The Scourge and Purge of Evil
September 24, 2011
Podcast: Download (Duration: 50:48 — 8.7MB)
Guest: David Kupelian, author, How Evil Works
“There is none righteous, not even one … their throat is an open grave, with their tongues they keep deceiving … whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness; their feet are swift to shed blood, destruction and misery are in their path…” (Romans 3:10-16).
Most people are unwilling to consider that another person has evil within them. Okay, maybe Hitler, Stalin, and Pol Pot are considered evil, but aside from a handful of tyrants, most people believe that man is good, especially if placed in the right environment and given the right education.
The Bible says the opposite: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it” (Jeremiah 17:9)? And by the way, this applies to your heart and mine. Ouch.
Identifying and understanding evil and how it manifests itself, and more importantly, how it can be overcome, is the subject of The Christian Worldview this weekend. David Kupelian, managing editor of WorldNetDaily.com, will join us to discuss his insightful book, “How Evil Works: Understanding and Overcoming the Destructive Forces That Are Transforming America
THE (too?) YOUNG, (too?) RESTLESS, and (really?) REFORMED MOVEMENT
September 17, 2011
Podcast: Download (Duration: 50:48 — 8.7MB)
Guest: Travis Allen, Director of Internet Ministry, Grace to You
“Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us” (Titus 2:6-8).
In the past decade, during the time in which the unbiblical, relativistic Emergent Church movement was gaining popularity, another movement comprised of a similar age demographic (20- and 30-somethings) was emerging as well, yet with much more sound biblical doctrine. A book was written by an editor of Christianity Today about this latter group entitled, “Young, Restless, and Reformed” (YRR).
While the Emergent Church movement appears to be going the way of the typewriter, the Young, Restless, and Reformed movement continues to gain steam, yet not without some controversy over the way they behave and engage with the unbelieving world (e.g. drinking alcohol in bars, course language, tattoos, etc.). Pastor John MacArthur for one has complimented the YRR movement but has also admonished them to “grow up, settle down, and keep reforming.”
Travis Allen, directory of internet ministry for Grace to You, teaches this same-age group at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA and will join us this weekend on The Christian Worldview Radio Program to inform us about the good and the questionable of the Young, Restless, and Reformed movement and what we need to do in our own lives in response.
Related Articles:
Grow Up. Settle Down. Keep Reforming. Advice for the Young, Restless, Reformed (John MacArthur)
Grow Up Advice for YRRs, Part 2 (John MacArthur)
Netanyahu Coming to New York to Address U.N. Next Week: Will confront Palestinian statehood bid and Ahmadinejad
September 17, 2011
Published with permission from Joel Rosenberg
Senior aides to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin originally told me the PM was not going to come to the opening session of the United Nations General Assembly this year. But things have changed. Tensions between Israel and the Palestinians, Iran and Turkey are intensifying and Israel is becoming increasingly isolated. Haaretz and Ynet News are now reporting that Netanyahu is coming to New York and will deliver a major address before the U.N. General Assembly next week. [Update: Some reports say the speech will be Wednesday; others say Friday; I'll keep you posted.] The decision reflects the PM’s desire to personally, directly and very publicly confront the Palestinian effort to unilaterally declare a state and receive a U.N. blessing, rather than engage in direct negotiations with the Jewish State. Netanyahu will also strongly condemn Iran’s bid for nuclear weapons and challenge the world to rein in Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is also coming to the U.N. next week.
During a press conference in Jerusalem yesterday with the visiting Czech Prime Minister, Netanyahu told reporters: “I have decided to personally convey the message of direct negotiation and striving for peace at the General Assembly — I know Israel doesn’t get a fair hearing at the General Assembly. It has an automatic majority which is quick to denounce Israel. I have decided to go… to tell the truth.”
The Palestinian Authority this week announced that on Friday, September 23rd it will formally submit its bid for full membership in the United Nations. A General Assembly vote would likely go overwhelmingly in favor of the Palestinians. The U.S., however, has vowed to veto a Palestinian statehood bid if it comes before the U.N. Security Council.
Please pray for wisdom for Israeli leaders, and especially the Prime Minister, as he comes to the U.S. Please pray for the protection of all Israeli diplomats around the world, and especially those in Jordan and Egypt who are under direct threat. Please pray for Christians, too, to show unconditional love and unwavering support for Israel and the Jewish people as Israel is increasingly isolated internationally. Please also pray for tensions between Israel and Turkey to be defused — in the last few weeks, Turkey has broken off diplomatic relations with Israel, kicked out Israel’s ambassador, cut off trade ties with Israel, and now is threatening to send war ships to accompany another flotilla to Gaza.
UPCOMING EVENTS WHERE JOEL WILL BE SPEAKING THIS FALL:
- September 24: Joel will speak and have a Q&A session at North Syracuse Baptist Church in Syracuse, NY, hosted by Dr. T.E. Koshy
- October 7 & 8: “Understanding The Times” conference at Grace Church in Eden Prarie, Minnesota
- October 22: “The Gathering Storm” national simulcast – please encourage your pastor to host this simulcast in your church; this event can only be viewed at churches hosting the special simulcast; it won’t be available on Oct. 22 for individuals hoping to watch on the web.
Evangelical Feminism and the Bible, part II – Galatians 3:38
September 11, 2011
S. Lewis Johnson Message of the Week
Evangelical Feminism and the Bible, part II
Dr. S. Lewis Johnson continues his discussion of feminism within evangelical thought by expounding the Apostle Paul’s teachings on the role of women in the early church.
Scripture Reference: Galatians 3:38
Click here to listen: Evangelical Feminism and the Bible, part II
Transcript Excerpt:
Last week we started our series of studies on evangelical feminism and the Bible. And I started out by making what I think is an important form in the form of a question. And it was, what is the unique significance of our maleness and our femaleness? And have we really forgotten that? Or are we so exposed to thoughts that are characteristic of our society that we do not realize what the word of God has said from its beginning. I suggested that a question that most of the feminists cannot answer is a simple question that a child, a girl or a man or boy may ask his parents, “Dad what does it mean to be a man and not a woman?” Or “Dad what does it mean to be a woman and not a man.” These are questions that the Scriptures have significant things to say about in the egalitarianism of the society of which we are a part now. That’s largely lost. And so often we know that in evangelicalism, the things that the world thinks about and bombards us with are soon the things that we see in the church of Jesus Christ. They slip often unnoticed and it’s not until difficulties have arisen in the church of Christ that we realize that we have been subjected to influence from unchristian sources. We don’t doubt at all that rationality may exist in differing view points, at least plausibility I should say. It appeared to be rationality exists in many of the things with which our society is occupied.
…. you can read the full transcript here.
Christian “Dominionism” in the Aftermath of 9/11?
September 10, 2011
Podcast: Download (Duration: 50:47 — 8.7MB)
Guest: Nancy Pearcey, author, Total Truth
God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Genesis 1:28).
This weekend marks the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 hijackings of four U.S. airliners by Islamic jihadists that resulted in the deaths of nearly 3000 people in New York, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania.
In His sovereign will, God allowed these heinous acts to be perpetrated against us. The question is: How would God want us to respond and have we as a people done so in the right way?
Nancy Pearcey, author of the landmark book, Total Truth
What is a Dominionist and should Christians be working towards control of America? Nancy Peacey will discuss these questions and take your phone calls.
Need to Read Columns:
Leap of Faith by Ryan Lizza (New Yorker column on Michele Bachmann)
The Dominionist Charge by Nancy Pearcey
Suspicious Minds by Nancy Pearcey
Eighteen Distinct Differences Between Islam and Christianity
September 9, 2011
By Pastor Troy Dobbs, Grace Church Eden Prairie, MN
Vast differences exist between Christianity and Islam about who we believe Jesus is. It is important to understand what the Bible has to say about Jesus when you are talking to non-Christian friends and neighbors. Here you will find the final six distinct differences, with biblical references. Read Part Three in the series.
Read Part Three in the series. Part One from this series appeared in the July 2011 edition of GraceTalk. Part Two from this series appeared in the August 2011 edition of GraceTalk.
What To Do If You’re Single … And Don’t Want To Be
September 3, 2011
Podcast: Download (Duration: 50:41 — 8.7MB)
Guest: Steve DeWitt, senior pastor, Bethel Church
“Yet I [Paul] wish that all men were even as I myself am [i.e. unmarried]. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that” (1 Corinthians 7:7).
Some unmarried people have the “gift” or desire to stay single. Other unmarried people have the desire to be married and yet find themselves waiting year after year for marriage to become a reality … and it sometimes never does.
For singles who desire marriage, the internal pressure can be great. “What’s wrong with me?” “Will I ever get married?” Why doesn’t God bring the right one into my life?” are some of the questions they often ponder.
If that weren’t enough, the cultural pressure is great as well. Singles feel the “What’s the matter with you that you’re not married?” or the “You haven’t really experienced life because you’re unmarried” vibe from people around them. Make no mistake, desiring marriage but still being single is a difficult place to be for any age but particularly for one in their 30’s, 40’s, and beyond.
Joining us this Saturday on The Christian Worldview to discuss “what to do if you’re single … and don’t want to be” is Steve Dewitt, senior pastor of Bethel Church in Crown Point, Indiana. Steve, who is 43, unmarried, but with a desire to be married, has recently written articles on singleness and loneliness and will give us a biblical perspective on the topic.
Evangelical Feminism and the Bible, part I: Genesis 1 – 3
September 2, 2011
S. Lewis Johnson Message of the Week
Evangelical Feminism and the Bible, part I
Dr. S. Lewis Johnson begins a six-part series on the issue of women’s equality in the evangelical faith community. Dr. Johnson uses the first message to outline God’s purposes in creating the woman as found in the Genesis account.
Scripture Reference: Genesis 1-3
Click here to listen: Evangelical Feminism and the Bible, part I
Transcript Excerpt:
Well the subject for this brief series that the elders have asked me to undertake is “Evangelical Feminism and the Bible.” I need to clarify that. It was not they who suggested the title. I suggested the title, but they asked me if I would fill in for a few Wednesday nights. And that’s the title, “Evangelical Feminism in the Bible.” And what I would like to do is to this evening look at the foundational texts that have to do with feminism and then we’ll look at four of the problem passages in the New Testament. But the Old Testament, Genesis chapter 1, 2, and 3 is the foundation for all scriptural thinking regarding the relationship between the sexes. And so, there are several passages that we want to look at this evening. And then we’ll look at the passages that are problems, that have caused a great deal of concern on the parts of many, such as Galatians 3:28; 1 Timothy chapter 2; 1 Corinthians chapter 11; and 1 Corinthians chapter 14. All of them have some rather difficult passages. And we’ll try to deal with them after we have looked this evening at Genesis chapter 1, 2, and 3.
…. you can read the full transcript here.
