10/22/18
What's Wrong With Beauty and the Beast? by Richard Mansel
http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Mansel/Richard/Dale/1964/beast.html
What's Wrong With Beauty and the Beast?
My thoughts for this article began germinating recently when I heard a song by Stevie Nicks of the same title. One line in that song characterizes the legend perfectly. She wrote, after describing him as a beast, "My lover is a man that must be tamed." In the fantasy a beautiful, morally pure girl meets a raging, immoral beast of a man. She shows him love and goodness and soon he is "tamed" and becomes a perfect gentleman.
A cursory glance at society sees this attemped in far too many cases. In fact, it lies at the center of many a broken home and heart.
A preacher friend of mine whom I respect very much received a call from a young lady in palpable grief over her wayward husband. She was convinced that divorce was her only hope of finding peace. As she whined about his physical and verbal abuse, his drinking, affairs and refusal to attend worship with her, my friend developed an idea. He asked if her husband had displayed these behaviors before they were wed. As he led her through them, she hesitantly admitted that he had.
He realized two things. First, she wanted to divorce this man for all the same reasons she married him. Second, the best time to get a divorce is before one gets married.
The former may puzzle you. Why did she marry him for these terrible reasons? Surely, she didn't, you say.
Well, I have never met her. However, it is not that difficult to see that throughout history, girls have been drawn to "beasts". How many thousands of stories could we find where girls have left behind the "nice boys" to return to the ones who beat them or led them to get arrested or pregnant or addicted to alcohol and drugs?
A sage has said, "Be careful what you wish for, you may get it."
Fantasies don't exist. We can wish all our lives for our spouse to be otherwise, and die disappointed. Even if we get what we desire, almost never is it what we wished it would have been. USA Today ran a poll a few years back where YM magazine had asked 15,000 girls ages 13-20 about their sexual behavior. Of those who responded, 96% of virgins and 76% of non-virgins said they had to be "in love" with someone before they had sex with them. Not surprisingly, most of those who had had sex, said they were not. In this study over half of those who were sexually active said they were too young. Reality is much more cruel than fantasy.
Satan is the "father of lies" (John 8:44) and yet more people believe him than God, "Who cannot lie" (Titus 1:2). You cannot change a person. That is his responsibility and if he has not done so by adulthood, it is very possible he does not intend to.
God says little about dating in Scripture. However, He is clear that we need to be Christians and marry people of like faith (1 Corinthians 7:39). Amos wrote, "Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?" (3:3). Often, a Christian girl will date a young man who lives a wild life claiming that she can convert him later. A better plan would be to try to convert him BEFORE you get married! Better yet, do not date men that are not Christians and this will never be an issue.
Richard Mansel
(http://www.oldpaths.com)
One by Gary Rose
Monotheism: The belief that there is one God. Since I believe this is true, then there must be one truth. As a Christian, I believe that truth is solely contained within the pages of the Bible.
Jesus said...
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but [1] by me.
Darby
Jesus says to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father unless by me.
GodsWord
Jesus answered him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me.
LITV
Jesus said to him, I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
LO
Jesus answered, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father, but by me.
Rotherham
Jesus saith unto him—I, am the way, and the truth, and the life: No one, cometh unto the Father, but through me.
I just chose five versions, but I could have chosen many, many others. They basically say one thing. Jesus is the one and only way to the Father.
Since this is true, all others are false. Just a simple concept of logic.
Refuse to believe it? Ask yourself this question: Who else died and rose again (for your sins)?
10/19/18
"THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY" The Scriptures Inspired Of God (3:14-17) by Mark Copeland
"THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY" The Scriptures Inspired Of God (3:14-17) INTRODUCTION 1. As Paul prepared the Ephesian elders for the time when he would be gone... a. He commended them to the word of God's grace - cf. Ac 20:29-32a b. Which was able to build them up, and give them their inheritance - Ac 20:32b 2. With Timothy, Paul did the same when writing his last letter... a. He admonished Timothy to continue in the things he had learned - 2Ti 3:14 b. He first referenced the Holy Scriptures known since his childhood - 2Ti 3:15 1) When Timothy was a child, the only scriptures available was the Old Testament 2) So Paul clearly had the Old Testament scriptures in view c. He then spoke of the value of "all Scripture" - 2Ti 3:16-17 1) That which was inspired of God 2) That which had the ability to make the man of God "complete" [If both the Ephesian elders and Timothy needed the word of God after Paul's departure, much more do we today! To fully appreciate why, consider what our text (2Ti 3:14-17) reveals about...] I. THE VALUE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT A. IT DEVELOPS WISDOM... 1. The OT makes one "wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" - 2Ti 3:15 2. How? The OT provides information regarding: a. The fall of man and the rise of sin b. The background and development of God's scheme of redemption c. Messianic prophecies which describe what to expect when He comes 3. One cannot hope to fully understand such books of the New Testament like: a. Hebrews, without a knowledge of the Levitical priesthood b. Revelation, without a familiarity of OT prophecy and apocalyptic literature -- If one desires to be wise concerning their salvation, study the Old Testament! B. IT OFFERS HOPE... 1. Note carefully what Paul wrote in Ro 15:3-4 a. He appealed to a passage in the OT b. The things "written before" (i.e., the OT) were "written for our learning" c. The OT was written and preserved especially for the Christians' benefit! d. The OT provides "patience and comfort", that we "might have hope"! 2. How? The OT provides a record of God's faithfulness, how He kept His promises: a. To Abraham and the nation of Israel b. To judge the wicked and avenge the righteous c. To forgive the penitent, and protect the humble -- As we read this history of God's dealings with Israel, it gives us hope that God will keep His promises to us! C. IT PROVIDES ADMONITION... 1. Consider what Paul wrote in 1Co 10:11 a. He had just reviewed the fall of Israel in the wilderness - 1Co 10:1-10 b. The events described may have happened to Israel c. "They were written for our admonition, upon whom the end of the ages has come" d. The OT was written and preserved especially for the benefit of Christians! 2. Thus the NT writers often appealed to the OT to admonish Christians a. As did Paul, writing to the Corinthians b. As did the writer of Hebrews, exhorting Christians to remain steadfast - He 3:12-19 c. As did James, encouraging Christians to be patient in their suffering - Jm 5:7-11 d. As did Peter, warning of false teachers and scoffers - 2 Pe 2:3 -- As we read the Old Testament, we should learn from what happened to Israel! [Though we do not live under the Old Covenant, the Old Testament is of great value to the Christian. Together with all Scripture from God, it provides every thing we need. Indeed, Paul reveals...] II. THE ALL-SUFFICIENCY OF THE SCRIPTURES A. THEY ARE INSPIRED... 1. All Scripture is "given by the inspiration of God" (NKJV) - 2Ti 3:16 a. Literally, "God breathed" (theopneustos) b. Cf. "All Scripture is breathed out by God" (ESV) 2. "The idea of 'breathing upon, or breathing into the soul,' is that which the word naturally conveys." - Barnes 3. The writers of Scripture were moved along by the Spirit of God - cf. 2Pe 1:21 4. The Spirit gave them their very words (i.e., verbal and plenary inspiration) - cf. 1Co 2:13 -- The Scriptures are not the words or thoughts of mere men, but of Spirit-guided men who spoke and wrote the very Word of God! - cf. Jn 16:13; 1Co 14:37; 1Th 2:13 B. THEY ARE PROFITABLE... 1. For doctrine - 2Ti 3:16 a. Teaching, instruction - Thayer b. Regarding all that God wants us to know regarding Himself and His will for us 2. For reproof - 2Ti 3:16 a. Proof, conviction - Strong b. Convicting those in error of their wrong, showing them the need to change 3. For correction - 2Ti 3:16 a. Correction, improvement of life or character - Thayer b. "the Scriptures are a powerful means of reformation, or of putting men into the proper condition in regard to morals." - Barnes 4. For instruction in righteousness - 2Ti 3:16 a. "Instruction in regard to the principles of justice, or what is right." - Barnes b. "Man needs not only to be made acquainted with truth, to be convinced of his error, and to be reformed; but he needs to be taught what is right, or what is required of him, in order that he may lead a holy life." - ibid. -- The Scriptures are truly "profitable" (helpful, advantageous), as extolled by David - cf. Ps 19:7-11 C. THEY MAKE ONE COMPLETE... 1. Thoroughly equipped for every good work - 2Ti 3:17 a. That is, completely furnished to do what is expected of him b. Note well: equipped for every good work; not some, but all that God considers a good work 2. Regarding life and godliness - cf. 2Pe 1:3 a. We have been given "all things that pertain to life and godliness" b. Not 'some' things, but 'all' that we need for spiritual life and godly living 3. Having been given once for all - cf. Jude 3 a. The faith has been delivered "once for all" to the saints b. There is no need for 'modern day revelations', just as there is no more need of sacrifices for sins - cf. He 9:26-28; 1Pe 3:18 -- The inspired Scriptures alone are more than adequate to make the man of God "complete" (competent, ESV), to do everything God desires of Him for salvation CONCLUSION 1. Dear friends and brethren, do we truly desire to... a. Be wise concerning the salvation by faith in Christ? b. Have hope in the promises of God? c. Learn from the mistakes of those in the past? d. Be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work? 2. Then take up the admonition of Paul to both the elders and the young preacher... a. Continue in the things learned from the Holy Scriptures! b. Let the inspired Scriptures be your guide in life through its doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness! 3. Give yourself to diligent study of the Word of God, which is... a. "able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" b. "able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified" "For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.' (1Th 2:13) Could Paul have written the same about us...?
Rob Bell and Eternal Hell by Kyle Butt, M.Div.
Rob Bell and Eternal Hell
| by | Kyle Butt, M.Div. |
For several years, Rob Bell, the minister of the Mars Hill Bible Church has been mulling over the idea of hell. In his latest book, Love Wins: A Book about Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived, Bell contends that the “traditional” view of hell, in which those who do not believe in Christ are lost, is ill-conceived and needs re-working. Jon Meacham, column writer for TIME magazine, noted that Rob Bell “suggests that the redemptive work of Jesus may be universal—meaning that, as his book’s subtitle puts it, ‘every person who ever lived’ could have a place in heaven, whatever that turns out to be” (2011). In essence, Rob Bell is little more than a recent advocate of a modified version of universalism.
The trend to minimize hell in our emotionally-driven, sentimental society is nothing new. Behind this teaching is the idea that love and eternal punishment are incompatible and mutually exclusive. The atheistic community has repeatedly challenged belief in the God of the Bible, due to the alleged moral dilemma presented by a God of love and eternal punishment (Butt, 2010, pp. 217-227).
A critical analysis of the situation brings to light a number of truths. First, it is clear that the Bible teaches that hell is a reality and will be eternal (Matthew 25:46, see Lyons and Butt, 2005a). Second, the concept of hell has been shown to be in perfect harmony with the concepts of morality and justice (Lyons and Butt, 2005b). Third, the erroneous teachings of universalism and the limited duration of hell are nothing new, and advocates of these beliefs will most likely continue to present themselves (see Colley, 2007; Butt, 2004; Miller, 2003).
The apostle Peter explained that one responsibility given to Christians is that they ought always to be ready to give a defense of their beliefs (1 Peter 3:15). One of those beliefs that is continually challenged is the idea of an eternal hell to which those who have not obeyed God will be consigned forever. Let us all be aware of these challenges to the Bible’s teachings and prepare ourselves to respond to them, holding fast to the faithful Word of God.
REFERENCES
Butt, Kyle (2004), “The Reality of Eternal Hell,” Apologetics Press, http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&art2004icle=819.
Butt, Kyle (2010), A Christian’s Guide to Refuting Modern Atheism (Montgomery, AL: Apologetics Press).
Colley, Caleb (2007), “Controversy About Hell Continues,” Apologetics Press, http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=2262.
Lyons, Eric and Kyle Butt (2005a), “The Eternality of Hell, Part 1,” Apologetics Press, http://apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=11&article=1474.
Lyons, Eric and Kyle Butt (2005b), “The Eternality of Hell, Part 2,” Apologetics Press, http://apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=11&article=1475.
Meacham, Jon (2011), “Is Hell Dead?” TIME, April 14, http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2065080,00.html?xid=feed-yahoo-full-mostpopular.
Miller, Dave (2003), “Who Believes in Hell Anymore?” Apologetics Press, https://apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=11&article=1204.
Richland Hills & Instrumental Music by Dave Miller, Ph.D.
Richland Hills & Instrumental Music
| by | Dave Miller, Ph.D. |
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3,060k (6 min 50 seconds on a 56K modem) |
Revelation and the Old Testament by Eric Lyons, M.Min.
Revelation and the Old Testament
| by | Eric Lyons, M.Min. |
Can you imagine what life without the Old Testament would be like for a Christian? Although the commands in the New Testament still could be obeyed without the Old Testament, our knowledge would be incomplete. We would be unable to appreciate fully the passages in the New Testament that speak of men and women such as Adam, Eve, Abraham, and Sarah, as well as events such as the Flood and the Exodus from Egypt. Our understanding of Jesus as the prophesied Messiah and the Great High Priest would be limited in the absence of books like Psalms, Isaiah, and Leviticus. The simple fact is, although we are under the new law today (Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 8:7-13), God still expects us to be educated in the Old Testament Scriptures. The apostle Paul wrote, “Whatever things were written before were written for our learning that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). One of the main reasons we need to read and study the Old Testament is so we might have a better knowledge of the New. This especially is true when studying one of the most misunderstood books in the world—the book of Revelation.
Of the 404 verses in the book of Revelation, seemingly 278 of them make some allusion to the Old Testament. That is 68.8% of the verses! And some of these verses contain two, or even three, allusions to the Old Testament. The book of Revelation does not tell whence these allusions came. However, by a careful study of the Bible, we can understand that most of them come from the prophetic books of Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah. Thus, it would be good to have some knowledge of the Old Testament before studying the book of Revelation. For example, before reading the apostle John’s vision of the seven golden lampstands in Revelation 1, a student should realize that such language had been used when Zechariah had a similar vision in chapter 4 of the book that bears his name. Prior to reading John’s vision of a “new heaven” and “new earth” (Revelation 21:1), a person might want to read Isaiah 65 and 66 to understand that such language had been used long before Revelation ever was written.
The reason there are so many allusions to various Old Testament books is because, like Revelation, they were written in a time of oppression and cruel, foreign domination. Whereas Revelation was written while the Christians were oppressed by the Romans, the prophets Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel wrote while the Jews where under Babylonian domination.
There are many similarities between Revelation and the Old Testament. In fact, of the 39 Old Testament books, one writer has found that Revelation alludes to 24 of them. Certainly then, by having a good knowledge of the Old Testament, and especially such books as Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah, one likely will have an easier time understanding the book of Revelation.
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