1. Push ups
2. Jumping jacks
3. Knee bends
4. Cry
5. Scream
6. Repent
7. Jack Squat
8. Raise my hand
9. Walk forward
10. Believe
11. Listen
12. Hear
13. Pay money
14. Take out a loan
15. Accept Christ
16. Tithe
17.
18.
19.
20.
February 20, 2009
February 17, 2009
Proud Grandfather!!!
For the fifth time I am a grandfather. A boy 9 lb. Big guy, Chase Allan!!! Thank you Lord.
February 13, 2009
'ordo salutis' Order Of Salvation
Theologians describe the process by which God brings redemption subjectively to the sinner in 'ordo salutis'. This is perhaps the least understood element of soteriology. This determines whether one is monergistic or synergistic, God alone works in saving saving sinners or there is a cooperation of the sinner with the saving work of God. This determines if atonement is substitutionary (once for all) or an ongoing work of salvation. It also determines when justification is given to the sinner.
My JW friend believes that all this was a hastily devised plan after the fact of the fall of Adam in the garden. The "interim ethic" and "passover plot" are also hasty views of Christ's death. The view that Christ resigned himself to the death of the cross after a disappointing attempt to set up a political Jewish kingdom is the result of a faulty order of salvation.
Between these faulty views and the correct biblical view is a wide space of theological manipulation attempting to reconcile what one wants God to do and what God actually does.
Paul in Romans 8:28-34 gives us his order of salvation. The Protestant Reformation was constructed around this in difference to the Roman Catholic belief in faith repentance and good works.
My JW friend believes that all this was a hastily devised plan after the fact of the fall of Adam in the garden. The "interim ethic" and "passover plot" are also hasty views of Christ's death. The view that Christ resigned himself to the death of the cross after a disappointing attempt to set up a political Jewish kingdom is the result of a faulty order of salvation.
Between these faulty views and the correct biblical view is a wide space of theological manipulation attempting to reconcile what one wants God to do and what God actually does.
Paul in Romans 8:28-34 gives us his order of salvation. The Protestant Reformation was constructed around this in difference to the Roman Catholic belief in faith repentance and good works.
February 12, 2009
Heavenly And Eternal Salvation
My Jehovah Witness friend believes that God designed a perfect Eden for man to live in. He created a place for man to dwell and enjoy perfect fellowship with Himself. In this garden the world would be replenished and an eternal Kingdom established on earth. The fall of man was not in the mind of God and thus the plan of redemption emerged in war-like conflict. The plan of redemption was an afterthought, an interruption of divine plans by mortal men and fallen spirit beings. So now a patient God waits to test his creation as to who will truly follow His ways or rebel in disobedience. It will end in a destruction on earth of all evildoers and a final setting up of an "edenic" kingdom on earth ruled by an angel of God, Jesus Christ, the chief of Princes and his elect heavenly class (144,000) spirit beings.
The plan of salvation then is an afterthought! It is an interruption of divine plans. Naturally I have taken issue strongly with him on this. Christ's death was not an afterthought but a decision made before the foundations of the earth was laid. It was decreed in eternity before any created order. Oh, does he ever disagree with that! "Why that would violate free will." "Man sinned by free choice otherwise God would be the author of sin!"
Our salvation was a product of heavenly holiness. A state of perfect love and justice. Decreed by a triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. An eternal counsel was convened in eternity and a plan laid out without interruptions. There were no conflicts nor mysteries. There were no opposing forces in this plan. God is just and right in all His ways!
The plan of salvation then is an afterthought! It is an interruption of divine plans. Naturally I have taken issue strongly with him on this. Christ's death was not an afterthought but a decision made before the foundations of the earth was laid. It was decreed in eternity before any created order. Oh, does he ever disagree with that! "Why that would violate free will." "Man sinned by free choice otherwise God would be the author of sin!"
Our salvation was a product of heavenly holiness. A state of perfect love and justice. Decreed by a triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. An eternal counsel was convened in eternity and a plan laid out without interruptions. There were no conflicts nor mysteries. There were no opposing forces in this plan. God is just and right in all His ways!
February 11, 2009
Eternal Redemption Accomplished
The blood of bulls and goats could not take away sins. But it could grant forgiveness for the errors of the people on a regular basis. The conscience of sins remained with the worshippers.
The covenant with Israel was maintained by ceremonial sacrificial laws.
When Christ died the perfect sacrifice was offered and accepted by an offended Father. Sins were finally atoned. It was a "once for all" event. The old ceremonial law was now useless and that fact was demonstrated by the ripping from top to bottom of the veil that kept the worshippers from accessing the Holy of Holies. The common man could look into the sacred place and not be destroyed.
I'm certain that the arrangements were quickly made to repair the veil and continue the ceremony of sacrifices. Only now there was not a need of sacrifices. Christ had ascended to the Father's right hand as priest and lamb. What the old covenant could not do Christ had perfected the way into the presence of God.
From Calvary's cross eternal redemption had been accomplished!
The covenant with Israel was maintained by ceremonial sacrificial laws.
When Christ died the perfect sacrifice was offered and accepted by an offended Father. Sins were finally atoned. It was a "once for all" event. The old ceremonial law was now useless and that fact was demonstrated by the ripping from top to bottom of the veil that kept the worshippers from accessing the Holy of Holies. The common man could look into the sacred place and not be destroyed.
I'm certain that the arrangements were quickly made to repair the veil and continue the ceremony of sacrifices. Only now there was not a need of sacrifices. Christ had ascended to the Father's right hand as priest and lamb. What the old covenant could not do Christ had perfected the way into the presence of God.
From Calvary's cross eternal redemption had been accomplished!
February 10, 2009
Christ's Victory Cry, "It Is Finished!"
Hebrews 10:12-18 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
Christ died, rose from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the father where he maintains an expectation that his enemies will be his footstool. This heavenly sacrificial transaction, unlike the earthly transaction, was an eternal once for all event.
Unlike the earthly sacrifice it was offered often. But Christ's offering was a once for all sacrifice not to be repeated. This means that the Lord's supper is to be an ordinance of remembrance not a transubstantiation of the elements into the body and blood of Christ. The symbol of the empty cross represents a once for all sacrifice for sins. The worshipping of a crucifix from which a suffering Christ hangs is unbiblical. The confessional booth from which sins are confessed to a priest is unbiblical. It all nullifies the wording of the New Testament book of Hebrews.
The sin of Adam and Eve is forgotten. There is no quilt for their sin and the errors of the saints are to be confessed personally to the heavenly high priest, Christ our advocate. We have the calm assurance of ready grace and cleansing from heaven.
Catholics are not the only abusers of Christ's sacrifice. Evangelicals demand the sinner to repent. This is something that the sinner can't and won't do anyway. But to go ahead and urge repentance is a judgement imposed by the saint upon the sinner. We are told specifically not to be a judge following our Savior who came not to condemn but to save. When we bring up the sin of the sinner we are requiring a re-cucifixion of Christ and that means the sinner has to confess his sin in order to obtain salvation. This then is Pelagian and Arminian evangelism far more deceptive than Roman Catholicism! It is salvation by works! It is cooperative salvation by the confessing sinner and the coerced Savior. The Holy Spirit has to acknowledge the confession, Christ has to die again for the sinner's sin and the Father bows to the will of man. This is a humiliation to God and yet in His loving kindness and patience sinners are saved. Someday someone will pay dearly for this evangelical disgrace.
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
Christ died, rose from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the father where he maintains an expectation that his enemies will be his footstool. This heavenly sacrificial transaction, unlike the earthly transaction, was an eternal once for all event.
Unlike the earthly sacrifice it was offered often. But Christ's offering was a once for all sacrifice not to be repeated. This means that the Lord's supper is to be an ordinance of remembrance not a transubstantiation of the elements into the body and blood of Christ. The symbol of the empty cross represents a once for all sacrifice for sins. The worshipping of a crucifix from which a suffering Christ hangs is unbiblical. The confessional booth from which sins are confessed to a priest is unbiblical. It all nullifies the wording of the New Testament book of Hebrews.
The sin of Adam and Eve is forgotten. There is no quilt for their sin and the errors of the saints are to be confessed personally to the heavenly high priest, Christ our advocate. We have the calm assurance of ready grace and cleansing from heaven.
Catholics are not the only abusers of Christ's sacrifice. Evangelicals demand the sinner to repent. This is something that the sinner can't and won't do anyway. But to go ahead and urge repentance is a judgement imposed by the saint upon the sinner. We are told specifically not to be a judge following our Savior who came not to condemn but to save. When we bring up the sin of the sinner we are requiring a re-cucifixion of Christ and that means the sinner has to confess his sin in order to obtain salvation. This then is Pelagian and Arminian evangelism far more deceptive than Roman Catholicism! It is salvation by works! It is cooperative salvation by the confessing sinner and the coerced Savior. The Holy Spirit has to acknowledge the confession, Christ has to die again for the sinner's sin and the Father bows to the will of man. This is a humiliation to God and yet in His loving kindness and patience sinners are saved. Someday someone will pay dearly for this evangelical disgrace.
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