MacArthur's Life Testimony, The Bible's Trustworthiness, & Gospel Tract Tips For Doctor Appointments

A TESTIMONY WORTH YOUR TIME
I came across John MacArthur's life testimony online the other week, and though I had heard some of the things before, I found it fascinating.  You can listen to or read it for yourself.
(It is not the same as the video that Tim Challies put out recently.)

John's Life Testimony

IS YOUR BIBLE TRUSTWORTHY?

Do we have the Word of God today?
Don Green answers this question on The Truth Pulpit.

Ancient Manuscripts and Biblical Authority, #1

GOSPEL TRACT TIPS

Perhaps you have already been placing tracts at different locations.

If you have some good tracts, medical offices are places where many people do get bored while waiting.
I have seen people pick up a tract, so I know that some do get viewed (though someone may toss them).

I have not used tracts from the site that the video below mentions.
I recommend carefully reading the texts of tracts on any tract site and selecting only the ones that line up best with Scripture.

Christian Fiction - Solid Doctrine Needed!

When I was growing up, I did a lot of reading of fiction books.

I still read some fiction (though not nearly as much as I did when I was younger).

A lot of books purport to be "Christian" fare, but they either support false doctrine, a false gospel, use bad language, advocate women's lib., put men and women in compromising situations, appeal to lust, and have "Christians" who don't seem to care whether a potential spouse is a believer or not.

Also, there is very little fiction written by people who believe in the doctrines of grace and have solid Theological views.

What people write reflects their values and the teaching they have or have not received.

Sadly, much of the writing out there reveals the lack of solid Biblical knowledge and practical wisdom of many professing Christians.

Writers need to think about what they are writing and what its purpose is.

Will it lead people to sin?  

Will it reflect godly truths and values or lead people to accept values that don't honor God?

Will it lead them to antinomianism (an abuse of grace) or legalism (works-based religion) or eisegetical false teaching?

Will your writing lead people to the Gospel and wise behavior, or will it lead them to sensuality, worldliness, and heresy?

Some would throw out fiction altogether, but even "entertainment" can be a subtle way to encourage each other to love and good deeds and obedience, present Biblical doctrine, and direct unbelievers to the Gospel.  

It can be challenging, and yet, it can also be enjoyable.  

It can reflect real struggles, but with a purpose.

  

There are some good books out there, but sadly they are few and far between.

I really believe that it would be a great idea for more book writers to run their writing by someone (or more than one person) who is doctrinally sound before having it printed or selling it in any format.

Even those of us who write blogs could use some feedback if we get way off track.

Whether it's for kids or teens or adults, I want to encourage those who do write to write for the glory of God, and as a result, what you write may influence people.  

It may be more subtle, but it really can.

It's not a substitute for Bible study, but it can have benefits.

Discernment - Truth Offends

There are many people wittingly or unwittingly bringing error and heresy into the church.
Some of them have conferences that people are encouraged to attend or stream into the church.
There are times when a lot of truth is taught, and yet a little poison can do much damage.
They can be men or women.

Christians need to be discerning, and we need to know the Scriptures to be able to examine what we hear to see - whether these things are so.
Sometimes some thing may sound wise or even Scriptural when you look at a verse or two, but then we still need to look at ALL of the Scriptures.
It is easy to be fooled, and some people teach in ambiguous terminology that can even confuse me as to their meaning.

There are some people who call people heretics when the people accused are teaching Biblical truth, so how do we know who is telling the truth?
We need to know essential Bible doctrines.

People can be at different levels of spiritual growth, so we should try to show grace to those who may truly be Christians while still warning of the error.
Even then, people may shun us or block us on social media.
It should be the truth that offends rather than our rudeness.
We need to remember that we did not always have as much Biblical knowledge as we might now, and we still have plenty of room for spiritual growth and Biblical study.

I'm concerned that some of my best online friends might shun me for often being unable to make it to church anymore (due to different health issues) ... and not having a local church that I feel I can join even for the times I do make it.
I get discouraged about these things, because I want to obey God.
I want to be able to go to church, and it makes me cry sometimes when I'm not feeling up to even going to any church.
When I do go, I have been struggling to even make it through the service.
I am blessed with streaming Biblical churches online, but it is hard to not have more.
I am blessed by online fellowship, since I'm unable to get much in person.
So, we need to be careful before making blanket statements about individuals.


Three articles on discernment that I recommend:

1.   Discernment: Spiritual Survival for a Church in Crisis  - GTY

2.   False Teachers & Deadly Doctrines - Tim Challies

3.   7 False Teachers In The Church Today - Tim Challies

"Satan’s greatest ambassadors are not pimps, politicians, or power-brokers, but pastors" .- Tim Challies

Biblical Inerrancy & Criticism

There is such a thing as godly criticism. 

It is very difficult not to develop a critical spirit when you care for Biblical soundness, but that doesn't mean we should avoid addressing all error.  

On the other side there are people who attack people wrongfully and make all kinds of accusations when someone does give godly criticism.  Sometimes the critics of the critics are demonstrating in themselves the very attitudes they are accusing the other person of.

This is why I think we all need to examine our responses - to make sure that we fight against bitterness and sinful retaliation and unrighteous anger. 

We are only responsible for our own attitudes. 

What is our goal?  Is it to get even or to bring glory to God and respond righteously to persecution?

Persecution can come from people who call themselves Christians.  I believe the Bible talks about gentleness in correcting those in opposition.  Some of these people may not be Christians, but they need to be confronted in a way as to point out their error and encourage repentance.

 

It is difficult for any of us to receive criticism, but while I might be upset at first I usually try to think if there is any truth in it.  Sometimes there is no validity in a criticism, but how I react should still reflect Christ.

Sadly, many Christian leaders think that they are above correction.   Some people have friends or followers who would accuse and slander people who dare to point out sin in their friends or heroes.

Criticisms need to be focused on God's glory and for the spiritual growth of people. 

Calling people trolls or blocking them only breeds anger and bitterness.

I really appreciated the following article:

Giving and Receiving Godly Criticism: Sharpening Each Other With Your Words

I'm still going through the book Holiness by J.C. Ryle, and the other week my family here listened to a message that is a good reminder that God understands our weak human condition.  As we face some difficult trials, it is good to know that while we may not always respond the way that we should that God is still patient with those who are His children.

Much of the Biblical criticism some of us have given online as of late has been for the public behavior of Christian leaders and authors who have said that God told them something apart from Scripture, or their implying unity with Roman Catholicism, or acceptance of immorality, or promotion of sensational falsehoods and false teaching (for money) even though the Scripture clearly teaches it is wrong. 

 

I'm excited about the upcoming Shepherds Conference on Biblical inerrancy coming up March 3-8, 2015.   It is so much needed in today's era where those who profess Christianity have strayed from or outright rejected the Bible's sufficiency, accuracy, truthfulness and relevancy. I'm not sure how much I will get to hear of the conference even though I believe they will stream it online.  

I have a family member scheduled for serious surgery not long before then.  Still, the conference should be good!

The Inerrant Word

Shepherds Conference 2015

 

Paul Washer: The Great Commission & Biblical Inerrancy from TMAI on Vimeo.

Should Married Christian Women Work Outside the Home?

Recently I was troubled to read of a woman who was offered a job which would take her and her husband to another state. This was not because he had a job in that state, but yet they were seriously considering moving for her to take that job as though it could be God's will.

Now in this modern world, many Christians would accept a decision like that without question or qualms.

That is why I believe caution must be applied & the Bible studied on this issue.

What are some Biblical principles women can apply?

I will give some thoughts and conclusions I have come to on the issue of married women, and then share links to some articles I found on the subject authored by pastors. I do not agree 100% with one of them, but I do think they offer some additional good insight.

Ephesians 5 talks about a wife being subject to her own husband (as wells as 1 Peter 3:1 in the case of the unbelieving husband),

Titus 2:4-5 talks about women are to be workers in the home (young widows were to remarry and have children and do this).

The Proverbs 31 woman worked in her home making things, and she took her goods out to be sold to tradesmen (nowhere does it say she was employed by another man not her husband). She made other household decisions like buying a field.

Woman was created to be a helper to her husband (Genesis 2:18).

Women often helped in church ministry and with support in the Bible. Older women are to teach younger women to love their husbands and their children (Titus 2:4).

Those are some of the Biblical views I find of married women.
In a practical sense, we know there can be temptations in the workplace when people are under someone not their spouse.  Husbands and wives are cemented / glued together and that relationship reflects Christ's relationship with the church.  It is something that is not held as sacredly in a world that mocks the marriage relationship in many ways.

We know that the married woman is going to be subject to another person in most employment situations outside the home (unless there is a family business, ministry or an independent job). If that boss is a man other than the husband, then there can be a conflict of who the leader of that woman is when we look in the Bible at how people are to treat their employers or masters.


Men are to be the head of their wives and the main providers. It troubles me to see men who subject themselves to their wife's career, because it seems to fly in the face of their role as leaders and providers.

1 Tim. 5:8 says that someone who does not provide for his own is worse than an infidel (note that it is his own).

Ephesians 5:23 says that husbands are the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the Church.

Ephesians 5:29 indicates men are to nourish and cherish their wives.

Men leading, nourishing & cherishing their wives I believe includes leading in finances.

The married Christian woman's priority is to be her home & husband.
The dangers and risks are high for women working in employment outside the home - not only falling into temptation (which can also happen online) but neglecting Biblical priorities.

Married women with children cannot fulfill their Biblical role properly when they neglect their primary responsibilities to their family. I strongly believe there are Biblical principles that apply here. Most people are following cultural Christian norms reflecting the secular world & not applying the Bible to this area of their lives. Many Christians follow the world and not the Word in their everyday decision making and practice. It should not be the norm for married Christian women to be working for a man not her husband in an employment situation.

That is my strong conviction & yes I realize that this post will be stepping on many toes.

Unless a man is disabled, his job is foremost. I personally do not believe married women should work outside the home except from the home as her headquarters or "office" under the leadership & care of her husband.

I realize some disabled men may not be able to work at all, and there may be some other unusual circumstances, but we are talking norms here.
　

I'm not judging anybody else's salvation here on this topic.
We are all on different levels of spiritual growth & Biblical knowledge and convictions.
I truly do not believe women should subject her husband to her having a career where her husband has to follow her around.
I would encourage all women to study the Bible more. and get their wisdom from it.

Women and Work Outside The Home

Leadership in the Home - A Godly Man Provides


Ephesians 5:22-24 NASB

Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

Colossians 3:18

Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Titus 2:4-5

so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored

1 Tim 5:14

Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach;