Somewhere about the time Columbus "sailed the waters blue," a seed of thought began germinating in the minds of many Europeans -- a seed which took root in the New World and sprang into a giant American tree during the next 500 years. This worldview saw "Progress" as the ultimate human goal, with the roads to that goal being Science (providing insight), Technology (providing power) and Economic Growth (providing wealth). That philosophy was "Modernism," and by the end of the 20th century its promises were exposed as false. In its place has evolved a new philosophy, "Postmodernism." Because … [Read more...]
Archives for 2012
THOSE WHO NEVER HEARD (2)
A gracEmail reader writes, "Our Bible class had a discussion concerning individuals who were not able to hear the gospel before they died. Several stated that all those people would be lost. What do you believe will happen to such according to the Bible?" * * * God's judgment will be completely righteous, for he will judge all people by the light they actually possessed rather than by some standard of which they had no knowledge (Rom. 2:12). Not everyone received the Ten Commandments, or the Golden Rule -- but every human being with moral consciousness has God's revelation in creation (Rom. … [Read more...]
THOSE WHO NEVER HEARD (1)
"What about those," asks a reader, "who, through no fault of their own, never hear the gospel during this life? Must we assume that all such people will finally perish?" * * * It is absolutely true that no one will be saved except through the atonement which Jesus has accomplished (Acts 4:12; 1 Tim. 2:5-6). It is also true that many people will be saved by Jesus' atonement who, in this life, never understood that Jesus' atonement had taken place. Christians historically place in that category all faithful people who lived before Jesus, both Jew and Gentile (Rom. 3:23-30). Many Christians … [Read more...]
NATURAL EVANGELISM
One gracEmail subscriber draws back from the thought of approaching strangers to distribute evangelistic leaflets. Another subscriber feels unable to engage in door-to-door "cold campaigning" such as is done by Jehovah's Witnesses but also feels guilty in this regard. A third subscriber rejects such outreach methods totally as being impersonal, insisting that evangelism requires a personal relationship to be genuinely authentic. And a fourth subscriber suggests that not every Christian is gifted to be an evangelist, just as not all are teachers, pastors or prophets. * * * Clearly the … [Read more...]
WORKING FOR THE LORD
I pull into the urban strip center and enter the storefront with the sign "Anchor Box Co." I have run out of mailing bags and have come to buy a quantity supply at wholesale. This is a warehouse operation, not an air-conditioned store. Yet the young man who greets me seems genuinely happy. He even responds to grumblers with a smile. He never appears frustrated or angry, even when the line is long and patience is short. I have observed him now for more than a year. "You have really made an impression on me," I say. "Yours is not a particularly pleasant job, yet you always seem polite. Your … [Read more...]
WEARINESS, WORK AND WEALTH
A Christian professional student writes, "Proverbs 23:4 says not to weary yourself to obtain wealth. Does that rule out my accepting a job with a large firm that requires its associates to work 60-80 hours per week?" * * * I commend you for raising this question. God will help you decide the answer for yourself as you prayerfully consider some fundamental spiritual principles. Success in any endeavor is God's gift. "Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it" (Psalm 127:1). For that reason, it is futile to seek ultimate fulfillment in one's work. "It is vain for you to … [Read more...]
TWIN TYRANTS
A gracEmail reader who works hard to do good and to help others feels sad and frustrated because his work often goes unnoticed, while others who seemingly do less work and do it less well receive public attention and praise. He asks how to find freedom from his disappointment and dismay. * * * Your experience and struggle are common for God's people. Perhaps the key (which I do not always properly use myself) is in doing our work "for the Lord" in the first place and at each step along the way. Then we need only his approval -- of which we may be sure when we have done our work with love and … [Read more...]
MY PROFESSION AND MY PROVIDER
Yesterday I had two "new client" conferences. These are introductory sessions with clients whose cases my law firm has been unable to settle without filing a lawsuit and whose cause I will be representing as attorney through the process of litigation. In both cases, these clients seem clearly in the right, although their damages are so relatively small that litigation expenses will likely prevent any "in-pocket" recovery after paying medical bills. When the case is over, I will probably substantially reduce my contractual fees so the clients can net something for their trouble. The clients … [Read more...]
PREACHER’S AGONY
A young preacher who has just accepted a new position writes that when he first interviewed at the non-creedal church, he expressed his honest beliefs about the work of the Holy Spirit and concerning the role of women in the church which he knew were different from the church's traditional views. About half the church agrees with the preacher and half hold to the traditional understanding. The preacher puts a high priority on loving God and loving people. However, some members stated at a recent congregational meeting that "we believe [our traditional church] doctrine and if that doesn't work … [Read more...]
LAZY PREACHERS
A sister in Mid-America writes that she loves her minister and his family but that the man is simply lazy. Wouldn't it be better, she asks, to divert the considerable sum of money paid in salaries to preachers every year to needy people or other good works? * * * Neither Scripture nor common sense encourages people to support someone who will not work, whether that individual stands behind a pulpit or sits quietly in a pew (2 Thes. 3:10-12). Since preachers are normal people, they manifest all the traits of human beings in general, both good and bad. While larger churches of most varieties … [Read more...]
