Category Archives: Theology

The Faith of Satan

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We’re studying the Gospel of Mark in our Sunday morning small group, and my wife was fascinated by one of the stories in chapter one.  As this person possessed by a demon is approached by Jesus, he identifies Jesus and asks why he is there.  Jesus at once commands his silence, then casts out the unclean spirit.  This event was early in his ministry, and Jesus didn’t want anyone blabbing out who he really was just yet.  On at least one occasion, Jesus will instruct those just healed to tell no one what has happened.  The interested thing, though, is that the demonic spirit knew immediately that Jesus was the Holy One of God when he saw him.  Many people would listen to the sermons, see the signs and wonders, and still not believe.  Jesus would read from the prophets, have long talks with leaders such as Nicodemus, and still people would walk away puzzled not knowing what to believe.  But any demon or unclean spirit Jesus encountered at once knew who he was, and often questioned if they were to be punished before the time.  We should not be surprised at their apparent knowledge. 

Jesus exists from everlasting to everlasting with God.  The Nicene Creed describes him as being the eternally begotten Son of God.  Before their fall from grace, the angelic beings worshipped God (and his Son) in heaven.  Consider also the temptation of Jesus by Satan in the wilderness.  The devil can quote scripture, no doubt.  And just why was he offering Jesus all this stuff anyway?  He knew that by following God’s plan, Jesus could ruin all of his plans.  Herod had tried to kill Jesus as an infant, now Satan would attempt to derail his ministry just as it was beginning.  Just because someone believes in God or knows scripture doesn’t make them a true believer.  This is illustrated by James 2:19 that says “…even the devils believe and shudder.”  They know the scripture, the prophesies, and even the God that created them better than we do.

The Importance of the Gospel in the New Teastament

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Paul wrote to the Galatians how astonished he was that they so quickly departed from the gospel that they were taught.  Paul wrote to the Corinthian church that he wanted them to only know Christ and him crucified.  Paul praised the church at Philippi for being partners with him in the gospel.  And in what I think is the most obvious lesson of the importance of the gospel, in Mark chp. 1 Jesus preaches his first sermon, telling people to repent and believe the gospel. 

Gal 1:6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

1 Cor. 2:1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

Phil. 1:3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

Mark 1:14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Jesus himself gave the example: the gospel is the most important thing that the world needs to hear.  His earthly ministry was very short, and he had no time to waste.  But in his very first sermon he preached the gospel (Greek for “good news” by the way).  Recall the words of the Great Commission: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”  His first and last words to an audience was the importance of the gospel. 

The Apostle Paul wrote about two-thirds of what we call the New Testament.  It is clear on several occassions that he believed sharing the gospel was the most important use of our time and energy.  I’ve said this before: If I could talk to every preacher, I would say above all else, “Preach the gospel.”  The world needs to hear more than anything else Christians have to say that Jesus saves!  He is the way, the truth and the life.  God doesn’t just judge the world, he provides escape from judgement.  God doesn’t just hand out rules, he provides grace because he knows we will all fail at the rules anyway.  Our God is an awesome God, and the only way to come to him is by believing in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Let’s make that what people see and hear when they listen to Christians or come into our churches, not all the other junk they see and hear and think we are about. 

Be the salt, be the light, let’s cut the crap. 

Mission Statements

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This is not a paid endorsement for Wal-Mart, just an example of brand recognition.  For years Wal-Mart has associated themselves with the phrase “Always low prices.  Always.”  It is common practice these days for every corporation and business entity to have a mission statement.  Where I work is no different.  I teach at a private Christian school, and the administration feels very strongly about each of committing our mission statement to memory.  What is the value of the mission statement?  It makes sure that everyone stays on the same page.  Any organization can start off well, and forget what it is they are supposed to be doing.  It happens in business, it happens to churches, it could happen anywhere.  I’ve written before about what “God honoring, Christ centered” is doing in my banner.  It’s more than a slogan or motto.  It keeps me focused on what it is I’m doing here.  That’s what every mission statement is designed to do; let everyone know, including the people working there, what the stated objective is.  It helps people working together to focus. 

As Christians, we have a responsibility to be on mission.  Whatever your ministry is, we have a general statement of mission given to us all.  In Mark 16:15 Jesus told his followers to go into all the world and preach the gospel.  Four times in Revelation the people of God are described as being from every tribe, language and nation.  We are to spread the gospel message to all people in all parts of the earth.  If the good people at Wal-Mart know what their mission is, how much more should we the people of God remember ours?

Catholics, Protestants, and 400 denominations

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When you meet a person on the street and say that you are a Christian, what you mean by that and what a stranger thinks may be galaxies apart from each other.  Bill Maher has commented on how ridiculous it is to believe that a cracker turns into the body of a guy that’s been dead for 2,000 years, and your salvation depends on eating it.  That’s one way in which the outside world views Christianity.  And when other people hear that, that’s what they think of all Christians.  The reference is to the Roman Catholic teaching of transubstantiation, and most Protestants find it ridiculous also; yet they break the bread and take the cup.  That’s just one example of thousands where Christians disagree.

I wrote an article in April called Roman Catholic Christians  in which I listed several things that Baptists and Catholics agree on, all having to do with the work and divinity of Jesus Christ.  Recently there have been some new comments, and I’ve responded to those, but that’s so far back I decided to bring it up again.  Continue reading →

Salt of the Earth

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Matthew 5:13 is probably a familiar passage for most of us.  Jesus tells his listeners during the sermon on the mount that they are the “salt of the earth.”  You have likely heard many sermons on what it takes to be salt, how to be the salt, and how a little salt can make a big difference.  Jesus goes on to say that without saltiness, salt isn’t good for anything.  Just what is this saltiness he refers to? Continue reading →

Jesus is God

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I’m on vacation this week, and haven’t written much.  I’m linking to an excellent post entitled Jesus is God Incarnate.  The name of the blog is Fundamental Christianity. Maybe you are, maybe you’re not fundamentalist, but the centrality of Jesus Christ in scripture and his deity are not up for disscusion if you’re a Christian believer.  Check out the post and see if you agree, I’ll be back in one week.

Creeds of the Christian Faith

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I wrote a post a couple of months back about answering questions that kids/youth might ask about the Apostles Creed.  I mentioned both the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed in the article, but did not include the text nor link to the full text of either one.  Someone hit my blog searching for the Nicene Creed, so I thought “Hey, you should link those things.” 

The Apostles Creed, and the longer Nicene Creed, are statements of belief.  They come from the early centuries of the Christian church, and represent the common ground that all believers in Christ share.  You can link here for the Apostles Creed,and read a couple of different incarnations of the creed, as well as view it in Latin and Greek.  Click here for the Nicene Creed.

I hope these links provide a valuable resource.  If anyone finds the information inaccurate, please let me know.  The post I wrote on May 1st entitled Tough Questions is about what it means in the Apostles Creed that Jesus “descended into hell.”  Go to Tough Questions to weigh in on that issue.

Links to good resources

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I have a blogroll on the right sidebar with links to some very good blogs.  If you like this blog, you might enjoy reading some of those as well.  They are the blogs I read.  I do not have a list of links to other sites and resources, however, and think it’s time to start one.  I would like to begin by sharing some of the places I go to do research or ask my own questions. 

ESV.org is where I link all my scripture references to in this blog.  Biblegateway.com allows you to look up passages or search keywords in any Bible version you wish.  Many versions have audio passages available for you to listen to.  Bible Gateway is part of Gospel Communications which puts a vast supply of resources at your disposal.  Gospel.com is another example. 

I just discovered a new resource, a website called Faith Facts.  I submitted a question of my own as a matter of fact, and am waiting for a reply.  Discovering Faith Facts is the reason I decided to write this post and start a list of links in my sidebar that contains resources others might find helpful.  Faith Facts is set up to answer questions and explain issues dealing with theology and apologetics.  I blog about these issues, but they’re site is set up more like an FAQ, and is divided into topics that you search or browse. 

These are sites/ resources that have helped me in the past.  I’m open to your suggestions of others.

Aladdin’s Lamp Christianity

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There are children starving in Africa.  3-year-olds are raped and then murdered.  Millions of people in the world have cancer, HIV, and other diseases for which we have no cure.  Gasoline is over $4 a gallon.  I can’t believe in a God that would allow all these things to happen in the world. 

Have you ever heard an argument like this, or some variation thereof?  We live in a screwed up world, there is no argument about that.  I believe in working to find a cure for AIDS, feeding the hungry of the world, and any other humanitarian cause you can think of.  But none of these problems can be put together in a equation that equals God does not exist.  Continue reading →

Give us a sign.

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The Pharisees ask Jesus for a sign on two separate occasions, in Matthew 12 and again in Matthew 16.  Both times Jesus replied that a wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign.  In the second case, Jesus had just miraculously feed a crowd of 4,000; but if he showed them one more sign, then they would believe.  Continue reading →