Wolves in Shepherd's Clothing

"Such as are not settled in religion will, at one time or other, prove wandering stars;  they will lose their former steadfastness, and wander from one opinion to another...  These are not pillars in the temple of God, but reeds shaken every way.  The apostle calls them 'damnable heresies' (2 Peter 2: 1).  A man may go to hell as well for heresy as adultery."  ~  Thomas Watson

As I was browsing the web today, I went to one of my favorite spots (Ligonier Ministries) to check out what was gonna be offered in their $5 Friday sale tomorrow.  Of course with this weekend being Easter, I wasn't surprised to see a theme about the atoning work of our Lord and Savior.  One statement caught my eye as I looked thru the various item descriptions:

A growing number of professing Christian theologians in our day are questioning the doctrine of the substitutionary atonement of Jesus.  One has gone so far as to describe such a concept as “a form of cosmic child abuse.”

I was curious as to who would be so foolishly bold as to make such a declaration that denies THE central doctrine of Christianity - the substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ.  What I discovered is horrifying.

In 2003, a man by the name of Steve Chalke published a book titled "The Lost Message of Jesus".  The book title is enough to give pause, but the content is far worse in that it is heavily influenced by the heresies promoted by N.T. Wright.  These two men are an example of what Jesus warned his disciples about (Matt 7:15) as did Paul in his warning to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:29).

In these wimpy days of milk-toast theology, I thank God for men like R.C. Sproul and my son-in-law Jeb who stand firmly on the Truth.

For an in-depth review of the book and what's wrong with it go here.

"I only need God for when I die".

Many people believe this to be true, only to realize when death is knocking at their door it's too late.  What we fail to realize is how much we truly need Him for living.  We cannot breathe unless He allows it.  Each beat of our heart is according to His Divine Will.  The thoughts we have are because God, in His mercy, has given us one more moment to acknowledge Him.  If God were to give us what we truly deserve, Heaven and Earth would be empty of humans and Hell full to the brim.  It is frightening to me when I consider that I live most of my days oblivious to this.


It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  ~  Lamentations 3:23





Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
there is no shadow of turning with thee;
thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
as thou hast been thou forever will be.

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!


Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided;
great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Phooey

I was gonna write a post yesterday (it's 0200 Thursday as I write this).  I even had a good topic.  Can't remember it now.  Maybe later.

Me Too

See "A Porter's Ponderings" for more info...  :)