Category: Bible Doctrine

Posted in Bible Doctrine

Has God encoded a hidden message in outer space?

Posted on by James

Does God exist, and has He left a hidden message for man? ARTICLE: Two physicists are analyzing Cosmic Microwave Background in space, seeking to answer “what the medium and message might be IF there was actually a message.” While they don’t subscribe to Intelligent Design, they suppose “the CMB would make the perfect billboard on which to leave a message that would be visible to all technological civilizations in the universe.”

 

Has a Creator encoded a message of proof in His creation?

Psalm 19 answers this precise question and provides an even more astonishing truth.

Psalm 19:1-4 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

The Creator God has revealed Himself, declared His glory, and shown His handywork in the heavens, but this divine message isn’t encrypted in mathematical codes, nor is it restricted to those with cutting edge technology to observe it or with elite education to understand it. You see, man needs not probe the dark recesses of outer space to imagine enigmatic media nor devise algorithms to conjure obscure messages from the Creator. Rather the Creator’s message in the heavens clearly reveals Himself every day, to all languages, to every place, and to all time – to the extent that He declares man to be without excuse (Psalm 97:6; Romans 1:18-20).

 

Is the Creator’s message difficult to ascertain?

To identify this (hypothetical) message from the (hypothetical) Creator, the aforementioned scientists translate temperature variations of the CMB into a binary bitstream and then attempt to decipher a message from the patterns of 1s and 0s.

This story is emblematic of man’s skeptical views of God and His message – skeptical of God’s existence but convinced that (if He exists) He communicates in cryptic ways. Both reveal a debilitating lack of faith. For it is by faith that we believe God framed the worlds (Hebrews 11:3; Psalm 33:6; Jeremiah 10:11-12), incidentally by His word.

But Psalm 19 continues to explain that God speaks not only generally through His creation but also specially through human language, preserved in the Bible.

Psalm 19:7-9 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

Beyond His demonstration in creation, God gives revelation in Scripture. This message is not simply informative but transformative in nature. Consider the incredible power of God’s message to mankind: it converts the soul, imparts wisdom, rejoices the heart, enlightens the eyes, and endures forever. Mankind, in straining to find some obscure message, overlooks God’s accessible, clear, and powerful message.

 

Conclusion:

Skeptic, God is demonstrative and communicative. Rejoice that He has not left you scouring the galaxy for an obscure message from Him. He has clearly revealed Himself in His creation and in His Word. Receiving His most detailed and candid message about all that science cannot answer requires only two things (not a doctorate in science and high-tech equipment, but) a common Bible and a believing heart. Pick up a Bible and read it.

Believer, if lost man will labor and strive in attempt to discover a cryptic message from a God he doubts exist, how much more should you diligently & faithfully read, study, and love the clear and rich message from the God in whom you claim to believe. Pick up your Bible and read it.

Why doesn’t God intervene?

Are you disappointed? Has God not answered your prayer? Are you asking, “Why?” Here’s a thought from John 11. Though Jesus loved Lazarus (John 11:3, 5, 11), He intentionally waited, not intervening to heal him (John 11:6, 21), which resulted in Lazarus’ death (John 11:14, 32) and his sisters’ grief (John 11:19, 33). This inevitably provoked the age-old question: why would an all-powerful, loving God allow bad things to happen to good people? Specifically, why didn’t Jesus intervene and prevent this situation if He had the power to heal (John 11:37). Thankfully, God gave us the answer in the rest of the story: Jesus allowed Lazarus to die to orchestrate a far greater story than just a healing; it’s a story about a RESURRECTION that conquers death (John 11:23, 25, 44); it’s a story that brought many to believe in Christ (John 11:42, 45); it’s a story that brought tremendous glory to God (John 11:4, 40).

What disappointment are you facing? In what way has God refrained His almighty power from intervening? Possibly it’s about health, relationships, elections, or ministry. Take comfort:

  • God is orchestrating a far greater story – ultimately leading to a resurrection that conquers death (1 Thessalonians 4; 1 Corinthians 15).
  • He is working a greater work – that many would believe in Christ.
  • He is fulfilling a greater purpose – to bring glory to Himself.

So dear Christian, walk by faith, believing that God works all things together for your good (Romans 8:28) and that He’s able to do exceeding abundantly above all that you ask or think (Ephesians 3:20-21). Take a few moments to ponder how that greater story may unfold.

Posted in Bible Doctrine

Faith-based view of the Bible

Posted on by James

A faith-based view of the Bible is a principal conviction of my life, and while most Christians would claim that their beliefs about the Bible are based on faith, often they are not. The two goals of this post are to explain the position of a faith-based view of the Bible and to expose its opposition.

Explaining the Position of a Faith-based View

So what exactly is a faith-based view of the Bible? That one’s beliefs about the Bible are based on faith in (i.e. believing) what the Bible says about Itself. Allow these congruent examples of faith-based beliefs to clarify:

  • Faith-based view of the CREATION:
    I believe God created everything in 6 days… because that’s what the Bible says. It is recorded Genesis & confirmed in the New Testament (Mark 10:6-8. Hebrews 1:10. 2 Peter 3:4) Although there are many Creationist scientists; Henry Morris has fantastic books; and Answers in Genesis has compelling thoughts about science… I believe in creation by FAITH (i.e. trusting what the Bible says).
    Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

  • Faith-based view of the FLOOD:
    I believe God destroyed life with a worldwide flood, sparing only the people and animals on the Ark… because that’s what the Bible says. Again, it is recorded in Genesis & confirmed by in the New Testament (Luke 17:26-27. Hebrews 11:7. 2 Peter 2:5). I don’t believe in the flood because every culture has an account of a cataclysmic flood, because archaeology may have found parts of the Ark, or because historians conclude that contemporaneous technology could have constructed an Ark compatible with Scripture; those things are interesting, but I believe in the flood by FAITH (i.e. trusting what the Bible says).
  • Faith-based view of the RESURRECTION:
    I believe that Jesus physically rose from the dead… because that’s what the Bible says (Mark 9:31. Mark 16:6. Acts 17:31), not because they found an empty tomb that they believe was Jesus’, not based of the writings of Josephus, and not dependent on shroud of Turin. I believe in the resurrection by FAITH (i.e. trusting what the Bible says).

Accordingly, a faith-based view of the Bible demands that one’s beliefs about the Bible are defined by the Bible Itself.

There are certain things I don’t understand about Creation, the Flood, and the resurrection (physics, chemistry, biology). Likewise, there are certain things I don’t understand concerning God’s Word – how did they decide which books to go in the Bible, when to add sections that were only in a few manuscripts, or which word to choose – but in all cases, I believe in spite of my questions.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

I suggest that the foundational issue of faith is critical to how a believer approaches every doctrine… including the Word of God itself.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Exposing the Opposition of a Faith-based View

Many Christians carry a faith-based view of the creation, the flood, the resurrection and salvation. If asked, “What do you believe about Heaven, Hell and salvation?” they would immediately refer to Bible verses to express their beliefs – because FAITH in the Bible is the basis for their beliefs on those subjects. But when asked about Scripture Itself (what they claim is the basis for all their beliefs), they automatically refer (and defer) to extra-biblical sources, and this immediate response exposes the authority & basis for their beliefs. Consider these faulty sources that are common for beliefs about the Bible:

  • Manuscript Science – how many; how old; how complete; where they were located; who possessed them; what kind of condition they’re in.
    But the man of God should forsake science to keep the Scriptures that are committed to him.

    1 Timothy 6:20-21 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith…
    Observe the warning that science will cause men to err from the faith. Science is the enemy of faith.

  • Secular Philosophy – the lines/origins of manuscripts; minority vs majority texts; Textual Criticism.
    But the man of God should be established in the faith (i.e. trusting in God’s Word).

    Colossians 2:7-8 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 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.
    Observe the warning that while faith will establish the believer, philosophy will spoil the believer. Secular philosophy is the enemy of faith.

  • Human Wisdom – the education, beliefs & morals of the translators; readability of versions; recommendation from a professor or pastor; popularity.
    But the man of God should stand in faith of God’s Word.

    1 Corinthians 2:4-5 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
    Observe that man’s wisdom is a faulty foundation for our beliefs. Human wisdom is the enemy of faith.

  • Traditional Fables – which version is older; which version we’ve always used; which version did a favorite theologian use.
    But the man of God should be nourished up & edified in the words of faith & doctrine.

    1 Timothy 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
    1 Timothy 4:6-7 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
    Observe that traditional fables yield questions not spiritual growth.

  • Worldly Cares – possibility for human error; pragmatic fear of congregational acceptance.
    But the man of God should trust that God will provide and should subject his fears to faith.
    Matthew 6:30 & Matthew 16:8 reveal that worrying about God’s provision is a lack of faith.
    Matthew 8:26 and Matthew 14:31 reveal that fear of circumstances is a lack of faith.
    Observe that worldly cares focus on man’s abilities (and inabilities) not God’s ability. Worldly cares are the enemy of faith.

**NOTE – All these are intriguing and valuable subjects – BUT NEVER should they take priority, precedence, or power over what the Bible says about Itself.

If one of these is your answer to what you believe about the Bible, I suggest you search out what the Bible says about Itself and allow that to define your beliefs. This is merely the foundational view/ approach to the Bible. Dedicate yourself to discovering what God says about His Word.

 

Posted in Bible Doctrine, Ministry

Who runs the church – Part 2

Posted on by James

I recently wrote on the subject of church authority. You can read the entire post here. The essence was: God designed the church to be led by a team of elders (AKA pastors), with one leader of leaders. The post was supplemented with a warning against a common distortion of Elder Rule – the malpractice of labeling non-pastors as elders. 

From that post I received some astute (and kind) questions concerning the definition of “ordained elder.” First, I want to mention that I appreciate feedback – especially of the courteous variety. The two primary questions are “How do you define an ORDAINED ELDER?” and “Would Presbyterian Ruling Elders qualify as ORDAINED ELDERS?” In this post I intend to address these two questions and clarify the definition of ordained elder. 

 

How do you define an ordained elder?

The Bible uses the term ELDER synonymously and interchangeably with SHEPHERD/PASTOR (1 Peter 5:1-4) and BISHOP (Titus 1:5-7). Elder, Pastor, and Bishop are terms for the same office (this is not surprising as the Father, the Son, the Holy Ghost, Israel, the church, and the Scriptures each hold several monikers).  There can be no Biblical ELDER who is not also a PASTOR and BISHOP. In cases where a church has elders who are not given the governing authority or teaching authority or ministerial authority, that church dangerously distorted the title and office of ELDER.

Additionally, it is beneficial to consider the Biblical description of the calling & ministry of an ELDER. A Biblical ELDER must:

  • Be called by the Spirit through a driving desire for ministry. 
  • Be ordained by the church planter and/or existing group of elders of the local church (i.e. presbytery). No church elder in Scripture was ordained or ratified by a denomination, association, or central church. 
  • Be primarily occupied with the ministry of the Word and prayer. Not just tasked with administrative boards, policies, councils, and committees but tasked with watching for the souls of the members, with protecting the flock from false doctrine, and with correcting sin in the church body.

 An ELDER’s calling & ministry must be consistent with the Scriptural description of the office. When a church gives the title of ELDER to men with no calling or with only operational responsibilities, that church has misplaced the title of ELDER.

 

Would Presbyterian Ruling Elders qualify as ordained elders?

The inquirer hails from a Presbyterian (PCA specifically) church where Elders must be men, meet the character requirements of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, and be examined and trained. Being in no way an authority on that brand of Presbyterian ecclesiology, I read the denomination’s Book of Church Order. While somewhat more Scriptural than some Presbyterian variants, I conclude that PCA differ markedly from the Biblical office of Elders.  

The PCA acknowledges that Elder, Pastor, & Bishop are synonymous, yet it still creates two distinct orders of elders – also called Teaching Elders and Ruling Elders. More than a mere difference in their area of leadership, the PCA also sets up two orders that are substantially different from each other. While some suggest (inconclusively) that 1 Timothy 5:17 implies some elders are not teaching elders, there is no Biblical ground for a lower order of elders who have different callings, ordination or authority. 

  • Teaching Elders are gifted and called to ministry by the Holy Spirit. PCA recognizes no such gifting or call for Ruling Elders.
  • The “Presbytery” (by which they mean denominational district leaders not the leadership of the local church) is comprised of all Teaching Elders and only a fraction of Ruling Elders.
  • Teaching Elders are ordained, installed, and removed by the “Presbytery” (denominational district leaders); Ruling Elders are controlled by local churches.
  • If there is no Teaching Elder in a local church, and no “Stated Supply” (substitute) can be found, the “Presbytery” (denominational district leaders) may authorize a Ruling Elder to have limited pastoral service (that of Teaching Elder)… BUT for no longer than a year.

The answer to “Would Presbyterian Ruling Elders qualify as ordained elders?” is no – because neither the churches nor the Elders themselves see them as Pastors. They are seen as many Baptist deacons are seen – decision-making laymen… but not Pastors.  The Biblical model of church polity vests authority not in a central church, denomination or association but in the elders of an autonomous local church – whether they are vocational, bi-vocational or tentmakers.

 

Why does it matter?

First, allow me to say that I rejoice to hear about people who have been born again and are serving our Lord Jesus, and I have no animosity toward churches of another denomination or church polity. With that said, God has clearly vested church authority in a team of pastors (elders); Dangers exist in usurping authority from the place where God entrusted it – whether that be placing it in the hands of a congregational vote, deacons, a single pastor, or board of “elders” who aren’t really pastors.

But most important to me, I want to be faithful to establish the authority of our church plant in the most Biblical way possible. This church is Christ’s body; He’s the Lord; He’s the Chief Shepherd. I cede all my plans to His design.

Posted in Bible Doctrine

The Greatest Magic Trick of All Time… and the TRUTH

Posted on by James

The story of the Exodus is legendary – God rescuing & freeing His enslaved people; Moses, the insecure, fugitive outcast-turned-deliverer; the fantastic plagues; the Passover; the parting of the Red Sea; and one of the most intriguing elements of the Exodus – the Egyptian magicians. They were able to imitate the sign of Moses and even the first two plagues, but the magicians’ greatest trick is still fooling everyone in the 21st century?

 

Identifying the Magicians

Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. – 2 Timothy 3:8

Paul’s second letter to Timothy yields the two names that the Old Testament does not. Confirmation of Jannes & Jambres’ identity as two princes of Pharaoh’s magicians can be found everywhere from the Book of Jasher to Kabbalah, from Targum Jonathan to Pliny’s Natural History, from Jewish tradition to The Apocryphon of Jannes and Jambres the Magicians.

We would commonly define “magic” as sleight of hand/ illusion, but the true meaning of the word is sorcery, the use of hidden forces; it’s synonymous with witchcraft. It’s important to recognize the demonic powers behind these two magicians to see through their magic trick.

 

Recognizing their Trick

Jannes & Jambres withstood Moses by counterfeiting God’s work. The counterfeit signs looked so similar in style and content that it caused caused people to discount God’s power and disregard God’s message (Exodus 7:11-13. Exodus 7:22-23). 

The magicians mimicked Moses’ sign and turned their rods into serpents… but Moses’ rod (technically, Aaron’s) ate the rods of the magicians, illustrating their inferiority to the power of God. Likewise, the magicians imitated the plague of water into blood and the plague of frogs, but they failed to copy the the plague of lice and subsequent plagues (theories for which are as stimulating as they are varied). The primary lesson is that the magicians’ imitations, though impressive & similar, lack the power of God.

 

Seeing the Relevance

One of the great keys to Bible study is to observe & analyze the use of LIKE and AS. Let’s look at the context of the naming of these two magicians.

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. –  2 Timothy 3:1-8

Observe that Paul prophesies that in the “last days” false teachers will have a “form of godliness” but will deny the power thereof – Just like Jannes & Jambres had a form of God’s work but were of a different power. The false teachers will deceive people “AS” Jannes & Jambres withstood Moses. In other words, false teachers will cause people to discount God’s power and disregard God’s message the same way as the magicians – through counterfeits.

Make no mistake, Satan consistently COUNTERS the work of God by COUNTERFEITING the work of God. Examples include: His kingdom (Colossians 1:13), Christ (1 John 2:18), apostles (2 Corinthians 11:13), ministers (2 Corinthians 11:14-15), prophets (Matthew 7:15), teachers (2 Peter 2:1), and signs & wonders of the apostles (2 Thessalonians 2:8-9).

Yet reread the text above. It speaks specifically of counterfeits that will happen in the “last days.” Counterfeits that will “resist the truth” (see John 17:17). Counterfeits that will lead people to perpetually LEARN but never know the TRUTH. Interestingly, when the magicians see what they cannot produce, they declare that Moses’ work was the “finger of God” (Exodus 8:19).

Simply put – in the last days, Satan will work through men to counterfeit God’s Word. As the magician’s work, the counterfeits will be similar in style and content, yet they will lack God’s power, and they will produce a false sense of knowledge, and as a result people will be “led away with divers lusts.”

 

Recognizing the Counterfeits?

One helpful clue is the location. Even more clear would be the origin of the magicians – Egypt. A cursory study reveals that all Bibles originate from one of two lines of manuscript – ALEXANDRIA (Egypt) and ANTIOCH (Syria). We find the first mention of both of those cities in the same chapter of the Bible; Antioch is the origin of a man of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost whose service caused the Word of God to increase, disciples to multiply and people to be saved(Acts 6:3-8); Alexandria is the origin of heretics who tried to “resist” that work by “disputing”, accusing, and finally killing one of the aforementioned men of God. 

Interestingly, God does not tell how many magicians or how many counterfeits there were, but He attributes them to two men – Jannes and Jambres. Pliny suggests that they were familiar with the God of the Hebrews through the wisest sage of Egyptian history – the dream revealer, Joseph. Therefore it is plausible that the many counterfeits of God’s Truth can be attributed to two heretic men. If interested, one should read about Westcott and Hort.

A careful reading of Exodus 7-8 shows that the magicians (plural) counterfeited the signs & plagues of Moses. It is especially clear in Exodus 7:11-12, where Aaron’s rod (with Moses) ate the magicians rods (plural).  Finding a single counterfeit among a group of authentics may prove difficult, but you are tasked with finding a single authentic among a group of counterfeits. It might help to know that all Bibles in print, with the exception of one, are derived from the Alexandrian text; the lone exception translated from the Antioch Text is the King James Version.

 

My challenge to you

Most people answer questions about the Bible based on personal history, version readability, or humanistic philosophy. Instead, I challenge you to discover what the Bible says about itself; allow God, Himself, to answer questions like, “Did God perfectly preserve His words,” or “Does it matter which Bible I use?”

 

Your Thoughts

2 Timothy 3:15-17 is the completion of the chapter that warns of the immitations of Jannes and Jambres. What does it reveal about origin & preservation of Scripture?

Which passages of Scripture answer your questions about Biblical preservation?

What has shaped your beliefs and practices on Bible versions?

Posted in Bible Doctrine, Ministry

Who runs the church?

Posted on by James

Who holds authority in the church? Obviously, Jesus is the Head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23. Colossians 1:18). He is the Lord and is the Chief Shepherd of the church (1 Peter 5:2-4). But the record of Scripture shows  that God delegates authority to humans – to governments, to husbands, to parents, and to masters. The question, more specifically posed, is “To which humans has God vested the authority of the church?” There are a variety of models of church governments (AKA ecclesiastical polity) – pastoral authority, congregational vote, denominational rule, deacon-led, elder rule, or hybrids thereof (there are more formal names, but these need less defining).

Wrestling with obscure issues is one of the thrills of church planting. I strive to lay a foundation that most closely reflects the Biblical command and precedent because it is where we stray from God’s instruction that we create the most significant problems. In this post, I will present the Scriptural basis for rule by a team of elders (i.e. pastors).

The Design of Elder Rule

Let’s be frank. In the Bible, churches were ruled by ordained elders (pastors); deacons were not authoritative decision-makers but servants; congregations didn’t vote; churches were autonomous not ruled by a central church; and churches were self-governing not ruled by a denomination. Some of these unbiblical models were formed as man’s solution to pastoral failure, but it is never safe to usurp authority from the place where God has placed it. These models have resulted in problems of greater magnitude than the original problem they sought to prevent.

The names of elders. The Bible applies three names to the same office of church leader.

  • Elder indicates a spiritual MATURITY. This is the name that is used most frequently in Scripture yet is the most misunderstood. He is NOT a deacon, an old person, or a faithful lay person elected to a decision-making council. An elder is an ordained pastor. 
  • Pastor indicates a shepherd’s CUSTODY. Pastor literally means shepherd (stemming from the same word as pasture), who is to lead, feed and protect the flock. Ironically, the title most commonly used modernly is used least in Scripture. The title is only used once (Ephesians 4:11); of 17 of the 18 times the Greek word is used it is translated shepherd. The term shepherd (pastor) is used interchangeably with elder in 1 Peter 5:1-4.
  • Bishop indicates a sober RESPONSIBILITY.  Meaning “overseer,” bishop is used in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, and Philippians 1:1 (which names both offices of the church). As the name implies, he is to govern the church. Contrary to its use in high church, a bishop in the Bible is the leader of a local church – not a position over multiple churches. The term bishop is used interchangeably with elder in Titus 1:5-7.

The plurality of elders. God did not intend for a church to be governed by a single pastor but by a team of elders (pastors). When God turned to the Gentiles following the stoning of Stephen, the church at Jerusalem was ruled not by apostles but by a team of elders (Acts 11:30. 21:18). Paul’s church plants were led by a team of elders (Acts 14:23. Acts 20:17. 1 Timothy 5:17-20. 1 Thessalonians 5:12).

The leader of elders. It is natural & inevitable that there be differences and disagreements within the team of elders, and there is a need for a leader of leaders – one who has the final say. Acts 15 perfectly describes the Biblical working of a team of pastors. There are tough decisions to be made. They each speak and hear one another. Finally, one elder (James the brother of Jesus) gives the sentence (Acts 15:13-20). This design is implemented through pastoral-team authority with a lead pastor who has the final say. In our church’s bylaws, the lead pastor carries 49% of every vote, and the remaining pastors carry a combined 51%.

**BONUS – As a church plant, I wanted to reflect the external authority Paul retained in the churches he planted – in person and by letters he dealt with false doctrine, false teaching, sin, restoration, and even removed sitting elders. We did this by allowing one of two specific people to be an external elder – the pastor of our mother church or the church planter (should I leave).

The Error of Elder Rule

An increasingly prevalent error is for churches to employ the Biblical model (Elder Rule) with unbiblical definitions. Let me explain… I recently had a conversation with a fellow-believer from a nearby church. He passionately described the disasters he’d experienced with deacon-led churches and excitedly told me how the church was changing their bylaws to be ruled by a board of elders. Knowing the typical pitfalls, I pressed on who the elders were; some would be former deacons; others would be Sunday School teachers or members of other boards. My dear brother is going to be in worse shape than ever. In effect, he has duplicated a deacon board and compounded the problem by attributing the title “elder” to non-pastors. Before he gave authority of elders (pastors) to unordained men (deacons); now he gives the authority & title of elder to unordained men.  

The error of “elder rule” is that the title elder is misdefined. Because myriad heresies are born of misdefinition of Biblical terms, it’s imperative to allow the Bible to define itself. And elder is a pastor.  To avoid confusion, I often use terms like pastor-led, pastoral authority.

Your thoughts:

What experiences have you had with the different church governments?
What benefits or problems did that style of polity bring?

Posted in Bible Doctrine

The Virgin Birth – Does it really matter?

Posted on by James

A controversy is brewing this Christmas, and this time it’s not about me forgetting to buy someone a Christmas gift. This controversy concerns Andy Stanley’s teaching on the virgin birth; the mega-pastor’s popularity often makes him a target – sometimes for good reason, sometimes not. Does it matter whether the virgin birth is factually accurate? Does it matter if a person believes in the virgin birth?

Is the Virgin Birth critical to Christianity? – YES!

Christianity does not hinge on the truth or even the stories about the birth of Jesus, it really hinges on the resurrection of Jesus. – Andy Stanley

Andy Stanley defends his approach by asserting that the bodily Resurrection of Christ is the prime doctrine of Christianity and the virgin birth is extraneous. The Resurrection is indeed fundamental, but contrary to Stanley’s opinion, the virgin birth is also critical to Christianity.

Christmas is the celebration of the truth that distinguishes true Christianity from every other religion in the world. Every religion demands that man works up to achieve a higher plain or heaven; Christianity declares that God came down to man to give eternal life. It’s completely unique – that the Creator would be made like His creation; that the Almighty would be made a weak baby; that the Lord of all would be made a servant.

Without the virgin birth, Jesus was not begotten of God, not the Son of God, and not divine. Therefore without the virgin birth, Christianity is false. Furthermore, because Jesus was born of the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15. Galatians 4:4), he did not inherit the sin nature of Adam (Romans 5:12-14). The virgin birth is THE reason why Jesus could be our spotless sacrificial Lamb.

To be fair, Stanley professes to believe the virgin birth, but his pick-and-choose theology is a growing trend in Western Churchianity. While it is wise to acknowledge cultural views & doubts, it would be foolish to discard Biblical doctrine because it lacks popularity. Much of Christianity strives to stay relevant in our Post-Christian culture by permitting men to embrace truths they find attractive and dispose of truths that require faith or submission. It is analogous to a wife striving to keep her marriage by permitting her husband to have affairs. Make no mistake; Jesus is not desperate. He preferred a few fully devoted followers over multitudes who just wanted to see miracles. He prefers a few of genuine faith than multitudes that selectively believe.

 

Is the Virgin Birth critical for salvation? NO… and YES!

One blogger compares Andy’s approach to Paul’s secular apologetic method at Mars Hill (Acts 17:16-34). There is undoubtedly Scriptural merit in using secular views to reach secular people (1 Corinthians 9:20-24), but there’s a tremendous difference between Paul using secular views that validate NT truths and Stanley validating secular views that disparage NT truths.

Can a person come to saving faith in Christ without believing the virgin birth? That’s a tough question. One can certainly be saved while IGNORANT of the virgin birth, but can he be saved while REJECTING the virgin birth? A better question would be, “Does the person believe that Jesus was God in flesh?” The answer will clearly define who has genuine faith in Christ (1 John 4:2-3). Jesus made validating His deity the focus of His ministry and accepting His deity as the subject of faith. It is first part of the great mystery of godliness (1 Timothy 3:16). And Paul’s quintessential verse on salvation requires BOTH belief in Christ’s deity & His resurrection (Romans 10:9). 

 

Your Thoughts:

  • Has the virgin birth been a difficult doctrine for you?
  • Where is the balance of teaching the Word of God and not putting the cart before the horse?
  • What dangers have you seen in dismissing or presenting too much doctrine?
Posted in Bible Doctrine

The New Testament Canon

Posted on by James

Who decided which writings would be part of the New Testament Canon? What criteria was used in that determination? When was the list of New Testament books compiled? The truth might surprise you, as many of the classical answers conflict with history and with Scripture itself. A singular post cannot adequately address those questions, and honestly… neither can the totality of my understanding on the subject. 

Our church’s expository study of 1 Timothy shed light on the answers. In 1 Timothy 5:18, Paul quotes two texts of Scripture, the latter of which is most pertinent to this subject:

“For the scripture saith… The labourer is worthy of his reward.”

The quote is from Luke 10:7, which was likely penned just 2 years before Paul wrote 1 Timothy. By defining Luke’s gospel as “scripture,” Paul demonstrates a remarkable truth – the apostles and the early church discerned (by Divine power) which writings were given by inspiration. This truth is verified by Peter recognizing Paul’s epistles as “scripture” (2 Peter 3:15-16) and is illustrated by the churches being ordered to pass epistles to other churches (Colossians 4:16. 1 Thessalonians 5:27).

The truth is substantiated by documents like the Muratorian Fragment (a list of the writings observed by an early church, including all the New Testament besides Hebrews, James, 1, Peter, 2 Peter, and 3 John and dated just 75 years from the writing of Revelation) and the Peshitta (Syriac Bible produced less than 100 years from the writing of Revelation includes all but 2 Peter, 2 John 3 John, Jude, Revelation).

In short, it is undeniably clear that God gave His Word by inspiration and that He preserved His Word clearly. The more one studies the New Testament Canon, the more conspicuous God’s hand is in the velocity and precision of the acceptance of the Scriptures. You have every reason to trust that ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God and that EVERY word of God is pure. Read it. Study it. Meditate on it. Love it. Obey it. Rejoice in it. Teach it.