An Imminent Attack on Religious Liberty

Important message from The Master's Seminary:

Many of our alumni, students, parents and friends have been watching the current events surrounding the California Bill SB 1146. [For an overview of this bill, see here, here and here.] This is NOT just another piece of legislation; this is a critical issue that will directly affect the future of The Master’s College!

As you would expect, Dr. John MacArthur has already submitted a letter registering our strong opposition to this bill which threatens institutions freedom to provide a quality education based on a commitment to Christ and His Word.

“SB 1146 challenges the very foundation of religious liberty that has been part of the heritage of the United States of America,” said Dr. MacArthur, president of The Master’s College...keep reading

See this UPDATE 

Idolizing Scripture?

A couple of posts ago I linked to a review of Peter Enns' book "The Sin of Certainty."

I've followed it up with some more thoughts in an article on Zeteo3:16. You can read it HERE

Forty Reasons for Not Reinterpreting the OT by the NT

Hat tip to Joel H for reminding me of this.

Dr. Paul Henebury gave us forty reasons why we shouldn't reinterpret the OT using the NT. Its a worthwhile revisit.

The First Twenty

The Last Twenty

Also, you can read Tony Garland's review of Michael Rydelnik's "The Messianic Hope" HERE

The Sin of Certainty - A book review

Some time in the near future I want to do a write-up on the trend for young Christians to dump Genesis (and ultimately the Bible) because of the influence of a cabal of popular writers. For now, I thought this was worth sharing:

Peter Enns’ latest book reads like the average village atheist attempting to discredit the Bible, all the while assuring you that he’s a Christian trying to illuminate you on how to build your faith. It’s basically a re-hash of similar concepts we’ve seen before in his previous writings and reiterates that while the Bible doesn’t contain the truth, you can still believe and trust in God (whoever that might be)...keep reading

Also:

Scripture Contains God’s Word?...The statement that Scripture Contains God’s Word sounds very reasonable at first blush. How could it not? After all Scripture does, indeed, contain God’s Word. But the problem isn’t that the statement is inherently false. The problem is associated with what the statement isn’t saying, and the inevitable consequences arising from its ambiguity...keep reading

Answering Key Questions About Homosexuality

This was recorded in 2004 but still relevant. Phil Johnson interviews John MacArthur on the sin of homosexuality. Listen to it until the end. Very worthwhile.

Listen to it HERE

Leaving a Church Because of Eschatology

I recently came across the following remark on a forum:

I can't find a Church that believes in ____ [a particular rapture timing view]. I have been asked to leave a Calvary Chapel for speaking about ____. I would even settle for a ____ Church. At least they believe we will go through the time of great tribulation.

What a sad commentary! It isn't an isolated case either. I doubt the pastor was threatened by the man's irrefutable Biblicism. Though I'm not privy to the facts, I can hazard a guess at what might have happened. The individual who made the statement has written online rants against pretribulationism. If his interactions at his church have been anything like those, I can understand why he was shown the door.

My wife and I had the choice to worship at a Calvary Chapel. Instead we picked a church which likely is amillennial. The pastor keeps his eschatological cards close to his chest and concentrates on the gospel and the eternal state. He's well aware of the conflicting prophecy views and carefully avoids this sort of division. His focus is on Christ and the gospel.

Sure I cringe (rarely) when he expounds certain passages in a way I disagree with. But I'm not there to correct him or my other brothers and sisters. I'm there to pray and worship the Lord along with them.

I've said this before: It's a shame so many of us are dividing over rapture timing views when there are far more serious battle grounds facing the church today.