptoms of our true and more deadly affliction? We have abandoned God just like the Israelites. We simply cannot flout God's righteous will and expect to prosper. <br /><br />You believe it's evil for wealth to be concentrated in the hands of so few? Blame the destruction of God's image in millions of womens' wombs every year. Not white people. You believe that the oil companies are evil for profiting so much at our expense and misery? Blame the abomination of homosexuality and homosexual "marriage". Not capitalism. You believe the war in Iraq is evil? Blame the fact that we have allowed God to be removed from the public square.You believe blacks don't have equal opportunities in this country? Blame the religious pluralism and relativism that has gained acceptance even within many of our churches. Blame SIN! You want it to stop? REPENT! <br /><br />We have millions of professing Christians shouting the praises of God, claiming to love His Word and we don't really believe the prophet Jeremiah (ch.2:5-37): <br />"Thus says the Lord: <br />What wrong did your fathers find in me <br />that they went far from me, <br />and went after worthlessness, and became worthless? <br />They did not say, ‘Where is the Lord <br />who brought us up from the land of Egypt, <br />who led us in the wilderness, <br />in a land of deserts and pits, <br />in a land of drought and deep darkness, <br />in a land that none passes through, <br />where no man dwells?’ <br />And I brought you into a plentiful land <br />to enjoy its fruits and its good things. <br />But when you came in, you defiled my land <br />and made my heritage an abomination. <br />The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’ <br />Those who handle the law did not know me; <br />the shepherds [1] transgressed against me; <br />the prophets prophesied by Baal <br />and went after things that do not profit. <br /><br />“Therefore I still contend with you, <br />declares the Lord, <br />and with your children's children I will contend. <br />For cross to the coasts of Cyprus and see, <br />or send to Kedar and examine with care; <br />see if there has been such a thing. <br />Has a nation changed its gods, <br />even though they are no gods? <br />But my people have changed their glory <br />for that which does not profit. <br />Be appalled, O heavens, at this; <br />be shocked, be utterly desolate, <br />declares the Lord, <br />for my people have committed two evils: <br />they have forsaken me, <br />the fountain of living waters, <br />and hewed out cisterns for themselves, <br />broken cisterns that can hold no water. <br /><br />“Is Israel a slave? Is he a homeborn servant? <br />Why then has he become a prey? <br />The lions have roared against him; <br />they have roared loudly. <br />They have made his land a waste; <br />his cities are in ruins, without inhabitant. <br />Moreover, the men of Memphis and Tahpanhes <br />have shaved [2] the crown of your head. <br />Have you not brought this upon yourself <br />by forsaking the Lord your God, <br />when he led you in the way? <br />And now what do you gain by going to Egypt <br />to drink the waters of the Nile? <br />Or what do you gain by going to Assyria <br />to drink the waters of the Euphrates? <br />Your evil will chastise you, <br />and your apostasy will reprove you. <br />Know and see that it is evil and bitter <br />for you to forsake the Lord your God; <br />the fear of me is not in you, <br />declares the Lord God of hosts. <br /><br />“For long ago I broke your yoke <br />and burst your bonds; <br />but you said, ‘I will not serve.’ <br />Yes, on every high hill <br />and under every green tree <br />you bowed down like a whore. <br />Yet I planted you a choice vine, <br />wholly of pure seed. <br />How then have you turned degenerate <br />and become a wild vine? <br />Though you wash yourself with lye <br />and use much soap, <br />the stain of your guilt is still before me, <br />declares the Lord God. <br />How can you say, ‘I am not unclean, <br />I have not gone after the Baals’? <br />Look at your way in the valley; <br />know what you have done— <br />a restless young camel running here and there, <br />a wild donkey used to the wilderness, <br />in her heat sniffing the wind! <br />Who can restrain her lust? <br />None who seek her need weary themselves; <br />in her month they will find her. <br />Keep your feet from going unshod <br />and your throat from thirst. <br />But you said, ‘It is hopeless, <br />for I have loved foreigners, <br />and after them I will go.’ <br /><br />“As a thief is shamed when caught, <br />so the house of Israel shall be shamed: <br />they, their kings, their officials, <br />their priests, and their prophets, <br />who say to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ <br />and to a stone, ‘You gave me birth.’ <br />For they have turned their back to me, <br />and not their face. <br />But in the time of their trouble they say, <br />‘Arise and save us!’ <br />But where are your gods <br />that you made for yourself? <br />Let them arise, if they can save you, <br />in your time of trouble; <br />for as many as your cities <br />are your gods, O Judah. <br /><br />“Why do you contend with me? <br />You have all transgressed against me, <br />declares the Lord. <br />In vain have I struck your children; <br />they took no correction; <br />your own sword devoured your prophets <br />like a ravening lion. <br />And you, O generation, behold the word of the Lord. <br />Have I been a wilderness to Israel, <br />or a land of thick darkness? <br />Why then do my people say, ‘We are free, <br />we will come no more to you’? <br />Can a virgin forget her ornaments, <br />or a bride her attire? <br />Yet my people have forgotten me <br />days without number. <br /><br />"How well you direct your course <br />to seek love! <br />So that even to wicked women <br />you have taught your ways. <br />Also on your skirts is found <br />the lifeblood of the guiltless poor; <br />you did not find them breaking in. <br />Yet in spite of all these things <br />you say, ‘I am innocent; <br />surely his anger has turned from me.’ <br />Behold, I will bring you to judgment <br />for saying, ‘I have not sinned.’ <br />How much you go about, <br />changing your way! <br />You shall be put to shame by Egypt (Iran, Russia, China) <br />as you were put to shame by Assyria (Iraq). <br />From it too you will come away <br />with your hands on your head, <br />for the Lord has rejected those in whom you trust, <br />and you will not prosper by them". <br /><br />It's deja vu, all over again. Those who fail to remember history are doomed to repeat it. <br /><br />To our shame, far too many professing Christians are cut from the same cloth as Obama. Our Christianity does not pierce to the level of our lives and actions (or even our vote). Someone I know opined that maybe Obama doesn't realize that abortion is a sin. Maybe . . . but WE do! So how can we tolerate by our vote that which God hates? We continue to place culture above Christ; color above conviction. Perhaps color is our only conviction. <br /><br />Please do not construe this as an endorsement of John McCain either. The republicans have held the white house for 8 years and the congress for 6 and no legislation protecting life or traditional marriage has been passed. They have miserably failed on their promise. <br /><br />You like prophecy? Here's a little prophecy for you. If this country does not change course (and I'm not talking about that vacuous/godless nonsense Obama spouts) we will go the way of Old Testament Israel. WE will be defeated and we will learn the hard way what happens to those who forsake God. We will owe Jeremiah Wright an apology. God will "damn" America if we persist not in mistreating black people; but in mistreating Him and His revealed will. Take that to the bank. <br /><br />Last night Obama promised a godless morality. He promised the good at the cost of the best. I believe he can deliver . . . and that scares the hell out of me.<br /><br /><br />Keith,<br />B.L.B.B!!!<br />Be Like the Bereans, Baby!!! (Acts 17:11)</strong>Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-36878370797269688902008-08-22T01:39:00.003-04:002008-08-22T02:58:30.041-04:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGkYHRxkithSZVTmd71NUZBukF7mjqRfHVki-q8ffUz6_RRb7XbzpzxB07zvU82ZVZJBd5Fd3iO3hTHgZhyGSEPd-yY7eywRrFAbelqF_-6tB_7966Uyx3Gx7zp7mxUiDgLxFOg/s1600-h/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGkYHRxkithSZVTmd71NUZBukF7mjqRfHVki-q8ffUz6_RRb7XbzpzxB07zvU82ZVZJBd5Fd3iO3hTHgZhyGSEPd-yY7eywRrFAbelqF_-6tB_7966Uyx3Gx7zp7mxUiDgLxFOg/s200/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237231953637100786" /></a><br /><strong>God's Inner Conflict?<br /><br /><br />At last someone has said something dumb enough to break my blogger's block!<br /><br />In Monday's (8/18) USA Today op-ed page, a Mr. Thomas Dunham of Hillsdale, Illinois commented on the use of the phrase "Act of God", calling it a "misnomer". He stated that it is wrong to attribute floods and hurricanes, etc. to God; and that they should be attributed to satan. The statement he made that got my blogging juices flowing was: "God is love. He can do no other besides love".<br /><br />Now, I never deny that we have a loving God. The Scriptures make that clear (I John 4:8); but far too many Christians trumpet God's love at the expense of His holiness and justice. God is love AND God is Just! Again, I find this to be another horrendous example of how people have created a god after their own image. <br /><br />Has anyone read the oft neglected book of Nahum recently? Here's how God describes Himself . . .<br /><br />"The Lord is a jealous and avenging God;<br />the Lord is avenging and wrathful;<br />the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries<br />and keeps wrath for his enemies" Nahum 1:2<br /><br />"Who can stand before his indignation?<br />Who can endure the heat of his anger?<br />His wrath is poured out like fire,<br />and the rocks are broken into pieces by him.<br />The Lord is good,<br />a stronghold in the day of trouble;<br />he knows those who take refuge in him.<br />But with an overflowing flood<br />he will make a complete end of the adversaries, <br />and will pursue his enemies into darkness" Nahum 1:6-8<br /><br />"Behold, I am against you,<br />declares the Lord of hosts,<br />and will lift up your skirts over your face;<br />and I will make nations look at your nakedness<br />and kingdoms at your shame.<br />I will throw filth at you<br />and treat you with contempt<br />and make you a spectacle" Nahum 3:5-6<br /><br />Now, of course these words were directed to the cruel and godless Ninevites and I'm not saying this is the reason behind every flood or hurricane; but does God feel any different toward His enemies today? I think not, as He says in Malachi 3:6, "For I the Lord do not change . . ."<br /><br />Maybe the reason there is so little awe of God (even in His church) is that in an attempt to be His "public relations men" we have not proclaimed ALL the attributes of God. Maybe by playing up God as doting grandfather and playing down God the Just Judge, we have led folks to believe that they can live however they please and even if they are wrong God will just "understand".<br /><br />We should not be afraid of God (that is if you are His); but we should still reverence Him and tremble at His awesome might and holiness. And this trembling, paradoxically, should be the most reassuring and comforting thing in the world to us. For if this awesome, mighty and holy God tells us He loves us and that nothing can separate us from Him; we should be the most confident, assured and obedient people on the face of the earth.<br /><br />On the other hand, the unbeliever should be afraid . . . VERY AFRAID. For he is an enemy of God:<br /><br />"remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world" Eph 2:12. <br /><br />God's love is NOT at war with His justice. God is to be glorified for every saints he brings into heaven; and God is to be glorified for every sinner He condemns to hell. The saint receives mercy instead of justice, the sinner receives justice instead of mercy; neither saint nor sinner receives injustice. God is Holy.<br /><br /><br />Keith,<br />B.L.B.B!!!<br />Be Like the Bereans, Baby!!! (Acts 17:11)</strong>Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-45738860672764770442008-08-05T10:35:00.002-04:002008-12-11T06:39:53.202-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmSk_1K1SqQIvb9S4eaeLZCzGjwQbFDyDZyvziSX9K-G3IKXlCfktfnPBZN_P2pMp4tMP8V9TZO3BfEd7h4R0qIbKXQUdJ3PSFyXMBGusu5Rd-MlI6UcdwHtv49-Slu6Fq5e_Jw/s1600-h/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmSk_1K1SqQIvb9S4eaeLZCzGjwQbFDyDZyvziSX9K-G3IKXlCfktfnPBZN_P2pMp4tMP8V9TZO3BfEd7h4R0qIbKXQUdJ3PSFyXMBGusu5Rd-MlI6UcdwHtv49-Slu6Fq5e_Jw/s200/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231045064920345794" /></a><br /><strong>I Got Nuthin'!!!<br /><br />Hi folks! I know that I was supposed to be back with more riveting commentary for you after July 7th; but I presently have the world's worst case of blogger's block. I've scoured my brain, I've prayed and I've even considered borrowing other people's material! But still . . . I got nuthin'!<br /><br />As has been my pledge, I refuse to throw meaningless filler out there. And I realize this can cost me some readership. I just hope that you'll bear with me and know that when something worthwhile hits me, you'll be the first to know!<br /><br />To quote a famous actor-turned-governor, "I'll be back"!<br /><br /><br />Keith,<br />B.L.B.B!!!<br />Be Like the Bereans, Baby!!!</strong>Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-62112438116729746412008-06-24T13:47:00.004-04:002008-12-11T06:39:53.385-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DAxSaIwBm0PBfWGDRS-LHyN79Mq5CPkf97iRq19Q2IoEPDrM6Y-Fs54Hn9u50md6s7d_UI-ym7XkQrwfURyvuYYhPAos8cFsQ0RLxUAlAPZmdY_Okxp3zQCsddPuqptSZ-HPjA/s1600-h/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DAxSaIwBm0PBfWGDRS-LHyN79Mq5CPkf97iRq19Q2IoEPDrM6Y-Fs54Hn9u50md6s7d_UI-ym7XkQrwfURyvuYYhPAos8cFsQ0RLxUAlAPZmdY_Okxp3zQCsddPuqptSZ-HPjA/s200/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211864930941635378" /></a><br /><strong>Kickin' It With the Canucks<br /><br /><br />No, I haven't become extremely lazy. I'm across the northern border in Montreal, Canada doing more training for the job. So I won't be posting until after July 6. I'll miss you guys! See you when I get back!!!<br /><br />Viva la reformation!!!<br /><br /><br />Keith,<br />B.L.B.B!!!<br />Be Like the Bereans, Baby!!!</strong>Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-40243031828389588592008-06-14T15:33:00.004-04:002008-12-11T06:39:53.397-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DAxSaIwBm0PBfWGDRS-LHyN79Mq5CPkf97iRq19Q2IoEPDrM6Y-Fs54Hn9u50md6s7d_UI-ym7XkQrwfURyvuYYhPAos8cFsQ0RLxUAlAPZmdY_Okxp3zQCsddPuqptSZ-HPjA/s1600-h/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DAxSaIwBm0PBfWGDRS-LHyN79Mq5CPkf97iRq19Q2IoEPDrM6Y-Fs54Hn9u50md6s7d_UI-ym7XkQrwfURyvuYYhPAos8cFsQ0RLxUAlAPZmdY_Okxp3zQCsddPuqptSZ-HPjA/s200/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211864930941635378" /></a><br /><strong>The "Aha" Moment: Why It's Right to Be Reformed (Part III) <br /><br />Another defining mark of Reformed theology is its view of the Church of Jesus Christ. With the recent debate over the statements made by the likes of <br />Jeremiah Wright and Father Michael Pfleger and the renewed interest in black liberation theology; it is of paramount importance that the biblical definition of the "church" be clearly understood. It is here, as with all of its distinctives, that Reformed theology is more scripturally attuned and intolerant of deviation than any other system of theology.<br /><br />The first thing that must be made clear is that the church is Jesus' church. Therefore as a matter of biblical fact there is no Baptist church, no Methodist church, no Pentacostal church, no "my" church and no "your" church. There certainly is no "black" church or no "white" church. At best (or worst, depending on your perspective) these adjectives can only be justly applied to traditions; which ironically Jesus said make void the word of God and cause men to leave the commandment of God. The church is the exclusive possession of Jesus Christ, it is His standards which determine what a true church is and not ours. So what does He say, through Scripture, are the marks of a true church? What does reformed theology demand?<br /><br />1. The preaching of the Gospel<br /><br />2. The Biblical administration of the sacraments <br /><br />3. The faithful exercise of Biblical discipline<br /><br /><br />There are longer lists but if these three are missing none of the rest matter. This is the viewpoint that was an integral part of the Protestant Reformation. The very event that Reformed theology is founded upon and (truth be told) in which each of the previously mentioned "traditions" and more are rooted.<br /><br />"The protestant Reformation presented people with many serious issues . . . Both Rome and Protestants claimed to be the true church, each denouncing the other as a false church. Additionally, there were Anabaptists and other sects which condemned both Rome and Protestant congregations as false churches. Today, the problem is exacerbated by a myriad of religious assemblies, all claiming the title of Christ's church . . . In a most practical manner, these marks provide the believer with a measure by which to evaluate a local congregation before joining it. If the marks are conspicuous, we may join with a clear conscience, knowing it to be a genuine Christian congregation. If these three marks are not plainly manifest, we should look elsewhere; we are not obligated to join an assembly which does not exhibit the marks of a true church" (Kevin Reed, "<a href="http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualNLs/4_shipwr.htm">The Marks of the Church</a>"). <br /><br />What marks the "popular" church today? The preaching of the Gospel is inconspicuous by its abscence. Instead we have the prosperity gospel, which is no gospel at all. We have "seeker-sensitive churches" which cater to those who only can seek fleshy desires and not the Jesus of Scripture. For Scripture states clearly that "There is none who seeks after God" (Romans 3:11b). We have a plethora of female pastors, bishops and even apostles when the Bible clearly states: "Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor" (I Timothy 2:11-14). We have "church" leaders sitting down to meet with unrepentant homosexual "christians" in order to gain "understanding". The Bible, however, clearly commands that we are " . . . not to associate with sexually immoral people . . . I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—<em>not even to eat with such a one</em>". We still have "churches" asking the spiritually dead to make a "decision" for Christ, when Scripture plainly teaches that: "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned" (I Corinthians 2:14). They expect the unregenerate to use his "free will" when the Scriptures proclaims, " . . . it depends NOT on human will or exertion, but on GOD, who has mercy" (Romans 9:16). "CEO's have replaced pastors, psychology has replaced theology and marketing has replaced evangelism" (Os Guiness, Prophetic Untimeliness)<br /><br />Church discipline has all but gone out of the window in today's "church". Sheer size alone allows grievous sins to go unchecked. Couples living together outside of wedlock, unrepentant homosexuals and adulterers share in the Lord's Supper without fear of reprisal. While the "leadership" does little more than comically chide the guilty from the pulpit, they carry on searing their hearts against the truth. <br /><br />In the Church that is Reformed, the sermon is not complete that does not end up at the cross of Jesus Christ. The person and work of Jesus Christ is the focus of all Reformed teaching. Man's sinfullness is never neglected or shoved under the rug. The reformed realize that it is only against the backdrop of man's utter guilt and rebellion against a just and Holy God that the glory of the Gospel burns brightest.<br />The "popular" church "finds the preaching of 'repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ'(Acts 20:21) too simple a remedy to be effective against the ills of the world, Christ insists that . . . such preaching will produce a result far out of proportion to the means employed" (Joel R. Beeke, How the Kingdom Comes, Tabletalk vol. 32, #6, p.39).<br /><br />Reformed theology is by its very definition a return to the biblical foundation of the church. Its concern with sound doctrine and faithfulness to the apostolic teaching find it more consistent with these marks than any other theology. The knock against this throughout time has been that this insistence on theological precision has made reformed christians cold and unfeeling; "the Frozen Chosen". Certainly, there have been those who have given evidence for this stereotype. However, those who have allowed the lofty truths of the reformed perspective to "freeze" them have only themselves to blame. It has been my experience that the biblical understanding of the love displayed by a holy and just God whom I have brazenly offended and yet has planned my redemption before the world began; motivates me to joy beyond my ability to explain.<br /><br /><br />Keith,<br />B.L.B.B!!!<br />Be Like the Bereans, Baby!!!(Acts 17:11)<br /><br />For greater depth on the marks of a true church please view this article from A Puritan's Mind: "<a href="http://www.apuritansmind.com/PuritanWorship/BiblicalChurch.htm">Is Your Church a Biblical Church</a>?"</strong>Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-90218657606341211502008-06-08T21:34:00.005-04:002008-12-11T06:39:53.611-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHJdyEI3ManqEXyr-SZiHQcyx0g0fSyjVrO2glk3OmOEqThiDMf6BiJuTbHSSlNXmD2fO0yIJK5qrPA4wRky8IcdlUpv00PoFNjyQcaphgxp8gxQeo2S0UeSyQtmtkdaL3Hq6Lg/s1600-h/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHJdyEI3ManqEXyr-SZiHQcyx0g0fSyjVrO2glk3OmOEqThiDMf6BiJuTbHSSlNXmD2fO0yIJK5qrPA4wRky8IcdlUpv00PoFNjyQcaphgxp8gxQeo2S0UeSyQtmtkdaL3Hq6Lg/s200/Tolberts+R+Us.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209706350640792370" /></a><br /><strong>The "Aha" Moment: Why It's Right to Be Reformed (Part II)<br /><br /><br />Before I dive into Part II here I would like to clear up something from my last post. From my description of us believers as "wretches" and "worms", some might get the impression that Christians have to be miserable and haters of themselves in order to be pleasing to God. Nothing can be further from the truth. What we do have to realize and admit about ourselves is the condition we were in before God the Holy Spirit regenerated us from spiritual death. Let's face it before we are born again we may think that we are fine, upstanding and beautiful people. We think that if there is a "God" he sure ought to be impressed with us because, we're good enough, we're smart enough and gosh darn it people like us! The truth is; however, prior to rebirth we are vile creatures in God's eyes. We are covenant-breaking, God-hating, rebellious sinners. After being saved and honestly looking back at who we truly were should cause to understand that were worse than "wretches" and "worms". But God . . .<br /><br />What we need is God's view of us. We, as his children, are now certainly precious in His sight. But we must acknowledge (and therefore tell the unbeliever) that prior to salvation we are abhorrent things and nothing short of the saving grace of God is able to change that. The truth is also; however, that we still have a bent toward that. Without the restraining power of the Holy Spirit, even in our regenerated condition we still sin. That capacity to still sin is still vile in God's sight. The Puritans put it this way:<br /><br />"O Fountain of All Good, <br />Destroy in me every lofty thought,Break pride to pieces and scatter it to the winds,<br />Annihilate each clinging shred of self-righteousness,<br />Implant in me true lowliness of spirit,<br />Abase me to self-loathing and self-abhorrence,<br />Open in me a fount of penitential tears,<br />Break me, then bind me up;<br />Thus will my heart be a prepared dwelling for my God;<br />Then can the Father take up His abode in me,<br />Then can the blessed Jesus come with healing in His touch,<br />Then can the Holy Spirit descend in sanctifying grace . . ."<br />(The Valley of Vision, edited by Arthur Bennett, p.8)<br /><br />This is the type of submitted contrition that comes from the Reformed perspective.<br /><br />Now on with part deux . . .<br /><br />Why is it right to be Reformed? Because of Reformed theology's relentless submission to the authority of Scripture. For the Reformed, the Holy Bible is without exception the final rule for his faith and practice. The reformed person bows his knees to Holy Writ no matter how much his personal situation may beg him to do otherwise. The reformed believer filters every suggestion, idea, impulse, teaching, action, thought, word, dream, etc. through a biblical grid. In other words the Reformed believer maintains a biblical worldview (for the easily offended: I realize that no one does this perfectly).<br /><br />Here is an excellent distillation of the Reformed view of Holy Scripture from the Westminster Confession of Faith(chapter 1, section 1):<br /><br />" Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of His will, which is necessary unto salvation. Therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal Himself, and to declare that His will unto His Church; and afterwards for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which makes the Holy Scripture to be most necessary; those former ways of God's revealing His will unto His people being now ceased"<br /><br />Now it's not my intention here to go into the proofs for the veracity of Scripture or to define the proper method of biblical interpretation. What I want to submit for your consideration is one perspective on the Bible that I have found to be foundational to the Reformed perspective. And that is . . . the Bible is not about us. The Bible is God's book, God's HIStory, God's historic plan of redemption for His fallen creation.<br /><br />As I alluded to in my last post, the normal conceptions of the Bible are inadequate. It is not just a "good book" of the "instruction manual for life". These perspectives necessarily place mankind in the spotlight of Scripture. No perspective could be more wrong. Jesus Christ and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is carefully crafted into every page of Scripture; and if you do not find Him . . . you ain't readin' it right!!! If there was movie poster for the Bible, top billing would be given to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Man would not be found until you read the scribble at the bottom of the poster!<br /><br />Of course, this runs contrary to our "it's all about me", "gotta get my needs met" mentality. Well, we either get over that or we live far short of glorifying God. "Choose this day whom you will serve . . ." For the Reformed, to compromise Scripture is to violate God. Therefore the commitment to the study of Scripture and to rightly divide the Word of Truth is right up there with breathing. The Reformed believer is never embarrassed by the wrath of God nor over-reaching in the love of God because he allows Scripture to tell him who God is not modern psychology. He stands in awe of the God who deigns to reveal Himself in the words of Holy, infallible and inerrant Writ.<br /><br />Many might say, this view of Scripture is held by all Christians. I'll close with one final statement. Have you watched TBN, lately?<br /><br /><br />Keith,<br />B.L.B.B!!!<br />Be Like the Bereans, Baby!!!</strong>Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.com0