New Testament Christianity in the 21st Century
The purity of new-fallen snow
Jan 29th
It has never been a big secret that I am not the best yard-keeper in the world. Landscaping 101 was never in my course work, although I do come from a long line of greats in the lawn care industry (a story I will spare you for another day). My grass is always a little too high, the hedges always resemble the heads of 4-year-olds boys too long without a trim, and I can never quite seem to keep the “shin busters” (known to most people as “toys”) out of the front yard.
Because of this weakness on my part, it is with great anticipation that I look forward to a really good snow in the winter. Our recent snow here in McCrory was near perfect, except for the fact, as kids would argue, that it did not stick around long enough to keep them out of school longer.
As the snow descended, all the imperfections of my yard began to evaporate. The scruffy clover that had sprung up early began to fade away. The wiry-haired tangle of hedges began to resemble enormous cotton balls, and the shin busters transformed into elegant snow sculptures. Everything looked clean and pure, and all my shortcomings as a lawn keeper disappeared. Read the rest of this entry »
Book Review: ‘The Work of the Preacher is Working’
Dec 29th
Holland, Thomas H. The Work of the Preacher is Working.
(Brentwood, TN: Penmann Books, 2001). 297 pp.
Preaching has the same huge temptation as any other independent work: laziness. If you own your own business, you are solely responsible for the output of that business. In a similar way, the preacher must be a self-starter, and not fall prey to laziness or distraction. Thomas Holland’s great book, The Work of the Preacher is Preaching, will help train preachers young and old to avoid the pitfalls of working independently. Read the rest of this entry »
Excellent article on abortion
Dec 17th
Weylan Deaver has an excellent article on abortion posted on his blog. In this article Weylan details what we can learn from the Bible about the subject of abortion, offering nine solid points that will help you study the subject further, or even form a sermon around.
Paul and Baptism
Nov 30th
It is sometimes stated that the writings of the apostle Paul give no particular emphasis to baptism as a command of the gospel. In fact, the average “man on the street” evangelical adherent will claim that since Paul said Christ sent him “not to baptize, but to preach the gospel” (1 Cor. 1:17), it must mean that baptism is not a part of the gospel, nor necessary for salvation.1 But how does Paul treat baptism in his writings? Does he really isolate baptism in water from the gospel? Does Paul see baptism as unnecessary and inconsequential? If not, what purposes and needs does Paul see being fulfilled by baptism? Read the rest of this entry »
- Blomberg, Craig L. The NIV Application Commentary, 1 Corinthians. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994. Blomberg claims that 1 Corinthians 10:1-12 is a proof that baptism is not required for salvation, but in both his references (p. 46 and pp. 191-197) he fails to give exegetical support to the statement, other than to say that the Israelites were not literally immersed in water while following the cloud and at the crossing of the Red Sea. Somehow he applies Paul’s figurative use of “baptism” in reference to the Israelites to the Bible’s literal teaching in regards to baptism and conversion. [↩]
The postmodernist attack on Christianity
Apr 30th
It started innocently enough with a simple picture created for a school project, a mere line drawing by the hand of a teenage boy. But the boy’s teacher found the work so objectionable that she refused to give the boy a grade, and the Wisconsin school stood by this teacher. The boy was also given two detentions for the objectionable artwork.
The drawing in question was submitted alongside the artistic creations of other students. Among these other works was a red-skinned demon mask complete with horns and bared fangs; a Buddha fountain; a sorcerer; an eight-armed Hindu goddess riding a giant swan.
But the work the boy submitted went over the limit in the eyes of the school. What was so offensive, so vulgar to the boy’s teacher? It was simply this: a white chalk drawing on a black background of a cross, with the caption, “John 3:16, a sign of love.” Read the rest of this entry »
Archaeology and the Date of the Exodus
Apr 29th
The biblical account of the Hebrew exodus from Egypt plays a central role in Judeo-Christian religious understanding. When a severe famine in the land of Canaan brought the patriarch Jacob and his family to Egypt, God promised that He would go with him, and bring his descendants[1] out again (Gen. 46:3-4). God’s promise to Jacob is a continuation of the “promise plan,” first made to Abraham in Gen. 12. This “promise plan,” which some would say extends even further back to Gen. 3:15, is the common thread which runs throughout the scriptures from Genesis to Revelation.[2] The plan finds its main subject in the coming of the Messiah, and has its climax in the judgment.
Since the exodus narrative is part of God’s fulfillment of this promise plan, and since the event is referred to over and over in scriptures, if one doubts the exodus, one basically doubts the Bible as being the inspired, inerrant Word of God. Being such a focus of the scriptures, the exodus has for many years in turn been a focus of much controversy and discussion. Although there are some scholars and historians who doubt the biblical exodus ever happened[3], this paper will work from the assumption that an exodus of the sort described in the Bible actually did happen, a view that is taken by most scholars. The portion of the debate that will be examined in this short paper is the question of the dating of the event. Read the rest of this entry »
Debate begins tonight
Apr 27th
The Nature of Man debate will begin tonight at 7 p.m. with an altered format. For an explanation of the format, see the Shaumburg church of Christ website. For live audio of the event, follow this link:
http://pointers.audiovideoweb.com/stcasx/3c3winlive3145/play.asx
Baptist minister pulls out of debate
Apr 24th
Weylan Deaver, gospel preacher and son of Mac Deaver, sent me this note this morning, and he has allowed me to post it here for your information. Weylan writes,
“Matthew Black, the Baptist pastor scheduled to have a four night debate with Mac Deaver on April 27-30 in Chicago, has, at the eleventh hour, pulled out of the debate. This, in spite of the best efforts of members of the Schaumburg church of Christ (the debate’s sponsor) to encourage Black to keep his commitment to participate.
“Months of preparation have gone into this event, including advertising and numerous people making travel arrangements to attend. Expecting several visitors, and not wanting to have to turn them away with nothing, the Schaumburg church has asked that Deaver go ahead and come to present his material, at least for Monday-Wednesday nights. The URL for listening to the audio of the now-canceled debate will (hopefully–no final word yet) still be used for streaming the audio of Deaver’s presentations.
“Having gone over Deaver’s PowerPoint presentation, including affirmative and negative arguments, it is excellent and most helpful material in addressing whether sin is (or even can be) inherited, and whether a person can, of his own free will, respond to the gospel’s invitation. So, even without an actual debate, the study that has gone into preparing for it will pay dividends in helping brethren in the future who have to deal with Calvinistic thought. Having already made all plans to be there, I will still make the trip to encourage the event, and it will be grand to see the good brethren at Schaumburg once more. Of course, the initial shock of this news was most disappointing. However, Lord willing, good will still come from it!”
We will keep you up-to-date on the availability of the audio broadcast as the date nears.
New Spiritual Sword a must read
Apr 17th
In the latest edition of The Spiritual Sword, the question “What is happening to us?” is examined. Many issues that are being discussed and disagreed over are covered in the issue, including homosexuality, the role of women, denominationalism, instrumental music, and postmodernism. One issue, however, stood out and caused me a little shock.
At the beginning of his article entitled, “Is immersion a condition of salvation,” Hugh Fulford quotes Gary Holloway of Lipscomb University:
“Currently there is some controversy among Churches of Christ regarding immersion. Many of us cannot deny that there are many devout Christians who are unimmersed.”
Now, this quote was from back in 2006 and I believe came from New Wineskins. But Fulford also quotes Mike Williams, also a professor at Lipscomb and the minister at Fourth Avenue Church of Christ in Franklin, Tenn., as saying that the congregation will accept the baptisms of anyone, whether baptized as infants, for reasons other than remission of sins, as well as those who have not been baptized. He quotes Williams as saying, “And so, we have decided we will not be contentious, and we will be encompassing, and embracing all who choose to come here and walk with us.”
At what point, brethren, do we begin to notice the gradual but steady slide down the slippery slope of religious plurality and inclusiveness? If you have not read The Spiritual Sword, I encourage you to get a copy and read about the issues that are facing the church in our times.
He called her ‘daughter:’ God’s universal grace in Mark 5:25-34
Dec 18th
Posted by Matt Clifton in New Testament Commentary
1 comment
Introduction
One of the most intriguing passages in the synoptic gospels is found in Mark 5:25-34. In this passage, sometimes called the “healing of the woman with the issue of blood,” a miracle takes place that appears to be unique among the others in the gospel accounts. While on His way to heal the daughter of Jairus, who is the ruler of the synagogue, Jesus is approached surreptitiously by a woman who had a persistent hemorrhaging. She touched his garment and was healed. After Jesus realized someone had touched Him, the woman returns and tells Jesus “the whole truth” about what happened. In the end, Jesus tells her to “go in peace,” calling her “daughter.”
This story is intriguing because Jesus seems to be passive in this miracle, while the woman takes the initiative and is healed. Such passiveness in healing is seen nowhere else in the gospel accounts. It is also an interesting story because of Jesus’ reaction. Although a multitude of people were pressing against Him, He was able to discern one special touch. But the other part of His reaction was the statement, “Who touched Me?” Did Jesus know which person touched Him, or not? And why did Jesus call her “daughter” following the healing, when He uses the term no where else in scripture?[1] Read the rest of this entry »