Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Basic Theology
Last week we shared about the meaning of the Atonement (Jesus' death). Because Jesus died as our Substitute we have a completed salvation. Jesus said, "It is finished." John 19:30 Also check out the phrase "Once for all" in Hebrews 7:27, 9:26, 10:10. The result for the believer is called Justification which means God declares us to be righteous. This is the same as a guilty sinner standing before God and hearing, "Not Guilty by reason that My Son took you punishment!" But there is more! The means of Justification is that God adds His own righteousness to us. We exchanged our rags for His righteousness. (Isaiah 64:6- II Corinthians 5:21) Whenever you see the phrase "in Christ" it means that we are prefect before God because of our new position. Now we are called to live out that life of Christ as we obey God with help from the Holy Spirit.But we must never boast because it is "...by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God,and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption..." Hallelujah! It is His life working in us!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Basic Theology
Last week we ended a brief discussion of the Trinity and the Deity of Christ. Before we discuss Salvation itself let's consider the meaning of the death of Christ. There are several "theories" of what the Atonement means. However, their is only one that is supported by scripture. Jesus died in our place as our Substitute taking the full punishment for our sins that we justly deserved. Biblical support includes: Mark 10:45 Says that Jesus died as a ransom "for" the many. The Greek word "ANTI" always means "in place of" or "instead of". The sacrifice of Isaac in Gen. 22 depicts Substitution as well as the Law of Moses in Leviticus 16. The apostle Paul's theology is in complete harmony as found in Romans 5 and II Cor.5:21. Liberal mainline churches weaken this truth by attributing "moral example" instead of Substitution as the meaning of the Atonement. This does not mean people need to understand theology before they can trust Christ for salvation but the motivation to present the Gospel with conviction is certainly compromised if a preacher rejects Substitutionary Atonement. The Roman Catholic view makes the R.C. Church itself the mediator of salvation through graces received from their sacraments. The Bible tells us plainly that Jesus Himself is the only Mediator between God and man. I Timothy 2:5. So before we even discuss the Gospel of Salvation we must understand the important root meaning of why Jesus put Himself in our place and poured out His life so that we might be forgiven and become the Righteousness of God in Him! II Cor.5:21
Friday, August 15, 2008
Basic Theology
Now that you have learned about Worldviews let's look at some of basic theology that forms a Biblical Worldview. Last time we touched briefly on the Triune nature of God. The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. The Bible and Christ Himself taught this important truth. All cults like J.W.'s and Mormons deny the deity of Christ and therefore the Trinity is denied as well. Any group which denies or distorts the Trinity is a cult, period! This would include all "word-faith" teachers like T.D. Jakes and Joel Osteen and the Oneness Pentecostal groups. Remember cults fool true believers who are untaught but their doctrines are false. Much can be said about the importance of this doctrine but here are some key scriptures for you: Matt.28:19; Matt.3:16-17; II Cor.13:14 all contain the Three divine Persons. The deity of the Holy Spirit is found in Acts 5:3-4 and the Deity of Christ is found in numerous texts but note these: Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:3-8; I John 5:20; Titus 2:13 and check out what Jesus said in John 8:24 and compare it to Isaiah 43:10-11. Whenever Jesus says, "I Am", He is claiming to be Jehovah God!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Basic Theology
Before we start a new topic I would like to give you a reading list for further study on Worldviews. "Seven Men That Rule the World From the Grave" by David Breese, "Slouching Towards Gomorrah: Modern Liberalism and American Decline" by Robert Bork, "Original Intent: The Courts, the Constitution, and Religion" David Barton, "Mind Siege" Tim LaHaye, "Kingdoms in Conflict" Charles Colson, "What If Jesus Had Never Been Born?" D.James Kennedy, "Understanding the Times: The Religious Worldviews of Our Day and the Search for Truth" David Noebel, "Inside American Education: The Decline, the Deception, the Dogmas" Thomas Sowell. If you will read even three of these books you will have a real grasp of what is really going on in our society. Remember, only 9% of Christians have a Biblical Worldview! Now lets begin a survey of basic theology. Please e-mail any questions or comments so I can address them. For today I wish only to make a brief statement about the Trinity. This vital truth is biblical and clearly taught yet misunderstood. The reason for that is because it is a Paradox! Most of but not all doctrines in the Bible conform to human logic. A Paradox is an apparent contradiction yet true. There are no human illustrations that really do justice to explaining the Triune nature of God. However I will give you one Hebrew word that can help. The word can be found in Deuteronomy 6:4 which reads: "Hear O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!" The Hebrew word for "one" is "echad". It happens to be the PLURAL form and refers to a complex oneness or UNITY! For instance, if you wanted to say "one" grape in Hebrew you would use "yachid". But if you wanted to say "one" cluster of grapes you would use ECHAD! So the very verse which traditional Jews use to proclaim the "ONE" true God really means that God is way more than we can comprehend! And that is exactly why the Eternal God, Jesus Christ, humbled Himself and became a man so that we could understand the nature of God. JOHN 1:18 PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Worldviews
Having a Biblical Worldview is our only defense against the lies we encounter every day in our humanistic society. Every time you watch T.V. read the newspaper or go to the movies you are bombarded with vain philosophy and fallacies designed to lure you away from your devotion to Christ. If you are interested in a deeper study of these issues please let us know so we can offer a HR Institute class this fall. How would you answer this student's comment? "The truth is, there are no absolute truths. I mean; even God doesn't work that way." Would you respond as Pilate, "What is Truth?" or would you quote Jesus, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life..." ??
Friday, August 1, 2008
Worldviews
Why do some Americans hate America? This week ABC News has told all their reporters they can no longer wear flag pins. Now you could argue that they have some good reason. However, studies show that 90% of the national media do not attend any church. They are simply acting consistently with their worldview. Did you know that Marxism is alive and well on most university campuses across America. Humanist professors openly teach the principles espoused by Karl Marx. Barak Obama openly sought out these professors by his own admission. What is Marxism and why is it opposed to American values? Marx taught that capitalism exploited people. He also taught that belief in God was a crutch for weak-minded people. The State must control all property and economic activity to insure equality for all. Marx taught that Socialism by which the State provides free education, healthcare, and retirement to the people is the first step towards Communism which gives the State full control of all goods and services.So why do some people hate America? Very simply they have embraced a worldview which despises the two things that built America : Faith in God and the free market exchange of private property. Most of the protest groups which demonstrate against our government were organized by Marxist/Communists. Dozens of national groups like the ACLU were founded by communists to aid and promote their worldview. Are you starting to see the BIG PICTURE now?? This explains why most universities have replaced their Western Civilization course with Multi-Culturalism. They are simply ashamed of the principles that made us great! Even intelligent Christian leaders like Tony Campolo have been deceived and enamored by the ideas of Karl Marx. The Liberation Theology promoted by the Catholic Jesuit priests in Central America and used by pastor Jeremiah Wright to promote Black Liberation stems from Marxism. In the name of helping the oppressed Liberation Theology has become the Trojan Horse by which Marxism has gained access to American schools. At the core of Marxist/Communism is militant atheism. Remember when the Berlin Wall fell about the same time the Soviet Union went bankrupt? The real problem with these worldviews is not economic as Dostoyevsky has written, but is rather the problem of Atheism. Thus, the issues of peace,poverty,and prosperity are all ultimately worldview issues that find their roots in how one answers the question of theology-- What about God?
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