Notes from a not so notable pastor, “now concerning…”
Doug Gray presented a paper in The Ethics Round Table on the biblical perspective on homosexuality that I thought might be helpful. He presents the arguments used to support homosexuality from the Bible and culture. Then he gives a biblical response.
The Ottoman Empire was founded in 1300 and collapsed after World War I. What if it had not, and what if the Muslims were able to establish such an empire today? What might it look like? Here is an example of what they required of the Armenian Christians in the Ottoman Empire. (more…)
If Christianity were simply good, one could be inclined towards it or not. There are many good things, ideas, sayings, etc. Even the way we present the desirability of Christianity is oftentimes based upon the goodness of Christianity, e.g. emphasizing what it can do for you or has done for others, etc. This leads to the common opine about the inquisitions, crusades, witches, and other actual or perceived evil fostered on the world by Christianity.
While each of these historical incidents can be dealt with individually and sufficiently by considering all the evidence, and Christianity is indeed good, the goodness of Christianity is actually secondary to her most outstanding attribute, which is the fact that Christianity is True!. Actually it is that Christianity is absolutely true that makes her ultimately good. Consequently, people have to deal with whether Christianity is true regardless if they think she brings good for the world. For example, the existence of the devil is not good, but the real issue is his existence is true.
Eternally, the question of whether heaven and hell actually exist is not determined by whether or not that appears as good to someone, anyone, or everyone, but rather is it true.
Jesus said, “Sanctify them in Truth, Your word is Truth.” (John 17:17). The message of Jesus and the faithful church is the same, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
It is that truth which people must deal with.
Bill Elliff was one of my predecessors at Trinity Baptist Church, and he is also the one who recommended me to the church. I have heard Bill and Tom Elliff speak a few times about the divorce of their parents and how difficult it was. I found the following synopsis of their mother’s struggle and thought you might be blessed by her love, faith, and forgiveness. (more…)