Points to ponder
Answering atheists the Bible way
It really is a waste of time to spend hours and hours answering in detail atheists like Richard Dawkins. He is a fool and should be treated as such, the Bible says so.
"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works." Psalm 14:1
God-deniers generally talk piffle and to piffle there can be no answer. An answer requires of us that we descend to their level of argument. The Word of God must be judged by autonomous human reason. This we cannot allow.
"Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him." Proverbs 26:4
These people should expect from us an answer that is appropriate to their rank stupidity. To do anything else only encourages them in their arrogant nonsense.
"Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit." Proverbs 26:5
Should I still go to church when my husband forbids it? For one wife’s experience read …
The day God changed the sermon
One Sunday when I had done reading prayers at Madeley, I went up
into the pulpit, intending to preach a sermon, which I had prepared for that
purpose. But my mind was so confused that I could not recollect either my text
or any part of my sermon. I was afraid I should be obliged to come down without
saying anything. But having recollected myself a little, I thought I would say
something on the first lesson, which
was
the third chapter of Daniel, containing the account of the three children cast
into the fiery furnace: I found in doing so such a peculiar cause for it. I
therefore desired, if any of the congregation found anything particular, they
would acquaint me with it in the ensuing week.
In consequence of this, the Wednesday after, a woman came and
gave me the following account: "I have been for some time much concerned about
my soul. I have attended the church at all opportunities, and have spent much
time in private prayer. At this my husband (who is a baker) has been exceedingly
enraged, and threatened me severely what he would do if I did not leave off
going to John Fletcher’s church: yea, if I dared to go to any more religious
meetings whatsoever. When I told him I could not, in conscience, refrain from
going at least to our parish church, he grew quite outrageous, and swore
dreadfully if I went any more he would cut my throat as soon as I came home.
This made me cry mightily to God that He would support me in the trying hour.
And although I did not feel any great degree of comfort, yet having a sure
confidence in God, I determined to go on in my duty, and leave the event to Him.
Last Sunday, after many struggles with the devil and my own heart, I came down
stairs ready for church. My husband asked me whether I was resolved to go to
thither. I told him I was. ‘Well then,’ said he, ‘I shall not (as I intended)
cut your throat, but I will heat the oven, and throw you in it the moment you
come home.’ Notwithstanding this threatening, which he enforced with many bitter
oaths, I went to church, praying all the way that God would strengthen me to
suffer whatever might befall me. While you were speaking of the three children
whom Nebuchadnezzar cast into the burning fiery furnace, I found it all belonged
to me, and God applied every word to my heart. And when the sermon was ended I
thought if I had a thousand lives I could lay them all down for God. I felt my
whole soul filled with His love that I hastened home, fully determined to give
myself to whatsoever God pleased: nothing doubting but either that He would take
me to heaven if He suffered me to be burnt to death, or that He would some way
or other deliver me, even as He did his three servants that trusted in Him.
When I got almost to our door I saw the flames issuing out of the mouth of
the oven; and I expected nothing else but that I should be thrown into it
immediately. I felt my heart rejoice that, if it were so, the will of the Lord
would be done. I opened the door, and to my utter astonishment saw my husband
upon his knees, wrestling with God in prayer for the forgiveness of his sins. He
caught me in his arms, earnestly begging my pardon, and has continued diligently
seeking God ever since."
I now know why my sermon was taken from me – namely, that God might thus magnify His mercy.
JOHN FLETCHER (1729-85)
[The photograph shows the present Church at Madeley, John Fletcher's black and white tomb right next to it, and the house in which he lived is in the background]
JOHN WESLEY'S MOMENT OF
CONVERSION
"I went to America, to convert the Indians; but oh! who shall convert me? who, what is he that will deliver me from this evil heart of mischief? I have a fair summer religion. I can talk well; nay, and believe myself, while no danger is near; but let death look me in the face, and my spirit is troubled. Nor can I say, 'To die is gain!'" (John Wesley, before the moment of his conversion. (Journal 24 February 1738)
"In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther's preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death." (Journal 24 May 1738)
A letter from a lady, written to John Wesley
"I am still unwilling to take anything from anybody. I work out of choice, having never yet learned how a woman can be idle and innocent. I have had as blessed times in my soul sitting at work as ever I had in my life, especially in the night-time, when I see nothing but the light of a candle and a white cloth, hearing nothing but the sound of my own breath, with God in my sight and heaven in my soul, I think myself one of the happiest creatures below the skies, I do not complain that God has not made me some fine thing, to be set and gazed at; but I can heartily bless Him that He has made me just what I am, a creature capable of the enjoyment of Himself. If I go to the window and look out, I see the moon and the stars: I meditate a while on the silence of the night, consider this world as a beautiful structure, and the work of an almighty hand; then I sit down to work again, and think myself one of the happiest beings in it."
(from Southey's biography of Wesley)
Without Christ we are and have - nothing!
What Christianity was in the hearts of the apostles, it has been in the hearts of Christians of all ages, and in all parts of the world. Of this, every Christian has the evidence in his own experience. Christ is to him both God and man-God manifest in the flesh; God surrounded by the rainbow of humanity, which softens, diversifies, and beautifies his rays. Christ he worships, trusts, loves, and obeys. Christ is his wisdom, his righteousness, his sanctification, his redemption. Christ is ever near him, so that he can be spoken to, appealed to, and communed with; a present help in every time of need Christ is the Christian's portion for time and for eternity. With Christ he has everything, and without him he has nothing.
CHARLES HODGE, THE PRINCETON REVIEW 1876, Page 356
The blind believer who saw
“Toward the close of a day in the year 1874 I was sitting in my room thinking of the nearness of God through Christ as the constant companion of my pilgrim journey, when my heart burst out with the words.” Fanny Crosby (1820-1915)
Thou my everlasting Portion,
more than friend or life to me,
All along my pilgrim journey, Saviour, let me walk with Thee.
Close to Thee, close to Thee, close to Thee, close to Thee,
All along my pilgrim journey, Saviour, let me walk with Thee.
Not for ease or worldly
pleasure, nor for fame my prayer shall be;
Gladly will I toil and suffer, only let me walk with Thee.
Close to Thee, close to Thee, close to Thee, close to Thee,
Gladly will I toil and suffer, only let me walk with Thee.
Lead me through the vale of
shadows, bear me over life’s fitful sea;
Then the gate of life eternal may I enter, Lord, with Thee.
Close to Thee, close to Thee, close to Thee, close to Thee,
Then the gate of life eternal may I enter, Lord, with Thee.
Whatever happened to vibrant Gospel testimony in our now God-forsaken land?
Too many would retain the water while plugging the springs, enjoy the shade of the tree after cutting its roots. Plants that once flourished along the banks of the Gospel stream have been uprooted and transplanted in a dry and thirsty land. No, rather in poisonous fields of unbelief and apostasy so that the plants have degenerated into harmful growths whose brilliant colours and sweet fragrances conceal deadly toxins.
- adapted
Godless men can only convince themselves that their unbelief is reasonable by demonstrating that everyone else is as blind as they are
There was a country where most of the inhabitants were blind, including the philosophers. But there were a few simple people whose eyes were not sealed, and they spoke of the joy of seeing the sun. ‘But,’ said the philosophers, ‘you must not talk in that excited metaphorical strain. There is a diffuse warmth, as we all know, but your talk about a visible luminous body is an antiquated objectivism. There is no sun.’ Yet the simple people asserted all the more that they saw the sun, and a psychological committee was appointed to investigate the matter. They made many experiments and in the course of time they discovered that whenever those whose eyes were not sealed said they saw the sun, they had opened their eyes. The blind psychologists felt over the seeing faces and they made sure that there was a precise correlation between the openings of their eyes and the visions of the sun. ‘Dear friends,’ they said, ‘you are suffering from an illusion; the image of the sun that you speak of somewhat unintelligibly is produced by this trick of opening your eyes. Be honest now and tell us if you ever behold the image of the sun except when you open your eyes.’ The simple seers said ‘No’ and the committee was well pleased with them and hoped that they would recover from their sight. But the simple seers smiled to themselves, and went away saying, ‘We see the sun.’ [ - adapted]
Jesus said: “But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.” (Matthew 13:6)
"Opposition...
... would be less painful if it came only from infidels or the enemies of the truth, but much of it comes through those from whom, in view of a common faith and hope, we expect different treatment - at least forbearance if not charity. Acknowledging the respectful and Christian manner in which we are spoken of by a number of our opponents, yet the simple fact is, that if anyone dares to arise and call into question the correctness of popular views and propose another, one too in strict accordance with the early teaching of the Church, his motives are assailed, his piety is doubted, his character is privately and publicly traduced, his learning and ability are lowered, his position is accorded a scornful and degrading pity, by persons who deem themselves set up for the defence of the truth" (Dr George N. H. Peters)
"The Christian must be willing to be esteemed as a fool; to be despised; to have his name cast out as evil; and to be regarded as even under delusion and deception. Whatever may be his rank or his reputation for wisdom and talent and learning, he must be willing to be regarded as a fool by his former associates."
"He whose thoughts rise a little above the trivial must not be surprised if he is thoroughly misunderstood by most men." (Johann Andreas Rothe)
"One of the severest trials ... to a sensitive heart is the loss of personal friends, highly esteemed, through adhesion to what is honestly regarded as the truth, but which such may suppose to be error."
"Misrepresentation is easy: the truth is a little harder" (anon)
"In one respect a cavalry charge is very like ordinary life. So long as you are all right, firmly in your saddle, your horse in hand, and well armed, lots of enemies will give you a wide berth. But as soon as you have lost a stirrup, have a rein cut, have dropped your weapon, are wounded, or your horse is wounded, then is the moment when from all quarters enemies rush upon you." (Winston Churchill in My Early Life)
Honey, I shrunk the Bible!
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 2:16)
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” (Psalm 19:7)
If God has spoken on prophecy, it is not a ‘secondary truth’, and it is incumbent upon us to discover what is the truth and not to set it aside because it might prove contentious. When the Bible says, repent and be baptised, it is as much disobedience to refuse one, as it is to refuse the other. We cannot differentiate in this way between one teaching and another. If God has spoken in His Word, then we must believe and obey all of it. So-called secondary truths do not divide Christian people, forsaking the truth for error does. Paul writes:
“ Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1 Corinthians 1:10)
Those alone will be blessed who tremble at His Word. “…to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." (Isaiah 66:2). Those alone love the Lord Jesus are they who keep His commandments – all of them! Christian minimalism asks: how little can I get away with? Those devoted to their Lord ask: is there anything I have missed doing that would please thee?
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” (John 14:21)
Our Saviour asks of us, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). To diminish the Word of God is to disobey it and this is worse than criminal.
"Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments." (Psalm 119:6)
"The corruption of the Christian world, and the almost general lukewarmness of those who have some respect for religion, render it impossible to preach openly and constantly the deep truths of Christianity without giving general offence." JOHN FLETCHER OF MADELEY
A biblical response to the theatre and blasphemy
posted week beginning 10 January 2005
Blasphemous productions on the stage and television have in recent times proliferated and many Christians quite understandably feel they must protest, nothing wrong with that. ‘Jerry Springer – The Opera’ is only the latest in a long list of such productions in the London West End. The theatre has always been a cesspit and Oliver Cromwell’s solution to shut every one of them down is appealing if now impractical. The backlash that followed once Cromwell had gone, exemplified in the theatre of Restoration England, is a byword in lewdness and depravity. John the Baptist, also the Apostle Paul drew attention to the individual sins of rulers, John losing his life for it. Ought then we not also to do the same?
As our nations have fallen yet deeper into godlessness, blasphemy has become much more common and the name of God and Christ abused far more than was the case even a few years ago. What Lot saw around him in Sodom vexed his righteous soul (2 Peter 2:8) as much that we see around us grieves us. In raising a voice in protest we ought to remember that it is insufficient to say, as many do, that we find such things offensive or it is an insult to our faith. What the Bible says is
"Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." (Exodus 20:7)
At the heart of this matter is the fact that God Himself is offended and He will recompense appropriately those guilty of such things with the most fearful retribution. Of this we can be certain.
Theatre directors claim to be pushing forward the boundaries of artistic licence. Mockery of things Christian has a long pedigree in the theatre. In 1743 John Wesley recorded in his journal:
"
Wednesday 2nd November - The following advertisement was published.FOR THE BENEFIT OF MR ESTE.
By the Edinburgh Company of Comedians, on Friday, November 4, will be
acted a Comedy called,
THE CONSCIOUS LOVERS
To which will be added, a Farce, called
TRICK UPON TRICK, or METHODISM DISPLAYED
On Friday, a vast multitude of spectators were assembled in the Moot Hall to see this. It was believed there could not be less than fifteen hundred people, some hundreds of whom sat on rows of seats built on the stage. Soon after the comedians had begun the first act of the play, on a sudden all those seats fell down at once, the supporters of them breaking like a rotten stick. The people were thrown one upon another, about five foot forward, but not one of them hurt. After a short time, the rest of the spectators were quiet, and the actors went on. In the middle of the second act, all the shilling seats gave a crack, and sunk several inches down. A great noise and shrieking followed, and as many as could readily get to the door went out, and returned no more. Not withstanding this, when the noise was over, the actors went on with the play. In the beginning of the third act the entire stage suddenly sunk about six inches: the players retired with great precipitation; yet in a while they began again. At the latter end of the third act, all the sixpenny seats, without any kind of notice, fell to the ground. There was now a cry on every side; it being supposed that many were crushed in pieces: but, upon inquiry, not a single person (such was the mercy of God!) was either killed or dangerously hurt. Two or three hundred remaining still in the hall, Mr Este (who was to act the Methodist) came upon the stage and told them, for all this he was resolved the farce should be acted. While he was speaking, the stage sunk six inches more; on which he ran back in the utmost confusion, and the people as fast as they could out of the door, none staying to look behind him."
On this occasion, the mercy of God prevailed; not one life was lost and only the performance was brought to nought. The mercy of God is not always extended to blasphemous enactments as the New Testament records:
"And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost." (Acts 12:21-23)
We should have no fear for God is well able to take care of the honour of His own name, far more effectively than we could ever achieve it. Certainly never ought we to resort to physical force, the refuge of earthly religions that have no other weapons with which to defend their cause.
"Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight." (John 18:36)
It is right and proper that we should be distressed at what is going on around us, but never to the point of despair. We have this assurance:
"Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. …I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found." (Psalm 37:1-2 & 35-36)
Blasphemers are taking a terrible risk, not at our hand but at that of Him whose Name they are so determined to tread underfoot. They are danger in going beyond the mercy of God from which there is then no recovery.
Whatever doctrine is new must be wrong; for the old religion is the only true one; and no doctrine can be right, unless it is the very same 'which was from the beginning'" JOHN WESLEY
The King no one can overthrow
WHY do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. (Psalm 2)
Never have the philosophies of men been so absurd, never has the rule of princes proved so tyrannical, never has the violent opposition been so intense than that exerted against Christ and His Gospel. These utter fools, for that is what they are, have convinced themselves they can overthrow all that is of Christ, but their cause is folly, vain imaginings that bear no relation to the reality of the situation. Those who fight Christ are the rabble, the mob, the heathen, the mass of people of all nations. All seek a kind of liberty yet they refuse the liberty of the Gospel, believing they have freedom in the rattling of their chains. The ordinary people are not alone: the leaders of our nations, godless people, magistrates, judges, rulers, statesmen on a worldwide basis conspire together against Christ. All in passing and upholding the God-hating laws they do, they show their contempt for Him. Many may be enemies of each other, but in their hatred of Christ they are made friends, like Herod and Pilate (Luke 23:12). They conspire together to usurp the place of God, of Christ, in the world. They will acknowledge no rule over them but their own. The only Christ they will countenance is one who will serve their own purposes, make them rich. Such a Christ is there for them not they for Him. They will tolerate no one who would restrain their corrupt desires and passions, or regulate their hearts and live, or bring them to a life pleasing to God. The citizens of this world hate Christ and say: “We will not have this man to reign over us” (Luke 19:14). They set themselves with determined hearts, faces as flint, against all reason and conscience. They persist in their ungodly war come what may. They encourage one another in this great undertaking, calling their conferences and councils. They work with unrelenting ardour to make sure that Christ will have no reign over them.
Not only do they work against Christ, they may make friends of hypocrites to this end, they will join with them too in order to harass and persecute genuine believers. How formidable and frightening they appear, how invincible they think themselves to be! Ultimately, however, and we must never forget this, their quarrel is against the Lord, against Christ, against God’s Anointed. Those who hate Christ hate also God. They “have … hated both me and my Father” (John 15:24). They see the claims of Christ, His ordinances, as we have seen, to be bands, cords that would restrict their own ungodly wisdom and licentious way of life. These cords must be cut.
All men will bow one day before Christ and confess that he is Lord. Those of us who love and serve Him have no problem with this as we have already acknowledged this truth. For those who hate Him, it will be an acknowledgement of that which they always feared and sought to deny.
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)
Arise, the kingdom is at hand,
The King is drawing nigh;
Arise with joy, thou faithful band,
To meet the Lord most high!
Look up, ye souls, weighed down with care,
The Sovereign is not far;
Look up, faint hearts, from your despair,
Behold the Morning Star!Johann Rist (1607-1667)
trsl. Catherine Winkworth
"There is not a single instance in human history in which civil liberty was lost and religious liberty preserved” JOHN WITHERSPOON (Presbyterian minister, president of the College of New Jersey, later Princeton)
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