The Bliss of Ignorance

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 

Paul had just finished talking about the folly of Christians being unequally yoked together with unbelievers in the previous verses. The question that I struggle with practically on a daily basis is what part of that command do we not understand. The language, the context, the application is all so very clear, and yet ignored by many.

You ever overhear other Christians talk? It's not like you are eavesdropping on them, but they are sitting so close or talking so loud that its inevitable that you hear, if not all, portions of their conversation. It happens a lot to me and I must confess that the content of some of these conversations leaves me baffled as to where they truly stand in their relationships with Christ. 

For example, the movies that they watch, the people that they admire, their grossly oversimplified versions of profound truth. My grandmother used to ask, "If ignorance is so bliss, why aren't more people happy." Based on the conversations that I overhear throughout the day, there should be a whole lot of people happy in this world! 

Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow spoke in convocation last week at Liberty University.


Tim Tebow Liberty University Convocation 3/8/2013 from Liberty News on Vimeo.

Seven Stages of Cultural Change

The German philosopher Hegel (1770-1831) believed that just because we learn about the past doesn't necessarily mean that we'll make any better decisions in the future. As a matter of fact, he said, "What experience and history teach us is this—that people and governments never have learned anything from history, or acted on principles deduced from it."

According to Hegel, every nation goes through seven stages of cultural change that will eventually lead to its demise.

1. The age of outburst (or pioneers)
2. The age of conquests
3. The age of commerce
4. The age of affluence
5. The age of intellect
6. The age of decadence
7. The age of decline and collapse.

Each stage helps progression to the next as the values of the people change over time. Military, political, economic and religious developments all influence the people to act and believe differently during each stage.

For example, he notes that each stage in the history of the nation is seen in its heroes. In the early years of an empire, the heroes are soldiers, builders, pioneers and explorers.  Then in the mid-stages of the empire, the heroes are successful businessmen and entrepreneurs because of their commercial affluence. Then during the final stages of decadence and decline, an empire's people often think most highly of and imitate athletes, musicians and actors—despite how corrupt these celebrities' private lives are.

You may not totally agree with Hegel's deductions, but they are certainly interesting and thought-provoking.

CCBC Peru

Having a great time teaching on the seven churches of Revelation this week at the Calvary Chapel Bible College.

Bulletin Bloopers

I've been showing these to my students for several days now and they asked me to post them. Here they are! 

Thank God for church ladies with typewriters. These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services:

1-Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa, will be speaking tonight at Calvary Methodist. Come hear Bertha Belch all the way from Africa.

4-Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the House. Don't forget your husbands.

5-The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.

7-Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.

8-Miss Charlene Mason sang "I will not pass this way again, "giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.

9-For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

11-Barbara remains in the hospital and needs blood donors for more transfusions. She is also having trouble sleeping and requests tapes of Pastor Jack's sermons.

12-The Rector will preach his farewell message after which the choir will sing: "Break Forth into Joy."

13-Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church.  So ends a friendship that began in their school days.

15-At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What Is Hell?"  Come early and listen to our choir practice.

16-Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.

17-Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled.  Proceeds will be used to cripple children.

18-Please place your donation in the envelope a long with the deceased person you want remembered.

19-Attend and you will hear an excellent speaker and heave a healthy lunch.

20-The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.

21-Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - Prayer and medication to follow.

23-This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.

26-Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM.  Please use the back door.

28-Weight Watchers! will meet at 7 PM at the First  Presbyterian Church.  Please use large double door at the side entrance.

29-The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday: "I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours."

The Seven Churches

Privileged to be teaching The Seven Churches of Revelation at the Bible College this semester.

Christ Banned from Council Invocations

Here is yet another perfect, yet sad example that we have truly become a nation of courts, that are ran by secularist, for the benefit of the minority.

‘Christ’ banned from Longview council invocations:

The Doctrine of Balaam, Part 1

In today's study we examine why God accuses the church of Pergamos of holding to the Doctrine of Balaam.

There Was No One Left to Speak for Me

Florida College Says Christian Group Can’t Have Christian Leaders

The Christians in this community should be on the lawn of the school demanding that this decision be rescinded. Sadly though, it will most likely go unchallenged.

Reminds me of Martin Niemöller who was a German pastor and theologian born in Lippstadt, Germany, in 1892. He was an anti-communist and supported Hitler's rise to power at first. But when Hitler insisted on the supremacy of the state over religion, Niemöller became disillusioned. He became the leader of a group of German clergymen opposed to Hitler. In 1937 he was arrested and eventually confined in Sachsenhausen and Dachau. His crime was “not being enthusiastic enough about the Nazi movement" when he wrote:

First they came for the communists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist. 
Then they came for the socialists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist. 
Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.

What does the Bible say about the pope / papacy?

What does the Bible say about the pope / papacy?

Very concise and very well presented.