Facing Hardship while Praising God

Facing hardship and opposition to our faith is difficult. It is especially hard when we face enormous trials like so many of us have here of late.

While driving to work yesterday morning I was pondering the circumstances and difficulties we are facing in our church. I found myself lost in thought and given to prayer. I had the radio on tuned into the local Christian radio station, 90.1 "The Bridge", but I wasn't paying attention and used it for white noise if anything. But while I was thinking about our current troubles the song "Praise You in this Storm" by Casting Crowns came on. I had heard this song a thousand times before, but God was using it this time to speak to me about how we are to praise Him even in the midst of our problems.

Tonight, I looked up the liner notes from the cd and found the Scriptures used with the song. I would like to share them with you. They will bless your heart as they did mine:

Romans 8:28: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

2 Corinthians 4:16 - 18: "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

Psalm 42:5: "Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance."

Job 1:20 - 21: "Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said: “ Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

Daniel 3:16 - 18: "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

In looking at the "big picture", we will never come to grips with why we face what we face in life, good or bad, until we reach eternity. It is glorious to remember sometimes that we serve a God who can be (and should be) praised during the good times and the bad times. Because in His Sovereignty, they are for His glory.

May we learn from our trials, may we praise God for our trials, and may we grow spiritually because of our trials.

Spiritual Value vs. Economic Value

I have to admit that I was not surprised when I found this article concerning the Franklin Graham Festival recently held in Knoxville. While they do mention the amount of professions, the spiritual aspects of the festival were downplayed to the "more important" issue of economic success for the city.

http://www.volunteertv.com/home/headlines/18343889.html

While I don't agree with all of the Graham's theology (Billy or Franklin), one cannot deny the impact for the kingdom that they have had. My prayer is that the 1,200 professions mentioned in the article are true repentance and pleading God for forgiveness.

It still saddens me that a news organization would focus more on the economic impact of this event. (Saddens, but doesn't surprise as I stated previously).

Tearing Pages From Bible

I just came across this and thought you might find it interresting.

A Southern Seminary professor stated in one of his classes that: "when we destroy creation, which is God's revelation, it is no different than tearing a page out of the Bible."

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=58808

Obviously he is dead wrong. The Bible is God's inspired, inerrant Word and God's creation is sin cursed. We are commanded in Genesis to be good stewards of God's creation but not to worship it.

We know God's creation is a light to mankind. (Rom. 1-20; Ps 19:1-6) But nowhere likens creation to the Bible or alludes to destroying creation would be like ripping pages out of the Bible.

The student that wrote the article would have us buy into this global warming frenzy.

Elijah may know more about this and it may not be as bad as it sounds.

Kent

ID Column No Longer Expelled from Print

Appropriately on the release date of Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, the Crossville Chronicle published my latest Seeing through the Hayes column, "Speaking heresy in a Darwinian culture," in the Friday, April 18, edition. The entire article can be found here.

The Darwinists have yet to flood my inbox with hate mail, but there's still the entire weekend for the article to reach them via the Web. I attempt to address some of their objections to my last column's brief critiques of Darwinian evolution.

In the opinion-editorial piece, I draw attention to the prior philosophical commitments to materialism and naturalistic reasoning that Darwinian proponents impose upon the scientific field. Through doing this, they are able to disregard any arguments or evidence that might point to design and yet seem justified in doing so. After affirming that Charles Darwin himself did not write much pertaining to the origin of life, I make note that his ideas would be taken further by his followers. From the article:

Still, Darwin held that natural selection left out the need for God. “The view that each variation has been providentially arranged seems to make Natural Selection entirely superfluous, and indeed takes the whole case of the appearance of new species out of the range of science” (Life and Letters of Charles Darwin, vol. 2, 6-7, 28, emphasis mine). With this statement, Darwin planted the seeds for the driving principle that would rule science in the following generations—propositions that aren’t naturalistic or materialistic should not be considered.

Looking at verbatim statements from several evolutionary authorities such as Richard Dawkins, I make this conclusion: "Evolutionary authorities forthrightly demonstrate evolutionary theory is not a scientific issue but a philosophical one."

The article goes on to distinguish between Darwinism as a worldview and evolution as a theory. I then transition to a positive affirmation of Intelligent Design theory, as stated in Nancy Pearcey's monumental book Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity.

As the Expelled film calls for the knocking down of the Berlin wall of naturalistic prejudice currently erected in science, I call for reform in a Darwinist-minded culture the same way Martin Luther called out the Catholic culture of the sixteenth century. Like that generation put blind trust in its clergymen, today's generation puts an unfounded confidence in our scientists and academics.

Southern Seminary-Kurt Wise

For those of you who are already attending Southern Seminary or who are preparing to attend-

If you get a chance to take a class with Dr Kurt Wise, do so. He is a brilliant educator and staunch Creationist.

He is Professor of Science and Theology and Director of Center for Science and Theology.

He used to be at Bryan College where I met him when they were holding the Origins Conferences. He and I spent an entire day together one Saturday, walking thru the woods with him showing me evidence of Noah’s flood in plain sight that I would never have seen otherwise. I now know more of what to look for.

I have wanted to go back to Dayton and see the wood fossils in the rock croppings he showed me again. I was amazed at all the evidence in this small area. I forget the name of the area but it used to be an old railroad bed and coal mine. A small creek runs thru a dump site of coal and you can find fossils in small pieces of coal. You can also find live scorpions.

He also has an interresting testimony of his experience at Harvard and witnessing to Dr. Stephen J. Gould. Who until his death a few years ago was the world's leading evolutionist.

BigDog

MacArthur Mania in Murfreesboro

On April 8th I left work two and a half hours early and my mother and I drove the near 200 mile drive to Murfreesboro, TN with Belle Aire Baptist church as our destination. My brother Jason and his wife Ruthie met us there and my good friend and fellow blog mate Josh Hayes, his wife and mother-in-law accompanied him also. The place was bustling with a vast crowd of people and before long, the large sanctuary of Belle Aire would be packed to the gills in great expectation.

But what was it that could bring people out in droves to pack out a sanctuary on a Tuesday night? What could spark such a flurry of anticipation and excitement? The answer is Dr. John MacArthur. He is president of the Master's college and seminary, he has published well over 100 books, he has a near 40 year tenure at Grace Community church in California, he has his own TV and radio show and all of this and more makes John MacArthur arguably the greatest Bible teacher that our generation has ever seen.

Dr. MacArthur was in Murfreesboro to promote his new book A Tale of Two Sons (this story is often known as "The Prodigal Son"). He preached for about an hour and 15 minutes and he gave us an abbreviated version of his book. He told us that he has been preaching through the entire New Testament for almost 40 years and that out of all of the things he has preached on, he has seen the most response to this story and after hearing his message I can understand why. When he finished preaching I looked at Haze with a stunned look on my face and he knew exactly what I was thinking. "WOW!!!" I believe his thoughts were very close to mine.

The Tale of Two Sons is a parable spoken by our Lord in Luke 15. It is the story that revolves around the love that a father has for his rebellious son who cashes in his inheritance and takes it to a far away land and spends it on prostitutes and other sinful living. After this, the money ran out and a famine hit the land. In his humility and desperation the son was left to eat slop with the pigs. The son then comes to himself and realizes that his father is a generous man and even makes sure that his servants have more than enough food. Having decided to ask his father to make him a hired servant, the son begin the journey back and when he is still beyond the city the father spots him far off and runs to him and kisses him and embraces him. He puts a robe on his back and a ring on his hand. They kill the fatted calf and celebrate the return of this prodigal son.

However, this is not a story about the prodigal son or about two sons. It is a story about the father. It is a story of how gracious and forgiving he was. This is a picture of the heavenly Father's compassion toward repentant sinners and it is a picture of how filthy and worthless we as sinners are before our Father takes us in and forgives us.

Though I have not had a chance to read Dr. MacArthurs book, I reccommend it based on the sermon that I heard. He said that it took him 5 different 1 hour sermons to preach through this story and I wondered how in the world he could possibly pull any more information out of this story. It was truly a blessing having been there to hear him preach on this tremendous story. There were many times I was so excited that everything inside of me screamed "YES!"

Go buy this book and read it. It will be time well spent, and you will not lament having done so, I assure you. It will give you a new understanding of the love our Father in heaven has for us and it will also help you to see how wretched and disgusting sinners we are. It appears that Dr. MacArthur has once again produced another classic.

The Myth of Neutrality

On April 1, my op-ed column piece "Flying Spaghetti Monster exposes myth of neutrality in public square" was published in the Crossville Chronicle.

Though it first ran Tuesday at local newsstands, I received little feedback. However, once it ran online, that became a completely different story. I received dozens of e-mails in mere hours from people across the country. A thread at a message board was even devoted to "discussing" the article. To say the feedback has been largely negative would be an understatement. Some, in sarcastic tone, asked if the piece was an April fools prank due to the publication date.

In the column, I argue that whether or not an idea is considered religious, the Constitution allows for the free exchange of ideas in the public square. Then, in what has garnered the most backlash, I state that "modern Darwinist dogma" in its attempt to explain the origins of life is more ridiculous than the "Flying Spaghetti Monster" -- an art piece recently added to the lawn of the Cumberland County courthouse. Click here for background on the story.

In the editorial, I write:

While some may argue the statue was not locally done in effort to mock or belittle Christians, the idea of the spaghetti monster in its original context was proposed to do just that. In other words, the spaghetti monster concept was created to undermine the credibility of Intelligent Design as an alternative theory to Darwinian evolution. In spite of their best efforts to appear as the objective, rational party, those opposed to Intelligent Design and the influence of religion upon the state have shown themselves to not be so “neutral” after all.

Upholding something as tangible as the spaghetti monster affirms a connection to an ideology through a symbolic bond. This ideology holds that “separation of church and state” means one must divorce any conviction gained from religious faith from public policy in addition to prohibiting any discussion of a Creator in the realm of “science.” However, no one comes to the public square without drawing their ideas from some source whether it’s secular humanism, Marxism or federalism.

Based on our rights affirmed by the Constitution, the op-ed proposes that a liberal democracy should allow people from all ideological backgrounds to contend for public policy in consistency and conscientiously of their respective worldviews, even if it's a worldview most would consider religious. To end the column, I conclude the article with a statement against Darwinism in its contemporary form. This statement has caused the greatest amount of feedback.

In summation, the spaghetti monster unveils the secular myth of neutrality when it comes to politics. I applaud the county government in being consistent with the free exchange of ideas by granting the statue a place on the courthouse lawn along with the other artistic and religious expressions. While the idea of creation via the Flying Spaghetti Monster may seem ridiculous, modern Darwinist dogma is even more ridiculous in saying the universe came into existence out of nothing. To put it in mathematical terms, nobody multiplied by nothing equals everything.

If Congress is to give no precedence to one religion over another, let’s make sure the Church of Darwin is treated no differently.

The entire article can be read here. On account of the large amount of feedback, I look to address the common objections raised by writing a follow-up piece.

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, my Review, SPOILERS

This afternoon, I attended a pre-release screening of Ben Stein's new movie Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. For anyone reading this who doesn't know me, my undergrad degree is in chemistry, and I've had some professors and bosses who are atheists, so this issue is near and dear to my heart. Also, the following may not be in chronological order in the film; I had to leave and pretty much go strait to work, and now it's late.

Expelled employs a beautiful symbolism throughout the movie, connecting Darwinism (atheistic evolution--molecules to man, in a nutshell) to communism. This begins with the very first scene of the movie.

A string quartet plays Pink Floyd's Another Brick in the Wall. You see black and white footage as the opening credits appear on screen. Brick by brick, a wall is being constructed. This is the Berlin wall. Throughout the film, this imagery is used. Darwinism is that brick wall that limits the freedom of science in the very same way that communism erected a wall to limit the freedom of Germany.

Stein begins by interviewing (ok, let me pause here-there were so many names that I only remember three of them-Daniel Dennett, who wasn't in the film for much more than a scene, William Dembski, who used to teach here at Southern Seminary, and Richard Dawkins) several accomplished scientists who were fired or ostracised for mentioning the possibility of Intelligent Design.

One of the most beautiful parts was the film's discussion of the cell. The film made an attack on Darwinism on the basis that even if Darwin's theory semmed to hold up in 1859, our understanding of the cell itself has advanced dramatically since then, and therefore Darwin was working on false information. Stein posed his question this way: "Say Darwin's understanding of the cell was that it was a Buick. Say to Darwin, the cell is as complicated as a Buick, as a car, what is our understanding of a cell now? How complicated do we understand it to be compared to Darwin's Buick?" The one who was being interviewed replied, "A whole galaxy."

The film went into a CG model of the internal structure of the cell. I had tears in my eyes. The inner workings of a cell are so complicated, it screamed design. The film depicted DNA replication, and proteins and enzymes, and even protein synthesis and destruction. It was amazing.

Stein ponders the question: "If there is no designer, then where did the first cell come from?" One scientist replied (and as Stein pointed out in narration, he was not joking) something to the effect of "molecules piggybacked on growing crystals" The man actually believed this, which is seemingly unbelievable. I think it's just easier to believe in a Creator, or even a designer (I make the distinction between Christ as creator and a non-Christian theist) than to believe that molecules rode on the backs of crystals and somehow this worked.

Speaking of "somehow" the film contained a clip of a recommended pro-evolution educational video on the origin of life. Their treatment of this was hilarious to most of us in the room, though it was probably not that funny to Darwinists. The film actually said "however it happened, life started."

So what about the implications of Darwinism? The Darwinian scientists interviewed claimed that the loss of faith gave them enormous liberty. There was one man in particular I will mention. I don't remember his name, but he was raised a Christian, and deserted the faith for Darwinism. He is an atheist now. He described the process: "First you give up the belief in the existence of God, then the hope of life after death. After that, every thing's pretty much easy. Nothing. No free will, no hope, no life after death, no meaning, nothing." He enthusiastically stated that he had no desire whatsoever to believe in God. As his segment was over, Stein in narration reported that a few days after this interview, the man discovered that he had a brain tumor. All I could do was to weep and pray for this man's salvation, if he hadn't died yet. It was heartbreaking.

Some say that religion is the ultimate cause of terrorism, but Stein, a Jew, explored the relations of Darwinism to Hitler and Nazi Germany. He visits a concentration camp, very powerful.

I think my favorite person interviewed was a Mathematician from Oxford. He looked like a jolly beardless Santa Claus. He stated what I took as the main thrust of the film: it's about worldviews. (a worldview is the over-arching belief system by which you "view the world." it's a filter, or a set of reading glasses, or pick your favorite analogy.) He said, "When you have two scientists arguing, and one says one thing and the other says the exact opposite, you have proof that it's not about science. Otherwise, all scientists would be atheists and it would be settled. But when this happens, you know that it's a worldview problem." My favorite line: "Admitting that you have a worldview is the first step to rational conversation, and," (with a jolly big grin) "I welcome that!"

Stein finished up with Richard Dawkins, the man himself. It's pretty much awesome, But at Hayes's personal request, I will leave it at that. If you want to know more, get ahold of me and
I'll tell you.

The film ends with clips of the Berlin wall coming down and people jumping over. Stein challanges you to stand up against the tyranny of Darwinism, so that true scientific freedom can be had.

WHY YOU SHOULD SEE THIS MOVIE

1. Ben Stein is the man. Seriously. He's just a funny guy. There were times that I missed words because we were laughing so hard.

2. William Dembski bears a striking resemblance to Jon Heder (well, Napolean Dynamite specifically), in voice and appearance. OK, so maybe you have to imagine it a bit, but it can be done. When you're watching it, just picture Dembski saying "God made you a delicious bass."

3. The understanding that Darwinism is a worldview, not science. Scientists can hold other worldviews and still be scientists, believe me, I know a few.

4. The Dawkins debate. It's worth watching if just for this.

I feel like I have cheated you by undertelling how good the film was. There was so much information that I am having trouble retaining it. Katie and I have already made plans to see it opening weekend, you should too.

--Elijah

Guest Missionaries

I was wondering if any of you had any comments concerning the missionary speakers, Dan and his wife, we had this past Sunday evening.

This is not a personal attack, for I whole heartily commend him and his wife for the work they are doing to win and equip souls around the world. The mission trip I took was not only an eye opening experience but really gave me more of a heart for missions and the work being done by missionaries. I know that some of you have had that experience also.

The reason I bring this up is two-fold. First one being this is what is ‘preached’ on TBN, as David Miller says: “Should only be watched for entertainment purposes.” Secondly- those sitting in the pews will get the wrong idea about witnessing, God, the Law, etc… as seen from the current election whining. I am surprised so many of the Shiloh members cannot digest the meat of God’s Word. You have got to get off of milk sometime Josh. =;-)

(as I relate these stories I am paraphrasing to the best of memory)

To give the benefit of the doubt, especially after speaking to Bro. Paul, I am sure Dan does not advocate in principle the way he spoke on the salvation of the two individuals I will mention below. Not only that, but to be honest, Dan did not have the time to fully describe all the events that took place to lead these two to salvation.

God’s Law has become more prominent in my thinking and witnessing since hearing and watching Ray Comfort witness.

Dan stated the story of two individuals, one man and one woman, that they had been trying to win to Christ. (actually Dan may not have been personally involved) The story of the man who was a fisherman, would not have anything to do with Jesus. His family got saved but he totally denied Christianity.

One day when the rainy season was upon them, he told one of the missionaries if they were going to pray for anything, pray for it to stop raining so they could fish, which was their living. The missionary stated that if they prayed and God answered their prayer and it stopped raining would he then believe. He said yes. Well God answered the prayer and it stopped raining and they were able to fish for several days. This was obviously a miracle in that during the rainy season it would rain for several days if not weeks in a row.

The fisherman came back to the missionary and said himself and all that worked with him now believed.

Psalm 19:7 The law of the Lord is prefect, converting the soul…

“Failure to use the Law is almost certain to result in false hope, the introduction of a false standard of Christian experience, and to fill the church with false converts.”
Charles Finney

I am concerned that he may have been given false hope. Did he believe in Jesus or did he believe God just answers prayer.

“The man who does not know the nature of the Law cannot know the nature of sin.”
John Bunyan

Does he really know he is a sinner? Does he know what sin is?

“They will never accept Grace until they tremble before a just and Holy Law.” Charles H. Spurgeon

Does he know the horrors of hell?

“Almost every natural man that hears of hell, flatters himself that he shall escape it; he depends upon himself for his own security…” Jonathan Edwards

The other story was about a woman who had pain in her legs and was not able to work in the fields as long and she should. The missionaries told her that if they asked God to heal her legs would she then believe and she said yes. And of course God answered. But my concern is what is she believing; in the miracle or God’s saving Grace.

I agree 100% that God answers prayers and performs amazing miracles today. I am fascinated to hear the true stories of how God has performed miracles for and thru the missionaries. And I would suspect He actually performs more mighty works thru the missionaries because of their cultural and language barriers.

It just hit me as being so similar to what is being spewed on TBN and from other TV evangelists. Again, Dave and Becky were not given enough time to fully explain all the events but were just telling us what God was doing thru them etc… So this is no way meant to demean their work and really I am putting the emphasis on the other worldly Hinn’s.


What thinketh ye of the Copeland’s and Hinn’s?

You will notice for privacy sake I have changed the names of the missionaries since our blog is open for public viewing.

BigDog