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?
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Worldview
What are the consequences of having a "bits and pieces" worldview? We make false distinctions between "spiritual" and "secular" where God has called us to be SALT in a corrupt society. A Biblical Worldview includes every part of our culture such as Law, Politics, and the Media.GOD GAVE US A CULTURAL MANDATE FROM THE BEGINNING! Gen. 1:28 which has been renewed by Jesus in Matt. 5:13-16. What happens when Christians withdraw from the key sectors which shape public opinion and policy? Sixty years ago Christians withdrew from politics and media. Since then national morality has plummeted. We have let godless people shape society while we huddle in our churches. We need to get out of the salt shaker and into the public square and fight to preserve America for our grandchildren! Look at the people God used in the Bible. They came from all walks of life and served in all parts of society. The key is not seminary degrees but a solid core of faith and commitment to Christ- a Biblical Worldview!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Worldviews
A CHRISTIAN STUDENT'S EXPERIENCE: A mother's tear-stained letter describes what happened when her daughter went off to college: "Our daughter was raised in Christian schools and in a Christian home where we taught her values and morals and to trust Christ as Savior. Two years out of high school at 20 yrs old, she enrolled at the University ....We did not know that this was one of the most liberal schools in the nation. Unfortunately she was overwhelmed by the professors and began to believe their philosophies. She graduated two years ago with a political science and English degree and has turned her back on all that she believed in. We are trusting God to bring our girl back. This girl's experience is not unusual. According to a UCLA survey, between 34 and 51 percent of students who claim to be "born again" as freshmen no longer place themselves in that category by their senior year. What do you think causes so many Christians to turn their backs on the faith that they had been taught for 18-20 years? Could it be that we { both local church and parents} are not preparing them to defend their faith against rival worldviews? Francis Schaffer has said that the basic problem is that Christians see things in bits and pieces instead of totals. The Apostle Paul warned, "Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ." Pastor Bill
Friday, July 11, 2008
worldviews
Hi, friends! Let me outline the basic core beliefs of the two major worldviews competing for the hearts and minds of the American people. The Humanist core beliefs are: 1. God does not exist. 2. The universe came about by random chance. 3. Humans are merely intelligent animals. 4. Death is the extinction of the human person. 5. Knowledge can be learned from reason and experience but there is no absolute truth. We determine what is true for ourselves. 6. Morality is man-made ,subjective, and relative. 7. Human history has no purpose nor meaning. There is also a religious version to this Humanist Worldview that does accept a "higher power" but the rest of the points are the same. In stark contrast to this view is the Biblical Worldview with these core beliefs: 1. God is the personal loving Creator of all things. 2. The universe was created by God out of nothing! Genesis 1 is literally true! 3. Man is created in God's image but is fallen due to sin. 4. Death is only a separation of body and spirit. The person ( spirit ) is eternal. 5. Knowledge can be learned from reason and experience but must harmonize with God's revelation in the Bible. 6. Morality consists of absolute right and wrong laws given by God and supported by our own conscience. 7. History records God's eternal plan of Redemption, service, and reward. Of course many of us do not hold a consistent worldview in some areas. Here are a few pointed questions to ask yourself and the person you want to be the next president. 1. Do you believe government should be able to remove children from parental care even when there is no physical abuse? 2. Do you favor sex education, contraceptives, or abortions for minors without parental consent? 3. Except in dire emergency, would you vote for government spending that exceeds revenues? 4. Do you favor voluntary prayer in the public schools if led by students? 5. Do you favor a reduction in government? Please call me @ 704 245-3755 if you would like to discuss any of these issues on Worldview. Would you be interested in a class on worldview in the fall? pastor Bill
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Worldview
Our worldview is our perception of reality. A comprehensive worldview is formed by answering seven basic questions: 1. Does God exist? 2. Is our world created by God or a product of Darwinian Evolution? 3. Is man the image of God or a naked ape? 4. What happens after death? Eternal existence or extinction? 5. How do we know anything? God or chance? 6. How do we know right and wrong? Absolutes or arbitrary? 7. What is the meaning of history? God's purposes or no meaning? Your values and behavior flow out of your worldview! you social and political views do also! To a large extent your worldview will determine who you will vote for this fall. Examine the nominees by their worldview and not by single issues. Make sure that a future president who claims to be a Christian has a consistent Biblical Worldview. If His view on human life is not consistent with Psalm 139:13-16 then you would be voting for a Humanist Worldview which opposes God and the founding values of America. If his view on the economy favors large government programs and higher taxes rather than free market enterprise then study Matt.25:14-29. Ask yourself, 'what would Jesus do?" Has this made you think about your own worldview? Next week we will define the Biblical Worldview and its arch rival the Humanist Worldview. See you then! pastor Bill
Friday, June 6, 2008
Codependency
Last blog mentioned "BOUNDARIES". These are invisible fences both internal and external which protect ourselves and others from physical and emotional abuse. If you discover a broken boundary you must recognize the problem and with God's help repair the breach. My mom grew up in an alcoholic family and never developed proper boundaries. I developed a codependent relationship with her need to vent anger and bitterness toward those who she perceived to be against her. years after I had learned about codependency and had become more healthy in my relationships I was still allowing mom to come through my broken boundary and spew her anger at others into my heart. I thought I was compassionate by listening to my poor sick mother. Actually I was enabling her to continue her sinful behavior and to drag me down emotionally. Two weeks ago I set up an emotional boundary to block this codependent behavior. I wrote a kind letter of explanation to mom. Now our conversations will be much less frequent and limited in both time and content. I did call mom yesterday on my Dad's birthday to remember him in a good way. He died 20 years ago. Mom really appreciated the call and agreed that we do better to limit our conversation. I love my mom and I want to continue our relationship. Setting this new boundary allows me to do this in a God honoring way. Thanks for listening. Pastor Bill
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