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.