Vaughnshire Farm

Sonny Scott, a writer from Mississippi, really hit a cord with this article published in the Daily Journal.  While he specifically addresses the issue of home schoolers from a cultural perspective, between the lines, he discloses a huge issue between those actively seeking answers in the Word of God and attempting to live their lives by it and those who are not.  The issue is simply this. We don’t like people who are doing what we know we should (or could) be doing.

Their very existence represents a rejection of our values, and an indictment of our lifestyles.  Those families are willing to render unto Caesar the things that Caesar’s be, but they draw the line at their children.  Those of us who have put our trust in the secular state (and effectively surrendered our children to it) recognize this act of defiance as a rejection of our values, and we reject them in return.

It is frustrating to us when we see the good fruit produced in families around us who are embracing and applying the Word of God to their lives and we realize there are no cheap or easy ways to reproduce that fruit in our family.  More specifically we realize that we will have to sacrifice some of our “me time” and give of ourselves as a servant to actually make this happen.

It is far easier to criticize the one who God uses to bring the conviction (shoot the messenger) than it is to humbly re-visit what the Word of God says about the issue and be willing to die to our self… even more.

Just as the jealous Chaldeans schemed to bring the wrath of the king upon the Hebrew eunuchs, we are happy to sic the state’s bureaucrats on these “trouble makers.”  Their implicit rejection of America’s most venerated idol, Materialism, (a.k.a. “Individualism”) spurs us to heat the furnace and feed the lions.

The down side of the article is Mr. Scott tends to paint the home schoolers as perfect in their obedience and training, which of course will never be true this side of heaven.  But, I suppose in comparison to the purple haired, tattooed, pierced skin, baggy pants wearing, individualistic, self centered, only child of our modern culture a family with a few decently behaved children will always stand out in a crowd.

While the article specifically addresses the issue of home schooling, the principle applies to any area that may need reform in our lives.  When someone believes something to be true, by their action of rejecting or embracing it, they are setting a standard which will cause everyone who knows of their decision to consider their own practices.  This is true for their theology, entertainment choices, where they live, how they dress, how they worship, their family size, the purchases they make, and pretty much any decision they make. 

When they make a decision for their family it is a representation of who they are and what they believe.  When that decision is out of sync with our culture then they stand out.  The question we need to ask ourselves, is not why are they standing out in a culture that despises the Word of God, but why do we blend in.

How can we be a light to the world, if we are shrouded in the same darkness?

(Gen 1:4) And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

(Isa 5:20) Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

(Isa 50:10) Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.

(Joh 1:5) And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

(Joh 3:19) And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

(Joh 12:46) I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

(Act 26:18) To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

(2Co 6:14) Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

(Eph 5:8) For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

(1Th 5:5) Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

(1Pe 2:9) But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

(1Jn 1:5) This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.  (Isa 58:13-14)

In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath. And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day. So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath. And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.  (Neh 13:15-22)

 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.  (Exo 20:8-11)

And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.  (Exo 31:12-17)

And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said unto them, These are the words which the LORD hath commanded, that ye should do them. Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you a holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death. Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day.  (Exo 35:1-3)

Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them. But the soul that doeth aught presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him. And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses.  (Num 15:29-36)

Thus saith the LORD; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers. But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction. And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the LORD, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein; Then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and this city shall remain forever. And they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places about Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the plain, and from the mountains, and from the south, bringing burnt offerings, and sacrifices, and meat offerings, and incense, and bringing sacrifices of praise, unto the house of the LORD. But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.  (Jer 17:21-27)

Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee. Six days thou shalt labor, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou. And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.  (Deu 5:12-15)

At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were hungry, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was hungry, and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.  And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.  (Mat 12:1-13)

And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.  (Mar 2:27-28)

This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulcher that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulcher, and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.  (Luk 23:52-56)

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulcher at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulcher? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulcher, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulcher; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid. Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.  (Mar 16:1-10)

Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.  (Act 1:12)

In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher.  (Mat 28:1)

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.  (Joh 20:19-20)

And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.  (Act 20:7)

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.  (1Co 16:1-2)

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.  (Rev 1:10-11)

Our wonderful friends, the Servens, have just released two brand new CD’s that we will be giving away here on the blog! 

Glory, Laud, and Honor

And

Nations Praise 

We absolutely love these new CD’s and highly recommend them!  If you are not familiar with the Serven Family and the Genevan Foundation, they have produced several CD’s with the purpose of teaching you how to sing the Psalms and Hymns in 4 part harmony.  It is an amazing resource for families (and churches) who seek to reclaim the lost art of singing in parts.  It wasn’t too many years ago that we were exposed to the wonderful sound and art of harmonious hymn  and Psalm singing from the Serven family.  Many of us have grown up in a church culture void of 4 part harmony and so attempting to sing in parts is quite an daunting feat for many of us!  We have been so encouraged by these CD’s and have been able to learn parts to some wonderful, foundational hymns and Psalms of the Christian faith. 

This weekend the most requested… the only requested CD… our children asked to listen to was Nations Praise and Glory, Laud and Honor.  They put the Psalm book and a couple of Hymnals in the truck so they could follow along with the CD and it was wonderful hearing their little voices singing to the Lord. 

Here is the information on the new releases:

Glory, Laud, and Honor seeks to teach families and churches how to sing the hymns in four part harmony.  The first ten tracks demonstrate the full harmony versions.  The following selections break the parts down to soprano, alto, tenor, and bass, so you can learn your notes and sing along.  All the sections can be found in the Trinity Hymnal, as well as many other fine hymnals. 

Nations Praise seeks to teach families and churches how to sing the Psalms in four part harmony. The first ten tracks demonstrate the full harmony versions. The following selections break the parts down to soprano, alto, tenor, and bass, so you can learn your notes and sing along. All selections can be found in The Book of Psalms for Singing. 

We would also highly recommend their other CD’s found here on their product page…  For your chance to win this give away— both CD’s!!!! — send me your name ( giveaway@vaughnshire.com ) and I will post the winner of the drawing next Monday, May 26th. 

In today’s political and cultural climate, it is refreshing to hear sound biblical thought applied to the world around us.  The entire article will edify and encourage those of faith.  But this excerpt will be plenty of a challenge for most. 

This (most Christian’s view of the sufficiency of scriptures) is most apparent when it comes to orthopraxy—the practical issues of life: How shall I vote? How shall I be educated? Who controls the womb? What does it mean to live as a woman? How shall we then dress? What type of movies and music should I introduce to my children? Etc., etc., etc.

Of course, it is one thing for Christians to disagree about how the all-sufficient Bible applies, but it is quite another to relegate the Bible to obscurity by claiming it is “silent” on these issues, and thus Christians may not invoke the Word of God to discern the proper ethical code of conduct. The former position is a reasonable in-house debate. The latter is heresy. And it is an error that serves as the foundation of the “partly right” worldview.

The Bible has the answer to the partly right philosophy. It is this:

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto good works.”

II Timothy 3:16It says this to the syncretists of the Church:

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14

The Bible says this of the opinions of autonomous man:

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 2 Corinthians 2:14

And it says this of the philosophies of the world:

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Colossians 2:8

Pogo once said: “We have met the enemy, and it is us.”

This will remain true until we reject the “partly right” error and presuppose Jesus Christ as Sovereign, Lord, and King over every area of life and thought. This means returning to the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture.

END OF QUOTE 

In contrast to this orthodox view of scriptures, we have Tony Campolo’s wife who is at least intellectually honest as to what orthodox or traditional teaching is.  The following is found here.

Peggy Campolo argues, as an Evangelical, that the church’s traditional teaching on homosexuality is mistaken-just as the church’s traditional teaching on the role of women, slavery, and divorce is also mistaken.

Mrs. Campolo at least recognizes the consistency of the traditional teaching on these matters before she dismisses them.  That is more than can be said for most cultural Christians like her.

Thanks to some friends of ours who led us to a little book store in Alabama, we came home with some very inspiring, great books. 

One of the things we as a family feel is very important is building a library of great books including old books.  We found a lot of old books that Solid Ground had republished as well as some other older books from other publishers. 

We will be posting some book reviews very soon…. 

If you are in the area, you should check them out…or visit them at their website. 

I’m about to post an article or two that reference the regulative principle of worship.  Realizing that this is mainly a reformed doctrine I thought I’d make a post with some links about the principle itself.  For those familiar with the principle you might find these refreshing.  For those not familiar with the principle you might find these challenging.  But either way I pray they bring you closer to Christ. 

This principle is stated in the Westminster Confession Chapter 21 paragraph 1 and in the London Baptist Confession in Chapter 22 paragraph 1.

The light of nature showeth that there is a God, who hath lordship and sovereignty over all, is good, and doth good unto all, and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the heart, and with all the soul, and with all the might.[1] But the acceptable way of worshiping the true God is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshiped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation, or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scripture.[2]

1. Rom. 1:20; Psa. 19:1-4a; 50:6; 86:8-10; 89:5-7; 95:1-6; 97:6; 104:1-35; 145:9-12; Acts 14:17; Deut. 6:4-5
2. Deut. 4:15-20; 12:32; Matt. 4:9-10; 15:9; Acts 17:23-25; Exod. 20:4-6, John 4:23-24; Col. 2:18-23

The London Baptist Confession also adds these scriptural references with close to the same wording as the Westminster. 
Jeremiah 10:7; Mark 12:33; Deuteronomy 12:32; Exodus 20:4-6

In a very basic sense it says that the Creator alone can define how he desires to be worshipped by the creatures he created.  This revelation, of how he desires to be worshipped, is only to be found in the Word of God.  In short, we can’t put on pink robes and go out among the pine trees singing Mary Had a Little Lamb and call it worship.  Neither can we bring the pink robes into the church, no matter how it might make us feel inside.  If that makes sense and you’d like a less absurd and more relevant application check out the following links:

http://www.apuritansmind.com/PuritanWorship/McMahonRegulativePrinciple.htm

http://www.apuritansmind.com/PuritanWorship/YoungWilliamPuritanRegulativePrinciple.htm

http://www.reformedonline.com/view/reformedonline/xmas.htm

http://www.reformedprescambridge.com/articles/ICRC_RPW_Final.pdf

http://www.banneroftruth.org/pages/articles/article_detail.php?418

http://www.mctsowensboro.org/blog/?p=227

In addition here is a link to an on-line version of the London Baptist Confession of Faith.

http://www.vor.org/truth/1689/1689bc00.html

We purposed on our recent trip to purchase as much “local” food as possible and steer away from the massive corporate every-thing-tastes-the-same-no-matter-what-city food establishments.  On our 2,700 mile round trip we found many wonderful local places from which we were able to enjoy good food and local culture which made the trip much more enjoyable, not to mention educational,  than if we were to eat at all the familiar chain restaurants. 

Since we avoided all fast food, I did buy food from the grocery store for many of our breakfast and lunch meals.  It was not only cheaper, but obviously a whole lot healthier and helped maintain some sort of consistency with the children.  Their diet wasn’t all of the sudden upset and they were not indulged with the latest, “greatest” fast foods. 

Here are some highlights from our little experiment:

While some restaurants were of no concern, several had me wondering.  Kenya’s was just such a place.  It was the only thing opened in a small town of 1,000 people.  We pulled up to check the menu and found they had hamburgers, BLT’s and grilled cheese sandwiches that would do for us.  The scantily clad woman with the 5 sizes too small Hooter’s shirt was nice enough, however, the aesthetics of the place quickly changed when a small child runs through the kitchen following the wholesome looking grandma and grandpa, who were working in the back.  Grandma checks on us making sure we have everything.  It was obviously a family run business that served great sandwiches even if it did look a bit concerning at first. 

Susie’s Kountry Kitchen in small town Glenwood, Arkansas, proved to be a typical everyone-knows-everyone happening place.   Not only does Susie serve up some old fashion food, her restaurant is decorated with wall to wall, for sale, art from local artists.  As usual, when we enter a place, all eyes turn our way to count the number of little ones tagging along.  One of the local artists came over to us and said he and his wife raised 6 children and couldn’t say enough about what a blessing they are to him today.  This artsy fellow gave us two of his drawings.  Never mind, we would have never bought a picture of Gandalf, we accepted his gracious gift and marveled at his talent. 

However, our biggest, most favored find of the entire trip was the small Lake Shore Cafe.  On one side of the cafe spread a wide open cotton field and on the other side of the cafe, the mighty Mississippi river.  It was a great little place!  

We had the best southern food we have ever tasted: Pink-eye peas, creamed spinach, catfish, ribs, fried green tomatoes, corn bread, sweet potato fries, sweet tea and for dessert, let’s not forget the most wonderful…..bread pudding with whisky sauce.  It was absolutely amazing! 

When we break away from the wheel of “the way things are”; meaning eating fast food when you travel because it is easy, you find a world of culture and experience awaits.  One glaring fault of the mass produced food chains is that they obliterate any sense of local culture specific to that community.  One McDonalds in Maine is the same as the McDonalds in Texas.  Likewise the chain duplicates itself so every city looks and tastes the same.  The curse of modern industrialism: obliteration of unique culture. 

We found that the small towns in Arkansas, those that have managed to stay afloat amidst mass corporatization, had a wealth of educational experience.  We saw local communities that had loads of pecan trees, cotton fields, hardwoods, with all sorts of agricultural potential, however just minutes down the road the landscape was polluted with a massive, smoking industrial factory.  Granted, unfortunately we rely on the factories as Americans, however, I couldn’t help but wonder how healthy our communities would be if we returned to the idea of local culture and local economy over corporate industrialism. 

We saw similar landscapes in Texas.  Lots of Lone Star State pride, art and culture, but heading into the big metroplex chaos, the people, landscape and businesses became a mush pot of chaotic, busy industrialism that leaves that slower paced community way behind in the exhaust fumes.  Even the church is affected by this mass corporatization, fast-paced, buzz lifestyle.  We saw churches touting, “30 Minute Worship Services here!” and you-pick type church services, “Traditional Services at 9:45am” and “Contemporary Services at 11:15″.  

Even with all the experiences on our trip, we were overjoyed to return home having learned a great deal from our trip.  There is something so incredibly refreshing about being able to see far and wide and relish God’s absolutely beautiful creation and enjoy the peace and serenity that simplicity offers.   To put it simply, “There is absolutely no place like home!”  

After a long week it is good to catch up on a little reading.  Here are a couple tough articles the American Church could do with hearing.

First Steve Camp swings with a strong right to hit the evangelical mark with his article entitled:

“Removing the Offense of the Cross
…the ineffectualness of candy coated partial romantic gospel appeals ”

Here is one of the many powerful reminders about the person who’s Gospel we live and preach. 

Listen, Jesus Christ isn’t anybody’s “spiritual Pez dispenser”
that we can turn into whomever we choose by repackaging Him in order for Him and His message to relate to our lost world. He is not to be triffled with. He is God incarnate, beloved, and He must be reckoned with in His virgin birth, His sinless life, His gospel of sola fide, His once for all death, His bodily resurrection, His ascension, His reign as King and Mediator at the right hand of the throne of God. He is not asking you to accept Him, fall in love with Him, shower bouquets of flowers at His feet, bring Him candy, or date Him. He is not proposing to you or asking you to marry Him. He is commanding you to repent of your sins; submit to Him as Lord of your life; forsake all other loves and all other claims to eternal life; to come to the end of yourself; believe solely in Him; take up your cross and follow Him. You don’t have the luxury or His permission to turn Him into a passive, effeminate Divine lover who can only beg, but cannot elect.

Next as if that article wasn’t enough to send one into the prayer closet, Jim Elliff drives home the effect of this “Pez Candy” preaching with his article: The New Gospel: Appealing but Not Revealing

It cannot be overstated that the most pressing issue in the American church at present is the prevalence of unregenerate church members within our ranks…

…We have never looked fatter. But our corpulent appearance is like cotton candy: when you melt it down, there is not much to it. Now we find ourselves struggling over the meaning of conversion. But we have not done our homework early enough and the problem is already out of hand. In message and method we have, in fact, often erred. The sowing of bad seed has produced massive crop failure yet unprecedented statistics. It is getting harder to find wheat among the tares.

It is the complicity of the evangelical church in this deception, either through misinformed enthusiasm or love for repute, that is the most disturbing. We have poured over materials on methodology for bringing people in and used our theology books for doorstops. We have entertained more cleverly than ever before and made the outside world feel good again about the idea of church.

When we consider the state of the church in America is it any wonder the nation is in such bad shape?  It really is a simple solution.  If the church would simply preach the gospel.  The Holy Spirit will do the work of convicting and bringing people to God as he sees fit.  It really doesn’t do any good to dumb down the message and provided bowling alleys in the church so people will come to church.  This means people get to bowl and still not hear the gospel of Christ.  They might as well stay at the bowling ally on Friday night, at least there is some theology in the country songs!

Dr. D. James Kennedy died at age 76 earlier this morning.

If you think being reformed is not about evangalism, then you must watch this tribute to him and his service to God.

This article providentially crossed my inbox this morning.  It is a pretty powerful follow up to the post on Calvin, psychology and making sin a “sickness”.   It discusses the lack of Christian psychiatrists and goes on to pontificate why that might be.  It seems that the number of Christian psychologist would lend towards the claim that psychology is not a Christian discipline.

“The study, published in the September 2007 issue of Psychiatric Services, also found that religious physicians, especially Protestants, are less likely to refer patients to psychiatrists, and more likely to send them to members of the clergy or to a religious counselor.

“Something about psychiatry, perhaps its historical ties to psychoanalysis and the anti-religious views of the early analysts such as Sigmund Freud, seems to dissuade religious medical students from choosing to specialize in this field,” said study author Farr Curlin, MD, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Chicago. “It also seems to discourage religious physicians from referring their patients to psychiatrists.”….

 

….Although Protestant physicians were only half as likely to send the patient to a psychiatrist, Jewish physicians were more likely to do so. Least likely were highly religious Protestants who attended church at least twice a month and looked to God for guidance “a great deal or quite a lot.”

The entire article is short and worth a quick read if you are interested in this subject.  It is found here.