"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." - Psalm 119:105
"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." - Joshua 1:8
"Jesus answered, "It is written,"'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" - Matthew 4:4
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12
Here is a link to some Flashcards you can print out to help you memorize the book of Romans so that you can work to say with David, "I have stored up your word in my heart,that I might not sin against you." - Psalm 119:11
Grace and Peace
Today I am going to review a fruit beer made in Good Old Upstate NY. I know what you're saying, "Matt your first week back and you're reviewing a fruity beer?" Yeah, but not just any fruity beer, one that was made for my Grandmother, it was originally called "Barb's Blueberry Brew" ... "Oh, that's ok then." Anyways this beer pours light yellow with a hint of orange, and contains almost no head. There is a distinct aroma of what else but ... Blueberries with a mix of a floral smell in it. It tastes very fruity (blueberry) with a tiny malty hop finish. It is a good beer to satisfy ones thirst on a warm summer day. Unfortunately blueberry does get tiring after one or two bottles, so don't plan on drinking this all day when working on the deck or in the yard.
The Christian Pint Rating: 3 out of 5
Commercial Description:
Our newest addition to our family of craft beers. A light golden ale, crisp on the palate with a refreshing blueberry aroma and flavor. Surprisingly different that most people expect. A sure winner!
As always remember do not become drunk on wine (beer) but be filled with the Holy Spirit, and do not cause your brother to stumble. (Ephesians 5, Romans 14, 1 Corinthians 8)
Well well, I am posting again, sorry for the two month absence I know you were heart broken in being unable to read my thoughts for that long. *cough/laugh* Anyways, most people would expect me to finish the Mormonism series (which I should hope to do this week), or break out a new beer review Monday (later today). No my first post back is something far more imminent in my life at the moment. That is the concept of worship.When preparing for an up coming event at my home church the very concept of worship was challenged causing me to meditate deeply on the subject. Unfortunately "worship" has been reduced to the concept of three or four songs on a Sunday morning rather than a lifestyle praising God. However the argument continues over style of music therefore when I refer to worship thus that will be what I am referring to.
First we must destroy the disillusion that any music performed by Christians is "Christian" Music, as this is simply not the case, not to mention bad theology, Christian is not an adjective but a noun. This would be the equivalent of saying that Makoto Fujimura is a Christian Artist, he is not. He is an artist who happens to also be a Christian. In the same way just because the members of Anberlin and As I Lay Dying are Christians, that does not make their music innately laced with the Gospel, nor does it make their songs "worship" material. At the same time just because an artist like Phillips, Craig, & Dean music is threaded with such as "grace" and "worship" does not make it fit as praise for our king either.I will celebrate, sing unto the Lord,
Sing to the Lord a new song.
I will celebrate, sing unto the Lord,
Sing to the Lord a new song.
With my heart rejoicing within,
with my mind focused on Him.
with my hands raised to the heavens,
all I am worshiping Him.
I will, praise You,
I will sing to You, a new song.
I will, praise You,
I will sing to You, a new song.
Vs.my life was in the dark
disgusted with the light
when I heard my sin
it made me want to fight
I hated those who loved him
yet they loved me back
I was in a corner
I ran but could not hide
crucified with Christ
dying to myself
giving up control
killing the old man
rejuvenate my soul
crucified with Christ
not my life
Christ lives in me
the life I live
I live for his glory
Now out of those two songs, which lyrically is better theologically, the first or the second? They both speak of doing things, they both use "churchy" words, the first is about something I am going to do, thus it is in essence praise of self, the second however looks at the sinfulness of sin in men and what Christ has done. It is pretty much ripped from Romans 6-8 and Galatians 2. However while the first has horrible theological implications it will very often be played in church building across America and though the second is about the sinfulness of men and the holiness of God one would be hard pressed to find it played not because the laity is theologically weak in the west, though it is, but because of its style of music.
The first can only be classified as a 70's pop song where as the second was one of the songs that started the Hardcore movement in music. Thus the conclusion that 70's pop songs are acceptable for worship no matter theological implications of the song, while heavier and more theologically sound songs are rejected due to style. Now I do agree with Alister Begg and others that for corporate praise we must be able to both hear the word and, though often out of tune, sing along with the worship team. Thus while I may be in the "moderate left" with my opinion on worship. Thus while I do not feel "screemo" is acceptable for corporate worship in certain settings, I see no problem with the genre in general, nor am I against them playing in other setting at the church building.
That being said I do not think all music of the harder genres preformed by Christians should be played in churches. This again goes back to the theology. I could see Redemption by August Burns Red being played in a certain church worship setting however I could not see Bury Us All by As I Lay Dying, both bands are comprised of members who are Christian.
This spreads across all genres of music unfortunately the hardcore scene seem to be growing less than hardcore and more civilized speaking less about God and His grace as they did when they burst onto the scene in the late 1980's and early 1990's (Unashamed/ The Crucified). This is unfortunate as bads such as Underoath, Norma Jean, and As I Lay Dying are in the same vain as Killswitch Engage, Hawthorn Heights, and Atreyu, with people utterly unaware that the first three bands are comprised of Christian members.
Now I am not simply trying to knock Christians who play Hardcore because I do see a good message in their music, but it is the same good message I saw in Linkin Park (prior to their Jay-Z move). It is not intrinsically law or gospel it is at best spirituality and other softer bands are often slipping into this spirituality, higher being helped me but I'd better not mention that it was Jesus or people might not like me trend.
Go ahead and say it, "Matt if we are overtly Christian they will stop coming to our concerts and we wont be able to reach them." If that is true then clearly Jesus and His Gospel were not the reasons for them coming to the shows anyways. We are to be Light and Salt (Matthew 5:13), this is not just a call for pastors or spiritual leaders but all men everywhere who take for themselves the name of Christ. If only the Christians within the Hardcore movement would go the way rappers who happen to be Christian have, that is make their music about Christ. In a genre seems to speak only to sensuality and drugs these men stand up for truth and are a light in this dying world. Rappers such as KJ-52, The Voice, and Flame, who have a sound and style that is in the opinion of some better than mainstream rap yet they are lyrically all about Christ and Him Crucified (1 Corinthians 1:18). If you are trying to say that your music is to be used as an outreach then why would you speak of anything other than our great God and Savior? (Though that may be reached through expressing the falleness of the world.)
I am thankful for bands such as August Burns Red, and The Devil Wears Prada, though not all of their songs are about Jesus they will at least sing about Him for a substantial portion of their music. Unfortunately bands like these are few and far between even in the realm of those started and comprised of Christians. I pray that others in this genre would follow their example of Glorifying Christ in their music.
In Acts 2 we see the disciples of Christ proclaiming Him, His death and resurrection, in a most uncivilized manner, so uncivilized that they were mistaken as being drunk because they just couldn't shut up about Jesus. We ought to be the same way, especially in lyrical music, brought as corporate worship to Jesus. Utterly uncivilized in that everything is politically incorrect proclaiming the Truth about Jesus that He alone saves.
"I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,to the Jew first and also to the Greek." - Romans 1:16
UPDATE: I think I sent a mixed message. So I will comment here and do so shortly. I am not bashing
Tim Lambesis or any other Christian in the industry who writes about their personal struggles, in fact I listen to many of them. However the point of the post was that a song about a personal struggle that does constitute a song for corporate worship, and how I don't understand why one would not want to write about their great God and Savior. The problem with these songs is that far to often the One who gets the artist through the struggle is never mentioned. Hence the comparison to rappers, though they rap about their struggles they never forget to mention Jesus was the One who brought them through. I just wish that it was the same way with all Christians. Now some will compare what they are doing to that of Bach but if you look at what Bach actually wrote you could see that it is utterly about Christ. Again I believe this concept springs from a lack of proper theology being taught to the church today. Anyways I am not saying that these musicians are not Christians just that most music in this genre made by them cannot be used for corporate worship. Furthermore this is not a rant against Hardcore in general, I like the music and if you do also check out my friend Joe's Band,
Perpetual Burn they are more in the "metal" vain than the "screamo" but they are good nevertheless. Warning Explicit Lyrics.
I often try to stay away from confrontations with other religions on this blog, as there are far more suitable places on the internet to express such views. That being said polygamy came up in a conversation last night with a good friend who lives across the hall from me. Not simply polygamy but also the differences between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints (LDS), often called Mormons and Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints (FLDS), often called Fundamentalist Mormons, Churches. As this topic raises a lot of confusion among both Christians and Mormons I have decided to write a short series of three possibly four part on the subject of polygamy, Christianity, the LDS, and FLDS. Today I will start with the biblical case for monogamy.
The Biblical case for Polygamy begins in of all places the book of beginnings, that is Genesis. We see in the Second Chapter that "a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."1 Jesus cites this verse and Genesis 1:27 in Matthew 19:3-6. Note the wording, and the two shall become one flesh. Jesus is exhorting monogamy, yet some objectors will say, well yes they will become one flesh but that does not condemn polygamy.
Paul writes to us in Ephesians that a husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her.2 This model for biblical marriage falls apart if men are to have more than one wife.
Furthermore Paul wrote "each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband...For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does."3 Here Paul uses singular nouns for wife and husband, then proceeds to explain the marital duties of men and women including giving your bodies wholly to each other. Also, it should be noted that polygamy is forbidden to elders of the church.4 Good examples of godly marriage include Adam and Eve, Isaac and Rebekah, Joseph and Asenath, Moses and Zipporah, as well as all eight the survivors of the Flood.
Now we must note that while polygamy is mentioned in the bible not everything mentioned in the bible is condoned by the bible. The stoning of Stephen5 and Murder of James6 are mentioned in the bible, however they are not condoned by it. Therefore we must look at it's origins to learn how it was introduced.
In Genesis Four we find polygamy being started from the line of Cain. Lamech, a murdering son of Cain is the first polygamist mentioned in the bible.7 The next mention of this is Esau whos pagan polygamy caused great grief in the hearts of his parents.8 Some will argue that Abraham was a polygamist I will get to him in a few lines.
God did forbid kings from practicing polygamy in His Holy Law.9When David disobeyed this it lead to fighting among his sons from different wives for the kingdom,10 and Solomon was lead into idolatry due to his.11 Hannah, Samuel’s mother, was humiliated by her husband Elkanah’s other wife Peninnah.12
Now it is true that some men who were considered Godly were "polygamous." First I Abraham. Yes Abraham was a polygamist, more specifically a bigamist. However we must note that the root cause was sin, or lack in faith in God.13 Thus Abraham's bigamy was not ordained by God but the result of sin against Him. Jacob the other bigamist patriarch of Judaism was actually conned into marrying Leah, though he had wanted Rachel,14 not that it was an excuse but also Jacob was not the most spiritual of people at that time either. Likewise David was no epitome of holiness when he took Abigail and Ahinoam of Jezreel to be his wives,15 and Lord knows he took Bathsheba in sin.16
God often allows the sinful practices and choices of men, and often uses them for His good and His glory.17 He also tolerates the sinfulness of men and their hardness of their hearts. This is seen when Jesus explains divorce, though God hates it,18 He has permitted it, though that was not the way it was intended in the beginning.19 Ironically this teaching on divorce by Jesus condemns polygamy, because if polygamy is legal then this argument fails. Jesus' entire argument is that if one divorces one's spouse without valid grounds, the marriage is not truly dissolved and subsequent marriage is adulterous.20 While God tolerates polygamy and has made provision for it,21 it was never encouraged. God put numerous stipulations on polygamy to discourage it and after the Babylonian exile it was virtually unheard of in Jewish culture, and monogamy was the rule.
Please note while I do believe polygamy is a sin I also believe that the blood of Christ cleanses all the sins of a believer. I also am not simply trying to slam Mormon's who often take offense to such posts, and will openly admit that there are as many, if not more people claiming to be Christians today living in polygamy than there are Mormons practicing it. This is of course one of the sad states of men who do not understand the Gospel in America. To see the utter depravity of men who no longer wish to keep with the sound doctrine of our Lord and would rather give way to their youthful passions click here. Please note sites promoting "Christian Polygamy" are not Christian but are heretical, or at best heterodox.
Footnotes:
1) Genesis 2:24 - Return to text
2) Ephesians 5:22-33 - Return to text
3) 1 Corinthians 7:2;4 - Return to text
4) 1 Timothy 3:2 - Return to text
5) Acts 7:54-60 - Return to text
6) Acts 12:1-2 - Return to text
7) Genesis 4:23 - Return to text
8) Genesis 26:34 - Return to text
9) Deuteronomy 17:17 - Return to text
10) See the Books of 1 and 2 Kings - Return to text
11) 1 Kings 11:1-3 - Return to text
12) 1 Samuel 1:1-7 - Return to text
13) Genesis 16:1-3 - Return to text
14) Genesis 29:20-25 - Return to text
15) 1 Samuel 25:42-43 - Return to text
16) 2 Samuel 11 - Return to text
17) Genesis 50:20 - Return to text
18) Malachi 2:13-16 - Return to text
19) Matthew 19:8-9 - Return to text
20) Mark 10:11-12 - Return to text
21) Exodus 20:10 - Return to text
So it seems today far to many people do not feel that it is necessary to engage is Theology Proper. That is the doctrine of God, however this is the doctrine from which all theology flows. Atheists have a doctrine of God in such a way that there is no God. This theology will shape the way that the person lives. Theists all agree that there is a God or gods. Christianity falls into this category thus our doctrine of God should shape how we speak, write, study, breath in short live.
Unfortunately in America while many people claim to be Christians, even Christians of Orthodoxy, many bow the knee to Baal and far to often we create for themselves a graven image. This comes from a few misconceptions about God, which result from both a lack of teaching, improper teaching, and good teaching that lacks earnestness. Therefore I have decided to start a new series that I will update every so often about God and God alone. God's attributes, God's decrees, God's nature and how that ought to affect how we are to live. This is simply an introduction, I hope you enjoy the future posts.
Grace and Peace.
Today I feel like giving you a treat. A nice dark New York Beer. This beer pours very dark with a nice lacy head. This is a wonderful chocolate coffee aroma. The taste is a wonderful blend of chocolate, malt, and hops. It finishes with a bittersweet after taste. Not the greatest stout out there but definitely a worth while stout, and I'd suggest it anyone dropping by New York. Pick it up it is worth a try.
The Christian Pint Rating: 4 out of 5
Commercial Description:
Mt. Marcy, Skylight, Algonquin...Majestic Adirondack High Peaks - They are the inspiration for our "High Peaks" series, a line of beers that are bigger, more complex and flavorful; beers that are meant to be sipped and savored. The second in our series, Saranac Imperial Stout, is brewed with eleven malts to balance a delicious chocolate and coffee roasted flavor with the spicy herbal character of the generous kettle and dry hops. At 50 IBU's this beer captures the essence of the Adirondacks. Enjoy!
As always remember do not become drunk on wine (beer) but be filled with the Holy Spirit, and do not cause your brother to stumble. (Ephesians 5, Romans 14, 1 Corinthians 8)
Philosophy of Evangelism - Paris Reidhead
If you cannot see the video click here
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. - The Apostle Paul
