When I was in Israel and Jordan a few weeks ago on a tour, I wound up visiting several Eastern Orthodox Churches. While the Eastern Orthodox Church doesn’t get as much scrutiny, in regards to doctrine, as the Roman Catholic Church, it is rather interesting that they seem to have similar doctrines.
Today, the Eastern Orthodox Churches are dominant in Eastern Europe in countries like the Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Greece, Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria. There are also communities of Eastern Orthodox followers in the Middle East, namely under the Syriac Orthodox Church, including Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Iran, Iraq and Lebanon. I also remember hearing that, at least in Belarus, the Eastern Orthodox Church has considerable political clout.
Here, at the Defending Contending Blog, we see a contrast & comparison between Eastern Orthodoxy & Protestantism. And, over at Apprising Ministries,a reader tells of his experience in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
And, below, Richard Bennet, a former Roman Catholic priest discusses Eastern Orthodoxy, and it's similarities to Roman Catholicism.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Quotes (#7)
"The negotiation about doctrinal agreement displeases me altogether, for this is utterly impossible unless the pope has his papacy abolished. Therefore avoid and flee those who seek the middle of the road. Think of me after I am dead and such middle-of-the-road men arise, for nothing good will come of it. There can be no compromise."-Martin Luther (HT: Apprising Ministries)
Monday, January 25, 2010
Quotes (#6)
"Dismissing the stupid opinion of their own strength they [the elect] come to realize that they stand and are upheld by God's hand alone; that naked, and empty-handed, they flee to his mercy, repose entirely in it, hide deep within it, and seize upon it alone for righteousness and merit"- John Calvin (1509-1564)
Warren Smith on "A Lover's Quarrel With the Evangelical Church"
Although I haven't read Warren Smith's book, A Lover's Quarrel With the Evangelical Church, I think based off of what I've heard him talk about, I think he makes some really good points.
Back in August of 2009, Mike Horton interviewed Smith on the "White Horse Inn," in regards to his book, which you can listen to here. In fact, Horton stated: "This is an important book for a crucial moment in our history as Christians in the United States. Besides being richly biblical in its analysis of contemporary evangelicalism, this book is written by a veteran journalist with hard-hitting and inescapable data to support his conclusions. I highly recommend this book."
This month (Jan. of 2010), Smith also gave a lecture, in a similar tone to the interview with Horton, regarding what he percieved as problems with Evangelicalism in America. And, I think he also was wise to stress that he wanted to make the emphasis not on the quarrel, but on the lover.
Back in August of 2009, Mike Horton interviewed Smith on the "White Horse Inn," in regards to his book, which you can listen to here. In fact, Horton stated: "This is an important book for a crucial moment in our history as Christians in the United States. Besides being richly biblical in its analysis of contemporary evangelicalism, this book is written by a veteran journalist with hard-hitting and inescapable data to support his conclusions. I highly recommend this book."
This month (Jan. of 2010), Smith also gave a lecture, in a similar tone to the interview with Horton, regarding what he percieved as problems with Evangelicalism in America. And, I think he also was wise to stress that he wanted to make the emphasis not on the quarrel, but on the lover.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
A.W. Pink on Christian Love
The folks over at Defending Contending had this quote, which I thought I would pass along.
"Love is the Queen of the Christian graces. It is a holy disposition given to us when we are born again by God. It is the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. True spiritual love is characterized by meekness and gentleness, yet it is vastly superior to the courtesies and kindnesses of the flesh.
We must be careful not to confuse human sentimentality, carnal pleasantries, human amiability and affability with true spiritual love. The love God commands, first to Himself and then to others, is not human love. It is not the indulgent, self-seeking love which is in us by nature. If we indulgently allow our children to grow up with little or, no Scriptural discipline, Proverbs plainly says we do not love them, regardless of the human sentimentality and affection we may feel for them. Love is not a sentimental pampering of one another with a loose indifference as to our walk and obedience before the Lord. Glossing over one another’s faults to ingratiate ourselves in their esteem is not spiritual love.
The true nature of Christian love is a righteous principle which seeks the highest good of others. It is a powerful desire to promote their welfare. The exercise of love is to be in strict conformity to the revealed will of God. We must love in the truth. Love among the brethren is far more than an agreeable society where views are the same. It is loving them for what we see of Christ in them, loving them for Christ’s sake.
The Lord Jesus Himself is our example. He was not only thoughtful, gentle, self-sacrificing and patient, but He also corrected His mother, used a whip in the Temple, Severely scolded His doubting disciples, and denounced hypocrites. True spiritual love is above all faithful to God and uncompromising towards all that is evil. We cannot declare, ‘Peace and Safety’ when in reality there is spiritual decay and ruin!
True spiritual love is very difficult to exercise because it is not our natural love. By nature we would rather love sentimentally and engender good feelings. Also many times true spiritual love is not received in love, but is hated as the Pharisees hated it. We must pray that God will fill us with His love and enable us to exercise it without dissimulation toward all." A.W. Pink: 1886-1952
"Love is the Queen of the Christian graces. It is a holy disposition given to us when we are born again by God. It is the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. True spiritual love is characterized by meekness and gentleness, yet it is vastly superior to the courtesies and kindnesses of the flesh.
We must be careful not to confuse human sentimentality, carnal pleasantries, human amiability and affability with true spiritual love. The love God commands, first to Himself and then to others, is not human love. It is not the indulgent, self-seeking love which is in us by nature. If we indulgently allow our children to grow up with little or, no Scriptural discipline, Proverbs plainly says we do not love them, regardless of the human sentimentality and affection we may feel for them. Love is not a sentimental pampering of one another with a loose indifference as to our walk and obedience before the Lord. Glossing over one another’s faults to ingratiate ourselves in their esteem is not spiritual love.
The true nature of Christian love is a righteous principle which seeks the highest good of others. It is a powerful desire to promote their welfare. The exercise of love is to be in strict conformity to the revealed will of God. We must love in the truth. Love among the brethren is far more than an agreeable society where views are the same. It is loving them for what we see of Christ in them, loving them for Christ’s sake.
The Lord Jesus Himself is our example. He was not only thoughtful, gentle, self-sacrificing and patient, but He also corrected His mother, used a whip in the Temple, Severely scolded His doubting disciples, and denounced hypocrites. True spiritual love is above all faithful to God and uncompromising towards all that is evil. We cannot declare, ‘Peace and Safety’ when in reality there is spiritual decay and ruin!
True spiritual love is very difficult to exercise because it is not our natural love. By nature we would rather love sentimentally and engender good feelings. Also many times true spiritual love is not received in love, but is hated as the Pharisees hated it. We must pray that God will fill us with His love and enable us to exercise it without dissimulation toward all." A.W. Pink: 1886-1952
The Connection Between the Emergent Church and Roman Catholic Mysticism
Now, it seems that there's an obsession with Roman Catholicism by the Emergent Church. Examples would the appealing to people like Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), John of the Cross (1542-1591), Henri Nouwen (1932-1996), and Thomas Merton (1915-1968)
A while back, Richard Bennett, a former Roman Catholic priest of the Dominican order, who served in Trinidad, gave this lecture on the Emergent fascination with Roman Catholic mysticism. He goes into detail about the definition of mysticism. I will add though, that although Bennett identifies Richard Foster as an Evangelical, Foster is actually a Quaker mystic, with Quaker theology being based off mystical, subjective experiences.
Now, apparnetly, Mr. Bennett did another lecture on the same topic, and it was updated. In this one he touches on people like Phyllis Tickle, Tony Jones and Brian McLaren. Just as an interesting note: where Bennett is speaking at, the Metropolitan Tabernacle, is where Charles Spuregon was pastor in the 19th century.
A while back, Richard Bennett, a former Roman Catholic priest of the Dominican order, who served in Trinidad, gave this lecture on the Emergent fascination with Roman Catholic mysticism. He goes into detail about the definition of mysticism. I will add though, that although Bennett identifies Richard Foster as an Evangelical, Foster is actually a Quaker mystic, with Quaker theology being based off mystical, subjective experiences.
Now, apparnetly, Mr. Bennett did another lecture on the same topic, and it was updated. In this one he touches on people like Phyllis Tickle, Tony Jones and Brian McLaren. Just as an interesting note: where Bennett is speaking at, the Metropolitan Tabernacle, is where Charles Spuregon was pastor in the 19th century.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
A New Years Challenge for the Brethren.
In the Book of Revalation we read two scenes from heaven that I find absolutely fascinating. In Revelation 5:7-14 it states: "And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.' Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!' And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!' And the four living creatures said, 'Amen!' and the elders fell down and worshiped."
We also read: "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!' And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, 'Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.'" (Rev. 7:9-12) We also get a description of these people standing before the throne of Christ: "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Rev. 7:14-17)
Now, I hope you notice something here, something that I've noticed. Who are the saints in heaven focused on? Christ, their redeeemer!!!!
Believe me, I know firsthand how hard it is to be focused on Jesus Christ. I struggle with worry quite a bit, to be perfectly honest. So, I say this not as someone who's conquered this, but as a person also struggling with being completely focused on Christ.
But, I still find it amazing, and a valuable lesson for us (those of you who read this who are saved through Christ alone by God's grace alone): that we should be focused on Christ. Now, as I said, I struggle with this myself. But, this coming year, I challenge not only myself, but my readers who are fellow siblings in Christ to do as the author of Hebrews urges us to do: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Believe me, I also know how tempting it is to try & look unto my OWN righteousness & not to CHRIST'S. And, it's also tempting to fall prey to theology that's more about MY glorification rather than God's. I mean, we have SO many popular preachers these days like Robert Schuller, or Joel Osteen, or the whole other list of prosperity preachers like Benny Hinn, TD Jakes or Creflo Dollar, who basically teach a theology that's not CHRIST centered, but MAN centered (little wonder they're so, popular, huh? And believe me, I could write a whole other thing about 2nd Timothy 4:3)
But, anyway, I'm challenging myself and my readers to be focused on the crucified and risen Savior, Jesus the Christ, God in Human Flesh!!!!! May God richly bless my dear brothers & sisters in Christ in this new year!!!
We also read: "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!' And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, 'Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.'" (Rev. 7:9-12) We also get a description of these people standing before the throne of Christ: "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Rev. 7:14-17)
Now, I hope you notice something here, something that I've noticed. Who are the saints in heaven focused on? Christ, their redeeemer!!!!
Believe me, I know firsthand how hard it is to be focused on Jesus Christ. I struggle with worry quite a bit, to be perfectly honest. So, I say this not as someone who's conquered this, but as a person also struggling with being completely focused on Christ.
But, I still find it amazing, and a valuable lesson for us (those of you who read this who are saved through Christ alone by God's grace alone): that we should be focused on Christ. Now, as I said, I struggle with this myself. But, this coming year, I challenge not only myself, but my readers who are fellow siblings in Christ to do as the author of Hebrews urges us to do: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Believe me, I also know how tempting it is to try & look unto my OWN righteousness & not to CHRIST'S. And, it's also tempting to fall prey to theology that's more about MY glorification rather than God's. I mean, we have SO many popular preachers these days like Robert Schuller, or Joel Osteen, or the whole other list of prosperity preachers like Benny Hinn, TD Jakes or Creflo Dollar, who basically teach a theology that's not CHRIST centered, but MAN centered (little wonder they're so, popular, huh? And believe me, I could write a whole other thing about 2nd Timothy 4:3)
But, anyway, I'm challenging myself and my readers to be focused on the crucified and risen Savior, Jesus the Christ, God in Human Flesh!!!!! May God richly bless my dear brothers & sisters in Christ in this new year!!!
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