I received a prayer request via email the other day that asked me to pray that Satan would be bound with reference to a particular situation. That brought to memory a former missionary to Brazil who used the expression "binding Satan" with some regularity when I knew her some years ago.
Where does the idea of binding Satan come from? Is it suggested by the Bible? Is it a normative Christian practice?
I have searched my Bible from cover to cover and find only one reference to binding Satan: "And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years," Revelation 20:1-2. I found no reference, even obliquely, to such a practice in the book of the Acts of the Apostles — the place one would most expect to see it. So where did the notion come from?
It is most probable that some have believed in this false doctrine which is nothing more than a superstitious rite for many years. However, it gained some advance with the advent of the charismatic branch of Pentecostalism and the so-called word-faith movement. It spread to evangelical churches through the fantastical writings of Frank Peretti, gobbled up and imbibed by Christians bereft of good sense and sound teaching.
The notion that we can bind Satan who, according to our Lord Jesus Christ, is already bound (Mark 3:27) is pure superstition. Superstition enters when sound doctrinal teaching exits. Pastors, teachers, and evangelists need to put their noses to the grindstone and study the Word of God and then teach that to their hearers. Hearers must listen and read with holy skepticism and search the Scriptures to see if what they are being taught is truly true (Acts 17:11)
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
What are they talking about?
Church readerboard signs don't come cheap. One like that pictured above will cost well over $5000.00 these days. Church readerboards are an investment and should be used wisely.
A church nearby to where I live has the trite saying pictured above on its sign. The sign is on a busy thoroughfare and could be used to cause people to think, to consider the gravity of their present situation, to encourage, to uplift, and a dozen other useful things. But this sign is just plain stupid!
In the first place it is bad theology. It is almost — perhaps it is — blasphemous. Jesus is an investment? Who came up with that one? Jesus is the Lord of all mankind, not an investment. Jesus is not something to be used, not something to be banked on, not a subject of commerce and trading.
Secondly, Jesus doesn't pay interest. He has value, to be sure. That value rests within himself. He doesn't have a percent sign attached to him. Or does it mean he will never be bored?
If you have a readerboard, use it wisely. Put something on it that at least makes sense. Don't use it for frivolous and nonsensical sayings. Make sure what you do put on it is the truth and can be supported with Scripture or biblical principles. A statement such as "Jesus is Lord of all" would be of much more value than the inane statement on this sign.
The best things you can put on your readerboard are quotes from the Bible — like, "God commands men everywhere to repent. Acts 17.30"; or "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. Psalm 24:1." I could give you a page full of other excerpts from the Bible that would be thought-provoking or edifying.
These are perilous times. Let's not give people an excuse to turn away from God because of our mindlessness.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
One God — or many?
The Bible, which is the word of God and the only authoritative and authentic revelation which we have of God, affirms from beginning to end that there is only one God. This one God eternally exists in three persons. This, too, is taught throughout the Bible.
In the creation narrative (Genesis, chapter 1) God is called Elohim. Elohim is the plural form of El, a generic name for God or a god. Elohim is always translated in the singular, as God, when referring to the Creator. This is necessitated by the singular verb.
Deuteronomy 6:4 is recited by every practicing Jew. It says, "Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God is one LORD. Literally translated it reads: "Hear, O Israel, Jehovah our Gods is one Jehovah. Notice that the name Jehovah and the verb "is" are both singular while "Gods" is plural.
Some use the creation account to promote a theory of many gods. Others, citing Deuteronomy 6:4, say there is but one God. Who is right?
One axiom is always true: Scripture does not contradict scripture. Truth is not self-contradictory. Therefore, when an apparent contradiction appears, one must dig a little deeper and compare scripture with scripture.
Many passages can be cited wherein God says he alone is God. In Isaiah 45:5 God says, "I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God besides me." There is but one God. Those that believe there are many gods, those that believe they are a god, and those that believe they may become a god are mistaken.
That this one God exists in a plurality of persons is also true. Both the creation story and Deuteronomy 6:4 indicate that. Biblical revelation is progressive and it is not until the New Testament era that this truth is made clearer. Limited space prevents a thorough presentation of the Trinitarian belief at this time.
The Bible teaches that God is one. The Bible teaches that God the Father is God. The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God. The Bible teaches that God the Holy Spirit is God. This is a mystery and we cannot fully comprehend it. But lack of understanding does not negate truth. As God grants us opportunity, we shall develop these statements in the future.
When Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River (Matthew 3), the heavens opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove. He also heard a voice from heaven saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." In this scene God the Father speaks to God the Son while God the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, lights upon Him. Here, the Trinity is present: the One God, the three Persons.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
How May We Know There Is a God?
Many claim there is no God. Others say there is a God but he is unknowable. Some will go only as far as saying there may be a God. Some think there are a myriad of gods and that we mortals can become gods. There are theists, deists, pantheists, polytheists, atheists, monotheists, agnostics, and the confused, who honestly don't know what to believe.
The Bible is the written revelation of God. It is god's letter to the human race. The Bible tells us about God. It does not tell us all about him, but it tells us enough to authenticate the fact that there is a God. Some things about God can be known through nature, as well. The Apostle Paul informs us that through nature we may ascertain the divinity of God because we can see his power and his handiwork.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” Romans 1:18-20
The Bible is the only book which God himself has given to mankind. It contains all that is necessary for us to know concerning salvation, life after death, how to live a life pleasing to God, and about God himself.
Other faiths and religions have their own holy books. None of them is self-authenticating. All of them disagree with and fall short of the Bible in expression, in morals, in ethics. None of them faithfully reveals the one transcendent and immanent God of the Bible.
There are those who raise objections to the Christian view of the Bible. One group, for instance, says, "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly." However, they don't seem able to point out the incorrectly translated parts.
Is the Bible translated incorrectly? Dr. Richard Lloyd Anderson of Brigham Young University says: “It is easy to get lost in debate on details and fail to see the overwhelming agreement of all manuscripts to the historical record of the New Testament gives every reason to assume a fairly stable transmission of the documents we possess. Similarly, we can state the same for the Old Testament.”
The United Bible Societies has documented every difference between the extant Greek manuscripts. The oldest extant text of the entire Hebrew scriptures is the Leningrad manuscript, dating back to A.D. 1009 or 1008. The accuracy of this manuscript has been confirmed by comparing it with portions of the Hebrew scriptures, especially the prophecy of Isaiah, found among the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Among all the variants there are no substantial differences nor any changes affecting the Christian faith. We may safely conclude, based on objective evidence, the Holy Bible is a reliable revelation pointing us to Almighty God, the Creator of the Universe.
The Bible is the written revelation of God. It is god's letter to the human race. The Bible tells us about God. It does not tell us all about him, but it tells us enough to authenticate the fact that there is a God. Some things about God can be known through nature, as well. The Apostle Paul informs us that through nature we may ascertain the divinity of God because we can see his power and his handiwork.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” Romans 1:18-20
The Bible is the only book which God himself has given to mankind. It contains all that is necessary for us to know concerning salvation, life after death, how to live a life pleasing to God, and about God himself.
Other faiths and religions have their own holy books. None of them is self-authenticating. All of them disagree with and fall short of the Bible in expression, in morals, in ethics. None of them faithfully reveals the one transcendent and immanent God of the Bible.
There are those who raise objections to the Christian view of the Bible. One group, for instance, says, "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly." However, they don't seem able to point out the incorrectly translated parts.
Is the Bible translated incorrectly? Dr. Richard Lloyd Anderson of Brigham Young University says: “It is easy to get lost in debate on details and fail to see the overwhelming agreement of all manuscripts to the historical record of the New Testament gives every reason to assume a fairly stable transmission of the documents we possess. Similarly, we can state the same for the Old Testament.”
The United Bible Societies has documented every difference between the extant Greek manuscripts. The oldest extant text of the entire Hebrew scriptures is the Leningrad manuscript, dating back to A.D. 1009 or 1008. The accuracy of this manuscript has been confirmed by comparing it with portions of the Hebrew scriptures, especially the prophecy of Isaiah, found among the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Among all the variants there are no substantial differences nor any changes affecting the Christian faith. We may safely conclude, based on objective evidence, the Holy Bible is a reliable revelation pointing us to Almighty God, the Creator of the Universe.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
The Five-Fingered Prayer
The following was sent to me in an email about a year and a half ago. I do not know who the author is, but it is worthy of promulgation.
1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a “sweet duty.”
2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.
3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the President, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God’s guidance.
4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.
5. And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, “The least shall be the greatest among you.” Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.
1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a “sweet duty.”
2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.
3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the President, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God’s guidance.
4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.
5. And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, “The least shall be the greatest among you.” Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Are You a Christian Weasel?
But let your communication be,
Yes, yes; No, no:
for whatever is more than these comes of evil.
Matthew 5:37
I listened yesterday to an interview with a graduate of Patrick Henry College on KPLU, an NPR radio station. Patrick Henry College, or PHC, is a Christian college that was started specifically to provide a college education for Christian home-schooled children. The school has accomplished much in the few years of its existence and its graduates are among the best in the nation.
The interviewer, in his closing question to this former student, asked if he knew the Dalai Lama, to which the young man responded that although he did not know him, he was familiar with whom he was. The interviewer then asked him if the Dalai Lama was going to Hell. The graduate replied by telling a story about a previous Dalai Lama who, when he had died, was found with a crucifix. From that he concluded that it is not our place to say such a thing because we never really know what a person really believes. As Charles Spurgeon once said, it would take India rubber lips to get around that answer.
Why are we afraid to tell the truth? Certainly, God has not set us as judges over our fellow man. However, to say that the Dalai Lama may not go to Hell is a lie. Interestingly enough, the other interviewee was a woman that had written a book about PHC in which the male had been highlighted. The author had a female PHC student living with her. One day the author’s husband asked the student, “Do you think I am going to go to Hell?” She hesitated, thinking, then said, “Yes, but I am not jumping up and down with joy over it.” She told the truth in a polite, considerate, and kindly way.
I learned long ago that beating around the bush or using weasel words only exacerbates the offense. When people realize that, in effect, you have lied to them, they will respect you and your message even less. Tact, politeness, kindness, genuine love and concern, along with a respect for the other person, will allow you to say things that are painfully truthful. Some will receive it the way it was intended; some will not.
One thing that is critically important for every person to know is that “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). About this there can be no equivocation. About this there can be no beating around the bush. There is only one way to Heaven: it is through faith in Jesus Christ, the only begotten of God. All other paths lead to Hell.
Certainly men and women who believe differently will take offense. That we cannot help. Some years ago I was witnessing to some men in a mosque and the conversation was congenial until I quoted Acts 4:12. Upon hearing that, the men became livid, excited, and for a few seconds I wondered if I would walk out of there without harm. Those men needed to hear that, though, and to have told them that if they were sincere in their desire to please God through their adherence and belief in Islam it would only rise up to judge and convict me of the most heinous and egregious cruelty at the last judgment. To have said, “Well, I really don’t know what is in your heart so maybe you’ll make it in the end” would not only have been a lie but would have served to further damn them.
The Bible gives us several examples in the book of Acts of how we should speak: Peter on the day of Pentecost, Stephen before the Sanhedrin, Paul before his tribunals. These men not only scorned weasel words, some of the things they said were blatantly offensive. But these men were filled with the Holy Spirit who gave them boldness. Maybe that’s the difference?
But let your communication be,
Yes, yes; No, no:
for whatever is more than these comes of evil.
Matthew 5:37
Yes, yes; No, no:
for whatever is more than these comes of evil.
Matthew 5:37
I listened yesterday to an interview with a graduate of Patrick Henry College on KPLU, an NPR radio station. Patrick Henry College, or PHC, is a Christian college that was started specifically to provide a college education for Christian home-schooled children. The school has accomplished much in the few years of its existence and its graduates are among the best in the nation.
The interviewer, in his closing question to this former student, asked if he knew the Dalai Lama, to which the young man responded that although he did not know him, he was familiar with whom he was. The interviewer then asked him if the Dalai Lama was going to Hell. The graduate replied by telling a story about a previous Dalai Lama who, when he had died, was found with a crucifix. From that he concluded that it is not our place to say such a thing because we never really know what a person really believes. As Charles Spurgeon once said, it would take India rubber lips to get around that answer.
Why are we afraid to tell the truth? Certainly, God has not set us as judges over our fellow man. However, to say that the Dalai Lama may not go to Hell is a lie. Interestingly enough, the other interviewee was a woman that had written a book about PHC in which the male had been highlighted. The author had a female PHC student living with her. One day the author’s husband asked the student, “Do you think I am going to go to Hell?” She hesitated, thinking, then said, “Yes, but I am not jumping up and down with joy over it.” She told the truth in a polite, considerate, and kindly way.
I learned long ago that beating around the bush or using weasel words only exacerbates the offense. When people realize that, in effect, you have lied to them, they will respect you and your message even less. Tact, politeness, kindness, genuine love and concern, along with a respect for the other person, will allow you to say things that are painfully truthful. Some will receive it the way it was intended; some will not.
One thing that is critically important for every person to know is that “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). About this there can be no equivocation. About this there can be no beating around the bush. There is only one way to Heaven: it is through faith in Jesus Christ, the only begotten of God. All other paths lead to Hell.
Certainly men and women who believe differently will take offense. That we cannot help. Some years ago I was witnessing to some men in a mosque and the conversation was congenial until I quoted Acts 4:12. Upon hearing that, the men became livid, excited, and for a few seconds I wondered if I would walk out of there without harm. Those men needed to hear that, though, and to have told them that if they were sincere in their desire to please God through their adherence and belief in Islam it would only rise up to judge and convict me of the most heinous and egregious cruelty at the last judgment. To have said, “Well, I really don’t know what is in your heart so maybe you’ll make it in the end” would not only have been a lie but would have served to further damn them.
The Bible gives us several examples in the book of Acts of how we should speak: Peter on the day of Pentecost, Stephen before the Sanhedrin, Paul before his tribunals. These men not only scorned weasel words, some of the things they said were blatantly offensive. But these men were filled with the Holy Spirit who gave them boldness. Maybe that’s the difference?
Yes, yes; No, no:
for whatever is more than these comes of evil.
Matthew 5:37
Friday, October 19, 2007
Baptist Distinctives
What makes a Baptist a Baptist? Someone once said that Baptists are like Heinz's products — 57 varieties. There are Southern Baptists and Northern Baptists (now called American Baptists, Hardshell Baptists, Softshell Baptists, Reformed Baptists, Missionary Baptists, General Association of Regular Baptists, Independent Baptists, Bible Baptists, Fundamental Baptists, Full Gospel Baptists, Seventh-Day Baptists, and many more. And that is just in North America. Although there are some significant and polarizing differences among these different Baptist denominations, there are certain things that most, if not all, Baptists hold in common: the Baptist distinctives.
- Baptists believe in the authority of the Bible. The Bible is the first and final word in matters of belief and behavior.
- Baptists believe in soul liberty. That means that each individual may believe according to the dictates of his or her own conscience.
- Baptist believe in the autonomy of the local church. Each church is independent of hierarchical control. Churches are free to associate with other churches and religious bodies but are under no compulsion to do so.
- Priesthood of all believers.
- Baptists believe there are but two ordinances, preferring not to use the term sacrament. The two ordinances are believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
- Baptists believe in a regenerate (born again), or saved church membership.
- Baptists believe there are only two church offices: pastors and deacons.
- Baptists believe in the separation of Church and State. This is understood to mean that the State cannot dictate to the Church nor is the Church to control the State.
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