Thideology News of the Day

Biblical Discernment Desperately Needed

Our world is full of people who apply the name “Christian” to themselves who have no concept of the Gospel. It is imperative, therefore, for actual believers in the Lord Jesus Christ to A) know the Gospel, B) be aware when false teachers stand up and proclaim a false gospel, and C) call them on it. Consider just the two examples of this from this past week…

• The Pope rejects the idea of repentance and faith in Christ as necessary for salvation.
• An Anglican Bishop preaches that diversity, NOT Jesus, is what saves.

Against ALL Enemies, Foreign AND Domestic

When officers in the United States Army enter the service, they take an oath…

“I, (state your name), having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of (state your rank) do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God.”

Their oath is to defend the Constitution of the United States against ALL enemies — foreign AND domestic. You may be thinking that domestic enemies of the Constitution are rare, and really no threat at all. I disagree. The Constitution is under assault daily…

• The IRS targeted political enemies of the president, attacking their right to free speech — that’s the very FIRST amendment to the Constitution.
• The IRS went so far as to demand pro-life groups reveal to them the “content of their prayers.” That is an attack on another aspect of the very FIRST amendment to the Constitution.
• Ironically, the IRS doesn’t like to be harassed (I find that funny).
• There is an Amish man on trial for selling raw milk to willing customers. Not only is the “crime” ludicrous, the government is railroading him in what appears to be a sham of a trial in direct violation of the sixth amendment.
• After the bombing of the Boston Marathon, the citizens of that area were subjected to marshal law and forced from their homes while their homes were searched without warrants in direct violation of the fourth amendment.
• The federal government of the United States appears to be bent on banning guns from private ownership in direct violation of the second amendment.
• And, when direct attempts to ban guns failed in the legislature, many government officials decided to attempt to make it illegal for anyone who has a mental illness to possess a gun. But, they get to decide who is and is not “mentally ill.” Their evaluation? Pretty much everyone is.

Memorial Day is upon us. We will all likely hear that it is fitting for us to honor those who “fought for our freedoms.” It is true that many have fought for America’s freedom in the past. But, if the military wants to continue to enjoy the distinction of being the ones who “fight for freedom” perhaps they need to know that the greatest threat to our freedom is not from some other country — it’s from Washington, D.C.

And I’m not the only one who thinks so. Judge Andrew Napolitano thinks…

• Government is bad for personal freedom, and…
• Tyranny is right around the corner.

Friendship with the World

Phil Johnson, the founder of the Pyromaniacs blog, once wrote an incredible essay on the dangers of the Church befriending the world. In it he said the Church, under such pretexts as “contextualization,” “missional living,” and “relevance” has demonstrated an unbridled willingness to accommodate Divine truth to human preferences.

Strong words.

You know what? God’s words are stronger…

“Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” — James 4:4

Accommodating sin is never an appropriate means of reaching sinners.

Phil Johnson’s essay, which originally ran in February 2009, has been reposted today. Read it for yourself. It’s worth it.

Thideology News of the Day

• My first stop on the internet each day is daveblackonline.com. Yesterday He offered the following thoughts concerning the church…

Much of what we call “church” today originated, not in the New Testament, but in post-apostolic times.

• The Lord’s Supper has changed from a celebration to a ceremony.
• Worship has changed from participation to observation.
• Witness has changed from relationship to salesmanship.
• Leadership has changed from servanthood to professionalism.
• Mission has changed from being missionaries to supporting missionaries.
• Body life has changed from edification to entertainment.
• Buildings have changed from functional to sacred.
• Child care has changed from the hands of parents to the hands of strangers.

The New Testament shows us that the great need of modern Christianity is to return to biblical faithfulness and the profound simplicity of the New Testament.

• How important is the local church? Dan Phillips offers his view.
• A Christian pastor in Iran will remain in prison unless he recants his faith in Christ. Actual persecution is alive and well in the world. Pray for this dear brother.
• Today is “Tax Freedom” day in America.
• So, what, exactly, are taxes? Judge Andrew P. Napolitano offers his view. And, I offer mine.
• Speaking of which, do you know what things “cost”? Walter E. Williams does.
• When is it okay to kill? Laurence Vance offers a very thought provoking point of view.

May I quote you…

“Zeal without doctrine is like a sword in the hand of a lunatic.”

— John Calvin

Concerning America’s “National Day of Prayer”

Dan Phillips weighs in.