Talking About Music… Don’t Get Mad

Music is an art. Art effects our emotions. Therefore music is an emotional topic. I can think of very few topics that stir up people’s emotions more quickly and more heatedly than music. I am frequently asked, “What’s wrong with this song?” or “What do you think about this style of music?” or “Have you listened to [insert group name here]?” It is always a touchy conversation. With that said, let’s get started!

Thinking About Separation & Unity (Part 3: Practical Separation)

Sometimes I am asked, “Why so many denominations? Why can’t we just all get along?” And sometimes I have asked myself the question, “If we’re all independent fundamental Baptists, then why can’t we get along?” It seems that there is always some issue or doctrine that divides churches. These are areas of practical separation. But I want to emphasize something from the start: These issues and doctrines do not call for total separation. There are times where unity can be realized, and other times it just isn’t practical. I’ll answer the questions above and give you and example from my own ministry.

That Didn’t Count!

When I was a young boy I was very competitive. Actually I still am, but my salvation has tempered my zeal and helped me to have correct priorities. But when I was little I reeeeeaaally hated to lose. And there were times when I would lose a race or game to someone else. In my frustration I can remember (on more than one occasion) blurting out, “that didn’t count!”

There are those that have spilled much ink about how the footnotes of modern versions cast doubt upon the word of God. There are even people that compile how many words have doubt cast upon them by such footnotes. They then make ridiculous claims about how many words have been “removed” or “had doubt cast upon them”. I have even read claims that some versions have removed over 60,000 words! These folks cry out “that didn’t count!” if there is a footnote on a verse.

Again, I refer to my “word for word, page for page” copy of the AV 1611 and look at Luke 27:36. Lo and behold, there is a note in the margin that says this:

Thinking About Separation & Unity (Part 2: Pastoral Separation)

I want to continue my discussion on separation and unity this week. In part 1 we looked at personal separation from the world and how it affects unity in the church. This week I want to consider Pastoral (or Ecclesiastical) separation and how it affects unity between different churches.

I want to keep this post as brief as possible, so understand that there may be some “painting with a broad brush”. I will try to qualify some statements as we go, but just understand that this is a complex topic being boiled down to a short blog post.

Smart Things Other People Have Written

Things have been sort of hectic here in the ministry and I am still formulating my thoughts on part 2 of ‘Unity and Separation’. In the meantime I thought I would give you some interesting articles that I have read by other people that are much more articulate than me.

First and foremost, this article on ‘A Fundamentalism Worth Saving’ should be required reading for everyone that claims to be a fundamentalist.

A very thoughtful evangelical writer, Dr. Al Mohler, gives his thoughts on doctrinal separation and unity. But he doesn’t address the difficult subject of what should be done about those that disobediently fellowship with false teachers. Here is a well written response to his article by Dr. Kevin Bauder.

Thinking About Separation and Unity (Part 1: Personal Separation)

I have been thinking a lot about biblical separation and unity lately. I think it might help to put into words my thoughts and see what folks in the blogosphere think.

There are two main areas of biblical separation: “Personal” separation and “Pastoral” (Ecclesiastical) separation. Both Personal and Pastoral separation have “practical” aspects that must be addressed.

First let’s look at Personal separation.

What we have here is a failure to communicate!

I have in my possession a booklet entitled “The King James Bible Companion” that boldly claims “OVER 500 ARCHAIC WORDS DEFINED” (This statement alone is grounds for an updated version of God’s word…but let’s move on). It also claims, “If you have a King James Bible, this book needs to be inside it.” I appreciate the desire to help people understand God’s word in the KJV. And if you are only going to read the KJV, then you really do need this booklet.

But even when a person has this booklet they are liable to misapply the scriptures they read in the KJV. Oh, I know that when I come across the word “Penury”, “Holden”, “Holpen”, or “Neesings”, then I need to pick up the dictionary and look up the meaning.

But what about when I come across a word like “communicate”?

NO! Your Other Right!

One time my wife and I were traveling to a store that I had never been to. I was driving, so my wife was giving me directions on how to get there. As we approached an intersection I asked, “Which way?” She glanced up and said, “Turn right.” As I began to steer the car to the right she looked up in a panic and cried, “No! NO! Your other right!”

Inadvertently, my wife had meant to say one thing, but instead said the exact opposite. We see this same thing happen in the King James Version.

A Note on Sermon Preparation

I want to take a moment and speak to something very important to my ministry:

Torturing Missionaries

We have all heard of the persecution of Christians in others lands. I have heard many sermons that told the suspenseful trials of missionaries abroad. Some have no doubt been tortured. Being a pastor here in the USA I know nothing of the trials and persecutions that missionaries face. However, I fear that I have tortured missionaries in my own way. You may be thinking to yourself, “WHAT!?!?!?!” Stay with me. I feel that I can sum up my participation in torturing missionaries in one word…