As you all may know, I recently graduated from a public University in the Northeast and am now attending a prominent Evangelical Southern Baptist Seminary in the Southeast.
Here are the Top Ten Reasons why I love Seminary
1. The leadership still believes in the Word of God as the Word of God. As in, They still believe that the Word of God (The Bible) is inspired, and inerrant.
2. We open every class in prayer.
3. Chapel Three days a week.
4. The Food is better here than at the public University
5. The Seminary Professors actually interact with the Students, unlike at many other schools.
6. The Seminary President is a genuine, warm, and caring individual who loves God and Loves Others.
7. I can have a discussion with other students in which I disagree with everyone else at the table and still walk away feeling edified.
8. The dress code-As a Young man, it is so refreshing to see young ladies dress MODESTLY. One does not see that much at Public Universities.
9. The Professors challenge the way we think about things while still affirming the Inspiration and Inerrancy of the Bible. They Challenge to honor God with our minds as well as with our hearts.
10. Most of the professors here have actual ministerial experience. Theyr'e not simply creatures of the "Ivory Tower" who have no practical knowledge of what public ministry is like, both in its joys and its struggles.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
A Ladies' Man?
I was sitting having lunch yesterday with a few friends. One of them, a young lady, said, "So, some mutual friends told me that you were ladies' man. Is that true?" Talk about AWKWARD!!!!!
For the record: I am not now, nor have ever been, nor will I ever be a "ladies' man." If I am not a "ladies' man," that what am I? Well, I would categorize myself as a Gentleman. I do all I can to treat the women around me with the respect and honor that they are due. I would also add that I am outgoing, and friendly, and an all around nice guy who is also completely awkward and clueless when it comes to women. In fact, several people have said that I remind them of the Kevin James Character in "Hitch." I would agree with that assessment.
I refuse to be a ladies' man because the term "ladies' man" is similar to the term "player." I do not wish to play that game because in the end someone always ends up with their heart broken. As Christians, we are to walk in Agape Love. Being a "player" is antithetical to who I am called to be as a follower of Christ.
I know that these guys meant well- these are the same guys who have decided that it is their job to "find me a wife", which is pretty funny if you stop and think about it. I am perfectly happy being single. If God chooses to bless with with a wife, all the better, but I do not need a young lady to "Complete Me." Only Jesus can do that and I am trusting that He is in fact Completing me. Not to say that I want to stay single forever, but God will bring about everything in His right time.
For the record: I am not now, nor have ever been, nor will I ever be a "ladies' man." If I am not a "ladies' man," that what am I? Well, I would categorize myself as a Gentleman. I do all I can to treat the women around me with the respect and honor that they are due. I would also add that I am outgoing, and friendly, and an all around nice guy who is also completely awkward and clueless when it comes to women. In fact, several people have said that I remind them of the Kevin James Character in "Hitch." I would agree with that assessment.
I refuse to be a ladies' man because the term "ladies' man" is similar to the term "player." I do not wish to play that game because in the end someone always ends up with their heart broken. As Christians, we are to walk in Agape Love. Being a "player" is antithetical to who I am called to be as a follower of Christ.
I know that these guys meant well- these are the same guys who have decided that it is their job to "find me a wife", which is pretty funny if you stop and think about it. I am perfectly happy being single. If God chooses to bless with with a wife, all the better, but I do not need a young lady to "Complete Me." Only Jesus can do that and I am trusting that He is in fact Completing me. Not to say that I want to stay single forever, but God will bring about everything in His right time.
The Presidential Candidates
Hey Y'all
I know I am ridiculously late on this post, but here are my thoughts on the Presidential Candidates in 2008. I will break the three or four biggest candidates down by parties.
Democrats:
Hilary Clinton: Her husband was the second worst President in the last half of the twentieth century (Worst was Jimmy Carter), So why is she gonna be any different? Also I disagree with just about everything that she stands for-She is pro-choice, opposed to the Federal Marriage Amendment, and she (along with most of the other Dems) is in the back pocket of the loony left.
Barak Obama: Handsome, intelligent, a good public speaker, but his voting record is very liberal.
John Edwards: TRIAL LAWYER, Need I say more? also goes around talking about "Two Americas" while living in his HUGE mansion. He condemns everyone else for for doing exactly what he is doing.
Republicans:
John McCain: not all that conservative, proponent of open borders and amnesty, co sponsored the Campaign Finance Reform Bill that has been used to prevent preachers from speaking on political matters
Mitt Romney: MORMON- HUGE red flag there. Also, he is trying to pass himself off as really pro family, but I'm not sure he is really as conservative as he says he is.
Rudy Gulianni: LEFT OF OBAMA AND HILARY on social issues
Fred Thompson: the only one of the Big Seven that I might vote for. Socially He is probably the most conservative of them. I would vote for him over the other Big Seven.
They guy I really want is Sam Brownback out of Kansas. Social Conservative with many distinguished years in the Senate.
If it comes down to Hilary, and Gulianni, I will vote a third party candidate. I cannot in good conscience vote for any of the the big three Dems or three of the big four Republicans. In fact, it may get so bad that I may not vote. I hope it does not happen, but it just might.
I know I am ridiculously late on this post, but here are my thoughts on the Presidential Candidates in 2008. I will break the three or four biggest candidates down by parties.
Democrats:
Hilary Clinton: Her husband was the second worst President in the last half of the twentieth century (Worst was Jimmy Carter), So why is she gonna be any different? Also I disagree with just about everything that she stands for-She is pro-choice, opposed to the Federal Marriage Amendment, and she (along with most of the other Dems) is in the back pocket of the loony left.
Barak Obama: Handsome, intelligent, a good public speaker, but his voting record is very liberal.
John Edwards: TRIAL LAWYER, Need I say more? also goes around talking about "Two Americas" while living in his HUGE mansion. He condemns everyone else for for doing exactly what he is doing.
Republicans:
John McCain: not all that conservative, proponent of open borders and amnesty, co sponsored the Campaign Finance Reform Bill that has been used to prevent preachers from speaking on political matters
Mitt Romney: MORMON- HUGE red flag there. Also, he is trying to pass himself off as really pro family, but I'm not sure he is really as conservative as he says he is.
Rudy Gulianni: LEFT OF OBAMA AND HILARY on social issues
Fred Thompson: the only one of the Big Seven that I might vote for. Socially He is probably the most conservative of them. I would vote for him over the other Big Seven.
They guy I really want is Sam Brownback out of Kansas. Social Conservative with many distinguished years in the Senate.
If it comes down to Hilary, and Gulianni, I will vote a third party candidate. I cannot in good conscience vote for any of the the big three Dems or three of the big four Republicans. In fact, it may get so bad that I may not vote. I hope it does not happen, but it just might.
New posts tonight!
Hey all... I know I've promised a post on the Presidential Candidates , and I will post that later this evening, along with some other random things I've been thinking on lately.
Talk to you tonight!
Compassionate Conservative
Talk to you tonight!
Compassionate Conservative
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Election, Free Will, and Roger Olsen Vs. John Piper
Hey Y'all!
This evening I would like to take some time with one of the most difficult theological questions of our day, that of the doctrines of election and free will.
To begin, let us define Election and Free will. Quotations are taken from Evangelical Dictionary of Theology.
Election-"Election is a Sovereign , eternal decree of God." "The Most common New Testament Reference to election is God's Eternal election of certain persons to salvation in Jesus Christ."
Election, then, is the doctrine that God, by His will, chooses those whom He will save. Election is similar to predestination.
Free Will is the doctrine that We choose salvation in Christ as an act of Our will.
Now that we have the definitions, Let us examine to see if one or the other (or perhaps both of these doctrines are Biblical. That is, Are either of these two doctrines affirmed in the Word of God?
Election is Biblical- Romans 8:28-11:35, and Ephesians 1:3-11 both speak of election. The latter reference reads:
Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Free will is also Biblical- Joshua 24:15, and Revelation 22:8. Revelation 22:17 says
Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
The word will in the King James is translated in other versions as "Wants to or wishes to." The verse is saying that all those who wish to follow Jesus are invited to do so.
The Biblical Evidence supports the claim that BOTH election and Free will are doctrinally sound. Wait a minute! How can this be? Isn't that a contradiction? No, and here's why. God chooses us and we choose Him. Do I fully understand that? No, and I don't think I ever really can until I get to heaven. This kind of question is why Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:25 "...the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men."
Now, while we know that both the doctrine of free will and election are Biblical, both doctrines can lead into dangerous territory if taken too far.
If one takes the doctrine of election and predestination too far, man's responsibility to hear and respond to the Call of Christ is totally negated. In fact, it does not matter what one does because if they were "predestined" to be saved God will work it out. If they were "predestined" to go to hell, it does not matter if they served God all their lives and had a saving faith in Jesus. It's a "Damned if you do, Damned if you don't" scenario.
If one takes the doctrine of free will too far, you get what was said by the by a professor at Baylor Baptist Seminary about the bridge collapse in Minnesota... Read the article Here. Dr. Olsen is preaching a sort of Open Theism, which says that because humans have free will, God cannot know the future. This doctrine is very much UnBiblical, most obviously for two reasons. First it denies the sovereignty of God, saying that God is not in total control, and secondly, it casts doubt on Prophesy, much of which is God revealing what is going to happen on the future.
In answer to the question posed by Stan from Birds of the Air, no, not every Baptist believes what Dr. Olsen is teaching. I attend a prominent evangelical Southern Baptist Seminary in Virginia, and my New Testament professor said that Dr. Olsen and the Baylor Seminary are NOT indicative of what Evangelical Baptists actually think or believe.
I agree with John Piper's assessment that God was not surprised by the tragedy in Minnesota. God knew it was going to happen, and He allowed it to happen. Do I know why? No- I am not God, and I do not wish to be God. I went back and Read Piper's original article. You can read it Here. Piper did not say, as Dr. Olsen contends, that God caused the bridge to collapse- he says that God knew it was going to happen, as He is omniscient, and that He allowed it to happen for His Divine will. Do we always like God's plans? No, but just because we don't like God's plans does NOT mean that that they are not, in actuality, His plans.
The Bottom line is that God is still in complete and total control and He allows us limited free will. He allows us to make the choice to follow Him. He knows which way we will choose, but that does not mean that He forces us to make the choices that we do. God did not force Adam and Eve to fall, and He does not force us to follow Him. We make the choice to do so. (See Joshua 24:15)
I hope this helps to clarify that not every Baptist, and not everyone who believes in free will, believes the heresy spewed by Dr. Olsen.
This evening I would like to take some time with one of the most difficult theological questions of our day, that of the doctrines of election and free will.
To begin, let us define Election and Free will. Quotations are taken from Evangelical Dictionary of Theology.
Election-"Election is a Sovereign , eternal decree of God." "The Most common New Testament Reference to election is God's Eternal election of certain persons to salvation in Jesus Christ."
Election, then, is the doctrine that God, by His will, chooses those whom He will save. Election is similar to predestination.
Free Will is the doctrine that We choose salvation in Christ as an act of Our will.
Now that we have the definitions, Let us examine to see if one or the other (or perhaps both of these doctrines are Biblical. That is, Are either of these two doctrines affirmed in the Word of God?
Election is Biblical- Romans 8:28-11:35, and Ephesians 1:3-11 both speak of election. The latter reference reads:
Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Free will is also Biblical- Joshua 24:15, and Revelation 22:8. Revelation 22:17 says
Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
The word will in the King James is translated in other versions as "Wants to or wishes to." The verse is saying that all those who wish to follow Jesus are invited to do so.
The Biblical Evidence supports the claim that BOTH election and Free will are doctrinally sound. Wait a minute! How can this be? Isn't that a contradiction? No, and here's why. God chooses us and we choose Him. Do I fully understand that? No, and I don't think I ever really can until I get to heaven. This kind of question is why Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:25 "...the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men."
Now, while we know that both the doctrine of free will and election are Biblical, both doctrines can lead into dangerous territory if taken too far.
If one takes the doctrine of election and predestination too far, man's responsibility to hear and respond to the Call of Christ is totally negated. In fact, it does not matter what one does because if they were "predestined" to be saved God will work it out. If they were "predestined" to go to hell, it does not matter if they served God all their lives and had a saving faith in Jesus. It's a "Damned if you do, Damned if you don't" scenario.
If one takes the doctrine of free will too far, you get what was said by the by a professor at Baylor Baptist Seminary about the bridge collapse in Minnesota... Read the article Here. Dr. Olsen is preaching a sort of Open Theism, which says that because humans have free will, God cannot know the future. This doctrine is very much UnBiblical, most obviously for two reasons. First it denies the sovereignty of God, saying that God is not in total control, and secondly, it casts doubt on Prophesy, much of which is God revealing what is going to happen on the future.
In answer to the question posed by Stan from Birds of the Air, no, not every Baptist believes what Dr. Olsen is teaching. I attend a prominent evangelical Southern Baptist Seminary in Virginia, and my New Testament professor said that Dr. Olsen and the Baylor Seminary are NOT indicative of what Evangelical Baptists actually think or believe.
I agree with John Piper's assessment that God was not surprised by the tragedy in Minnesota. God knew it was going to happen, and He allowed it to happen. Do I know why? No- I am not God, and I do not wish to be God. I went back and Read Piper's original article. You can read it Here. Piper did not say, as Dr. Olsen contends, that God caused the bridge to collapse- he says that God knew it was going to happen, as He is omniscient, and that He allowed it to happen for His Divine will. Do we always like God's plans? No, but just because we don't like God's plans does NOT mean that that they are not, in actuality, His plans.
The Bottom line is that God is still in complete and total control and He allows us limited free will. He allows us to make the choice to follow Him. He knows which way we will choose, but that does not mean that He forces us to make the choices that we do. God did not force Adam and Eve to fall, and He does not force us to follow Him. We make the choice to do so. (See Joshua 24:15)
I hope this helps to clarify that not every Baptist, and not everyone who believes in free will, believes the heresy spewed by Dr. Olsen.
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