|
Tuesday, April 22, 2008 |
|
|
|
Written by Kevin Boling
|
|
Tuesday, 22 April 2008 |
|
The Grand Deception: The World
The apostle John gives us a sobering warning: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 Jn. 2:15).”
Rev. Alan Jones, Dean of Grace Cathedral, Episcopal Church in San Francisco declared, "Christianity as a set of beliefs doesn't work for me. At the same time, I acknowledge the need for ritual and celebration in my life and find fulfillment and joy in many traditional practices. I light candles and ask for the prayers of the saints…These disciplines...do not require me to believe literally in angels and the Virgin Birth."
A statement like that should be understood in light of what the Bible says. Rev. Jones talks about celebration, fulfillment, and joy. But those things in his life come from religion. He loves religion but not Christ and those are two very different things. His affections are on this world and not on Christ. The problem is that we can love the world in so many ways that cause us to reject not only salvation but the true joy and peace to be had in a vital relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Love for the world can be obvious or subtle and we must be very careful to examine our hearts in this regard on a regular basis.
We battle Satan, our own flesh, and the world. Note John’s further words: “For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world (2:16).” We are deceived into thinking that something is from God when it is not. This is an especially rampant problem in the American church as our culture propagates “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” as good in so many ways and venues.
The truth is that we must be on our guard because the enemy is aggressively out to deceive us. This issue becomes all the more important when we consider our children and the reality that the enemy wants to deceive them as well. What should we do? On today’s edition of “Calling for Truth,” we’ll talk about just that with Jay Younts, author of Everyday Talk.
To listen to the program, click on the words “Read more”
Write Comment (0 Comments) |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Monday, April 21, 2008 |
|
|
|
Written by Kevin Boling
|
|
Monday, 21 April 2008 |
|
Confessions of a Christianized Pagan
We spend a lot of time talking about the myriads of persons in the church who think they are saved but in reality are not. What is the basis for such talk? If our assessment is correct, what are the criteria by which we come to that conclusion? And, what if you or someone you know happens to be in such a position? Are there some marks or signs we could point to that the alarm might be sounded? Are there Christianized pagans in the pews?
Steven J. McInerney is the author of the book Confessions of a Christianized Pagan. It tells the story of how he spent 30 years of his life as a pagan who thought he was a Christian.
He writes, “A Christianized pagan is one who is still a pagan, but has the notion he is a believer and follower of Jesus Christ: a disciple. He will likely believe that he chose God. He may think that some part of his salvation was dependent on him.”
“He will want all the blessings of the promises of salvation, but thinks he has little responsibility or must make little effort on his part. He will live a life indistinguishable from an unbeliever.”
“He will have a mixture of both pagan and Christian beliefs that render Christianity of no life-changing effect. He will have no biblical understanding of the total sovereignty of God or will blatantly profess the limits of God while exalting the abilities, power, natural goodness, and perceived rights of man.”
Steve McInerney will by our guest today on “Calling for Truth.” We will discuss this critically important topic in the context of his story, Confessions of a Christianized Pagan.
To listen to the program, click on the words “Read more” Write Comment (0 Comments) |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Thursday, April 17, 2008 |
|
|
|
Written by Kevin Boling
|
|
Thursday, 17 April 2008 |
|
The Abuse of Anti-Discrimination Laws
The Apostle Paul speaking to the Ephesians instructed them to, “…have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph. 5:11). Ever since the Apostle penned those words, Christians have sought to implement that teaching in their daily lives. That practice (of separation from the promotion of wicked activities) however, is becoming more and more difficult in our ultra-tolerant society.
A good case in point is the New Mexico commission ruling against a Christian photographer. The commission found an Albuquerque photography company, run by a Christian husband and wife, guilty of “sexual orientation” discrimination under state anti-discrimination laws for declining to photograph a same-sex “commitment ceremony.”
A same-sex couple asked the owner of Elaine Photography in Albuquerque, to photograph a “commitment ceremony” that the two women wanted to hold in a nearby town. It should be noted that neither marriage nor civil unions are legal between members of the same sex in New Mexico.
The owner declined because her and her husband’s Christian beliefs are in conflict with the message communicated by the ceremony. The same-sex couple filed a complaint with the New Mexico Human Rights Commission, accusing Elaine Photography of discrimination based on sexual orientation. The commission held a one-day trial in January.
On April 9th the commission issued an order finding that Elaine Photography engaged in “sexual orientation” discrimination prohibited under state law and ordered it to pay $6,637.94 in attorneys’ fees to the two women who filed the complaint.
Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund say they will appeal a ruling by the New Mexico Civil Rights Commission because of its “stunning disregard” for the First Amendment.
“Christians in the marketplace should not be penalized for abiding by their beliefs anymore than anyone else should,” said ADF Senior Counsel Jordan Lorence. “The Constitution prohibits the state from forcing unwilling people to promote a message they disagree with and thereby violate their conscience. The government cannot make people choose between their faith and their livelihood. Could the government force a vegetarian videographer to create a commercial for the new butcher shop in town? American business owners do not surrender their constitutional rights at the marketplace gate.”
On today’s edition of the “Calling For Truth” Radio Program, we will speak with ADF Senior Counsel Jordan Lorence about this case specifically and about some of the other ramifications of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).
To listen to the program, click on the words, “Read more”
Write Comment (0 Comments) |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 |
|
|
|
Written by Kevin Boling
|
|
Tuesday, 15 April 2008 |
|
Godless: Interview w/ Greg Koukl & Ann Coulter
During the first half of the program we will speak with Greg Koukl from “Stand To Reason” re: the Godlessness of the New Atheism. Koukl writes, “The New York Times evidences a new trend against theism in general and Christianity in particular. The myriad of new books challenging Christianity may lead some to believe new evidence against theism has come to light. But nothing new has been discovered that represents any substantive challenge to Christianity. The only thing “new” about these new atheists is the rhetorical flare with which they present their arguments.”
Then during the second half of the program we will speak with Author Ann Coulter about the Godlessness of the New Liberalism. Coulter wrote a book entitled, “Godless: The Church of Liberalism”. In the book Coulter writes, “Liberals love to boast that they are not ‘religious,’ which is what one would expect to hear from the state-sanctioned religion. It has its own cosmology, its own miracles, its own beliefs in the supernatural, its own churches, its own high priests, its own saints, its own total worldview, and its own explanation of the existence of the universe. In other words, liberalism contains all the attributes of what is generally known as ‘religion.’”
Ann Coulter will be speaking tonight (Wednesday, April 15th, 2008) at Furman University. The event is sponsored by Conservative Students for a Better Tomorrow and The Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute.
To listen to the program, click on the words “Read more” Write Comment (0 Comments) |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Monday, April 14, 2008 |
|
|
|
Written by Kevin Boling
|
|
Monday, 14 April 2008 |
|
Church Planting and Cultural Engagement
The results of a new Barna Survey were recently reported by the Christian Post. “America is a religious nation in the eyes of the world. But a new study revealed that the majority of Americans do not rank their relationship with God as the most important personal connection in their life. Seven out of 10 American adults choose their earthly family over their Heavenly Father when asked to choose the most important relationship to them.”
A number of issues are raised when a survey of this sort comes out. Obviously, one must wonder what has happened and why. Beyond that, those committed to Christ must be concerned with the increasing numbers of complacent Christians and unsaved persons in America.
Further, we must come to grips with the reality that the cultural slide in America is in some way connected to a slide of sorts within the church itself. We must always see that connection as we are called to be salt and light where God has placed us. If something is amiss in the culture, there is usually something amiss in the church.
A strand of evidence supporting the above assertion is that established churches are not doing a very good job in evangelism. It seems that the church is not being the church when that is the case, at least in some sense. Consider this excerpt from a recent Baptist Press article: “Why does the Southern Baptist Convention need to start even more churches than the 43,000-plus now on the books? David Meacham, senior strategist for church planting with the North American Mission Board, says it's because Christian denominations -– especially the 16-million-member SBC -- regard planting new churches as the single most effective way to evangelize. New churches, Meacham said, simply do a better job of reaching more people for Christ than long-established churches.”
If we are to be culture influencers, if Americans are to consider God to be their most important relationship (because they are actually saved), it seems obvious that the church will have to see its own need for God and be the church no matter what. The church must reproduce itself. Certainly a number of issues need to be developed here. But in the end, practically speaking, perhaps churches need to plant more churches to impact this culture for Christ. On today’s edition of “Calling for Truth,” we’ll discuss church planting and cultural engagement.
To listen to the program, click on the words “Read more”
Write Comment (0 Comments) |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Friday, April 11, 2008 |
|
|
|
Written by Kevin Boling
|
|
Thursday, 10 April 2008 |
|
The Latest Christian Related News
Jonah In The Kiddie Pool (WorldMagBlog)
Ronald Marshall says the book of Jonah has been sentimentalized for children. He looked at 19 versions of the story in children’s literature. He says those other versions remove the truth of Jonah’s disobedience, suicidal tendencies, his role as a sacrifice, his condemnation by God, his sulking attitude, and his unforgiving spirit. Hearing about all these things, he says, prepares children for the story of Christ, and for the naturally fallen experience of the human being. Is he right, or not?
Jonah is a horrifying book, with its raging storm and fierce sea-monster, a suicide attempt and near drowning, and, at the end, a confrontation with a massive enemy city. But in American children’s literature it is largely a harmless adventure story, all about travel and intrigue, underwater hideouts, success and fame. (excerpt).
Christian Educator Blames Postmodernism for 3rd Grade Murder Plot
Finn Laursen is with Christian Educators Association International, a non-profit group that encourages and equips Christian educators serving in both private and public schools. He says this incident highlights the fact that children are not being taught the biblical truths of right or wrong -- at home or at school.
"We hear a lot about the post-modern culture that believes there are no absolute truths, and therefore no right or wrong," says Laursen. "We're now seeing the children of parents who have bought into that deceptive lie that there is no right and there is no wrong."
Messiah College to Host “Compassion Forum”
A recent news report stated, “A group that promotes a liberal stance on religious faith and morality issues is sponsoring a nationally televised presidential forum Sunday night featuring Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
Senators Obama (D-Illinois) and Clinton (D-New York) will each be given 40 minutes on CNN Sunday night to discuss the topics of poverty, AIDS, global warming, abortion, genocide in Darfur, as well as human rights and torture. Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania, is hosting the live television event, which is being dubbed "The Compassion Forum." Republican presidential nominee John McCain received an invitation, but the Arizona senator declined, citing a scheduling conflict.
Katie Barge is director of communications at Faith in Public Life, which is sponsoring the forum. She contends a "new conversation" is currently "bridging ideological and religious divides" in the faith community, even on the issue of abortion.”
The question we will be asking is should a Christian College be hosting this type of event?
During the second half of today’s program, we will be joined by Dean Curry, Professor of Politics and Director of the College Honor Program for Messiah College.
To listen to the program, click on the words “Read more”
Write Comment (0 Comments) |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Thursday, April 10, 2008 |
|
|
|
Written by Kevin Boling
|
|
Thursday, 10 April 2008 |
|
Why We Are Not Emergent
Our guest on the "Calling For Truth" Radio Program today, will be the Kevin DeYoung, senior pastor at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan and co-author of the book "Why We're Not Emergent - By Two Guys Who Should Be".
In his review of DeYoung's sections of the book (he alternates chapters with Ted Kluck - the co-author) Tim Challies writes the following:
"He covers a variety of topics of great theological importance including the Bible, Christian doctrine, the impact of modernism on theology, and the doctrines of Jesus Christ. He shows the danger inherent in the emergent unwillingness to take stands even on doctrines closest to the heart of the Christian faith.
The claim that emerging theology is still in process is no excuse. "It's one thing for a high school student to be in process with his theology. It's another thing for adults to write books and speak around the world about their musing and misgivings. I agree there must be space for Christians to ask hard questions and explore the tensions of our faith, but I seriously question that this space should be hugely public where hundreds of thousands of men and women are eagerly awaiting the next book or blog or podcast arising from your faith journey.
No matter what new label you put on it, once you start selling thousands of books, speaking all over the country and world, and being looked to for spiritual and ecclesiastical direction, you're no longer just a conversation partner. You are a leader and a teacher. And this is serious business..." Neither can emerging leaders simply claim that they should not all be lumped together. "Call it a friendship, or a network, or a web of relationships, but when people endorse one another's book and speak at the same conferences and write on the same blogs, there is something of a discernible movement afoot."
To listen to the program, click on the words “Read more” Write Comment (0 Comments) |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Wednesday, April 9, 2008 |
|
|
|
Written by Kevin Boling
|
|
Tuesday, 08 April 2008 |
|
The Principles of Patriotism
Patriotism, which is defined as the love, support and defense of one’s country, seems to have a problem. Americans today, appear to be a bit confused over just how they feel about being patriotic. At one time, to have been considered to be a patriot would have been an unqualified compliment, now it seems many would be ashamed of the association or at the very least would offer a long list of disclaimers before accepting the label.
What has happened to this word? Or more specifically what has happened to our culture that we no longer find the notion of patriotism pleasing?
Joe Carter - Director of Web Communications for Family Research Council, and host of the popular blog, “The Evangelical Outpost” has recently written on this subject in a post entitled “The Patriot’s Asterisk: Why We Shouldn’t be Ashamed to be Patriots”. In that post he writes:
“Whatever unique and individual allegiances we might have, though, we corporately share a divided loyalty between America as our birthplace (or adopted home) and America as an ideal, a set of principles embodied in such documents as the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. While our bifurcated loyalty can make patriotic sentiments complex and dissonant, it can also prevent a love of America from devolving into blind nationalism.”
At the end of the article, to illustrate the point of focusing on the principles of patriotism, Carter quotes from Abraham Lincoln speaking at the funeral of fellow politician Henry Clay.
“He loved his country partly because it was his own country, but mostly because it was a free country; and he burned with a zeal for its advancement, prosperity and glory, because he saw in such, the advancement, prosperity and glory, of human liberty, human right and human nature. He desired the prosperity of his countrymen partly because they were his countrymen, but chiefly to show to the world that freemen could be prosperous.”
On today’s “Calling For Truth” Radio Program, we will discuss the topic of patriotism and its underlying principles from a Biblical perspective. Our guest will be Joe Carter.
To listen to this program, click on the words “Read more”
Write Comment (0 Comments) |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Audio 
