AN OLD APOSTASY IN A NEW AGE-1

George Santanyana is attributed to having said the following: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." While Santanyana has been misquoted often on this socre, and much debate continues as to what he actually meant, the statement itself is true. As it applies to history, it has often been borne out to be so. This is even clearer in religion. Recently, a large congregation of chruches of Christ in Alabama announced its intent to introduce instrumental music in its Sunday morning worship. While the elders of that church are welcoming feedback from the congregation before it makes the final decision, the eldership affirmed that it believes instrumental music in worship to be acceptable to God. Thus, the debate in Alabama among churches of Christ over instrumental music in worship--once thought to be a long dead issue--has been rekindled. In the 19th century, churches of Christ and the Christian Church went through a major division, in part, over the instrument. Now, one hundred years later, the rumination of Santanyana rings true. A new generation clamors for the kind of music it has been exposed to in entertainment, and among its religious friends. "Why not have it? It will make our services more 'user-friendly' and 'exciting.'" While the question of "Why do this?" may be legitmately asked, such should not be the focus. Rather, the focus should be on the central issue: BIBLICAL AUTHORITY. If the New Testament is our authority for all matters of faith and practice, then where is the authority for the instrument in worship? Does it matter? (MORE TO FOLLOW)

I'M BAAAAAAAAAACK......!

Okay, so it's been like, years since I have posted anything here. There are a lot of reasons for that. In between my local work, my dissertation, a debate I had with a Roman Catholic, and two sons in college, I have A LIFE! Seriously, though, there are a lot of things I wanted to comment on. Now that I am back, guess what? To alter a quote from the late Richard Nixon, "you'll have Hester to kick around some more." To say that events have moved along at a rapid pace in this country would be an understatement. To date, 12 states have approved same-sex marriage. The President has given his full support of this; that is not surprising. What is surprising are a couple of developments. First, there are leaders in the Republican party who are more than willing to drop opposition to same-sex marriage, and have gone public with their thoughts on the issue. Time will tell if their influence will prevail within the GOP. The second development is extremely troubling. Within churches of Christ, the number of those accepting homosexuality as a viable lifestyle is growing. Some are wanting to push colleges and universities affiliated with us to become "tolerant" and accepting of homosexuality. Folks, the Bible has not changed about this. Romans 1 is clear. Homosexuality is sinful. I have a lot more to say about a lot of things, but for now I will sign off. Oh, one more thing: my wife Brenda told me today that I am "A-D-D." I don't know where she gets that. Hey, look at that spider!

A TYPEWRITER MIND IN A HIGH TECH WORLD

I am a guy who likes things simple. No frills, no "new and improved," no New Coke (oops, pardon the mid 1980s reference). That said, I appreciate all of the advances made in technology just in my lifetime. Personal computers of all sorts have revolutionized the way we live our lives, mostly for the better. I am utilizing the technology as I write these words (so, don't think this is going to be a Trent Reznor moment--"biting the hand that feeds you."). Things have come a long way from the TRS-80 days (only early 1980s geeks will recognize that reference).

However, in the midst of all the hoopla, I have come to a realization. My mind is better suited for the "retro" days. The best way I can explain this is by liking it to a typewriter. Not electric, but MANUAL. That's right. Manual. My papers at Freed-Hardeman were banged out on an old portable manual typewriter. I had to manually turn the roll to correctly place the footnotes, and either use erasable bond paper or Liquid Paper (if the teachers allowed it).

As a result, for many years I had a deep suspicion of anything computer oriented. For some reason, I thought computer generated type was inferior to that produced on typewriters. And, in the late 80s to mid 90s, that was mainly correct. However, as we know now, the tech explosion of the late 90s changed everything for the common guy. I was convinced, and swept along with the tide. I have not looked back since.

But, a funny thing happened along the way. My brain did not catch up. That is to say, I still think in terms of a typewriter. When I compose a document, I still make sure my fingers hover over the correct keys (asdf jkl;). My Typing I class from 8th grade still comes in handy!!! when I make a mistake, I still go back and manually correct it (okay, that's the OCD side of me taking over--but that's another blogpost in the future).

Does all this matter much? Likely not. Okay, not in a million years. At any rate, my writer's heart is with those scribes who do things "the old fashioned way," and still refuse to use anything that resembles a computer. They pull out the notepad or legal pad, and write away. And, THAT is the heart and soul of true scholarship.

OSAMA AND ROMANS 13: POSTSCRIPT

There have been many people who have weighed in on the question of whether it is right or not to celebrate the death of Osama bin Laden. After having a day to reflect upon the momentous events of May 1 and the reactions of people to the celebrations, I have thought of a few things that need to be said, in addition to my previous post.

Comparisons have been made by some between the celebrations in the Arab world after 9/11 and the celebrations after bin Laden's death--implying moral equivalence. I immediately thought back to the Cold War. Those who were calling for the U.S. to back off of communism tried to make the case that there was no difference between the U. S. and the U.S.S.R.; yes, it was said, they did some bad things, but we have, too, so we are in no position to condemn their system. In other words, moral equivalence. Never mind the horrors of the gulag; never mind the KGB's intrusion into every aspect of Russian (and European) life; never mind the fundamental abhorrence of communism toward God, the Bible, and religion (and its suppression of any and all religion). We cannot say that anyone is absolutely right or wrong, we were told. I am hearing echoes of all of this in the "soft" rebukes of those who claim we cannot say that radical Islam is evil, or that Islamic culture is fundamentally wrong. And, by the way, there is another crucial difference: the people slaughtered on 9/11 were innocents. Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda were pure evil.

In all of that has been written and said over the past couple of days, I am also seeing a disturbing trend: whether they are aware of this or not, some are coming close to making laws for God. That is to say, some are almost saying that it is a sin to rejoice over a radical terrorist--a maniac--being killed by civil government. Yes, I am fully aware that bin Laden was not a Christian, and that he died outside of Christ--and that God has no pleasure in the death of the sinner. Some have said that those who celebrated bin Laden's death in the streets of American cities were somehow all not religious folks, who cared nothing for God...as if those who celebrated the end of World War II were all faithful Christians! Either it's wrong in ALL cases, or it's not. However, in all that has been written, one key point has been lost: the Justice of God.

Consider Romans 11:22: "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off." Consider 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9: "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power." And then, there is Proverbs 1:24-30: Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: for that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: they would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof."

God's justice is as prominent in scripture as His mercy. Some have seemed to lose sight of that. The late Rex Turner, Sr. emphasized the justice of God in his classes and his writings. He stressed that it was a key component in understanding God Himself and His grace. God;s justice demands that sin be punished. Thanks be to God, we do not have to pay for our sins by dying on a cross; Jesus' death met the demands of God's justice--a perfect sin offering. That being said, the principle of God's justice extends to the world in general; and, that is where Romans 13:1-4 kicks in. Paul makes it clear that civil government is God's instrument to punish "the evildoer." I again ask the question: was Osama bin Laden evil? Who would deny it? When a man orders a group of zealots to fly planes with passengers into buildings; when he orders a truck filled with explosives to detonate in front of a foreign embassy; when he orders a boat filled with explosives to explode next to a U.S. warship; when he orders a truck to be detonated underneath a skyscraper...I think we can safely say that this man was not only evil, but a maniac. Add to that his hatred and hostility toward Jehovah, Christ, and the Scriptures, and one can see that it is not (as one writer said) that there was "little chance" he could be converted; there was absolutely NO chance.

Romans 1 indicates that people can persist in sin to the point that God will "give them up." 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 says of some, "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." Does God still do this? Does He allow those who persist in unrighteousness to go headlong into it? It surely seems that way. How else could one explain a radical philosophy taking hold among so many young men in the Arab world? Yes, the Gospel must be preached to them. Yes, it must be done in the face of danger. However, there are those who will never be reached. It is as Jesus said in the Parable of the Sower: "Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved" (Lk. 8:12). And, remember this: of the four kinds of soil, only one was good.

So...may we celebrate the death of Osama? I can tell you that I did. No, I did not go out into the streets and jump up and down, but I did give a fist pump and shout, "YES!" God's justice was served.

Osama bin Laden and Romans 13:1-4

The most wanted terrorist in the world is now gone. The man who masterminded the 9/11 attacks, who gave evil inspiration to al Qaeda, is history. U. S. elite troops did the job they are trained to do, and in turn secured a huge victory in the ongoing global war against the terrorist organization.

Reaction to the news, announced first by the media and then the President, was immediate. People took to the streets (and their computers) and celebrated this achievement. Meanwhile, others reacted less favorably. Brothers and sisters in Christ, disturbed by the videos of throngs of folks chanting "U-S-A, U-S-A!", gave vent to their misgivings. Old Testament passages were cited, indicating that God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Further passages were quoted which seemed to condemn people for celebrating.

How SHOULD we respond?

Well, allow me to give my personal take on all of this. Adolf Hitler murdered millions of Jews and gypsies, as well as many other groups. He ignited World War II. His evil philosophy (and that is what it was, EVIL), if left unchecked, would have enslaved the entire world (and that is EXACTLY what he had in mind, according to previously unreleased Nazi documents).

Josef Stalin butchered somewhere between 12-20 million of his own people in the years PRIOR to World War II. He terrorized countless millions of others. All of this was in service to a godless philosophy--communism--which was started by Karl Marx and perpetuated at first by Vladimir Lenin. Both of those individuals detested religion, as did Hitler.

Mao Tse Tung held China in an iron grip, launching first the "Great Leap Forward" and then the "Cultural Revolution," during which millions of innocent Chinese were slaughtered. Mao himself was not bothered at all by the genocide, since he believed in it being done for the "greater good."

Then, there is bin Laden. He claimed to be a "spiritual leader;" yet, he had no qualms about ordering multiple attacks, over a 15 year period, against the West. He was violently opposed to the God of the Bible, Christ, and Christianity. He also had no problem with killing people within his own religion of Islam. If bin Laden had been in control of a country, his death toll likely would have rivaled Mao's, at the least.

I have said all of that to make these few points. FIRST, bin Laden was an evil man. So, I am more than a bit dismayed when some of my brethren try to compare him with the apostle Paul. Yes, Paul persecuted Christians to the death; yes, he was converted to the Truth by Ananias (Acts 22:16). Yet, there are significant differences. Paul, unlike bin Laden, believed in the God of the Hebrew Scriptures, not "Allah." Unlike bin Laden, Paul did not orchestrate a mass attack against heavily populated areas. Unlike bin Laden, Paul "lived in all good conscience before God" (Acts 23:1). His heart could be touched. And, it took a miraculous appearance of Christ to get Paul's attention and convince him he was wrong. Paul was not evil; he simply did not know the truth. Bin Laden cast open contempt upon the foundation truths of Christianity.

SECOND, Romans 13:1-4 is a much forgotten passage of Scripture. It reads: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." Was bin Laden evil? Of course he was. The U. S. military did what it had to do--and, our country is that much safer as a result.

THIRD, I continue to think about the celebrations that took place after Hitler died and World War II ended. Were those people wrong in celebrating? Yes, I know the current war is not over; but, a significant victory has been achieved. It is quite natural for a weary nation to be exuberant in the fact that one of its avowed enemies is gone. When my late grandfather, John DeLenne, came home from Europe in 1945, he was tired of war. Yet, he was happy that we had won. And, he had no problems with celebrating. Grandpa served faithfully as an elder for over 50 years until his passing. He knew how evil Hitler was. He also had no problem, after 9/11, with going after al Qaeda and bin Laden.

A friend of mine posed this question: "Who is to say that this matter wasn't in the realm of the providence of God? Where is rejoicing condemned when justice is served?" Indeed. My direct ancestors, who fought in every war from the Revolution to Korea, served their country--and some even died for it. The families of those who lost loved ones during 9/11 now know some measure of relief that the maniac who ordered those deaths is now gone. Let us not defend a terrorist; let us get about the business, rather, of preaching the Truth--and allow the "higher powers" to take care of the evildoers. As Americans--and as Christians--we can rejoice when good triumphs. In this case, there is NO DOUBT.

"He, Being Dead, Yet Speaketh"

A few days ago, brother Jerry Jenkins went home to be with the Lord. His two sons, Jeff and Dale, preached his funeral and did a tremendous job. Being a preacher's son, I felt especially close to them as they progressed through the service. Their stories about their experiences with their Dad rang clear and true with me. I have had similar experiences, and found myself nodding, smiling, and even laughing.

What really struck me, though, is the extraordinary impact this one man has had and is still having on so many lives in so many ways. He preached for one congregation--Woodlawn/Roebuck Parkway--for 44 years. During that time he also preached on the longest running religious television broadcast in Birmingham, Alabama--The Living Word. He was heavily involved in Freed-Hardeman University, Jefferson Christian Academy, Rainbow Omega, and Maywood Christian Camp. He was involved in countless thousands of Bible studies locally, and did regular mission work in the country of Belize. He was a mentor to numerous Gospel preachers, and baptized countless thousands of souls.

As I stood and listened to the words that Jeff and Dale spoke in memory of their father, I could not help but think about my life in comparison. What have I done with the short time I have been given? James wrote, "For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away" (James 4:14).

The Gospel is indeed for all people. Jerry Jenkins understood that; his brother, Dan, who led the singing at the service so beautifully, also possesses that same sense of urgency. Both Jeff and Dale have taken the lessons taught by Jerry to heart, and are very successful for the Lord's kingdom where they preach (Jeff in Texas, Dale in Tennessee).

As the service ended, I was filled with a renewed sense of zeal and enthusiasm to do the Lord's work. Jerry Jenkins was just one man. But, what a man he was! As you read these words, you may think you are just one person. However, God has given you abilities He has given no one else. How are you using those abilities? Let us resolve right here--right now--to dedicate the rest of our lives to the Lord's kingdom!

TEBOW AND THE TRUTH

For the past four years, fans of college football have been fascinated with Tim Tebow, the quarterback for the University of Florida. One reason for this is his unashamed profession of his religious convictions. Written on the eyeblack that he wears in each game is a Scripture reference. His moral life, by all accounts, is exemplary. He is a very nice and articulate young man, who comes from a very close knit family. He is involved in regular mission trips overseas, and assists in helping those who are in need.

In most of the articles that have been written about Tim Tebow, all of the above has been mentioned. By contrast, none of the press has inquired about his religious beliefs. A quick internet search, however, reveals a website titled “Bob Tebow Evangelistic Association” (www.btea.org) Bob Tebow is Tim’s dad, and is the founder of the organization that bears his name. Bob’s family, including Tim, is included in “About Us.” One page in particular is of special interest: “What We Believe.”

The Tebows affirm ten points on the page; the first six (addressing the inerrancy of Scripture, the nature and triunity of God, the works of God, the person of Christ, and the person of the Holy Spirit) generally express what the Scriptures teach. “The Work of The Holy Spirit” section seems to imply some kind of semi-direct operation, though vaguely worded. However, points eight, nine, and ten—addressing salvation, the doctrine of the church, and the doctrine of things to be—teach grave error. Concerning salvation, the Tebows believe that it is “by grace alone…through faith alone…in Christ alone.” They further affirm, “We believe that at the point in time a man places his faith in the Lord Jesus, he is born again.” Under “The Doctrine of the Church” the Tebows claim that baptism has “absolutely no value for justification.”

A careful examination shows that the New Testament absolutely contradicts what the Tebows believe about what one must do to be saved. To claim that it is “by grace alone…through faith alone” is an oxymoron. If true, it is either all of one thing or it is all of the other. Ephesians 2: 8-9, however, indicates that salvation is by grace through faith: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Romans 5:1-2 is also clear: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

This may seem to be an irrelevant point, but it is not. The gift of salvation is given by God’s grace, and is accepted through man’s faith. Thus, it is neither “by grace alone” or “though faith alone.” The kind of faith that saves man is an obedient faith. Romans 6:17-18 is crucial: “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” Notice: one is not made free from sin until after he has “obeyed from the heart.” This parallels what the Hebrews writer asserts in Hebrews 5:8-9: “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” Contrary to the Tebows, obedience to the Gospel is essential.

Connected with this is the role of baptism. The Tebows affirm that baptism is not essential; again, the New Testament teaches otherwise. John 3:5 makes clear what our Lord believed concerning the role of baptism. “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” The “water” Jesus refers to is not the amniotic fluid of childbirth; it is the same substance John mentions in John 2, when our Lord turned the “water” into wine. Mark 16:16 is even clearer: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Both Paul and Peter believed that baptism is essential; in Paul’s own account of his conversion, he quotes Ananias in Acts 22:16: “And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” In Acts 2:38, Peter urged those at Pentecost to be baptized: “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Concerning salvation, will we believe the Tebows or the Truth?

The Tebows also believe in the “once saved, always saved” doctrine: “There will be none lost who were once saved; no man can lose his justification…We believe in the total eternal security of the believer.” To this, the New Testament gives no support at all. Writing to the churches of Galatia, Paul gives this warning: “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace…For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” (Gal. 5:4, 6-7). Additionally, John states, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 Jn. 2:1-2). Peter is even more emphatic:

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire (2 Pt. 2:20-22).

Again, shall we believe the Tebows or the Truth?

Perhaps the most egregious example of error on the Tebows’ website is the entire section, “The Doctrine of Things To Be.” The four-paragraph statement pushes full-blown premillennialism, incorporating the “rapture” theory and a literal thousand-year reign of Christ on earth, as well as a final Antichrist and a literal battle of Armageddon.

Nowhere in the New Testament can one find the term “rapture,” or the theory itself. The entire system of premillennialism contradicts what Paul affirms in 1 Corinthians 15:24: “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.” Notice: at the end, Jesus will deliver the kingdom back to the father, not set it up. John makes it clear who “antichrist” is: “He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son” (1 Jn. 2:22). Nowhere in Revelation does John refer to “antichrist.”

John was a part of the kingdom when he wrote Revelation: “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ…” (Rev. 1:9). Jesus cannot reign on David’s throne on earth in Jerusalem, because of what Jeremiah 22:30 affirms concerning Coniah (Jechoniah). “Thus saith the Lord, write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.” Matthew 1:11-12 indicates that Jechoniah is included in Jesus’ bloodline.

At the end of time, both the living and the dead will be raised: “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom” (2 Tim. 4:1). Jesus tells us when the good and the bad will be raised. “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” (Jn. 5:28-29). Will we believe the Tebows or the Truth?

The reason we call attention to all of this is because there are many young people (and older ones, as well) who are holding up Tim Tebow as a wonderful example of a follower of Jesus. While his moral life is exemplary, and his character is good, what his family teaches and promotes is simply wrong. All Christians need to be aware of this and hold to what is true and right, no matter who says otherwise.