Category: Subject Index

Podcast Number 39

The doctrine and practice of Institutionalism is wrong, and has done much damage to the Lord’s church and the Lord’s cause. In this edition of Sound Teaching, the error of institutionalism is examined.

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The Christian Chronicle claims to be “An international newspaper for member of Churches of Christ.” We have mentioned the paper in the past, noting that it chronicles the efforts and activities of the most liberal of congregations that go by the name “Church of Christ.”

In the last issue (February 2007) the Chronicle began a series entitled Are We Growing?, intended to run through the remainder of the year. In the initial article, statistics are cited to indicate that while the population of the United States grew 32% from 1980 to 2006, membership in the church of Christ grew only 1.6% in the same time.

It is not our purpose to discuss the methodology which led to the numbers cited, nor to determine the actual accuracy of the estimates. It is enough to note that in many instances the lack of growth is obvious. In fact, we should as a congregation redouble our efforts in this area. It would be a wonderful thing if we could substantially increase the number of souls who worship here, especially if said numbers came through the conversion of the lost.

Continue reading “Are We Growing?” →

There is a movement among Episcopalian leadership to evict congregations from Episcopal church buildings if the congregations have “abandoned Episcopalians”. If one were not aware of the liberal bent of the Episcopal church, it might be surmised that those accused of abandoning the Episcopalian Church would be those who are seeking to change long held doctrines and dogma. In fact, the opposite is true. Note the following quotes:

“In mid-January, Episcopal leaders in Virginia declared 11 congregations there, including some historic churches, to have abandoned Episcopalians. The congregations were instructed to surrender their assets. Similar actions are underway in numerous other states, and in some cases legal battles over church property have begun.

“As part of their rejection of new Episcopal teachings [emph. mine, SC], the traditionalists in Attleboro changed the name on the sign in front of their church from All Saints Episcopal to All Saints Anglican and, in September, they voted to join the Anglican Mission in America and place themselves under the supervision of Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini of the Anglican Province of Rwanda.” (Grant Swank, The Conservative Voice, 2/6/07)

What are some of these “new” Episcopal teachings?

Continue reading “In The News: Upside Down Episcopalians” →

Preachers need to preach relevant, convicting, informative sermons. And, those who hear such messages are obligated to receive them with open and honest hearts.

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John chapter 8 records a conversation between Jesus and a woman caught in adultery. Jesus showed mercy to the woman, conditioned upon her repentance. This teaches us the importance of turning away from ungodliness, and to serve the living God.

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Several years ago I signed up for a email discussion forum called “marslist.” I believe the name of the list referenced the text of Acts 17, where the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers are recorded as gathering daily at the Areopagus on “Mars” hill to discuss philosphies and doctrines.

While the intent of the individual who named the list was to indicate it would be a place for discussion of Biblical topics (as Paul did on that occasion), I find it a bit ironic that the sentiment Luke recorded about that place came to characterize the list as well. Luke wrote, “For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing” (vs. 21).

Continue reading “Proceed With Caution” →

Podcast Number 38

Leprosy is a loathsome disease that terrified ancient people, including the Israelites. It serves as a parallel to the greatest scourge (disease) of mankind, the spiritual malady of sin.

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Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe has got some parents steaming over his racy new stage play role.

One of the publicity photos for the play shows a topless and buffed Radcliffe being hugged by a naked woman. Another shows him leaning against bales of hay as he stares up at the topless woman. A third has him posing in front of a white horse.

The pictures have been released ahead of the opening of Equus, a controversial Peter Shaffer play showing at London’s Gielgud Theatre from next month.

Radcliffe,17, plays a troubled stablehand who one night blinds six horses with a hoofpick.

He features in numerous nude scenes with co-star Joanna Christie, the woman in the publicity shots.

The UK’s Daily Mail reports that Harry Potter fan sites have received emails from concerned parents…

…The play’s producer, David Pugh, told the Daily Mail that Radcliffe had been rehearsing the nude scenes with Christie for more than a week and had overcome his initial shyness.

The young actor’s spokeswoman, Vanessa Davies, said: “Daniel does not want to step away from Harry Potter but he does want to show he is a rounded actor capable of very different and diverse roles.”

“He has tremendous support from Harry Potter fans,” she said.

Jano Gibson
Sunday Morning Herald

Analysis:

It is shameful that the young actor who plays Harry Potter feels that to prove his ability as an actor he must appear in nude scenes on stage, and scenes depicting sexuality. In fact, it is sad that any 17 year old would do so, and likewise a sad commentary that such a move is lauded as “brave” and “daring.”

While it is a bit presumptuous for Radcliffe’s publicist to claim that he has “tremendous support from Harry Potter fans” (many are shocked and dismayed at what he is doing), nevertheless it is true that others are taken with his lewd turn. In fact, many fans admire the publicity photographs released for the play. One female fan said, “When I saw it I couldn’t breathe for a moment … I like it … They’re awesome!”

This is just another example that in the midst of our ungodly society, sex sells. Of course, the Bible has something to say about such ungodliness. “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21).

While the world is characterized by such ungodliness, the Christian should be clear of it. Both in his personal life and conduct, and in his approval of the same. Remember the apostle Paul’s condemnation of the ungodly in Romans 1, “Who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” (vs. 31). We must be sure not to approve of that which God clearly and forcefully condemns. Think about it!

The throne room scene in Revelation chapters 4 and 5 is one of the most stirring passages of scripture in the entire Bible. At the climax of this wonderful vision we see the entire creation bowing down to worship God Almighty.

“And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: ‘Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!’ Then the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever'” (Revelation 5:13-14).

Ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, gathered around the throne, declared the worthiness of the Lamb of God to receive worship from all.

Continue reading “Fall Down and Worship God!” →

The book of Acts reveals the joy of each individual as they obey the gospel of Christ, and become children of God. They rejoice when they rise from the waters of baptism, and all of God’s children rejoice with them.

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Podcast Number 37

The Catholic church contends that it, as an institution, is the final arbiter and authority for all matters pertaining to the spiritual welfare and condition of man. A careful reading of the scriptures shows this claim to be invalid. God intended His word to be the final standard man must submit to religiously.

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Hebrews 8 establishes that Jesus Christ, as our High Priest, is superior in every way to those who ministered in that office under the Old Covenant.

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Ephesians 2:8-10 not only establishes the means by which we obtain salvation (by grace through faith), but also establishes the responsibility of the child of God to perform the good works God has prepared for us.

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Podcast Number 36

Moses was a great man of faith. However, on one occasion he exhibited a lack of faith in God, as recorded in Numbers 20:7-12. Even in that failure he teaches us great and important lessons concerning the faith that we have toward God.

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Two thousand years ago the Son of God was delivered up to be crucified on a cross. Not long after, some in Jerusalem expressed amazement at Peter and John as they healed a lame man at the gate of the temple. Peter took the opportunity to address the gathering, and said:

“Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. 14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses” (Acts 3:12-15).

Peter later acknowledged the necessity of Christ’s sacrifice, saying, “But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled” (vs. 18). He then called on those present to “repent therefore, and be converted” (vs. 19).

Continue reading “The Rejected Savior” →