For The Truth

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Physicians of the Soul

I render glorious my service, if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them. Romans 11:13c-14


A word to those shepherding the flock of God: What we do in our charge matters to God; He will hold us responsible.

John Calvin states concerning this text; Observe here that the minister of the word is said in some way to save those whom he leads to the obedience of the faith.

Calvin continues; So conducted indeed ought to be the ministry of our salvation, as that we may feel that the whole power and efficacy of it depends on God, and that we may give him his due praise: we ought at the same time to understand that preaching is the instrument for effecting the salvation of the faithful, and though it can do nothing without the Spirit of God, yet through his inward operation it produces the most powerful effects.

John Gill further expounds; The ministers of the Gospel may be said to save souls, … instrumentally, as the word preached by them is the means of regeneration, faith, and conversion, with which salvation is connected: and as they shew unto men the way of salvation, and encourage souls to believe in Christ.


Praise be to God, that it is by His strength that we discharge this service!

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

The Right Reverend Hillary

Generally I don’t want to wander into the realm of politics here (except where it involves biblical truth), but considering that the senator availed herself to speak in a “church” setting this is fair game.

As a part of her political schmoozing, Hillary delivered an address at First Baptist Church in Selma, AL (supposedly) to commemorate Bloody Sunday. The following comments are excerpted from a post by Dean Barnett, at Hugh Hewitt’s blog at Townhall.com. [Any additions by me will be bracketed.]

Hillary, accomplished what I previously considered impossible. She made me feel bad for her. Really, you’ve got to find the video of this speech. Every now and again, she would lapse into a phony southern accent and begin talking like I guess how she figures an African American southern preacher speaks. It was jarring. [try it here]

SO WHY THE PITY? After all, Al Gore did the exact same shtick constantly when he sought the presidency in 2000. For some audiences, he was a normal person. For other audiences, especially African American audiences, he transformed himself into a technocratic Pentecostal minister, slamming the podium and talking with spiritual inflections. But for Gore, this was par for the course.

Unlike Gore, Hillary is a serious person. She’s a policy wonk and a chronically vicious politician. America’s Sweetheart she ain’t. And yet she somehow has to try to scrub this image to make it more appealing for public consumption. Watching Hillary trying to deliver a dose of that old-time religion, I think I sensed her discomfort. I think she felt like a schmuck. She certainly looked like one.

Hillary is an unappealing grey figure. There’s no getting around that. Her attempts to obscure that obvious fact inevitably ring hollow. [Like trying to pass herself off as a homemaker type with a sheet of cookies. I wonder if she had a ghostbaker?]

Hillary should be true to herself. Be a bore. Be a scold. At least it will be honest. And it won’t be painful for either her or her audience.

To read the full post click here. To read the full text of her speech (what a hypocrite!)

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Check out this new Blog

This is my unashamed (blatant, overt) attempt to pimp my brother’s new blog. Pat has decided to enter the foray focusing on the problems within “Popular Christianity.” I am looking forward to some interesting and thought provoking posts. Go get ‘em Pat!

Saturday, March 03, 2007

Coming Out of the Closet

Once upon a time it was dangerous to “come out of the closet.”  But in today’s society if you realize that you came out of the wrong closet, the world can be even more hostile.  If a former homosexual has turned to Christ and come out of the closet as a new creature free from the bonds of homosexuality, they will find that many of the same people who stood with them in their choice of an alternate lifestyle now deride them for their new choice.  One News Now ran a feature this morning on Charlene Cothran, publisher of Venus magazine, formerly a magazine catering to black homosexuals, which now has a new mission “to encourage, educate and assist those in the [homosexual] life who want change but can’t find a way out.”  The article discusses her new life in Christ and pursuant rejection of the homosexual lifestyle.  Our sister in Christ needs our prayers as she discovers that the new and living Way is neither an easy nor accepted way by the world.  Charlene announces her new direction (and freedom, peace, and joy) in an excellent article entitled, Redeemed! 10 Ways to Get Out of the Gay Life, If You Want Out.  Also check out her blog, and do go to the comments section, it will give you a flavor for some of the attacks she will be enduring, and it will inform you as to how you should be praying for her.