We hear so much these days from so many different sources about how wonderful we are in God’s eyes, about how much God wants to do for us to make us happy and successful in this life, one might think that we mere mortals are the center of God’s universe! I even heard recently that everything God does, he does just for us! That’s awesome! But is it true?

Your thoughts please.

I am writing you here because I want the readers of this blog, and yours, to know that I speak from the depths of my being as I write these words, and that I bear you no ill will. I have come to this point primarily because you have concluded, in your latest blog, that the difference between Catholics and Protestants is that Catholics have access to the all of the Sacraments of the Church and Protestants do not. In fact, you give great importance to that difference, even above differences in the doctrine of scripture, an observation that I find deeply troubling, but I will debate no more.

I shan’t even trouble you again with exercises in logic for logic’s sake. Your latest  missive has betrayed you and my suspicion has been, at least for the purposes of continuing our conversation, confirmed. I appeal  to Jesus’ words in His High Priestly prayer found in John 17. . .

“And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” – John 17:3

Eternal life is not bound up in any earthly organization, Catholic or Protestant. It is bound up in the knowledge of God and His Son, as found in the very pages of scripture. I am not debating on behalf of Protestant Church, or the Reformation. If I have given you that impression, forgive me. Your latest post, along with what I have read of those preceding it, have been about extolling the glories of your Church, it’s teachings and it’s history.  You have even thanked me for causing you to dig deeper into its history. That has certainly not been my intent, and if all I have said to you did not point you to Scripture for it’s own sake, and to Christ Himself, I apologize for having spoken at all. 

The very title of your blog “The Real Difference between Catholics and Protestants” signals your true agenda – to state your case that there is only one true church, as if the Bride of Christ is an organization rather than the body of believers who have placed their trust in Christ from “every tribe, tongue and nation”. The true difference(s) between us, sir, is not the issue at hand.

All of us, whether we are called Catholic or Protestant (or any derivation thereof), must ask ourselves, in whom have we trusted for our justification and salvation. The Apostle Paul, with all of his religious education and learning, and who could have debated things religious all day and all night, said it best:

“. . .but we preach Christ crucified. . .” – 1 Cor 1:23, and ” For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” – 2 Cor 2:2

Your definition of what separates us, that we do not have certain Sacraments that are only available through the single organization on earth with the authority to administer said sacraments, lays to rest any thoughts I may have had that you might be interested in knowing more about God and His Son, rather than learning more about your church. I fear that you might even be fearful of gazing at your professed Savior other than through “Catholic” lenses. However, such is the bondage into which you are willingly submitting yourself.

Call that sarcasm, rudeness on my part, or even personally insulting, but I intend nothing personal. Your very words demand I consider the possibility.

So, my Catholic friend, I leave you with this question, the one question we all must ask ourselves. In whom are you REALLY trust for salvationl? If it is Christ, we are safe. If it is anything, or anyone OTHER than Christ, we are in grave danger.

So long, my friend. You are welcome here anytime you wish to discuss our Christ and His Gospel.

Dan

This is an excellent presentation discussing the above question. It also answers some widespread misconceptions of Calvinism. Discussion is encouraged!

My Orders Are To Fight

My orders are to fight;
Then if I bleed, or fail,
Or strongly win, what matters it?
God only doth prevail.

The servant craveth naught
Except to serve with might.
I was not told to win or lose,–
My orders are to fight.

–Welsh poet Ethylwyn Wetherald

________________

I found that posted on a blog with the same title as this blog post. You can visit it here.

Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff

The year 2008 shaped the future of evangelical America – and the world – in major ways. From the Olympics abroad to the presidential election at home, here are the faces, places, and movements the Crosswalk.com editors believe most impacted Christians around the world.

1. Rick Warren’s Civil Forum exemplifies evangelicals’ growing influence in politics
Bush handily won the faith vote in his day, but Democrats and Republicans alike played to this group in 2008. Nowhere was this heightened awareness of the nebulous “evangelical vote” more apparent than at the Saddleback Civil Forum, hosted by megachurch pastor Rick Warren. Obama’s faith emphasis on the campaign trail didn’t win over weekly churchgoers, but the Democrats’ efforts did undermine a sure bet for the Republicans.
Read more:
Megachurch Reflects on Presidential Event
Backtrack to Saddleback: Secularists Not Pleased

2. Olympics shine the spotlight on religious persecution in China
Blustering to improve their PR before the Olympic Games in August, China tried to sweep its pesky house churches out of the way. But reports of religious persecution persisted in spite of China’s decision to print tens of thousands bilingual Bibles and New Testaments for the Games. President Bush’s visit to an official church in Beijing and his talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao highlighted the persecution of Christians who reject government registration and regulation.
Read more:
China, the Olympics and the Bible
Bush, China, and the Olympics

3. Anglican Communion continues to disintegrate in spite of Lambeth Conference
What Bishop Gene Robinson couldn’t do in 2004, conservative dioceses and parishes did in 2008 — they officially split the Episcopal Church. The once-a-decade Lambeth Conference fizzled as almost half the world’s bishops boycotted the conference in favor of a more conservative conference in Jerusalem. Finally, conservatives gave up on reforming from the inside out, and formed an untraditional province based not on geography, but on theology. Their next step: gaining official recognition from Canterbury.
Read more:
Gay Issues Left Undecided at Lambeth Conference
It’s about Theology, Not Territory

4. Sarah Palin wins over Christian conservatives — and James Dobson
This seventh-inning surprise nomination gave jittery conservatives and Christians an enthusiastic reason to vote for the moderate McCain and temporarily reinvigorated the Bush base. Palin’s nomination even managed to exact an official flip-flop from Focus on the Family’s James Dobson, who had previously said he would not vote for McCain under any circumstances. Although the economic implosion overshadowed her impact, her nomination showed that openly Christian conservatives still have a place in the Republican Party.
Read more:
Palin Energizes Evangelical Support, Crosswalk Survey Shows
Dobson Changes Course: I Would Pull the Lever for McCain-Palin

5. Pope Benedict XVI visits the States
In his first visit to the U.S., Pope Benedict embraced U.S. evangelicals with open arms — and they embraced him too. The pope received a warm reception at the White House in April, where he was hailed as a common ally in the fight for traditional marriage and pro-life causes. The bridge-building trip focused on what evangelicals and Catholics share, but Benedict did not skirt the more delicate issue. He issued a public apology to those hurt by abuse scandals in the Church.
Read more:
Pope’s Visit Highlights Evangelical-Catholic Differences, Similarities
Pedophilia and the Pope

6. Thousands of Christians in Iraq and India displaced by persecution
The mass exodus of Christians from Mosul, Iraq, skyrocketed after two weeks of murders in October. Almost half of Christians in the area fled for Turkey, Syria or the West, abandoning one of the world’s oldest Christians communities. Meanwhile, in India, Christians became scapegoats for Hindu extremists after their leader was murdered by Maoists in August. Continuing violence has killed as many as 500, destroyed at least 117 churches, and displaced tens of thousands now living in refugee camps or the jungle.
Read more:
India’s Campaign to Eliminate Christians
India: A Timeline of Persecution
No Respect for Iraq’s Oldest Community

7. Double disasters in Burma and China present huge challenges to relief workers
Cyclone Nargis claimed an estimated 150,000 lives when it hit Burma in early May. Ten days later, a massive earthquake in Sichuan province of China killed 87,000, many of them only children under China’s one-child policy. Burma’s junta turned away literally tons of aid from the U.S. government and hampered outside relief efforts even in hard-hit Irrawaddy Delta region. China, trying to avoid any more bad publicity before the Olympics, welcomed in relief workers and gave journalists a comparatively free rein.
Read more:
Myanmar Cyclone: Relief Assessment Begins
Aid Reaches China Earthquake Victims

8. Fallout continues after the passage of California’s Proposition 8
Proposition 8 may have toppled the might and money of Hollywood, but retribution from Prop 8 opponents rages on. Protestant and Mormon churches largely responsible for the motion’s success have found themselves targeted by angry mobs and riots. Lawsuits against the voter-approved amendment have swiftly followed. The motion has passed, but the literal fight on the gay marriage issue isn’t over yet.
Read more:
So Much for Tolerance: The Aftermath of Prop 8
Jack Black, Jesus and Proposition 8

9. Jeremiah Wright controversy garners national attention for black liberation theology
Obama’s long relationship with mentor Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who infamously proclaimed “God d*** America,” highlighted the prevalence of a social/political gospel in the African American mega-church. Although Obama eventually divorced himself from Wright and Trinity Church because of the surrounding controversy, America got an insider’s view of a theology which celebrates black empowerment — and revolution — over a still-oppressive government.
Read more:
Obama, Rev. Wright, and a Dubious Political Theology
Is Jeremiah Wright Mainstream?

10. Christian film “Fireproof” makes a highly successful run in theaters
The third film from the media arm of a Sherwood Baptist George in Georgia, “Fireproof” proved that Christian-themed films can hold their own with American families. The film won the number 4 spot at the box office its opening weekend, and beat out the opening of “Religulous” the following weekend. Critics dismissed the film, but “Fireproof” stayed in the top 10 for three weeks.
Read more:
Fireproof Befuddles Many Critics

“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” –  2 Corinthians 4:3-4

Those who are perishing refers to those who do not believe in Christ (John 3:18). The god of this world is Satan. They cannot see the light of the Gospel of Christ and by extension cannot understand what they cannot see. How selbstverstandlich (self-understood) is that? DUH!!!!! Of course we can’t understand what we cannot see!

When it comes to things spiritual, the implications of that principle are huge, especially when believers in Christ attempt to engage in intellectual discussions over matters of faith with unbelievers. It’s like driving up to the home of a friend who is physically totally blind in a new car and exclaiming “Look at what I just bought!” It ain’t happenin’! We do have a possible solution when we know that our friend is not yet a believer and ‘spiritually’ blind. When we are called to share the Gospel with him/her (I said when not if) we can pray and ask God to open that person’s heart to receive the Gospel that we will share. I call that the Lydia Prayer (see Acts 16). We can then share the Gospel confident that God will accomplish the rest in His time, thus avoiding the trap of thinking we can actually ‘persuade’ someone to follow Christ.

We run into more serious issues when we discuss things spiritual with someone who professes Christ,but might have been the ‘victim’ of a false conversion. That is often the case when someone is led to the Lord with promises of ‘their best life now’, finding their ‘special purpose, or any other evangelistic method that leaves out sin, judgment and the need for repentance. We assume because someone professes Christ that he/she actually possesses Christ. So what you have is a discussion ensuing between a “sighted” person and a “blind” person. The problem is that you both think you are equally “sighted”.

It’s not difficult to imagine the outcome of such a discussion. I won’t go into all the details – you have probably been there. I will say that such a discussion often includes multiple exclamations of “Can’t you SEE it?”, or “It’s right there in the text on the page!” While it is expected, and not necessarily wrong, that there not to be total agreement on every little point of the text, important (to God anyway) central truths of the text are completely missed by the ‘blind’ person in the discussion.

The one who can

as Savior. That person might even sincerely believe they know Christ

Some wisdom, not just for preachers, but for all of us who think we have something important to say. . .B4B

‘Tethered’ Preaching: John Calvin & the Entertaining Pastor
by John Piper

The Bible tethers us to reality. We are not free to think and speak whatever might enter our minds or what might be pleasing to any given audience–except God.

By personal calling and Scripture, I am bound to the word of God and to the preaching of what the Bible says. There are few things that burden me more or refresh me more than saying what I see in the Bible. I love to see what God says in the Bible. I love to savor it. And I love to say it.

I believe with all my heart that this is the way God has appointed for me not to waste my life. His word is true. The Bible is the only completely true book in the world. It is inspired by God. Rightly understood and followed, it will lead us to everlasting joy with him. There is no greater book or greater truth.

The implications of this for preaching are immense. John Calvin, with the other Reformers, rescued the Scriptures from their subordination to tradition in the medieval church. The Reformation, let us thank God, was the recovery of the unique and supreme authority of Scripture over church authority.

Commenting on John 17:20, Calvin wrote,

Woe to the Papists who have no other rule of faith than the tradition of the Church. As for us, let us remember that the Son of God, who alone can and ought to pronounce in this matter, approves of no other faith but that which comes from the doctrine of the Apostles, of which we find no certain testimony except in their writings.  (Commentary on John)

Calvin’s preaching inspires me to press on with this great and glorious task of heralding the word of God. I feel what he says when he writes to Cardinal Sadolet

O Lord, you have enlightened me with the brightness of your Spirit. You have put your Word as a lamp to my feet. The clouds which before now veiled your glory have been dispelled by it, and the blessings of your Anointed have shone clearly upon my eyes. What I have learnt from your mouth (that is to say, from your Word) I will distribute faithfully to your church. (“Letter to Cardinal Jacopo Sadoleto,” quoted in J. H. Merle D’Augigne, Let Christ Be Magnified, Banner of Truth, 2007, p. 13).

For Calvin, preaching was tethered to the Bible. That is why he preached through books of the Bible so relentlessly. In honor of tethered preaching, I would like to suggest the difference I hear between preaching tethered to the word of God and preaching that ranges free and leans toward entertainment.

The difference between an entertainment-oriented preacher and a Bible-oriented preacher is the manifest connection of the preacher’s words to the Bible as what authorizes what he says.

The entertainment-oriented preacher gives the impression that he is not tethered to an authoritative book in what he says. What he says doesn’t seem to be shaped and constrained by an authority outside himself. He gives the impression that what he says has significance for reasons other than that it manifestly expresses the meaning and significance of the Bible. So he seems untethered to objective authority.

The entertainment-oriented preacher seems to be at ease talking about many things that are not drawn out of the Bible. In his message, he seems to enjoy more talking about other things than what the Bible teaches. His words seem to have a self-standing worth as interesting or fun. They are entertaining. But they don’t give the impression that this man stands as the representative of God before God’s people to deliver God’s message.

The Bible-oriented preacher, on the other hand, does see himself that way–“I am God’s representative sent to God’s people to deliver a message from God.” He knows that the only way a man can dare to assume such a position is with a trembling sense of unworthy servanthood under the authority of the Bible. He knows that the only way he can deliver God’s message to God’s people is by rooting it in and saturating it with God’s own revelation in the Bible.

The Bible-oriented preacher wants the congregation to know that his words, if they have any abiding worth, are in accord with God’s words. He wants this to be obvious to them. That is part of his humility and his authority. Therefore, he constantly tries to show the people that his ideas are coming from the Bible. He is hesitant to go too far toward points that are not demonstrable from the Bible.

His stories and illustrations are constrained and reined in by his hesitancy to lead the consciousness of his hearers away from the sense that this message is based on and expressive of what the Bible says. A sense of submission to the Bible and a sense that the Bible alone has words of true and lasting significance for our people mark the Bible-oriented preacher, but not the entertainment-oriented preacher.

People leave the preaching of the Bible-oriented preacher with a sense that the Bible is supremely authoritative and important and wonderfully good news. They feel less entertained than struck at the greatness of God and the weighty power of his word.

Lord, tether us to your mighty word. Cause me and all preachers to show the people that our word is powerless and insignificant in comparison with yours. Grant us to stand before our people as messengers sent with God’s message to God’s people in God’s name by God’s Spirit. Grant us to tremble at this responsibility. Protect us from trifling with this holy moment before your people.

Pastor John 

By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: www.desiringGod.org. Email: mail@desiringGod.org. Toll Free: 1.888.346.4700.

As was presented in the previous post, God’s view of Christmas might be a bit different than ours. We tend to begin with the Nativity and focus on love, peace, and goodwill toward all men (a misinterpretation of to whom peace is offered by God). God, however knew, from before time as we know it, that He was sending His own Son to earth to suffer and die on the Cross of Calvary for the sins of His people. The real meaning of Christmas is wrapped up in the Cross. We tend to NOT go there – maybe it spoils the “mood” – what we so glibly term “the spirit of Christmas”.

This year some who call themselves Christians are making overt efforts to include every religious faith in what are, Biblically at least, distinctively Christian celebrations. I won’t go into details here – they are antithetical to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and should be unconscionable to every true believer.

Perhaps we who calls ourselves have brought it on ourselves. Rarely in my own recollections of Christmas do I remember a focus on “the rest of the story”. The belief that all religious faiths worship the same God by some pretty prominent persons in America is becoming more and more rampant. Some evangelical leaders no longer will take a stand on the exclusivity of Christ as expressed in scripture. At the moment there is an all out attack on Sola Scriptura, one of the pillars of the Protestant Reformation.

Dear Christian readers, this is a call to share “the rest of the story” this Christmas season, a call to share the Gospel that Christ came to die for our sins – that He came for the Cross. This season should be one of the two easiest times of the year to share the truth of the Gospel and why He came to earth in the first place – God’s view of Christmas.

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” Romans 1:16 – The Apostle Paul