Perpetual Flogulence

Perpetual Flogulance is moving...

2006-09-11T18:32:00.000-05:00

Thats right, we're moving over to beta blogger.

find us here!

hope to see you all there!

SK

Its always the worst amongst us

2006-09-10T18:10:00.000-05:00

I laughed so hard at this...[Click here to have a seizure]

*Disclaimer: if you really do have a condition where flashing colors and lights do induce a seizure..do not click*

we in #pros had a good laugh

Cosider Something Please

2006-09-04T12:42:00.000-05:00

[1] In the last 24 hours, Alpha and Omega Ministries was burgled and somebody stole James White's computer equipment. That is: his T5 and his PC Tablet (and apparently his iPod). While I am sure none of you did it, maybe you will run into a guy trying to sell a PC Tablet for cheap in the Phoenix area. I am sure the local police would love tips.

[2] More importantly, AOMin could sure use your help in replacing thoe stolen items. Insurance? Yes, I'm sure they have that, but deductables are the worst. Wander over to their donation page and give a little for the sake of reformed apologetics.

A Week in Review

2006-09-03T14:02:00.000-05:00

a few things quickly

1. I have never been so eager to go to class in all my life. I have three theology classes: Theo 101, Calvins' Institutes, and petateuch (Torah). I have a philosophy class, a British Isles history class (with the coolest prof on campus). This is another course, but I dislike that one (phys Ed..or HYPER 10 to you Dordt readers).
2. Im finding allies here:
Ron Rynders - Works in the student services center. This guy knows the skinny around here. He has a good idea of who the true believers are on this campus.
Pastor Rod Gorter: The new campus pastor, or 'Dean of Chapels'. Alumnus of Dordt and fresh from teaching seminary in Ukraine.
Wayne Kobes - Chair of Theology Department. Great man, great teacher. He's someone that I really wish to get to know more.
Keith Sewell - History professor. Brilliant scholar and a great teacher. Another that I want to know better in my time here.

Those are the ones that I know for sure, at least for now. Pray for us brothers!

3. My roommates are awesome!

4. Classes will be..Challenging. All but one of my classes have at least three books and all but one will have a lot of reading and writing. Its going to be tough, but I know it can be done.

again, pray for me brothers!

~SK~

Here at last

2006-08-27T23:37:00.000-05:00

I have mixed feelings...I am excited to be here yet this place seems alien to me. I know few people but I am confident that God, who called and bought me here, will take care of all my needs including providing for me a community of brothers and sisters to have fellowship with. The words "there are wolves in the sheeps pen" still ring in my mind; but my skiddish feeling pale in comparison to Gods call and His mighty hand.

more later

whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say "it is well, it is well with my soul"

~SK~

You Supply The Caption: The Mime

2006-08-18T20:46:00.000-05:00

Here at camp we do what is called the Mime. It is a depiction of Christs ministry set to music. Everyone wears white mime paint with a symbol on the cheek; all but Satan who gets to go makeup happy. I played Satan this past Tuesday here at camp. My last mime.

So, You supply the caption!

Okoboji Bible Camp: The Last week

2006-08-13T15:27:00.000-05:00

Its hard to believe that the summer is practically over. This is my last week here at Okoboji Lutheran Bible camp. I'm especially excited for this week because I get to hang out with the speaker for the adults who also happens to be a prof at Seminary. I'm really looking forward to the possible discussions.
After all this Ill have a week off and then school starts for me on the 29th. I'm really looking forward to Dordt. Do pray for me though because I know that I will be facing spiritual challenges at Dordt. I know God has sent me for a purpose and I know that He will take care of me but, Pray for Me brothers (and sisters).

Well, back to work

~SK~

*UPDATE: apparently the speaker is a very private man; I have not gotten a chance to hang with him at all. A little discouraging but what can I do? *

You Supply The Caption: Quizno's

2006-08-07T20:04:00.000-05:00

Teaching Kids Theology: Okoboji Bible Camp Update

2006-07-28T23:01:00.000-05:00

For the past few weeks I have had the opportunity to be teaching kids, ranging from 5th grade to 7th grade, great theological truths. Being that they are of young age I must restrain from using words from the theologian language and resort to simpler things and idea.
A common question that has arisen is: "Why did God let Adam and Eve Sin? Didn't He love them?"
Now, that's quite the question coming from someone so young (around 12). The first time I was asked this I was amazed that these kids were thinking on such a level (whether they knew it or not). After some very quick thinking I came up with this:

Have any of your read the Narnia series?
Q:Does CS Lewis know all about Narnia?
A:Obviously yes because He wrote it.

Q: Why did Edmund betray his brother and sisters to the witch?
A: Because if he did not, they would have all left and Narnia would have been left to be ruled by the Queen forever.

Q: Was what Edmund did wrong?
A: Yes

Q: Did He make a choice?
A: Yes

Q: Did still write it? Did He still want it to happen?
A: Yes

Think about Time as a book. The characters in Narnia only know what is in the book. They have no concept of anything else. We also have no concept of anything but time; so put yourselves in there shoes. God knows all things because he wrote the book of time. He decreed all things within time, yet, like Edmund, we still have choices to make. We are still held responsible for those choices, there are still consequences.
They Got this simple explanation very quickly, I was very pleased.

These are the kinds of examples that I have been using to answer the questions that, whether the kids realize it or not, are very deep questions. Its refreshing to see this kind of curiosity and this budding faith

coming up sometime..

Why I am a Calvinist

Also, I hope to get back to my Five Sola series...Possibly when the Fall semester starts.

~SK~

From the Blog of James R. White

2006-07-24T19:39:00.000-05:00

According to The Independent, a British news paper, Simon and Schuster is dumping a quarter million into a marketing promotion for a book by an American woman, 43, named Kathleen McGowan, who claims...are you sitting down?...to be "a direct descendant of the physical union between Mary Magdalene and Jesus Christ." Of course, she has received a seven figure sum for the rights to her book as well. She says she offers no proof of her heritage, but claims to have traced her geneaology to an "ancient French lineage that claimed to trace its roots to the pair." Well, isn't that special?
I would like to think this kind of bald-faced absurdity would boomerang on Simon and Schuster and they would lose their shirts on this silliness, but given the level of absurdity inherent in The DaVinci Code to begin with, I have a hard time coming up with that kind of optimism in the human ability to exercise discernment in such areas. One thing is for sure: all that money will not help Kathleen McGowan when she stands before the God she used as a foil for obtaining "filthy lucre."

And Just When You Thought Da Vinci Went Away - Pros Apologian

You Supply The Caption: Kitchen Madness

2006-07-13T15:49:00.000-05:00

Edit: thats a butter dish by the way

In Mourning....

2006-07-05T12:09:00.000-05:00

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater;
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase,
To added affliction, He added His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure; His pow'r has no boundary known unto men. For out of His infinite riches in Jesus; He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!

When we have exausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done;
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Fathers full giving has only begun.

~Lord, Let this be for me. Give me More Grace in my Suffering!~

~SK~

Revisions and other things..

2006-06-27T14:39:00.000-05:00

It seems that there was a but of confusion in a recent post God is not a gentleman. I did not mean to sound as if God molested Lydia. I mearly ment to say that God opened her heart with no oposition. The text does not say how God did it, just that He did and that He did not fail in what he was doing. There is no failing with God; My Jesus did not suffer in vain for anyone.

Moving on...

Camp is going well, Im sorry that I have no pictures to show anyone; I simply do not have the time to upload them as of yet. But rest assured, I shall post them in some way when I have the time (probably at the end of the summer). I was in Emerson, NE this last week for Day Camp (that is Bible School). and we have family camp this week. It is amazing to see God work in the lives of little kids. I have found that even though we adults think that children cannot think on our level, they do. I had a great question from one of my campers about "why did God let satan in the garden." I equated it to CS Lewis and Narnia (Lewis being God and..well you know). It has been a great time.

Gotta get back to work! Thanks for your prayers!

SK

Better late then Never

2006-06-25T15:44:00.000-05:00

I had the chance to preach the sunday sermon here at Camp on Fathers Day. I know that was a week ago but better later then never.

Enjoy

SK

God the Father

SK Schultz

Luke 15:20-24 NASB "So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. (21) "And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' (22) "But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; (23) and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; (24) for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.' And they began to celebrate.

I, myself, am not a Father (though I hope to be one someday). I do not know the ins and outs of the job and I haven’t a clue what you as Fathers have to put up with in a day.

This past week at camp I found myself saying “now I know how my Dad felt” a lot. I realize that I put my dad through a lot of stuff when I was younger (and probably a lot of stuff in recent times). I know I didn’t always listen to Him, or respect Him as much as I should of. I know I made him mad…a lot. And I know that I deserved every beating he ever gave me. I sometimes wonder if my siblings and I were the real reason that he went bald.

I have heard it said that a child will not find a Father in God unless He finds a picture of God in his Father. I heard a story recently about a teacher who told the class to draw a picture of someone special. One boy drew a picture of His father and said “I didn’t know what God looked like but I knew what my Dad looks like!” (What a huge responsibility we have to our children).

In Luke 15 we find Christ giving the story of the prodigal son. Nearly everyone can relate to one of the characters in Jesus’ story; the Father, the son, or the prodigal son. Each character gives an important lesson for Christians to learn. For Fathers we find four characteristics of a Godly Father

The Father was patient: The Father waited a very long time for his son to come home (long enough for a famine to ravage the land). Jesus said that the Father saw his son “along ways off”. The father never stopped waiting for his son to come home. As fathers, we must be patient with our children. We must gently correct them and discipline them, but be patient with them to learn the lesson.
The Father loved: When he saw his son coming home He didn’t even wait for him to get to the door. He ran out to meet him from a long ways off. Why did He run? He was afraid that his son would change his mind and turn around. He ran out and hugged him and kissed him. He didn’t lecture him or demand to know where he had been for all those years or ask him what he had done with his money; He just showed love to His son. Fathers, we must love to our children when they make mistakes.
The Father showed forgiveness: Wile the text does not say “I forgive you son” we know that the father was forgiving because he demonstrated it with his actions. In verses 18 and 19 of Luke 15 we read that the sons plan was to beg forgiveness and ask to be made a servant in the house. He doesn’t even get to finish his plea because the Father cuts him off. He restored him to his original place and treated him with the highest honor. Fathers, how forgiving are you when your children mess up?
The Father had the right priorities: Notice that the all the father cared about was that his son was home. He didn’t demand an explanation, or demand that his money be paid back. He didn’t lecture his son about responsibility or put him through a guilt trip. He was just happy that his son was home. That was the most important thing. Fathers, what’s the most important thing in your lives?

Okoboji Bible Camp: Staff Training and Confirmation Camp

2006-06-17T12:48:00.000-05:00

In my last installment I talked about my experience with lifeguard training. This past month has been crazy; we (the camp staff) had two weeks of training in which we prepared skits, preparing theme verse songs (that isn't so fun...kinda annoying ), and bible studies.
Bible study was the hardest part, I'm not the biggest fan of working with others on a bible study, especially if they disagree with you one some key points. It did get done but not at the level that I thought it could have been at.
Theme verse songs are pretty self descriptive. We take the theme verse of the day and make it into a song with actions. This gets pretty annoying pretty quickly.
Skits are the funniest part. Being someone who enjoys acting I had a great time watching and practicing them. Doing them for the kids is the best part, its very rewarding.

We also got to watch a drama called "the Mime" which is a acting out of the gospel story set to music. This was very powerful for the staff as well as the kids. One of my campers broke down and cried during the cross scene and continued for the rest of the play and a half hour after. I don't know what God did in that young mans heart, but I'm glad he did it. He was a lot different afterward.

The first week of Campers went very well. I had a JC (Jr counselor) placed with me as well as nine kids ranging from 12-14. One of them had ADHD, one was just hyper, one was a "tough guy" and one constantly clung to me (the one who cried Thursday night). Needless to say I was pretty frustrated with the Hyper kids, especially during cabin devotions. They were definitely EGR kids (Extra Grace Required).

I had the chance to teach one of the youth groups during the Bible study times. This has affirmed what I was sure my calling was: to be a teacher within the Body of Christ. Being able to do this made me feel better about the bible studies because I took the outline and "reformed" it. I really enjoy teaching!

Next week I'm going out on what is called Day Camp. I will be traveling with 6 other staff members to Emerson, NE to teach a bible school.

until next time,

SK

Marriage amendment: Back again!

2006-06-05T14:54:00.000-05:00

Sadly, this needs to be done. It really shouldnt have to, but with liberal judges overturning gay marriage bans (4 times allready), we need to federally state what marriage is and is not.

"For ages, in every culture, human beings have understood that marriage is critical to the well-being of families. And because families pass along values and shape character, marriage is also critical to the health of society," Bush said at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, where religious and community leaders, legal scholars and other supporters listened to the president speak"

"The Constitution will be amended whether we pass this amendment or not," Allard warned. "The only question is whether it will be amended through the amendment process or by unelected activist judges."

"I think this just highlights the fact they have no intention — they have no plan to deal with health care. They have no plan to deal with our national security. They have no plan to deal with the energy crisis," Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., said.

I love how the dems dont have a postition on it except its wrong..way to go guys (SARCASM FOLKS)

Read More

*Scott gets off his soap box*

SK

God is not a gentleman

2006-05-30T13:44:00.000-05:00

That is the big statement that stuck out at me last night during the evening chapel service here at Okoboji Bible camp. The only thought that went through my mind was this: tell that to Lydia!

Acts 16:14 NASB A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.

The Heart is the most intimate part of a person. We go to such great lengths to avoid hurting the heart; here we see God taking the heart of this woman and opening it. That doesn't sound like a gentleman who only comes in when he is asked. That sounds like a Sovereign God who saves his people no matter what it takes. That's a loving Father, that's My God!

SK

Okoboji Bible Camp: Week one – Life Guard Training (May 22nd – 26th)

2006-05-27T12:10:00.000-05:00

My Father always told me “boy, you need a saleable skill…”

He would then go on to tell me about how I should have got my CDL by now and how I would be hired by anyone on the spot if I had it; but that’s another story. Normally for one to take guard training it costs around $100, I am blessed enough to get it for free. It lasts three years (that of course is if I renew my CPR training every year…otherwise everything expires in a year) and I can use it at any pool. Needless to say I jumped on this opportunity.

At training I learned the following:

- Life guard skills

o Proper scanning techniques.

o Proper entries

o Proper rescue techniques

o Proper escapes should the victim grab me in the water

o CPR

o First aid

The above were actually quite easy to learn and I had no trouble picking up and demonstrating the skills when for the test-out times. There was one thing that I did have trouble with however: it was the ten continuous laps (20 lengths) that I was required to swim in order to be certified (4 free style, 2 breast, 4 breast/free – swimmers choice). After about half of this order I realized that my days of “swim-team” were far behind me and that I was an old, fat, out-of-shape man. (I’m only 20…but you are as old as you feel B>D). Thankfully, I got through that and completed the training (the rest was quite easy).

So ends my first week of camp, next comes staff training (2 weeks) then the campers will arrive.

More on camp later.

Movie Review: X3

Great movie...I highly recomend seeing it. They even leave it open for an X4!

I do beleive thats it for now...

SK

End of [school] year Odds and Ends...

2006-05-04T09:50:00.000-05:00

There is a lot of things that I did not get to this year, so I will try to do that.

Free Will:

I believe in free will in the sense that Man is a temporal being and must live out his existence within time, thus making choices. Does this mean that man is free from Gods decree? No, for God runs the world - he declares the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). This does not make God the author of sin because God used secondary means (James 1:13, 1 John 1:5); man is responsible for what he does ( Acts 4:27-28).

Contentment:

A few days ago there was a flyer at the dinner table that says "You can try to make your life work without God" - The first sentence said " 'try' being the key word " - this got me thinking: doesn't this communicate that, by this worlds standard, our lives will be peachy keen if we have God? Obviously, this isn't true - for many a brother has died a horrible death and lived a miserable life. True contentment in life is peace at the end of all things.
This raises an interesting question: can a person be happy with worldly things? The answer is yes and no. I believe that the unregenerate can be and is. Look at the worlds A-List - Paris Hilton, Tom Cruise, George Cloony, and all the other rich, powerful, and popular people who deny Christ. They seem happy and content don't they? I am willing to bet that some of them are so deluded by Satan that they really are happy and they really do feel content. Why is this? We say the world doesn't satisfy, but what is it that the world doesn't satisfy? The only thing that the world doesn't satisfy is spiritual thirst and hunger that only the elect ever experience. Jesus said come to him those who thirst and hunger but who is that thirst hunger? Is it not those who are drawn by the father and given to the Son (John 6)?
Does one's life work without God? Yes, it can and in most cases (speaking on the large scale) it does, that is until one enters into eternity. It is only when one stands before the throne at the end of all things that the result of living a life outside of Christ is truly seen.
So, does a life work without God? The answer is no but only when a man feels the thirst for something more. The only one who truly feels this is one drawn to Christ by the Father (John 6:44).

Reflections of my sophomore year:

This year I Saw my purpose in returning to Wayne State College for another year: I got to introduce my roommate and others to the doctrines of Grace: and saw many come to embrace these wonderful truths of Scripture. I got to play a part in the salvation of brother Treven. I saw three Catholics come out of RCC and another begin to think on those things.
I was angry with God when He sent me back, but now, as I look back on it all I'm glad I came back. I will leave this place with relationships that will last an eternity and the assurance that good things wait for me at Dordt College among these things are a theological education and my wife (I hope and pray!).

I did a few crazy things too: Here's a few of them.

- I participated in a Halloween prank that involved a scary, run down house, a shotgun, and some very freaked out girls.
- I smoked (that is puffed...No inhalation) a lot of clove cigarettes, pipes, and cigars. (I've got quite a taste for cloves and certain pipe tobbacco's)
- I wore a Kilt that got me much repsect on campus as well as channel ops

What I didn't do:

- I didn't drink
- I didn't do drugs
- I'm still a virgin (I'm loving my wife...And I'm not even married)

Anyways...

that's it I spose...I'm done thinking about it all..Time for bigger and better things.

oh, btw...Pray for me brothers! There is a battle coming at Dordt...And the remnant there needs all the prayer cover we can get! Thanks!

that's it from Wayne, NE - where the women are strong, the men are good looking, and all children are above average!

SK

LiveOffensivlyforGod.com

2006-05-02T13:31:00.000-05:00

I helped this guy sell shirts!

"Teens are complacent, he says, and he wants them to take an active role and “engage the culture,” not just accept things because someone says it is so. As one shirt says, “Don't go to church. Be the church.” [READ MORE]

Check out Joe Bakers website here: LiveOffensivlyforGod.com

FireFox and Nintendo Redefined

2006-04-30T15:48:00.000-05:00

FireFox is better!
You can see more stuff like that right Here at FireFoxFlicks.com

if you played alot of oldschool nintendo, youll like this too [Nintendo redefined]

A horrible tragedy averted by....Stupidity

2006-04-20T20:18:00.000-05:00

FOXNews.com - Cops: Kansas School Shooting Foiled After MySpace Messages Intercepted - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News

"RIVERTON, Kan. Five teenage boys accused of plotting a shooting rampage at their high school on the anniversary of the Columbine massacre were arrested Thursday after a message authorities said warned of a gun attack appeared on the Web site MySpace.com."

Dumb people...Im glad they got caught but the fact that they bragged about it on a public site makes me chuckle.

Happy Easter

2006-04-16T22:33:00.000-05:00

by A.W. Tozer">The Old Cross and The New
by A.W. Tozer

ALL UNANNOUNCED AND MOSTLY UNDETECTED there has come in modern times a new cross into popular evangelical circles. It is like the old cross, but different: the likenesses are superficial; the differences, fundamental. From this new cross has sprung a new philosophy of the Christian life, and from that new philosophy has come a new evangelical technique-a new type of meeting and a new kind of preaching. This new evangelism employs the same language as the old, but its content is not the same and its emphasis not as before.

The old cross would have no truck with the world.
For Adam’s proud flesh it meant the end of the journey. It carried into effect the sentence imposed by the law of Sinai. The new cross is not opposed to the human race; rather, it is a friendly pal and, if understood aright, it is the source of oceans of good clean fun and innocent enjoyment. It lets Adam live without interference. His life motivation is unchanged; he still lives for his own pleasure, only now he takes delight in singing choruses and watching religious movies instead of singing bawdy songs and drinking hard liquor. The accent is still on enjoyment, though the fun is now on a higher plane morally if not intellectually.

The new cross encourages a new and entirely different evangelistic approach.
The evangelist does not demand abnegation of the old life before a new life can be received. He preaches not contrasts but similarities. He seeks to key into public interest by showing that Christianity makes no unpleasant demands; rather, it offers the same thing the world does, only on a higher level. Whatever the sin-mad world happens to be clamoring after at the moment is cleverly shown to be the very thing the gospel offers, only the religious product is better.

The new cross does not slay the sinner, it redirects him.
It gears him into a cleaner anal jollier way of living and saves his self-respect.

-To the self-assertive it says, “Come and assert yourself for Christ.”

-To the egotist it says, “Come and do your boasting in the Lord.”

-To the thrillseeker it says, “Come and enjoy the thrill of Christian fellowship.”

The Christian message is slanted in the direction of the current vogue in order to make it acceptable to the public. The philosophy back of this kind of thing may be sincere but its sincerity does not save it from being false. It is false because it is blind. It misses completely the whole meaning of the cross.

The old cross is a symbol of death.
It stands for the abrupt, violent end of a human being. The man in Roman times who took up his cross and started down the road had already said good-by to his friends. He was not coming back. He was going out to have it ended. The cross made no compromise, modified nothing, spared nothing; it slew all of the man, completely and for good. It did not try to keep on good terms with its victim. It struck cruel and hard, and when it had finished its work, the man was no more. The race of Adam is under death sentence. There is no commutation and no escape. God cannot approve any of the fruits of sin, however innocent they may appear or beautiful to the eyes of men. God salvages the individual by liquidating him and then raising him again to newness of life.

That evangelism which draws friendly parallels between the ways of God and the ways of men is false to the Bible and cruel to the souls of its hearers. The faith of Christ does not parallel the world, it intersects it. In coming to Christ we do not bring our old life up onto a higher plane; we leave it at the cross. The corn of wheat must fall into the ground and die.

We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world.
We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum. God offers life, but not an improved old life. The life He offers is life out of death. It stands always on the far side of the cross. Whoever would possess it must pass under the rod. He must repudiate himself and concur in God’s just sentence against him.

What does this mean to the individual, the condemned man who would find life in Christ Jesus?
How can this theology be translated into life? Simply, he must repent and believe. He must forsake his sins and then go on to forsake himself. Let him cover nothing, defend nothing, excuse nothing. Let him not seek to make terms with God, but let him bow his head before the stroke of God’s stern displeasure and acknowledge himself worthy to die. Having done this let him gaze with simple trust upon the risen Saviour, and from Him will come life and rebirth and cleansing and power. The cross that ended the earthly life of Jesus now puts an end to the sinner; and the power that raised Christ from the dead now raises him to a new life along with Christ.

To any who may object to this or count it merely a narrow and private view of truth, let me say God has set His hallmark of approval upon this message from Paul’s day to the present. Whether stated in these exact words or not, this has been the content of all preaching that has brought life and power to the world through the centuries. The mystics, the reformers, the revivalists have put their emphasis here, and signs and wonders and mighty operations of the Holy Ghost gave witness to God’s approval.

Dare we, the heirs of such a legacy of power, tamper with the truth? Dare we with our stubby pencils erase the lines of the blueprint or alter the pattern shown us in the Mount? May God forbid. Let us preach the old cross and we will know the old power.

The Advil Hour: John 6

2006-04-11T20:45:00.000-05:00

Let me set the stage for you: Aaron wrote a paper on free will. He discussed calvinism and arminianism. He cited the exact beleifs of each well, but in his conclusion he misrepresented calvinism. We ended up discussing John 6: 35-51 and only got about as far as verse 44. Lets join this conversation allready in progress. Aaron says that John 6 is in complete agreement with arminianism and...well lets just read.

John 6:35-51 NASB Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. (36) "But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. (37) "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. (38) "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. (39) "This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. (40) "For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day." (41) Therefore the Jews were grumbling about Him, because He said, "I am the bread that came down out of heaven." (42) They were saying, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does He now say, 'I have come down out of heaven'?" (43) Jesus answered and said to them, "Do not grumble among yourselves. (44) "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. (45) "It is written in the prophets, 'AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me. (46) "Not that anyone has seen the Father, except the One who is from God; He has seen the Father. (47) "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. (48) "I am the bread of life. (49) "Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. (50) "This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. (51) "I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh."

Aaron says:
that passage is in agreeance with what i said, it doesn't contridict anything, the only difference between what ur sayin an what i'm sayin is the verse that says no one can come to the father ect....the difference is that i will say you totally have to rely on God, you will say its only God
Aaron says:
and i know what u ment, i don't take it personally
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
John 6: 35-51 is in agreeance with arminianism? Did I read that right?
Aaron says:
correct, i don't see why not, Christ is the bread of life, in order to be saved u must be drawn, (everybody is drawn, so nothin wrong there), it is God's will that nobody is lost, (can refer to things such as john 3:16 where He is willing that no one would perish)...and that Jesus will raise the believers on the last day
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
so then what does "ALL that the Father gives me WILL COME to me" mean?
Aaron says:
the only thing u and i are debating is the starting point
Aaron says:
all the people that the Father has granted repentance through Jesus' work will be saved
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
so now your agreeing with me?
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
didnt I say that "all" means the elect?
Aaron says:
all doesn't mean the elect, all means the believers, theres a huge difference
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
then what does "gives me" mean?
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
The Father gives something to the Son...
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
how is that anything but the elect?
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
true beleivers = elect
Aaron says:
true beleivers are those who freely profess the saving grace, in no way must it mean elect
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
oh, so man free professes faith...then the Father really hasnt given anything to the Son...Man has given himself.
[No Response]
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
what does "no man can come to me mean?"
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
*"No Man can come to me" mean?
Aaron says:
that no man by himself is able to come to God by himself (he must have God guiding him)
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
correct.
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
what does Jesus do with those drawn?
Aaron says:
if they choose to believe in His works, they are saved
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
try again, "No man is able to come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws them, and I will _____ _____ ___ on the last day"
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
fill in the blank
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
what does Jesus do with the one drawn?
Aaron says:
raise him up (but that doesn't mean anything by me fillin in the blank, it completes one verse, that doesn't negate the fact that all are drawn or that we can freely choose
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
uh, where in Jesus's teaching does it indicate that all (everyone throughout time) is drawn but not everyone throught time are raised up?
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
I dont see anything in his teaching that says that.
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
I dont see these facts, aaron. I see the Father doing something with a group of people, and then the Son doing something with that same group.
Aaron says:
as do i, we're both talking about the believers being raise up, we're debating on how they come to believe
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
no, we are debating Gods ability and right to save perfectly.
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
You "limit" that attonment as surely as I do. But Wile I limit the scope, you limit the power
Aaron says:
He does save perfectly....i'm not debating that, He saves His believers
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
right!
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
and Who will beleive!
Aaron says:
those who choose to do His will
Aaron says:
Joh 7:17 If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:
yes, and who will do the will of the Father?
Aaron says:
If anyone's will is to do God's will
Aaron says:
those who choose to believe
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
and who will choose to beleive?
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
Jesus defines that before he says John 7:17
Aaron says:
He defines who's will He is doing, not who will come
Aaron says:
thats not in this passage
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
then what is this: John 6:37 NASB "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:
who comes to Christ? the one given!
Aaron says:
the one who believes
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
right! and who is the one who believes?
Aaron says:
the ones who choose to allow God's will to be done
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
uh
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
think about that statement
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
the one [man] who chooses to allow Gods will to be done?
Aaron says:
correct
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
um...
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
exactly who is who here?
Aaron says:
i'm not replacing man for God, as i went over earlier God allows one to choose, if He gives us that choice it doesn't deny Him power,in short it gives meaning to those who love Him
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
uh, ok...let me get this straight: all are drawn?
Aaron says:
so far so good
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
all are given, but they must choose to beleive?
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
but some dont beleive?
Aaron says:
those are different 'alls', all that are given are the believers, all that are drawn is everybody
Aaron says:
we can't substitute one for another
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
ok...um, where is that disctinction in the text made?
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
let me rephrase that...
Aaron says:
k..
S.K. Schultz!!! says:
where is the distinction made between the one given and the one drawn?
Aaron says:
hold up just a sec, i've got a call....

And thats where it ended. No more was said. How anyone can miss the plain meaning of John 6 is beyond me.

And thats this edition of the Advil Hour: conversations that give me headachs

The Easter Bunny, Pt II

2006-04-11T17:56:00.000-05:00

This was taken in the upper gag today (gag = caf). I foolishly thought that I would not be subject to the wrath of the Easter bunny....I was wrong!

What the Easter Bunny does the other 364 days of the year

2006-04-08T00:49:00.000-05:00

Thanks Jeff for showing this...here is one more reason we should not lie to our Kids concering mythical holliday figures.

Edit: This is a re-post because the video quit working. If that happens again, click [Here]

Dr. James R. White - The Gospel of Judas: Nothing New Under the Sun

2006-04-07T11:54:00.000-05:00

The Gospel of Judas: Nothing New Under the Sun
by Dr. James R. White

The Gospel of Judas: Nothing New Under the Sun

It is all over the news today, as predicted (and, obviously, planned, given the date). "The Gospel of Judas Contradicts Christian Belief!" "Judas was Doing Jesus' Will!" "Christianity Shaken!" Blah, blah, blah. When you get your historical and theological information from Katie Couric on the Today Show, well, you'll buy anything.
When I was responding to Bart Ehrman's media blitz on his book, Misquoting Jesus, I repeatedly emphasized the need for every-day Christians to start studying these sources so as to be able to provide a meaningful response in an ever more anti-Christian context in Western Society. Well, here's another example. For those who have already realized Bart Ehrman's "if they said Jesus once, they were Christians" mythology makes no sense, this is another second century gnostic writing, like Thomas or Mary. Judas was one of the favorites of the gnostics; this gospel is gnostic to its core; gnosticism is utterly incompatible with anything that can seriously be called "Christian." End of story. Explain to the guy on the bus who just saw the Today interview (which had zero meaningful content). Go on with your daily service to Christ.
But, of course, not only are most Christians completely and utterly unaware of gnosticism, Nag Hammadi, aeons, dualism, etc., but they are likewise easily troubled by the culture's invocation of the holy and authoritative phrase, "scholars." Bart Ehrman is having to guzzle Starbucks to survive all the interviews he is doing today, all the while promoting his key argument: early Christianity was a mass of self-contradiction, and what we have today was just one small sliver that somehow managed to survive to predominance. And hence, due to lack of discipline and foundation, many are left wondering about the very foundations of their "faith."
Let's set the record straight right off the bat.
First, this isn't news. Not really, anyway. Word has been out on this for quite a while. For example, see here.
Second, this work of fiction has nothing to do with the historical Judas. Even folks like Bart Ehrman admit that.
Third, this is a gnostic work. It is soaked in the terminology and worldview of gnosticism. That is, it is dualistic in its views. Note the citations in the above cited source and the appearance of the term "aeon." Note as well this source holds to the gnostic distinction between the Creator and the Ultimate God. Since gnosticism was dualistic, believing matter to be evil, spirit to be good, the Creator was a demi-urge, an evil divine power, not the Ultimate and Good God. Hence, according to this work of gnostic fiction from the middle of the second century, Jesus was the son not of the Creator, Yahweh, but of the Ultimate and Good God. Further (and this even came out, however briefly, in the Today interview I saw), the gnostic body/spirit dualism, the very concept that caused the Greeks to begin mocking Paul when he mentioned the resurrection in Athens (Acts 17:32), is found in this fictional work, where Jesus is aided by Judas in ridding himself of his "earthly frame." You might as well say a work written by a Buddhist or a Muslim is relevant to the definition of the Christian faith, for nothing is more definitional of Christian belief than the consistent monotheism taken without interruption from the Hebrew Scriptures, and nothing more central to the gospel than true resurrection.
Fourth, if the same kind of strident skepticism was applied to this work that is regularly aimed at the Gospel of John, it wouldn't have made the "books received" notices in a minor theological journal somewhere. The double-standard of modern liberal "theology" is glaring, and, of course, the MSM (main stream media) is more than happy to put anything that could possibly cause disbelief in Christianity at the top of its front page or the first hour of its morning show. Of course, find a pre-Uthmanian manuscript of the Qur'an that truly does utterly shake the foundations of Islam and you wouldn't hear a word out of these same brave journalists.
So should someone come up to you at work going, "Hey, Bob, I know you are a Christian, but how about that Gospel of Judas! Sure throws your Bible into a tailspin, doesn't it?" just smile and respond, "Hey, I heard about that. I've been wondering all morning how a work of fiction written more than a century after the fact by a writer seeking to promote a completely different religion than that of Christ and the Apostles that doesn't have a shred of historical foundation to stand on could possibly get so much major air time. You think they'd give the same amount of attention to something that reflected badly on Mohammed? Nah, probably not. So, did you hear anyone actually talking about the vast differences between the real gospels and this work of fiction this morning?"

Discovered: missing link that solves a mystery of evolution...uh..yeah, riiight

2006-04-06T09:06:00.000-05:00

"Palaeontologists have said that the find, a crocodile-like animal called the Tiktaalik roseae and described today in the journal Nature, could become an icon of evolution in action - like Archaeopteryx, the famous fossil that bridged the gap between reptiles and birds." [Read More]

don't be discouraged by this, brethren. Archaeopteryx doesn't work either.

Birds have a totally different respiratory system than reptiles. For a reptilian respiratory system to change into an avian respiratory system would be analogous to a steam engine changing into an electric motor by randomly removing or modifying one component at a time, without disrupting the motor operation. It is simply an impossibility.
The hollow bones, muscle design, keen eyesight, neurological commands, instincts, feathers, and a hundred other unique bird features are completely different from reptiles. In particular a bird's lungs and feathers display brilliant design. Either would be totally useless to perform their designed function unless complete. A step by step transformation from scale to feather makes a nice story but "the devil is in the details". And the details simply do not add up to a workable intermediate creature. The building blocks of scales and feathers aren't even the same-they are made from different types of protein!
Many recent dinosaur to bird "links" are "dated" between 120-140 million years. Yet archaeopteryx (which exhibits all the characteristics of a fully formed bird) is "dated" at 150 million years. Alan Feduccia, a world authority on birds (and evolutionist) states, "Paleontologist have tried to turn Archaeopteryx into an earth-bound, feathered dinosaur. But it's not. It is a bird, a perching bird. And no amount of 'paleobabble' is going to change that." [Read More]

Look what they accually found...looks like crocidile/aligator bones to me. - [Pictures]
Brethren, let me remind you that whatever the world "Discovers" - Gods Word remains true.

a little useless Information from MarieP

2006-04-03T21:55:00.000-05:00

*MarieP: This Wednesday, at two minutes and three seconds after 1:00 AM, in the morning, the time and date will be 01:02:03 04/05/06 = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

thanks MarieP :)

FOXNews.com - Remembering JPII

2006-04-02T09:58:00.000-05:00

FOXNews.com - U.S. & World News - Thousands Remember Pope John Paul II

""John Paul II died as he always lived, animated by the indomitable courage of faith, abandoning himself to God and entrusting himself to holy Mary," Benedict said in his weekly Sunday address."

Once again, we see Romes real teaching on salvation: Mary saves! Im sure JP was a nice guy...but if thats who He trusted for salvation, sorry to offend, but He went to Hell.

and you will say to me "SK, why do you say such hurtful things?" I point this out so I can say this: Jesus Christ died to save sinners! He Alone can save, no one else!

John 14:6 NASB
(6) Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Solus Christus!

WuzzaDem: Church Sign Smackdown!

2006-03-31T23:44:00.000-06:00

Oh Gosh this is funny!

Baby stable after 2nd head removed - Children's Health - MSNBC.com

2006-03-31T22:08:00.000-06:00

"CAIRO, Egypt - An Egyptian baby born with two heads was in stable condition on Sunday after doctors at a provincial hospital removed one of the heads in a 13-hour operation, the doctors said." [Read More]

Look at the differences...

2006-03-28T15:22:00.000-06:00

A Brief Comparative Study of:
Arminianism and Calvinism

Arminianism

Calvinism

Free-Will or Human Ability

Although human nature was seriously affected by the fall, man has not been left in a state of total spiritual helplessness. God graciously enables every sinner to repent and believe, but He does not interfere with man's freedom. Each sinner posses a free will, and his eternal destiny depends on how he uses it. Man's freedom consists of his ability to choose good over evil in spiritual matters; his will is not enslaved to his sinful nature. The sinner has the power to either cooperate with God's Spirit and be regenerated or resist God's grace and perish. The lost sinner needs the Spirit's assistance, but he does not have to be regenerated by the Spirit before he can believe, for faith is man's act and precedes the new birth. Faith is the sinner's gift to God; it is man's contribution to salvation.

Total Inability or Total Depravity

Because of the fall, man is unable of himself to savingly believe the gospel. The sinner is dead, blind, and deaf to the things of God; his heart is deceitful and desperately corrupt. His will is not free, it is in bondage to his evil nature, therefore, he will not - indeed he cannot - choose good over evil in the spiritual realm. Consequently, it takes much more than the Spirit's assistance to bring a sinner to Christ - it takes regeneration by which the Spirit makes the sinner alive and gives him a new nature. Faith is not something man contributes to salvation but is itself a part of God's gift of salvation - it is God's gift to the sinner, not the sinner's gift to God.

Conditional Election

God's choice of certain individuals unto salvation before the foundation of the world was based upon His foreseeing that they would respond to His call. He selected only those whom He knew would of themselves freely believe the gospel. Election therefore was determined by or conditioned upon what man would do. The faith which God foresaw and upon which He based His choice was not given to the sinner by God (it was not created by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit) but resulted solely from man's will. It was left entirely up to man as to who would believe and therefore as to who would be elected unto salvation. God chose those whom He knew would, of their own free will, choose Christ. Thus the sinner's choice of Christ, not God's choice of the sinner, is the ultimate cause of salvation.

Unconditional Election

God's choice of certain individuals unto salvation before the foundation of the world rested solely in His own sovereign will. His choice of particular sinners was not based on any foreseen response of obedience on their part, such as faith, repentance, etc. On the contrary, God gives faith and repentance to each individual whom He selected. These acts are the result, not the cause of God's choice. Election therefore was not determined by or conditioned upon any virtuous quality or act foreseen in man. Those whom God sovereignly elected He brings through the power of the Spirit to a willing acceptance of Christ. Thus God's choice of the sinner, not the sinner's choice of Christ, is the ultimate cause of salvation.

Universal Redemption or General Atonement

Christ's redeeming work made it possible for everyone to be saved but did not actually secure the salvation of anyone. Although Christ died for all men and for every man, only those who believe on Him are saved. His death enabled God to pardon sinners on the condition that they believe, but it did not actually put away anyone's sins. Christ's redemption becomes effective only if man chooses to accept it.

Particular Redemption or Limited Atonement

Christ's redeeming work was intended to save the elect only and actually secured salvation for them. His death was substitutionary endurance of the penalty of sin in the place of certain specified sinners. In addition to putting away the sins of His people, Christ's redemption secured everything necessary for their salvation, including faith which unites them to Him. The gift of faith is infallibly applied by the Spirit to all for whom Christ died, therefore guaranteeing their salvation.

The Holy Spirit Can Be Effectually Resisted

The Spirit calls inwardly all those who are called outwardly by the gospel invitation; He does all that He can to bring every sinner to salvation. But inasmuch as man is free, he can successfully resist the Spirit's call. The Spirit cannot regenerate the sinner until he believes; faith (which is man's contribution) proceeds and makes possible the new birth. Thus, man's free will limits the Spirit in the application of Christ's saving work. The Holy Spirit can only draw to Christ those who allow Him to have His way with them. Until the sinner responds, the Spirit cannot give life. God's grace, therefore, is not invincible; it can be, and often is, resisted and thwarted by man.

The Efficacious Call of the Spirit or
Irresistible Grace

In addition to the outward general call to salvation which is made to everyone who hears the gospel, the Holy Spirit extends to the elect a special inward call that inevitably brings them to salvation. The internal call (which is made only to the elect) cannot be rejected; it always results in conversion. By means of this special call the Spirit irresistibly draws sinners to Christ. He is not limited in His work of applying salvation by man's will, nor is He dependent upon man's cooperation for success. The Spirit graciously causes the elect sinner to cooperate, to believe, to repent, to come freely and willingly to Christ. God's grace, therefore, is invincible; it never fails to result in the salvation of those to whom it is extended.

Falling from Grace

Those who believe and are truly saved can lose their salvation by failing to keep up their faith, etc. All Arminians have not been agreed on this point; some have held that believers are eternally secure in Christ - that once a sinner is regenerated, he can never be lost.

Perseverance of the Saints

All who are chosen by God, redeemed by Christ, and given faith by the Spirit are eternally saved. They are kept in faith by the power of Almighty God and thus persevere to the end.

According to Arminianism:

Salvation is accomplished through the combined efforts of God (who takes the initiative) and man (who must respond) - man's response being the determining factor. God has provided salvation for everyone, but His provision becomes effective only for those who, of their own free will, "choose" to cooperate with Him and accept His offer of grace. At the crucial point, man's will plays a decisive role; thus man, not God, determines who will be recipients of the gift of salvation.

According to Calvinism:

Salvation is accomplished by the almighty power of the Triune God. The Father chose a people, the Son died for them, the Holy Spirit makes Christ's death effective by bringing the elect to faith and repentance, thereby causing them to willingly obey the gospel. The entire process (election, redemption, regeneration) is the work of God and is by grace alone. Thus God, not man, determines who will be the recipients of the gift of salvation.

No Strike Tonight

2006-03-24T00:18:00.000-06:00

I dont really know why I bowl; perhaps its for the fellowship. All I know is that Im not that great. I got a good deal of spares...but no strike: It evaded me! And yes, thats a gutter ball above.
================================================================

In other news: I have seen a mini-reformation touch off here at WSC. Yes, first my roommate and now two others have embraced the Doctrins of Grace (that is Calvinism). I feel very blessed that the reason I was sent back here was made clear to me and that I have seen the fruits of my labor.
Also:
Rice Calls Karzai on Christian Convert's Fate

Slain Minister's Wife to Be Charged With Murder: That is sad.

The Advil hour: TU_IP?: A conversation on L

2006-03-20T08:58:00.000-06:00

Following took place between 1am and 2am. If I sound a bit snippy, thats why. I was tired. The man known as "ForChrist" is arguing that Limited atonment did not make sence and was not needed. Needless to say, it was an advil hour. Calvinists out there, am I right? or am I off? Let me know...

"ForChrist" says:

You know the difference between "Limited Atonement" and the rest of the four points of Calvinism?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

I’m not sure what you asking.

"ForChrist" says:

I am going to make a statement. The question should be answered with a "what?"

"ForChrist" says:

You can remove Limited Atonement from TULIP and maintain that the work of Salvation is not anything of man, but completely of God.

"ForChrist" says:

In fact... logically, Limited atonement makes no sense.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

no, you can’t.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

and yes it does

"ForChrist" says:

The burden of proof is on me.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

yes, I know.

"ForChrist" says:

What is the requirement of salvation?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

to repent and believe.

"ForChrist" says:

From the human standpoint.

"ForChrist" says:

Repent "and" believe?

"ForChrist" says:

I would say that it is belief alone. What do we say that the unbeliever has done when they choose not to believe?

"ForChrist" says:

They have ____ Christ.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

right...I get what you saying.

"ForChrist" says:

How can they reject something that they never had access to?

"ForChrist" says:

Or that was never offered to them?

"ForChrist" says:

I don't think that anyone, due to total depravity of their own free will can choose to believe in Jesus as their Savior.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

you’re correct.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

they are unable to (rom 8:6-8)

"ForChrist" says:

But I do believe that Christ atonement was sufficient for all, but efficient only for the elect.

"ForChrist" says:

Otherwise, what condemnation do they face before the Judgment seat? It won't be for the rejection of Jesus.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

It would have been sufficient for all, if God had willed it.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

no sin was "taken care of" in vain.

"ForChrist" says:

No sin is taken care of period without belief.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

who can believe?

"ForChrist" says:

It is the faith of the elect that through the grace of God that the blood of Christ is applied to their account. Christ blood however, was shed for the world.

"ForChrist" says:

It is applied only to the elect, though.

"ForChrist" says:

Through faith.

"ForChrist" says:

Accessible to all, but not all can access it because they cannot choose God.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

so Christ died for all sins of all men?

"ForChrist" says:

I wish I could find the verse that references Christ blood shed for the world.

"ForChrist" says:

Perhaps in Peter?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

so then why are not all saved?

"ForChrist" says:

Because they have not believed.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

un belief?

"ForChrist" says:

What determines truth?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

*belief?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

Is unbelief the reason that not all are saved?

"ForChrist" says:

One sec... let me think.

"ForChrist" says:

Yes.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

isn’t unbelief a sin?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

now before you answer...

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

think about this...

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

If you say yes, then Christ died for it and all should be saved...if you say no, then Christ did not died for all sins of all men..and all men are screwed.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

so we arrive at only one real possibility: Christ died for all sins of a select people and them only.

"ForChrist" says:

How is it that we are saved?

"ForChrist" says:

Through faith, which is belief.

"ForChrist" says:

How is it that the unsaved are not saved?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

by grace, through faith. And "THAT" not of ourselves, it is the gift of God.

"ForChrist" says:

Because they have not believed?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

(eph. 2:8-9)

"ForChrist" says:

I am not saying that we can believe on our own merit.

"ForChrist" says:

I am in total agreeance with TUIP

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

right, faith, (which is belief) is a gift from God given only to His elect, his people.

"ForChrist" says:

How can they be condemned for not believing in something that was never true for them?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

because they are responsible. the command to repent was given to all, that says nothing about ability

"ForChrist" says:

Believe. "I am the bread of life, he who comes to me shall never hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst."

"ForChrist" says:

The idea is that some choose not believe.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

right, but who will come???

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

John 6:44 tells us: only those drawn by the Father.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

that’s in the same passage!

"ForChrist" says:

That's all they can choose. But how could they be condemned for not believing in something that was never true?

Yes, Scott, I am not arguing against total depravity. I am arguing against limited atonement.

S.K. Schultz!!! sends:

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

T is the basis of L

"ForChrist" says:

I don't see how that has to be.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

Man cannot save himself, God chooses his elect based on what HE wants, not anything found in us. Therefore there is a "limit" Why would Christ pour out his blood for those whom the Father had not given him?

"ForChrist" says:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For He sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the WORLD through Him MIGHT be saved.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

you sound like adrian rodgers, God rest his soul.

"ForChrist" says:

Sounds to me that is speaking about the shedding of blood for the world.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

if you heard God loved the world, and you were a Jew, taught that you were Gods chosen people, how would you feel?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

World means Jews and gentiles

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

John 3:16 is not a statement about ability, its a promise.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

if you believe, you get this. the question we should be asking is "who will believe?"

"ForChrist" says:

Scott. I am not talking about ability here.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

yes, you are!

"ForChrist" says:

No. I am talking about the sufficiency of the bloof of Christ.

"ForChrist" says:

blood.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

yes, that’s the whole reason that we, as his elect, were given the ability by God to believe!

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

His blood bought it for us.

"ForChrist" says:

As opposed to what?

"ForChrist" says:

Not believing?

"ForChrist" says:

How can it be held against us if we did not believe in something that was not true concerning us?

"ForChrist" says:

Not ability.

"ForChrist" says:

sufficiency.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

Who are you, Oh man to talk a back to God? Will the thing molded say to the Molder: "why did you make me this way?" Or does not the Potter have Right over the clay to make from one lump vessels for Honorable purposes and vessels for common use?

"ForChrist" says:

What does that have to do with this?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

it is everything to do with it.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

the preceding verse is "for how does God still find fault? for who resists him?"

"ForChrist" says:

I understand that we of our own selves cannot choose God. I understand that God chose the elect to believe in Him. I am not arguing against that.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

you are in a way.

"ForChrist" says:

No.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

uh yeah...you’re saying that Christ shed his blood in hopes of redeeming everyone...but couldnt.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

not a drop of my saviors’ blood hit the ground in vain. not a Drop!

"ForChrist" says:

No, Christ shed His blood for all of mankind that He would be glorified.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

Sacrifices are never incomplete.

"ForChrist" says:

His sacrifice was not incomplete. It is through it that men are saved and condemned righteously by God.

"ForChrist" says:

You can't reject something that was never offered to you.

"ForChrist" says:

Why didn't you accept the corvette that I had shipped to your house?

"ForChrist" says:

Because I never shipped it to you.

"ForChrist" says:

I could not hold that against you.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

your argument is flawed.

"ForChrist" says:

The burden of proof, Scott.

"ForChrist" says:

(is on your side)

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

the command to repent was given. it is Gods right as potter to make the command to a pot that has no ability to fulfill it. and it is also His right to choose not to give that pot that ability.

"ForChrist" says:

I am not arguing against ability.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

yes you are. Your saying "how can someone reject what wasn’t given to them?"

"ForChrist" says:

That is T. I am talking about L.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

saying that there had to be an offer made...a failed offer

"ForChrist" says:

Is the unrepentant sinner rejecting anything?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

YES!

"ForChrist" says:

What?

"ForChrist" says:

Something that was never offered him?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

Man is made to worship, depraved or not he will worship something. either God or someone/something else. He knows deep down that God is God and there is no other. What does Paul right in Romans 1. They knew God but did not honor him as God.

"ForChrist" says:

What is the unrepentant sinner rejecting/

"ForChrist" says:

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

God!

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

they reject him by not honoring him as God

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

they spit in his face!

"ForChrist" says:

They are not rejecting the blood of Christ?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

the natural man has enmity (meaning is at war with) with God.

"ForChrist" says:

Are they rejecting the blood of Christ?

"ForChrist" says:

Is that the basis for their condemnation?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

They break the Law. That’s why Christ came to die in the first place. We broke the law. That warrants Hell.

"ForChrist" says:

Right. Are they rejecting the sacrifice of Christ?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

Your not getting it....

"ForChrist" says:

Answer the question.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

they are already hell bound.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

Yes, they are. The command to repent was given and they flip God the bird.

"ForChrist" says:

What does it mean to repent?

"ForChrist" says:

To believe?

"ForChrist" says:

Are those synomomous terms?

"ForChrist" says:

(sp_

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

one follows the other.

"ForChrist" says:

Which comes first?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

regeneration, then repentance and belief

"ForChrist" says:

I would say that regeneration/belief must happen at the same time.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

Usually, repentance and belief are so close together, that you could just says its one huge act.

"ForChrist" says:

Repentance cannot happen without belief.

"ForChrist" says:

Therefore, repentance must follow.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

the eyes must be opened so someone can believe.

"ForChrist" says:

Yes... and at the moment that they are opened, they believe.

"ForChrist" says:

Symotaneous.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

well, not always...sometimes it takes awhilee...sometimes it right away...but when regeneration happens, belief will follow.

"ForChrist" says:

None-the-less. Are they commanded to believe?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

yes. and they will not because they are enslaved to there sin.

"ForChrist" says:

I agree.

"ForChrist" says:

Believe in what?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

...I'm getting dizzy...

"ForChrist" says:

What are they commanded to believe in?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

the Son.

"ForChrist" says:

What specifically about the Son?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

the fact that he will save those who look to Him.

"ForChrist" says:

Even the devil believes that.

"ForChrist" says:

They are commanded to believe that Christ died on the cross for them.

"ForChrist" says:

For the atonement of their sins.

"ForChrist" says:

But they can't!

"ForChrist" says:

I know!

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

no, they are commanded to believe in Him so they may have eternal life.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

They are come to him and find rest.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

salvation. that is what they are looking for.

"ForChrist" says:

What must be believed about the Son before one is saved?

"ForChrist" says:

Content.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

you are arguing a moot point.

"ForChrist" says:

No... I am not. I am trying to show that the removal of the L from the TULIP does not detract from the glory of God.

"ForChrist" says:

And trying to show that the L makes no sense.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

yes, you are. What was told to the jailor? "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved"

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

it wasn’t "Believe that Jesus died for you"

"ForChrist" says:

So, one doesn't have to believe that Christ died for them?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

Christ died to save sinners.

"ForChrist" says:

But we don't have to believe that to be saved.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

So yes you do, but who can believe that? (and around the carousel goes...)

"ForChrist" says:

According to your previous statement

"ForChrist" says:

Statement: Christ blood is sufficient to save all, but is only efficient in saving those who are the elect.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

it would be If the Father willed it to be (for then all would be saved)

"ForChrist" says:

How does that argue against ability?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

because, the offer had to have been presented to a non-elect, (a legit offer mind you), and then it would have to have been rejected (legit offer fails)

"ForChrist" says:

Where does it say in the scriptures "that not one blood dropped in vain"?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

it’s a logical conclusion.

"ForChrist" says:

Where does it state it?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

it doesn’t...but neither is a clear cut doctrine of the trinity.

"ForChrist" says:

That is a statement that demands more than logic. It demands content.

"ForChrist" says:

You can support the trinity from scripture.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

Matt. 1:21, John 6:35-44 - all support Christ dieing for a specific people.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

(that’s two of many)

"ForChrist" says:

Let me look them up...

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

matt, I don’t know about you but I have to get up in the Morning.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

So, I’m going to bed.

"ForChrist" says:

One sec.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

no, not one sec...I thought that when you said your first thing...I've been sitting here for an hour.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

I’m tired. And you could stand a rest to think on what you read anyways.

"ForChrist" says:

What "first thing"?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

good night.

"ForChrist" says:

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

*sigh*

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

will save...who?

"ForChrist" says:

How is that a specific offer to only a group of people?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

will save who?

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

WHO?

"ForChrist" says:

His elect. But that doesn't speak anything to the shed blood.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

good night, dude

"ForChrist" says:

It doesn't say, "He died only for His people."

"ForChrist" says:

Maybe I am missing it.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

oh you are. Think about this as you sleep: why would Christ die for people who he would not redeem? Why would He risk His life for a sheep that wasn’t His?

"ForChrist" says:

He will save His people, because they will believe.

S.K. Schultz!!! says:

good night, dude

"ForChrist" says:

Good discussion.

"ForChrist" says:

Night.

Modified Pro-Choice

2006-03-17T18:53:00.000-06:00

Stand to Reason: Modified Pro-Choice: "When ever you hear someone say, take this stand, 'I am personally against abortion, but I don't think you should pass any laws against it,' there's a question that should immediately be on your lips. Simply ask, 'Tell me, why are you personally against abortion?' What you'll almost always hear is, 'I'm personally against abortion because I think it kills an innocent human being, but that's my personal belief.'

Follow up with this comment: 'Let me see if I understand you correctly. You say that abortion takes the life of an innocent human child, but mothers should not be prevented from killing their own children.'

He said, 'Well, when you put it that way...'

I said, 'Put it what way? That's your view, unless I've misunderstand you. Please correct me if I have. As I understand it, that's precisely what you believe. This isn't a trick. It's not a clever 'spin.' I merely repeated what you just told me. That is your view. Doesn't sound so good coming back at you, does it?'"

Spring Break Blessings

2006-03-12T15:58:00.000-06:00

How much do you think God can bless a person in a week? Here is what God did for me over spring break:

1. Worked 48hrs - that's 8 overtime.
2. Got a clear answer to go to Dordt College in Sioux Center, IA
- My parents went from saying "well we don't know" to "Go, we'll support you"
3. Found a 12 String guitar for 110 bucks.
- These usually go for around 500 bucks at the minimum. I was amazed!

4. Protected me when my cougar went off road.
- It was snowing for half my trip. The roads were somewhat slick so I was only going around 45-50mph. Somehow I lost control and started heading towards the ditch. I tried to turn out of it, when that didn't work I tried to stop; nothing worked and I was heading towards a road marker. All I remember was saying aloud "Jesus save me" and taking my hands of the wheel. I hit the marker with a dull thud and skidded into the ditch. I got out and inspected the Car and the only damage I found was a dent in my license plate. Not a scratch more!

Edit: 5. My roommate just told me that is offically a Calvinist! w00t!!!
==========================================================

In other news:

South Dakota has finally become the first state in the Union to ban abortion. The law will take effect July first. Chances are it will be taken to the supreme court and hopefully will cause roe vs. wade to be struck down.

I have to rewrite my letter to the editor concerning the abortion bill; it can only be 250 words and I have 500+.

I need to get to work on Sola Fide one of these days, Ill try to have it up soon.

that's the news from Wayne, America: where the woman are strong, the men are good looking, and all the children are above average.

Letter to the Editor - South Dakota's Pro-Life Bill

2006-03-02T21:27:00.000-06:00

This was in the WSC paper this week. I was outraged! After I prayed about it and calmed down I wrote a letter to the Editor. Thanks to: MarieP, crewbear FlameGurl, JA Hubner, and Mark VanGerpen for the proofreads and sugestions.

Putting Women in there Place - Jonna Huseman

"Fiddlesticks. I’m in the wrong state. No, it’s not the weather or the people. It’s the politics. Ever since I was a little girl – shy, passive, and always playing with dolls – I’ve dreamt of giving birth to a giant, red elephant: that beacon of American goodness.

Moving to South Dakota would allow me to fulfill my feminine destiny. You see, law makers in the state have created a bill that, if passed, would ban most types of abortion. All I have to say is…finally. Finally, I don’t have to make decisions over what to do with my own body. Finally, someone else has control over my uterus, ovaries, and vagina. Finally, rapists have rights.

I’m sure I could easily transfer to USD, and complete my journalis – I mean, my home ec Degree, while adding a concentration in child rearing. I fear the hardest part of my transition may be stepping out of my liberal, feminazi home of Nebraska into the conservative feminizing state of South Dakota. But if that means losing my right to the government, then I’m willing to make that sacrifice.

Luckily for me, Governor Mike Rounds – a true knight in shining armor – says he is inclined to sign the anti-abortion bill as soon as it crosses his desk. Once his signature is spewed forth from his stiff pen, a law will be conceived of the bill that was once dormant and miniscule. And as much as I would like it to happen now, the four month gestation period (if everything goes according to plan, anti-abortion’s birthday will be July 1^st) will give me – and all women – adequate time to prepare for this miracle of life.

Under the bill, abortions can only be performed if the life on a pregnant woman is in jeopardy and those vile doctors who ravage women’s bodies with medical instrument will get what they deserve: up to five years in prison. But that’s not all. Because South Dakota is a state that opens its arms to include everyone, the bill gives parental and custody rights to men who, through the rape of a woman, have created a child.

Its so refreshing to see the flipside of the coin once in awhile. I know just as well as anyone that women ask to be raped and that men are to often victims of these crimes. I’m glad to know that men are finally being handed the rights they deserve.

So, kudos to you, South Dakota, for putting women in there place."

My Response:

"Dear Editor,

I hope that everyone realizes that if this Pro-Life bill passes in South Dakota it will not change any woman’s fundamental choices, including sexual choices. A woman (men have no legal say in abortion decisions at all) will still have the right to have sex, with or without the use of birth control. She will still have all the legitimate choices she has always had; the government is only making her take responsibility for the choices that she makes.

The government is removing the “choice” to kill the life that she conceived– a choice that should never have been available to her in the first place. She will still have the choices over her body, but the umbilical cord that connects the baby’s body to its mother hardly makes the child part of her body. We dehumanize the child inside by calling it an embryo, fetus, or as the “doctors” who abort the baby would imply, “it's just a blob of tissue.” Some blob of tissue – that has a beating heart and sucks its own thumb. Besides, it’s not a dog or cat embryo, it's human. Why is it that we have double murder laws for pregnant women; yet the pregnant woman can give consent to have that same child aborted? What is the difference between homicide and abortion? The mothers consent? The contradiction is plain.

As far as rape goes: why should one punish the child for the sin of the rapist? Put the guy away for 25+ years and make him pay child support, but don’t kill the child. It’s still a life; it can and will grow up to be a normal person; it isn't logical to justify the violation of a life by ending another.

If the mother does not want the child she can give it away to parents who want to have a child; the numbers for couples wanting to adopt is huge! (I for one am thankful that I was adopted and not aborted). So, in short I echo your first statement: Finally!

Finally people will have to take responsibility for the choices they make instead of taking the easy way out for the means of convenience.

Finally people are stepping up to put an end to the murder of unborn children. (47 million in 2005 – that’s 12 million more than California’s population – Imagine: we’ve destroyed a California)

Finally those who participate in this will have a small amount of justice brought upon them.

I, for one, am glad that my native state of South Dakota is stepping up to end the sacrifice of our children, not to old pagan gods like Molech (Leviticus 20), but to the modern gods of self, money, time, and convenience. We spend so much time trying to justify what we know is wrong, when we know deep down the atrocity we commit. If the unborn is not a human person, no justification for abortion is necessary. However, if the unborn is a human person, no justification for abortion is adequate.

SK Schultz"

CAMPONTHIS: John Owen on Limited Atonementthe unlimited sufficiency of the cross for the elect

2006-03-01T10:45:00.000-06:00

CAMPONTHIS: John Owen on Limited Atonement
the unlimited sufficiency of the cross for the elect

FOR WHOM DID CHRIST DIE?
by John Owen

The Father imposed His wrath due unto, and the Son underwent punishment for, either:
1. All the sins of all men;
2. All the sins of some men, or;
3. Some of the sins of all men.

In which case it may be said:
1. That if the last be true, all men have some sins to answer for, and so, none are saved;
2. That if the second be true, then Christ, in their stead suffered for all the sins of all the elect in the whole world, and this is the truth;
3. But if the first be the case, why are not all men free from the punishment due unto their sins?

You answer, "Because of unbelief."
I ask, Is this unbelief a sin, or is it not? If it be, then Christ suffered the punishment due unto it, or He did not. If He did, why must that hinder them more than their other sins for which He died? If He did not, He did not die for all their sins!"

Who is in charge of our Highway Department??

2006-02-27T15:05:00.000-06:00

Whats the wackiest street name? - Peculiar Postings - MSNBC.com

This is amazing!
"LOS ANGELES - Farfrompoopen Road, the only road to Constipation Ridge, lost to Divorce Court and Psycho Path, which placed No. 1 in an online poll of the nation's wildest, weirdest and wackiest street names."

"The complete top 10 list included:

10. Tater Peeler Road in Lebanon, Tenn.
9. The intersection of Count and Basie in Richmond, Va.
8. Shades of Death Road in Warren County, N.J.
7. Unexpected Road in Buena, N.J.
6. Bucket of Blood Street in Holbrook, Ariz.
5. The intersection of Clinton and Fidelity in Houston
4. The intersection of Lonesome and Hardup in Albany, Ga.
3. Farfrompoopen Road in Tennessee (the only road up to Constipation Ridge)
2. Divorce Court in Heather Highlands, Pa.
1. Psycho Path in Traverse City, Mich."

Answering a Question....

2006-02-24T14:18:00.000-06:00

You know, I really don't like it when people leave comments without giving me a way to get back to them; but they do it so I'll do the best I can. An anonymous poster asked this after my Solus Christus Article:

" soooo...If you don't mind answering an old question...Why don't works save us?"

Romans 3:19-28 NASB:
(19) Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;
(20) because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.
(21) But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
(22) even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;
(23) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
(24) being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
(25) whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;
(26) for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
(27) Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.
(28) For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.

Now, I know what you are thinking: "What about what James says? Isn't that a contradiction?" No, it isn't, Lets look at what James says:

James 2:10-26 NASB:
(10) For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.
(11) For He who said, "DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY," also said, "DO NOT COMMIT MURDER." Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
(12) So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.
(13) For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
(14) What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?
(15) If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,
(16) and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?
(17) Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
(18) But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
(19) You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
(20) But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
(21) Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
(22) You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;
(23) and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God.
(24) You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
(25) In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
(26) For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

James is attacking a dead faith - a faith that is shown in speech but never in actions. Paul is speaking of being justified before God by Faith alone (which is a gift given by Grace alone) in Christ Alone. Jesus said that this faith would have fruits (Matt 7: 16-20). James is speaking of showing your faith through deeds. Abraham's faith was shown to be genuine by what he did. (as well as the other examples given by James).

Question answered?

Caner and Hunt

2006-02-23T08:58:00.000-06:00

James R. White - The Intellectual Pit Bull of the Evangelical Church?
FIDE-O: Ergunomics Challenged

If your been following what's been going on with Dr Caner over at Dr White's site, then the FIDE-O picture will make a lot of sense to you. Absolutely hilarious

Bonus You Supply the Caption - purgatorio

2006-02-19T00:33:00.000-06:00

Bonus You Supply the Caption: James R. White - purgatorio

If you havent seen this yet...you have to

Today of All Days...

2006-02-14T15:29:00.000-06:00

The following is an excerpt from my Journal. I wrote it wile sitting on a large rock behind the art building with the sun on my back and the wind in my whiskers. Enjoy:

12-14-06: V-Day

"someone asked me how I was today. I said "I'm fine" but I had to think afterward: how am I today? Considering that This is V-Day is number twenty one form me. Considering that I have spent twenty one V-Day's alone, considering all the "love" in the air; I'm ok. There have been V-Days where I did not want to get out of bed, there have been V-Days when I 'didn't' get out of bed. There have been V-Days when I didn't want to live; so considering all of that, I'm ok. Heck, I'm better then ok, I'm pretty good. God has shown me a lot of Grace today: I got out of bed, I didn't feel like crap, and, to top it off, the day is beautiful! Thank God for his Grace! Without it I could do nothing. He gave me Grace that saves and then to top it off He gave me Grace to get through each day. Never more or less then I need each day (though some days I need more Grace then other days).

As I sit here on this rock I cannot help but see myself on another rock - Christ. He is the rock that I stand, sit, and rest upon. He is my First Love and I have forgotten Him (Rev. 2:4). At the sounding of that verse I stand condemned - guilty and deserving of Hell. I have forgotten His love; today of All Days! His love for me is what drove Him to the Cross - It surpassed his fear in the Garden, it made him able to endure the cat-o-nine tails, the crown of thorns, and the nails (I broke into tears at this point). He took it all for me! I never want to forget such a love: "Amazing Love, how can it be? That thou my King didst die for me?" To save me from my sins he took what I deserved, he payed the debt that I had racked up! LET ME NEVER FORGET!!! On today of all days, let me never forget. Lord, let me never forget."

Happy V-day, let us not forget out First Love

SK

Think Sink: Loud Enough to Raise the Dead

2006-02-08T15:19:00.000-06:00

Think Sink: Loud Enough to Raise the Dead

This is a great Article on C.S. Kings Funeral. I'm glad that President Bush had the decency to Honor this woman instead of those democrats who thought that a funeral was the place for blasting there political agendas and our President.

May God's comforting hand be upon the King family, yet let us all rejoice in knowing that a sister in the Lord has gone home to Glory. The Lord gave, and He took away, Sola Deo Gloria!

A Date with Dracula...Revisited

2006-02-07T14:22:00.000-06:00

I wonder if they Gave Jesus a Bandage and a sticker when He gave all His Blood.

In My last adventure with the blood people they were unable to take a full unit of blood from my body. The time around I made sure that they got every drop they needed!

I arrived at the little blood bank of Horror at 1345hrs. After doing the usual paper work I sat down and awaited the moment when they would call me over to have my blood tested for iron. After some begging I convinced them to take the blood from my right hand because my left was for guitar playing.

At last I was sent into the chamber of blood and asked to sit in a blue lawn chair next to a equipment setup that looked like something out of a mad scientist movie. After having my arms violated they chose my right arm to take the needle. They drew a line down the vein on my elbow crease and then sterilized me with alcohol (they didn't even offer me a drink for the pain...Such barbarians!...Not that I wanted one). I gulped loudly as I turned my head to the side and prepared for the pain....

*prick*

"that's it?!?!" I thought to myself, "that should have hurt more"

The blood streamed down the tubes and filled a little plastic bag attached to a scale (nifty little device, it drops when the bag is full). I then realized something interesting: the nurse who was attending to me was the same girl who I had met in my last adventure, though she did not remember me.

My Adventure was now over, the bag was full. The yanked the needle out of me, told me thanks, and sent me to the snack table, a request that I was more then happy to comply to.

Thus ends my account of my second encounter with the vampires.

Ok, Seriously: give blood! It can help save a life. Jesus poured out all his blood for me, the least I can do is give a unit to help someone out.

Solus Christus

2006-01-25T21:00:00.000-06:00

Solus Christus: Christ Alone

S.K. Schultz

1Tim 2:5-6

(5) For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

(6) who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.

“Christ is not valued at all unless He is valued above all” –Augustine.

At the time of the Reformation, the final authority of the RCC was not Sola Scriptura but Sola ecclesia, or “the church alone.” Because of this many heretical traditions had woven there way into the teachings of the church of the redemption.

The RCC holds that while the guilt of sin is removed there must still be temporal punishment [1472-1473], Acts of penance make satisfaction for the temporal punishment of sin [1434, 1459-1460], Indulgences, given by the Church for acts of piety, release sinners from temporal punishment [1471-1473], purgatory is necessary to atone for sin and cleanse the soul [1030-1031], and that poor souls suffering in purgatory can be helped by those alive on earth by offerings of prayer, good works, and the sacrifice of the Mass [ 1032, 1371, 1479]. Obviously the door of redemption is hinged upon man, and not the work of Christ.

What does theopneustos, that is God breathed scripture, have to say about such things? The Bible teaches the following: God forgives sins, and he forgives them completely (Col. 2:13, Isa. 43:25), Jesus made perfect satisfaction for all the sin (1 John 2:1,2), Jesus releases believers from there sin by his blood (Rev 1:5), Purgatory does not exist (there is no scriptural evidence for its existence) Jesus made purification for sins on the cross (Heb. 1:3), and those who sleep in Christ need no help. To be absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord (2^ndCor. 5:8) As John Calvin said in the Institutes of the Christian Religion, "Christ stepped in, took the punishment upon himself and bore the judgment due to sinners. With his own blood he expiated the sins which made them enemies of God and thereby satisfied him...we look to Christ alone for divine favor and fatherly love!"

The RCC also holds to the idea that Mary is the co-mediator to who we can trust all or cares and petitions [968-970, 2677]. Under the RCC Mary is also co-redemtrix or co-redeemer, saying that she participated with Christ in the painful act of redemption [618, 964, 968, 970]. The Catechism of the RCC instructs us to entrust ourselves to Mary, surrendering “the hour or our death” wholly to her care [2677], and that she is the queen of Heaven and Earth [966] and should be praised with a special devotion [971, 1675].

Gods Word once again comes to our rescue on these matters saying:

Christ alone is the redeemer. He alone suffered and died for Sin (1 Peter 1:18,19), Christ alone is the mediator to whom we can entrust our cares and petitions (1 Tim 2:5; John 14:13,14; 1 Peter 5:7), We should entrust ourselves to Christ Alone, surrendering the hour of our death wholly to His care (Romans 10:13; Acts 4:12), and That the name of The Lord is to be praised for He alone is exalted above Heaven and Earth (Psalm 148:13) God commands “you shall have no other gods before me (Ex. 20:3).

Why is this Important?

Some in the world trust in good works to save them. Some say that “yes, Christ saved me, but I have to work to keep it.” It is usually the same kinds of people who also say “Christ died for all men, but not all men will be saved” What does that say about the sacrifice of Christ? It must not have been much of it wasn’t powerful enough to justify His people for all time.

Is it possible that Christ can fail? Paul says that those justified are glorified (Romans 8:28-30), and the Angel said of Jesus “He will save his people from there sins (Matt 1:21 – Italics mine). Notice that there is no “try to save” or “attempt to save” or “will save only those who out of there own free will choose to come to Jesus.” There is affirmative action – Jesus Will save his people. No works or man involved, those justified are glorified, Christ Alone! Solus Christus!

"For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

(Col 1:13-18)

“Anything that one imagines of God apart from Christ is only useless

Thinking and vain idolatry” –Martin Luther

“In Christ Alone My hope is found” - Newsboys

SK

Quickly now...

2006-01-23T16:11:00.000-06:00

I must apologize, I have not had time to get to the Solus Christus article; I simply haven't found the ambition...Though I pray God will give it to me.

**Scott thinks: ok, math first...Then after that, Ill get to it**

Ok, but till then, Ill leave you with this: JA Hubner's response to a question on prayer, Gods will and mans freedom. For anyone who has wondered about this, I suggest reading it

until,

SK

Some Pictures

2006-01-12T20:54:00.000-06:00

I took this shot this morning when I went to shower. I opened the door, looked out the window and went back for the camera. I was floored by Gods wondrous creativity! Like the Sun his mercies are new! Amen!
We have these huge rocks behind one of the buildings...Went for a good shot

This is my favorite of the day. Just a great looking picture on the bench outside the library

50 things for '06

2005-12-31T13:51:00.000-06:00

The new year is upon me, here are fifty things id like to do in '06

1. Keep up with Bible reading and Devotions
2. Get better grades
3. Get better grades
4. Figure stuff out
5. Follow shampoo directions: Rinse and repeat
4. Learn to count
7. Find number six
8. Be more outgoing.
9. Stay clean
10. Brush teeth more
11. Get better at Poker
12. Read Narnia series
13. Find how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop
14. Watch Star Wars for the 55938383rd time
15. Find out the person who let the dogs out...And destroy him

16. Buy Calvinist T-shirts. Wear to family gatherings.

17. lern to spel
18. Find out why, in the year 2006, we have no flying cars
19. Find a wife
20. Design a way to stop thumb blisters from playing video games too long
21. Stop mumbling "Silly arminians" at my family.
22. Call the Dividing Line about straitgate
23. Acquire a Coogi sweater and burn on live Phoenix news.
24. Don't make resolutions anymore
25. Loose weight
26. Lift more
27. Stop mumbling "Silly arminians" at my church
28. Stop mumbling "Silly arminians" at my friends
29. Start being the Man that God has called you to be - pure
30. Finish Sola series on the blog
31. Learn to eat new foods
32. Catch up on theology readings
33. Try to find someone who ISN'T a Reformed theologian who also is NOT misrepresenting Calvinism.....
34. Find out if stairs go up or down
35. Watch Lord of the Rings for the 992883002815th time
36. Stop being such a coward when it come to women.
37. Eat an elderberry.
38. Take over channel
39. Beat half life 2
40. Make bed
41. Drink less coffee
42. Say the words "I have no pants" in class loudly
43. Get to Dordt College
44. Calculate Pi to the billionth place
45. Learn some math
46. Learn to balance my checkbook
47. Figure out how the Old orange and white Nintendo gun worked
48. Stop making silly blog lists
49. Shave my head...Maybe
50. Realize how silly it is to do all of the above and just concentrate on following Gods commands and giving all glory to Him alone!
51. Doh! Learn to count!

Solus Christus is on the way, stay tuned!

Christmas greetings to democrats and republicans...

2005-12-24T21:55:00.000-06:00

Ok, The next Sola is on its way, but I thought I would drop a christmas greeting...

For My Democratic Friends:

"Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, our best
wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible,
low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter
solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of
the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your
choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or
traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or
secular traditions at all. We also wish you a fiscally successful,
personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the
onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2006, but not without
due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose
contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply
that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the
only America in the Western Hemisphere. And without regard to the
race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual
preference of the wishee. By accepting these greetings you are
accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or
withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the
original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually
implement any of the wishes for herself or himself or others, and is
void where prohibited by law and is revocable at the sole discretion
of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within
the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or
until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes
first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance
of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher."

For My Republican Friends:

Here's wishing all of You a

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

ok, in seriousness...Matt 1:21 - "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." Thats the christmas message right there! Jesus - sent to do a job! Thanks be to God that He did it!

Merry Christmas, all. Solus Christus is up next.

~S.K. Schultz~

Sola Scriptura: Scripture Alone

2005-12-19T16:17:00.000-06:00

Sola Scriptura: Scripture Alone
S.K. Schultz

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

(2Ti 3:16-17)

The word for the phrase “Inspired by God” in verse sixteen is: θεόπνευστος (theopneustos) which means God Breathed. The word in verse seventeen for adequate is: ἄρτιος (Artios) which means fitted and complete.

At the time of Reformation, the authority for Christians lay not with Theopneustos, but with ekklēsia (ἐκκλησία), or “the Church” and it was the Church alone that dictated what was and was not the truth of God. The RCC said that the bishops with the pope as there head ruled the universal church [883, 894-896] and that God had entrusted revelation to the bishops [81, 86] They said that they alone were the authoritative teachers of the scriptures [85-87], they were the infallible interpreters of scripture [890-891, 2034-2035], and that they alone had the right and the ability to interpret scriptures [85, 100, 939]. They said that they alone could determine there traditions, that is truth found only in obscurity or implicitly in revelation [66, 88, 2035, 2051]. In short, the authority for Christians before the reformation was “Sola ecclesiam” The church alone!

What does the Bible say in response to such statements made in the Catechism of the RCC? Rome would tell you that there is no tradition that is nothing in the CRCC that is not backed with scripture. If that is true, then the numbers in brackets should line up with scripture. We see just the opposite. The Bible teaches that: Peter had no successor and that Christ is the head of the body and rules the Church (Colossians 1:18). The Bible teaches that God has entrusted his revelations to His saints (that is the redeemed – Jude 3). The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is the authoritative teacher of the church (John 14:26, 16:13, 1 John 2:27). The Bible teaches that Scripture is the only infallible interpreter of Scripture (Acts 17:11), God alone is Infallible (Numbers 23:19), Scripture is to be interpreted in the original sense intended by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 3:14-16), and that No one has the right to go beyond what is written in Scripture (1 Corinthians 4:6, Proverbs 30:6).

Another claim that RC Apologists make is that no one held to Sola Scriptura until the time of the Reformation. This ascertain falls with these quotes from the 2^nd and 4^th century:

"Concerning the divine and holy mysteries of the Faith, not even a casual
Statement must be delivered without the Holy Scriptures; nor must we be
Drawn aside by mere plausibility and artifices of speech. Even to me, who
Tell you these things; give not absolute credence, unless you receive the
Proof of the things which I announce from the Divine Scriptures. For this
salvation which we believe depends not on ingenious reasoning, but on
demonstrations of the Holy Scriptures." (Cyril).

"To a widow. Enjoying as you do the consolation of the Holy Scriptures, you
Stand in need neither of my assistance nor of that of anybody else to help
You to comprehend your duty. You have the all-sufficient counsel and
Guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead you to what is right" (Basil).
"I must not press the authority of Nicea against you, nor you that of
Ariminum against me; I do not acknowledge the one, as you do not the other;
But let us come to ground that is common to both-- the testimony of the Holy
Scriptures" (Augustine).

"What more shall I teach you than what we read in the apostle? For Holy
Scripture fixes the rule of our doctrine, lest we dare to be wiser than we
Ought. Therefore I should not teach you anything else except to expound to
You the words of the Teacher" (Augustine).
Compare these to what the Jesuit founder Ignatius Loyola, writing 11
Centuries later:
"That we may be altogether of the same mind and in conformity with the
Church herself, if she shall have defined anything to be black which to our
Eyes appears to be white, we ought in like manner to pronounce it to be
Black" (Ignatius).
Martin Luther, in 1521 at the Diet of Worms, declared his conscience to be captive to the Word of God saying, "Unless I am overcome with testimonies from Scripture or with evident reasons -- for I believe neither the Pope nor the Councils, since they have often erred and contradicted one another -- I am overcome by the Scripture texts which I have adduced, and my conscience is bound by God's Word."

Why is this Important?

It has been demonstrated that man will always try insert his traditions into the mix, even when that which is Theopneustos says the very opposite. God’s word offends man to the very core: “How dare the Potter have right over the clay” screams fallen man. The Reformers saw this and knew that they must reject the “traditions of men” (Mark 7:1-13). They knew, by plain reading of the Word, that Scripture was the Word of God and that it was the churches only rule of faith (John 10:35, 2^nd Tim 3:16&17, 2^nd Peter 1:20&21, Mark 7:7-13). Sola Scriptura!

Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Thy law....I will bow down toward Thy holy temple, And give thanks to Thy name for Thy loving-kindness and Thy truth; For Thou hast magnified Thy word according to all Thy name....You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them; and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus (Psalm 119:18; Psalm 138:2)

Amazing discovery in heart of biblical Jerusalem

2005-12-10T16:39:00.000-06:00

The Bible becomes more and more confirmed every day!

CLICKY!!!

and

CLICKY!!! AGAIN!!!

and

This one has Photos!!!

Mary: Tradition

2005-12-09T09:43:00.000-06:00

Ok, OK, I know. The series on the Five Sola's is coming. I Should be done with Sola Scriptura by the end of the weeked. But for now, here's a response to post on LW forums on RCC's worship of Mary. Enjoy

Nothing personal LS,

Quote: from Libertarian Samurai at 12:31 am on Dec. 9, 2005

First, we don't worship Mary, since she isn't God. Only God can be worshipped. We honor and respect her.

So why do you venerate her then? Veneration is a form of worship.

Mary is the best role model we could have, and she is a great mediator between those on Earth and Heaven.

As opposed to whom? The spotless Lamb of God? Yeah, marry is much more of a role model then God the Son could ever be

We believee that she was sinless, by the special grace given to her by God, from the very moment of her being. This made her the perfect mother for the perfect Son. She lived her life on Earth in the most perfect way possible, so she is an excellent role model, and should be imitated. She was humble, kind, and loving.

No scriptural evidence for this. Scripture does tell us that she was a descendent of Adam and therefore a sinner (Psalm 51:5, Romans 5:12). Mary was a sinner; God alone is holy (Luke 18:19, Romans 3:23, Rev. 15:4)

We do not pray TO Mary, we pray 'through' her

There is ONE mediator between God and Man Jesus Christ (1^st Tim. 2:5)

From the wedding feast at Cana, we know that Jesus loves and obeys her, and will do things when he otherwise wouldn't. And of course, Jesus obeys His mother, like every good son.

Uhh what? Did you just say that God the Son will obey a mere human being? It seems that Christ came to do will of the FATHER (john 6:38). It is at the name of Jesus that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father(Phil. 2:9-10)

All you have brought are traditions. Who defines tradition? Certainly not scripture, as we have seen here. I wont say that all tradition is bad. There certainly are good things in tradition. Like the way a marriage ceremony is conducted, or Christmas festivities - nothing wrong with them as far as I can see. But when tradition contradicts that which is theopneustos, God breathed. Then it must be thrown out.

Update: coming Attractions

2005-11-30T08:44:00.000-06:00

Ok, its been decided. Based on the very small amount of feedback (thanks to yall in #Pros) I have decided to start the series on the Five Solas. Ill start with Sola Scriptura - being that one cannot know the other four without this one.

Stay tuned

John 6:35-51

2005-11-29T08:50:00.000-06:00

I decided to Post this here as well as on my Xanga blog. Enjoy!

John 6:35-51

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. (36) But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. (37) All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. (38) For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. (39) And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. (40) For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." (41) So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." (42) They said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, 'I

have come down from heaven'?" (43) Jesus answered them, "Do not grumble among yourselves. (44) No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. (45) It is written in the Prophets, 'And they will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me-- (46) not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. (47) Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.

(48) I am the bread of life. (49) Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. (50) This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. (51) I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."

Verse 35:

This verse is one of the heavy “I Am” statements in John. “I Am” of course going back go what God said to Moses through the burning bush when Moses asked God who he should say sent him (Exodus 3:14) He then says that

He is the bread of life; making reference to the bread that fell in the desert that sustained the Israelites wile they traveled through the desert. He will later go on to explain this “bread of life” reference in 6:49 telling the Jews that there ancestors ate the bread in the desert and died, but anyone who eats the bread of life will not die. He says in verse 35 that anyone who eats this bread of life, which is He, will not hunger; then he says that anyone who comes to him will never thirst. Bread is that which sustains so therefore Jesus is the sustainer of spiritual life.

Verse 36-37:

Jesus says that even though they can see him, they do not believe. They have seen his all the wonderful and miraculous things that He had done and yet they do not believe that He is who He says He is. (That is Jesus is God in the Flesh) How can this be? The Jews have repeatedly asked Jesus for a sign and he has certainly given them a sign by feeding the multitudes earlier in this chapter. Jesus has healed many with just a word and yet they do not believe. How can this be? Certainly there is more then enough eviden

ce for them to have faith in Him. Jesus tells us in the very next verse who comes to him. All that the Father gives to the Son will come to the Son, and the one comes Jesus will not cast out. The Greek word for “comes” is ἔρχομαι [erchomai /er·khom·ahee/] which is a present tense. So the literal would be “the one who is coming to me I will not cast out”. The one who is given by the Father to the Son will always be coming to Christ. It is not a one time action but a continuous action. The true believer is always seeking the Son. Always coming to Him. Why does th

e one given to the Son always come to Him? Because he has the bread of life, the Son Himself sustains him. Notice order of action in this verse. It is the Fathers giving that results in the Believer going to Christ. This would be the anti-type of Genesis 1:1-4 (being the type) where God commands that there be light in the darkness. Just as Paul says in 2nd Corinthians 4:6 “For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the fac

e of Jesus Christ.” God is the active, and Man is the passive. God is the Potter and Man is the Clay (Romans 9:20-21)

Verse 38-40:

Jesus goes on to say why He has come down from heaven. He has come, not for his own agenda, but for the agenda of the Father, the O

ne who sent Him. In verse 39 Jesus tells us what that will is: it is that of all that the Father gave the Son, none would be lost; but that it be raised up on the last day. Jesus goes on to say that all who see the Son and believes in the one who sent Him should have eternal live and will be raised up on the last day; for this is the will of the Father.

Verse 41-42:

Like so many times before, the Jews begin to grumble about Jesus. They ask how can he say that he is “the bread of life” They say that this is Jesus, the son of Joseph. They know Jesus’ earthly mother and father and so they canno

t wrap their minds around the concept that Jesus has come down from heaven. They do not understand the incarnation. Why is this? They have seen the wondrous things that he has done have they not?

Verse 43-47:

Jesus tells us why they do not understand. He tells them to stop grumbling and then He tells that no one can come to Him. No one is able. This is a universal thing because Jesus was talking to the whole crowd. No man can; indicating a disability. No man can…what? Come to Him. No one can come to Him, no one can eat the

bread of life. If this was the end of the verse and Jesus moved on; there would be no hope, but wait, there is more! Unless! The glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel; praise God that there is an “unless”. Once again we see the anti type of Genesis 1:1-4, the activity of God and the passivity of man. “Unless the Father, who sent Me, Draws them.” The Greek word for Draw is ἑλκύω [helkuo, helko /hel·koo·o/]

Which means to drag. It almost seems that, not only is man unable, but unwilling. God the Father must drag a person to the Son.

So what happens to the one who is dragged? The

y are raised up on the last day to eternal life. So what is the implication? Those who are drawn are raised up. It is only the ones drawn because no one can come unless they are drawn. The one drawn are raised up, therefore the only ones raised are the ones drawn; they and they only. Jesus talks more about the ones who are drawn. He quotes the prophets saying that they will all be taught by God. (Isaiah 54:13. A similar sentim

ent is found in Micah 4:1-4 and Jeremiah 31:34) Continuing the idea that there is a people given by the Father to the Son; these people will be taught by God. He says that all taught by God will come to the Son. The idea is continued in verse 46 when Jesus says that no one has seen the Father except He (Jesus) who is from God; he has seen the Father. Jesus then says that all who believe have eternal life. Who can believe? According to verse 44 no one except those drawn by the Father. Those drawn are the same people who are given to the Son. They are raised up at the last day.

Verse 48-51:

Jesus then goes back to the beginning of the message by restating that He is the bread of life. He goes on to explain the original

subject; going back to Exodus when the Israelites were wandering in the desert. Everyday they ate manna which came from heaven; but they still died. Jesus says that whoever eats this bread will not die but the one who eats the bread of life will live forever. He then says that the bread he will give for the life of the world is his own flesh. Signifying that his very own body will pay the price for this life. The life of course is spiritual life for the fathers had at the manna and died, Jesus did not come to give physical life but spiritual life to the world. The world, of course, is not the entire world; for if no one can come to Christ outside of the fathers dragging then Jesus would not provide “life” for those who are unable to come to him. For it is the will of the father that those who believe are raised up. Those who believe receive this life and the ones who can believe are those who

are given to the Son by the Father; those drawn by the Father and raised up by the Son at the last day.

Many object to this consistent and logical interpretation. They claim that Jesus was referring to the 12 Apostles in John 6:37-44 because they were “taught by God”, meaning Jesus dwelt among them and taught them personally, and because in chapter 12 the same word “drawn” is used. In other words, this whole “drawn by the Father” thing doesn't apply to God's elect people, but instead to just the 12 disciples. Well, this simply cannot be for several reasons.

First, it makes no sense that Jesus was addressing the 12 disciples when He was talking to the crowd. If your saying we can only understand John 6:37-44 if we turn to John 12:32, you've got some problems. Because what you've just said is that the crowd Jesus was speaking to also couldn't have understood what Jesus was saying until chapter 12, which would have been days later.

Second, this doesn't help the fact that one of the 12 (Judas) will not be raised up to eternal life. So, you're forced to believe Jesus was wrong when He said the ones drawn will be raised up.

Third, the context of John 12:32 and the “drawing” being talked about has nothing to do with an effective drawing/dragging by the Father to salvation as it does in John 6. The text explains itself, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.' But, He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was going do die.” The whole purpose of this passage isn't to clarify or extend the text of John 6, and entire different issue (the crucifixion) was being addressed.

There is also a very clever parallel/typological connection in this text as well. John 12:32 confirms John 3:14, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.” This fits perfectly with what is said in John 6 and the citation from the Old Testament. The ones who saw the serpent on the end of the pole (or “standard”) in Numbers 21:9 were saved - “And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the pole; and it came about that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived.” So, it is with Christ being lifted up.

Israelites looking at serpent/believing = life

People looking towards Christ/believing = life

Those who look to Christ will be saved, but only if they are drawn by the Father! He says this plainly in vs. 36, “But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet you do not believe.” Then He continues to explain why they don't believe. It is because in order to have eternal life, you must believe, in order to believe, you must be drawn by the Father. Summary:

In order to be saved, you must be drawn. (vs. 44)

The ones saved are the ones drawn. (vs. 39, 40, 44)

Those who are not drawn, are not saved because they are “unable”. (vs. 44)

It is the will of God that the Son loses none of those He was given. (vs. 38)

It is the will of the Father that the ones believing will have eternal life and be raised up by Jesus (vs. 40).

The only people who fit this criteria are the chosen elect people of God (the “elect”, “church”, “sheep”, “people” etc).

In a Nutshell:

Jesus is the bread of life that came down from heaven; This is the anti type, the type being the manna that fathers ate in the wilderness; They still died, Jesus brings spiritual life not physical.

The ones who eat this bread are those who are given to the Son by the Father; it is the will of the father that Jesus looses nothing of that which is given to him, but raises it up at the last day.

No one can come to Jesus unless drawn by the Father, and the Son raises them up on the last day. So, logically and scripturally, it follows that those who are drawn are the same people who are given to the Son; they are the ones who eat the bread of life.

Not everyone eats the bread of life, not everyone is given to the Son; not everyone is drawn by the Father because of the simple fact that people go to hell every day; not all are given to the Son; otherwise all would be raised up (Atheists, Muslims, and Mormons included for it is the Fathers will that the Son loose Nothing).

There are only two possibilities when dealing with this passage. Either the Son succeeds in doing the will of the Father or He does not. To say that the Father gives to the Son and the Son does not raise them all up makes the implication that Jesus has failed to do the will of the Father; which is heretical. Jesus does not fail; it is said that He will save His people from there Sins (Matthew 1:21). He does not attempt, he does not try; He does what he says he will do. A Savior Saves and a Redeemer redeems. Not once does the Bible view or speak of the finished work of Christ as officially making men “savable”, “propitiable” or “redeemable”. Instead it confidently makes the powerful claims as a finished work of God. actually redeeming, purchasing, saving, propitiating and reconciling. There is no “attempt” or “try”.

Jesus, never fails! Jesus, never fails! Heav'n and earth may pass away, but Jesus, never fails!

Random Subject Blogging

2005-11-27T19:28:00.000-06:00

I...Must..Blog...

Much has occurred since my last posting...I shall mention a few things:

Yesterday (That is the 26th) my good friend Katie got married to my other good friend Nick. Both of them are only about a year older then I so, as happy as I was for them, I could not help but ask God when my turn would come. I would like to think I've found my wife and I ask God everyday for her; its just hard to be patient sometimes. I should praise God in all things and I suppose that includes my singleness.

I went on Thanksgiving break (22nd-27th); it was nice to be home for awhile. I enjoy being on my own but school can take its toll on you: physically and spiritually. I was really stressed out about a paper and a test and its tough to be in a place where there is constant scoffing. So as I said: home was nice.

Im all registered for next semester. I have a lot of classes but it all adds up to about 12 - the minimum requirement. Ill have all my general classes done at the end of the Spring semester so then ill have to make the big decision to either stay here at WSC or go to Dordt College. If I stay I will do communications with a concentration in radio broadcasting. If I go to Dordt ill go into Theology Education.

Im in a bit of a bind. Im not sure what my next post should be but I have a few ideas:
1)I have some random thoughts that I had during classes that I could blog about.
2) I could start a series on the Five Sola's
3)I could post my response letter to a Satanist on LW Forums
4)I could find a concept in Typology

If you have any ideas, I would love to hear them

All for now.

SS

Adrian Rodgers Sept 12, 1931-Nov. 15th 2005

2005-11-15T09:02:00.000-06:00

ADRIAN ROGERS
FOUNDER OF LOVE WORTH FINDING AND PASTOR EMERITUS OF BELLEVUE BAPTIST CHURCH

September 12, 1931 - November 15, 2005

Dr. Adrian Rogers, Founder of Love Worth Finding Ministries, Pastor Emeritus of Bellevue Baptist Church and a gifted man of God passed away in to the presence of the Lord early this morning after battling cancer and double pneumonia.

We might now have seen eye to eye on some things, but he was a Brother in the Lord and he will be missed

Rest easy at the feet of Jesus, Adrian.

Maybe the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob comfort the Rogers family and may Glory be brought to The Most Highs name through this. Amen

Live Blogging the Dateline Program on the Birth of Jesus Christ - Pros Apologian

2005-11-12T12:05:00.000-06:00

On DateLine last night they did a special on the birth of Christ. Of course it was a liberal, Christan belief bashing program. The person who God the most time was Dr. J.D. Corrosion a liberal and former preist who Dr White had recently debated on the truthfulness of Scripture. James did a live flogging of the program: heres the finished product.

Live Blogging the Dateline Program on the Birth of Jesus Christ - Pros Apologian

This has my Dander up!

2005-11-07T09:26:00.000-06:00

Evolution in the Bible, says Vatican

Crimony! How any serious Christian can stay in the RCC is beyond me! Not only does the church deny that scripture is completely true, they affirm that evolution is true and fits perfectly with the bible!
Peter was the First Pope? I think Peter would be having a coniniption fit if he knew what was going on today! Can you imagine if Peter and Paul were alive today? Can you imagine the letters they would write? If you though Galatians was harsh...! I imagine Peter and Paul marching right up to the Vatican and opening a righteous can of w00p!
"Scott your being to Harsh!" is what some of y'all out there are saying. Well I say this: Those who claim to have the keys to heaven (the RCC) are denying the very words of God. They are calling Jesus a Liar when he said "have you not read that in the beginning he made them male and female?" (Matt. 19:4).
"We need to be unified, Scott! Stop nitpicking." - Really? I refuse to be unified at the sacrifice of truth. I would rather be divided by truth then unified in error. As I said, how can any true believer (yes, I believe that there are saved Catholics out there) stay in an apostate church!

" I heard another voice from heaven, saying, "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues; for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities." (Rev 18:4-5)
more later
SS

Why Pray If Things Are Predestined?

2005-11-05T18:17:00.000-06:00

Why Pray If Things Are Predestined?

When Unrighteous Judges Rule the Land - James White

2005-11-04T09:24:00.000-06:00

Goodness...read this!

When Unrighteous Judges Rule the Land - Pros Apologian

Happy...Something

2005-10-31T09:24:00.000-06:00

Well happy Halloween all. Not only is it scare day, but its also Reformation day; and that's something to celebrate! So as we say in channel, w00t!!!! So to all my catholic Friends out there! Happy Reformation day!!! :-)

Other news: The blog has a new look as well as some new features. I've added A verse of the day section, as well as a read the bible section. There's also a ticker that counts off how many people have died since the page was opened. (just in time for Halloween, scary huh?)

Read the Below entry if you haven't already

Happy Reformation day!!!
SS

The Four Spiritual Laws

2005-10-27T08:38:00.000-05:00

Most people have at some point in time come across the four spiritual laws. It’s a witnessing tract put out by many different groups, among them is Campus Crusade for Christ, or as it is called on my campus “CRU.” This tract was distributed to the “CRU” group at an evangelism training meeting recently. They were taught that they need to present the gospel like they are selling it. They were given an outline of how witnessing should be done. Even though it is said at the end of this tract that the bible is our ultimate authority, it never encourages the reader to look up the verses in their context; at least not in the track I was given. It does say to on the internet version. These four “laws” as they call them are not in fact laws, but traditions of men. This tract, while it does use God-breathed scripture, is mostly eisegesis, claiming that: God Loves Everyone equally, Has a wonderful plan for everyone’s life (whether or not it is fulfilled does not seem to be the point), Man is trying to find God, and that saving faith is something expressed from the heart of the sinner and not a gift of God. I shall be taking this one “law” at a time. The “laws” will be in red my response will be in black. The track that I am referring to can also be found online here. It will be good to go here to look at the diagrams; for i discuss two of them in this response.

1. God LOVES you and offers a wonderful PLAN for your life.

What a generic statement. Being that this is a tract meant to evangelize the unbeliever, the underlying statement is: “God has this wonderful plan for you ready to go but it won’t work until you believe.” Right away the door of salvation has been hinged upon man. The writers of this tract cite two verses for this law: John 3:16 (of course) and John 17:3. It is assumed that “world” means everyone who has ever lived, lives now, and will live. This is not the case. Jews would have taken that to mean that salvation was not brought just for them but for the gentile; the “whole world.” The context of this verse is the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. Jesus is talking about being born again.

John Gill says in his exposition of the Entire Bible:

“The Persic version reads "men": but not every man in the world is here meant, or all the individuals of human nature; for all are not the objects of God's special love, which is here designed, as appears from the instance and evidence of it, the gift of his Son: nor is Christ God's gift to every one; for to whomsoever he gives his Son, he gives all things freely with him; which is not the case of every man. Nor is human nature here intended, in opposition to, and distinction from, the angelic nature; for though God has showed a regard to fallen men, and not to fallen angels, and has provided a Savior for the one, and not for the other; and Christ has assumed the nature of men, and not angels; yet not for the sake of all men, but the spiritual seed of Abraham; and besides, it will not be easily proved, that human nature is ever called the world: nor is the whole body of the chosen ones, as consisting of Jews and Gentiles, here designed; for though these are called the world, Joh_6:33; and are the objects of God's special love, and to them Christ is given, and they are brought to believe in him, and shall never perish, but shall be saved with an everlasting salvation; yet rather the Gentiles particularly, and God's elect among them, are meant; who are often called "the world", and "the whole world", and "the nations of the world", as distinct from the Jews; see Rom_11:12, compared with Mat_6:32. The Jews had the same distinction we have now, the church and the world; the former they took to themselves, and the latter they gave to all the nations around: hence we often meet with this distinction, Israel, and the nations of the world; on those words,

"Let them bring forth their witness", that they may be justified, Isa_43:9 (say (b) the doctors) these are Israel; "or let them hear and say it is truth", these are "the nations of the world".''

And again (c),

"The holy, blessed God said to Israel, when I judge Israel, I do not judge them as "the nations of the world":''

and so in a multitude of places: and it should be observed, that our Lord was now discoursing with a Jewish Rabbi, and that he is opposing a commonly received notion of theirs, that when the Messiah came, the Gentiles should have no benefit or advantage by him, only the Israelites; so far should they be from it, that, according to their sense, the most dreadful judgments, calamities, and curses, should befall them; yea, hell and eternal damnation.

"There is a place (they say (d),) the name of which is "Hadrach", Zec_9:1. This is the King Messiah, who is, חד ורך, "sharp and tender"; sharp to "the nations", and tender to "Israel".'' And so of the "sun of righteousness", in Mal_4:2, they say (e), "there is healing for the Israelites in it: but the idolatrous nations shall be burnt by it.'' And that (f).

"there is mercy for Israel, but judgment for the rest of the nations.'' And on those words in Isa_21:12, "the morning cometh", and also the night, they observe (g), "the morning is for the righteous, and the night for the wicked; the morning is for Israel, and the night for "the nations of the world".'' And again (h), "in the time to come, (the times of the Messiah,) the holy, blessed God will bring "darkness" upon "the nations", and will enlighten Israel, as it is said, Isa_60:2.'' Once more (i), "in the time to come, the holy, blessed God will bring the nations of the world, and will cast them into the midst of hell under the Israelites, as it is said, Isa_43:3.'' To which may be added that denunciation of theirs (k). "woe to the nations of the world, who perish, and they know not that they perish: in the time that the sanctuary was standing, the altar atoned for them; but now who shall atone for them?''

Now, in opposition to such a notion, our Lord addresses this Jew; and it is as if he had said, you Rabbis say, that when the Messiah comes, only the Israelites, the peculiar favorites of God, shall share in the blessings that come by, and with him; and that the Gentiles shall reap no advantage by him, being hated of God, and rejected of him: but I tell you, God has so loved the Gentiles, as well as the Jews.”

The Second Verse cited is John 10:10: “[Christ speaking] "I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly" [that it might be full and meaningful]”

I have one question: Who is “they”? The preceding verses tell us who “they” are. John 10:7 tells us that the “they” talked about in verse ten is “the Sheep.” Jesus said that he is “the Door of the sheep.” As we read down through the passage, Christ tells us that He knows his sheep and his sheep know him (John 10:14) Then he describes what it is that he does for the sheep. He “lays down his life” for the sheep. (John 10:15) Jesus then gives the reason why some do not believe, it is because “they are not of his sheep” and that if they were of his sheep they would know the voice of Christ and, as he says “I know them and they follow me.” How is it that God has this wonderful plan of salvation for everyone when it is only the sheep who know the voice of Christ? While it is true that God does have a plan for every person's life, that plan is not a universal plan. Some are created simply for the day of evil (Proverbs 16:4)

The Third Verse that is cited, once again out of context, is John 17:3.

“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom you have sent.”

The same question for the last verse applies to this one. Who is “they”? Once again the context of the verse sheds light on the question.

“ John 17:1 Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You,

John 17:2 even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.

John 17:3 "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

John 17:4 "I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.

John 17:5 "Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

John 17:6 "I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.

John 17:7 "Now they have come to know that everything You have given Me is from You;

John 17:8 for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me.

John 17:9 "I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours;

John 17:10 and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them.”

So who is “they”? It is the one who the Father has given to the son. Christ asks those things no for the world’s sake but for those given to him.

On to Law number 2:

2. Man is SINFUL and SEPARATED from God. Therefore, he cannot know and experience God's love and plan for his life.

Man Is Sinful
"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Man was created to have fellowship with God; but, because of his stubborn self-will, he chose to go his own independent way, and fellowship with God was broken. This self-will, characterized by an attitude of active rebellion or passive indifference, is an evidence of what the Bible calls sin.

Man Is Separated
"The wages of sin is death" [spiritual separation from God (spiritual death actually)] (Romans 6:23).

This diagram illustrates that God is holy and man is sinful. A great gulf separates the two. The arrows illustrate that man is continually trying to reach God and the abundant life through his own efforts, such as a good life, philosophy, or religion - but he inevitably fails.

I agree with the verse usage, for the most part, although the “self will” emphasis does annoy me just a bit. Now this diagram is what I will be dealing with. This shows that man is reaching up, reaching up to God. Man is trying to get there. This illustrates that Man is good, just not good enough. I think its diagrams like this that spawn criticism of the doctrine of limited atonement. I have heard it said so many times that L.A. teaches that man couldn’t get saved even if he wanted to outside of God's election. The truth is that if man was given the choice of his/her salvation they would have a spasm of the middle finger and continue right on in their sinfulness. The natural man is hostile to God. He does not submit to Gods law and indeed he cannot (Romans 8:7&8). To repent is to submit to Gods law, therefore the natural man cannot repent because the nature that he is enslaved to will not let him. The caption next to the diagram even says “The arrows illustrate that man is continually trying to reach God and the abundant life” A dead man does not reach for anything! He’s dead!! Did Lazarus try to walk of the tomb on his own?

Did he resist the call of our Lord? No on both counts! It is God who caused the light to shine in the darkness at creation (Gen 1:1-3) and it is God who causes light to shine in the hearts of men (2^nd Corinthians 4:6). The Type being that the earth was passive and had nothing to do with God saying “let there be light” and anti-type then is that God caused light to shine in the hearts of men, the men are passive and have nothing to do with that. Man does not reach for God, It is God who reaches down and draws people to Christ; they could not get there any other way. (John 6:44)

Law Three:

3. Jesus Christ is God's ONLY provision for man's sin. Through Him you can know and experience God's love and plan for your life.

He Died in Our Place
"God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

He Rose From the Dead
"Christ died for our sins...He was buried...He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures...He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred..."

(1 Corinthians 15:3-6).

He Is the Only Way to God
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me'" (John 14:6).

This diagram illustrates that God has bridged the gulf which separates us from Him by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross in our place to pay the penalty for our sins.

Romans 5:8: "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us"

Who is this “us” being talked about? Who was it that Christ gave himself up for? Paul tells us in the very next verse.

“Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.” – Romans 5:9.

The “us” are those who have been justified (past tense) by the blood of Christ. Who did Paul write this to? Those justified by the blood of Christ. That is the “us” of Romans 5:8.

1 Corinthians 15:3-6 - "Christ died for our sins...He was buried...He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures...He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred..."

Once again, who is “our”? The tract cuts off the first part of verse three; the entirety of that verse is: “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures”

So then, who is this “you” that Paul has delivered these things of great importance to? The name of the book gives a giant clue: the Church of Corinth, this letter was written to believers. So then, the “our” of verse three refers to believers. Christ died for their sins. I believe and therefore Christ died for my sin. One cannot say to a pagan nonbeliever that Christ died for their sins because Christ died for the sins of believers. Now, I am not advocating that we do not witness to others here. Instead of “Jesus loves you and died for you” we should be saying “Jesus came to pay the price for sinners, Who will repent of there sin and call upon him for salvation?”

The next verse Cited is John 14:6 (I am the way...). This is very true and I have no qualms about this verse being used. Nor do I have any quarrel with the diagram. Jesus is the only way, Sola Deo Gloria!

Law Four:

4. We must individually RECEIVE Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God's love and plan for our lives.

We Must Receive Christ
"As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12)

We Receive Christ Through Faith
"By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9).

When We Receive Christ, We Experience a New Birth
(Read John 3:1-8.)

We Receive Christ by Personal Invitation
[Christ speaking] "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him"
(Revelation 3:20).

Receiving Christ involves turning to God from self (repentance) and trusting Christ to come into our lives to forgive our sins and to make us what He wants us to be. Just to agree intellectually that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for our sins is not enough. Nor is it enough to have an emotional experience. We receive Jesus Christ by faith, as an act of the will.

These two circles represent two kinds of lives:

Which circle best describes your life?
Which circle would you like to have represent your life?

John 1:12 – “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name"

This verse is one of the most quoted out of context verses used. People read this but don’t bother to go the very next verse that says “who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

So who is it that received Him? Who has the right to be children of God? Those who were born “Not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” So what of the “even to those who believe in His name”? Again I refer to John Gill and his exposition of the Entire bible:

“even to them that believe in his name; that is, in himself, in Christ, the word: the phrase is explanative of the former part of the verse, and is a descriptive and manifestative character of the sons of God; for though the elect of God, by virtue of electing grace, and the covenant of grace, are the children of God before faith; and were so considered in the gift of them to Christ, and when he came into the world to gather them together, and save them; and so, antecedent to the Spirit of God, being sent down into their hearts, to make this known to them; yet no man can know his adoption, nor enjoy the comfort of it, or claim his interest in it, until he believes.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 - "By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast"

While it is true that one receives grace through faith, it is not true that faith is something that the natural man is capable of expressing in and of himself. “And that of yourselves” – What does that refer to you? What is “that”? It is the whole concept of salvation that “that” refers to. Grace is not of ourselves, Faith is not of ourselves, and the fact that we are saved is not of ourselves. The entire work of salvation was wrought by Christ on the cross: the ends (grace) and the means (faith). The expression of faith, however small it may be, would be a work of man unless it is a gift given by God. In Galatians 5:22, the fruits of the spirit, the word for faithfulness literally translates “faith” or “full of faith.”

The next verse cited is John 3:1-3. This states that no one enters the kingdom of heaven without first being born again. The use of this is true and therefore requires no response or exegesis.

Revelation 3:20 - "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him"

This verse is another of those which is cited out of context on a regular basis. This verse is where we get the picture of meek and lonely Christ standing at the door of a sinner and knocking saying “I would like to come in…but there is no door handle out here.” You’ve all seen the picture I’m sure; this very picture hangs in my parents' living room back home. What does this imagery say about our Lord? It means to say that He is a gentleman and would never barge into someone else’s life uninvited. When we think back to story’s of Paul’s conversion and Lydia (having her heart opened by God so she could understand what Paul was saying) we find that this is not the case. Christ does indeed barge in uninvited. Why? Because that is his sovereign right as creator to do so. So what is Jesus saying then when he says “behold I stand at the door and knock...”?

Who can open the door? Who will respond to that knocking? We are told at the end of the letter: 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"

(Rev 3: 22). The one who will open the door, the one who will hear is the one who overcomes. The one who overcomes is the same one given to the Son by the Father, the same one who is drawn by the Father (John 6:35-44). The command to open the door does in no way say a word about ability. Jesus simply is stating that he will go into the home of the one who opens the door; nowhere does he say that everyone has that ability.

The idea presented by this tract is that the sinner expresses on his own the quality of saving faith. The sinner is presented as someone who is neutral and can submit to Gods law any time he or she chooses. This tract presents the claim that man is indeed capable of these things with this statement:

“Receiving Christ involves turning to God from self (repentance) and trusting Christ to come into our lives to forgive our sins and to make us what He wants us to be. Just to agree intellectually that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for our sins is not enough. Nor is it enough to have an emotional experience. We receive Jesus Christ by faith, as an act of the will.”

They are right about one thing here: It is not enough to have knowledge of Christ’s death, nor is it enough to just have an emotional experience, saving faith is trusting Christ alone for your salvation! And while believing is an act of the human will, only the ones who have been enabled to believe, will believe. As we are told by Paul in Romans 8:7&8 –

“because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God”

So then who can believe? Certainly not the natural man, for we are told that he is unable to do so!

The tract wraps up with the typical plan of salvation, saying that “I open the door of my life” and gives permission for Christ to take control. The picture shows Christ on the throne, but in reality this tract paints the picture of Christ asking if he can sit, when we are told that in the Word that “our God is in the heavens, he does what he pleases (Psalm 115:3) and “What ever the Lord pleases he does (Psalm 135:6)” God does not respect persons, he certainly did not respect Paul when he knocked him to his knees and struck him blind (Acts 9) and he certainly did not respect Lydia when “the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.” (Acts 16:14).

I shall end with this concept: In the first chapter of Genesis we see that the earth is formless and void and that darkness is everywhere. God says let there be light and there is light. God commands light to shine out of darkness. (Gen 1: 1-3). Now, over in 2^nd Corinthians chapter four verse six we see Paul drawing a parallel out of Genesis:

“For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”

This is the anti-type with the type being the first three verses of Genesis one. Notice that the earth is passive when God says let there be light, so the parallel is that man is also passive in the act of salvation. Now we take that concept and add to it what Jesus says in John 6:44 “"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.” Notice once again that man is passive. Once again apply this concept to Ephesians 2:8&9 (For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God) Grace, Faith and Salvation: the entire work of salvation as a whole is not of ourselves. It is a gift of God. Salvation as a whole is of God, man is passive.

A tract like this is one of the reasons that Christians today have such a Biblical illiteracy. It is one of the reasons why people need “evangelism training.” It is the reason that we have such a large misrepresentation of Reformed theology today among churches, especially ones which were historically Calvinistic. The reader is never once instructed (in the tract I have anyways…it may be in other ones and it does say to with the online track...but not the one i was given.) to look up the verses in context and see what the author is talking about and who he is talking to.

While the issue of monergism (salvation is of God alone) vs. synergism (salvation is a cooperation of man and God) is not a salvific one, it is important. It impacts how we witness to others. If we believe that offending someone will cause them to not believe and therefore be lost from eternity we will soften the message as to be “politically correct and appealing. But on the other hand if we believe that the entire work of salvation (grace and faith) is entirely of The Lord, then we know that we can preach the whole truth of scripture with boldness knowing that all who are appointed to eternal life that are listening will believe. (Acts 16:48).

The C-Train: Church Sleepers

2005-10-26T08:19:00.000-05:00

The C-Train: Church Sleepers

I think we have a new one for the blogroll...this is great!

coming up: The response to the Four Spiritual Laws

James White at the Omaha Bible Church

2005-10-16T00:24:00.000-05:00

Amazing weekend! I finally got the privilege of getting to hear Dr. James R. White speak in person at the Omaha Bible Church, in Omaha, NE. The man is an amazing speaker. He has the ability to mix seriousness and humor into a great message. Friday night he spoke on Earnestly Contending for the Faith against: Antinomianism. Saterday Morning he spoke on Earnestly Contending for the Faith against: Legalism. Through both of those sessions he talked about keeping a balance between the two. He said "If your taking fire from both sides, that's usually a good thing." In the third session he switched gears a bit and talked about relativism. It was definitely a good wrap up. I had to head back early because my traveling companion needed to be at work the next day. Otherwise we would have stayed for the Sunday sessions. He'll be speaking on RCC'ism. Luckily all of his messages will be online so ill be posting the links to that ASAP. Heres a few pictures of the conference:

Flog, Slam, Dr. O, and Stark
(Scott, Jamin, James, and Brent)

I watch as James White (Dr. O) puts Jamin (Slam) and Brent (Stark) in a headlock.

Doc and I

coming up on the Blog: Response to: The Four Spiritual Laws

don't miss it!

Does Flog Blog?

2005-10-12T23:29:00.000-05:00

Ok, so im part of the AOMin chat channel and today somone asked me if Flog (my nick in channel) blogs? That sparked a huge rhyme time in which James White himself (DrOakley) joined in. Here it is:

Norris> Does Flog blog?

[FlogWrites] flog does indeed blog

[FlogWrites] http://majorschultz.blogspot.com

spiritus> does anyone not blog anymore?

[FlogWrites] haha goodquestion

spiritus> the internet is rife with blogs

spiritus> it has become a varitable blog a topia

spiritus> blog a rama

Norris> It's all Doc's fault!

[FlogWrites] there are relitivly few that are good blogs though

spiritus> true...some blogs blow

spiritus> some blogs rock

[FlogWrites] Doc's being one of the good blogs...and the GadFly...and campi's blog

spiritus> some blogs just sit there and do nothing

*** StarkClass is now known as Stark

[FlogWrites] mutatos is good too

*** unichurch (~sovereign@pool-71-98-143-133.tampfl.dsl-w.verizon.net) has joined #prosapologian

Stark> My blog is a very bad blog.

irRational> pyromaniac

spiritus> I have one...its not very good...I'll admit it.

[FlogWrites] rational has good stuff when she blogs (on xanga at least...i dont know if she has a new one)

[FlogWrites] stark, everything of yours is bad ;)

Norris> Does Flog blog?

* irRational doesn't have another...and thanks Floggy :)

spiritus> yup Im a xanga phile too

[FlogWrites] Flog does indeed blog

Norris> Addy?

Stark> Flog: True

[FlogWrites] http://majorschultz.blogspot.com

spiritus> Flog is into flogging as well as blogging?

[FlogWrites] i try to put decent things on there. Its a mix of seriouse spiritual things, daily events, and sillyness

[FlogWrites] flog is quite good at flogging and is getting better at blogging. Sometimes Flog blogs about flogging

[FlogWrites] :D

Stark> Mine is mostly silliness and useless stuff.

* DrOakley apologizes for not having new stuff on his blog.

* DrOakley Flogs himself about the Blog.

[FlogWrites] flog is a spiritual flogger and blogs his spiritual floggings

spiritus> ouch...flogging hurts

spiritus> at least the good flogging does

[FlogWrites] flog flogs in love

spiritus> lol

mutaMails> A BlogClog, perhaps?

*** mutaMails is now known as mutato

* Stark can't take much more of the rhyming garbage

spiritus> Flog blogs and flogs frogs

DrOakley> I must needs sog through my blog clog.

spiritus> lol Stark

*** FlogWrites is now known as FlogFrog

DrOakley> I may have to blame my dog for my blog clog.

mutato> "I write my blogs upon a train, I write my blogs out in the rain..."

*** FlogFrog is now known as Floggy

Norris> Oh boy

Norris> lol

* Floggy loves what he started

[Floggy] Blog about a boat, blog about a Goat, a boat, a goat, who cares? I blog about them both

* DrOakley decides to stop this before he embarrasses himself.

* unichurch will provide material

* Floggy is laughing histarically

spiritus> here's my blog...tis quite bleak but a bit unique...don't call me a freak

spiritus> http://www.xanga.com/SpiritusNaturae

skyman`> Please pardon this interruption...It is a test...

Norris> My eyes are blinded!!

* Floggy points and says "reekin freak, Spiritus is a freak of a geek"

mutato> My latest entry is one year old; if my blog were food, 'twould be quite cold.

spiritus> :o(

spiritus> its my bo isnt it?

* Floggy apologizes but was mearly kidding

[Floggy] um...nooo...

DrOakley> Now if you really want to see someone in a blog, who cannot blame his dog, or bad eggnog, for his blog clog, take a look at EN-og...

spiritus> stupid store brand deoderant

* Floggy sprays fabreeze at spiritus

DrOakley> Oh drat.

*** skyman` plays a sound (automatically requested): dixie.mid

DrOakley> Now if you really want to see someone in a bog, who cannot blame his dog, or bad eggnog, for his blog clog, take a look at EN-og...

* Floggy falls off of his chair laughing at Docs rhyme

spiritus> thats a far better smell

wonks> http://www.vimeo.com/clip=12254

Norris> You should have taken your own advice Doc.

Norris> :-p

*** Norris is now known as NorrisBrat

* Floggy decides that he will blog this short channel tangent about blogs, dogs, bad egnog and the blog clog

irRational> i may blog just now and then, but you know that if and when, i do post something new, it'll be edifying to you

wonks> slog through a clog in the blog brought on by eggnog

[Floggy] rofl

Stark> I use blogs for firewood.

unichurch> oh my gosh, that was hilarious... ohhh, ohhh I can't breathe

spiritus> ewww eggnog

wonks> That's one of the funniest things I've ever found on the internet.

wonks- "Oh stop oh stop I can't breath"

A few unrelated items of blogworthyness

2005-10-11T15:16:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had one of those days where you were singing, or reading, or listening to a song, or praying and all of a sudden you just start to cry? I had one of those today wile I was playing guitar. I was finishing up "The Power of your Love" and as I got the chorus "Hold me close, Let your Love surround me..." The tears came. I still finished the song for my voice did not falter as to make me sound bad. It has been so long since I felt his presence like that. I still feel it...Its that pleasant tingle down your spine..That's the only way to describe it. *joyful sigh*

I finally go my parking sticker upgraded from the mistake of freshman E to the standard sophomore D. (Freshmen have to part about a quarter mile away, they really get screwed around here) After getting a parking ticket on the weekend (after I was told that one could park closer on weekends) I decided making a bit of a fuss wasn't such a bad thing. Those people at the office were so nice; they changed it right away and even voided the ticket! God bless those people!

I learned about Islam today in my world history class. The proff failed to mention that Allah used to be a minor moon god who had daughters. That Mohammad changed his message a few times because no one was accepting it, and even said that Islam was tolerant...Sure...That's why the Koran tells Muslims to kill all infidels if they don't convert...Right. It bothers me that she will take the time to present Islam and other world religions in a good light but when she comes to Christianity (like she did last week) and Judaism she misrepresents. She called a mystery cult. She slandered the patriarchs...I wanted to scream! *sigh* that's secular college for yah I guess.

Today is national coming out [of the closet] day. The sidewalks of the campus are covered in sidewalk chalk messages for gay pride. Messages like "Don't use the Bible to hate... God made me the way I am, just like you.... God doesn't hate everything....."
Wile all these messages are true, except that God does hate some things, one of them being feet that run to evil (Proverbs 6:16-19). They are correct when they say that one should not use the bible to justify hatred and God did make them like they are. BUT that does not change the standard. God calls us to fight against our passions and desires. Remember that He is the potter and has the sovereign right as the Potter to make pots one way and command them to be another way. He has that right because He is the creator! Call that unjust if you like, but there is no injustice with God. Who are we to reply against him? (Romans 9: 19-22) It seems to me that we must first be examining our own life. We cannot point the finger and say "you sinner, repent!" because, as my father always taught me, there are three fingers pointed back at us (point and look at your hand...You'll see what I mean). We, as Christians, need to be fighting against the desires of our flesh if we are going to tell others to fight against there own. We cannot judge, for that is not our right, but we only shine the truth.

The Guift of Scripture: The RCC now says that the Bible is not Completly True.... So whats changed for them?

2005-10-07T08:40:00.000-05:00

The RCC declared in a document called The Gift of Scripture that some parts of the bible are not accurately true. Not surprisingly they picked and chose what they wanted. They also said that the Gospel needed to be presented in ways "appropriate to changing times". (As if the teaching methods of Christ and theapostless are outdated.) And that it must be "intelligible and attractive to our contemporaries.

Intelligible and attractive? Does that mean that they have no love of sound doctrine and there ears itch for what they want to hear? Because it sound very close! (2nd Tim 4:3)

It’s obvious that the writers of this article cannot exegete there way out of a wet paper bag, for they can't even figure out why Genesis has two creation accounts: The first being the long version and the second being a recap of what has gone on. That's basic reading people!

This is what happens when you move away from the fixed standard (0r never held to it in the first place): Sola Scriptura! It seems to me that Paul was sure on what scripture was. He said it was theopneustos, that it was God breathed! (2nd Tim 3:16)

Read the below entries if you haven't Already

SS

A Date with Dracula.

2005-10-06T15:51:00.000-05:00

Taking a seat in the back I pull out my laptop. Trying to find something to read as I wait for my appointment with the bloodsuckers. That's right kids, I went to the blood bank and let me tell you: I had way to much fun. There were a lot of girls that I knew who were ahead of me in line, so I took it as my God given duty to torture them about the blood. I said things such as:

"Watch out for the fangs!"
"The needle is This Long! [I made a space between my hands at the length of a cubit]"
"It won't hurt...That much"
"You know, they're prone to miss a few times."

Finnally it was my turn; I jumped up on blue lawnchairish gurny and waited for the vampire to stick me. I reaffirmed a very important truth wile I sat there letting her probe my arms: be nice and respectful to the person who hold the needle. She probed, she swabbed, she made me squeeze a little red ball in the shape of a blood drop (that's some sick humor) and then, she pulled out the needle.
"Mother" quietly escaped my lips as she readied herself to shove it in. It was like a car wreck: you didn't want to watch, but you couldn't help it. It was then as the first drops of blood streamed down the tube I realized something very exciting: I am my very own discovery channel special!

I also realized that I drink to much coffee. To much caffeine in the blood will constrict the veins. I realized this because they couldn't get the full pint. When I demanded that they put every drop back another universal truth was revealed to me: the back of a clipboard hurts!

In Other News:
Its cold! I mean Really Flippin Cold! It was 39 degrees this morning when I got up for classes. And its 49 degrees now! This is more like October, more like fall! I'm really looking forward to the winter; I hope it snows a lot!

I got this great program last night called Pisca. Its the most amazing free program I have ever seen! I was playing with a few pictures last night. I made some pictures look like drawings, some I made look old, aged, and 1800ish, and some I just messed with (click my profile picture).

I sat and talked with the president of Wayne State College today at lunch. The man is certainly interesting. He told a lot of great stories about his academic life. It made for a great lunch.

Oh and Amy, if you ever read this: The bandage dracula gave me was pink, hot pink! :-)

The Sovereign Power of the Potter

2005-10-04T22:58:00.000-05:00

The Sovereign Power of the Potter

S.K. Schultz

Rom 9:1 I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit,

Rom 9:2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.

Rom 9:3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh,

Rom 9:4 who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises,

Rom 9:5 whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

Rom 9:6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel;

Rom 9:7 nor are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: "THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED."

Rom 9:8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.

Rom 9:9 For this is the word of promise: "AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON."

Rom 9:10 And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac;

Rom 9:11 for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls,

Rom 9:12 it was said to her, "THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER."

Rom 9:13 Just as it is written, "JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED."

Rom 9:14 What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be!

Rom 9:15 For He says to Moses, "I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION."

Rom 9:16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.

Rom 9:17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH."

Rom 9:18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.

Rom 9:19 You will say to me then, "Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?"

Rom 9:20 On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, "Why did you make me like this," will it?

Rom 9:21 Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?

Rom 9:22 What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?

Rom 9:23 And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory,

Rom 9:24 even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.

Rom 9:25 As He says also in Hosea, "I WILL CALL THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, 'MY PEOPLE,' AND HER WHO WAS NOT BELOVED, 'BELOVED.'"

Rom 9:26 "AND IT SHALL BE THAT IN THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS SAID TO THEM, 'YOU ARE NOT MY PEOPLE,' THERE THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF THE LIVING GOD."

Rom 9:27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, "THOUGH THE NUMBER OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL BE LIKE THE SAND OF THE SEA, IT IS THE REMNANT THAT WILL BE SAVED;

Verse 1-13: A little bit of History

Paul begins this famous section of his letter to the church at Rome by drawing a parallel between Abraham’s children and God’s children: “they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel (Isaac).” Remember that Abraham had two children: one legitimate (Isaac) and illegitimate (Ishmael) and it was through Isaac that the descendants will be named (vs. 7), the parallel being that not all the children of the flesh are Gods children but are the children of promise (vs. 8).

Paul then starts a brief history lesson saying Sarah would have a son (legitimate – Isaac) and then Rebekah conceived twins. Before those twins had done anything bad God had already chosen according to His will so that his purpose of election would stand. Notice that it is God who chose who to bestow the promise upon, nothing of mans action influenced that choice; no for-seen faith or action, but Gods choice (vs. 11). What was the choice of God? “The older will serve the younger” and “Jacob I loved but Esau I hated” (vs. 12 and 13)

Verse 14 – 25: The Potter and the Pots – The establishment of Gods Sovereignty over mans will

Immediately Paul shoots down the accusation that comes from such a heavy statement saying “what shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be!” He draws back to what God said to Moses “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” (vs. 14-16).From that statement Paul makes this analogy in verse 16: “So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” A runner has one goal in mind: Get to the finish line first! The runner strives to get there; he does all in his power to beat out the competition. The winner of the race is the one who is the fastest. Paul says it doesn’t work that way in the way of salvation. No matter how hard you try you will earn or merit salvation. It is God who has mercy and God has it on whom He wills to have it. Reaching back to the OT again he draws from Exodus and what God said to Pharaoh (vs. 17): “For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth.” Paul then deducts that God “has mercy on whom he desires and He hardens who He desires. (vs. 18)”

Paul is once again ready to answer those who would object to Gods Sovereign decree by saying “Why does he still find fault? For who resists His will?” The Answer Paul gives is staggering:

“Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use? What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles. (vs. 21-25).”

Listen to how the message puts that very same passage:

“Who in the world do you think you are to second-guess God? Do you for one moment suppose any of us knows enough to call God into question? Clay doesn't talk back to the fingers that mold it, saying, "Why did you shape me like this?" Isn't it obvious that a potter has a perfect right to shape one lump of clay into a vase for holding flowers and another into a pot for cooking beans? If God needs one style of pottery especially designed to show his angry displeasure and another style carefully crafted to show his glorious goodness, isn't that all right? Either or both happens to Jews, but it also happens to the other people.”

Clay certainly does not have the right or the ability to talk back to its former, so what right do we, as Gods creation, have to talk back to Him on His reasons for creating a person. God creates one person to show wrath on and another to show mercy on; that’s his right as creator! “Well that’s not very loving, that’s not fair!” Excuse me? Who created whom here? Its not that God doesn’t show mercy on some, but shows mercy at all! He has no obligation to save anyone yet, because He desires to show mercy, he chooses to save some; and that “some” is from every both Jews and Gentiles (vs. 24). God sovereignty chose to save a people consisting of both Jews and Gentiles. Paul closes the parallel with this thought in verse 25, quoting Hosea he says: I will call those who are not my people, ‘my people’ and her who was not beloved ‘beloved’.”

Not all who are of Israel are of Israel, Not all who are of the flesh are of God, but those to whom the Promise was given

Sola Deo Gloria!

"Neither"

2005-10-02T17:29:00.000-05:00

I spend the better part of my afternoon talking with a man about morality. We went through logic, relativism, and the fixed point of reference. Ultimately coming down to this:

Scott says:

if I took a newborn baby, set it in front of you, pulled out a machete and cut that child to pieces....Am I right or wrong?

***** says:

neither

I must say that is the perfect (and might I add tragic) example of the depravity of mans heart. To convince yourself that a taking the life of an individual in cold blood is neither right nor wrong.
Relativism is illogical and immoral. When one moves away from the fixed point of reference we see such tragedies. It doesnt surprise me, yet it saddens me that society has indeed gone so far down the tubes. I told this man numeriouse times that he will never beleive untill God takes out his heart of stone and gives him a heart of flesh. He wont submit untill God enables him to submit. I pray that God has mercy on him. He knew the truth, yet he never had a true saving faith. God have mercy on him.

"The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately corrupt; Who can understand it?
(Jer 17:9)

Think Sink: The Don: Confirmation

2005-10-01T00:45:00.000-05:00

yes, Jeff H. over at the think sink has done it again...and again...and again...check it out!

Think Sink: The Don: Confirmation

It was bound to Happen...

2005-09-30T21:45:00.000-05:00

Well, finnally! After years of finding the dead ones we get a look at a live giant squid! Remember the movie "the beast" about the giant squid? take a Look Here

========
I was thinking the other day: The day that we live in is the hardest time to stay sexually pure. Things just keep getting worse and worse every day. What was condemed years ago is now accepted as the norm; anyone who dissaggrees with it is now odd or abnormal. Girls dress like they are in human meat market and yet will call a man a pervert for whistling or looking...or in some cases (that i saw this morning on my way to class) a grab here and there. I dont understand that! They dont like the attention yet they dress to get it. *sigh* weird...

Even though stakes are higher and the times have changed; the standard has not. God still tells us to fight our urges and stay holy.

May his grace be sufficiant for me!

In Other News:

I have a new Laptop and I played hide and seek in the dark...and am paying for it dearly.

Its enough to make you scream!

2005-09-27T14:42:00.000-05:00

Evolution vs ID

check out the dialog of obvious child as he spews out his hatred of the idea that God is creator and Lord of all things.

Its so frustrating. The taint in my flesh wants nothing more then to grab this "child" and give him the beating of his life. But I'm a Christian Man, and I know that Christ wouldn't do that. He would tell me to leave him to the Wrath of the Father. It isn't that I want the Wrath of God to fall on this man, IF I had my way I would regenerate this kids heart right now! If I was God I would pull a Paul on this kid. *sigh* I must trust the Lords sovereignty...

Inspiration of the Storm

2005-09-25T11:53:00.000-05:00

I wrote this around 1am during a heavy storm.

Awakend in the Darkness by a Clap of Thunder
Im Surrounded by your presence once again
The display is enough to take the heart of any Man
But i just Smile and trust your soverign Hand

The sky lights up with lightning
and the thunder shakes the earth
And a heavy rain descends apon the sod
THe Storm rages on but all that I hear
is to be still and know that You are God

It still needs a second verse, a bridge, and the chords need to be fine tuned a bit, but its comming along nicly
=============================

In other news: Rita has died. She went from cat 5 to a cat 1 all in the past few days. By the time she hit land she didnt have the power to do what her big sis kat did. Thank God for His mercy!

More Later

<><><>

Rita has a growth Spurt

2005-09-21T22:23:00.000-05:00

Well, Katrinas Little sister Rita has decided to visit and now she's had a growth spurt. She is now a category 5 hurricane. That's bigger then Katrina! Its a comfort to know that God is in charge. This isn't a pointless, random thing of nature; its God showing his power and his right as Creator over His Creation. I, for one, am glad that I have a God who is more then just someone who picks up the pieces. God can show his power in whatever way He chooses and if that means sending judgment and destroying His creation, then that is all the more reason for me to fall on my face in reverent fear. His complete sovereignty makes him worthy of worship! Sola Deo Gloria!

Lord, We don't know why you sent this second hurricane. We have our ideas and theory's but we cannot possibly grasp your ways nor see the glory that you will bring to yourself through this. We know God that our nation is deserving of judgment, and we know that repentance can only come on the aftermath of judgment. I thank you that you have spared me and my home from this fate, even though we are just as deserving as the gulf coast of your wrath.

Lord, God, I pray for your saints in that area, my brothers and sisters, Lord, I pray that you will put a hedge of protection around them; get them through this time of fire. I pray for the campus crusade group heading down there God, I ask that rite miss the area that they are going to and that they will be able to do some good down there and stay safe. I pray God that, if it be your will, that one if not all of them could be the means for someone's salvation. I pray that you would use these brothers and sisters of mine to pluck someone from the fires of hell. Bring them home safely and give them a good time of fellowship on there trip. I thank you for your provisions in my life. For your protection, and the grace you've shown me. Keep us by the power of your will Lord God. Keep us from stumbling. Thank you for being sovereign over all. Thank you for not being a god who just picks up the pieces, but a God who has a plan in it all. Keep my brethren safe, bring them home. Thank you for hearing me. I pray these things in Christs name. Amen!

Thoughts over Tea

2005-09-20T14:46:00.000-05:00

If one is granted a guift by God, that person cannot ever loose it. But, if nothing has been granted then there is nothing to loose. We are so willing to trust our professors, our friends, and in some cases: complete strangers, but so hesitant to trust the One who knows us the best. We tend to complicate our own lives in the attempts to simplify them, but we find it so complicted to go to the One who can simplify for us.
Three realizations I had over my afternoon tea; three insights from the Almighty Himself.

I will Sing

2005-09-17T18:44:00.000-05:00

My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing, I will sing praises, even with my soul. Awake, harp and lyre; I will awaken the dawn! I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the peoples, And I will sing praises to You among the nations. For Your lovingkindness is great above the heavens, And Your truth reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, And Your glory above all the earth. That Your beloved may be delivered, Save with Your right hand, and answer me! - Psalm 108: 1-6

I felt a horrendous loneliness last night. There was no one around here and I didn't get the phone call I was hoping for. It is hard to get away from the fear and paranoia and the thoughts that come with it. I kept telling myself that it wasn't that she didn't want to talk to me; she was just busy with something or didn't get the voice mail. I sometimes think I'm a manic. It seems I fall into this stuff a lot. I get anxious and depressed to often. Maybe it comes with my youth: I got used a lot, made fun of a lot...Maybe I'm just unwilling to give it to God. I constantly second guess things, people, and myself. I forget that His eye is on the sparrow and so he watches me (yes, that hymn is playing right now :) ). I guess this is another thorn in the side, or a small part of the entire thorn. God, Deliver me!

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me

And Now for something completely different:
I am now on facebook.com
Facebook Me

Think Sink

2005-09-15T19:23:00.000-05:00

Think Sink

This has to be one of the best blogs I have ever seen. The captions under the pictures are pricless!

Honk This!

2005-09-15T16:17:00.000-05:00

There was a clown on campus today, saw him in the student center when I had lunch with Nicole. He kept honking his nose at people...I felt the urge to give him the nose honking of his life! I didn't of course...Really! I didn't! Why are you looking at me like that?!?!
Today I:
Watched "Texas chainsaw massacre (started at 11pm yesterday..got over at 1am this morning)
Went to bed
Woke up (at 8)
Passed out
Woke up
Passed out
Woke up
got up
showered
ate the last of my cereal
drank some coffee
drank some more coffee
went to class (at 930)
drank even more coffee
started watching silence of the lambs (for a class)
Went to my second class (at 11)
Made a mental note to bring more coffee next time
Realized that the test will probably kill me
Ate lunch with Nicole
Played a new game with Joe, Justine and Nicole called "horse" (Involving two cue balls and a pool table)
Almost got hit by a car walking to the REC center (stupid freshmen)
Realized that I forgot my ID
Came back to my dorm to get my ID
couldn't find my Wallet
Found my wallet (after a 10 min. Search)
finally went swimming
Forgot my ID at the Pool (luckily I hadnt left yet)
Got made fun of for my "Abortion is Mean" tee shirt on the walk back
Made peppermint tea
burned my tongue
had a MSN war with shell
and responded to rwws comment about 2nd Peter 3:9

rww, In response to your questions:
1)Do I hold to Unconditional election based on Gods Decrees? - Yes, I do.
2)Do I hold to Limited attonment (i.e. Gods elect were redeemed by Christs sacrifice and them only) - Yes, I do believe that.
- Yes, that means that God damns people to hell.
3) what do I think of John 3:16's mention of 'world' and 'whosoever'? - There are different uses of the word "world". It sometimes mean the entire world, it can also mean all kinds of men. (ie Jews and gentiles). In Context, Johns use of the world is refereing to salvation that is not just for the Jews. Also, 'whosoever' does not indicate an ability. For no one comes to Jesus outside of the Fathers drawing (John 6:44). And the natural man does not submit to God and is unable to do so (Romans 9:7&8).
4) Do I hold to the total depravity (ie inability) of man in both extent and degree? - Yes, I do.
5) Do I hold to irrestistable Grace? - Yes, I do.
6) apostasy? If you mean of a loss of faith? No, I do not. DO you mean that Christians sometimes fall into willful sin? Yes. But if you mean can a man loose his salvation - then no, I do not believe that man can. (this does not mean that people who were 'Christians' and are now atheists are still saved. For they either never had a true saving faith to begin with or God the time and means of there salvation has not yet come about.)

I hope that answers you questions. (please leave a link in your next comment so I can reach you directly)

2nd Peter 3:9

2005-09-13T21:57:00.000-05:00

"The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance"

This verse is used by many to say "see, God wants everyone to come to Jesus. They have free will though because not everyone is being saved." First of all, think of the implication of that statement. Gods will isn't being done; His power and will is subject to the will of the creator. The order of potter and pot is reversed. Secondly: What does that statement say about Christs attonment? It says it isn't good enough, it only made men save-able. Christ did 99.99 % but man still has to do that.01% or all that Jesus did for that person is a failure. There must be something else here. Lets take a look!

First of all who wrote this? Peter. To Whom was it written? The very first verse of the letter tells us: "To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours (2nd Pet. 1:1)". So as we read through the letter we come to chapter three and then verse 9.

"the Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some would count slowness but is patient toward you."

Who is "you"? It is those who have received that same kind of faith. So, therefore, who is God not willing should parish? Those who have received a faith the same as ours. The all refers to those Christ had died for; His Church. That is who the Lord is not willing should parish.

Its a pit you don't want to dig...

2005-09-12T16:52:00.000-05:00

Something that struck me this morning as I did my devotion was 1st John 4:18 -There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out all fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is no perfected in Love
I tend to get paranoid about things; especially in the romance area. I wonder why a letter or email hasn't been returned, or I haven't been called back about something; or why plans seem to be canceled right at the last moment. I tend to wonder "do they not like me, do I seem to smother them? Do they not want to hang out with me?" I really shouldn't do that because perfect love has no fear in it. You cannot second guess everything; a step of faith must be taken at some point. The issue must be put in Gods hands. For if one begins to second guess everything we have lost the right to take anything at face value; even the second guessing must be second guessed. Uncertainty is a pit you do not want to dig.

What a Storm

2005-09-12T08:44:00.000-05:00

The Lord Spoke Last night, I'm just not sure exactly what he said. The thunder woke me up around four am. I just layed there and smiled knowing that my God had everything under control. Every time i tried to fall asleep however, a loud clap of thunder came as if to say "listen, pay attention...You ninny". IT was an awesome and terrifying show of The Lords power last night. Lightning lit up the sky and the thunder shook the buildings. Every part of it had been planned out by The Most High down to the very raindrop. I honestly dont know how the Armenian/open theist/non-calvinist copes with it all. It all just happens...no purpose to it at all. I dont know how they cope.

On that note: I had a conversation with a guy i know till about 1 am. Last night on the subject of free will and the attonment. He of course took the typical Armenian side not seeing that salvation hinges on man in that system of thinking. He even admitted that all men are savable- a potential attonment! I know we will have some long talks this year; one more reason that I have been sent back to this sespool of a college I guess. Now, I wont break fellowship over these issues, but they are important non-the-less. I hope God opens his mind and eyes like he did for me...what a brain format that was!

Class at 10
Class at 11
class at 12
Lab at 3-445

A friend of mine up here likes my roommate, another of my best friends is engaged, and here I sit...alone..*sigh*

bla...the shower is calling...

Edit: The shower was cold! :(

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A Short Profile.

2005-09-11T17:59:00.000-05:00

Born in: Sioux Falls, SD. currently residing in Wayne, NE but my home town is Avon SD.

High school background: Drama – Four Years, Band – Four Years plus Jr. High and Grade School Years, Music – Four Years Choir, Four Years Mixed, Four Years Men in Song, 3 Years Swing Choir. All State Choir Alternate – 1 year.

Faith Related: Wile growing up in a Christian home, I did not come to a real saving Faith in Christ until January 24^th 2002 at a youth retreat called T.E.C. In that three year span my life has changed dramatically for the better. Not only has my conduct changed, but my entire way of thinking about the Bible has changed. I am now what one would call a “Calvinist” or a “Reformed Baptist”. I have been convinced with that which is “God Breathed” (2^nd Tim 3:16) that the old doctrines preached by Calvin, Luther, Spurgeon, and Augustine are biblical and eternal truths.

Stuff I do: listen to sermons/debates from my favorite preachers, harmonica, Guitar, chess, reading, writing, swimming, lifting, praying, and biblical study. Not to mention messing around with my best friends Mark, Jamin, and drew.

Music: I am a self taught harmonica player as well as a learning guitar player. I also Sing and “try” to write songs.

Favorite Christian Bands: Bread of Stone, Steven Curtis Chapman, Chris Rice, Seven Layer Soul, 4Him, Rich Mullen, Caedmons Call, Mark Schultz, Third Day, and others that I cant remember.

Selective Secular Music: Blues Traveler, Counting Crows, Black Crows, mostly easy listening stuff.

Other: Classical Music, Funk, Drum Solos

Fav preachers/theologians etc: James White, Steve Brown, Chuck Swindoll, R.C. Sproul, Frank Peretti, Dennis Rainy, Gregg Laurie, Alistair Begg, Joseph Pipa, John MacArthur, John Piper, Ravi Zacharias, Jay Sekulow, Ray Comfort, Gene Cook Jr., etc.

Fav movies: ahhh too long of list.

Places been to: Disney World, FL Worlds of Fun, in Kansas City, TX, AZ, NM, St. Lewis, MO, Branson MO, IN…that’s it I think

Talents: Public speaking/teaching, (developing that skill) Writing, and Music

Misc about me: Well, I am a 20 year old Reformed Baptist theologian. I enjoy flavored coffee, and some teas. I enjoy reading, Movies, and music. I play harmonica and am learning to play guitar. I am in love with the most beautiful girl…although im not sure she knows it. I would like to someday put a ring on her finger…but what I want more is Gods will and to fall deeper and deeper in love with my God, My savior, my friend, Jesus.

Spiritual status: Christian seeking God's wisdom and mercy, trying to submit fully to His Word and enjoying His presence, power, and friendship forever.

Relational Past: Many interests in the past, none have turned to anything, actually all friendships with those persons are on shaky ground. I am interested in a girl now for courtship and marriage…but I am seeking Gods will on that issue. She doesn’t even know how I Feel. (Any suggestions on that subject are completely welcome in the comments area ;))

Relational Status: Single and trying to be content. And yet striving.

You'll here me saying: Mother of BUDAH!, Bite-me, I’ve never liked you OR your mother, ooOOOO, w00t, splendid, …broomstick…, “Pamona” (that one is accually sang), and a host of other things.

Nicknames: Scott, Scotty, Schultz…hey you, big dude,..

Character: Lord willing I'll be going to Dordt College in Sioux Center IA sometime soon. But if you’ve read my stuff, or have talked to me…you know who I am and what I stand for.

The maiden..umm..Post...

2005-09-11T16:05:00.000-05:00

Welcome all my readers of the xanga blog to the blog 2.o. I moved here for a number of reasons. For one thing is more professional. blogspot has more options; both in posting and in the look and feel. Also, anyone can post a comment, not just members. Plus, I needed an upgrade anyways. The xanga will stay open for all of you xanga bloggers out there...But I'm expanding my audience :)

SO, for now, that's it. Read up the last few on the xange blog and ill have a full update on here later.

Stay tuned all you bloggers...More to come

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Perpetual Flogulence

Perpetual Flogulance is moving...

Its always the worst amongst us

Cosider Something Please

A Week in Review

Here at last

You Supply The Caption: The Mime

Okoboji Bible Camp: The Last week

You Supply The Caption: Quizno's

Teaching Kids Theology: Okoboji Bible Camp Update

From the Blog of James R. White

You Supply The Caption: Kitchen Madness

In Mourning....

Revisions and other things..

Better late then Never

Okoboji Bible Camp: Staff Training and Confirmation Camp

Marriage amendment: Back again!

God is not a gentleman

Okoboji Bible Camp: Week one – Life Guard Training (May 22nd – 26th)

End of [school] year Odds and Ends...

LiveOffensivlyforGod.com

FireFox and Nintendo Redefined

A horrible tragedy averted by....Stupidity

Happy Easter

by A.W. Tozer">The Old Cross and The Newby A.W. Tozer

The Advil Hour: John 6

The Easter Bunny, Pt II

What the Easter Bunny does the other 364 days of the year

Dr. James R. White - The Gospel of Judas: Nothing New Under the Sun

Discovered: missing link that solves a mystery of evolution...uh..yeah, riiight

a little useless Information from MarieP

FOXNews.com - Remembering JPII

WuzzaDem: Church Sign Smackdown!

Baby stable after 2nd head removed - Children's Health - MSNBC.com

Look at the differences...

No Strike Tonight

The Advil hour: TU_IP?: A conversation on L

Modified Pro-Choice

Spring Break Blessings

Letter to the Editor - South Dakota's Pro-Life Bill

CAMPONTHIS: John Owen on Limited Atonementthe unlimited sufficiency of the cross for the elect

Who is in charge of our Highway Department??

Answering a Question....

Caner and Hunt

Bonus You Supply the Caption - purgatorio

Today of All Days...

Think Sink: Loud Enough to Raise the Dead

A Date with Dracula...Revisited

Solus Christus

Quickly now...

Some Pictures

50 things for '06

Christmas greetings to democrats and republicans...

Sola Scriptura: Scripture Alone

Amazing discovery in heart of biblical Jerusalem

Mary: Tradition

Update: coming Attractions

John 6:35-51

Random Subject Blogging

Adrian Rodgers Sept 12, 1931-Nov. 15th 2005

Live Blogging the Dateline Program on the Birth of Jesus Christ - Pros Apologian

This has my Dander up!

Why Pray If Things Are Predestined?

When Unrighteous Judges Rule the Land - James White

Happy...Something

The Four Spiritual Laws

The C-Train: Church Sleepers

James White at the Omaha Bible Church

Does Flog Blog?

A few unrelated items of blogworthyness

The Guift of Scripture: The RCC now says that the Bible is not Completly True.... So whats changed for them?

A Date with Dracula.

The Sovereign Power of the Potter

"Neither"

Think Sink: The Don: Confirmation

It was bound to Happen...

Its enough to make you scream!

Inspiration of the Storm

Rita has a growth Spurt

Thoughts over Tea

by A.W. Tozer">The Old Cross and The New
by A.W. Tozer