The Kingdom Come

In Christian theological circles we often see certain words used quite often; words not necessarily specifically in the Bible.  Not that every word we use in Christianity has to be specifically from the Bible -- look at the word "Trinityⁱ" after all. (see link) By the way, I am solidly Trinitarian before anyone misunderstands. I wanted to look at 3 specific words and their meanings.

Roderick Edwards, after 2 years of fighting against the heresy of hyperpreterism has left the cause.  After long being identified as the guy who fights against hyperpreterism, to the point of what some people considered obsession.  I thank God that events came about that made me see that the "new" approach to fighting hyperpreterism is really nothing but a compromise with it.

I want to apologize to hyperpreterists who may remain in that heresy longer than you may, now that even the "cause" against hyperpreterism is beginning to validate it -- you may remain in it longer, feeling it is valid.  Everyone I've known who has REALLY left hyperpreterism, not just moved to a modified verision of it, has done so by realizing the entire proposition is error.

Please listen to the 9 minute audio explaining the issue.

Download to your computer by right clicking the following link and SAVE AS:

http://thekingdomcome.com/kingdomcommentaries/newisold11192009.mp3

Listen to it streamed on this website by going here:

http://thekingdomcome.com/content/kingdom_commentaries

America perhaps has lost its way.  America used to be a shining city on a hill, an example of freedom done the right way.  Whether by peaceful example or after wars, America would export its most precious commodity; "American Exceptionalism".  American Exceptionalism was the notion America is not merely an extension of European culture, but is uniquely positioned as a truly immigrant developed country.  A country that represents the best of the nations.

Imagine for a moment that what the evolutionists say is true, that humans are merely evolved hairless apes. Let us explore the rationality of such a belief.

We will not attempt to refute the concept but for a moment, we will assume it is true.  If we are nothing but hairless apes, why then do we restrain ourselves from doing whatsoever we desire?  I mean, if a person can get away with theft, murder, rape and anything that may be self-serving why not do it?

Are all Bible translations created equal? More than just a discussion over dynamic or formal equivalence (see link), is the simple question of whether a translation can dramatically affect a person's doctrine.

For example, two translations are "The Message Bible" and the "NIV".

Let's start with an example from "The Message Bible", Mt 18:15-17 concerning how to deal with a Christian who has sinned against you. Most should know this passage; about going to the offender privately, then taking two witnesses, next take it before the church, then finally, a writing off of the person as a "heathen or tax-collector" if the person doesn't repent. Look how "The Message Bible" renders this passage:

Most of the time you will hear a Christian witness or evangelize an unbeliever by saying something like "Jesus died for you", or "Jesus has a wonderful plan for your life", or "If you died today are you certain where you will spend eternity?"

Is this how we are supposed to witness?  Is this how we see the apostles doing it in the Bible?

Perhaps of all places in the Bible, Acts 17:16-34 is the most relevant example to our modern, agnostic world.  In the account, we see Paul witnessing to Greek unbelievers.  Notice how he uses what they already believe or acknowledge.

Nothing is more discouraging than betrayal and perhaps nothing more discouraging to Christians than betrayal by other Christians. Christians are supposed to CONTEND FOR THE FAITH...but not just any faith, since heretics like to redefine "faith", we must declare loudly, the rest of the verse:

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 1:3)

It is the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. One thing all heresies have in common is that they are advocating some "new" faith, never practiced by the saints.

As October 31st approaches, the traditional day when Martin Luther supposedly posted on the Wittenberg Church door his 95 points of protest, I thought it would be useful to go through those points.  With so many Christians, and even heretics pointing to Luther as their role model, it seems important to see and understand what it was he was trying to say.

Having been to Hispaniola over five times, visiting the supposed yet disputed site of Christopher Columbus' burial and the palace where his son Diego Colon resided I have an special interest in the history of Columbus.

As the United States of America commemorates "Columbus Day" there has been mixed reception.  Was Columbus an explorer and discoverer of the New World, or was he a barbarous, murderer who brought death?

One thing that greatly impressed me about Columbus was his journal.  I had checked a copy of his journal out a few times from our local library.  In the journal, as we would expect for the period, Columbus gives much praise and honor to Christ and even makes references to the Spanish victory over the Muslim Moors.  What a person will glean from the journals is that Columbus was more interested in using his voyage to India to learn the best method to convert people to Christ.  This is a far different picture than a gold hungry Columbus.