The following was sent to me by email:

There is still something seriously wrong with the media and there priorities. Who cares about Britney Spears?? Would certain residents of Jena say this is blown out of proportion also.??????????

While the media is senationalizing the OJ hotel theft case, this has gone virtually unreported. This happened in West Virginia , USA very recently and yesterday, Wednesday, 9/12th 2007, Megan Williams was still being treated for this in the hospital.

She was Tortured and Raped for a whole week, by Six White individuals, Three males and Three Females Between the ages of 20 and 49.

CNN normally does not reveal sexual assault victims' names. But Williams, who is hospitalized, and her mother, Carmen Williams, wanted her identity revealed. Police said Bobby Brewster raped Williams, forced her to lick blood and drink from a toilet, and told his mother to kill Williams if she tried to escape. Authorities previously said Williams was also forced to eat rat and dog feces.

According to criminal complaints filed in the county, Williams was assaulted, stabbed in the left leg, choked with cords and beaten for at least a week. When she was found, big parts of her hair had also been torn off of her scalp.

Williams says that Alisha Burton 22 cut her ankle with a knife while saying, "That's what we do to Niggers around here," police records show."

I don't understand a human being doing another human being the way they did my daughter," Carmen Williams told The Associated Press on Tuesday from her daughter's hospital room." I didn't know there were people like that out here."

Deputies received a tip and Saturday visited a home owned by Frankie Brewster in Big Creek , West Virginia . As the deputies spoke with a woman on the front porch, "a female inside the residence limped toward the door with her arms held out, saying 'Help me,' " according to a news release from the sheriff's department. "It's something you'd expect to see in a horror movie, not in Logan County ," Abraham said. "She was subjected to unendurable torture down there."

The six are charged with kidnapping, sexual assault, malicious wounding and battery. If convicted of kidnapping, a suspect could face a sentence of up to life in prison. The penalty for first-degree sexual assault is 15 to 35 years. Abraham said he is seeking the maximum sentence on the kidnapping charges. In addition to the Brewsters, the suspects are Danny J. Combs, 20, of Harts, West Virginia; and George A. Messer, 27, Karen Burton, 46, and her daughter, Alisha Burton, 23, all of Chapmanville, West Virginia." They all have previous records and have been arrested numerous times," Sheriff W.E. Hunter said Tuesday. "They are familiar to law enforcement." Frankie Brewster was charged with first-degree murder in 1994, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter in the death of an 84-year-old woman. She was released in 2000 after serving five years in prison, according to court records cited by the AP.

All of the six individuals that are involved in this case are accused of 108 different cases of crimes all combined. All six were being held in lieu of $100,000 bail, and all requested court-appointed attorneys, the AP reported. Investigators are still looking for two other people suspected of driving Williams to the home, according to the AP.

Carmen Williams had not reported her daughter missing, saying Megan Williams often disappeared for weeks at a time. Carmen Williams said she is "horrified" by her daughter's injuries." She wakes up crying, and the first thing she hollers is 'Mommy,' " she said.

The effects of sin go deeper than we can imagine. It is NOT about racism but the sinful state of man. Pray for her recovery and for justice to be done in the court case.

Do you like books?

Hello,

One of the greatest benefits of living in this time is the easy access to information. Many books that are classics both in Christianity and in the eyes of the world, are available online for free. Here are some sites that have loads of book for you for free. Enjoy!

http://www.mixed-up.com/faith/online/

http://www.monergism.com/free_online_books.php

Grace.

Ok ok ok already

Hello,

Yes I know it has been a minute but, hey, a brother can get REALLY busy REALLY fast at Dallas Seminary. Full time work, Full time job, ministry, kids and wife has my plate full.

Greek 3 is very hard and I am five weeks behind and it is only the fourth week of class. (Did you get that?) SO I am playing catch up.

I have to do a study on diligence and self control. The bible says in Proverbs 25:28, "Like a city that is broken into and without walls Is a man who has no control over his spirit. (NASB)" But the New Living translation translates it a little better. It says, " A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls." I have to get better at using my time and focusing my efforts. Pray for me to do that. Well I have to get to the books.

I'll holla soon.

Grace.

Do Not Let ANYONE Steal Your Dreams

I ran into this and wanted to let you see it also. People can so often steal the dreams of others and even themselves.

STOP!

God has placed in you desires to be what he designed you to be. Absorb the story of Paul Potts from England. e appeared on the British version of "American Idol" called "Britain Got Talent." He was unsure of himself, lacked confidence in his talent and it was written all over his face. When he announced what he was going to do you could see the skepticism on the judges faces, Simon Cowell included.

Watch what happens and don't give up on your dreams . . . EVER!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oxTy7KIAaA

God's Goodness Comes In Many Ways

As the start of the school year comes I wanted to share a moment of God's grace with everyone. The prayer has been this summer for a break, as the monetary side of seminary has been beating down on us lately.

Well I ran into one of the brothers from my Spiritual Formation group at DTS yesterday and found out whats been going on in his life. D. B., aka the Buzz, has recently started to pastor a church in the San Antonio area. I was truly happy for him as I knew that God was going to and will use him greatly. He is a good man who loves God deeply and it shows in his words and works. Well Buzz expressed that he wanted to begin supporting us as a missionary family through the church.

I was humbled and crushed by the situation. My pride was screaming,"No!" But, on reflection I have to crush my pride and step out of the way and let God work through this mans obedience to what God has laid on his heart. Buzz God bless you.

Secondly, I also received word this morning that I will be receiving a thousand dollar scholarship for the up coming semester which will immediately ease some of the burden on the family.

Lastly I will be teaching a class to lay people at DTS this fall on World Religions for five weeks. Pray for me. I have a lot of work to finish in a very short time.

Thank you Lord for your grace.

God's Goodness Comes In Many Ways

The prayer of my heart over the summmer has been that God would give my family and I a "break" in some of our financial issues. Seminary is not cheap and the Christian School the children are in has raised its tuition and fees to literally just under $1000 a month.

But God is faithful. More faithful to me than I am to him. His mercy and goodnessis beyond my understanding. Here is what God has done.

I ran into one of my brothers from my Spiritual Formation Group yesterday that is graduating from DTS and has started to pastor a church in the San Antonio area. He told me that he wants to support the family as missionaries. I had to hold back the tears, as I can not lose my cool points you know :), and fight my pride that was screaming, "No!"

Recently Read

Well just finished the 5 minute Apologist by Dr. Rick Cornish. Published by NavPress it is a small book in size but is still 347 pages.

The book is divided into ten sections:

1. Thinking

2. The Bible

3. Worldviews

4. God

5. Jesus

6. The Resurrection

7. Science

8. Miracles

9. Historic Religions

10. New Religions

Each section is broken down into further subsections. In the Jesus section for example, is seven chapters long dealing with the historic Jesus to Jesus personal claims to deity. The entire section is twenty pages long and most of the chapters are 2-4 pages in length and can be read in a matter of minutes. As the title says about five minutes. For a basic overview of apologetics and the issues involved I have to give a big thumbs up to this book.

If you are new to the task of biblical apologetics then this is a great place to start. I look forward to reading the next to in the series: 5 Minute Theologian and 5 Minute Historian.

Why I have to learn some "techno geek" stuff!

I ran into two GREAT websites today that all thinking people, Christian and non-Christian, need to at least browse briefly. They are:

http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/

and

http://godisimaginary.com/

Look the sites over and listen to his arguments. Be aware that Christians and Christianity have answer to his question. he makes mistakes in logic and history as well as misrepresenting the claims that Christians make about our faith.

If anyone knows how to make videos like he has send me directions on how to do that or point me to a web page or book.

One that I really like was this one:

10 questions that every intelligent Christian must answer (http://youtube.com/watch?v=zDHJ4ztnldQ)

Do you know how you would answer these questions?

(1 Peter 3:15-16 KJV)
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

May God bless you today.

Amazing Grace

Well the children are gone to the grandparents for a month and there is much work to do. Our Area Director, Troy, has agreed to let us move to another property due to some of the financial issues serving at Paces Cove has caused.

Oh, you may not know what I am talking about. We serve in a ministry called Apartment Life by C.A.R.E.S. (http://www.apartmentlife.org/) It is a wonderful ministry that allows one to serve in a way that is unique in the church. People in apartments are reported to be 95% unreached by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A Team moves in and develops relationships and begins to introduce people to Christ through their relationship. We work with the staff as well as the residents (The kids call them customers.). There are few better ways to have continuous contact with those outside of the faith.

Since the area we are in now has a sub par elementary school both our children are in a private school, which costs us a pretty penny each month. Apartment Life is a way to help offset some of the costs of me being in seminary but it has been costing us money each month. So I praise God that he has made a way for us to move. We do not know when or where to yet but if it could get done while the kids are away and before school starts that would be great.

Pray with us that a property will come open that has a good school nearby and a good place for Tre' to go to kindergarten. And that all these places will be close to my wife's work. I have been praying that God would tighten our circles. (Thanks for the word picture Wayne.) Life is hectic enough without having to drive for hours in the Dallas traffic. The daily struggles of just getting through are hectic enough but when we have to run all over the city just trying to expose our children to those things that will round them out as well educated adults.

Well it is all God's Amazing grace. In the next few weeks and months we need grace upon grace. Which reminds me of a story. The wife and I need to reconnect and communicate. Some much needed rest can happen and some important work can hopefully get done.

Watch and enjoy and thank God for his AMAZING GRACE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMF_24cQqT0

Threats to the Church: Oneness Pentecostalism (2)

Oneness Pentecoslism

Other Beliefs of Oneness Theology:

Besides rejecting the doctrine of the Trinity, Oneness theology holds to some other interesting beliefs. Acts 2:38 is used by the UPCI to teach that the “plan of salvation” and correct “formula” for baptism should be in the name of “Jesus only.”[1] They claim that the historic formula used by the church is incorrect and unscriptural. Bernard says, “All biblical references to the baptismal formula, including Matthew 28:19, describe the name Jesus… a formula must include the name Jesus, not… recite the Lord's verbal instructions.”[2] They also believe that speaking in tongues is essential for the salvation of a believer. In the New Birth Bernard says, “Do tongues always accompany the baptism of the Spirit? The Book of Acts indicates this to be so… A Spirit baptism without tongues is a nonbiblical (sic) concept… We should always expect… tongues when someone receives… the Holy Ghost.”[3]

The Riddle of T.D. Jakes.

Recently many Oneness believers have received prominent status in the evangelical church.[4] The most prominent has been T.D. Jakes.[5] Jakes, the Senior Pastor of the Potter’s House, has admitted to Oneness roots in his theological upbringing and continues to associate with Oneness believers today. Jakes has said, “I was raised Baptist and became Pentecostal 26 years ago at a Greater Emmanuel Apostolic Church… and have continued to fellowship with Higher Ground Always Abounding Assemblies.”[6] When pressed to explain his understanding of the nature of God, Jakes said in a radio interview, “We have one God, but He is Father in creation, Son in redemption, and Holy Spirit in regeneration.”[7] The Potter’s House website explains, “There is one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in three Manifestations: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”[8] So while Jakes might want to ride the theological fence, it seems clear that his theology is shaped by the Oneness views and he will not disassociate himself from them or renounce the theological error of the movement.

Conclusion:

It would appear that Modalistic Monarchianism, “Jesus Only”, or Oneness has plagued the Church from the beginning and has been found to be a heretical model of the nature of God. Ankerberg and Weldon says, “Those who argue the ‘Oneness Pentecostals’ are ‘Christian brothers’ need to explain why the church has consistently denied this… Modern commentators have agreed with their ancient brethren… [labeling] such teaching ‘heresy.’”[9] While that might be an extreme statement, placing the entire movement outside of the Body of Christ, it is fair to say that theology historically has been judged heretical but the salvation of individual believers is not for Evangelicals to decide.

Next some Christian responses to Oneness theology.


Helpful Resources:
1. Oneness Pentecostals and the Trinity by Gregory A. Boyd.
2. Charts of the Cults, Sects, and Religious Movements by H. Wayne House.
3. “Jesus Only” Churches by E. Calvin Beisner.

4. A Definitive Look at Oneness Theology: Defending the Tri-Unity of God by Edward L. Dalcour (The best book on the subject so far. It was not published whe I wrote this paper.)

Questions to Ponder:
1. Does the Oneness position on the nature of God lend itself to errors in other areas of theology, such as soteriology and eschatology?
2. Should the rejection of various Oneness theologies in the history of the church persuade us to reject modern Oneness theology?
3. Can the belief that Jesus is God the Father and Holy Spirit be reconciled with biblical revelation?

Devotional thought:
Take a moment during to day to thank God for His self revelation of His nature and the beauty that it lends to the salvation message knowing that foreknowledge of the Father, the sacrifice of the Son, and the indwelling of the Spirit secure our salvation. Sola Deo Gloria.

As we approach the believer in Oneness theology remember that this is a person that God has died for and we should pray that the Spirit of God will give us words of comfort and encouragement as we dialog. The Bible says to speak the truth but it also says to do that in an attitude of love. If you know that you are going to be speaking with a Oneness believer, pray before during and after the conversation. If there is an unexpected conversation, listen as much as possible and afterwards pray that God would use the situation to bring him glory as you witness about the true biblical nature of God. Sola Deo Gloria.

Bibliography

Ankerberg, John, and John Weldon. Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions. Eugene, Or: Harvest House Publishers, 1990.

Beisner, E. Calvin. "Jesus Only" Churches Zondervan Guide to Cults and Religious Movements, ed. Alan W. Gomes. Grand Rapids, Mi: Zondervan, 1998.

Bernard, David K. The Oneness of God. Vol. 1 Series in Pentecostal Theology, ed. David K. Bernard and Loretta A. Bernard. Hazelwood, MO: Word Aflame Press, 1983.

________. The New Birth [book on-line]. Hazlewood, Mo: Word Aflame Press, N/A 1984, accessed March 17 2005; Available from http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/pentecostal/New-Top.htm.

________. Oneness and Trinity, A.D. 100-300: The Doctrine of God in Ancient Christian Writings. Hazlewood, Mo.: Word Aflame Press, 1991.

Biema, David Van. "Spirit Raiser." Time, September 17 2001, N/A.

Boyd, Gregory A. Oneness Pentecostals and the Trinity. Grand Rapids MI: Baker Book House, 1992.

Buckner, Jerry L. "The Man, His Ministry, and His Movement:
Concerns About the Teachings of T. D. Jakes." Christian Research Journal 22, no. 2 (1999): n/a.

Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, Mi: Zondervan, 1994.

Hollenweger, W. J. The Pentecostals: The Charismatic Movement in the Churches. Minneapolis, Mn: Augsburg Publishing House, 1972.

House, H. Wayne. United Pentecostal Church Charts of Cults, Sects, and Religious Movements. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 2000.

Reed, David A. Oneness Pentecostalism The New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, ed. Stanley M. Burgess. Grand Rapids, Mi: Zondervan, 2002.



[1] See also Acts 8:12, 16; 10:48; 19:5; 22:16; Romans 6:4. In Oneness theology, the order of the commands, in the English text, is “the plan of salvation.” The plan calls for 1. Faith and Repentance. 2. Being baptized by immersion in water, having the phrase, “In Jesus name” spoken over the one being baptized. 3. Having the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit” with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues. See H. Wayne House, United Pentecostal Church, Charts of Cults, Sects, and Religious Movements (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 2000). On page 249.
[2] David K. Bernard, “The New Birth,” online: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/pentecostal/New-Ch7.htm, accessed 17 March 2005.
[3] David K. Bernard, “The New Birth,” online: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/ pentecostal/New-Ch7.htm, accessed 17 March 2005. Romans 8:9 say that if one does not have the Holy Spirit one does not belong to Christ, the implication being that person is still unregenerate. In other words, that person is not saved.
[4] Best selling Author Tommy Tenney (The God Chasers) is the son of T.F. Tenney. The elder Tenney has been a District Superintendent in the UPCI. Tommy Tenney claims no association with the UPCI but still will not affirm a Trinitarian model of God. Dove Award winners Phillips, Craig and Dean and Vickie Yohe; and Stellar Award winners Fred Hammond and Tonex are all Oneness believers active in Oneness churches.
[5] David Van Biema, "Spirit Raiser," Time, September 17 2001.The question on the cover asks if Jakes is the next Billy Graham.
[6] Thomas D. Jakes, “My Views on the Godhead,” online: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000 /108/13.0.html, accessed 17 March 2005. The term “Apostolic” is often associated with the Oneness movement. The Higher Ground Always Abounding Assemblies (http://www.highergroundaaa.com /home.htm) is an organization of churches from different theological beliefs but they are Oneness at their root. While there is little information about the beliefs of the organization on the website, a writer for the Christian Research Journal contacted the Assembly and spoke with Elder Mike Pearson, who is an instructor at the Higher Ground Bible Institute. Elder Pearson confirmed that the Assembly is Oneness in its beliefs.
[7] Jerry L. Buckner, "The Man, His Ministry, and His Movement:
Concerns About the Teachings of T. D. Jakes," Christian Research Journal 22, no. 2 (1999). This statement is almost identical to the statements of Bernard in the Oneness of God (pg. 142-143).
[8] “Belief Statement,” online: http://www.thepottershouse.org/PH_beliefs.html, accessed Thursday, March 17, 2005.
[9] Ankerberg and Weldon, Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions, 379-380.

Threats to the Church: Oneness Pentecostalism

The History and Theology of the Modern Oneness Pentecostal Movement.

Is Christianity about “Jesus ONLY?” The history of the modern Oneness Pentecostals or “Jesus Only” movement can be traced back to the early days of the Pentecostal movement itself.[1] In 1913 at a camp meeting in Arroyo Seco, California, after hearing a message on Acts 2:38 and Baptism in “Jesus name”[2], John G. Scheppe was so overwhelmed by the power of “Jesus name” that after spending all night in prayer, he ran through the camp telling the other attendees about this revelation from the Spirit of God.[3] From that spark a flame erupted that almost destroyed the newly-formed Assemblies of God (AOG). In 1916, the AOG voted to affirm the Trinitarian position on the nature of God and baptism. Those who held to the Oneness position soon formed their own organizations. After many starts and stops, mergers and divisions the United Pentecostal Church, Inc. (UPCI) was formed in 1945. While there was not agreement on all theological issues there was agreement on two points the importance of “the practice of baptism in Jesus’ name and the pentecostal (sic) experience of the baptism of the Holy Spirit according to Acts 2:38”[4] and the Oneness of God. Since that time the UPCI and other smaller organizations, have grown and prospered both through aggressive evangelism and because of the Evangelical church’s lack of precision in teaching the biblical, triune nature of God.[5]

Nathaniel Urshan, the former General Superintendent of the UPCI, said about the Trinity, “We do not believe in a three-person Trinity… We do not believe that the terms `Trinity' - `God the Son'… `eternal Son'… are either scriptural or correct… the Trinity was a product of pagan mythology and Grecian philosophy.”[6] David K. Bernard, author of the Oneness of God states:

We believe that trinitarianism is not a biblical doctrine and that it contradicts the Bible in many ways. The Scriptures do not teach a trinity of persons. The doctrine of the trinity uses terminology not used in Scripture. It teaches and emphasizes plurality in the Godhead while the Bible emphasizes the oneness of God. It detracts from the fulness (sic) of Jesus Christ's deity. It contradicts many specific verses of Scripture. It is not logical. No one can understand or explain it rationally, not even those who advocate it. In short, trinitarianism is a doctrine that does not belong to Christianity.[7]

He also says of the early church as they formulated the doctrine of the Trinity, “Why did these early theologians make such a blunder? They failed to purge themselves of the pagan ideas of their… past….”[8] Finally Bernard says that Trinitarian theology leads to tri-theism by emphasizing a threeness in God instead of the Oneness of God.[9]

The Oneness understanding of the Father is summed up by Bernard when he says, “If there is only one God and that God is the Father (Malachi 2:10), and if Jesus is God, then it logically follows that Jesus is the Father.”[10] And, that the deity in Jesus was the Divine Spirit, which is the Father.[11] As to the Son, Bernard states, “Basically, the term "Son of God" refers to God as manifested in the flesh… Since Father refers to deity alone… we do not believe that the Father is the Son.”[12] In relation to the Holy Spirit, Bernard says, “The Holy Spirit is simply God. God is holy… God is also a Spirit… there is only one Spirit of God… Therefore, ‘Holy Spirit’ is another term for the one God.”[13]

In The Oneness of God, Bernard declares of the Trinity,

The Bible does not teach the doctrine of the trinity, and trinitarianism actually contradicts the Bible. It does not add any positive benefit to the Christian message. Without… doctrine of the trinity we can still affirm the deity of Jesus, the humanity of Jesus… and any other doctrine that is essential to true Christianity… we enhance these doctrines when we adhere strictly to the Bible message that Jesus is the one God… the doctrine of the trinity does detract from the important biblical themes of the oneness of God and the absolute deity of Jesus Christ… Christianity should stop using trinitarian terminology….[14]

He then states that a belief in Oneness theology “magnifies Jesus Christ, exalts His name, recognizes who He really is, and acknowledges His full deity.”[15] And finally he says, “[A] belief in the oneness of God… is a crucial element in restoring the church to true biblical belief and apostolic power.”[16]

Continued next post . . .

[1] While the modern movement had it’s beginnings in the early 1900’s, the different versions of the theology can be traced back to the earliest times of the church. David K. Bernard, the chief theologian of the United Pentecostal Church, says in his book Oneness and Trinity: A.D. 100-300 that the teachings of Praxeas, Noetus, Sabellius and others are the theological Fathers of the movement. He lists nine characteristics of similarity between modern Oneness beliefs and ancient Modalistic Monarchianism (Page 160-61). For a brief description of Modalistic Monarchianism see Grudem, Systematic Theology (Page 242). Modalism has been condemned as heresy by the church from its beginning.
[2] John Ankerberg and John Weldon, Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions (Eugene, Or: Harvest House Publishers, 1990), 367-68.
[3] W. J. Hollenweger, The Pentecostals: The Charismatic Movement in the Churches (Minneapolis, Mn: Augsburg, 1972), 31-31.
[4] David A Reed, Oneness Pentecostalism, ed. Stanley M. Burgess, The New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements (Grand Rapids, Mi: Zondervan, 2002), 938-39.
[5] For a more complete history of the modern Oneness movement see Oneness Pentecostalism in ibid.
[6] The Watchman Expositor: United Pentecostal Church http://www.watchman.org/cults/upc.htm, accessed, March 15, 2005.
[7] David K. Bernard, The Oneness of God, ed. David K. Bernard and Loretta A. Bernard, Series in Pentecostal Theology, vol. 1 (Hazelwood, MO: Word Aflame Press, 1983), 293-94. Bernard is considered to be the main theologian of the UPCI and has written the most recognized work on its doctrine and practice, The Oneness of God.
[8] David K. Bernard, Oneness and Trinity, A.D. 100-300: The Doctrine of God in Ancient Christian Writings. (Hazlewood, Mo.: Word Aflame Press, 1991), 174-76.
[9] Bernard, The Oneness of God., 288.
[10] Ibid., 66. See also Isa. 9:6, John 14:9.
[11] Ibid., 131.
[12] Ibid., 127.
[13] Ibid., 128.
[14] Ibid., 298-99.
[15] Ibid., 299.
[16] Ibid.

Some Quotes About the Bible

The bible is a book like no other. Here are the opinions of some well know people and how they viewed the bible. So if you would like to commit to more Bible reading, think about the power of the text you read!

"The secret of my success? It is simple. It is found in the Bible."

George Washington Carver

"It is impossible to enslave mentally or socially a Bible-reading people. The principles of the Bible are the groundwork of human freedom."

Horace Greeley

"The existence of the Bible is a book for the people. It's the greatest benefit the human race has ever experienced. Every attempt to belittle it is a crime against humanity."

Immanuel Kant

"I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man."

Abraham Lincoln

"The Bible has been the Magna Charta of the poor and the oppressed. The human race is not in a position to dispense with it."

Thomas Huxley

"The Bible is no mere book, but it's a living creature with a power

that conquers all who oppose it."

Napoleon

"It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible."

George Washington

"Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people...so great is my veneration of the Bible that the earlier my children begin to read, the more confident will be my hope that they will prove useful citizens in their country and respectful members of society."

John Adams

"A nation of well-informed men who have been taught to know the price of rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved."

Benjamin Franklin

"That Book (the Bible) is the rock on which our Republic rests."

Andrew Jackson

"The Bible is the cornerstone of liberty...students' perusal of the sacred volume will make us better citizens, better fathers, and better husbands."

Thomas Jefferson

"The Bible is worth all other books which have ever been printed." Patrick Henry
"If we will not be governed by God, then we will be ruled by tyrants."

William Penn

"Bible reading is an education in itself."

Lord Tennyson

"There are more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history." .... "I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God, written by men who were inspired. I study the Bible daily."

Sir Isaac Newton

"The New Testament is the very best book that ever was or ever will be known in the world." Charles Dickens

"The Bible was written in tears, and to tears it yields its best treasures."

A.W. Tozer

"It is clear that there must be difficulties for us in a revelation such as the Bible. If someone were to hand me a book that was as simple to me as the multiplication table, and say, 'This is the Word of God. In it He has revealed His whole will and wisdom,' I would shake my head and say, 'I cannot believe it; that is too easy to be a perfect revelation of infinite wisdom.' There must be, in any complete revelation of God's mind and will and character and being, things hard for the beginner to understand; and the wisest and best of us are but beginners."

R.A. Torrey

"My advice to Sunday Schools no matter what their denomination is: Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet anchor of your liberties; write its precepts in your heart, and practice them in your lives. To the influence of this Book we are indebted for the progress made in true civilization and to this we must look as our guide in the future. 'Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34)'."

Ulysses S. Grant

Let the word of Christ dwell richly in you today and forevermore.

Are you a theologian?

It's July already. Nooooooooo! Time marches on. Well on to business.

"We being what we are and all things else being what they are the most important and profitable study any of us can engage in is the study of theology.”
AW Tozer[1]

Theology is simply the study of God. The Greek words theos (God) and logos (word or thought or discourse) make up the word we understand to be theology. Tozer also said, “What comes to our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”[2] Have we taken the time to carefully think about how you view God and were we receive our information from?

In out modern evangelical Christianity we have focused on our private personal “experience” of God to the exclusion of searching out and seeking true knowledge about God. But God has said in the Scriptures, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jer 29:13)” And he said, “But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God and obey him. For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath. (Duet 4:29-31)” The study of theology (The study of God) is of the utmost importance. It is not a subject for academic high minded philosophical types with Ph.D.’s. NO! As J.I. Packer says, “Knowing about God is crucially important for the living of our lives.”[3]

Everyone is a theologian. As soon as you think about God you are “doing” theology. Please do not deceive yourself. Not only are we all theologians, we are all capable theologians. It simply takes time and effort. We can do it!

But how?

Martin Luther said, “A simple layman armed with Scripture is greater than the mightiest Pope without it”

I was recently challenged by a conversation I had with a young man. He told me that he has committed to spending the rest of his time at seminary to reading through the bible four times a year. His reasoning was that if he is called to pulpit ministry, his main duty will be to teach and explain the scripture and to do so he must be thoroughly familiar with and soaked in God’s word. Oh, how I agree. While in seminary I have begun to notice that my personal study of the word has fallen of. There is so much study done to finish assignments and write papers that personal intimacy with God is often shuttled to the back burner in light of the tyranny of the urgent. You may not be in seminary but do work and children and spouses and soccer games and piano practice and golf rounds and favorite TV shows and, this and that and on and on, cut into and crowd out personal time with God in his word?

Remember this is not a race. You do not get graded on having read the bible more times through then anyone else and thus get a free pass to heaven. No. God desires that we act on the information we have and faithfully do that which we know. We are not to get through the Bible but to get the Bible through us. Having and knowing God's heart, through reading Scripture, will create in us worshipping heart that will produce good works "which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph 2:10)" We can tell that our Bible reading has produced a proper theology when we move from being self centered to being other centered. The Apostle James said, “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. (James 2:14-18)” We turn to serve those who are placed in our paths by God providence.

Let us all recommit to faithful, structured bible reading and study. The world needs you as God’s theologian. The people you meet need you as a theologian. One of tools of the trade is our Bible reading and study. Lets get to work.

[1] A.W. Tozer, That Incredible Christian, pg 80.
[2] A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy, pg 1.
[3] J.I. Packer, Knowing God, pg 19.

Who needs theology?

It's July already. Nooooooooo! Time marches on. Well on to business.

"We being what we are and all things else being what they ar, the most important and profitable study any of us can engage in is the study of theology

Time Is Short.

Hello,

I received news this morning that my Grandfather, affectionately known as Peter Rabbit, has passed away. hew was well into his 80's and I can praise God for his long life and the person God used to bring my mother into the world. With out peter Rabbit there would be no John Wesley Bray II and no Caitlyn or Tre'. While I have not spent much time with him, my heart still mourns knowing that his passing is another reminder that right now sin still has a grip on this world. We all still die. How long Lord will this go on?

Psalm 89:46-48

How long, O Lord? Will you hide yourself forever?
How long will your wrath burn like fire?
Remember how fleeting is my life.
For what futility you have created all men!

What man can live and not see death,
or save himself from the power of the grave ?

Death is the one constant for all people. Black, white, male, female, young, old. It is the great unknown. While all worldviews and religious system claim to have the answer, only one is consistent with reality. The Christian worldview, from it's theistic perspective, can stand the scrutiny of it's harshest critics. Later posts will give more details into why I believe it but in the face of my families loss, I want to encourage those that are born again believers to pour yourselves out in service to those who do not know Jesus as their Savior and for those that are not safe in His arms to not rest until they have searched for the truth with all they have. God says:

Jeremiah 29:13

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Thank you Lord for his life. Thank you Grandpop, for the love you showed me. I love you.
Grace,
John

Need for Apologetics in the African American Community

The subject of Apologetics is one that takes on certain distinctives when associated with the African-American (AA) community. There are issues and variables that have to be taken into consideration. There is a noticeable lack of theology in the AA community. Dr Jerry Buckner has written a short article on the problem in the Christian Research Journal.[1] And it is from this lower base level that the need for Apologetics springs forth in the community. All kinds of sects, schisms and cults have sprung up as a result of shallow theology running rampant through AA churches. There is also apathy towards the study theology and the fundamentals of the faith that permeates the AA church but that apathy is driven by the lack of training in the pastorate. Men and women who do not have much theological grounding, but start churches for different reasons, do not welcome people coming into the church and teaching things that they do not themselves understand. From the position of the pews there is an over-realized eschatology that causes people to be more concerned with the next stage of life, heaven, instead of focusing on the work Christ has set for his Church, such as defending the faith as commanded in the book of Jude.

One way for overcoming a resistance to Apologetics would be to have some short skits during the Sunday morning service in which mock conversations take place between Christians and followers of different belief systems with other members posing as a cult member. Another way to introduce the topic would be to have a preaching series on the historical reliability of the bible or the truth of the resurrection. These could also bring interest to the congregation. For far to long people have just bypassed having a conversation with that family member who is a Jehovah’s Witness because they did not have the tools to make a positive case for their faith while they defended it from the attacks of others. That has to change. Teaching Apologetics can be a big help in that regard.

A strategy for approaching an Apologetics ministry in an AA Church would focus on teaching, starting with the Pastor. Making the case for a class would have to come from the top. If the Pastor backs the class, then the class will have at least some participation but if he is cold towards it then the class would most likely fail. On the other hand, if he does go for it then the teaching can begin. Most of it would be done in a Sunday school or Wednesday night bible study class. There are eight key words that I have used to keep a simple outline of defending the Christian faith. They are, in order, Truth, God, Miracles, Inspiration, History, Jesus, Sin, and Gospel. The first four are true/false or right/wrong issues that Christians hold. Either Truth, with a capitol “T”, is knowable or it is not. That statement is right or wrong, true or false. If right then the statement that God exists is either, right or wrong or true or false, and so on. The last four are likely to be true if the first four are. If God can inspire a document then the history in that document is likely to be true and accurate. In other words, the apologetic would focus on making the case for each of the key words. There is ample material for the study of each of the key words. So the first stage in implementing the strategy is an eight to ten week course on the basics of Christian evidences. This is key for this type of material is foundational for having confidence that the faith one holds is not just a feeling but that there are historical facts and scientific evidences that support the claims. I took a family member through these eight steps and the simple arguments and they found it to be very helpful. It simple and short and I think most people can get it. The second stage is teaching the church about the differing worldviews that they are going to be in touch with in a pluralistic society. The theistic, pantheistic and naturalistic worldviews and beliefs can be taught as well as how to test the varying worldviews in relation to the world we live in. An evaluation of media, and arts as well as fashions and technology in light of a Christian worldview would be beneficial, in stimulating ways, to gaining an understanding of the importance of the topics. James Sire’s The Universe Next Door and Nancy Pearcey’s Total Truth work as material to teach the subject. The issues of homosexuality, abortion, civil rights, and others would be addressed and evaluated. The final pillar in a strategy to incorporate a Christian Apologetics program into a local AA Church would be the most practical, it would be an understanding of the groups involved in attacking the church and the tactics used to engage them. It is my belief that the most dangerous opponents to the AA church are The Word of Faith teachings, Islam and the Nation of Islam, Oneness Pentecostals, Jehovah’s Witnesses and pseudo-religious Black Nationalist groups like the Hebrew Israelites. Along with the groups there would be a tactical aspect patterned after the material of Stand to Reason headed by Greg Koukl. Another eight weeks here would be enough time to teach the material. Three sessions in a year about every other year or so would be a good place to start for a rotation. I do not feel like this subject would be taught every year in the format presented here. Eventually I would like to have an issues oriented apologetics conference every other year as an outreach to the church in general but also the entire community. My brothers and sisters in the churches and outside of it need to see AA believers who have an intelligent faith not just an emotional experience

But that said, all of this has to be bathed in a church were the Bible is being taught. If sound doctrine is not a value for the church then making Apologetics an important topic will not work. When the faith is disconnected from the truth, Satan moves substitutes in to replace that truth. That is why there is a disconnect in the AA church between faith and practice. All the right answers can be given but there is no practical application lived out in light of that knowledge. I know that I have painted with a broad brush but that is just a reflection of my experience but it lines up with the testimonies I have received from other AA seminarians.

The reason for selecting this type of strategy is because many traditional AA churches are still in the Sunday School, Wednesday Night Bible Study model and have not yet moved to the small group model. I feel that this type of teaching could work best in a small group setting but that just is not a well received option right now. Those two blocks of time, Sunday morning and Wednesday night, are the best opportunity to teach the largest sections of the AA church. The testing of each section of the strategy would be very difficult. I do not believe that writing papers would work nor do I believe that any written testing would work either. Possibly the best way to test such an endeavor would be to have people in groups do mock encounters with people of the various groups mentioned above and judge the response and feedback. Because this area is so new to the AA church it must be eased into. This is not a flying leap. I spoke with a well known Christian Apologist a few years back and asked him if he knew of any AA Apologists. He said that he did not. Well in the years that have past I have run into a few but the number is still very low and their exposure to the larger AA church as a whole seems to be extremely limited.

I think that an Apologetics program in an AA church would be an excellent idea but also know that it would be an up hill battle to get one started. Having the PROBE staff or similar ministry come in and doing a question and answer session or dealing with a hot button issue could increase the credibility levels. This is an area that I feel has to be confronted in AA Churches in the years ahead for if it is not then there is a large segment of the church hat will just slide down the hill of irrelevance and will cripple the larger Body of Christ as a whole. Thinking christianly is not an option but a command. Jesus, when speaking on what was important, said, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." There is a responsibility towards God and fellow Christians as well as the unbeliever to present an attractive case for Christianity. Apologetics is the way to just that.

God Bless and Grace,
John

Notes:
[1] Is Christian Orthodoxy Strong in the Black Church? by Jerry L. Buckner. This article first appeared in the Viewpoint column of the Christian Research Journal, volume 27, number 4 (2004). It can be found online at http://www.equip.org/free/JAB425.htm.

Getting Started

Hello,

Well this will be my first attempt at anything like this. If it is, well, rather slow, forgive me. But we, John, Cassandra (Lynn), Caitlyn and Tre', need a better way to communicate with the rest of the family and those who love us and those who support us through prayer and giving.

So stay tuned and check back often. We'll be in touch. Love you all.

Jude 1:24-25

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour,

be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.

Amen.