Jim over at Old Truth has an excellent article on this subject. You must check out the YouTube video included in the post. It gives an excellent illustration of what’s wrong with many small group bible studies today. I think if we were all honest, we would admit some degree of guilt to this form of biblical interpretation.
Enjoy!
Author Archives: Pilgrim
Tiptoeing Through the TULIP: The Importance of the Doctrine of Radical Corruption – Part 2
In part 1 we learned the importance of teaching the doctrine of Radical Corruption is in bringing us to realize we cannot please God in our natural state. All attempts to do so should immediately be abandoned. it is utterly futile. Our offenses against God cannot be overcome by the counterweight of good deeds, no matter how impressive. Our sin is always before us. The wages thereof is death.
In light of this reality,
Radical Corruption teaches man to forsake his works and cling to the work of Christ.
Christ lived a perfectly sinless life. He was the spotless lamb of God, the perfect sacrifice for all sins for all time. The shedding of his blood on the cross remits the sins of all who come to him. His bodily resurrection assures the bodily resurrection of all who are called by his name. The burden and curse of the law upon us is taken off our backs and laid upon Jesus Christ. In return it pleased the Father to impute (or transfer) the righteousness of Christ to us, so that at the judgment on the last day, all God will see is the work of Christ on our behalf and not the sins we have committed against him. The gavel of God’s decree will strike a thunderous blow, echoing across the cosmos, proclaiming the justification freely given us by God’s good grace.
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (Rom 10:3-4) Continue reading
Tiptoeing Through the TULIP: The Importance of the Doctrine of Radical Corruption – Part 1
We live in a truly miraculous day and age. Here in America, life has been made easier (but more complex) by the combination of great advances in technology and fertile imaginations. Cell phones enable us to contact anybody just about anywhere at any given time. Notebook computers can wirelessly access the internet from just about any location imaginable. The internet itself has become the world’s knowledge-base. There is no subject that cannot be thoroughly mined by simply ‘Googling’ it. Oh how I wish the internet had been around when I was in school. I actually had to go into a library and read books! Life is good. Life is accessible. Life is easier than at any time in history. But as Paul Simon once sang, ‘These are the days of miracle and wonder. Don’t cry baby, don’t cry.’ Continue reading
The Lost Tomb of Jesus: Just Another Excuse For the Deceitful Heart
Most everyone has heard by now about the controversial new documentary directed by Simcha Jacobovici and produced by James Cameron called ‘The Lost Tomb of Jesus’. It aired this past Sunday on the Discovery Channel.
I admit, I watched it. Including the Critical Look afterwards. I tuned in with absolutely no apprehension whatsoever that my faith would take a critical hit after observing the evidence.
My confidence was well justified. Continue reading
A Blessed Birthday
I turned thirty… something today. It has been a relaxing, thoroughly enjoyable birthday. I am surrounded by my loving family and am rich beyond measure with all of God’s blessings.
Speaking of blessings, I took the day off of work and simply kicked back, read my bible and played a little football on the kids’ XBox. In the evening we ate supper at my favorite Mexican restaurant with all of our relatives. However, I must admit, the most exciting part of the evening came when I sat down at the dining room table to open presents!
Yes, I know, how carnal of me, right? Wait a minute! Don’t be so quick to judge! I received two of life’s greatest necessities; clothes and books! Books specifically designed to aid in my study of scripture. Here’s what I got: Continue reading
Man Came Not from Monkeys Nor from God?
For almost the entire past two weeks I have had the pleasure of working closely with two student employees in helping me install micro-projectors in university classrooms. ‘Ned’, who I have witnessed to in the past (see here) and his close companion ‘Michael’ are able workers and have helped me tremendously in completing my latest project. I have been looking for opportunities to preach the gospel to them, but we have been so busy with the installations, time has not permitted much dialog between us. The chance finally came at around 4:45 P this past Friday after we had completed the job. We were all gathered in my office resting from our labors, having casual conversation. Surprisingly, Michael and Ned broached upon the subject of religion.
Ned made a remarkable comment saying science would likely disprove the existence of God in time. I had discussed evolution some with Ned before and realize he puts much of his faith in science. I found it odd, because he had admitted to me in our previous discussion he was considering adopting Judaism. I didn’t bring up his apparent contradiction in thinking here. Continue reading
Caution: Bloated Blog Ahead
Pardon me, my hypocrisy is showing.
Let me explain.
I enjoy reading a variety of Christian blogs on a daily basis. However, I limit myself to five or so of my favorite sites due to time constraints. I’m also concerned of digesting too much varied information in a short span. This often leads me to remember absolutely nothing about what I read that day.
What wasted labor!
I am often turned away by posts that are too long. I just don’t have time to work my way through them. My mindset while browsing my favorite blogs is to read quickly and move on to the next post. Continue reading
Great Quotes: Spurgeon on Sin and Redemption
Charles Spurgeon once said, concerning Sin and the total depravity of the human heart;
“One sin can ruin a soul for ever; it is not in the power of the human mind to grasp the infinity of evil that slumbereth in the bowels of one solitary sin.“
Spurgeon once spoke of Christ’s redemption on the cross in this manner;
“it seemed as if Hell were put into His cup; He seized it, and, At one tremendous draught of love, He drank damnation dry.”
Tiptoeing Through the TULIP: Radical Corruption – Part 2
In part one we established that man is:
A. A fallen creature
B. A bondservant to the Devil
C. A sinner not only in action but in nature. Man sins because he is a sinner, not a sinner because he sins.
We ended Part 1 with the question, Does man naturally have the desire to turn from his sin in sorrowful repentance and exercise the kind of faith that saves the soul from God’s Holy wrath?
It’s a good question, deserving of a scriptural answer. But first, let’s take a look at man’s ability to attain God’s righteousness through the keeping of the law. Continue reading
Tiptoeing Through the TULIP: Radical Corruption – Part 1
The Fall of Man
On the sixth day of creation, God breathed life into man, the pinnacle of His handiwork. He beheld the earth with all the life therein and proclaimed it to be very good. (Gen 1:31) The earth was a paradise, a work of perfection. God gave man dominion over his creation. He had three simple laws for Adam and Eve to obey. They were to be fruitful and multiply. They were also forbidden to partake of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of Good and Evil. God warned:
for in the day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die. (Gen 2:17).
However, man proved unfaithful to God’s law. Satan, that ancient serpent, beguiled Eve into eating the fruit of that tree. She then shared it with Adam, who had done nothing to prevent her fateful decision.
God’s judgment came swiftly with great severity. He remained true to his word. In that day death came into the world through sin. Adam and Eve did not die physically that day. In fact, they both would live for many centuries following the incident.
So, in what way did they die in the day they ate of the tree? Continue reading