Double Standards...the abomination of differing weights and measures

(The following hypothetical examples are in no way an endorsement of Rick Warren's theology of which I share concern. But he seems to be the logical choice to help illustrate the truth principles of this article.)

"Can I excuse wicked scales or bags of
deceptive weights?" -Micah 6:11

This Has Got to be Said
-If Rick Warren were to appear on TBN he would come under instant criticism by some in my theological circles for being pragmatic and using any means necessary to promote his PDL material. But let one of "our guys" go on TBN and promote his book suddenly it’s OK, a great opportunity for the gospel, courage in proclaiming good theology on that frothy network; and you better not say anything publicly against them. They are immune and above such scrutiny.

-If Rick Warren was to have a Romanist speak at his church on a Sunday evening talking about cultural issues and politics, he would be criticized immediately by those in my theological circles for embracing an ecumenical paradigm (unity without theology) that is destroying the church today. But let one of "our guys" have a Romanist in the their church on a Sunday night to share the platform on political and cultural issues, then you better not say anything publicly against them because you’d be attacking the motives and ministry of a fellow servant of Christ. They are immune and above such scrutiny.

-If Rick Warren were to host a leading Roman Catholic writer and teacher to explain to his church the mysteries, metaphors, and allegory of “Lord of the Rings”, he would be challenged immediately for compromising the faith, partnering with those who deny the gospel and dumbing down doctrine for wider acceptance in religious circles about a fictional movie that is not Christian to begin with. But let one of "our guys" invite a Romanist as a guest lecturer to one of "our" seminaries to speak on the “Lord of the Rings” we must give them a pass and mustn’t say anything publicly about it for it would be unloving to characterize those in "our camp" who would do such things as “a turkey.” They are immune and above such satire and scrutiny.

Are you beginning to see the problem here? I'm only using Rick Warren in the above hypothetical examples because he is clearly the most marked target in most evangelical circles today. His fame and influence have made him the envy or the scorn of those jealous of his success (even though they'll deny it) and will hold him to a different standard than they themselves don’t hold each other to. As you know, I don’t agree with a lot of Rick’s material; and for the most part there are some foundational theological/doctrinal issues in his PDL material that need revisiting, rewriting, and reforming.

But the simple fact is, when Warren does something today it is instant news. Bible expositors will mention him from their pulpits and on their radio shows as soon as Rick does something that isn't theologically precise or methodology suspect as soon as they can. Like sharks to blood in the water, they will quickly decry his actions as unbiblical, invalidate his writings because of enormous sales, and are quick to judge his motives sweeping it all under the proverbial rug of pragmatism. He [Rick Warren] is the centerpiece discussion at most pastors conferences, Bible seminars, and the delight of most Q&A pastoral panels to rip into.

But Here's the Rub
When one of "our guys" does the exact same thing as mentioned above, it is "understood" that we are to give them a pass, remain quiet, look the other way, only deal with it in private, don't mention their names publicly, not to say anything if you haven’t contacted them first, and even edit out content from recorded material to protect their image, persona for fear of making them an enemy. And why? Because they're "one of us" and deserve to be glossed over. When those in "our evangelical club" agree on the essentials theologically and are politically beholding to one of "our guys" then the consensus is, they shouldn’t be challenged publicly - just give them "a wink and a nod" and forget about it. But if you do challenge them publicly about something they've said in the public marketplace as a good Berean should (Acts 17:10-11), holding them to the same biblical standard they applauded you for when you took on those on the other side of the theological aisle, then you are deemed as unloving, unkind, and un-Christlike. And here is the justification I am told all the time: "Steve, there are so few guys out there that really understand the issues biblically, why nit pick at one of "our guys" because they maybe went off-base on a certain issue. And besides they're "one of us." Better to just keep quiet and let them work it out privately. Cut them some slack and remove the post from your blog - yada... yada... yada."

Playing politics with each other on spiritual matters is irresponsible; playing politics with God is dangerous just to protect ones platform, ministry footing, conference attendance, denominational posturing, or reputation. It is wrong beloved.

I have at the top of this blog the phrase, “the evangelical spin stops here.” The reason I chose that phrase is because when we are critical of one evangelical leader and then give a pass to another evangelical on the exact same issue because one is our friend and agrees with us theologically; and another is not our friend and represents something we would never embrace doctrinally, then fail to honor the Lord and do each other a grave disservice in the body of Christ . I believe that passionately and it's that kind of spiritual double standard that should disgust us all with every fiber of our beings. I'm tired of it... are you?

Wisdom from Solomon
The word abomination is an interesting word in regards to our discussion. It means extreme hatred or detestation. One of the things that God has an extreme hatred of and considers detestable is differing weights and measures. When the scales of measurement are unjustly tipped to favor one against another on the same issue – this is an abomination to the Lord.

Listen to the what Proverbs says about this:

Proverbs 11:1
“A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, But a just weight is His delight.”

Proverbs 20:10
“Differing weights and differing measures, both of them are abominable to the Lord.”

Proverbs 20:23
“Differing weights are an abomination to the LORD, and a false scale is not good.”

That is why “A just balance and scales are the LORD’s all the weights in the bag are his work” Proverbs 16:11.

We need to give an equal appraisal of anyone’s theology, doctrine, and methods in light of Scripture alone and regardless of who the individual might be. The same standard for all and to all, without exception. Someone should not be given a pass because they are a known personality, for political expediency, job security, or remaining in their good graces. But, holding each other accountable to the plumbline of God’s Word irrespective of name, title, position, influence, personal cost, loss of opportunities, etc. is the right thing to do. We owe no man loyalty save that of Christ Jesus our Lord. Anything less than that is politics; anything less than that is a differing weight; anything less than that is an abomination to the Lord.

IT'S POLITICS
Playing politics with God's weights and scales for denominational growth, funds, notoriety, personal advancement, etc. causes us all to act in ways that are not biblical, ethical or honoring to the Lord. Again, it’s politics. It exists profoundly in the Christian music/book publishing industry; it's present in Christian radio, among evangelical seminaries and their leaders especially within the larger denominational institutions; and sadly, it's present even within the local church. We should hate it, beloved, with an extreme hatred as the Lord does. Because if we're honest, this usually happens when one of us is offended for being challenged or publicly held accountable for our beliefs or methods. And so we run to the defensive posture-mode by making the tone or tenor of someone's comments the issue, rather than the issue itself. Deflection of responsibility on "owning the issue" has become a spiritual gift in most evangelical circles today.

But what usually happens instead, is that we succumb to our fleshly ways of being more concerned about our own hurt feelings or protecting our own press releases and market driven reputations, than we are to admitting the faults and correcting the wrongs. And we've all been there--no one has arrived at this. Pride causes us then to default to a double standard; we embrace it, justify it, dance around it, massage it, use it to our benefit, and hide behind it. I've done it and others have too and it's wrong. We need to be quick to get over ourselves, own our own noise, and repent of the methods and messages that are not in accordance with God's Word which we have done.

I have been severely criticized for some of the posts that I have made on this blog when it comes to "our guys" in "our camp” who are one of "our own.” I've been rewarded with silence; the loss of ministry opportunities with the ones I respect deeply; put out of some "inner circles" in ministry for simply “taking on one of our own.” It has caused me great sorrow that the very ones who have modeled to me and encouraged me to “instruct in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict” are the very ones who are crying foul when the same standard is applied to them. I'm speaking honestly here. I know that I have been guilty of these same things in how I have communicated and commented on this blog--no question. And when that has happened, I have tried to quickly admit those things and change them on the posts immediately.

But beloved, I cannot back down and will not be silenced from addressing any issue affecting the church which is not in accordance with sound doctrine regardless of who is saying it or championing the latest trend. My own credibility will be lost if I begin to play politics with my brothers whom I love by measuring one with differing weights and another with differing scales on the same issues.


One Standard for All
If we are not willing to apply the same biblical standard for ALL regardless of friendship, denominational affiliation, theological persuasion, or doctrinal conviction, then may I make a suggestion? This next year at our pastors conferences, seminars, retreats, worship services, concerts, etc. may we all just shut up! If we're going to talk about Rick Warren, then you better be prepared to talk about ___________ by the same standard (fill in the blank with your favorite Bible teacher, radio personality, author or singer of your liking). For unless we’re willing to hold all to the same standard biblically and publicly, then we’d be better not to invoke the extreme hatred of our God by offering differing weights and measures because of playing politics with each other.

Have a good day.
Steve
Proverbs 20:10

The Top Ten Turkey Awards of 2005:...the strange birds in evangelicalism

Good day Blogging Aficionados:

It is good to be home and "back in the saddle" again after being gone for several weeks. Thank you all for your patience--regular blogging entries at COT will commence as of today. I trust you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving Day with close friends and family--and helping others who couldn't help themselves.

Several of you had emailed me wondering if I was going to post "a turkey of the year" list. No doubt that 2005 was a banner year in many arenas. So I thought the idea would prove to be interesting and provocative. One caveat: the list below does not include political figures, entertainers, actors, news pundits, etc. I tried to focus on the evangelical-community-at-large when considering who would be worthy candidates.

I hope you will enjoy and post me your additions to your "turkey top ten" if you're daring enough.

2005 proved to be quite a year!
Campi

1. Paige Patterson, Jack Graham, Johnny Hunt: for promoting an anthropocentric Arminian gospel and theology; and for labeling Calvinistic pastors within the SBC as those who have “Crept In Unawares.” (While Paige Patterson is studying "theology 101" gearing up for his "debate" with Dr. Mohler on Calvinism, Jack Graham has been busy joining hands recently with TBN in a church service setting with guests Zig Ziglar and Pat Summerall. Jack was praising Matt Crouch and his wife for their contribution to the gospel through television as he was telling the crowd that night misappropriating Mark 2 that "it is our job to bring people to Jesus." Really!?! Ever read John 6:44, Eph. 1:4-5, 2 Tim. 1:9, Titus 1:2? Just goes to show you folks, Arminianism knows no shame and can justify the use of any "venue" [even TBN] for pragmatic concerns.)

2. Pat Robertson: for calling for the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and for hurting the efforts of faithful missionaries in that country by causing their deportment. Mr. Robertson has so frequently been bombastically wrong on news issues, that his continued use of "faux pas" has turned political misspeak into a "spiritual gift." I agree with Cal Thomas that "Pat Robertson eventually apologized for his remarks about assassinating Hugo Chavez. His penance should be to retire and to take his bombastic conservative and liberal colleagues with him." Amen.

3. Billy Graham, Jack Van Impy and others for embracing Pope John Paul II and Benedict the XVI as regenerated Christian leaders even though they by their own Tridentine doctrine deny the biblical gospel of sola fide and the imputation of the righteousness of Christ for salvation. This brand of ecumenism is very hazardous to the health of the body of Christ, the work of the gospel, and the ministry of the Word of God (cp, Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Tim. 2:16-19).

4. Brian McLaren: for denying the authority and veracity of Scripture in his postmodern, Open Theist, Kantian, mystic, socially liberal EC spirituality.

5. James Dobson: for confusing patriotism with biblical Christianity; and for treating the body of Christ as a religious PAC of “Christocrats” who would rather boycott and picket nonbelievers than proclaim the gospel of grace to them. His call for political remedy to cure moral maladies of our nation is an effort in futility. Dr. Dobson, and all associated with him-without exception, have confused access to the oval office, political figures and key media, with impact upon a nation.

6. Dan Brown: for his fictitious, heretical, inaccurate, historical revisionist, abhorrent attack against the gospel, deity, humanity, and holiness of the Lord Jesus Christ in his ridiculous, Peter Pan-like, illogical, but popular book, “The da Vinci Code.” I would encourage you to pray that God would grant him saving faith and repentance for salvation. For apart from that he is heaping "wrath upon wrath" on himself. (Tom Hanks, whose films I enjoy very much, should be embarrassed for lending his excellent talents and name to such a ludicrous movie as this).

7. Evangelical leaders who supported and embraced Mel Gibson in his Marian focused, Romanistic driven, Anne Catherine Emmerick's apocryphal inspired, mystical portrayal of the suffering of the Lord Jesus Christ in his well made movie, “The Passion of the Christ.” If Mr. Gibson would have held to the biblical record, he would not only have had a more powerful movie, but one that honored the Lord Jesus in His atonement on the cross.

8. Dr. Russell Moore of the Henry Institute for hosting Joseph Pearce as their key literary academic spokesman for the Gheens Lectures this year to explain the Christian imagery and message in Tolkien's, “Lord of the Rings.” (Pearce is a devote Romanist who is the Writer-in-Residence at Ave Maria University and Associate Professor of Literature. He previously taught at Ave Maria College in Michigan. He is also the Co-Editor of the St. Austin Review and the Editor-in-Chief of Sapientia Press). This is unconscionable. When did the leadership at *SBTS officially agree to affirm Romanists purporting a religious ideology and gospel contrary to the Word of God and biblical Christianity, from a Romanism world-view, to be considered worthy of enjoying the endorsement and platform of Southern as teachers/scholars/theologians lecturing men being trained for pastoral ministry in the local church?

*Knowing that Dr. Moore, the Henry Institue, and SBTS stand for biblical orthodoxy; that they affirm the doctrines of grace, sola fide and the imputation of the righteousness of Christ in salvation; and that they also affirm what Romanism represents is a false gospel, a false church, led by a false pastor, occupying a false office - is what makes their hosting of Dr. Pearce so surprising even in this educational exchange. I am simply contending that inviting a devout Romanist, like Joseph Pearce, as their principle lecturer speaking not only in matters of Tolkienian literature, but also from a biblical context of faith in explaining "Truth or Myth: Unlocking the Lord of the Rings" to seminarians is inconsistent and diametrically opposed to what their own confession and beliefs are both Scripturally and in The Abstract of Principles. To quote from another great fictional series, Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade: "they chose... poorly."

9. Luis Palau: for his Graham-like foot-in-mouth statesmanship when in China recently for playing politics and demeaning the persecuted church when he said, “churches are not underground, just unregistered.” To make matters worse, Palau displaying his unequaled ignorance of the state of the true church in China went on to say, “Personally, I would encourage the unregistered churches to register and receive greater freedom and blessings from the government." This is embarrassing and tragic for the literal thousands of Christians who have lost their lives in China for being faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ. (I ministered at a Luis Palau Crusade in England eight years ago where he had one of the leading Romanist church officials in England close in prayer in the name of Mary at the end his crusade. This was unthinkable. I’ll never do another Palau Crusade again).

10. Dave Hunt for his idiotic, benign, distortions, of the biblical doctrines of grace (see James White site for a thorough analysis of Hunt's irrational logic and theology). Dave Hunt’s misappropriation of Scripture is rivaled only by the massive proof-texting debacle by brother Warren in the PDL material.

PS - If some think I am being flippant or sarcastic for that purpose only, I am not. These men influence millions of evangelicals around the world. Their skewed doctrinal affirmations should not go unnoticed or remain unaddressed. Far from humorous - these are serious concerns that each represent. Your outrage and argument should be with each of them. Don't shoot me, I'm only the piano player.

Happy Thanksgiving...from one "turkey" to another

Taking a moment to wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. We all have so much to thank the Lord for; and this is a time to offer gracious praise to Him.

Grace and peace from all of us at AudienceONE and CampOnThis
Steve
Psalm 103

CLICK HERE to SERVE UP a HAPPY LITTLE TUNE

THE 107 THESES:...a time for prayer, repentance, revival and reform

Happy Reformation Day!

The need for reformation and revival is great in evangelicalism today. Money has become the number one plumbline and prerequisite for ministry; secular ownership of Christian publishing houses, music companies, bookstore chains and radio stations abounds; unsound doctrine is spoken against, but not stood against; and politics continues to be touted as the great savior for a nation in moral and spiritual decline.

But the great hope for any generation, including ours, is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ! He alone is the answer.

May we pray today beloved that the Lord would revisit His people as He did in the Great Awakening through Jonathan Edwards and renew our hearts toward Him. May He bring revival to His church in every nation; repentance from sin; and reformation in the recovery of His gospel of justification by faith alone.

May the Lord open His heavens, wake us up from the lukewarm Laodicean sleep that plagues so much of evangelicalism and revive us again.

To that end, I humbly offer the following to you.

Still Pounding on Wittenberg's Door,
Steve Camp
2 Cor. 4:5-7



The Preamble to THE 107 THESES

Those of us who represent our Lord Jesus Christ in ministry should be galvanized by mission, not by ambition; by mandate, not by accolades; by love for the Master, not by the allurements of this world. Is there justified concern that Contemporary Christian Music and ministry in general today has abandoned its original calling and purpose and left the biblical standard of ministry and has failed to remain accountable to the local church? I believe so. Beloved, it's time to "sound the alarm on the holy hill" for we are calamitously on "the downgrade" in evangelicalism today.

The Preamble

Out of love and zeal for Biblical truth and the desire to bring it to light, I come to you, brethren, burdened and broken over the current state of Christian music. I come not out of a heart of condemnation, but out of convictions immersed in tears as one in desperate need daily of our Lord's grace to be conformed to His image. I come being aware of the depravity from which I have been saved and that my heart, apart from the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, is desperately wicked and eternally sick. Early in my own musical journey I wrote songs that neither represented good music or precise theology. My motives were vitiated; my actions were not godly; and my lips were unclean. The thirst for prominence and position made my heart prideful, judgmental and calloused. But the Lord, out of His infinite grace and otherworldly love, broke me with His chastening hand to bring true repentance in my own life-and it's that life of repentance, which is my greatest desire and my greatest failing. It is out of the crucible of those experiences that I am driven to speak with conviction to these issues.

This document is a call to Reformation-a clarion call to recover Biblical Christianity in the arts. Music is a powerful tool from the Lord Jesus to His church intended for worship, praise, encouragement, edification, evangelism, teaching, admonishing, and exhorting God's people to holiness-with always our chief aim "to glorify God and worship Him forever." But beloved, the serpentine foe of compromise has invaded the camp through years of specious living, skewed doctrine and most recently secular ownership of Christian music ministries. While I assert this, I recognize that there are godly men and women who love the Lord that work for these companies and record for these companies, but that's not the issue here. The crux of the matter is that the overall nature of our industry has dramatically shifted. The Apostle Paul warns, "it takes only a little leaven to leaven the whole lump" (1 Corinthians 5:6). When sin is tolerated it ultimately permeates and corrupts the entire church. What is pure today will inevitably be polluted tomorrow if we do not "purge out the old leaven… (Ibid. 5:7). In the past several years, there has been a not-so-subtle drifting away from Christocentric music to an anthropocentric music. Sadly, this has resulted in various visible manifestations of spiritual sedition-where currently, the CCMI finds itself on a slippery slope sliding away at accelerated speeds from the Savior, the Scriptures and the church.

History is a lucid teacher and we can learn from her. Give ear to the account of one man's battle against the roaring lion of modernity in his time:

Charles Hadden Spurgeon spent the final four years of his life at war against the trends of early modernism, which he rightly saw as a threat to Biblical Christianity. Spurgeon wanted to warn his flock about the dangers from moving away from the historic positions [of the truth]. 'Biblical truth is like the pinnacle of a steep, slippery mountain,' Spurgeon suggested. 'One step away, and you find yourself on the down-grade. Once a church or individual Christian get on the downgrade,' Spurgeon said, 'momentum takes over. Recovery is unusual and only happens when Christians get on the 'up-line' through spiritual revival.' History has vindicated Spurgeon's warnings about the down-grade. In the early part of the twentieth century the spreading of 'false doctrine and worldliness'-theological liberalism and modernism-ravaged denominational Christianity throughout the world. Most of the mainline denominations were violently if not fatally altered by these influences. A hundred years later, we are seeing history repeating itself again… 'False doctrine and worldliness'-the same two influences Spurgeon attacked-always go hand in hand, with worldliness leading the way. Christians today tend to forget that modernism was not first of all a theological agenda but a methodological one. (John F. MacArthur, Jr. Ashamed of the Gospel (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 1993), 21-23, emphasis added.)

We are seriously close, beloved, to being on the down-grade in Christian music, if, in fact, we have not already begun the slide. Though we are seeing an unprecedented interest by the secular arena with more press and publicity, I believe there are some danger signs we can't ignore. Gospel music today has become music for the moment, but not for eternity. Transitory, temporal, trivial messages that devalue Deity and raise "felt need" affairs above eternal "real need" concerns produce disposable, consumer-driven, cotton-candy music. This is playing marbles with diamonds. We are unequally yoked with an unbelieving world, sin goes undisciplined-is even tolerated for some artists because of their visibility and sales power-and the truth and authority of Scripture is all but abrogated. Biblical illiteracy is pandemic. Accountability to the local church has all but been abandoned. Moral pluralism and erroneous forms of ecumenism are the dyslexic doctrines of today. A politically correct, reductionist gospel that appeals only to the flesh and a syncretistic methodology in communication through the arts have sought to replace the true "Gospel According To Jesus" evidenced in the fruit of an obedient life fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit and His truth.

Contemporary Christian Music originally began unashamedly declaring Jesus Christ as Lord. Within a few years His name was replaced by several generic titles filtering out the name of God ultimately to the non-specific cognomen, "Love." This led to a multitude of pseudonyms: "The Man Upstairs"; "My Higher Power"; "Our Family Values Expert" ad nauseam…ad infinitum. This Biblical illiteracy I've coined as theological ebonics-Biblical language diminished to cultural unintelligible chatter affirmed as profound, acceptable spiritual truth. Spurgeon again reminds us of our duty of rightly representing the preeminent Christ by saying, "Jesus is the Truth. We believe in Him-not merely in His words. He Himself is Doctor and Doctrine, Revealer and Revelation, the Illuminator and the Light of Men. He is exalted in every word of truth, because He is its sum and substance. He sits above the gospel, like a prince on His own throne. Doctrine is most precious when we see it distilling from His lips and embodied in His person. Sermons [and songs] are valuable in proportion as they speak of Him and point to Him. A Christless gospel is no gospel and a Christless discourse is the cause of merriment to devils."

Os Guinness is "spot on" when saying, "[we have seen a change] from an emphasis on 'serving God', to an emphasis on 'serving the self' in serving God." The object of faith is no longer Christ, but our self-esteem; the goal of faith is no longer holiness, but our happiness; and the source of faith is no longer the Scriptures, but our experience. Christian music currently reflects this. We are producing a generation of people that "feel" their God, but do not know their God.

We have been given a solemn and sacred duty to communicate through music the fathomless riches of God's eternal Word. The Word of God is the most holy thing we will ever hold in our hands in this lifetime. As Dr. John MacArthur says, "This book contains: the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Read it to be wise, believe it to be saved and practice it to be holy…

Lamentably, the music of heaven has been sold to the world-to the ones who had the deepest pockets and made the sweetest promises. In a very real sense, "Simon the Sorcerer" has succeeded in purchasing the work of God from the "apostles" of our industry (Acts 8:14-25). Could it be that the love of money is at the root of it all? Or could it be that ignorance has revealed the unschooled in matters of faith and doctrine? Unquestionably both. For many, money has been and continues to be the prerequisite for "ministry" and Biblical truth is no longer vital but vicarious! Departure from the Word of God is now clearly evidenced in our music, lyrics, business practices and alliances. Beloved, if we do not repent of our sins, God's judgement will surely be upon us.

When Martin Luther stood at Wittenberg's Door in the year 1517, he called for reformation from the recalcitrant Roman Church. Now it is our turn, almost five centuries later, to sound the alarm in our generation. This time, to call the Christian Music Industry to reformation-back to the supremacy, sufficiency and Lordship of Jesus Christ. Genuine revival-a fresh return to obedience in Christ-is surely needed today, but that would be almost impossible given the current environment of our industry. Why? True revival is marked by repentance; true repentance brings restitution; true restitution demands that Christian music be owned and operated only by believers whose aim is the glory of God consistent with Biblical truth. This means that the current CCMI labels must return all the money they have received to their respective secular counterparts that purchased them and divorce alliances with them. The CCMI has gone too far down the wide road of worldliness and there is not the tenacity of character and the Biblical courage of heart and mind to do the right thing no matter what the cost. These are serious times, beloved, that call for real answers. This is not a time for duplicitous people, proclaiming a diluted message, from disingenuous ministries. It is a time for those whose lives are tempered with the steel of righteousness, girded with the belt of truth, standing firm in the gospel of peace, raising high their shield of faith, guarded with the helmet of salvation, to wield the sword of the Spirit with a surgeon's exactitude, praying always with all prayer and supplication, with all perseverance for all the saints in the Spirit. (Ephesians 6:10-20)

Will we champion again the manifesto of the Reformers: Sola Fide (by faith alone); Sola Gratia (by grace alone); Sola Scriptura (on the Word alone); Solus Christus (because of Christ alone); and Soli Deo Gloria (to the glory of God alone)? Do we have the conviction of heart and courage of mind to do what's just? Do we have the boldness to shout above the roar of the marketplace that the Emperor has no clothes? Will we leave our careers, our contracts, our carefully cultivated plans and press releases, our unequally yoked record companies to serve the Lord again with all our heart, soul, mind and strength? There is no gray in this-it's a matter of obedience.

Oh brethren, "we have a name to be alive, but we are dead" (Revelation 3:1). There is no greater love song to proclaim than the once for all sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord at Calvary, but yet others feel content to sing about the chaff of this world. What the New Testament church wrestled with the least is what our industry craves the most-money. How dare we think we can play politics with God, with His truth and with His church. We can't negotiate with sin no matter what kind of capital is at stake-and that really is the issue here.

Let us "press on, that [we] may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of [us]" (Philippians 3:12). Let us "lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily ensnares us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1). Let us fall on our faces before our Holy Lord, repent of our sin and return to our First Love. With lives bathed in His grace, let us provoke one another to love and good works. With undivided hearts may we leave the prodigal's pigpen and come back to the Father's house. Let us commit to prayer and fasting, seeking the Lord's will with a broken, contrite and obedient heart. Let us return to our churches and to the faithful pastors/elders that shepherd us-submitting ourselves to their godly leadership. May we be students of His Word being filled daily with His Spirit. Let us come away from an industry that has all but abandoned Christ and forge, by God's grace, what it was always meant to be…a ministry. Doing His work, His way, according to His Word, by His Holy Spirit.

Pray on this: let us seek the Lord Jesus Christ that He would sovereignly move among His people to bring revival, renewal, repentance and reformation in Christian ministry and music again.

Thomas Nelson Publishers Needs a Biblical "Align"ment...which master do they serve?

"No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." -Luke 16:13

Dear Blogging Aficionados:

If some of you have wondered why I haven’t posted these past six days, it is because I am writing to you from down-under… I have been in the beautiful country of New Zealand since this past Wednesday. The Kiwi’s are such genuine people and the church here has been tremendously supportive and biblically sound. We have enjoyed rich times of fellowship and by God’s grace the ministry here has been received very well. I have been teaching almost solely on the gospel… for which there is a tremendous need in this country. Pastor Russ and the entire team here have been a joy to partner with and I will miss them tremendously when it is time to depart.

More to come later tomorrow on the New Zealand trip.

One of the great blessings of being in New Zealand this past week is not having to be bombarded daily with Christian TV, Christian Radio that is “safe for the whole family”, and needless evangelical twaddle that seems to never end. One such item that I came across a few days ago, however, I cannot let slide and must comment on. Thomas Nelson Publishers are at it again with their latest foray in the BibleZine™ format called, “Align.” This ‘zine is targeting young male professionals and here is what their own ad copy suggests: “created with today’s modern guy in mind. With an edgy, techo-savvy style and content that makes Biblical truth fresh and relevant, it might just make Bible reading the best part of your day. By putting one of the most readable versions of the Bible, the New Century Version®, together with articles about the topics you face everyday, we’ve created a ‘zine that will help you get deeper in the Bible, find out what God has to say for your life, and grow in your faith.”

It was unpleasant enough when the first edition came out a few years ago targeting teenage girls with nothing more than frivolous, sensual, unbiblical mixed messages with Scripture cleverly woven in and out of the ads and articles. Using the New Century Version is concern enough (only the Message paraphrase comes second in its contemporary nomenclature eisegesis meanderings); but this latest addition is nothing short of peddling the Word of God for profit (cp, 2 Cor. 2:17). Contrary to TNP claims that this ‘zine “will help you get deeper in the Bible, find out what God has to say for your life, and grow in your faith” it accomplishes the exact opposite.

If you haven’t “studied” the cover above, look at the themes they deem worthy to focus for men. Are you as outraged as I am at this kind of lack of biblical integrity technique and approach? Has postmodern thinking so dominated the Christian publishing industry that TNP thinks that serious believers in the Lord would be attracted by this sort of dribble?

Secular ownership of Christian music and publishers has been an issue I have been warning people against for almost fourteen years now. And here is one of the reasons for “sounding the alarm”… “Align.”

The only thing Thomas Nelson forgot to do, is to “align” its own publication with the Word of God.

I have never asked this of anyone on this blog before, but the time has come to act and act we must. Would you be willing to contact Thomas Nelson Publishers by email or phone and voice your disgust over this latest trend in dumbing down the Scriptures? Just click here or call 1.800.251.4000 and ask for the department responsible for the BibleZine™ product line... and then begin to minister to them! Be polite; be direct; be biblical; and be faithful.

May I encourage you to copy this article to as many as necessary, especially those in local church ministry, and ask them to confront this unfortunate mishandling of God's Word.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Steve
2 Cor. 4:5-7

What We Believe at COT and A1M...statement of belief and faith

This article and the statement of belief and faith have been updated.

My dear friends and colaborers in the Lord, Dr. Lance Quinn, Pastor/Teacher, The Bible Church of Little Rock, Dr. John MacArthur, Pastor/Teacher of Grace Community Church, and Pastor Russ Kennedy, Pastor for Preaching and Worship of Clearcreek Chapel, along with their respective elderships have assembled excellent statements of belief and faith from which I have adopted portions as a plumbline of doctrinal canon for my ministry in word and song at AudienceONE Ministries and this blog, CampOnThis (COT). I have also included as a preamble to this statement of belief and faith, the Doctrines of Grace (TULIP) and The Five Solas of the Reformation that define the character of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ below as well. Though these statements below are not meant to be exhaustive on every point of doctrine, they sum up the great themes of Christianity for this ministry (I also subscribe to the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith and The Heidelberg Catechism listed here under the "Devotionals and..." category on this blog).

Some might be asking, "Why post this statement of belief and faith?" It is so important to know where we stand in essential matters of The Faith today. Especially, with "every wind of doctrine" (Eph. 4:13-15) receiving equal weight of truth and tolerance under the guise of evangelical postmodernism--it is good to review what we hold as essential doctrine for life and ministry. Paul encouraged Titus to "instruct in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict" (Titus 1:9). Those words almost seem archaic and acerbic considering the spiritual climate in evangelicalism and our culture today... don't they? But we are to "speak the truth in love..." (Eph. 4:15) and "test all things; cling to what is good" (1 Thess. 5:21). As faithful Bereans (Acts 17:9-11) we have no option but to "contend for the faith" (Jude 3) and "guard the trust" (1 Tim. 6:20).

At the outset, I must qualify one thing: these following articles of faith are not meant to represent any one particular denomination; but only to represent orthodox, historical, biblical Christianity. May your hearts be encouraged and strengthened in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ as you ponder the following truth constraints.

His Unworthy Servant in His Unfailing Love,
Steve
2 Cor. 4:1-7

THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE

1. Total Depravity (or “Inability” – Man cannot save himself)
The Scriptures clearly teach that the effects of sin have extended to all parts of our being, rendering us incapable of spiritual understanding and love towards God. Despite the heading of this first article, it does not indicate that all people are as wicked as they could possibly be in all areas of belief and practice. However, sin has so fully and deeply affected our lives that, spiritually speaking, we are in a totally hopeless condition, unable to do anything to get ourselves out of this fallen state.

Our natural spiritual incapacity prevents us from being able to respond by our own strength to the call of the gospel message, yet this does not remove our guilt. We choose to follow the natural inclinations of our depraved hearts because when left to ourselves that is all we want to do.

Scripture references: Ephesians 4:18; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Romans 1:30; John 15:25; Luke 19:14; John 5:40; Isaiah 5:20; Titus 1:15; Deuteronomy 32:18; Hebrews 2:1; John 12:39; John 6:44+65; John 3:18.

2. Unconditional Election (God is no respecter of man nor influenced by man.)
God has shown us in his Word that from eternity past he has elected some sinners to be saved from the condemnation that is justly deserved by all, purely on account of his gracious mercy and love, not because of any foreseen merits in those sinners. Because of the fact of total depravity, salvation must originate with God, and we read in the Bible that it is God's sovereign will alone that has determined the recipients of that salvation.

This doctrine does not render God unjust, for all are guilty and all deserve to suffer God's judgement. Rather, it emphasizes the grace of God by the fact that he has chosen some for salvation.

Scripture references: Psalm 65:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Romans 9:11; Ephesians 1:4,5,9,11; Romans 11:5; Romans 9:15,23; Psalm 103:11; 1 Peter 1:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Jonah 2:9.

3. Limited Atonement (or Particular Redemption)
Put simply, Christ died only to save the elect, securing with absolute certainty their salvation. This is not to teach that there is anything lacking in the power of God, perhaps suggesting that he is not able to save all men. Rather, God's Word indicates that it was the Father's intention that his Son was to suffer and die only for his chosen people, atoning for their sins alone. Christ's atonement was limited only in extent, not in power, according to the sovereign will of God.

In the Bible we read that the Lord's servant (Jesus) would see the results of his work (his atoning sacrifice) and "be satisfied" (Isaiah 53:11). But also, Jesus stated plainly that there are many who are heading for eternal destruction (Matthew 7:13). We can only reconcile these two statements if we understand that Christ died only for a limited number of people - for God's elect.

Scripture references: Acts 20:28; John 3:14+15; Galatians 1:4+5; Revelation 13:8; John 6:38+39; John 17:9,10+24; John 10:11; 1 Peter 2:21; Romans 5:8-10; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; Romans 8:33+34; Luke 1:68; Revelation 5:9; Isaiah 53:11.

4. Irresistible Grace (All whom the Father draws, will come to Christ)
When the gospel is preached, an invitation is issued by the Lord to all people to come to him for salvation. However, as the first article clearly states, the natural state of all people renders them incapable of responding to this invitation, except to reject it. So when God calls an elect sinner to repentance and faith in Christ Jesus, he does so by sending his Holy Spirit to work a great change in that sinner's heart, enabling them to see their sin and their need of a Saviour and leading them to put their faith in Christ alone for salvation. The Lord, by his Spirit, irresistibly draws his elect to himself, raising them to spiritual life and making them willing to trust in Jesus.

Scripture references: Matthew 11:28-30; John 6:37; Matthew 23:37; John 5:40; Ephesians 1:12,19; Ezekiel 11:19+20; Psalm 110:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:11.

5. Perseverance of the Saints (or Preserved in Christ for Eternity)
Once God has saved elect sinners, he continues to keep and preserve them by his power and grace and will never let them go. Thus, they persevere to the end and can never be lost. If God did not do this, we would inevitably turn back again to the world, because of the sin that is around us and within us. Thus God enables his children to continue in faith and obedience throughout their earthly lives, then to pass into God's presence forever.

This doctrine is not to be taken as a license to go on sinning, as if the believer is free to act in any way he chooses now that he is eternally secure in Christ Jesus. The true believer will show signs of a growing desire for holiness and an increasing loathing of sin. The one who attempts to use the grace of God as an excuse for sinful living is in all probability not a true believer, for where there is spiritual life, the fruit of the Spirit will become evident.

Scripture references: 1 Peter 1:5; James 4:6; Philippians 1:6+19; John 6:39; John 10:28+29; Romans 8:38+39; Romans 8:8; Galatians 5:13-26.

THE FIVE SOLAS of the REFORMATION

Sola Scriptura
Bible is the sole written divine revelation and alone can bind the conscience of believers absolutely.

Sola Fide
Justification is by faith alone. The full righteousness of Christ imputed to us by faith (comprised of His active and passive obedience) is the sole ground of our acceptance by God, by which our sins are remitted.

Solus Christus
Christ is Prophet, Priest and King; the only mediator through whose work we are redeemed.

Sola Gratia
Our salvation rests solely on the work of God’s grace for us and in us.

Soli Deo Gloria
To God alone belongs the glory.

STATEMENT OF BELIEF AND FAITH
"In the essentials, unity; in the nonessentials, liberty;
and in all things, charity."

Article I
THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that Almighty God has revealed all that is necessary for life and faith in the sixty-six books of the Holy Scripture, which are the Word of God. All Scripture was given by inspiration by God; that is, it is God-breathed as holy men of old wrote, being borne along by the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures are infallible and inerrant in the original writings and are the final arbiter in all disputes. Its authority is derived from its Author and not from the opinions of men. (Matthew 5:18; 24:35; John 10:35;16:12 13; 17:17; 1 Corinthians 2:7-14; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3: 15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Revelation 1:1-3; 22:6,18-19)

We believe that the Bible is God’s written revelation to man, and thus the 66 books of the Bible given to us by the Holy Spirit constitute the plenary (inspired equally in all parts) Word of God (1 Corinthians 2:7-14; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

We believe that the Word of God is an objective, propositional revelation (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 2:13), verbally inspired in every word (2 Timothy 3:16), absolutely inerrant in the original documents, infallible, and God-breathed.

We believe the literal, grammatical-historical interpretation of Scripture which affirms the belief that the opening chapters of Genesis present creation in six literal days (Genesis 1:31; Exodus 31:17).

We believe that the Bible constitutes the only infallible rule of faith and practice (Matthew 5:18; 24:35; John 10:35; 16:12-13; 17:17; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

We believe that God spoke in His written Word by a process of dual authorship. The Holy Spirit so superintended the human authors that, through their individual personalities and different styles of writing, they composed and recorded God’s Word to man (2 Peter 1:20-21) without error in the whole or in the part (Matthew 5:18; 2 Timothy 3:16).

We believe that, whereas there may be several applications of any given passage of Scripture, there is but one true interpretation. The meaning of Scripture is to be found as one diligently applies the literal grammatical-historical method of interpretation under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit (John 7:17; 16:12-15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-15; 1 John 2:20). It is the responsibility of believers to ascertain carefully the true intent and meaning of Scripture, recognizing that proper application is binding on all generations. Yet the truth of Scripture stands in judgment of men; never do men stand in judgment of it.


Article II
THE GODHEAD
We believe in the one true and living God, eternally existing in three Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Our God exists to glorify and enjoy Himself forever. He is infinite in being and perfection, a spirit invisible, personal, omnipresent, eternal, dependent on none, unchanging, truthful, trustworthy, almighty, sovereign, omniscient, righteous, holy, good, loving, merciful, long-suffering, and gracious. (Exodus 3:13-14; 34:4-7; Deuteronomy 6:1-9; 1 Kings 8:27; Nehemiah 9:32-33; Job 22:2-3; Psalm 5:4-8; 90:1-2; 95:1-7; 115:1-7; 119:65-68; 145:17-20; Proverbs 16:4; Isaiah 6:1-3; 40:10-31; 46:9-13; Jeremiah 10:10; 23:23-24; Daniel 4:34-35; Malachi 3:6; Matthew 28:16-20; John 1:1-18; 4:21-24; 14:1-11; 15:26-27; Acts 7:2-50; 20:28; Romans 11:33-36; 1 Corinthians 8:5-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 4:4-7; Hebrews 4:12-13; 11:6; Revelation 4:8; 5:11-14)*


Article III
GOD THE FATHER
We believe that God the Father, the first Person of the Trinity, orders and disposes all things according to His own purpose and grace (Psalm 145:8-9; 1 Corinthians 8:6). He is the Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1-31; Ephesians 3:9). As the only absolute and omnipotent Ruler in the universe, He is sovereign in creation, providence, and redemption (Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:36). His fatherhood involves both His designation within the Trinity and His relationship with mankind. As Creator He is Father to all men (Ephesians 4:6), but He is spiritual Father only to believers (Romans 8:14; 2 Corinthians 6:18). He has decreed for His own glory all things that come to pass (Ephesians 1:11). He continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and events (1 Chronicles 29:11). In His sovereignty He is neither the author nor approver of sin (Habakkuk 1:13; John 8:38-47), nor does He abridge the accountability of moral, intelligent creatures (1 Peter 1:17). He has graciously chosen from eternity past those whom He would have as His own (Ephesians 1:4-6); He saves from sin all who come to Him through Jesus Christ; He adopts as His own all those who come to Him; and He becomes, upon adoption, Father to His own (John 1:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Hebrews 12:5-9).


Article IV
GOD THE SON - THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
We believe that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ into the world, conceived of the virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit, unchangeably sinless, both God and man, born under the Law, to live a perfect life of righteousness on behalf of His people. (Psalm 2:1-12; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-8; 42:1-4; 52:13-53:12; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-33; 1:26-56; John 1:1-18; 17:1-12; Acts 3:22-23; 17:29-31; Romans 3:21-26; 8:1-4, 28-30; Galatians 4:4; Ephesians 1:15-23; 1 Timothy 2:1-6; Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:14-18; 9:11-14; 1 Peter 1:17-20)

We believe that Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Trinity, possesses all the divine excellencies, and in these He is coequal, consubstantial, and coeternal with the Father (John 10:30; 14:9).

We believe that Jesus Christ represents humanity and deity in indivisible oneness (Micah 5:2; John 5:23; 14:9-10; Colossians 2:9).

We believe that the eternal Son of God came into this world as purposed by God and prophesied in the Scriptures to fulfill the plan of salvation for a lost world. John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:21.

We believe that, in the incarnation, the second Person of the Trinity laid aside His right to the full prerogatives of coexistence with God and took on an existence appropriate to a servant while never divesting Himself of His divine attributes (Philippians 2:5-8).

We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through the shedding of His blood and sacrificial death on the cross and that His death was voluntary, vicarious, substitutionary, propitiatory, and redemptive (John 10:15; Romans 3:24-25; 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24).


We believe that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead and that He is now ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He now mediates as our Advocate and High Priest (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:38-39; Acts 2:30-31; Romans 4:25; 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; 1 John 2:1).

We believe that in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave, God confirmed the deity of His Son and gave proof that God has accepted the atoning work of Christ on the cross. Jesus’ bodily resurrection is also the guarantee of a future resurrection life for all believers (John 5:26-29; 14:19; Romans 1:4; 4:25; 6:5-10; 1 Corinthians 15:20, 23).

We believe in the bodily ascension of Christ to the right hand of the throne of God, and that He has become Head over all things to the Church, which is His Body. John 20:17; Acts 1:9; Ephesians 1:22, 23.

We believe that Jesus Christ is now intercessor and advocate for all those who are saved and that He will return for His Bride, the Church, at the rapture. Hebrews 7:25; 1 Thessalonians 4:17.


Article V
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person, eternal, underived, possessing all the attributes of personality and deity, including intellect (1 Corinthians 2:10-13), emotions (Ephesians 4:30), will (1 Corinthians 12:11), eternality (Hebrews 9:14), omnipresence (Psalm 139:7-10), omniscience (Isaiah 40:13-14), omnipotence (Romans 15:13), and truthfulness (John 16:13). In all the divine attributes He is coequal and consubstantial with the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; 28:25-26; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Jeremiah 31:31-34 with Hebrews 10:15-17).

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the supernatural and sovereign Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). The Holy Spirit also indwells, sanctifies, instructs, empowers them for service, and seals them unto the day of redemption (Romans 8:9; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13).

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the divine Teacher, who guided the apostles and prophets into all truth as they committed to writing God’s revelation, the Bible (2 Peter 1:19-21). Every believer possesses the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit from the moment of salvation, and it is the duty of all those born of the Spirit to be filled with (controlled by) the Spirit (John 16:13; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18; 1 John 2:20, 27).

We believe that the Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts to the church. The Holy Spirit glorifies neither Himself nor His gifts by ostentatious displays, but He does glorify Christ by implementing His work of redeeming the lost and building up believers in the most holy faith (John 16:13-14; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians 3:18).


Article VI
MAN
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God but that through willful sin, he became dead in trespasses and sin and subjected himself and creation to the authority of Satan.

We believe that Adam fell from his original righteousness into sin and brought upon himself and all his offspring physical and spiritual death, depravity, condemnation, and the state of being sinners. (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-24; 6:5-7; Psalm 14:1-3; 51:1-5; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Romans 3:9-20; 5:12-21; 6:15-23; 1 Corinthians 15:20-49; Titus 1:15-16; Ephesians 2:1-3; Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 2:14-18)

We believe that this total depravity in man has been transmitted to every child born of man. (Genesis 1:26; 2:17; 6:6; Romans 3:10-19; Ephesians 2:1-3.)

We believe that it is utterly beyond the power of fallen man to love God, to keep His laws, to understand the Gospel, to repent of sin, or to trust in Christ. (Jeremiah 17:9; John 3:3-5; 8:43 Romans 3:9-19; Colossians 1:21-23; Ephesians 2:1-3; Titus 1:15-16).


Article VII
SALVATION
We believe that salvation is wrought by God alone and is free to every one without human merit or attainment. It is by grace through faith. Ephesians 2:8-9.

We believe that regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which the divine nature and divine life are given (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:5). Regeneration precedes faith (1 Cor. 12:3; Titus 3:5-7) and is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of the Word of God (John 5:24). In regeneration, the sinner is quickened unto repentance, as enabled by the Holy Spirit, and responds in faith to the divine provision of salvation. Genuine regeneration is manifested by fruits worthy of repentance as demonstrated in righteous attitudes and conduct. Good works are the proper evidence and fruit of regeneration (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 2:10), and will be experienced to the extent that the believer submits to the control of the Holy Spirit in his life through faithful obedience to the Word of God (Ephesians 5:17-21; Philippians 2:12b; Colossians 3:16; 2 Peter 1:4-10). This obedience causes the believer to be increasingly conformed to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). Such a conformity is climaxed in the believer’s glorification at Christ’s coming (Romans 8:17; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 3:2-3).

We believe that to every believer has been committed the ministry of reconciliation and that no one can be saved without hearing and accepting the gospel. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; 1 Corinthians 1:21; Romans 10:14, 15.

We believe that the atoning work of Christ is the only basis for our redemption and that entrance into the Kingdom of God is by the new birth alone. John 3:5; 2 Corinthians 5:17.

We believe that justification before God is an act of God (Romans 8:33) by which He declares righteous those who, through faith in Christ, repent of their sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Isaiah 55:6-7) and confess Him as sovereign Lord (Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Philippians 2:11). This righteousness is apart from any virtue or work of man (Romans 3:20; 4:6).

It is affirmed that the righteousness which is the ground of Justification, being the merit of a work, undertaken and accomplished by Christ on behalf of His people, may become theirs by being imputed to them, or reckoned to their account.
Three cases of imputation biblically we affirm: namely, 1. that of the guilt of Adam's first sin to his posterity, 2. that of the guilt of our sins to Christ as our substitute, and 3. that of His righteousness to us as the immediate ground of our Justification. Justification, then, is more than a declaration; it is, by imputation, where the believer in Jesus Christ, by faith, is clothed with the perfect righteousness of Christ - His active and passive obedience (2 Cor. 5:21; Matt. 3:15-16; 5:13-20; Roms. 3:21ff; Phil. 3:8). Our sins imputed to Christ (Roms. 5:12-17; Colossians 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24); His righteousness imputed to us (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21). By this means God is enabled to “be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:26).

This righteousness, being the merit of a work, and not a mere quality of character, may become ours by being imputed to us, but cannot be communicated by being infused; and must ever continue to belong primarily and, in one important respect, exclusively to Him by whom alone that work was accomplished. That righteousness is called in Scripture: "the righteousness of God," "the righteousness of Christ," the "righteousness of One," "the obedience of One," the "free gift unto justification of life," "the righteousness which is of," or "by," or "through, faith," "the righteousness of God without the law," and "the righteousness which God imputes without works." His righteousness, considered as the entire merit of His whole Mediatorial work (Matt. 3:15-16; 5:13-20; 2 Cor. 5:21), is not only the meritorious cause, but also the immediate ground, of our Justification; and for this end, that righteousness is by which alone we can be justified, why it is said to be the righteousness of God, or the merit of Christ, and how it becomes ours, so as to be available for our Justification.

We believe that salvation is eternally secured to all believers, and that this assurance is their portion from the very day of their trust in Christ. John 3:16; 10:28, 29; Hebrews 10:22; Romans 8:28-39.

We believe that this salvation will be fully realized when Christ comes back to take us to Himself - this is the Christian's blessed hope. John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-13.


Article VIII
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
We believe that it is incumbent upon every believer, by God's transforming grace (Titus 2:12), to walk worthy of His calling - to walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh (1 Thessalonians 2:12; Romans 8:4, 5).

We believe that separation from sin is clearly called for throughout the Old and New Testaments, and that the Scriptures clearly indicate that in the last days apostasy and worldliness shall increase (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-5).

We believe that, out of deep gratitude for the undeserved grace of God granted to us, and because our glorious God is so worthy of our total consecration, all the saved should live in such a manner as to demonstrate our adoring love to God and so as not to bring reproach upon our Lord and Savior.

We also believe that separation from all religious apostasy and worldly and sinful practices is commanded of us by God (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11).

We believe that believers should be separated unto our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; Hebrews 12:1-2) and affirm that the Christian life is a life of obedient righteousness that reflects the teaching of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:2-12) and a continual pursuit of holiness (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 3:1-10).

We believe that Christian character and fruit is produced solely by the operation of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 2:6, 7; 4:22-24; Galatians 5:16-23.


Article IX
THE CHURCH
We believe that the true Church, which is the Body of Christ, is composed of all believers of this dispensation who are united to the risen Lord by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:4-6; 5:23-32.

We believe that baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper are gospel ordinances belonging only to regenerated believers. The ordinances have no saving merit for they are emblems and types of spiritual realities, not the realities themselves. Baptism is a responsibility of each believer to declare one’s allegiance to Christ. (Matthew 3:16-17; 28:18-20; Acts 2:14-41; 8:12-40; 16:25-40; 18:7-8; Romans 6:1-4; 1 Corinthians 10:14-17; 11:26) The Lord’s Table is an expression of our communion with Christ and with one another. (Matthew 26:17-30; 1 Corinthians 10:14-21; 11:17-34; Hebrews 9:11-28)

We believe that the local church is under the authority of Christ alone who rules through His Word and is governed by a plurality of men called elders who shepherd the church. The communion of saints, however, requires recognition of and fellowship with other churches. (Matthew 20:24-28; Acts 20: 17,28; Ephesians 4:12-14; 1 Peter 5:1-4)

We believe that we are to assemble ourselves together for worship, praise, prayer, encourage and ministry. Hebrews 10:24, 25.


Article X
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
*We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ shall come again to raise the dead, both the righteous and the unrighteous. The righteous shall enjoy everlasting life with God, and the wicked shall endure everlasting, conscious punishment away from the presence of God’s glory. (Genesis 3:17-19; Job 19:25-27; Ecclesiastes 12:1-8; Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:1-4; Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:28-29; Luke 16:19-31; 23:32-43; Acts 24:14-16; Romans 9:19-26; 1 Corinthians 15:35-56; 2 Corinthians 5:1-8; Philippians 1:21-26; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Hebrews 12:22-24; Jude 3-7; Revelation 22:12-21)

*A pre-mil/pre/trib view has represented my belief in the past;
but currently, I am still studying this area of theology.
As affirmed by most, eschatology is not primary doctrine, but secondary.
Regenerate men may disagree on the order of events concerning our Lord's return
and be within the purview of orthodoxy.
But all regenerate men must agree that
Christ is coming again for His church.

Article XI
JUDGMENT
We believe that at death every believer passes into the presence of Christ and there awaits the resurrection, after which he will be judged by Christ for his works. 1 Corinthians 3:9-13; 15:51-54; 2 Corinthians 5:8, 10; Romans 14:10.

We believe that the unsaved will remain under condemnation, and in misery, until the judgment of the Great White Throne where they will be united with their body to be cast into the eternal lake of fire. Revelation 20:11-15.

We believe that Satan and the fallen angels also will be cast into the lake of fire to be tormented forever. Revelation 20:10.

*the above statement of beliefs were compiled by Steve Camp portions of which came from the doctrinal statements of The Bible Church of Little Rock; Grace Community Church; and Clearcreek Chapel

Ashley Smith's Unusual "METH"ods

I’m not sure what all the fuss is about here? She gave a very troubled man a drug that calmed him down and aided in his capture. From what I gather, she wasn’t “using” at the time and was in rehab. And it looks as if a combination of the drug, Rick’s book, her gentle manner had an effect on this man that led to his capture. Needless to say, the Lord still protected her and countless others from harm’s way by bringing this murderer to justice.

I wasn't even going to post on this, but two things came to mind worth mentioning: 1. That people would somehow use this to discredit the providential hand of the Lord in this situation; and 2. Those who already don’t like Rick Warren’s PDL material, will use this recent news to once again poke fun at him and the book.

First off, I am not a fan of Rick’s material. Though I believe there are some helpful things in PDL that are biblical and worthy of our time. But the reasons I wouldn't publicly endorse it center around (a.) the core pragmatic emphasis absent of biblical foundation that permeate his writings; (b.) the very weak gospel presentation (if there was one at all) presented in PDL; and (c.) the proof-texting, ad-nauseam, using primarily "stream of consciousness opinion-phrase" like The Message (it was like a Logos Bible Software search on the word "purpose" overheated, then exploded and all the "purpose" words from twenty different bible versions had landed neatly in this book and then carelessly applied to support the PDL concepts whether those verses meant those things or not) remain major issues in his book for me that I would like to hear him address.

Secondly, God's hand of protection was very evident here, wasn't it? Nichols had killed several people, without just cause, hours earlier without hesitation. He didn't with Ashley; and he didn't harm her in any manner even before she gave him some Meth. Let's not be quick to discredit God's sovereign hand at work here.

Thirdly, what can we take away from this? Smith and Nichols still need our prayers, the gospel and discipleship. The eternal is what is important here not the latest gossip or pillow talk for the blogosphere to circulate. May we pray that the Lord brings in both their paths some godly, biblical Christians to share the gospel with them (if they haven't yet come to Christ) and to encourage them in the Word of God. As for Mr. Nichols personally, we can rejoice he is behind bars, that others have been spared the tragedy of his murderous actions, and that justice will prevail.

In conclusion, as for the Meth… illegal drugs are wrong and hot chocolate would have been a much better choice to produce the desired effect; but the Meth seem to work just fine. People have asked, "if it was you in that situation, Steve, what would you have done?" I can tell you: if possible, I would have reached for my Beretta, called 911, and ministered the gospel to him. If he tried to hurt me or my family in any way, I would have trusted the Lord that my aim was straight and the clip was full... and then "ministered to him" in a different manner.

Then, and only then, I would have made some hot chocolate.

"Eggs" Benedict Serves Up Indulgences to Youthstill heretical after all these years

I've heard that Wittenberg Beer might have had some influence in Benedict's life as a youth growing up in Germany. I think the name of the beer was "Papal-Bull-Weiser." You know the slogan: when you've said "pay Papal-Bull-Weiser, you've freed them all." However, I have it on very good authority that the Pope's most favorite pop song that he likes to sing around the Vatican late at night when he thinks that all the other little "Romie Homies" are quietly asleep is: "B-B-B-Bennedicty and the Tetz."

Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Germany on August the 18th last month to address more than 400 000 young people at the 20th World Youth Day meeting. This marked his first visit to the country of his birth since he was crowned pontiff back in April of this year. What also makes this trip "out of the ordinary", is that he granted two special indulgences for the young people attending the World Youth Day (held in Cologne, Germany August 16-21). As you might be aware, the practice of indulgences dates back to the time of the Reformation (1517). “Eggs” Benedict (my nickname for Romanism's conservative antichrist figure) is showing his true papal colors these days by reviving authority in the apocryphal teachings of Tridentine doctrines (such as the selling of indulgences - but in this unusual case the indulgences weren't sold, but he makes them earn them and then he grants them) which he unashamedly represents as infallible truth; but in reality are nothing but damnable lies. The “yoke” – you might say– is on him.

Who is John Tetzel?
John Tetzel, was Pope Leo X emissary; a braggart hired as Rome’s chief fundraiser by promising a “get out of jail free card” for the price of a financial offering to the Pope. He was ordered to sell the idea that buying indulgences would release sinners from divine punishment. "Indulgences" were printed permits or coupons listing the monetary value of a personal confession of sin. Bishop Albrecht of Mainz had authorized the sale of indulgences in order to pay Rome for making him an archbishop. The monies raised were used to assist in building St. Peter’s basilica in Rome. This became known as the selling of indulgences. Tetzel was the great mouthpiece, commissioner, and preacher of indulgences in Germany. His preaching raised enormous amounts of money which were sent to Rome. He had a very clever saying that he was infamous for when motivating people with the false promise of avoiding purgatorial punishment, playing with fear on the sentiments of many that by giving to him and Rome their friends and loved ones would be immediately released from torment to heaven's glory. He would "sing": "As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs."

Luther, who was outraged by this abhorrent practice issued a public call for theological debate on the sale of indulgences by posting his ninety-five theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg on the eve of All Saint’s Day, October 31, 1517. He strategically trumped, by one day, Tetzel's influence over the people by challenging his unbiblical view of indulgences in a public forum. Printers distributed copies without Luther’s knowledge and permission. Within a few weeks, Martin Luther was known everywhere as the "voice of renewal." He began to see clearly that the church of his time stressed human merit—works righteousness, rather than trust in God alone for the salvation of men’s souls. It is no wonder that Luther and the other reformers gospel cry became: grace alone-sola gratia; through faith alone-sola fide; on the Word alone-sola Scriptura; because of Christ alone-solus Christus; to the glory of God alone-Soli Deo Gloria.

"Monking" Around
"This indulgence was highly respected. When the commissioner was welcomed to town, the Papal Bull (a written command or edict from the Pope) was carried on velvet or gold cloth. All the priests, monks, councilmen, teachers, pupils, men, women, maids, and children went to meet him singing in solemn procession with flags and candles. The bells tolled and when he entered the church the organ played. A red Cross was put up in the middle of the church to which the Pope's banner was affixed. In short: even God himself could not have been welcomed and received more beautifully.” [Source: Friedrich Myconius, Historia reformation is, p. 14.]

Turnabout is Fair Play
“After Tetzel had received a substantial amount of money at Leipzig, a nobleman asked him if it were possible to receive a letter of indulgence for a future sin. Tetzel quickly answered in the affirmative, insisting, however, that the payment had to made at once. This the nobleman did, receiving thereupon letter and seal from Tetzel. When Tetzel left Leipzig the nobleman attacked him along the way, gave him a thorough beating, and sent him back empty-handed to Leipzig with the comment that this was the future sin which he had in mind. Duke George at first was quite furious about this incident, but when he heard the whole story he let it go without punishing the nobleman.” [Source: Luthers Schriften, herausg. von Walch. XV, 446.]

Here’s the Issue in a Nutshell: History Repeats Itself
According to a Latin-language decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary dated August 2 and made public August 8, a plenary indulgence is available to the faithful who attend the sacred functions of World Youth Day and also "attentively and religiously" participate in its solemn conclusion on Sunday, August 21. The decree lists the additional conditions that must be fulfilled in order to gain this or any other plenary indulgence: sacramental Confession, reception of Holy Communion, prayer for the intention of the Holy Father, and a soul free from attachment to any sin.

A partial indulgence is available to all the other faithful,
wherever they may be during World Youth Day, if, with a contrite heart, they pray
fervently that Christian youth be strengthened in the profession of the Faith;

be confirmed in love and reverence toward their parents; and

form a firm resolution to follow "the holy norms of the Gospel and Mother
Church" in living out their present or future family life, or whatever
vocation they are called to by God.

This brief explanation below taken from Rome’s own "Primer on Indulgences" and will give you their justifying reason for this hellish practice.

Primer on Indulgences of the Roman Catholic Church.
“Those who claim that indulgences are no longer part of Church teaching have the admirable desire to distance themselves from abuses that occurred around the time of the Protestant Reformation. They also want to remove stumbling blocks that prevent non-Catholics from taking a positive view of the Church. As admirable as these motives are, the claim that indulgences are not part of Church teaching today is false.

This is proved by the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which states, "An indulgence is obtained through the Church who, by virtue of the power of binding and loosing granted her by Christ Jesus, intervenes in favor of individual Christians and opens for them the treasury of the merits of Christ and the saints to obtain from the Father of mercies the remission of the temporal punishment due for their sins." The Church does this not just to aid Christians, "but also to spur them to works of devotion, penance, and charity" (CCC 1478).

Indulgences are part of the Church’s infallible teaching. This means that no Catholic is at liberty to disbelieve in them. The Council of Trent stated that it "condemns with anathema those who say that indulgences are useless or that the Church does not have the power to grant them"(Trent, session 25, Decree on Indulgences). Trent’s anathema places indulgences in the realm of infallibly defined teaching.”

This is the sad reality of the current state of Romanism. Is there any doubt that this is a false church, led by a false shepherd, representing a false gospel, according to false doctrine. The Reformation did actually happen folks... but in light of the above, we need to still be "pounding on Wittenberg's Door."

Having more fun than a Reformed Baptist should be allowed to...
Stephanus Johan Campius
Galatians 1:6-8

Waking Up in Perdition...a tragic end to John Paul II's loving humanitarianism

Today's Mulligan Monday goes to the dear Roman Catholic men and women who have heard the genuine gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ from a Christian friend, family member or neighbor, and responded in repentance of sin to salvation by God's grace gif of saving faith to them. But who may still be attending Romanist churches. This could be out of ignorance, family ties, tradition, peer-pressure, personal friendships/relationships, etc. they still remain in a Roman Catholic church for a season. I have many former Romanist friends who all, without exception, have told me that when they met the Lord, they had to leave the Roman church and its false teachings eventually--and there was a bit of uncertainty about making that decision because they didn't know where to begin to look for a new church. So let us remember to pray for those caught in that scenario and encourage them to get into a solid Bible believing church for their daily growth and fellowship in the Lord. We all need His grace (Titus 2:11-13) to move on daily from the "old ways"... don't we?

I have included this article for them to let them know further about Rome, the Pope, and what its Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, and Nuns really believe and practice. This, I realize is shocking for many to hear--but necessary and done so in the spirit of Christian charity and fidelity.

(May I also wncourage to read the article and the comments listed entitled, "Eggs" Benedict Serves Up Indulgences to Youth ...still heretical after all these years." found to your left in the "previous post" section.) It will help clarify several doctrinal issues surrounding Romanism.

From the fairway of grace,
SJ Camp
"The SledgeHammer"
Jeremiah 23:29


Waking Up in Perdition:
According to a new Vatican volume that chronicles the last two months of his life, the Pope's (John Paul II) last comprehensible words were "Let me go to the house of the Father." According to John 8:44 he got his dying wish (cp, 1 John 3:8-10; Galatians 1:6-9). You will notice on this photo to the right that John Paul II's casket bears part of his coat of arms - a long-gated cross with a large "M" underneath it. Even to his last breath, JPII denied that salvation was by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone; and affirmed the false doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church known as "The Fifth Marian Dogma" (Mary as Co-Redemptrix; Co-Mediatrix with Christ). This Pope was one of the most Marian centered in papal history. He prayed to and worshipped her as the Queen of Heaven (a Babylonian cultic term) and was even leaning upon "her grace" for his acceptance into glory. This is a graphic and heartbreaking photo that unquestionably marked John Paul's eternal condemnation.

In light of our recenet discussion on this blog about Pope Benedict XVI, here is an article written last April a few days after the passing of John Paul II. Read with a heavy heart, for even God "does not delight in the death of the wicked."

The Wages of Trusting in a "Gospel" of Works Righteousness
The most frightening words anyone could ever hear would be those of our Lord found in Matthew 7:21-23, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'” Can you imagine, you called Him Lord; you did works in His name—even works of ministry; and He declares that you were only workers of lawlessness and that He never knew you? Thinking you were on your way to heaven, you wake up instantly upon your death in Hades in the full conscience of your sin, His Lordship and the eternal punishment that awaits you?—can there be anything more loathsome to fall on an unregenerate yet religious man?

Faith Works
Man’s best works, even those mentioned above, are nothing but “filthy rags” before a holy God (Isaiah 64:6). Paul makes it abundantly clear that our salvation is because “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:4). Even when/if we had done all things in perfect obedience to the Lord, Jesus still calls us “unprofitable [or unworthy, useless] servants” (Luke 17:10).

If all our righteousness is considered lawlessness; filthy rags; unfit to save us; and renders us unprofitable, useless servants damning us to an eternal hell—then how much more our sin, even the most insignificant or trivial of our failings from the standard of God’s law, His holy character and perfect Word, is sufficient to incarcerate us all in hell forever!

Rome's Religious Works: The Wide Road to Hell
Today, this very moment, such is the horrifying plight of Pope John Paul II if he continued in the false gospel of Romanist works righteousness to be saved (which he never recanted during his life in any manner whatsoever). The gospel of this Pope and of Rome has always been a false gospel. (This is what Luther and Melanchthon contended for and the reason for the Reformation: reclaiming the gospel of Sola Fide.) Romansim has always propagated a gospel of Semi-Pelagianism: works+faith, rather than faith alone; merit+grace, rather than grace alone; inherent infused righteousness of Romanism+Christ, rather than the imputed righteousness of Christ alone - rather than the great Augustian biblical gospel. It's not that we (Romanists and Evangelicals) "have differences" about the same gospel. What Rome has always believed is a different gospel fulfilling Matthew 7:21-23 and Galatians 1:6-8. The Scriptures clearly state, without equivocation, that a rejection of the gospel of grace--justification by faith alone--is only sufficient to damn and cannot save--ever. If you trust in that gospel of works, you do not wake up in the glory of heaven in the presence of the Lord, but you wake up in perdition in the horror of your own righteous rags.

Listen to the words of the Apostle Paul when he powerfully rejects a gospel of works righteousness:

"For if Abraham was justified by works,
he has something to boast about,
but not before God.
For what does the Scripture say?
"ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS
CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."
Now to the one who works, his wage is
not credited as a favor, but as what is due.
But to the one who does not work,
but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly,
his faith is credited as righteousness" -Romans 4:2-5.

Could it be anymore clear than this?

The Pope's Best Righteous Deeds; Still Filthy Rags The Pope by human/political/philanthropic evaluation was a good humanitarian; a political figure of peace; a champion for the poor and unborn children; a voice for human rights in oppressive countries; a caretaker for those inflicted with HIV/AIDS around the world; a faithful practitioner of religion; the recognized leader of a church with membership totaling 1.5 billion people; even one who is currently heralded by evangelical leaders giving profound praise for John Paul II being "the most beloved religious leader of our time"; "May his death remind each of us that some day we too must die and enter into God's presence -- and may we each commit ourselves afresh to Jesus Christ, who died and rose again for our salvation"; and "that the Pope didn't fear death, because all who are in Christ need not fear death"; he offered daily prayers to Mary; believed in the Fifth Marian Dogma (that she is co-redemptrix, co-mediatrix with Christ); adhered to the teachings of Trent, Vatican II and the 1994 Catechism of the Church; believed in the continual perpetual sacrifice of Christ through transubstantiation in communion; held to Purgatorial cleansing of sin; The Treasury of Merit; and believed that salvation was a matter of our works plus His grace. And yet, in spite of what are considered to be good acts of loving kindness, social justice, human dignity and religious piety, trusting in those things as evidence of one's salvation can only awaken one in perdition. Again, because John Paul II believed in a gospel of Christ plus works; Christ plus merit; Christ plus inherent righteous; etc. - for no one can be saved by the utter futility of salvation by works righteousness - he awakened in perdition and none can help him; not the Vatican; not Mary; not any Cardinal or Bishop. He is forever cut off without hope (Heb. 6:4-8). That is why we should feel great sadness of heart for John Paul II, for now he has full knowledge of his eternal torment for he tried coming to God in another way other then how the Lord has prescribed through the pages of Scripture alone (John 14:6). The shocking reality is that ringing in John Paul's ears this very moment are the words “I never knew you; depart from Me you practice lawlessness.” He now knows that salvation is only by faith alone, through grace alone, because of the resurrected Christ alone, on the Word alone, to the glory of God alone.

Tetzel's Den of Thieves
Dear beloved, as we are watching the foolish parade of Pope John Paul's corpse through “Tetzel’s Den of Thieves” in Saint Peter’s Basilica, may we remember that because Pope John Paul II has trusted in a another gospel other than the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:6-9) the wages of another is death. Because of which he has spent already what must seem like an eternity under the holy wrath of a living God. And even this is but a foretaste of the torment that awaits him (Heb. 10:29); for one day he will be given a resurrected body for torment; and as he stands before the Great White Throne Judgment to hear the Lord’s final words of perditious sentencing; he will then be cast into the lake of fire with Satan and his demons, with Death and Hades, and with all who have rejected the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 20:13ff). This is cause for great sadness, beloved, for even God does not delight in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:23; 33:11).

The Fear of the Lord and the Call to Repentance
Are you quickened today with the fear of the Lord? Is it by the terror of the Lord that you are persuading men to repent of their sins and follow Christ? Have each of us even on this forum trusted in Christ alone for our salvation or have we been spiritually charmed to believe that our works plus His grace somehow saves us?

This should cause us all to be moved beyond measure to share the gospel of grace with all that the Lord has sovereignly put in our path; to reach out especially to those who are trapped in the false religion of Romanism—Satan’s greatest hellish masterpiece on earth; and call to repentance even now evangelical leaders who are playing politics with God on CNN and FOXNEWS; who lack the courage, compassion, love and grace to call people to the real gospel of grace and warn them of the wrath to come if they believing in another gospel think they can be saved--a gospel of works (the gospel of Pope John Paul II and Rome) which is not another gospel at all (Galatians 1:6-8)—and ultimately denies justification by faith through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 3:21-26).

Justification by Faith in Christ Alone: The Gospel According to Jesus
Listen to the words of Paul when he said, “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law” (Romans 3:19-28).

As the Day Approaches,
Steve Camp
Col. 1:9-14

CLICK HERE to visit AudienceONE Ministries to read about the Council of Trent and its skewed teachings

The Church of St. Arbucks...their coffee cup is brewing up strong messages

I like Starbucks very much... It is my first stop in the morning everyday after I get all five of my children to school and swim my mile or two at the "Y." It is a great place to work on the blog; read the news; study the Word; and interact with the faithful members of the church of St. Arbucks.

Some evangelicals are up in arms at SB's recent "The Way I See It" campaign which solicits short quips and thoughts about life, culture, the times, etc. and posts them on their paper-mugs. The reason that some are concerned is because of the nontraditional family values liberal bent of most of their messages (like the one shown) that are appearing on their paper mugs once you shed the brown protective wrap.

Personally, I don't mind them at all (even though I am a conservative politically and a Reformed Baptist). In fact I thank the Lord for them. That's right--this is a blessing, a gift to the body of Christ. Why? When I order my favorite "cup of Joe" at St. Arbucks, I immediately remove the brown sleeve to see what new "message" is printed on my cup. I then share that message with another standing in line or seated at the tables. It engages us in the lively art of conversation about all matters of issues and I am wonderfully afforded the opportunity to bring the biblical worldview into the discussion. This has proven to be a fantastic way to proclaim the gospel of grace and the truth claims of our Lord Jesus to those who will never come to church on a Sunday or show up at the myriad of Christian events circling the evangelical planetary subculture that many Christians choose to remain hidden within.

So may I encourage you today to write our good friends in Seattle, thank them for opening up many great opportunities for the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, continue to go to the church at St. Arbucks (its service times are seven days a week from 7am to 10pm in most cities--and they are always full) and dialogue with the patrons from a biblical worldview, explain the hope that is within you with gentleness and reverance and enjoy some of the finest "Joe" in the world.

Let's be salt and light,
For those who have ears to hear...
Campi
Matthew 5:13-20