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“Post Tenebras Lux” is the Latin phrase meaning “After darkness, light”, which is found on the wall behind a monument to the Reformers in Geneva, Switzerland. The metaphor conveys the fact that the light of the gospel had been eclipsed by the dark medieval period of Church history, but was allowed to shine again as God blessed the labors of the Reformers. Their labors involved two tasks. First, they had to push away the lies. Second, they had to shine the truth. [Read more...]
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And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (Ephesians 4: 11-14)
While I don’t agree with all that this video said, I do agree that if you say a prayer, whether it be the “sinner’s prayer,” or other and you are not speaking from your heart, it will recieve little attention from the Lord. I also think he made a good point about being a 7 day a week christian. I think the Lord definitely frowns on those who make their once a week appearance in the church and then do as they please the rest. There are many ways to be a christian during the week, from helping a little old lady across the street to listening to someone in distress. Another point I like is that we are responsible for our own salvation, not the preacher. The preacher, teacher, pastor, etc., is suppose to be there to assist you on your journey.
I like the idea of churches and their organizations, I think they have done many good things in the name of Christ and I’m reasonable sure they don’t all get it done “perfectly.” – is it me or did the video reflect some resentment, and possibly anger at the church of this young man’s childhood?
I believe the resentment of this guy is that like many of us today he was lied to!!!! Many people are told just pray and ask GOD to come into your heart and you will have a better life now. This is not what is spoken of in the bible!! The gospel in the bible is to repent (turn from your sins) and believe (in the finished work of JESUS CHRIST on the cross, that JESUS took the wrath of GOD for the sins of HIS children) Mark 1:15 and Isiah 53:10. So yes this guy may have some resentment, but I believe that it is right, some one told him that although he lived an unrighteous life he would still inherit the kingdom of GOD because ther was a time in his life that he prayed a prayer. 1 John 3:9-10
Do you not think that he should feel some resentment for being lied to about such a major major thing…eternal life or eternal damnation???
A lie is a type of deception in the form of an untruthful statement, especially with the intention to deceive others, often with the further intention to maintain a secret or reputation, protect someone’s feelings or to avoid a punishment. To lie is to state something that one knows to be false . . . . . (Wikipedia – Lie)
I suppose if he felt he had been lied to, then he would of course have resentment and anger. Of course as a christian, he would be striving to overcome these feelings and probably shouldn’t let them influence his preaching of the gospel. Especially he wouldn’t want to use these emotions to motivate or influence others to be resentful or angry, because then he would be doing the same thing that he felt had been done to him.
On the matter of whether he was actually lied to or not, I think that only he can make that decision. Many people in this world have many sincere beliefs and they teach them to their children. These people are very sincere in what they believe (right or wrong). In no way could someone in this category be classified as a liar or deciever. If his parents and his preacher, Sunday school teacher, etc, had actually purposely decieved him, then I think he is justified only in that he decided to go to another church, belief, etc. But, I don’t think he can justify the anger and resentment for long. I think it goes without saying that anger and resentment are tools of the devil.
Arejay,
Thanks. You seemed to state two beliefs at the end of your statement…
1. He could not justify his anger and resentment for long.
2. Anger and resentment are tools of the devil.
If that is what you meant, I was “just wondering” what Scriptures led you to those two beliefs?
Thanks again.
A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. (Prov. 15:18)
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you . . . (Eph. 4:31
Just Wondering, I think I see what you mean, maybe a better word would have been “rationalize,” instead of “justify.” I think where a lot of people get in trouble is when they try to rationalize (creating an excuse or more attractive explanation – Webster) their behavior, instead of fessing up (repent) and taking it to the Lord and then modifying their behavior so that it is pleasing unto Him. Since most people want to be seen as a good person, it is sometimes easy to convince oneself that what they did may not have been so bad, or is really ok, because it accomplished something good, when in reality, even a small indiscretion calls for repentence. Thanks for pointing that out.
I have traveled a similar journey of faith as this young man so it resonates deeply with me. His passion and zeal are quite evident and not to be easily nor quickly dismissed. I applaud this website for making such a bold effort to engage our post-modern culture with the deep truths of our reformed faith.
Our churches have grown accustomed to very narrow channels of communication; our primary method is this… gather a crowd, sit them down in front of us, tell them what we want them to hear. Guess what? It’s not working anymore! People want dialogue, not a lecture.
Thank you, ADMIN, for allowing us to talk back. That is already more than most churches are doing.
You are the new provacateaur. Embrace your mission, my friend, but brace for turbulence.
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Tim. 6:10)
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; (1 Peter 5:2)
Dirk, I agree that it’s not working any more. With the multitude of challenges that Christians face today, there is a fracturing effect going on, where the traditional churches are having a hard time holding onto their younger members. Everything is being tried from the same old scare tactics (upgraded of course) to entertaining the audience. When I was younger and I had a question, the answer was always, “it’s in the Bible, look it up.” So, I did. And no one seemed to like the answers I found. So, I eventually fell away and then eventually found my way back (different establishment this time). One of the thoughts that I have never been able to get out of my mind (and this IS a can of worms), is this; Men (and women) who lead a church and get paid for it. How do they seperate the job from the calling? Most have spent 4 or more years in school, and then they go out into the world and look for work. Their employer (church) has certain standards by which they employ him. There are many situations, such as . . what if he angers some of the more “predominant” members of the church with his sermons, deviates from the mainstream beliefs of this particular church, etc. I am not against leadership. I think a church should have it and it should be sound. I’m only asking if it might be better for a leader of a church to be employed outside of the church. His financial independence would ease the financial burden of the church, his experiences would be more in line with the congregation (a plus for counseling), and there would have to be a more involved congregation with the visiting of members and such. Anybody else have any thoughts on this?
@arejay – I agree with your thoughts on ministers. I’ve seen to often preachers afraid to preach the truth because it may ruffle some feathers in the congregation. What is the difference between holding back some truth and lying? Why are some evangelist more “effective” than preachers? Evangelists can preach the whole truth and not worry about all of the lost people who are running the church throwing a fit. They preach their sermons for a few days or a week and are gone to another church.
It appears most preachers are nothing more than referees trying to maintain balance between the lost and saved members.
Great website, keep up the good work
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (1 Cor. 1-3)
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:17)
Thanks Truth. I like your point about Evangelists vs. Preachers. But I feel there is a need for both. There must be leadership in the each congregation. An Evangelist can not lead a congregation, this is not the nature of his calling (being mobile); He is usually invited by the minister to invigorate his congregation. I had to laugh when I read your comments on refereeing (being sports minded). But, if a leader has to referee, then he has to referee. As far as ruffling feathers, we all know that happens, and the minister, preacher, etc., should deal with it the best he can. I think a minister, preacher, etc., has to preach to the lowest level of spirituality in his congregation, otherwise he could be preaching meat before milk to someone. A person’s spirituality is that individual person’s responsibility, not the preacher, minister, etc. Through prayer, scripure study, service work to those in need, and church attendence, a person can grow as much as they want. (”as they want” being the key words.) A leader’s job is to encourage his congregation to become more spiritual and to give them the basic outline of how this can be done. This can be a truly challenging task.