Agnostic language lessons?

I had a discussion about spiritual things with a lady who was cutting my hair recently. She claimed to be an agnostic and was quite willing to discuss our different beliefs. Here are a few things I learned as I spoke to her.

One thing I realize is that she had not thought very critically about her beliefs. She discussed what she thought God might be like, the kind of God she could believe in, if there was one (loving), and what kind of God she definitely would not believe in (harsh/evil). I asked her if there was a real God, does what I, her, or any of the other 7 billion people on earth think of Him change who He is? Her reply was no, and she had never really thought of that before.

Another question that caught her a little off guard was this, if there is a real God and we are to know anything about Him, rather than us just speculating about what He might be like, would He need to tell us about Himself in some objective way?

I further suggested that if God had not revealed Himself, so that we might know what He really is like, then we might as well be atheists, because faith in an unknowable God was pretty pointless. Even her belief that any God that does exist must be loving, does not mean the real God could not be an evil tyrant. Only by God revealing Himself can we know anything about Him with certainty and of course I suggested He had done just that in the Bible.

She agreed that some of my logic made sense, but at this point brought some more murkiness into the conversation. She suggested that faith was not a mater of facts at all, but feelings and everyone must decide what they believe.

Wow! This really shows a difference in definitions. She is discussing God and faith in terms of what works or feels good for the individual, while I was discussing, if there is a God, how can we know and how must we respond!

So what do I suggest?

Make sure we are talking about the same things when it comes to God and faith. Are we both asking does a real God exist? If so, what is He like and how can we know what He wants from us? Or, are they simply talking about different concepts of God that are simply personal preferences?

If so, then I need to get us on the same questions about God, before the conversation can be fruitful.

Further, as to faith, are we talking about how and why we believe in the God who does exist or religious/spiritual feelings that make us feel better while we have no definite knowledge of God?

I ended by telling her that God's word/Bible, says the world is not about us finding a God we are comfortable with, but about the real God showing His justice in the punishment of all who rebel against Him and Him displaying the greatness of His mercy, grace and love, by saving those who believe upon the person and work of Jesus Christ!

I pray God uses something we discussed and my hair will grow back, so I will definitely look for her next time!

Church sign theology?

My friend Amy wrote a very good article about a church sign, you can read her insight here: alsvoice. I don't have her creativity, but I was struck by a couple church signs I saw as I traveled recently.

First, there are two churches not far from my house which are within 200 yards of each other. One church, a Freewill Baptist Church, has a sign which reads, "What is the most courageous thing you have ever done?", the Missionary Baptist Church next door has a sign which reads, "To God be the glory". I am not sure if the Missionary Baptist Church posted their sign in response to the Freewill Baptist sign, and of course I don't really know where the Freewill Baptist Church was going with the question on their sing, but I certainly could see one sign being a God-centered response to a man-centered message.

The next questionable sign I was a billboard for a church near the SC/NC border. It said the church was, "a church for now". I wish I could remember the name of the church so I could look up more information and see what "a church for now" means.

I do think there is a tendency in churches to focus on what God can do for us now, Your Best Life Now, etc.

However, as Christians, our now is to be defined by what Christ has done for us on the cross and our hope/home is not here and now, but later when we will dwell with Christ!

Consider the following:

Heb.12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. 

1 Pet. 2:11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

2 peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 

I wonder if these verses would line up with the theology of, "a church for now"? I am sure it does not line up with "Your Best Life Now", the book, but these passages do describe the way to have the best life now and it requires our now be defined by the work done by Christ in the past and the future we have when we see Him face to face! 

 "Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

One of the most life changing truths in scripture!

God's sovereignty even extends to using the sinful choices of man, in the accomplishing of His glorious purposes, specifically the saving of His people!

Gen. 50:19 Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

Acts 4:27 For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.

 "Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

This may help us get the right perspective on difficulties in this life!

 

This is a John Piper sermon excerpt which is played during a Matt Papa song.

 

 

 

 

 

Tell us how special we are music?

I was doing some home renovation projects yesterday and listened to a Christan radio stations top twenty count down of the most popular Christian music for the previous week. All the music had catchy tunes, some had Christ focused biblically sound lyrics, but a number of them were basically asking God to remind the singer/us how special we are.

I am not sure this song was in the count down or played right after, but I remember these lyrics and thought they were worth some scrutiny. I may have commented on this song before, but it is representative of a large number of songs and an example of why we need discernment in music.

From Mike's Chair:

Oh, God, are You listening?
Am I more than flesh and bone?
Am I really something beautiful?
Yeah, I wanna believe I wanna believe that I'm not just some wandering soul
That You don't see and You don't know
Yeah, I wanna believe, Jesus, help me believe
That I am someone worth dying for

 Is the song all bad? No. Is it true that we are of value, because Christ has set his love on us? Yes!

The question is, do we, as American Christians, in a culture that encourages us to be just as self-centered and narcissistic as possible, really need to be reminded by God of how wonderful we are or do we need get our minds off ourselves and be reminded of how wonderful God is?

Who is supposed to worship who?

Does God need to spend more time building our egos?

Should we worship Him and thank Him, even as we realize we aren't the center of the universe?

Rom. 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

Are we thankfully glorifying God as we should or are we telling Him we won't be satisfied until He makes  us feel better about ourselves?

Is that a type of created thing (us) worship?

Something to think about?

Very interesting topic, how does The Lord speak now?

Some insight into why many young people leave the church!

Another friend who blogs, "Al's Voice" found here, sent me a link to this blog post - 10 reasons kids leave church. I am not suggesting the research is scientific, but I think his conclusions are very reasonable and biblical. I hope you will take time to read it and visit Al's Voice as well!

Wow, I must have been at church when this Superbowl add ran!

I am only posting this to give some insight into the nonsense that is being held out as truth. The logical inconsistencies in this are many.

 

For instance:

 

Does non-conformity really suggest a higher likelihood of being right about the important questions?

 

 

Is the ultimate source of knowledge, the things we see, feel and know to be true?

 

 

And my favorite inconsistency of all time perhaps - "In the eternal debate for answer, the one thing that is true, is what's true for you"!

 

 

I am making a retching noise and on the verge of weeping in response to this commercial as it seeks to encourage everyone to be their own god and makes a mockery of the words (truth, knowledge, etc.) it uses to promote its message.

 

 

Watch at your own risk and please feel free to comment.

 

 

 

 

Shade tree worship!

As I preach through the book of Hosea, I am amazed by Israel's lack of focus on God and His word, considering all He did for them. I am also shocked by God's amazing grace that is in view as Hosea buys back a wayward wife, as a picture of God's buying back His people from their slavery to sin against Him and the punishment they deserve.

With that said, we should never think we are too smart to get far off track like Israel. Consider this quote:

 Hosea 4:13 They offer sacrifices on the mountaintops,
And burn incense on the hills,
Under oaks, poplars, and terebinths,
Because their shade is good.
Therefore your daughters commit harlotry,
And your brides commit adultery.

There is much to ponder in this verse, but consider the fact that Israel put being in the cool comfort of the shade trees, above worshipping where, when and how God prescribed!

In what ways and where, might we put comfort above the proper worship of God?

I welcome your comments on this!

A real jem from Spurgeon regarding heaven and the need for regeneration!

I saw this quote by Charles Spurgeon on the Pyromaniacs blog , you can find the rest of it there, but this portion was particularly striking.

"Men by nature need something to be done for them before they can enter Heaven, and something to be done in them, something to be done with them, for by nature they are enemies to God."

That a great change must be wrought in us, even ungodly men will confess, since the idea of the heaven of the Scriptures has always been repulsive, never agreeable, to unconverted men and women.

When Mahomet would charm the world into the belief that he was the prophet of God, the heaven he pictured was not at all the heaven of holiness and spirituality. His was a heaven of unbridled sensualism, where all the passions were to be enjoyed without let or hindrance for endless years. Such the heaven that sinful men would like; therefore, such the heaven that Mahomet painted for them, and promised to them.

Men in general, be they courtly, or be they coarse in their habits, when they read of heaven in the Scriptures with any understanding of what they read, curl their lips and ask contemptuously, Who wants to be everlastingly psalm singing? Who could wish to be always sitting down with these saints talking about the mighty acts of the Lord and the glorious majesty of his kingdom? Such people cannot go to heaven, it is clear; they have not character or capacity to enter into its enjoyment.
From The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, volume 62, sermon number 3,538, "Preparation for Heaven."

Also consider the video posted here from John Piper on the same subject, but from a different, yet parallel perspective.

Humorous clip - Bean at church!

 This is not that far off from reality!