A Letter from a Preacher

This morning I received an email asking me to direct soldiers who are PCSing (moving) to community X to independent Baptist church XYZ. Obviously before I can make such a recommendation I have to investigate, so I did what I would expect every member of BBC to do. I went to their website and pulled up their statement of faith. I copied what their website said for your review. Item number one dealt with the Word of God. I appreciated that. Communicating one's stand on the Bible in the beginning is very important. So let's take a moment and examine this statement and see what we think. Now BBC uses the KJV and believes it to be a very good literal word for word translation of the Bible. Our Articles of Faith makes it clear that the KJV is the Bible we use, but this article of faith from church XYZ communicates a different message. Let me show you what I mean.

Church XYZ

WHAT WE BELIEVE

1.  ABOUT THE SCRIPTURES.  We believe that only the Authorized King James Version (1611) is the inspired, preserved, and infallible Word of God.

First, I have to wonder why are we including the 1611 date? The 1611 AV KJV Bible is not readily available for purchase. It is impossible to get it in a good study Bible. Furthermore, the font types, character variations and different spellings would make it nearly impossible to read and comprehension would be exceptionally low.

Second, why would one include the 1611 date when the 1611 AV KJV was published and distributed with the Apocrypha? It had 80 books not 66 books. Now I know this preacher doesn't have the Apocrypha in his preaching Bible, and I am sure he does not reference any of the Apocrypha books, but it is important to realize that a direct reference to 1611 implies something. But what is the point of pointing someone to a date that isn't truly reflective of the Bible the church uses? BBC uses the KJV but not 1611. We use the most recent revision; the Authorized King James Version on my Logos Bible software is dated 1769.

Third, notice what is inspired, preserved and infallible—the 1611 is inspired, preserved and infallible. The translators were inspired, but there isn't a single Bible verse that justifies this statement. The original authors of the 66 canonical books were the ones inspired. That's what the Bible teaches. There are NO prophetical references to a time in the future in which God would inspire one particular group of translators unlike he has or ever will inspire such a group. Be careful joining a church in which the article of faith cannot be substantially supported by multiple scriptural references.

Fourth, the AV KJV is in English. Where is the scriptural support justifying God's exceptional love for English speaking people over and above all other languages? BBC has a Spanish body of Christ within the body of Christ—according to the above statement, only English speaking people have access to the inspired, preserved and infallible Word of God. How can this be? We also have a Korean Pastor in our congregation. Am I to tell him that unless he learns English and has a KJV Bible in his hands as he preaches he too cannot stand on the inspired infallible Word of God? What arrogant position. Where is the Bible proof that God is a respecter of English speaking people above others? Where are the prophetical references indicating God would in the future do something special in 1611 unlike anything he had previously done or would do again with a group of translators? I have heard all the arguments that God has used and blessed the KJV. I will submit to you that German scholars could have said the same thing concerning Martin Luther's biblical translation work in German. You can also be sure that there is a Korean Bible that God is blessing beyond the scope of the KJV in Southeast Asia as His Word is accurately translated into hundreds of languages all over the world, and it is NOT returning VOID.

What about when Jerome translated the Greek NT into Latin—what was that?

What about when Jews translated the Hebrew OT into Greek creating the Septuagint often quoted and referenced by Jesus and the Apostles—what was that?

What about the Tyndale Bible? What about the hundreds upon hundreds of Baptist preachers who use the NASB—are they all also NOT using something that is inspired and infallible? Notice very carefully the statement above uses the word ONLY. ONLY means ONLY.

There are some serious holes in the above statement of faith that should serve as significant red flags.

One must ask what other personal preferences will this preacher attempt to make authoritative as a matter of doctrine without sufficient Scriptural support. If he is willing to do it with his favorite translation, what is going to stop him from doing the same with a particular flavor of music he prefers or what about a particular style of dress—where does it end?

In Galatians 2, Paul confronted Peter to his face. Preachers who are declaring something as Scriptural which isn't must be confronted. A favorite or preferred translation is fine and acceptable, but don't take it too far.

 

 

 

 

 

Sectarian Fundamentalism I

Are you aware of how fundamentalism seems to be becoming a denomination? Some Baptist fundamentalists are becoming increasingly sectarian. This should be of great concern to Disciples of Christ who are baptistic in their understanding of the Bible. Independent Baptists have from the beginning advocated a position of independence that permits each congregation to govern themselves as they see fit; yet, sectarian fundamentalists are increasingly judging other churches and refusing to fellowship one with another based on differences of opinion on things that are not a fundamental of the faith. Classic or historical fundamentalism was not focused on methods, but key doctrinal points that are not negotiable when it comes to the validity of Christianity.

Independent Fundamentalists are not supposed to be sectarian. Each independent Baptist church is permitted to govern itself as it sees fit and choose how they apply the Word of God to their congregation most especially in the areas in which the Bible is not as clear as some would like it to be.

Sectarian Fundamentalists judge other churches which do not hold to the same level of convictions to the same degree as themselves as truly NOT fundamental.

The fundamentals of the faith are expanding into areas which are not fundamental. Fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, may I encourage you to be very careful when you refer to something as a fundamental of the faith that isn't. Know what fundamental is and isn't.

The verbal inspiration of the Word of God is a fundamental of the faith—a favorite, preferred, or best translation is not a fundamental. It can be a preference and even a mandate but not a fundamental. Let's be careful; words mean something. (There is a difference between a conviction and preference.)

Dr. Mark Minnick in SC is a Baptist fundamentalist that uses the NASB instead of the KJV; those who refuse to fellowship with another fundamentalist because of a divide over a non-fundamental of the faith are sectarian. A fundamental of the faith is something that significantly alters the orthodoxy of Christianity.

And the more they divide and isolate into sects, the more fundamentalism looks like a particular denomination within the Baptist flavor of Christianity. A denomination that is more likely defined by music, dress and a translation than the non-negotiables of the faith.

We are slowly losing our independence to the sectarians who determine what is acceptable from seats of power in larger churches normally associated with colleges. The competition between schools requires (or so it seems) lines to be drawn which are not necessary and the East, Midwest and West compete and divide into sects which ignore God's mandate for unity in the body of Christ. (Read John 17—twice.)

Fundamentalists are no longer fighting the liberal influence of other Christians and now fight each other over things that will not amount to anything when we stand before our Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

I Had Never Thought About this Before

Our world is really something else; until I bumped into this picture, I had never even considered the idea that diamonds are being harvested from slave labor in the 21^st century.

The Bible makes it clear things are not going to get better and better as humans evolve into better men and women because of cultural improvements or increased education. Jesus said iniquity is going to abound—conditions of lawlessness will continue to become more and more prevalent.

Greed may be one of man's worst enemies and the only solution to greed is the Gospel.

Christ died so that ALL men can be saved. The only limitation to the effectualness of Christ's atoning sacrifice is man's failure to repent and believe. If every man would repent every man, woman and child could be saved. Christ's death is fully sufficient to forgive every sin committed by every human being. The only limitation God has placed on the gift of salvation is the limitation that man must turn from sin and self to the one true God for his salvation. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved reminds each and every one of us that salvation is not limited in its application only its effectualness and this limitation is not based on race (Jews and Gentiles) BUT creed. And only one creed—a fundamental belief in the person and work of Jesus Christ—is the only creed that saves.

Farewell to Steve

This is our Youth Pastor's last week and it is a sad time for me. I have grown to love Steve Rahn, and I believe that God has knit our hearts together in just two years. He is an incredibly gifted young man and God is going to use him and his wonderful wife in an incredible way in New England. I look forward to sustaining our friendship via the modern cheap means of communication God has blessed us with in the 21^st Century. I hope that anyone who sees his departure in a negative way will repent of that sin and realize that Steve is leaving to assist another church with less staff and less resources to fulfill the Great Commission. Steve has God's call in His life and it's imperative that he be obedient. We, BBC, need to rejoice that another man like Matt or Tim or John is leaving BBC to plant churches—this is what it means to be an Acts 1.8 church. There are others on staff who will eventually leave as well. This cannot and should not be seen as anything other than a fulfillment of the Great Commission.

The 1^st century church in Jerusalem sent men out—ordained and commissioned by them. We must be controlled by the Spirit of God and when our carnal fleshly brains become negative, we must seek the Spirit of God's help in rebuking thoughts of negativity and rejoice in God's good blessing in being able to be a part of something much, much bigger than the ministry at 517 Glensford Drive. This is not some spin message or talking point to cover up a departure of someone on staff like a political administration does.

This is what we want as a church, we want to employ young men—let them cut their theological and ministerial teeth here—and then depart with the blessing of God and His Church to serve all over the Kingdom of God. One church in MN tells of 84 men who are presently in the ministry all over the world from one church. I wish Berean would have kept detailed records of the number of men who have been called to preach out of it.

For those who don't know, Steve was hired to teach English at the Academy a few years ago. God solidified His divine call on His life through the ministry of BBC—this is an incredible thing. Would we like to keep Steve- absolutely! But he must do the will of God. He is leaving a ministry rich in resources and blessings to go to a much tougher environment—some have wondered about that and allowed their mind to make wrong conclusions from that. Don't. This young couple earnestly seeks to do God's will above all else. Nearly every aspect of their lives reflects a desire for God's Will, more than anything else. They are not materialistic or vain, and they are remarkably mature for their ages. Our loss is another church's blessing. But the kingdom of God is much, much bigger than BBC—we must adopt a Kingdom Mindset and realize that in a very small way the influence of this ministry will be felt in New England.

I truly look forward to having Steve back to preach and to see through his preaching ministry how He is maturing in the faith and the grace of our Lord and Savior King Jesus.

Ecclesiastical Separation from a Fundamentalist

The URL below will take you to a great audio interview between two doctors of theology who agree on many aspects of the faith and are both very Baptistic ,yet they have a different perspective on this issue. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I did.

http://resources.christianity.com/details/mrki/20080525/21e4a8b5-9f3a-44e2-86c7-884ff1a01a4b.aspx

 

Let me know what you thoughts are—send me an email.

I really respect both these men and both are making a huge difference.

Dr. Minnick is a great representative for fundamentalism.

2nd Annual Paintball

Well it happened again. Yes once again the men and (future men) of Berean Baptist Church came together for our annual Paintball Event and we had a great time.

This year the weather was perfect. We had two great teams that battled it out all day long. Because we went as a private group we had the same referee all day long and simply went from field to field competing. If you have never spent the day with a group of Christian men you are missing out. There is really something impossible for the world to understand about the joy of being with other men who have a common morality. There was no profanity, no lewd jokes, no off-color remarks—just great clean fun.

We had several new faces which is always good. I spent the travel time to and back with two fine young men and got to know each of them a lot better than I would any other time. (Last year, I spent the day getting to know Bill and his son so much better—this year two different men.) These are just some of the secondary benefits to the men of the church doing events together.

Old timers and pre-teens spent the day together. We saw another side of each other. We replaced suits, ties, and white shirts for camouflage bottoms, t-shirts and backwards ball caps and face masks.

Brian provided a great lunch—with deli cuts, chips, snack and plenty of cold drinks.

Our next big event is scheduled for October. Now is the time to start putting away a few dollars every month to be able to participate.

 

 

 

Missing the Blog

I haven't been on my blog lately because I have been on the church website. We are working everyday to give our church the best website in Fayetteville to the glory of God.

Great websites are like monsters that are always hungry and thirsty for more and new information.

Trying to figure out the most effective way of organizing the information and making it presentable is a challenge.

I have several on staff that are doing a great job. One in particular is a high school student who is a tremendous asset.

I have also been focused on redoing the curriculum for our membership class.

I am also focused on redoing our church invitation brochure.

It seems as soon as you get one project done there is another and another –is it that way for you?

We redid the carpet and walls in the hallway and all the rooms of children's wing and it looks great but now that improvement makes the ceiling tiles look like they need to be done again.

Well time and the tithe of God's people is the only thing that holds us back. I wonder what it was like when the Israelite leaders had to tell the people to stop bringing stuff to the capitol city for the tabernacle Exodus 26.

Back to work….