Almost 2,000 years ago, following the atoning sacrifice made by Jesus Christ and his exaltation in heaven, God poured out his Spirit on Jesus’ followers on the earth. Those events marked the beginning of the Last Days -- a time of salvation and messianic blessings to believers in all nations. This era, foretold by the prophets, will continue until Jesus returns to judge the world and to bring about the consummation of God’s everlasting Kingdom. During the interim, Jesus is present with his people through the Holy Spirit – and he immerses them in his personal Presence and power. 1. THE … [Read more...]
THE ADVENTISTS
1. William Miller, forerunner of the Adventist revival, was: a. the son of a Baptist minister, expelled from his church for having visions; b. originally Wilhelm Harvischt, a con artist who worked from a big tent; c. a New York farmer's son, valiant U.S. Army officer, later a sheriff and justice of the peace, an unbeliever who became a sacrificial, self-taught gospel preacher. 2. When Miller began preaching in 1831, most U.S. Christian denominations taught: a. that Jesus could return at any moment; b. that Jesus had returned secretly in 1776; c. that Jesus would not return … [Read more...]
Bennie Lee Fudge
Following is chapter 4 from Edward’s autobiographical book, The Sound of His Voice: Discovering the Secrets of God’s Guidance. In this chapter he remembers his father -- Benjamin ("Bennie") Lee Fudge (1914-1972) -- the unique, colorful publisher, author, preacher and always disciple of Jesus Christ. Copyright 1995 by Edward Fudge. For more information or to order The Sound of His Voice, click here . Chapter 4 And in my Father's Image There have been Fudges since at least the 12th or 13th century in England. Although I cannot prove it, I am confident that my ancestor Jacob Fudge, Sr., … [Read more...]
MEDICAL MISSIONARY KIDNAPPED
Dr. Bob Whittaker, Director of the Nigerian Christian Hospital (also known as International Health Care Foundation), was kidnapped by armed gunmen this past Sunday night from his home in southern Nigeria. The abducters have since demanded ransom. Dr. Whittaker and a security guard both were injured by shots. Please pray for both men and their families, and pray for God to perform a miraculous work in the criminals' hearts. For updates, and for more about this medical mission, click here (www.ihcf.net). FOLLOW-UP: DOCTOR RELEASED Dr. Bob Whittaker, whose abduction we announced in Monday's … [Read more...]
John Stott: model of kingdom greatness
He chose the bachelor life to devote himself more fully to the gospel--but when he died last Wednesday, thousands mourned the loss of their beloved "Uncle John." Although Chaplain to the Queen of England, he lived in simple quarters. He was "one of the 100 most influential people in the world," Time magazine opined, yet he traveled in a small car that was second-hand. Those who knew him best recall his humble spirit and recite his deeds of quiet service. And last Wednesday, July 27, 2011, a few close friends and relatives at his bedside read aloud the words of St. Paul who also fought the good … [Read more...]
WHAT ABOUT FREEMASONRY?
A gracEmail subscriber writes, "The Masonic Lodge has as its goal 'to make a good man better.' The Masons I know live Christian lives and insist that the lodge is neither a religion nor a substitute for church. Do you know much about this organization, and if so, what is your opinion of it?" * * * Freemasonry is a world-wide brotherhood which exists for the mutual help and fraternal association of its members, but whose secret character, quasi-religious teaching, blood oaths and mysterious rituals have since the 1700s earned the official condemnation of the Roman Catholic Church and the … [Read more...]
A LOVING CHALLENGE TO THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH (3 of 3)
When I began my scholarly research project on the topic of final punishment in the late 1970's, I assumed that the traditional view of unending conscious torment rested on biblical revelation. As I delved deeply into the actual texts of Scripture, the literature between the Testaments, and the writings of the church fathers and Reformers, I was flabbergasted to discover that my assumption was completely false -- and to uncover the historical origins of unending torment in ancient pagan philosophy. I was so shocked initially at the fruit of this research that I briefly considered boxing up … [Read more...]
A LOVING CHALLENGE TO THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH (2 of 3)
In the late 1970's, I undertook a year-long professional research project on the doctrine of final punishment. Almost immediately, I began to discover that my very fine biblical and theological training had overlooked many startling facts. How many of the following facts of Scripture and church history catch you by surprise? * * * 1. The Old Testament utilizes some 50 Hebrew verbs and 75 figures of speech to describe the ultimate end of the wicked -- and every one sounds exactly like total extinction. 2. The notion of unending conscious torment arose for the first time in anything … [Read more...]
A LOVING CHALLENGE TO THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH (1 of 3)
Are you ready for a challenge to your thinking? If so, read on. (If not, perhaps you will want to read no further.) For 1500 years, most Christians have assumed as true a doctrine which . . . 1. Is nowhere found in the Word of God; 2. Sprang from explicitly pagan presuppositions; 3. Slanders the character of God and the Lord Jesus Christ; 4. Prevailed in Protestantism for political, not biblical, reasons; and 5. Has been rejected by an increasing number of such faithful scholars as W. Graham Scroggie, John R. W. Stott, Philip Edgcumbe Hughes, F. F. Bruce, John W. Wenham, Clark … [Read more...]
WORSHIP WARS WITH SUBSTANCE
If ever we think the church today encounters internal tensions over forms and styles of worship, commonly styled "worship wars," an article in the current issue of Books and Culture, an online subscription magazine from the publishers of Christianity Today, sets matters in perspective. Titled "So Blessed a Liturgy: The Book of Common Prayer," the piece by Wheaton College Professor Alan Jacobs recounts some of the turmoil that accompanied the stormy transition of the Church of England from Roman Catholic doctrine and practice under King Henry VIII to its early reformation under Henry's son … [Read more...]