An Exclusive Blog Post

 

Recently I have been drawn into debates about some trendy teachers on the liberal side of the Christian church. I have a draft sitting here on the topic of one such character and I do not think I will finish that post. Great experience putting it together and researching it but writing about individuals does not personally sit well with me especially when the wider point is general. In principle though, naming names of false teachers is Biblical. It can be very messy when those teachers are ambiguous.

So this will generally address a problem with such teachers of today (and often of the past). If there is one issue that is the acid test of whether to use someone's teaching or not it is Universalism. Consider the following quotes from the Gospel of John:

John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

John 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

So there we have it a divine Jesus – Messiah and Son of God is essential or you face the wrath of God. Anyone can repent and put their faith in Him. There are many many more I could add to the list but these 5 are all in context and more than sufficient.

Some today are keen to be ‘inclusive’ and flat out say all will be saved because God’s grace will win over human hard hearts. Others walk a middle road not quite being inclusive and not quite being exclusive yet keeping Christ as the central figure. This must be hard work to maintain this position if nothing else, yet it is very common in the mainstream Church.

The consequences are eternal too – should we risk our lives and our families lives to pass on the Gospel if it is just a nice to have? Can we ease off if everyone is saved in the end anyway?

Based on scripture, it is a deadly serious essential and we must take the message to all urgently. I just do not have time for wobbly looking teachers (however interesting or dynamic they are) – I will pick up the blog, book, podcast etc by the teacher that I know has a solid position on the message of Jesus.

Both is the answer to ‘Inclusive or Exclusive?’. To enter the Kingdom, you must be born again but all are invited to repent and put their trust in Jesus.

No danger of me becoming a mainstream trendy teacher then :-)

BBC News - Wild bees 'may freeze to death'

BBC News - Wild bees 'may freeze to death'

Proof That God Exists

Proof That God Exists

Stand to Reason: Is the New Testament Text Reliable?

Stand to Reason: Is the New Testament Text Reliable?

Dead Seal 2 and Dead Seal 3

 

Well, they proved popular last time…

These chaps were on Easthaven near Carnoustie.

On Podcasting LateDecember

A little while since the last post so let me tell you why…

I have finally got round to working on a podcast and getting it online. There’s quite a lot of work in putting it all together but it has been good fun and the feedback so far has been good.

Originally I started putting together a video Python podcast but I switched to a Christian theme as it more important/required at this time and I need a break from the techie world sometimes. I have been using basic tools such as Windows Movie Maker which can produce decent results even with my clumsy approach. Production quality is important so this will be continually worked on. At the moment it is a solo project but I am talking to people to get involved which should make it twice as fun!

So please visit and subscribe to LateDecember! Should another photo post on here soon.

New Believers and Old Laws

One of the recurring issues in the recent discussions is what should be the attitude New Testament follower of Christ to do with the Law of Moses that is recorded in the Old Testament. The point made is usually along the lines of “why don’t you follow rule X in Leviticus?” or accusations of picking and choosing according to personal preference.

This matter was thankfully covered already… in the Bible. During the time of the Apostles, the Church was challenged particularly by Gentiles joining the Church. Did they have to follow all the Law? This was more than just a ceremonial issue. It also had implications for the future of Israel during the Church age.

The 10 commandments are the Law in summary and all are repeated in the New Testament. The exception being the Sabbath (Saturday) which is dealt with specifically as the Christians practice was to celebrate on Sunday whilst having liberty to chose any day.

The dietary laws were revoked by a vision given to Peter in Acts and many other aspects of the Law are for government for a nation and Christians were not called to forge a new country.  However the moral principles still apply, for example using fair weights and measures. The practical still apply – shellfish in a desert country that had not invented the refrigerator yet?? I’ll pass on that one for a few centuries… Laws that tell us of our very nature, the family unit and child rearing have not passed away. We operate under their principles but not under the Law of an ancient nation.

In summary, the rules have changed due to the fulfilment of the types and shadows of the Old Testament by the incarnation of Jesus Christ. It is not picking and choosing to apply the Old Testament Law as the New Testament requires believers to. The 12 Apostles received the completion of revelation which has survived in Scripture through much attempted interference. So could things change again? Possibly – the church age is time limited. For now, we have 66 books by over 40 others with 1 message. With no more Apostles there is nothing to be added; only insights extracted.

The Law was the School Master to bring us to Christ. Break one Law once and you are guilty on Judgement day of breaking them all. How many lies have you ever told? Jesus said all liars will have their place in the lake of fire. That is just one commandment. What are you to do on the day of your inevitable death. You need God to save you.