The Cup, The Cross, And The Chaos

One Cup

In John 17:21, Jesus prayed to God that all of His disciples would be one, thus bringing the world to believe in Him. Just prior to that, in the same prayer, Jesus indicated at least seven times that the only way we would ever be able to accomplish, enjoy, and exhibit to the unbelieving world around us such divine oneness and unity, would be by standing together on His word (Vss. 6, 8, 13, 14, 17, 19, 20; see also Philippians 1:27-28, 2:1-2).

Religious dissension has resulted in a lack of unity.

Doctrinal dissension has resulted in a lack of unity.

But today, we who are called and claim to be the Lord’s “one church,” find ourselves sadly and seemingly hopelessly divided over several, different, doctrinal dissensions. One of the most determined and aggressively-defended divisions in the Lord’s church is seen evidenced in the fact, that even in many small towns across America today, we have more than one congregation of God’s people, the memberships of which are often divided over, of all things, the Christ-instituted celebration of the one thing that ought more than any other to bring us forever closer together: communion!

In a 2016 published interview, it was reported that “The most recent volume of the directory Churches of Christ in the United States, published by 21st Century Christian, lists 553 one-cup congregations with a combined membership of 18,929” (“No Such Thing As Individual Communion,” Christian Chronicle, Lynn McMillon, June 22, 2016). That same interview eventually went on to reveal how one-cup brethren in Christ do not consider themselves to be in fellowship with those of their brethren who use multiple cups or containers in their communion celebration. “My beloved brethren, these things ought not to be so!”

In what is intended to be a very loving, as well as scripturally straightforward and doctrinally-sound effort to try to help heal up some of this hurtful, horrible, and gospel-paralyzing division, this writer has been very blessed and privileged by God to be able to author and have published, a brand new and scripturally in-depth work, entitled Clearing Up The Confusion: The Cup, The Cross, And The Chaos (See: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1943245258).

The book was written in the hope that it might help to start the healing process of that ugly, ungodly, ghastly and gaping wound in the beloved, beleaguered, and blood bought body and bride of our Lord Jesus Christ – before her ‘big day’ arrives. It is written for all of God’s children who would like to, in some small way, help to provide and become a part of the answer to Jesus’ prayer for a change. This, by understanding the division, helping to initiate the healing process, and to thereafter assist in inducing the oneness which will once and for all prove to a lost and dying world, the infinitely uniting love and power of our awesome Lord and Savior. As two chapters within that effort conclude:

“Can you even begin to imagine the invincible force for Christ that we could truly become in our lost world today, were we all but to completely humble ourselves before God, get on the same spiritual page, teach the same divinely-inspired doctrine, and become the one, same, united and unified church and answer to Jesus’ prayer which He prayed we’d be the very night before He was crucified (John 17:20-23; 1 Corinthians 4:17, 7:17, 11:16, 16:1-2)? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to help steer toward the day when a new ‘Churches of Christ in the United States’ directory could be published, ‘wherein there was neither one cup nor non-institutional, no no-class nor instrumental, nor male or female pride and power driven agendas, but that we were all truly one in Christ Jesus… instead of a house divided and therefore in danger of falling, according to none other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself (Matthew 12:25)?”

Below is what some good, faithful, well-studied and highly-respected preaching brethren from several different states have already had to say after reviewing the pre-publication contents of Clearing Up The Confusion:

[This is a book] that will bless your life. On any religious subject there are scores of books, but often one rises far above all others on a vital Bible topic. I now have my copy of what I consider the definitive book standing above others on this topic. As you read this book you will see how the author combines two charges Paul gives to preachers. “Preach the word” and “The servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all … in humility correcting those who are in opposition.” Those who sincerely believe there can be only one literal cup in the Lord ’s Supper, and who read this book, will find a teacher with a compassionate heart seeking to help us all understand God’s will. This book is a masterpiece. It stands high above all other books on this topic. ~Dan Jenkins; Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

 

Brethren and friends; [this volume] sets out in clear and unmistakable terms, the truth about the Anti (Non-Institutional) “one cup” position. It is a scholarly treatise of an issue that has divided the Lord’s church for decades. It is written in love, with the souls of men in view. The goal of this book is to teach truth and restore unity. This volume treats those who may disagree with the utmost respect, and seeks restoration based upon the Bible. The Bible demands us to follow the pattern of sound words regarding things spiritual and in all of life (II Tim. 1:13; Heb. 8:5). Douglas E. Dingley has met that demand in this volume. This book earnestly contends for the faith (Jude 3). Between the covers you will find each argument in favor of binding the “one cup” issue answered fully and in love. The author has very carefully avoided personal attacks and ascribing to them positions they do not hold. This is a “No straw man” book and will richly bless all who read its pages. 

I have personally done much work and study on Non-institutionalism – and have found no greater material on this issue. I highly recommend this work. I have gladly added this great book to my library. I hope you do as well. ~Robby Eversole; Summerville, GA.

The inspired record warns us of divisions in the Lord’s body; and certainly when we look out over the landscape containing those who claim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we see that this warning from the first century has indeed come upon us. Denominationalism is so prevalent now, that to the world, the Lord’s body appears to be a lone candle in an ocean of stars. But as difficult as this is, the most heart wrenching and damaging are those divisions within the Lord’s body itself. The church of our Lord Jesus Christ has long been the pillar and ground of the truth, but in recent years, well-meaning people who have a zeal for God and are dedicated to serving our Lord faithfully and obediently, have unnecessarily burdened themselves in a manner not in accordance with the knowledge of God’s word… 

Speaking the truth in love, brother Dingley has authored this book in hopes that, in the spirit of the Bereans, honest seekers of the truth would examine their own faith and determine for themselves what is God’s will… It is my hope and prayer that all who read this work will approach it with open scriptures, and with an open heart, in an effort to seek the truth. In the end, we are all individually responsible for our own spiritual standing with God. There is nothing more important to any of us than the truth. God’s word is truth and we are all promised that if we will but keep knocking and seeking, the doors of truth will be opened to us. Please read and study this work, approaching it with the same love and concern that brother Dingley had for you when he wrote it, and I’m confident that you will be both encouraged and edified.        ~David Hersey; Granby, Mo. 

This book guides the reader to examine the subject and solution to these matters which have divided the brethren for too long. It is my hope that this extensive, excellent, and exhaustive study will bring the unity for which our Lord prayed (John 17); the unity that the Holy Spirit planned (Eph. 4). Paul plead for unity (1 Cor. 1:10). To be divided is to ignore the prayer, the plan, and the plea.

This book provides the reader with sound doctrine that cannot be condemned (Tit. 2:8). The study of this subject is clear, concise, and complete. The author used the tools of biblical understanding (Psa. 119:130). He handled the word rightly (2 Tim. 2:15). He gathered the scriptures on the subject (Isa. 28:9-13). It is my prayer that the readers of this book will be noble and search the scriptures (Acts 17:11) and become doers of the word (Jms. 2:22). ~David Meek; Lebanon, TN.

For any and all of God’s children who would like to take part in helping to answer our Lord Jesus’ prayer in our generation, might I humbly suggest that you please give this book and its biblical contents some very serious and studious consideration, and then go out and share them, should you too, find them faithful and worthy. This, because only with God’s help, and our thus working together as He instructed, can we finally and truly once again become that one, united, unified, and evangelistically powerful and effective church of our Lord Jesus Christ which He both prayed and died for during His final twenty-four hours of earthly life, agony, and sacrifice. And as always, and for any and all good that might ever arise as a result of these efforts: to God be all the glory; always and in all ways!

 

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The Holy Spirit’s Old Testament Problem

The Holy Spirit’s Old Testament Problem

Among churches of Christ the prevailing view of the work of the Spirit in Christians is that the Holy Spirit is provided to us as God’s gift at our baptism. Our possession of the Spirit is the seal of our faith, the guarantee of our inheritance, and often, considered to be the empowering influence of our faithfulness.

If an indwelling Spirit is essential, what about the salvation of the Old Testament Saints?

If an indwelling Spirit is essential, what about the salvation of the Old Testament Saints?

Central to this understanding is that the gift of the Holy Spirit is the exclusive blessing of Christians.  No one outside of Christ has it.  And critically, no one before the glorification of Jesus ever received this blessing: “Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7:39).

This position creates a significant problem once it attempts to describe the specific blessings the Spirit’s presence provides the Christian. The difficulty resides in fact that it is definitionally impossible for any saint of God before Acts 2 to receive the indwelling’s benefit from the Holy Spirit’s presence. If the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the seal of the Christian, then no Old Testament Jew ever experienced it.  So then when proponents of the current understanding of the Spirit’s blessings describe any benefit gifted by the Spirit, they necessarily exclude that benefit from Old Testament saints. This creates a great conflict with the Old Testament as it describes the faithfulness of the Old Testament saints.

For example, it is common to hear preachers assert that the Holy Spirit’s presence is integral in our avoiding sin.  Increasingly, our ability to avoid temptation is linked to (and sometimes given over to) the Spirit’s power working in us. If that is the case, every Old Testament saint’s struggle against sin becomes questionable.  How was Daniel strengthened in the Lion’s Den without the Holy Spirit?  How did three Hebrew young men with no help from the indwelling Spirit walk so confidently into a flame-filled furnace?  We could compile an unending list of Jewish saints who served God and avoided sin daily all without the Spirit’s indwelling.  By modern teachings, this should not be possible (or at least practical).  If the Spirit’s help is needed for us to avoid sin, then He was needed for them to avoid sin as well.  Yet, no one can hold to the modern view of the Spirit’s work and at the same time hold that the Spirit was present in the lives of the ancient saints.

This is no small problem. If one action, influence, leading, nudging, or direction of the Spirit is essential in our salvation today, then that influence’s absence should condemn every Old Testament saint. If a human’s ability to live a faithful life before God requires the presence of the Spirit, then no human can be saved without that presence.  And since no Old Testament saint had that presence, if modern preachers are correct, no Old Testament saint was ever saved.  Yet, if you have any doubts about salvation before the coming of the Spirit, just check Hebrews 11.

However, if the Spirit’s work in our lives is not essential to our salvation (which would account for the salvation of the ancient saints), then His benefit to us exists only of the margins of our faith (at best).  His presence is supplemental, not essential.  Relegating, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit – the seal and guarantee of our faith – to a peripheral role seems inconsistent with a blessing so central to early gospel as the gift of the Spirit.

There must be an understanding of this great gift which allows it to be integral to the early gospel without calling into question the salvation of Old Testament saints.

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FOR TO US A CHILD IS BORN…

FOR TO US A CHILD IS BORN…

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Isaiah spoke of the Christ, hundreds of years before he appeared.

Isaiah spoke of the Christ, hundreds of years before he appeared.

A well known passage that is often thought of in relation to the birth of Christ, Isaiah 9:6 has much more to offer.  Consider…

  • “To us” a child is born.  “To us” a son is given.  God “gave” his only begotten Son (John 3:16).  To whom did the Father give the ultimate gift?  “To us.”  Think about the implications of that when it comes to the love God has for us.
  • “The government shall be upon his shoulder.”  Christ has all authority (Matt. 28:18).  He is Lord, and thus we must do what he says (Luke 6:46).
  • He is also our “Wonderful Counselor” as well as our “Mighty God” and “Everlasting Father.”  I’ve found through (sometimes hard) experience that following the counsel of Christ as shown in the New Testament (and the Old – see Proverbs, for example) in all areas of my life is the way to go.  Every time I’ve gone against what he has told me to do, my life has become harder in some fashion.  Every time I’ve followed his counsel, when all was said and done my life was made better in many ways.  He truly is a “Wonderful Counselor” in that his counsel, if followed, brings peace.  That’s why he is also the “Prince of Peace.”
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The Normalization of Pedophilia

The Normalization of Pedophilia

On May 5, 2018, medical student Mirjam Heine, gave a TEDx talk at the University of Wurtzberg in Germany.  TED is a nonprofit organization that produces short powerful talks that originally focused on technology, entertainment, and design (though TEDx events are organized independently from the main annual TED conference). Today these popular “TED talk” videos cover everything from science, law, history, education, technology, etc. Mirjam Heine’s talk was extremely different than most TED videos.

Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil...

Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil…

Heine’s 13:30 minute speech focused on a person named Jonas, a pedophile who preferred girls aged 6-12. She goes on to proclaim, “anyone could be born a pedophile.” She argued that pedophilia “is an unchangeable sexual orientation, just like, for example heterosexuality.” Her TED talk was all about how the general population should change our view and offer support to those who are pedophiles.  She stated: “Just like pedophiles, we are not responsible for our feelings.” She continued by asserting, “We do not choose them…but it is our responsibility to…overcome our negative feelings about pedophiles and to treat them with the same respect we treat other people with.”

Two months later, on July 28, 2018 a poster was placed on a telephone pole near Willamette primary school in Oregon City that read, “Pedophiles are People Too. Because Love is Love.” The poster had a picture of an adult holding hands with a toddler, both of them featuring a big red heart in the center of their chests. The argument given is that as long as it doesn’t hurt the child then “love is love.” Make no mistake about it, normalization of pedophilia has begun in America.

In what can only be viewed as ironic, the LGBT community has come out against the pedophile posters, and many homosexual activists are upset that people might use these posters to discredit the LGBT community. However, one does not have to look far back in our history to recall the homosexual community declaring that it was their “right” to be able to marry someone of the same sex. “It’s my right…” has become the mantra that individuals now use to defend any type of behavior. 

So now what prevents pedophiles from riding the coattails of homosexuals, declaring that it is their right to have sexual relationships with children? Answer: Nothing. In September 2015, Selwyn Duke wrote an article for The New American titled  “Shocking Times: Movement for Pedophile “Rights” Marches On” in which he pointed out this very movement has already begun.

Again, let me be clear—the normalization process for pedophilia is already underway. For instance, pedophile activists have already begun asking the media to stop using the term pedophilia and instead refer to their community as “Minor attracted persons.” And the normalization will continue. For many people, their gut instinct when they hear about pedophilia is revulsion. They can’t believe that this crime against children would ever be allowed in a civil society.

However, in an op-ed that appeared in the New York Times in 2004, Margo Kaplan declared that pedophilia was “a disorder and not a crime.” Therefore it should be treated and not punished. Also, consider that decades ago homosexuality was viewed with the same type of revulsion in America. Today it has been normalized to the point that our culture feels comfortable promoting homosexual behavior in television shows.

So what is the Christian response? I’ll agree that there is no direct mention of pedophilia in the Bible. However, there is not a direct mention of a lot of things in God’s Word. That does not alter the fact that this behavior is indeed discussed in Scripture. The Greek word porneia (where we get our English word pornography) is used to describe all types of immoral sexual behavior that would include pedophilia. In his letter to the Christians in Galatia, Paul uses this word porneia (fornication) in his description of the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-21).

Notice Paul does not say it is a person’s “right” to behave in this fashion. No. Instead, he points out that people who commit these acts will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. So one of the things Christians must realize is that if we allow or condone this behavior we are in essence condemning those who participate to hell. These people need the Truth about sin and the blood of Jesus—just like all sinners.

In Ezekiel chapter 16 God uses a metaphor about His love for Jerusalem and His relationship with the children of Israel. In that description He starts out talking about their birth (verse 3).  He then talks about them growing up, struggling in their own blood and God making them thrive (verses 6-7). He says, “I made you thrive like a plant in the field; and you grew, matured, and became very beautiful. Your breasts were formed, your hair grew, but you were naked and bare” (verse 7).

Only after this maturation and having gone through puberty did God acknowledge they were ready for love. We read, “When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time was the time of love; so I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness.” (verse 8). In Ruth 1:12-13 we find Naomi distraught after the death of her sons and she tells her daughters-in-law, “Turn back, my daughters, go—for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, if I should have a husband tonight and should also bear sons,  would you wait for them till they were grown?” (emp. added.).

Consider also, the first command God gave Adam and Eve was to be fruitful and multiple (Genesis 1:28)—the indication being that they were already able to have children.  Nowhere in Scripture do we read of God condoning sexual relationships between children and adults. Paul on two different occasions wrote about things being “without natural affection” (Romans 1:31; 2 Timothy 3:2). The implication is that there are things that God views as natural affection and things that God views as unnatural.

One of the arguments that is used to justify pedophilia is when Jesus said, “Let the children come unto me” (Matthew 19:14; Luke 18:16). However, this passage has nothing to do with sexual attraction and is being used grossly out of context. People were bringing their children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and the disciples were rebuking the parents and holding the children back.

Notice one chapter earlier Jesus, speaking about children, warned: “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6).

Normalization is happening. Our children and grandchildren will be indoctrinated with the idea that they should be tolerant of pedophilia—just like they have been successfully indoctrinated with the idea that sodomy is an alternative lifestyle that should be tolerated. And yet, sin is still sin. Now more than ever parents need to study God’s Word and instill His precepts deeply into the hearts and minds of the next generation.

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LA MUCHA LETRA MATA

“LA MUCHA LETRA MATA”

“El cual también nos hizo suficientes como ministros de un nuevo pacto, no de la letra, sino del Espíritu; porque la letra mata, pero el Espíritu da vida.” (2Cor. 3:6 LBLA). Este texto del N.T se ha prestado para intenciones malévolas por parte de ciertos individuos. Quién escribe ha escuchado la frase del título cientos de veces casi por el mismo patrón de personas; predicadores que no se esfuerzan por aprender, que nunca han tenido una formación teológica seria  y por lideres de sectas religiosas que al verse confrontados se escudan detrás de un texto fuera de contexto para sacar su buen pretexto. La realidad es que cuando alguien que ha sido expuesto a la verdad grita desesperadamente: “La mucha letra mata” eso es absolutamente correcto. La mucha letra mata…pero la ignorancia. Una frase similar es expresada en Hechos 26 para confrontar a Pablo: “Las muchas letras te han vuelto loco”, pero en aquella ocasión sabemos que fue la salida más fácil, la única defensa, la única excusa que Festo pudo dar al tan elocuente discurso del apóstol Pablo. En el pasaje de 2 Corintios 3, nos disponemos a estudiar realmente lo significa la frase, y cual era la intención del escritor. 

LA MUCHA LETRA MATA

LA MUCHA LETRA MATA

En este capítulo tres, Pablo inicia mencionando a los hermanos y recordándoles que ellos son carta de Cristo, expedida por los apóstoles quienes obraron en su conversión. No es ninguna sorpresa que los corintios estuvieran intentando abogar por la ley de Moisés como de alguna manera muchas congregaciones estaban intentando hacer lo mismo tales en aquel tiempo como en Galacia donde Pablo dedica casi toda la carta para abordar este tema. De eso precisamente está tratando en este capítulo y cuando llega al versículo 6 “la mucha letra mata” está haciendo una clara referencia a la ley de Moisés. De hecho pasa a explicar en versículo siguiente “…ministerio de Muerte grabado con letras en piedras…” este ministerio fue con gloria (Antiguo Pacto)  v.8 “¿Como no será aun con más gloria el ministerio del Espíritu?”. No cabe dudas que de lo que aquí se está hablando es de la ley de Moisés. Esa ley hoy mata porque por ella ninguno puede ser salvo o ninguno puede ser justificado (Ga.3:11), cualquiera que desea aplicar esta ley que ya expiró encontrará al final solamente muerte. Entonces lo que sucede en realidad es que se ha mal interpretado este versículo para defender o mas bien fomentar la ignorancia espiritual que reina por estos días en un gran numero del pueblo de Dios quien como Israel perece muchas veces por falta de conocimiento. Estas personas intentan ocultar la falta de compromiso de ellas mismas con la lectura y estudio de las Sagradas Escrituras.Cuando se escudriña correctamente la palabra de Dios no falta algún “espiritual”que minimiza la importancia del estudio Bíblico citando la última parte de este versículo: “LA LETRA MATA,PERO EL ESPIRITU VIVIFICA”.Con esta cita se quiere decir que letra hace referencia al estudio, o a la lectura y en consecuencia mata (aniquila) la espiritualidad. ¿Será que el mismo Pablo que en reiteradas veces incentivó el estudio y la lectura de las escrituras se este contradiciendo? Observe y juzgue usted por lógica:
  •  1Ti 4:13  Entre tanto que voy,  ocúpate en la lectura,  la exhortación y la enseñanza.
  • Col 3:16  La palabra de Cristo more en abundancia en vosotros,  enseñándoos y exhortándoos unos a otros en toda sabiduría…
  • 2Ti 2:15  Procura con diligencia presentarte a Dios aprobado,  como obrero que no tiene de qué avergonzarse,  que usa bien la palabra de verdad.
  • 2Ti 3:16-17  Toda la Escritura es inspirada por Dios,  y útil para enseñar,  para redargüir,  para corregir,  para instruir en justicia, a fin de que el hombre de Dios sea perfecto,  enteramente preparado para toda buena obra.
¿Se contradice Pablo? No sin duda alguna no lo hace, pero quienes tuercen este pasaje si se contradicen. Si la mucha letra mata ¿Porque usted tiene que estudiar antes de su sermón? ¡Heyyyyyy la  mucha letra mata!, ¿Porqué usted tiene que ir a las reuniones de la Iglesia, el Martes, el Jueves, el Domingo, el sábado para la reunión de Jóvenes? no sé  que otro día más… pero ¡Heyyyyyyy la mucha letra mata!, es más para que no se contradiga usted mismo que creé de esta manera la próxima reunión como Iglesia no use la Biblia, porque la Biblia está compuesta adivine de que …de muchas letras…enseñe  mejor un catecismo, un libro motivacionál o lo que sea menos la Biblia porque la mucha letra mata a la Iglesia ( y aún cuando use un libro secular para enseñar, también está lleno de muchas letras). ENTONCES EL PROBLEMA NO ESTA EN PABLO, sino en el hecho de “aislar” el contexto y solo utilizar parte de este versículo llevándolo a que diga lo que yo quiero que diga cuando yo así lo decida.  ¿Será que la gente no puede ver el tremendo peligro que hay en torcer la palabra de Dios a mi conveniencia? ¿Será que muchos “hermanitos” en algunas congregaciones no tienen lógica para pensar por si mismos y entender que esa frase no quiere decir lo que el “pastor” está afirmando? ¿Será acaso que la ceguera espiritual está tan aferrada a ellos para no darse cuenta que este hombre “pastor” está enseñando mal y torciendo las escrituras a su conveniencia? …El orgullo y la ignorancia  respetado lector, ha llevado incluso a Iglesias de Cristo a convertirse en sectas religiosas por esos dos factores combinado en: Iglesia y predicador.  La Palabra de Cristo Jamás podrá ser algo negativo en nuestras vidas, el estudio diligente y la preparación en el santo libro Jamás será algo que disguste a nuestro salvador. Es más, Santiago dice que Palabra y solo la palabra es donde radica el poder de Dios para salvar nuestras almas (Sant.1:21). El Señor nos ayude a nunca escondernos cobardemente detrás de una excusa semejante sino que nos siga fortaleciendo para indagar y continuar estudiando más a fondo la palabra de Dios a ser  honestos, sencillos, sumisos al SEÑOR y su PALABRA a ser diligentes todos los días de nuestras vidas en el Sagrado libro. La mucha letra mata…si, pero la ignorancia. Dios le bendiga. 
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