Worship vs. contemporary worship

"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;" (Eph. 4:14).

We are warned in this passage not to be "tossed to and fro", this carries the idea of fluctuation or instability (as caused by waves) along with this imagery, we are not to be "carried about" or to be borne or conveyed about easily by the unsettled and unpredictable "wind of doctrine."  Doctrine means teaching or instruction.  If anything is supposed to be solid and engender stability it should be sound doctrine.  When people are instructed in the Word or the doctrine(s) of God's Holy Word, there is strength and stability.  Take for example what is mentioned in Psalm 1 regarding the blessed man who stays in the word.  It says: "he shall be like a tree planted..." (Ps. 1:3) this suggests a purposeful plant vs. a wild tree.  This speaks of a protected plant, for he is planted by a husbandman on purpose.  Most of all, this speaks of stability because trees don't customarily move around, ha!

When doctrine is rooted in the Bible it produces strength that results in stability.  The key is staying in the Word and changing our sentiments to conform to the Word.  In Heb. 4:12 among many descriptions regarding the Word, we see an interesting word: "discerner."  This is taken from the Greek word kritikos, which is easily discerned to be the word we commonly know as "critical."  The irony is that the Bible is to be critical of us, and not us criticizing the Bible.  If there is something that we may not understand in the Word then it only goes to show that we need to further study the matter (like those Berean believers in Acts 17:11).  The beauty of God's Holy Word is that it is written and it is available.  We can read the Bible ourselves and with it test or try or approve all things (1 Thess. 5:21).

When doctrine is rooted in the sleight of men or cunning craftiness or deceit the results are disastrous.  A novelty isn't necessarily a good thing especially when it comes to doctrine, and consequently practice (for our practices stem from what we truly believe, and what we believe is shaped by doctrine).  Today we are witnessing (or have been witnessing) the entrance of contemporary worship into churches.  This wouldn't happen if individual Christians or respective church members would stay in the Word (because all a church is, is an assembly of baptized believers).  When a church goes towards contemporary worship it may be due to a combination of factors.  A leadership change, a change in the standards or beliefs of the leadership, a change of convictions or deeply held beliefs by a deacon or two, perhaps a worker or two, or a few, if not many of the church's members.  What are all these but an expression of being tossed or carried about with every wind of doctrine?  The problem with contemporary worship is not in its use of technology or modernized practices.  The problem is in the very nature of it.

In order to understand the situation we must first come to terms with our terms.   We must understand what the nature of a thing is, then identify the nature of worship, and then compare it to the nature of contemporary worship.  In doing so the differences will then be clearly seen.

When we say the "nature" of something, we simply mean its being or property that makes it what it is.  One of God's nature is eternal.  Only God is eternal.  God alone existed in eternity past, everything and every one else had a beginning.  And so it is natural or in God's nature to be eternal.  Among other things, man is a moral being.  It is natural or within man's nature the capacity to chose right and wrong by intelligence (as opposed to an animal, which naturally operates by instinct).  So what is then the nature of worship?  Worship, among other things, is sacrifice.  It is about acknowledging that God is God and we are his servants.  He is sovereign, not us.  He is in charge not us.  Then it follows that we as his servants respond to Him by doing what He wants us to do.  When we give up our desires for His desires that is where worship begins.  Worship is sacrificial because we approach God on His terms and do what pleases Him.  What then is the nature of contemporary worship (CW)? Well, CW, among other things is by nature, entertainment.  It seeks for happiness over against joy.  The object of worship is God, the object of CW is self.  Worship is sourced in spirit and truth (not in materials, not really even in music). CW is sourced in fleshly gratification and sensuality.

As we see more and more Christians being consumed upon by contemporary worship, let us not sell our worship-birthright as Esau did (exchanging the blessings of God for something carnal).  Let us stay in the word and ever be transformed by the word.  And in doing so we avoid the childish pitfall of being tossed to and fro or carried about by contemporary worship.

Two sermons worth listening to

"Perilous Times Shall Come" by Dr. Roger Voegtlin (Pastor of Fairhaven Baptist Church, Chesterton, IN). - This sermon highlights poignant Bible verses and principles about the importance of standing for Christ.  So many good insights are also shared in this sermon regarding the importance of powerful preaching vs. popular preaching and a working church principle vs. church marketing.  This sermon is something that can inspire pastors and preachers to remain faithful to God and His Holy Word.

"Why Most Independent Baptist Churches will be Emerging in 20 Years"  by Dr. David Cloud (Missionary, prolific author, and Biblical Fundamentalist preacher) - So many people do not like Bro. Cloud because as a preacher he exposes sin (so what's new?).  It is difficult to stand against your own, when your own are in the wrong, this sermon is a rather difficult one to preach because he names extremely influential "leaders" within the "IFB" circles but not without reason and facts. Consequently, he is dismissed or scoffed.  I would say listen to this sermon and remove the details (if the details offend you), and listen to his challenge, if he didn't name any names the principles alone still stand because they are rooted in the Scriptures. This message is a vital warning for our times.

Post election perspective

You are probably thinking “oh well, here goes another blog article about the election” and of course, you are right to think that, but to dismiss this as yet another, I’ll let you judge whether or not you will read anything like this in blogdom.  I say that because not very many in blogdom come from my perspective which is essentially Christian-Baptist-American-Conservative and in that particular order with that particular point of view.  So if you are already “dismissive” then fine, I hope you have a good day, see you later. I am going to succinctly share my thoughts about what happened and what I plan on doing to conserve and promote the founding principles and fundamental liberties of the American social order and civility.

What happened?

1. Our eyes were partially fixed on the polls when the culture around us was screaming.  The culture (way of living) is a far more superior indicator (and still is) of where we as a nation are heading.  Our music, movies, web, television programs are filled with violence, perverseness, and varying degrees of ungodliness.  Our news and press (journalism) no longer “press” for information, asks tough questions, and has become a partner to campaigns (that would be on either political sides).

2. We thought the economic issue would trump the moral issues.  Make no mistake about it; economics (like most everything else) is itself a moral issue.  This election revealed our nation’s morals.  And while it is somewhat consoling to find a relatively healthy split among voters what is concerning is that the vast majority are on the wrong side of morality.  The various voter referendums demonstrate this.  I hope that these voter referendums get challenged with the same vigor that met previous referendums when the shoe was on the other foot.  It is insidious that so many issues were swept in the ballots and that it made its way into this particularly historic election.  It is also pathetic that so many virtuous people didn’t win the Senate.

3. Conservatives are getting upset with the GOP (and still is) for compromising founding principles.  When you lose liberty it is difficult to get it back.  I voted for (and was okay with it) the GOP ticket because it was the only proper alternative.  The GOP selected candidate and party is just not tough enough.

4. We lost, again.  The ramifications are so overwhelming but let me put it lucidly: America has chosen to be more socialist.

What can I do? 

1. Spread the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Always, always, always remember – the gateway to conservatism is Christianity.  Men must hear the Biblical truths that we are fundamentally spiritually fallen creatures.  The greatest need cannot possibly be solved, met, or provided for by man.  This is a matter of redemption and faith more so than popularity and comfort.  The Gospel message shows man who he really is, and points him to his Redeemer.

2. Promote religious freedom and separation of church and state (not God and country).  Part of the reason I am a Baptist is because historically it is the only movement that championed religious freedom.  Our founding documents were shaped by principles of Christianity and the Baptist faith.  If you take a look back (history) then you’ll know where you are (present) and where you want to be (future).

3. Be thankful.  Rejoice in the Lord, and be thankful that we have the liberties we still have.  We may have a starkly different America, but we still have America.  It isn’t “Amerika” yet.  Be thankful we are still free to worship God and evangelize.  Don’t think for one moment that the “new” and more socialized America will remain stagnant.  We need eternal vigilance.

4. Continue to educate yourself with the principles of liberty that you have been given.  The more you know about the founding principles the more confidence you will have to refute socialism.  It is only when you educate yourself that you can properly educate others.   Mark and avoid pseudo-conservatives.  How can you identify them?  Easy, just ask does popularity or money change their views?  If yes, they have no courage and deserve no hearing.

5. Pray, read the Bible, and work for Him.  He will never disappoint you.  Get more involved in church.  Listen closer to the preaching of God’s word.  Obey your Pastor (if he is Biblically qualified).  Win as much as you can to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Stop patronizing compromising Christians and fake conservatives.

6. Leave, leave, leave the results to God.  Give Him the glory and don’t steal it for your own.

7. Remember the battle and the solution is fundamentally spiritual.

Now, let’s get busy doing that which is Biblically right!

Talk, talk, talk the Bible way (part 2)

Review – In the last post (which you can read below) we looked at the person of God as the basis of good speech and its effects on relationships.  And now we move on to two main and final points for the completion of this series.

Communication Frustrations

Because communication is a two-way street, here are some red flags to notice in the area of words and speech.  Bad communication can cause problems and frustration in relationships, here are some Biblical considerations:

First, Answering, or responding, or making a judgment call, or a decision (tautological, I know) is shameful communication.  The Bible says: “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him” (Pro. 18:13).  Here are some Biblical considerations that could help refute this terrible habit.

a.       Ps. 39:1 -  I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

b.      Pro. 13:3 -  He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

c.       Pro. 21:23 - Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

d.      James 1:19 - Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

e.      1 Peter 3:10 -  For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

Second is being hasty with words.  Have you ever had a conversation with somebody and you haven’t finished your thoughts, and you were interrupted?  Usually, I am the one interrupting, ha!  I get this way.  I speak by experience.  It can be disrespectful at times and therefore not good.  Sometimes, this attitude demonstrates a lack of valuing the other person’s words or ideas.  Sometimes, it’s dismissive.  At any rate, the Bible has something to say about this.  At times, we should tell ourselves to temper our words.

a.       Ecc. 5:2 - Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

b.      Pro. 10:19 - In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

c.       Pro. 17:27 - He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

Third, cutting words.  Someone said: “sticks and stones may hurt my bones, but names (or words) will never harm me.”  I don’t know if the person who said that ever existed.  Our words can be mediums of destruction, and so we must take great care of not only what we say but how we say it.

a.       Ps. 50:19 - Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.

b.      Ps. 52:2 - Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

c.       Ps. 52:4 - Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.

d.      Ps. 57:4 - My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

e.      Ps. 64:3 - Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words.

We all need to practice James 1:19 in the area of words and speech.  Sometimes it is wise and best to "suspend judgment" (as Mortimer Adler teaches in his epic book How to Read a Book).  A critic always solicits an immediate response.  Don’t act like a critic by being hasty with words.  Our goal in communication is to further relationships, not necessarily “winning” an argument-scrimmage.  And what about giving someone that undivided attention?  You're not texting, "Tweeting", checking your phone, refreshing a browser, turning a page, managing one more item, but totally tuned into the other person, with eye contact giving them your undivided attention.  The thing about speaking is the other half of listening.  When we talk too much it is obvious we listen very little.  But listening is for an entirely different blog post.

Communication Fundamentals

A.      Our words reflect what is in our hearts, it’s like a window to the heart.  Matt. 12:34 - O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

B.      Our words will one day be judged by God – Ps. 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.  Matt. 12:36 -  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.  If we must give account to every idle word, how much more shall we be held accountable for words that we speak on purpose?

C.      It is more important to focus on how we say things than what we actually say.  Pro. 15:1 - A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.  1 Pet. 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.  Always ask yourself: "is there a better way of saying it?"

D.      Our words can greatly influence our entire being and others around us.  Prov. 18:21 - Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.  James 3:1 ¶ My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.  [2] For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.  [3] Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. [4] Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

I trust that if anything else that you and I would be drawn to the study of God’s word re: words, speech, mouth, tongue, etc.  And more than just looking at these verses actually put them into practice.  That would make for good communication.

Talk, talk, talk the Bible way (part 1)

The Bible has much to say about words.  This study is a relatively short consideration of what it says about our speech.  It isn’t exhaustive, per se, but rather comprehensive.

Communication is the Foundation for Relationships

First, I always look to God as the example of what our words should be like, what our speech ought to be like.  I think a theological understanding is foundational.  We know what godly speech is when we know what God is like.  And so, I like to start with a look at God Himself.

For starters, we know from the Scriptures that God is a “speaking” God.  He spoke and it was done.  He spoke creation into existence.  Gen. 1:3 “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”  The foundation of Creation is God speaking.  The foundation of every relationship begins with our speech as well.  I do not believe in the false doctrine promoted by the Charismatics called “word-faith” teaching.  I am not under the illusion that I can confess something and what I confess I will soon possess.  This is a gross misunderstanding of passages such as Mk. 11:22-23.  But when you see that everything in Creation began when God spoke it into existence, it isn’t difficult to see that the foundation of meaningful relationships must essentially start with words or speech.  It is interesting that the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s eternally begotten Son, at the outset of Creation in John 1:1-3 is called the “Word.”  Again, we can reiterate that words or speech is rudimentary to relationships.

Another observation about God is that He is a personal God.  He communicates with His creation.  He is a God of relationships.  He relates to us or He desires to have fellowship with us.  Some think that many of the founders or forefathers of America were deists.  That they held to a view of God that was detached from His creation.  It would seem that God wound up the clock of existence at the start of creation, and then steps aside to simply watch what would happen.  God is totally detached from His creation.  But our many of our founders reveal a better more Biblical sense of understanding of God by referring to Him or His work as “Providence.”  He is not a god who is detached or disinterested in our lives, rather, He is a wise and caring God who works in the background allowing for things to happen in order to demonstrate a sovereign plan.  How do we know that God is a personal God?  Take for example the phrase “the word of the LORD came unto” – If you look this phrase up in the Bible you would see that the word of the Lord came to individuals like Abram, Nathan, David, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Jonah and many others.  This demonstrates that God desires a relationship with people, because He speaks to people.  God doesn’t speak directly and in the same manner to us in this particular dispensation, but we have a more sure word in the Holy Bible.  God’s perfectly preserved book is His method of speaking to us today as Christians.  God still desires a relationship with us and in a more limited sense, He certainly speaks to us.  In fact, if we are interested in a meaningful relationship with God, we must earnestly take heed to His word!    

Relationships are built on words or speech.  The surest way to ruin relationships is by not speaking to someone, or ignoring them or speaking rude or unkind words to them.  But, relationships are established by words, nonetheless.

 

God is our example.  Categorically speaking God’s characteristics (or attributes) can be divided into two major sections.  Primarily or essentially the attributes that belong strictly to God is called incommunicable attributes.  They are characteristics that are only true about God.  No matter how excellent our glorified bodies will be, we will never attain to the standards of God’s incommunicable attributes.  He doesn’t share these with anybody.  Indeed, this is what makes Him God and God alone.  This would be His eternality, transcendence, immutability, omnipotence, omnipresence, immensity, and omniscience.  No other creature could claim any of these attributes.   

But the secondary characteristics interestingly enough are called “communicable” attributes.  These are the qualities that are true about God that we as His creation have to a smaller degree the capacity to learn and possess by His grace.  That would be love, holiness, mercy, justice, truthfulness, long suffering, patience, compassion, goodness, graciousness, and the list can go on and on.  It is in this secondary division that we can observe God as our example of what godly speech is like.  We can say that godly words or speaking is speaking words which are loving, holy, true, just, right, gracious and so on and so forth.  Knowing God well is reflected in our speech.  The lack of spiritual knowledge of God can also be seen by what and how we say things.  We are to emulate Him. Do you words reflect the God of the Bible?  When people hear you speak, do they hear Christian speech or does your speech betray you?  If you were judged by the words you use, can the listener gather that you are a follower of Christ?

You Shouldn't Attend a Movie Theater...and here's why

               I used to go to the movies.  First, my parents took me there as a child.  Then, as a teenager I “hung out” with a few friends and there were times when we had gone to the movies.  I wasn’t a frequent attender mainly because it took a lot to go; gas, money and time.  As a young person I didn’t have a vehicle to get around (I had to get carted around), I did have money (but not lots of it), I did work to earn money and my parents were gracious to give me an allowance (very nice of them).  So between work and allowance, I did have money (just not lots of it, also I saved some of it, too).  Saving is as much an activity as spending (but that’s a totally different topic for a different blog post).  And time, well, it’s not that I had any more than the rest of humanity, but as a young person it is very easy to think you have more than what is  divinely allotted and even much easier to squander it.  So I would go to the movies.  No problem.  It was fun, it was leisurely, costly but worth it, as my dad use to say…”It’s all bought and paid for.” 

                Then, I got saved.  Glory to God for His tender mercies and loving kindness!   I attended a church that was IFB.  It was there that I heard that going to the movies was a wrong thing to do.  It was wrong because it was a “worldly place.”  I was shocked at first. I did not understand what was so wrong with going to the movies.  Of course I understood not going there if they were showing something as egregious as pornography.  That’s a “no-brainer.”  But what about viewing “Moses and the Ten Commandments?” that seems harmless enough, very family-friendly.  What about some of those Disney-type flicks?  What’s the big deal?  I listened closely to my preacher and studied the Bible.  I stopped attending partly at first because that is what my pastor preached and taught (and there is something Biblical to say about a pastor’s “conversation” in Heb. 13:7, but I won’t go there, at least for now).  If I had nothing else to say, I could at least say that I don’t go because that is precisely the example that I have had from all three of the pastors that God has placed in my life.  But as I searched the Scriptures, I see a couple of glaring reasons why I wouldn’t want to attend the movies, and I would want to discourage others from attending as well.

                First is the absolute lack of content control.  The difference between watching a movie at home vs. the theater is a matter of content control.  I need not to explain much here because it is quite obvious that if you are in a theater you will be exposed to whatever flashes on the big screen regardless of what you came there to see.  Ps. 101:3 says: “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.”  This cancels out much of what the world produces and passes for a movie.  Romans 1:32 also applies to movie content also.

Second is the toleration of or even acceptance/endorsement of many lies and anti-God philosophy.  Take a one minute commercial promoting the next flick, in just 60 seconds or less you (and/or your children) would be exposed to some ungodly sight and sound.  And what would be your recourse?  Look the other way?  Plug your two little ears?  It is foolish, but even more foolish because you put yourself there (Rom.14:22).  Col. 3:8 - "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."  The big screen with very little time and with great ease can teach a philosophy that is in direct contradiction to God’s Holy Word – and nobody says a hoot against it.  Does it matter that what you are watching contradicts godliness, and that your conscience can actually be defiled (Acts 24:16; 1 Cor. 8:7; Titus 1:15), and how do you suppose a person gets to the place where their conscience is “seared?” (1 Tim. 4:2).  Paul was able to say that he had a clean conscience in 2 Cor. 1:12 and with that was effective for God’s service.  A dull conscience is about as useless as any dull tool.  You are what you contemplate in your heart (Pr. 23:7).  All the more reason we are warned to think of the right things and even morally excellent things (Phil. 4:8).  How about the warning about a “little leaven” in 1 Cor. 5:6 and Gal. 5:9?  Ps. 106:34-41 warns us about learning the ways of the heathen (movies can and do facilitate this) and don’t be naive in this area of the corrupting element of corrupt communications (1 Cor. 15:33) there is such a thing as "corrupt communication" and the Bible assumes we can distinguish such things.

Other things could be mentioned here: Christianity vs. theatrics (yes, the history of Christendom doesn’t bode well for movie goers, it isn’t till just recently that churches are being transformed into worship centers which is patterned after the entertainment culture – historically speaking of course :-)), Crowd culture, the various Scriptural principles which are violated by the movie industry, Commercialism and stewardship of God’s money,  Christian affections, Time management and economics, Association, and on and on we can go, but I digress.