Apologetical Articles

And so we come to a subject which is often repudiated by those in the church who hold that the 'freedom of man' being the most important truth n their point of view. However, the bible is clear that God sovereignly controls everything that exists because He is who He is. Let us see this not simply because this great book says so; but because God's words tells us this is the truth, in the 93rd Psalm we are told: " The  Lord  reigns; he is  robed in majesty;" (vs 1) How many other Psalms tells us this truth? Well the following ones do: 48:7; 96:10; 97:1; 99:1. He is the king who sovereignly rules over all thing; and all people. But also note that in the 93rd Psalm we are told of this truth: " Your decrees are very trustworthy;  holiness befits your house,   O  Lord , forevermore." (vs. 5) Now let us take some time to consider this work because it is a great treasure for us all to have and hold; and we can agree with his sentiment in the introduction: "

Now that is a bold claim to make! What is it that I have in mind? Well, simply this: when any society that was at one time strongly based on biblical principle turns away from the foundation ultimately there has to be something that replace; and replace it I mean that it bring along with it a death induced system of thought. Do I need to give you a clear expression of this pattern? Yes I do. the continual destruction of unborn babies would be a clear example of this; and with the ever changing expression of this to include those who are born with some kind of abnormality as it is so defined. That would be everyone because no one can give a definition of what normal is-- well except for us Christians as long as you created in the image of God that is what gives us a right to say that there is such a thing 'sanctity of life'.  But this point is not only about that particular issues-- it cover a gambit of issue; but they will not be mentioned specifically. What I want to do is mak

  John MacArthur states: No person, no matter how clever and deceitful, can indefinitely hide a character that is rotten and out of tune with God. John Calvin said, "Nothing is more difficult to counterfeit than virtue." It demands too much. It demands more than any person has in himself, and when God’s divine provision and power are absent the charade cannot last long.

In today's society where discernment and disagreement finds a place in the by-gone era; where it is has been relegated to annals of historical anomalies. Ideas which either take back-seat to new fads and phases or the hands of the revisionists who seek to insert some kind of new-normal as it is so wonderfully referred to but in reality it is neither new or normal. But we who see the importance of such a crucial and beneficial tool must stand up and say "we cannot afford to put aside discernment for the sake of a perverse society that hellbent on destroyed Christian values."  No-- we must fight it and win this battle that is not only otherly-destructive but likewise is self-destructive.   In this book, D.A Carson, masterfully tackles this subject and brings truth and clarity to the issue. And as we see early on in this work gives a most important statement regarding true tolerance and new tolerance. He says: "Tolerance:"  as it should be understood  "accepta

Think of how powerless death actually is! Rather than rid us of our health, it introduces us to "riches eternal." In exchange for poor health, death gives us a right to the Tree of Life that is for "the healing of the nations" (Revelation 22:2). Death might temporarily take our friends from us, but only to introduce us to that land in which there are no good-byes. Erwin Lutzer: One Minute After You Die, Moody, 1997, p. 45.

It is clear when you look at the state of many churches in these days that there is a liberalising agenda taking place. And this has to do with the idea of breaking the "shackles of religion" but as we will see that it not a great place to be.  Let us take note of some important realities:  Abandonment of God  This is the first sign of a church which is turning in on itself-- think about what has happen in the last 10-20 years. All that has been allowed to take place in terms of redefining marriage; supporting the L.G.B.T  and the sexual revolution. The complete undoing of language to allow for nonsense words. All of this stems from one common reality and that is what the title suggests. In Ps.14 and 53 we are told of what a life looks like when one foolishly says there is no God.  vs 3 tells us that "they have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt. There is no one who does good, not even one." Do you see the point? When one lives his life out of this

John Macarthur states:  Marriage is a picture of Christ and the church. It is a sacred mystery. In fact, the sacredness of Christ’s church is linked to the sacredness of marriage. Christ is the heavenly Bridegroom and the church is His bride (Revelation 21:9). Marriage illustrates this union. The husband is called to be Christlike in his love for his wife because this protects the sacredness of the divine object lesson. The Christian husband therefore displays what he thinks of Christ by the way he treats his wife. And marriage itself is a sacred institution because of what it illustrates.

  John MacArthur wrote this book in order to combat a popular myth out there that "Jesus would not condone judgements being made by Christians of other people's religions." If I had point on single discourse given by our blessed Lord which systemically debuses us this notion it would be Matthew 23:1-39 because this section offers up a systematic denouncement of any works based religion out there. it has an introduction which breaks apart such a false system; then 8 woes which deal with the nature of religions of works; and a final judgement upon the establishment (key one is Pharisaic religion; but it applies to all).  In the introduction, he mentions about the books he read relating to the new emergent trend that "if Christians want to reach unbelievers in a post-modern culture, we need to be less militant, less aggressive, less preachy less sure of our own convictions." (prologue: location 116)  And this trend, though the system has been abandoned, nonetheless

 Albert Mohler stated this on the 10 of September: "Those who operated from this more modernist or postmodern worldview basically denied any kind of objective right, objective wrong, objective good, objective evil. Yet, here's the point. On 9/11/2001, that kind of argument became absolutely vapid. Indeed, there was virtually no one who was willing to stand up in public and say, "You know, I don't really believe that those acts were absolutely evil." You have to put them within their intellectual context, you have to deconstruct this act and understand that it's really a part of political protests. This isn't about right and wrong, nobody could make that argument because it was so transparently about evil, the display of evil, the horrifying images of evil, the evil motivations that had driven those attacks, the evil rationales behind it, and the evil ambitions of others to carry out similar attacks."  (The briefing: lesson 4)

We get a number of different invitations or calls to become a disciple of our Lord in the pages of scriptures such as: 'come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest....' (Mat. 11:28); or  'who ever does not bear his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.... ' (Luke 14: 27); or even 'if anyone thirsts let him come to me and drink....' (Jn. 7:38). Now these are all powerful invitations; and have several common realities about what it is putting forth which we will come to in a moment.  In a recent issue of  heart (a Christian News outlet); they had this little add which was supposed to be evangelistic in nature-- but in reality did not give the gospel at all. It only was presented as such. but failed in its operation. Let consider three areas which need to be considered with some depth right now. A not so defined position  I ask a simple question: how would you describe what it means to be a Christian? Obviously there are mu

A thought on Abortion; and the importance of all lives: Conception, then is the act of God whereby a person is created by God’s sovereign will. A soul is breathed into the living tissue by the Holy Spirit. That soul’s destiny is already known to God and determined by Him from before the foundation of the world. Abortion then becomes a violent anti-God act. It is not only a murder of the individual, it is an affront to the Creator… I believe abortion is the last official stand of the defiant apostate against God. It says, “God, you will not determine who lives or dies – I will!”

Have you ever considered what it takes to be a Christian? Well, this book sets out to provide a balanced and insightful answer to such a question. Now unlike all other religions and philosophies known to mankind whereby you do not have to make heart commitment as well as external commitment; Christianity is different for that vital reality. Note that in the first chapter (come follow) he lays out the necessary requirement which he lays forth with even more clarity in the following twelve chapters: Mixed Multitudes; Shocking Words; No Fine Print; Cross Dressing; Follow Jesus 1 & 2; Counting the Cost; Unconditional Surrender;  Under New Management; Tasteless Salt; Ears to Hear; and Lasting Words. All distilling the great cost one must be prepared to make when coming after Christ.  Let us see what other have to say: "Dr Lawson's exposition of Luke 14:25-35 distils the vital message and presents it in a robust and penetrating way." (John MacArthur)   "with compassion

The pattern of one who has been born again: A person who has been born again, or regenerated, does not habitually commit sin. He no longer sins with his heart and will and whole inclination. There was probably a time when he did not think about whether his actions were sinful or not, and he did not always feel grieved after doing evil. There was no quarrel between him and sin; they were friends. But the true Christian hates sin, flees from it, fights against it, considers it his greatest plague, resents the burden of its presence, mourns when he falls under its influence, and longs to be completely delivered from it. Sin no longer pleases him, nor is it even a matter of indifference to him; it has become a horrible thing which he hates.  (JC. Ryle: are you born again?) 

It has been something of a debate in the "Harry Potter community," which I am not a part of; but have recently come across it on you-tube, and that is whether this character Snape is good or bad. I happen to take the latter position. But I want to take the arguments which suggest that he is and consider them.     Let us consider each of these points. He was in love with Lily Evans  This may be the most easily proven falsehood, because when you think about what is the difference between love and limerence (deep-seated obsession)?  It is simply this: if someone love another person and expresses it but is turn down. They will never show any negative feelings towards that person; but only want the best for that person-- even if it is not with them.  Let us note how scriptures speak of love:  " Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant   or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;   it does not rejoice at wrong