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