Shallow Preaching, Cultural Adaptability Behind Baptist Decline, Says Leader

prespilot68 »

Thu May 15, 2008 11:10 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

KoneWone2

The website you referenced regarding alter call is blantantly misguided. I find it is the usual dribble of the Calvinist blaming Charles Finney for the so called horrors of Modern Day Alter Calls. First, this Calvinistic website needs to get its facts straight (something I find often with Calvinist).

Finney did not have what we would now call an "Alter Call" but rather he had what was then called an "Anxious Bench" . The purpose of the Anxious Bench is really the opposite of an Alter Call. Finney utilized the "Anxious Bench" so that those who were having an "emotional experience" were placed on that bench for several days during a meeting or revival so that the person could have a complete understanding of what it meant for one to change their heart! Finney specifically preached against emotionalism and greatly encouraged for a person to make their decision for Christ as direct result of their coming to a freewill understanding of the truth of the gospel. The Anxious Bench was sort of a holding pattern to make certain that the person was NOT making a decision based upon pur emotion, but rather a revelation of Truth and Knowledge that would be couple with our sensibilities.

Values and Moral Truth are Not the Same

prespilot68 »

Sat Apr 26, 2008 11:56 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

Wow of all people to talk about moral obligation than a Calvinist. Has Mohler forgot he's a blooming Calvinist! I thought he and his ilk of Clavinist thought mankind was totally depraved and unable to be morally good. But alas, his conscience must be getting the best of him after all. I know Mohler you must have a real hard time reconciling your theology and what your conscience experiences in the real world. The rub here is that Calvinist have given sinners and themselves plenty of excuses with their heresy of Original Sin and Total Depravity. Instead of preaching conviction of sin as a result of man CHOOSING sin and rebelling, they have given the world the wonderful idea that we are sinful from birth and that man can not change his heart towards God, but God must do it for him! They have made sinners out to be cripples rather than criminals!

Rick Warren on Moses' Staff and Book's Success

prespilot68 »

Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:26 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 1

For those supporters of Rick Warren let Christ be the baseline by which we determine if someone is preaching as Jesus preached:

Mat 4:17 From that time began Jesus to preach, and to say, Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Mar 1:15 and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe in the gospel.

Mar 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

Luk 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Act 2:37-38 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do? (38) And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

For those of you who want to say Rick is preaching the gosepl then answer this one questions - where is the message of REPENTANCE!????

Chuck Colson Diagnoses 'Heart' of Church Problem

prespilot68 »

Wed Apr 09, 2008 9:58 pm Agree: 3   Disagree: 1

Boy I think Colson has hit it on the head here! I have come to learn one way (but not the only way) if someone really is a genuine Christian. Its simple. Just ask them to explain the atonement to you. If their answers is illogical or incoherent then you know that person is not a Christian, If they are unable to explain it then how did they ever get saved to begin with. If you have little or no knowledge of the Gospel (and that is essentially what the atonement is) then how did you ever come to salvation. Most folks go to church for 20 years and have a scad idea of why Jesus died on the cross. Typically I'll get the parroted answers they have learned or heard from their pastor such as "Oh my sins are paid for" or "I ask Jesus into my heart". As Paul stated "I preach nothing but Christ Crucified!"

Kay Warren Stresses Forgiveness for Rwanda Genocide

prespilot68 »

Tue Apr 08, 2008 10:20 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

One needs to be careful here. Forgiveness is a two way street. God does not freely forgive us so neither should we. Genuine forgiveness is dependent upon the perpetrators repentance. To just forgive someone without the other person's repentance is unjust. If someone reads Matt 18 you will clearly see that the King was going to administer full justice to the servant, but only decided to PARDON the servant when he fell down and repented of his debt. If the King had just freely forgiven the servant without full process of justice, the King would have been considered an unjust and an unfit ruler. It is not "sinful" to hold someone accountable for their sins or actions - this is how God rules. What we as Christians need to do is not let the sinful act bring hate or bitterness into our hearts but that we have faith God will administer full justice either here on earth or in heaven. Either way we know that we can put our faith in God that he deals with ALL men justly. True forgiveness demands repentance - not that we just drop all "Charges" against our perpetrators. To freely pardon would give the perpetrator no reason to ever seek forgiveness

Rick Warren Launches 'Purpose Driven' Plan in Uganda

prespilot68 »

Mon Mar 31, 2008 4:11 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

Stop-the-Madness - Not that I agree at all with Rick Warrens theology or version of the gospel, but when I hear of comments such as the one you made: "Uganda will reject this religion of “purpose” (works) and will instead repent and believe the Biblical gospel (grace)". Are you saying that Christians can live as hypocrites or be just as sinful as the rest of the world and be covered under grace? I hope this is not what your alluding to here, but maybe I am just reading to much into your comments. I would suggest that we live by FAITH motivated by grace, and that our ACTIONS (WORKS) be the evidence of the existence of faith. Grace alone is just that, its all alone with no faith that yields no work of faith - in other words no change of heart.

Gays Still Looking for Love from Christians

prespilot68 »

Thu Mar 27, 2008 11:44 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Prophet - I never said anything about denying God's forgiveness. Your trying to make a straw man argument here! I am talking about his justice. If you have FAITH - then justice for your sins has been set aside. I am speaking about those who do not have faith and God's righteous justice. God will judge ACCORDINGLY to the persons sinfulness. Will God judge Hitler different than say a common sinner? I think so - read Revelation and you'll get the sense that God judges righteously. Besides - I think you also left something out of your statement - Repentance. Without it God would be unloving to just forgive or pardon someone unless they have repented of their sins.

Gays Still Looking for Love from Christians

prespilot68 »

Thu Mar 27, 2008 11:07 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

Cheala34life - you said "Sin is still sin. Me hating my christian brother is just as sinful as someone living a homosexual lifestyle." REALLY??! So when someone murders and sodomizes a two year old little boy this is the same as someone telling a lie?? God doesn't distinguish the difference? What a misrepresentation of God's character. How then do you harmonize a verse such as John 19:11 or Matt 23:14 then? Clearly the justice of God is impugn when you say such things. God does distinguish between verying degrees of sin - its in the Word of God. Sin regardless is horrible and we must obstain from all sin.

'Hannah Montana' Star: I Do Everything for Jesus

prespilot68 »

Wed Mar 26, 2008 10:28 pm Agree: 3   Disagree: 0

gooseygirlsmom - Hmmmm....lets see I think there was two other "pop stars" that also claimed to be Christians and lets see where they are - Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson - all claimed to be living at the foot of the cross when they were Miley's age! Again - know them by their fruits not their toots!

Gays Still Looking for Love from Christians

prespilot68 »

Wed Mar 26, 2008 10:27 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Correction:

Homosexuals will not repent until we get our doctrines straightened up. Most churches these days provided such a hypocritical doctrines that it is no wonder sinners are NOT being saved! For example, I would guess that almost every person who left a post on this article believes in at least the two points of Calvinism - Original Sin and Total Depravity. This doctrine is defined as man is "born" with a genetic inability to do ANYTHING good or righteous. In other words man is unable to choose that which is right, but is predisposed to do only evil. However, most on this post would probably rail against homosexuals who state they are born "gay" or homosexual. But yet doesn't this support the theory or doctrine of original sin/total depreavity??? That men and women are just "born" evil or sinful? But yet our conscience tells us something completely different - and that is this sick perverted doctrine of Total Depravity or Original sin is NOT true - but is false. If it were true then we as Christians would accept the homosexuals excuses that they are just "born" this way - but yet we don't (See the hypocrisy??). Homosexuals, just like all sinners CHOOSE to rebel against God and are not inclined one way or the other - we sin because we choose to do so. We all have been equipped with a conscience or natural law and we violate that law every time we sin. We sin not out of necessity - but out of freedom of the will!

Gays Still Looking for Love from Christians

prespilot68 »

Wed Mar 26, 2008 10:24 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Homosexuals will not repent until we get our doctrines straightened up. Most churches these days provided such a hypocritical doctrines that it is no wonder sinners are being saved! For example, I would guess that almost every person who left a post on this article believes in at least the two points of Calvinism - Original Sin and Total Depravity. This doctrine is defined as man is "born" with a genetic inability to do ANYTHING good or righteous. In other words man is unable to choose that which is right, but is predisposed to do only evil. However, most on this post would probably rail against homosexuals who state they are born "gay" or homosexual. But yet doesn't this support the theory or doctrine of original sin/total depreavity??? That men and women are just "born" evil or sinful? But yet our conscience tells us something completely different - and that is this sick perverted doctrine of Total Depravity or Original sin is NOT true - but is false. If it were true then we as Christians would accept the homosexuals excuses that they are just "born" this way - but yet we don't (See the hypocrisy??). Homosexuals, just like all sinners CHOOSE to rebel against God and are not inclined one way or the other - we sin because we choose to do so. We all have been equipped with a conscience or natural law and we violate that law every time we sin. We sin not out of necessity - but out of freedom of the will!

'Hannah Montana' Star: I Do Everything for Jesus

prespilot68 »

Wed Mar 26, 2008 10:04 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 4

This all sort of reminds me of "Jesus Junk" - you know those trinkets that have either a bible verse on it or the word Jesus on it. For example, I recently saw "Christian" shoe inserts. it literally said that because it had a bible verse written on them that "you'll be standing on God's word". WHAT!? Hannah Montana is really no different! Apathetic Christians (so called) will lap up this garbage, thinking that just because she SAYS she loves Jesus that must equate "holiness"! Don't get me wrong I don't think there is anything wrong with Hannah Montana or Miley Cyrus (at least from what I can tell - but then again I don't sit down and watch her show or listen to her music). Just because someone says "Oh I am a Christian" or "Oh I love Jesus" doesn't mean they are one necessarily. The bible is very specific how we know someone is a genuine follower of Christ - by their fruits, their actions, how their are living out their daily lives. Do they continue to sin or act selfish? Don't be fooled people, and don't be so gullible! Examine the fruits (lives) of these people.

Why Be Good?

prespilot68 »

Mon Mar 03, 2008 9:48 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Chris333 - Its as if your saying that doctrine or theology doesn't matter, but rather "unity" in of itself is what's important. The issue here is doctrine is vital! Paul says that we are to be of one faith! In other words of one doctrine! The early church believed in none of the Augustinian deceptions we see in the church today. The Early church fathers did not beleive in Original Sin or Totally Depravity or in predestination. Rather around the 4th century Augustine - a dualistic pagan convert - who brough in theologies and doctrines that were completely foriegn to the early apostles, distorted much of what the original gospel was all about.

To see just what bad theology does to someone just look at what Topekan wrote below. He has a concept that the "elect" are in some divine club and so it does not matter whether or not your holy by choice - but rather he seems to think he can sit back on his laurels and waitfor Christs return. The thing is whenever I read Rev 19-21 God will "know" you by your works - of faith out of love. People like Topekan who deny frewwill/moral obligation will most likely find themselves grieved on judgement day!

Why Be Good?

prespilot68 »

Sun Mar 02, 2008 5:20 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

PRAISE THE LORD! Thank You Chuck Colsen for having the courage to print this! The whole idea of Calvinist doctrine of predestination/determinism impugn the wonderful character of God! This doctrine is one of the most damaging doctrines in our churches today!

Don’t Forget – God is Sovereign in the Political Process

prespilot68 »

Mon Feb 25, 2008 8:41 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

What a load of Calvinistic tripe! On one hand Mr. Creech is telling us all that it is God's predetermined will for all leaders and that the current political environment is of God's doing and will. Then he turns right around and implores us to vote so to make certain our party is victorious! WHAT!? This is whole article is a walking contradiction. God has empowered man with the moral agency and freewill. As for those scriptures that speak of God's hand in selecting leaders and rulers I would suggest we read those in their proper context. Think of it this way.....is Hitler part of God's sovereign plan? Was Pol-pot part of God's sovereign plan? Was Mao or Lenin or Stalin part of God's sovereign plan? If you say yes, then you do not know the Savior or his character or nature. Jesus is the God in bodily form....when we see Jesus then we see the father.

U.S. Christians Embrace Vacation-Mission Trip

prespilot68 »

Thu Feb 21, 2008 3:43 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

canadianchristian

I think I can back it up. My wife was a missions coordinator for several years and I have personally seen what happens with this type of ministry (another one of the reasons we left the corporate church a few years ago and started a home church). What we found was most people who went on these so called missions, did not go to reach the lost, but rather they went for themselves. It was so they could have some sort of a "Christian experience" or to tell their friends and families they did something for God. Sadly, very few people if any were ever saved on these trips (for one most who go on these trips barely know the gospel themselves, let alone be able to logically explain it to a foreigner!). We did missions in the Bahama's and if you go to those same places today the people there have been impacted very little spiritually - yes their houses were fixed and we handed out clothes & food, but we are called to do much more as Christians - we are to reach the lost! Granted good works is fine, but even the secular does that! Besides, when we speak into the lives of other people (especially strangers in a foreign land) we must first gain the right and the privilege to do so - this can take months even years. So often as American and as Christians we think we can show up like Johnny on the spot and get "pelts under our belts" and think that's all there is to it. Instead, true missionaries go and live among the people for years - so they can gain the right and the privilege to speak into their lives. This "Vacation" approach is rather arrogant and rather senseless.

U.S. Christians Embrace Vacation-Mission Trip

prespilot68 »

Thu Feb 21, 2008 7:29 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 3

This is just another sign of a weak and feeble church. "Vacation Missions" is just that - a vacation! These trips are not really to benefit the people of the countries their visiting, but is just another device by which people satiate their conscience for a week or so and they can come back home to their churches and say they have done their "Christian duty" for the year. Why do people feel as if they have to go to a foreign country for a week or two? Why not their own neighborhoods, their office or workplace? Because in the end it cost them very little. No one knows them at these countries and they can hide behind the mask of anonymity. Ask these same people to go to their neighbor or co-worker and share the gospel and see how willing they are to go to THAT mission field.

Baptist Conflict Intensifies with Call to Oust Pastor

prespilot68 »

Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:39 am Agree: 10   Disagree: 0

If this Church was truly preaching the gospel then any gay couple or homosexual who had been attending that church for very long would have either repented or left by now! The gospel is to bring men's hearts under conviction that leds them to repentance of salvation! When you "welcome" gays into your church it should be expected that they will eventually repent or their conscience will not be able to withstand the guilt and conviction they will come under as a result of hearing the truth. If this conviction does not ultimately come then you realize the church is not preaching the gospel

Rick Warren: Mainline Church Problems Need Evangelical Solution

prespilot68 »

Mon Jan 28, 2008 9:16 am Agree: 4   Disagree: 3

These lover of men need to do one thing and one thing only - stop preaching this false man-centered gospel! Preach the Truth of Jesus Christ and bring people to repentance over their sins and get right with God and we have killed two brids with one stone - you will get mankind to live a holy and righteous lifestyle and you will see society changed. Until this, your just spinning your wheels Warren

Theology Matters . . . It Always Matters

prespilot68 »

Mon Jan 28, 2008 9:10 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Mohler doesn't realize that his theology (Calvinistic or Semi-Calvinistic) is probably a lot closer to Islam than he thinks. Muslims believe in a deterministic sovereignty of God and that because of this over emphasized or over stated idea of God's omniscience everything is fated to "be as it is to be" or Allah's will. Calvinist and most mainstream Christian's have also this very same view - those who God "elects" according to his will or for his glory and those he predetermines to hell is also for his glory - but yet both are determined by God's absolute foreknowledge. Yes, Islams are indeed acting in accordance to their theology, However, so are the Christians of this age. With Calvinist saying that "Faith is ALL from God" and man plays no part in coming to Christ then this is why in my opinion the church is failing miserably - rid Christianity of the Greek Pagan influences of Augustine, Calvin and Luther and we should begin to see revival in our land. Until then, people will continue think they are Once Saved Always Saved and live a sinful hypocritical lifestyle. Is it no wonder the Muslims are appalled at OUR theology?? With most non-believers in the USA who think we are nothing more than a bunch of hypocrites is it any wonder that Muslims hate us? Granted, Muslims have their own sins, but why do we think we are any better than they are when we exhibit just as sinful behavior as they do? Let's clean up our own house before we go to clean up our neighbors house. Once we as Christians are living as Christ called us to be "be holy as I am holy" then maybe we will have a more positive influence on them.