Christian Orthodoxy Still Lacking

Christian Orthodoxy Still Lacking

I went by the website of a local denomination to see what was happening. To see if there were any major changes. There weren’t any. Usually on my two previous blogs, I have posted articles by Dr. Jerry L. Buckner. He’s an adjunct prof. at Golden Gate Baptist Seminary, and pastors a church in the Bay area of California. He has two articles that love, and in the past I have posted the articles, and shared my thoughts. I probably won’t this time. One of the articles does deal with Christian Orthodoxy in the black church. At least the lack of it anyway. Well, as I went by this particular website it dawned on me that christian orthodoxy is still lacking.

One Of The Main Reasons

And one the main reasons I will say it is lacking is because of church leadership. Yes I mean the Senior Pastors, deacons, and of course the people. As long as we as a culture maintain an emphasis on traditions of men, from the way we dress, and the church lingo that we speak and so on, then the church in the African American context will remain in this current anemic state. We need more men of prayer, not men of programs. At the very least, brothers that aren’t afraid like a local pastor here in my area to teach doctrine. Previously, a brother stated people in the inner city don’t need this. He claimed that my view point was subjective. But the proof is in the pews. Weak pulpits, leads to weak saints, and sickly churches.

Some feel it isn’t important, but the lack of biblical teaching is still allowing some of the worse heresies to run rampant in churches.

So, yes I’m sharing my thoughts this way in that Christian Orthodoxy is still lacking. And I believe we need a return to the scriptures. It starts with letting the scriptures make for themselves. Basic hermeneutics, and perhaps a resource or two on basic doctrine would help.

And yes, I’m recommending some resources.

For my brethern that are humble enough to check out these resources, I believe they will help revolutionize an inner city church.

For Hermeneutics:

Living By The Book. – By Howard G. Hendricks, William D. Hendricks.

For Doctrinal Preaching And Teaching:

Doctrine That Dances – Robert Smith

For Doctrine:

Doctrine For Difficult Days: Important Theology Made Simple – Dr. J. Vernon McGee

All of these are reader friendly for the busy or not so busy inner city pastor.

That’s all for now.

Happy Father’s Day

Father’s Are Blessing

Yes I do know there are dead beat dads. How about those that are faithfully providing for their families? Staying with the wife of their youth, and support their children. Loving the Lord. Sometimes we get bogged down in endless debates over eschatology, and inhouse theological debates over baptistism, calvinism vs. arminianism. Our children need our prayers, and presence. Us opening the word and teaching the truth in love. We need to affrim to our children the basics of the faith. One can get so tied up in the inhouse debates that they can neglect the gospel, edifying their wives and children. Just to get an “egghead” point across.

It’s time to spend more time building our families up and striking the balance when it comes to debatable issues. Leave that stuff on the table and go on to greater things in the Lord.

I Would Like To Hear More Sermons On Love On Valentine’s Day

Wondering About Christians On Valentine’s Day

wonder why we don’t hear more sermons on love on or around February 14? More Song of Solomon would be nice. Maybe it’s just the church in the African American context. Maybe we are consumed with “Black History Month”, and wearing African attire as opposed to a sermon or a series of sermons on “love”. I think it’s been years since I’ve heard a good sermon on the subject this time of year. So here’s a shot of love:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Update On Pastor Chuck Smith – It’s A Blessing

From Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa’s Website

Dear Praying Friends,

Pastor Chuck has made great progress and is being released this week from rehabilitation. He is hoping to resume his old schedule as soon as possible. As you can imagine, it has been hard for him to be away this long, so our prayer for him is that he does not do too much! Please do pray for Kay, this has been very hard on her, as she needs our prayers.

Praying For Pastor Chuck Smith – Because I Got Love For Him

I Got Love For Him

I heard about the mini stroke. My heart goes out to this fine bible teacher. I know we all have differences of opinion. I own some of his books, and some tapes by Pastor Chuck. Regardless of where believers fall in their thoughts on this brother, we should be praying.

I Got Love For Calvary Chapel

I certainly have love for Calvary Chapel. I enjoy the ministry of Raul Ries, Greg Laurie in addition to Pastor Chuck. I am listening to “To Every Man An Answer” as I type this. Being a christian in the Orange County area during the late 80’s thru the late 90’s naturally I listened to KWVE 107.9 F.M. radio. I am not sure how many in the inner city was influenced by KWVE and Calvary Chapel but I was.

I attended their bible college (extension campus) for a year until my personal commitments in my home church led me to spend more time there with additional teaching time at my home church. I am not sure about the other christians in the area, although I was (still am) a part of the baptist church I loved the scriptural teaching that I took at face value. I understand there may have been a few controversies, but they don’t derail from the truths that were taught.

Theologically, I agree with them on essential christian doctrine as well as their views on the spiritual gifts. And in the area of eschatology. And as a christian I feel a degree of compassion for Pastor Chuck. My heart goes out to him and his family in prayer. I can’t speak for others, but I have love for Calvary Chapel, Pastor Chuck. And tell him that I am praying for him. We need more prayer for all our leaders.

Happy New Year Fellow Christians

My Prayer For The New Year

To make a difference in the upcoming year. Our time down is like a vapor. Lord teach us to number our days.

I Find It Amazing

How many people will search for significance and meaning and refuse to submit to the light the Lord has placed in their lives. What’s so difficult about submission to the Lord? He that, being often reproved, stiffeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. Proverbs 29:1

Sometimes people are reproved by the words we speak and at times the lives we christians live. And yet the refuse to change. I’m amazed that many people reject the light that come into their lives. But my prayer is that I would see them as God would have me to see them. And treat them as God would have me to treat them. Don’t know what the year holds, but I know Who holds the year. May I be pleasing to the Lord in my dealings.

God bless.

Blessed By David Rosales – Of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills

The Current Radio Program.

I have really been blessed by the current ” A Sure Foundation” radio broadcast programs. The teaching is very practical and clear. There is nothing like concisive teaching and very clear speaking! Blessing to David Rosales and Calvary Chapel Chino Hills.

I’m praying for you brother!

Wesley’s Self-Examination Quiz

Here’s Something I Found Convicting

I still wonder why certain christian radio programs don’t feature more broadcasts relating to John Wesley. There are some good Methodist brethren out there that are conservative. And there are solid brethren that hold to Wesleyan/Arminian theology.

I believe that Christian radio is doing a dis-service to the body of Christ by not featuring these solid brethren, and featuring other brethren that hold to differing theology. But here’s something very convicting from Wesley that I believe would serve any pastor and congregation well. Check it out:

Wesley’s self-examination quiz

Here is one set of nearly two dozen questions similar to what John Wesley gave to members of his discipleship groups more than 200 years ago.

The questions have their origin in the spiritual accountability group started by Wesley when he was a student at Oxford — a group that detractors called “The Holy Club.” The first list appeared about 1729 or 1730 in the preface to Wesley’s second Oxford Diary. Similar questions appeared in his 1733 A Collection of Forms of Prayer for Every Day in the Week. As late as 1781, Wesley published a list of questions like this in the Arminian Magazine.

1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?

2. Do I confidentially pass on to others what has been said to me in confidence?

3. Can I be trusted?
4. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work or habits?

5. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?

6. Did the Bible live in me today?

7. Do I give the Bible time to speak to me every day?

8. Am I enjoying prayer?

9. When did I last speak to someone else of my faith? [ conversation starter questions ]

10. Do I pray about the money I spend?

11. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?

12. Do I disobey God in anything?

13. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?

14. Am I defeated in any part of my life?

15. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrustful?

16. How do I spend my spare time?

17. Am I proud?

18. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisees who despised the publican?

19. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I doing about it?

20. Do I grumble or complain constantly?

21. Is Christ real to me?

“Encourage one another daily . . . so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” — Hebrews 3:13

Those were my thoughts and Wesley’s, what are yours.

I Don’t Have Problem With Discernment

All Christians Need To Distinguish Between the Spirit of Truth and The Spirit Of Error

Discernment is nothing more than the ability to decide between truth and error, right and wrong. Discernment is the process of making careful distinctions in our thinking about truth. In other words, the ability to think with discernment is synonymous with an ability to think biblically.
First Thessalonians 5:21teaches that it is the responsibility of every Christian to be discerning: “Test all things and hold fast to that which is good.” The apostle John issues a similar warning when he says, “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). According to the New Testament, discernment is not optional for the believer-it is crucial.
The key to living an uncompromising life lies in one’s ability to exercise discernment in every area of his or her life. For example, failure to distinguish between truth and error leaves the Christian subject to all manner of false teaching. False teaching then leads to an unbiblical mindset, which results in unfruitful and disobedient living-a certain recipe for compromise.

Unfortunately, discernment is an area where most Christians stumble. They exhibit little ability to measure the things they are taught against the infallible standard of God’s Word, and they unwittingly engage in all kinds of unbiblical decision-making and behavior. In short, they are not armed to take a decidedly biblical stand against the onslaught of unbiblical thinking and attitudes that face them throughout their day. I believe it is an act of the will, and many have lost the will to discern.

Down With ODM?

There is a desire among some brethren for tabloid blogging. I have noticed some brethren seem almost bitter. Some brethren appear to be angry. I believe we should be so familiar enough with the truth that we should be able to spot a lie when it shows up.

Unfortunately, some brethren appear almost jealous. They seem to appear so cynical that yes, point out the errors that exist, but how about an exposition of the truth! Whatever happened to speaking the truth in love? Whatever happened the servant of the Lord not striving? Whatever happened to the gentleness, and respect aspect of 1 Peter 3:15?

I’m concerned about many of the brethren that won’t or don’t gather facts on a individual, ministry, or church but are quick to point out some supposed error. Soon many will not be able to distinguish much that doesn’t believe exactly like they do.

Let’s focus on apologetics the right way. Making a ready defense of the faith. Pointing out where the cults are in error. Let’s not embrace a brother’s doctrinal statement, call him orthodox based on that statement then backpeddle when the heat comes.

We need to do some in house cleaning. If there are oneness modalist out there let’s not defend them. If the Word Faith Movement teaches heresy let’s call it what it is.

But we need to lay out some biblical alternatives.

Like:

Proper hermeneutics, basic doctrine, eschatology and how we can apply these teaching in a practical way in our lives.

A Christian Father’s – Father’s Day Shout Out

My Father’s Day Shout Out

I know that there are many dead beat dads out there. It is talked up just about everyday very specifically in the African American Community. But I believe there are paragons of excellence that are over looked. There are many pastors that are faithful to their wives, and their congregations regardless of the size of the church that do what they do without fanfare.

There are many deacons and other brothers in the church that go day after to work, come home and are loving role models in their communities and to their own children.

Many christian men that are fathers that have been there for the wives and children that have contributed to the building up of hospitals, churches, credit unions, and schools.

And there are christian men that have been wronged or abandoned by their biological fathers and have sought to make the first move of reconciliation. In some cases successfully.

I know there are some men in the church that have failed at fatherhood. But this post was a shout out the godly men that typically get no recognition this side of the river for the excellence. So if you are that man, then I say “Happy Fathers Day” to you. And to the other fathers that are out there as well.

We are to honor our fathers, so Happy Father’s Day to my Dad.

Love Donald.

Respect to the fathers out there that are non-christians but are doing what a father should do! Taking care of his family and loving his wife.

And of course I have my soul music lyrics here as well to one of my favorite “father songs”.

This that don’t know this is Color Him Father:

There’s a man at my house,
He’s so big an’ strong.
He goes to work each day,
An’ he stays all day long.
He comes home each night,
Lookin’ tired an’ beat.
He sits down at the dinner table,
An’ has a bite to eat.
Never a frown, always a smile.
When he says to me, “How’s my chil’?”
I say that, “I’ve been studying hard,
All day in school,
Tryin’ very hard to understand,
The golden rule.”

Think I’ll color this man father.
(Color him father.)
I think I’ll color him love.
(Color him love.)
Said, I’m gonna color him father.
(Color him father.)
I think I’ll color the man love.
Yes I will.
(Color him lo-hove.)

He says, “Education is the thing,
If you want to compete.
Because without it son,
Life ain’t very sweet.”
I love this man,
An’ I don’t know why.
Except I’ll need his strength,
Till the day that I die.
My mother loves him an’ I can tell.
By the way she looks at him,
When he holds my little sister, Nell.
I heard her say just the other day,
That if it hadn’t ‘av been for him,
She couldn’t have found her way.
[ Find more Lyrics on http://www.mp3lyrics.org/P1PO ]

I Think I’ll color him father.
(Color him father.)
I’m gonna color him love.
(Color him love.)
I’ve got to color him father.
(Color him father.)
I think I’ll color this man love.
(Color him lo-hove.)

Our real old man,
He got kille’ in the war.
An’ she knows she an’ seven kids,
Couldn’t of got very far.
She said she thought that,
She could never love again.
An’ then there he stood,
With that big, wide grin.
He married my mother,
An’ he took us in.
An’ now we belong to the man,
With that big wide grin.

I got to color this man father.
(Color him father.)
I’m gonna color him love.
(Color him love.)
I’ve to color him father.
(Color him father.)
I believe I’ll color this man love.
(Color him lo-hove.)

He’s just been so good to me.
(Color him father.)
I feel I’ve got to have to color him love.
(Color him love.)
I’m gonna color him father.
(Color him father.)
I’ve got to color this man love.
(Color him loooove.)

He’s just been so good.
[Fade.]
(Color him father.)
Yeah, I think I’ll color him love.
(Color him love.)
I’m goin’ to color him father.
(Color him father…)