Great answer on the 10 Commandments. Jesus never eliminated the law, in fact he went far in explaining it, not only in the passage below but the whole teaching on the Sermon on the Mount. Mat 22:34 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Mat… Continue reading It is Finished!
Author: Ron Francis
Older Article, still timely….
A fairly challenging article...of course we can always just change the scripture to say what we want, or not say what we don’t like, or add to it things it doesn’t say. That began long ago. But the “Ashamed” word captures, the essence of everyday avoidance. Problem is finding the right path to not be… Continue reading Older Article, still timely….
Is Christianity a Life or Is it a Doctrine?
Well worth reading, maybe it’s just obvious to the readers. But I know of only one church where the pastor regularly teaches through creeds and confessions. It’s more popular to focus on feelings and emotions, and “our better lives now” applications. Perhaps we miss something.
Mike, you are one of my favorite writers, over the years I’ve come to appreciate your writing and generally agree with what you say and how you express it. better than I can say it. Much like you experienced, my last 20+ years has been a journey into more reading and understanding of the Bible, and creeds and confessions, that express Biblical truth, and doctrine.
Along the way we both encountered J Gresham Machen, I read his book years ago, in which he writes, almost 100 years ago, on the changes taking place in the church. One can only imagine what he would say about the multitude changes that have taken place since then.
Mike’s article below is simple and to the point. The place of doctrine (which just means teaching) is so foundational. In fact so foundational, Jesus explains the whole OT teaches about him and his life. The resurrection is the cornerstone on which these truths are witnessed and confirmed.
Luk 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
Luk 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
Luk 24:46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
Luk 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Luk 24:48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
1 Corinthians 15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
Mike’s ending quote from Machen says this very thing….
“They came forward, not merely with an exhortation or with a program, but with a message,–with an account of something that had happened a short time before. “Christ died for our sins,” they said, “according to the Scriptures; he was buffed; he has been raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” – J. Gresham Machen”
I suggest everyone read the full Machen article, Mike posted last year.(see the link). And pick up a copy of the book.
by Mike Ratliff
6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. 1 Timothy 4:6 (NASB)
From January 1986 until the late fall of 2005 I probably would have, if asked, responded to the question in the title that Christianity is a life or at least a relationship while doctrine, though unnecessary, helps us understand that. I didn’t really believe during that time that doctrine was of any real value. Why? My whole understanding of Christianity is that it is based on my experience. For some odd reason I didn’t think much past that in an attempt to understand why my experience would be so radically different than other Christians’ experience.
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Strange Fire
Timely article Mike. Not a message we hear often today. If one searches on The Regulative Principle of Worship a number of other good articles can be found explaining this Reformed Biblical concept, summarized in both the Westminster and Belgic Confessions. Most ignore it today, and practice whatever they wish or will or feel good about. Or they focus on the pragmatic, whatever builds the largest church must be used. As for Strange Fire there was a good conference on that a few years ago, still online. And the American Gospel documentaries show many of the more extreme misdirections, the world, not just the US, follow. Just earlier this month Justin Peters did another documentary on the World of Faith churches.
But there have been warnings since the beginning:
Act 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Act 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Act 20:31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
by Mike Ratliff
1 Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. 2 And fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. Leviticus 10:1-2 (NASB)
9 But you are A chosen race, A royal priesthood, A holy nation, A people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10 (NASB)
Until 2004 I could not stand to read some Old Testament books such as Leviticus and Job. I…
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Rainbow Trout 