Columbo Apologetics #3

Posted by Dan C. on

I have another friend, I’ll call him Bob, who I have known for some years now. Bob is, by his own admission, a Dispensationalist, but just the ordinary garden variety taught first by John Darby in the 19th century. As such, he agrees with me that salvation has always been by grace through faith, since Abraham’s faith was counted as righteousness. We’ve been chatting about certain passages in Romans via email.

During one of his emails to me today, Bob had this to say:

After quoting Gal 2:21 , “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness comes by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” (All well and good).

Then he said:

Then you have to also look at Romans 5:13 and Romans 7:7-9.

Romans 5:13 is before the law.  Abraham fell under this.

Romans 7:7-9 for Jews

I replied concerning Rom 5:13,

“Adam fell before the law was given and God confronted him and let him know he had sinned. One might say that God’s commandment “do not eat……” was ‘law’ but not the Law of Moses. Adam then passed on his fallenness to the rest of the human race that followed. Then Israel was given the Law of Moses and from that point that Law has served to awaken sin in human beings.”

Concerning Rom 7:7-9,

Paul was speaking to the church in Rome, in which there were, at one time or another, both Jewish and Gentile converts to Christianity.  The early Roman church(s) were dominated and led by Jewish disciples of Jesus of course,  but when all Jews were expelled from the city of Rome, however, only the Gentile Christians remained. Therefore, the church grew and expanded as a largely Gentile community from 49 to 54 A.D. Jews were expelled from Rome several times. In 139 BC the Jews were expelled after being accused of missionary efforts. Then in AD 19 Tiberius once again expelled Jews from the city for similar reasons. The Emperor Claudius was in office 41-54 A.D. and would have expelled Jews from Rome during that period.  Historians and theologians tell us that Paul wrote his letter to the church in Rome circa 57/58 A.D. What does that tell you about who Romans 7:7-9 was ‘for’? (Enter Columbo)

Bob replied with:

Adam and Eve got the knowledge of good and evil from a tree.  Not from Moses.

No one else for knowledge of good and evil from a tree but Adam and Eve.

To which I replied:

You are not listening, Ed. I said:

One might say that God’s commandment “do not eat……” was ‘law’ but not the Law of Moses. Here’s a question for you: Was eating from the Tree of Good and Evil a sin? Simple “yes” or “no” answer. Did Adam know it was a sin? Simple “yes” or “no”. IF (hypothetical and nothing personal), based on your assertion that before he Law of Moses there was no sin, I think we are done. IF you say no, I emphatically conclude that you are in bondage to the form of dispensation you espouse.

I hope he let’s that sink and remains silent.

The prevailing thought among certain dispensationalists is that dispensationalism is explicitly taught in Paul’s letters. They have to make that claim because they say they only follow what is clearly written and are “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15) If you dare suggest that dispensationalism is not explicitly taught in Scripture but was formulated in the 19th century by men (Darby, Bullinger and a few others), they refuse to  entertain the thought because ANYTHING outside of the KJV Bible is invalid and most, if not all of today’s Christianity is “twistianity”.

Maybe they don’t understand what “explicit” means. Maybe they have “steel trap minds” (rusted shut). Maybe 2 Cor 2:14 applies, in which case I grieve for their souls. Your guess is as good as mine.

Be Blessed!

Columbo Apologetics #2

Posted by Dan C. on

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There are two main theological systems concerning God’s dealings with men throughout history based on dispensations of time & covenants. Both systems can be thought of as “frameworks” for interpreting Scripture. Theological systems are developed by men based on what they believe (or want to believe) is taught in Scripture.

The BIG question:

Which of the above theological systems can most clearly found in Scripture? One of them? Both of them? Neither one? Let’s take a look.

From the Grace Ambassadors Web site:

“If we believe the Bible to be God’s Word then we must make it the sole authority of truth above all else. ‘Mid-Acts Pauline Dispensational Right Division’ is simply another way of saying that the Bible is our final authority.”

NOTE: The Grace Ambassadors, as well as a few other organizations/groups teach as THE true biblical doctrine, a form of Dispensationalism. This author is NOT taking sides, but merely asking questions.

Other Questions:

1. Does the Bible explicitly teach dispensational ’ism’? No, but it can be implied if you want to develop a theological system around specific time periods in the history of the church. That is exactly what John Nelson Darby did in the 19th century.

2. Does the Bible explicitly teach covenants? Yes, and with very minor variations, theologians are generally in agreement concerning the various covenants that are found in the Bible. The terms Old and New “Testament” actually mean Old and New “Covenant”. Generally speaking, the OT represents a covenant of works, while the NT represents a covenant of grace. The Old Testament also contains specific covenants (contracts) established by God with specific people (Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, King David).

3. Do the Grace Ambassadors really hold the Bible as their final authority? Obviously not.

4. So what? Do I need to label myself as a Dispensationalist or Covenant theologian? No. I need to be faithful in proclaiming the message of the gospel (1 Cor 15:1-4) to the lost and dying world around me.

Be Blessed!

Columbo Apologetics #1

Posted by Dan C. on

This is about a Facebook conversation I’m having.

ORIGINAL POST:

FAITH ALONE………...

“But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.” What a switch! Jews saved like Gentiles, not Gentiles like Jews? Amazing! Acts 15:11……

Paul’s gospel became the only gospel without water baptism or any works…

He reminded the Galatians how he had received his gospel: directly from the Lord Himself (Galatians 1.11-12), not from the Twelve or anyone else (Galatians 1.15-17)……………..Acts 9… (Acts 15.11). From that point onward, Jews had to be saved like Paul’s Gentiles…..only Paul’s gospel was valid (cf. Galatians 1.6-9).”

RESPONSE:

“You said “from that point forward” Jews had to be saved like Paul’s Gentiles. What about Romans 4, in which we are told that Abraham’s faith was imputed to him as righteousness. Doesn’t that strongly and clearly state that salvation has always been by grace through faith? Just an honest question.”“You said “from that point forward” Jews had to be saved like Paul’s Gentiles. What about Romans 4, in which we are told that Abraham’s faith was imputed to him as righteousness. Doesn’t that strongly and clearly state that salvation has always been by grace through faith? Just an honest question.”

Additional Comments:

The original FB post proposes that at one time there was a one gospel for the Jews (Law), and a different one for Gentiles (grace through faith). That time period is represented in Scripture by the entire Old Testament, as well as every book in the New Testament outside of Acts 9:28 as well as Romans through Philemon (Paul’s Epistles). Acts 9:28 through Philemon was intended specifically for Gentiles and the remainder of the Bible speaks only to the Nation of Israel. You can imagine the implications of that.

The group of people, which seems to be growing these days, is composed of those who claim that the KJV is their ONLY authority for the doctrine(s) they teach. They teach a form of dispensationalism called ultra, or hyper-dispensationalism (HD). Notable classic dispensationalists label it as everything from “nonsense” to “heresy.”

I’ve been trying (to no avail) to come up with ways to have a rational conversation with them. My last recourse is to merely (and politely) ask questions based on the text of scripture that would clearly refute their doctrine(s). Thus, this blog post. At the end of the day, I might just end up with a list of questions for HD’s that could be used as a method of apologetics I like to Apologetics à la Columbo (the popular rumpled T.V. detective of years gone by). I’ve been asked not to visit the Gospel of Grace public FB group. I have not yet been banned, but that might be coming.

I’ll return to this post to add new FB responses or comments, if there are any.

Be Blessed!

Christless Conservatism

Posted by Dan C. on

Kirk Cameron talks about ‘Christless Conservatism’ in a short clip from Apologia Studios.

In the clip, Kirk says that “Christless conservatism” cannot solve the problems we have in America and its institutions. He is correct.

He also says “we need a spiritual earthquake that throws open the prison doors of sin and we need to rush out as Christians armed with the only weapon powerful enough to subdue the earth and its institutions – the Word of God.” Also, true. The Word of God is able to subdue the earth and its institutions, and someday it will – in the new heaven and new earth spoken of the Book of Isaiah 65:17 & 66:22, 2 Peter 3:13, and the Book of Revelation 21:1.

Kirk tells us: “We need to take the truth that we know and redeem a dying culture through a Revival.” Now that sounds like a great idea – “redeem a dying culture!” At the same time, I have a simple question: Did Christ die to “redeem our dying culture?”

Here are just two passages to consider:

”And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll
    and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
    from every tribe and language and people and nation,”  (Revelation 5:9)

Please know that I’m not bashing Kirk Cameron. I just want to take the idea of redeeming our dying culture one step further. I would suggest to you that as Christians, we are not called to ‘redeem a dying culture’, but to share the gospel message that WILL redeem lost and dead sinners who CAN in turn make an absolutely profound effect on our culture.

“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.  (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

Be Blessed!

Without God in the World

Posted by Dan C. on

Psa 49_20

I borrowed the above title from today’s devotional from Truth For Life. In that devotional, Alistair Begg tells us:

“It is tempting to think that passages like this one only describe other people. But we should not be too quick to look away from ourselves. Are there ways we have rejected humility, believing ourselves to be sufficient without God? Have we let our prosperity numb us to our neediness and accountability before God? Has our treatment of those around us been marked by self-interest and arrogance instead of love and service? We may confess to have faith in God, but perhaps there are areas of our lives that require repentance.”

He then asks us to consider the following:

1. How is God calling me to think differently?

2. How is God reordering my heart’s affections — what I love?

3. What is God calling me to do as I go about my day today?

Be Blessed This Day!

“In Vain do They Worship Me”

Posted by Dan C. on

Jesus, referencing Isaiah 29:13 and speaking to Jewish Pharisees, said:

“Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Mat 15:7-9 (KJV)

One notable theologian and Bible scholar said the following of Isa 29:13.

“By the traditions of the elders, not only the word of God was perverted, but his worship also was greatly corrupted. But the Jews were not the only people who have acted thus: whole Christian Churches, as well as sects and parties, have acted in the same way. Men must not mould the worship of God according to their fancy – it is not what they think will do – is proper, innocent, etc., but what God himself has prescribed, that he will acknowledge as his worship. “However sincere a man may be in a worship of his own invention, or of man’s commandment, yet it profits him nothing.” Christ himself says it is in vain. To condemn such, may appear to some illiberal; but whatever may be said in behalf of sincere heathens, and others who have not had the advantages of Divine Revelation, there is no excuse for the man who has the Bible before him.” – Adam Clarke[i]

The following graphic was posted on a Facebook page, along with a lengthy ‘teaching’, presented as ‘fact’ that is largely based on a form of dispensationalism called ‘ultra’, or ‘hyper’ dispensationalism that was developed by Anglican clergyman E.W. Bullinger (1837 – 1913).

This Gospel won't SAVE

The rest of this post is taken directly from the same FB post as the graphic and contains elements of ultra/hyper-dispensationalism, what has been called hyper-grace, and the author’s own thoughts. I’ve made some minor editing corrections (spelling/grammar, etc.) so you won’t be distracted and can remain focused on the content. (All emphases are mine.)

“Every book in the entire bible outside of Acts 9-28 and Romans- Philemon (dispensation of Grace) is directly speaking to the Nation of Israel. It is Israel’s covenant/religious doctrine. The religious program God HAD/WILL HAVE with Israel BEFOFE the cross (Genesis-Acts 7 (times past) and during the tribulation (Hebrews-Revelation) AFTER the dispensation of grace ends when the catching away takes place (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) in the ages to come is not to be mistaken with what is going on today. We are currently living in the dispensation of the Grace of God (Ephesians 3:2) which started the moment Christ revealed the revelation of the mystery (Romans 16:25) to Apostle Paul on the Damascus Road in Acts 9 which is the Gospel 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV. How Christ died for our sins, he was buried and rose again the third day (Gospel).”

“Paul was chosen by Christ to be the apostle of the gentiles (Romans 1:13) in order to preach a different Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) than that preached by Christ’s 12 original Jewish disciples (Mathew, Mark, Luke, John, James Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Thaddaeus, Simon and Judas) which was faith plus works-based Gospels (Mathew 19:16-26, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19). These 12 Apostles ONLY preached to the nation of Israel because salvation WAS ONLY of the Jews (John 4:22, Mathew 15:24, Luke 1:16) during this time (before the cross) and WILL BE of the Jews during the tribulation in the ages to come. This means you had to/will have to convert to Judaism to be saved during this time.”

“The nation of Israel fell in Acts 7 due to unbelief, because of this the nation of Israel does not currently exist and Gods works based program with Israel was put on pause. Blinded until God fulfills his plan of grace with the gentiles (Romans 11:8, Romans 11:25) and then will unblind Israel and carry out his new covenant with Israel (Jeremiah 31:31) during the tribulation time period (Hebrews-Revelation) in the ages to come. Today the WHOLE world is comprised of gentiles (Israelites Jews do not currently exist in Gods eyes today. Because of Israel’s failure in the Old Testament (Genesis-Acts) salvation today is of the gentiles (Romans 11:11). Israel was supposed to believe Christ was the Messiah and do the works of the law to prove it but the majority did not and rejected him. Only the “little flock” (saved Israelite Jews during the Old Testament before the cross) did so. Israel (Gods chosen people) was to be saved first and then they were supposed to preach to the gentiles but this did not work out accordingly. Because of this God ended his Earthly Ministry to Israel and carried out his plan of Grace (Finished cross work) which was kept secret since the world began (Romans 16:25). “Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:8).”

“This was the Gospel of grace how that Christ died for the entire WORLDS sins paying for ALL (past, present, & future) of our sins the moment he DIED on the cross (Romans 6:23). He was buried and rose again the third day so that we can be justified (Romans 4:25). It’s through our faith and faith ALONE that we are made righteous (Romans 4:5) which makes us justified (not guilty/saved, Acts 13:39).”

“Through Christs shed blood (his death) ALL (past, present, future) of our sins were COMPLETELY forgiven on the cross (Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14). Christ made the one and done perfect sacrificial atonement (necessary payment for sin) the moment he died on the cross and because of this ALL (past, present, future) of our sins were paid in FULL (forgiven). The WORLD was reconciled to God by the death of Christ (Romans 5:10). All because of God’s grace our sins were put on Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21) never to be remembered again. Completely moving sin out the way no longer making it an obstacle between mankind and salvation. Making it so that our faith and faith ALONE in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ for your salvation is the ONLY justifiable action to be saved today NOT following the works of the law (Galatians 2:16). The law was blotted out and nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14) when our sins were forgiven. Nobody is justified by the law today (Romans 3:20) ONLY through faith (Galatians 2:16). Today our faith and faith ALONE is counted as righteousness (Romans 4:5). We are ONLY Saved by “GRACE” “through FAITH” and NOT of our works, It’s the free gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). You simply trust in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus for your salvation and you are saved & sealed with the holy spirit (Ephesians 1:13). It really is that simple despite what these countless Christian denominations will teach you who have all made the cross of none effect (1 Corinthians 1:17). It was ALL finished at the cross. Just simply believe it and accept Gods free gift of salvation.”

The element of the above paragraph that takes it into the “hyper” grace arena is the teaching that since ALL sin (past, present, & future) was forgiven at the cross, it is no longer necessary to continually repent, confess our sins and ask for forgiveness as part of our Christian walk, not even to maintain a healthy relationship with our Lord. 1 John 1:9 doesn’t apply since John was speaking only to Jews, which is nonsensical on its face.

It gets worse. While we were at the UCHealth central hospital for Dee’s final chemo session, I found yet another detailed critique of Dr. Bullinger’s abysmal and self-contradictory (not to mention contra-Scripture theology. It can be found and read online and downloaded as a PDF at: Algernon James Pollock – An Examination of Dr. E.W. Bullinger’s Bible Teaching Articles (#15073) – BTP (bibletruthpublishers.com). There are multiple articles and each one can be downloaded as a PDF. I plan to download and combine them into a single file.

All that being said, I tried one more time to reason with my friends at The Gospel of Grace Facebook page, appealing to their sense of intellectual honesty. I have only received derision for being totally ignorant of anything Biblical with every appeal. Rather than.

Links to other research sites that I visited can be found on an earlier post found here: “An Interesting Conversation” Afterthoughts | The Battle Cry (thebattlecry49.com)

Be Blessed!

[i] Adam Clarke (1762 – 26 August 1832) was a British Methodist theologian who served three times as President of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference (1806–07, 1814–15 and 1822–23). A biblical scholar, he published an influential Bible commentary among other works.

8 Symptoms of False Doctrine

Posted by Dan C. on

Many things combine to make the present inroad of false doctrine peculiarly dangerous.

1. There is an undeniable zeal in some of the teachers of error: their “earnestness” makes many think they must be right.

2. There is a great appearance of learning and theological knowledge: many fancy that such clever and intellectual men must surely be safe guides.

3. There is a general tendency to free thought and free inquiry in these latter days: many like to prove their independence of judgment, by believing novelties.

4. There is a wide-spread desire to appear charitable and liberal-minded: many seem half ashamed of saying that anybody can be in the wrong.

5. There is a quantity of half-truth taught by the modern false teachers: they are incessantly using Scriptural terms and phrases in an unscriptural sense.

6. There is a morbid craving in the public mind for a more sensuous, ceremonial, sensational, showy worship: men are impatient of inward, invisible heart-work.

7. There is a silly readiness in every direction to believe everybody who talks cleverly, lovingly and earnestly, and a determination to forget that Satan often masquerades himself “as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14).

8. There is a wide-spread “gullibility” among professing Christians: every heretic who tells his story plausibly is sure to be believed, and everybody who doubts him is called a persecutor and a narrow-minded man.

All these things are peculiar symptoms of our times. I defy any observing person to deny them. They tend to make the assaults of false doctrine in our day peculiarly dangerous. They make it more than ever needful to cry aloud, “Do not be carried away!”

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~ J.C. Ryle~

May 10, 1816 — June 10, 1900

Warnings to the Churches, “Divers and Strange Doctrines”, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1967], 76, 77.

__________

J. C. Ryle Author Biography – Banner of Truth USA

Blind Minds and Strong Delusions

Posted by Dan C. on

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Paul wrote his second letter to the church in Corinth c. 56 A.D., possibly from Philippi. At the time of that letter’s writing many people, particularly Jews, did not accept Paul’s gospel. To them it was veiled, but Paul would not change it to make it more palatable, as his opponents had done (see 2 Cor 11:4). Those who rejected the gospel message were unable and unwilling to accept it, aided in their unbelief by Satan, the “god of this world” (cf. Eph_2:2) who, though defeated by Christ continues his hold over this present world. His blinding of peoples’ minds makes it impossible for them to see the light of the gospel.

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Paul wrote both of his letters to the Thessalonian church c. 51 A.D, a few years earlier than his letters to the church in Corinth. In his second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul hoped to encourage their young but growing faith, He also spoke of the end times, reminding them that the Lord’s second coming was still in the future, contradicting the false teachers who had been presenting fake letters as if from Paul and telling the Thessalonian believers that the day of the Lord had already come.

Paul had already told them (2 Thess 2:1-4) that before Christ’s return the “lawless one” (the antichrist) would enter history, proclaiming himself to be God. Paul told them that God Himself would send a “strong delusion” to unbelievers so that they would believe the lie and worship the man of lawlessness. Ultimately, Jesus would kill the man of sin with His very breath when He does return and Satan defeated once again, this time for all eternity.

Can you see the similarities in Paul’s letters? First, the work of Satan is evident in both. Paul told the church at Corinth that Satan was, and still is “the God of this world”, while in writing to the Thessalonians, Paul described Satan’s last attempt to truly rule the world by ushering in the man of sin to proclaim to be God, ultimately to be defeated for eternity (Satan and the antichrist).

Second, and perhaps more importantly, Paul describes unbelievers in both passages as having “blind minds” and being under a “strong delusion” so that they are unable and unwilling to hear and understand the message of the gospel and be saved. Rather, they would believe lies. And when we look around the world we live in today, it seems like we are living in an overwhelming “sea of lies” on multiple fronts, or as one of my Battle Buddies describes it, a moral cesspool. that was unimaginable 20 years ago.

Why is all of this significant!?

I’m glad you asked! No matter how bad it seems (insanity on steroids?) our mission as believers and pilgrims on this earth has never changed and it never will. That mission is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with a lost and dying world. Paul almost makes that sound like “mission impossible”. I said “almost”.

When we remember that we have been called to merely be faithful to the message of the gospel (1 Cor 15:1-4) and let God do the “saving”, it’s not just mission “possible”, but a mission with guaranteed success! God will open hearts to hear, just as He did with Lydia in Philippi (Acts 16); and Jesus WILL Save His people from their sins! (Matt 1:21)

_______________

All scripture references are from the ESV translation.

Be Blessed!

“An Interesting Conversation” Afterthoughts

Posted by Dan C. on

I think I’ve finally finished the “Interesting Conversation” and come to a couple of conclusions. First I can thank the small group of folks with whom I was trying (unsuccessfully) to have a rational dialogue for ‘encouraging’ me to do some homework and broaden my knowledge concerning the doctrine of Dispensationalism, and especially Hyper dispensationalism, which is. what the members of that small group teach as the truth, the whole truth, and only truth.

I’ve been called several interesting names and even declared lost and headed for hell unless I repent of my wrong beliefs concerning the message of the gospel. I’ve been booted from a couple of their Facebook pages.

They are Hyper dispensationalists to the core, meaning that their doctrine was developed by a man called E.W. Bullinger in the 19th Century and not John Darby as I had first thought. That might not sound like a small matter, but I assure you it is not. While Dispensationalism in itself is not heretical, but one way of looking at church history, Hyper dispensationalism, on the other hand has been called heretical by many notable Bible scholars and theologians.

If I was asked what I thought was the most grievous teaching of the movement, I would say it would be there are two completely different gospels, one for Jews  (The Gospel of the Kingdom) and one for Gentiles (The Gospel of Grace). There has always been one gospel. You can know recognize the movement when you hear such phrases as:

  • Paul’s Gospel vs Jesus’ Gospel
  • Gospel of Grace vs Gospel of the Law
  • Gospel to the Jews vs the Gospel to the Gentiles
  • Gospel of the Kingdom vs Paul’s Gospel

Another characteristic of my interesting conversation colleagues is that all seem to be solidly KJV ONLY adherents, which brings me to the most seriously mind-boggling  tidbit. While they claim to read nothing else but the KJV and use no other resource (especially other men’s brains), they are relying on the teachings of a man from the 19th Century!

I’ve rambled on enough. Below are links to sites I found that aided me in a little bit of research:

  1. What is ultra-dispensationalism? | GotQuestions.org
  2. The Two Gospel Heresy
  3. Hyperdispensationalism and the Authority of Christ (cicministry.org)
  4. DISPENSATIONALISM, ULTRA-DISPENSATIONALISM, HYPER-DISPENSATIONALISM. IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?
  5. Covenant Theology Vs Dispensationalism (10 Epic Differences) (biblereasons.com)
  6. When the Church Began – Hyperdispensationalism: Why It Is Wrong – The Superior Word

Be Blessed!!