Ant Article

Ant Article

Several weeks ago when the weather turned a bit wetter, we suddenly developed a somewhat sizeable, in-house ant problem. A couple of places were soon ‘crawling’ with them. It was at that point that we learned about these little ‘killer’ liquid ant baits. The way they work, is that the sickly sweet liquid draws the worker ants, who then take some of the slow-working poison back to the nest, laying down a pheromone trail as they come and go, so that other worker ants will then follow the same trail to the bait and back, unwittingly helping to spread the sweet but deadly poison throughout their entire nest, before it eventually kills each one of them off individually, reportedly some 24-48 hours after their consumption of it.

The ant: Pest? Problem? Example?

The ant: Pest? Problem? Example?

And… it works! And how it works – and worked – was simply an amazing, and yet appalling and frightening thing to watch. The sickly-sweet liquid bait apparently appeals to the ants’ natural instincts and tendencies. After its being opened and placed, the unsuspecting ants quickly discovered it, indulged in it, and set up a two-way, ‘super highway’ to and from it. Wide was the path that led to their destruction and many were they that found and enjoyed it for a few fleeting moments! We sought not to disturb their ‘path’ – ological indulgence, but to do whatever we could to promote it – such as systematically stepping over their little parade of poison-bearing brethren, instead of squashing all of them we saw marching lock-step back and forth each time we crossed or came near it. After all, we wanted them completely annihilated and this was a devastatingly effective and easy way to accomplish exactly that.

Perhaps it was because their digestive systems soon began self-destructing as the poison promised, but it wasn’t long before some of them started to die along the trail. Dead carcasses soon began dotting both the delivery route as well as piling up around the pool of poison they were passionately pilfering. It didn’t matter; the mindless and masochistic masses just marched right past them, crawled right over them, or in some cases (I’m told), probably even carried the poison-laced carcasses of their former co-workers back to the nest to cannibalistically consume, eventually likewise becoming victims of their own all-consuming appetites as they ingested the now infected and death-laced corpses theirs would subsequently now soon join.

Today, the trail to the bait is pretty much abandoned. Occasionally some straggler that escaped the deadly swath of destructive indulgence will still make its way to the pit of poison, push past the few pitiful corpses that still remain either perched on the edge or piled up inside of the plastic poison pit packaging, partake of and bask in the momentary sweetness of the bait, and then seek to return and share the decadently deadly but deceptively well-masked discovery with whatever few ant-family members might still remain alive at the nest – at least for the moment.

As I considered this all-consuming trail of tragedy (my wife said at one point that she actually felt sorry for them), I could not help but sadly consider some of the parallels between the ants’ destruction, and some people when it comes to their all-consuming and driving desire to indulge in death-dealing but incredibly, deceptively, well-masked and sickly sweet sin. Satan – who wants to see all of us painfully destroyed simply because we are the handiwork and creation of almighty God whom he hates with all his heart – systematically sets out the sickly sweet but ultimately deadly bait of sin before our eyes constantly (Rom. 6:23). He tempts us hundreds of times a day to indulge in, or partake of, some sinful action that he advertises as so sweet at the time (Gen. 3:1-6; Prov. 9:13-18), but is nothing more in reality, than thinly-disguised death and destruction waiting to happen, deceptively designed to destroy us slowly (Jms. 1:12-16; 1 Jn. 2:15-17). Worldly and ungodly “worker ant” types proudly parade and perpetually present their prideful prize-packages of poisonous and perverted indulgences, seeking to implant them ever deeper into our families’ hearts, minds, souls and living rooms, through radio, television, and internet portals into our little family “nests,” thus incrementally infecting and infesting both ourselves and our family with their seductively sinful, deceptively deadly, and soul-destructive poison – so sweetly and completely disguised as something good and acceptable (Isa. 5:20)!

And although some folks can clearly see the unavoidable swath of death and destruction such sinful indulgences cause (they themselves having been hurt or affected in some way already by sinful indulgences resulting in broken lives, broken homes, and broken hearts), they go right along with them, join in lemming-like lockstep, and get caught up in and swept along in the same poison parade of perversion as well (Prov. 14:12)! And Satan certainly doesn’t bother them – in fact, he seems at times to go out of his way to not disturb their little death march (Ps. 73:3-12). But oh, what an agonizing end those who perpetually and impenitently indulge in such sin – and are also responsible for supporting and spreading it around – are in for according to God’s word (Prov. 6:12-19; Rom. 1:18-32; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 4:17-5:17; Col. 3:5-11; Rev. 21:7-8).

But just imagine with me for a moment… what if there was a way out? What if there was a way of escape? What if, a much more highly intelligent life form with an infinitely superior understanding to that of the ant, could somehow become one; teach them how to read the warning label on the death-dealing substance; and get them to look at life from a higher perspective than simply, fatally following their deadly instincts and desires? How many other ants do you think would listen and seek to exit the wide and easy pheromone avenue of annihilation? Would you if you were an ant? Or would you just continue to carry on, indulge your desire, parade your poison, and share and shower its deadly influence with and upon anyone who would listen?

Because the above described scenario is very similar to what our loving, eternal, and almighty God, Creator, and Father in heaven did for humanity when He sent His one and only begotten Son, Truth Incarnate, the Word become flesh to earth, to dwell among us and teach us godly wisdom when it comes to how to avoid sin and escape destruction (See Jn. 1:1-17; Matt. 7:21-27; also Phil. 2:5-8; 1 Jn. 1:5-7).

How many are truly willing to really listen and change direction? Or, will they just keep indulging in and supporting the spread of such sinful poison as Satan is passionately and consistently seeking to systematically shove down all our souls? How many lives has one got to see bruised, busted, broken and buried by sin before they realize that God’s way is the only way to life? Or, will they blindly continue to behave like some of the health care professionals who daily have to deal with and experience the emphysematic end of so many individuals who die a slow and painful death struggling for every last breath… and then methodically and masochistically make their way to the outside picnic table and smoking area to light up again themselves… as they stand, and watch, and maybe even seek to squash, the little parade of ants methodically making their way across the sidewalk to the sweetly-beckoning soda cup some other worker left behind?

 

Posted in Doug Dingley | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Ant Article

Matthew 1:1-17 – The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

Matthew Introduction and 1:1-17

Who wrote the book? The apostle Matthew, as inspired by the Holy Spirit, is almost universally acknowledged, historically, to have written the book. While the book doesn’t specifically say who wrote it, there can be no reasonable doubt that Matthew was its penman.

Matthew 1 contains the geneology of Christ.

Matthew 1 contains the geneology of Christ.

When was the book written? There is much debate on this question and on this question of all of the gospel accounts. Some say as early as 38 A.D., while others suggest a much later date, 70 A.D.. The question is not likely to be settled soon. Conservative scholars generally believe that Matthew was one of the first accounts of the gospel written and that would agree with the content. Since the gospel was extended first to the Jewish people (Romans 1:16), it would stand to reason that written accounts of the life of Jesus would naturally follow that order.

Where was the book written? This is also unknown. Tradition states it was written in Rome, however, that would seem to be out of character with those to whom it was addressed. Somewhere in Palestine would be more in harmony with its character. If it was written early, then this would most likely be the place; if late, then some other location.

Why and to whom was the book written? To provide for the Jewish Christian an account of the life of Christ. The book of Matthew tells the story of the King and His kingdom. More than any other book of the New Testament, Matthew makes reference to the coming kingdom of the Christ. The genealogical record at the beginning of the book establishes Jesus’ earthly royal blood line and the story of His birth establishes His heavenly royalty. As Matthew guides us through the life of Jesus he points out more than any other author the prophecies that Jesus fulfilled. In this regard, Matthew has a distinct Jewish flavor. Tradition states that Matthew was written in Hebrew originally, but this lacks textual support.

Matthew 1:1-17 – Genealogy of Jesus Christ

Vs. 1 – Matthew begins with a summary of the genealogical record. Jesus is the son of David and Abraham. Here, Jesus is linked both to God’s promises to Abraham and to the royal line of David. The prophecies that Matthew so often cite show that Jesus indeed fulfilled the promise made to Abraham that all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). Matthew also intends to show that Jesus was truly of royal lineage and worthy of the title placed over the cross, “the King of the Jews.” Like Peter on the day of Pentecost, Matthew seeks to convict the Jewish mind of crucifying their Messiah and thus sinning against God. If he can accomplish this, then, like those in Acts 2, they will cry out “what must we do.”

Vss. 2-6 – The first section of genealogy takes us from Abraham to David. Matthew doesn’t merely mention the genealogy proper. He reminds us of some key women that were involved in the seed-line. Mention is made of Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth directly, and to Bathsheba indirectly.

Why mention these women? Some have suggested that it was due to the fact that Mary’s pregnancy was suspect. Such argue that Joseph himself had doubts (Matthew 1:19). However, Matthew explains clearly what the circumstances were and that Joseph’s conscience was assuaged by the angel’s revelation. Hence, why would Matthew need further explanation by appealing (albeit, indirectly) to sordid circumstances of the past?

It seems more likely that Matthew was seeking to break down prejudicial Jewish assumptions regarding societal norms, particularly in regard to women. Christianity had success among them in places (Acts 16:13). And Christianity has always sought to elevate woman to her proper place as God’s creation. The men of the day saw women as chattel to be married and divorced as they pleased. Jesus’ message of the gospel, however, recognized their value and brought them to a place of equality among men (Galatians 3:28).

The mention of these women also assured the reader that, while one might commit terrible sins in one’s life, that there was forgiveness and inclusion for the penitent. Tamar, Rahab, and Bathsheba were all guilty of sexual sins. Many of the women mentioned in the gospel were also so guilty. In Jesus, however, we find, upon repentance, a willingness to forgive and accept those whom society has completely written off.

Finally, that these women were involved in some way with gentiles also seems to be part of Matthew’s object. The gospel was to the Jews first, but also to the gentiles (Romans 1:16). Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba (the wife of Uriah, he says) all had intimate dealings with gentile people. The gospel isn’t merely for the pure-blood Jew and Matthew reminds us that the pure-blood Jew wasn’t so “pure.” It is from these three thoughts that we conclude that Matthew’s purpose in mentioning these women appears to be an effort at breaking down prejudicial walls that would prevent a Jewish person from believing and accepting the gospel.

Vss. 7-11 – Matthew enumerates the kings of Israel both good and wicked. Without going into detail regarding their lives, the Jewish mind would have been reminded of Hezekiah and Josiah as reformers and perhaps thought of Jesus in a similar vein. Verse 11 ends with Babylonian captivity, another reminder of Israel’s sinful past.

Vss. 12-17 – Of course when Matthew gets to Joseph, he makes it clear that he was the husband of Mary and that it was of her that Jesus was born lest anyone should get the mistaken impression that Joseph sired Jesus.

The use of the number “fourteen” in verse 17 doesn’t appear to have any particular significance. This may have merely been a memory aid for the Jewish Christian who sought to present Jesus’ case to other Jews by virtue of the genealogy. The discussion of genealogy among the Jews was evidently a popular enough activity that Paul had to warn Titus and Timothy against getting bogged down into such matters (1 Timothy 1:4, Titus 3:9). The genealogy Matthew uses here serves to overcome a hurdle in the Jewish mind. That hurdle having been overcome, Matthew proceeds to the story of Jesus birth.

Posted in Kevin Cauley | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Matthew 1:1-17 – The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

¡Huya de la Nueva Versión Internacional! NVI!

¡Huya de la Nueva Versión Internacional!

¡Huya de la Nueva Versión Internacional!

¡Huya de la Nueva Versión Internacional!

En asuntos de fe la Biblia es siempre nuestra guía perfecta, y sin duda alguna lo será siempre. No existe duda alguna que la inspiración de la misma procede de Dios (2Ped 1:20-23).  No existe ningún error en la Biblia, ni tampoco contradicción alguna, pero las diferentes versiones de la misma pueden implicar error humano dependiendo de la interpretación que le dé cada traductor a su versión. Esto estimados amigos es de trascendental importancia ya que hay muchos que no logran establecer la diferencia. Le rogamos que no se alarme, ya que no estamos tratando de la Biblia en sí o su inspiración de las traducciones y en este caso con especial énfasis; la nueva versión internacional(NVI).

Wikipedia revela que los responsables literarios de esta versión son desconocidos en su mayoría pero que si registra a un grupo de Latinoamericanos evangélicos, como los autores y que la publicación está a cargo de la editorial Bíblica o la “ex-sociedad Bíblica internacional”.

  La Biblia en su original griego contiene y preserva toda la pureza con la que Dios pretendió que fuera, de ahí radica la importancia de poder aprender Griego y al menos manejar lo básico para verificar con el original. En el mundo existen muchísimos manuscritos pero de ellos 5 son los de mayor importancia ya que sus fechas los acercan más al siglo primero, fechados entre siglo IV y V y el hecho de ser unciales o códices les da el respeto debido a ser autoridad en estos asuntos. Estos manuscritos son: Sinaítico, Alejandrino, Vaticano, el manuscrito palimpsesto de Efraim y el código de Bezae. Entre más de 200 leccionarios (como sermones utilizados por los que fueron discípulos de los apóstoles o “Padres de la fe” para enseñar a la iglesia poco después del cierre del siglo I). Sin lugar a dudas las muchas fuentes existentes proveen una importante variedad de corroboración a los textos originales. Dios espera que podamos ser críticos y por tal motivo nos ha dado una basta cantidad de material para examinar y concluir lógica y correctamente. El asunto si nosotros lo hacemos o NO, no es ni constituye una falta de Dios. Cada persona en este planeta puede aprender griego, puede indagar y profundizar en la extensa variedad que tenemos, para comprobar pero solo si tal persona quiere y se lo propone. A continuación analizaremos una lista de versículos encontrados en la NVI y compararemos con otras versiones para sacar nuestras propias conclusiones de los hechos.

  • Mateo 6:13 “Y no nos dejes caer en tentación, sino líbranos del maligno”.       Suprime el final de la oración de Jesús, tuyo es el reino y el poder y la gloria por todos los siglos. Sabemos que el premilenialismo no cree que el reino ya ha sido establecido por Cristo. La Biblia enseña que sí (Dn 2:44; Col 1:13).
  • Apocalipsis 1:11 “Escribe en un libro lo que veas y envíalo a las siete iglesias: a Éfeso, a Esmirna, a Pérgamo, a Tiatíra, a Sardis, a Filadelfia y a Laodicea”. Quita la referencia a Cristo mismo: Yo soy el alfa y la omega el primero y el último. El gnosticismo siempre ha negado la deidad de Cristo desde tiempos del apóstol Juan y hasta nuestra actualidad.
  • 2 Tesalonisenses 1:9 “Ellos sufrirán el castigo de la destrucción eterna, lejos de la presencia del Señor y de la majestad de su poder”. Suplanta “perdición” por “destrucción”. Obviamente no es lo mismo, la Biblia pone especial énfasis a que el castigo será eterno, es decir no tendrá fin (Marcos 9:48). Los Testigos de Jehová y los adventistas han enseñado con mucho entusiasmo la falsa doctrina de que cuando el hombre muere, ese es el fin y que el castigo del que habla Dios es la “aniquilación”, doctrina a la que la Biblia da la espalda.
  • Lucas 4:4“Jesús le respondió: —Escrito está: “No sólo de pan vive el hombre”. Hasta aquellos que no son tan buenos estudiantes de la Biblia saben que este versículo no termina ahí, “sino de toda palabra que sale de la boca de Dios” precisamente esta frase omitida es un error gravísimo ya que Cristo está citando textualmente  Deut 8:3.
  • Hechos 28:29 La nueva versión Internacional elimina por completo este versículo  donde dice: “Los judíos salieron teniendo entre sí gran contienda”. Está sumamente sospechosa esta eliminación ya que a simple vista parece que los traductores de la NVI no quisieron herir susceptibilidades en sus tendencias ecuménicas. El pasaje ni siquiera es uno de la lista de críticas textuales, por tanto no hay razones fuertes para no incluirlo.
  • Hechos 4:24 “Cuando lo oyeron, alzaron unánimes la voz en oración a Dios: «Soberano Señor, creador del cielo y de la tierra, del mar y de todo lo que hay en ellos”  Omite “tú eres el Dios” , algo muy parecido a la traducción del nuevo mundo de los testigos de Jehová. Cada vez que se llega a un pasaje que tiene que ver con la naturaleza divina de Cristo, los enredos y nubes de humo encierran al pasaje. La Biblia establece muy bien tanto en el griego, refiriendo a Jesus como Dios (Teos) así como en español más toda la evidencia del A.T (Isaías 7:14).
  • Hechos 8:36-37 “Mientras iban por el camino, llegaron a un lugar donde había agua, y dijo el eunuco: —Mire usted, aquí hay agua. ¿Qué impide que yo sea bautizado?”– Omite el versículo 37, y quita la declaración: “Creo que Jesucristo es el hijo de Dios”. Sabemos que para los evangélicos, basta la experiencia de fe para obtener la salvación, aunque se comete ese error aquí, Dios ha provisto una larga y tendida lista tanto en el A.T como las poco más de 80 veces en el Nuevo, de la necesidad de bautismo y la declaración de fe que procede al mismo ( 1Pedro 3:18-20; Hechos 2:38, Marcos 16:16).
  • Hechos 9:6  “Levántate y entra en la ciudad, que allí se te dirá lo que tienes que hacer”. -Quita el reconocimiento del apóstol Pablo a Jesús como Señor: “Señor ¿que quieres que yo haga?
  • Apocalipsis 21:24 “Las naciones caminarán a la luz de la ciudad, y los reyes de la tierra le entregarán sus espléndidas riquezas”. Omite la frase: “que hubieren sido salvas y suplanta la fuente de la luz, “porque la gloria de Dios la ilumina, y el Cordero es su lumbrera. (vs, 23 ). 
  • 1 Corintios 6:9,  la NVI usa la frase“homosexualidad” en lugar de “afeminados” o “sodomitas” para decir que “Dios solamente condenó los actos criminales de los heterosexuales, pero no el homosexualismo en sí. Por otro lado sobre este mismo tema note por favor En Deuteronomio 23:17, 1 Reyes 15:12, 22:46 y 2 Reyes 23:7 la frase “prostitutas del templo” son usadas en lugar de “sodomitas”. O sea, que la NVI es la “Biblia” preferida de los homosexuales por sobre estos versículos
  • Juan 14:13 “Todo lo que me pidiereis ,yo lo haré..”. El pasaje manipulado aquí contradice la enseñanza de la Biblia sobre la oración que debe únicamente ser dirigida al Padre(Efe 5:20, Rom 15:30) a travez de Jesús y no ha Jesús mismo. De hecho estaría en contra de las declaraciones del Señor en Mateo 6:9 cuando dice: “Padre nuestro que estás en los cielos”. Hacer lo contrario sería una clara violación a la lógica.

Permítame concluir estableciendo el hecho sencillo que aún con esta versión de la Biblia tan mal traducida, el hombre puede aprender quién es Dios y que quiere que el hombre haga para llegar a ser salvo. Realmente la palabra de Dios es tan poderosa que incluso la versión de los testigos de Jehová puede ser útil para que cualquiera entienda las más importantes verdades. Pero en la era en la que vivimos, con tanto acceso y avance tecnológico, cualquier persona puede tener acceso a diferentes versiones de la Biblia, así que después de la evidencia antes mencionada, mejor ¡Huya de la nueva versión internacional!. Existen muchas otras versiones más acertadas tales, como la Biblia textual, la Biblia de las Américas, entre otras las que usted puede obtener por bajo costo. Esperamos aya sido de ayuda para usted amado lector el material antes presentado.

Posted in Heiner Montealto | Tagged , , | Comments Off on ¡Huya de la Nueva Versión Internacional! NVI!

VBS Gone Wild (Part 3)

VBS Gone Wild (Part 3)

Anytime potential problems exist with the activities of the Church Biblical authority must be the chief concern.  Question after question must be asked.  Souls rest on the truth and doubt or presumption cannot excuse them when they choose profane instead of holy.  Previously questionable activities examined and discussed in this series are: VBS Decoration, dress up, craft time, and drama.  These are based on the VBS description, ““They decorated the entire Church building to look like the ocean and the teachers dressed like crabs. We made crafts, watched a play, heard a Bible story about a guy who got eaten by a whale, sang songs – I clapped and stomped my feet with my favorite one – I won a prize in kickball, and we ate hotdogs and hamburgers afterward.”

VBS - It started as a time to instruct the Truth about God. It wasn't a circus.

VBS – It started as a time to instruct the Truth about God. It wasn’t a circus.

“Heard a Bible story about a guy who got eaten by a whale” No, not exactly the message taught, but the likely retelling of it by a child.  The Los Angeles Lakers NBA basketball team maintains a loyal informed fan base.  The fans look forward to each season with one mantra in mind. “What do we play for?  RINGS!”  In other words, they understand Championships represent the goal of playing games.  Similarly, “Why do congregations hold VBS?  To achieve crowns.  1 Thessalonians 2:19 – For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?  How does man build a faith so that he might make it to heaven?  He hears of God (Romans 10:17).  For all ages, a properly run VBS focuses on imparting a sound understanding of the gospel so souls can reach heaven.

Healthy children continually demonstrate the ability to absorb data.  They can do so at an astounding rate.  My son at an early age could just about verbally repeat entire movies after watching them once or twice.  He could hum practically every level of every video game he played.  Though he has a good mind, he cannot be described as the brightest bulb in the room.  My son is an average boy.  Yet, when it comes to Biblical instruction at a VBS, he and other children often find themselves treated like morons incapable of learning anything of any depth.  If lessons were water the depth wouldn’t cover the students ankles.  No one seems to expect children to be capable of great learning.  I Corinthians 3:1-2 shows the apostle Paul stating, “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, as unto babes in Christ.  I fed you with milk, not with meat; for ye were not yet able to bear it: nay, not even now are ye able;” Most children growing up in the church are turning out exactly this way.  A lack of edification exists.  Jude tells Christians to “contend” for the faith once delivered.  Contend means to struggle.  Individuals cannot struggle for the faith if they don’t even join the fight.

The teaching received in and out of VBS can frequently be condensed into a thimble.  Untaught children turn into untaught spiritually feeble adults.  Twenty minutes of watered down Biblical instruction seems to be the common amount for most VBS programs.  Why even conduct a VBS for only twenty minutes of instruction?  Vacation Bible SCHOOL!  Extend your VBS beyond a few days or a week.  Increase the teaching time.  Drill, memorize, read, instruct in the doctrine of Christ.  When children find little or nothing expected of them they will return the exact amount – little or nothing.  Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it.”  VBS represents such a small time in the life of an individual, yet, teachers can make a great impact if they choose.  The child may never be in church any other time in their life than VBS.  Do we want to spend that time truly teaching or just killing time (and a soul)?  Congregations start treating VBS as a valuable opportunity.  Develop your own in depth material.  Challenge the children.  Studies show when children leave the Church following high school (and most do), they do so stating they never felt challenged.  Most of these children cannot articulate their faith or defend it.  VBS represents the perfect time to enable our children for spiritual success.  Is your VBS truly teaching or does the congregation revere God enough to really care?

“[We] sang songs – I clapped and stomped my feet with my favorite one” Years ago, a teenage girl came to me with a concern.  She did not understand why we praised God without instruments.  She pointed out that the congregation she attended taught children songs with clapping from the very beginning.  Father Abraham, the B.I.B.L.E., and others all used parts with clapping.  Then she stated, at some point, the clapping stopped and became a negative thing.  I sympathized with her and explained to her why the Church only sings and that it was a mistake for any age class to encourage clapping.  However, she eventually left the Church over this issue.  The early false practices enabled in children’s classes impacted her greatly.  A number of VBS programs use songs which engage clapping.  It is as if the congregations never read Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16.  When Christians approach God in song, they sing by command and nothing else.  Worship does not only occur on Sunday morning.  God does not go on holiday during VBS, camp, Sunday through Saturday, or at any other time.  There are no exceptions.  The fruit of the lips (Hebrews 13:15) stands as the only acceptable praise in song God desires.  Nowhere does he encourage, stomping, thumping, tapping, drumming, playing, clapping, slapping, snapping, popping, or strumming (save the heart strings).  When man transgresses God’s directive he shows a lack of reverence toward God.  He finds himself not edifying, but attempting to tear down the foundation of Christ.  Ultimately, such these actions turn into stumbling blocks for future worship.

“I won a prize in kickball” Kids enjoy playing.  Playing can be fun and healthy.  If a VBS runs all day long and the children take breaks, they may decide to play games.  However, a relationship between the Lord’s money and prizes for games does not exist.  Organizing play activities also does not represent a function of the Church.  If parents or children, on their time, wish to do so, wonderful!  Such activity does stand as a family responsibility.  Christians provide funds for items such as widows indeed (I Timothy 5:6), needy saints (I Corinthians 16:1), and evangelism (I Corinthians 9:4-12), but nowhere in scripture can the funding of folly be found.  No authority exists for such an undertaking.  Still, many VBS gatherings will advertise the giving away of prizes and the playing of games.  God never endorses social amusements and worldly bribes to draw mankind to him.  A game playing atmosphere represents a lack of reverence to God.  Have they not homes to play games in?  Jesus never advertised “Come hear the gospel, play games, leave with a new bicycle!”  Understanding this, we now turn to the final VBS aspect to be examined.

“We ate hotdogs and hamburgers afterward” The draw of the feast.  How many VBS flyers promote “the feast”?  Does this relate to the gospel in any possible way?  No.  This week I saw a number of Churches advertising free meals to the public in hope of drawing them in.  What does this say about their faith in the gospel?  Acts 7 records Stephen sharing the gospel to the Jews.  They rush him and stone him.  The persecution against Christians which follows causes them to scatter throughout the world (Acts 8:1-4).  Fortunately, everywhere those Christians went they handed out free food and the Church grew.  No!  They did not go out handing out food.  They preached the Word!  In the face of persecution, they didn’t try to appease or use gimmicks.  Christians relied upon the Gospel!  To put trust in social gimmicks instead of God can only be identified as completely irreverent.  Does this kind of action edify the church?  No.  Does using “the feast” result in an expedience to learning the gospel?  In no manner whatsoever does it do this.  Is the social gospel as demonstrated by “the feast” good stewardship?  Again, No!

A number of problems existing with VBS have been mentioned in this series of articles.  It’s not as if each of these problems does not fail in multiple ways according to Biblical Authority.  Yet, many folks “poo poo” such warnings and move full steam ahead.  When and if continued objections arise a different attitude often pops up. “If we can’t do it our way then we just won’t have a VBS!”  Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.”  Instead of acting the way Apollos did when he received correction (Acts 18:24-28), folks decide to act the way of Cain (Genesis 4).  Woah!  That is a strong accusation.  Yes, when men decide to add their own devices to the teaching of God’s Word, they put others in danger of spiritual death.  Great opportunity exists to educate when holding a VBS.  Yet men design their plan by counting the number of warm bodies in a building attracted by their contrivances, rather than making a concerted effort to instruct souls and let God provide the growth (I Corinthians 3:6).  Teaching the gospel is a very simple action.   When congregations add more than what is written they do so at their own peril.  Why do they do it?  Don’t be guilty of VBS gone wild.  Stick to God’s pattern and everything will work as it should.

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Posted in Travis Main | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on VBS Gone Wild (Part 3)

VBS Gone Wild (Part 2)

VBS Gone Wild (Part 2)

VBS - It should be about proclaiming the gospel and referencing God, but is it?

VBS – It should be about proclaiming the gospel and referencing God, but is it?

VBS gone wild!  Hopefully, just the sound of it makes you cringe.  Our God is not a God of Chaos (I Corinthians 14:33).  As mentioned in the first article, the Vacation Bible School atmosphere should encompass learning God’s Word.  The time spent holding a VBS ought to represent good stewardship of time and effort unencumbered by worldly distraction.  If Christ held a VBS, without a doubt, it would be reverent and conducted in a manner according to the authority of the Father.  Knowing what a VBS ought to be, this article will focus on where VBS activities become sidetracked from their proper objective.

The comments and recommendations in this series of articles stand to be rejected in part or in full by a number who read it.  This author does not want to offend or enrage anyone.  However, we must do Bible things in Bible ways and when our activities find themselves questioned even by the world, reflection and discernment about our actions must occur.  Whether rejected or embraced, please examine each component individually and consider what scripture says in regard to it (Acts 17:11).  Keep in mind not only the immediate impact the actions of a VBS create, but the chain reaction of events that may occur as questionable practices enter the congregation.  When legitimate concerns arise on the part of Christians should those concerns be tossed away or be regarded as a beacon from those who watch for our souls (Ezekiel 33)?  Would your conscience be free of guilt by advancing when others cry for you to yield (Acts 24:16, Romans 13:5)?  Will your actions wound the conscience of others or cause them to stumble (I Corinthians 8:10-12, Matthew 18:6)?  Remember in all activities, by the member and body, the appearance of evil should be avoided (I Thessalonians 5:22).

Recall the potential description of a VBS: “They decorated the entire Church building to look like the ocean and the teachers dressed like crabs. We made crafts, watched a play, heard a Bible story about a guy who got eaten by a whale, sang songs – I clapped and stomped my feet with my favorite one – I won a prize in kickball, and we ate hotdogs and hamburgers afterward.”  Let us break apart this statement piece and examine issues that revolve around it.

“They decorated the entire Church building to look like the ocean…”  That concerns arise presently and arose in the past regarding whether or not to decorate a Church building for VBS represents fact.  Does the decoration of a building represent a mandate from God?  No.  Before non-essential elements begin to enter the worship arena, exercise caution. An opinion may not be wrong, but exercising it may not be wise.  If decorating a building for VBS creates division within the body of Christ does that represent edification?  No.  If going ahead with decoration despite objection causes a brother’s conscience to be weakened does a congregation stand justified in their actions?  No.  Why decorate a place for Biblical Study (objective of VBS)?  If decoration occurs for the stated purpose of enjoyment, amusement, or entertainment, where in scripture does a congregation find such authorized?  No such scriptural objective exists.  Enjoyment, amusement, or even entertainment can exist incidentally to the learning process, but does not by any means represent the duty of Christians.  Does decoration achieve the command to revere God?  Past preparation for VBS at various congregations involved decorating the building like a beach, jungle, pirate lair, heaven, train depot, space, amusement park, and an endless variety of other ideas.  Does this convey the seriousness of coming to know God and the danger to souls that exists in the world?  Really consider this.  No earthly trade in value exists for the human soul (Psalm 49:5-9, Matthew 16:26).  Christianity isn’t a game.  What kind of atmosphere do we want to present?  Is it one with plastic seashells and a pretend turtle taped to the wall?  Does the amount of time and financial/physical resources spent on decoration demonstrate good stewardship or time that could have been used more effectively (Luke 10:38-42)?  Some folks claim the decorations represent an expedience for teaching.  Recall, an expedient should bring about an advantage to the student.  Do space decorations or beach decorations create more or less confusion when trying to study scripture?  The gain cannot make up for the loss.

“The teachers dressed like crabs”.  Many a VBS sees a wide variety of costumes.  Members dress as crabs, pirates, horses, trees, Roman soldiers, governors, Caesar, Jesus, Mary, planets, monkeys, mummies, and so on.  Where in the first century Church did the apostles dress up in the appearance of Moses or Daniel or a lion’s den to teach men about salvation?  If this an expedient to learning, why in the great era of Grecian drama (which will be addressed later on in this series) did this not occur?  Recall the words of Paul: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 – “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.  And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”  Paul did not need to dress up to share Christ.  He did not need to have lofty speech or the wisdom of man.  Many solid Christians depart congregations over dress up.  Costumes bring division in many congregations.  Many members sit silently, consciences wounded while such activity goes on around them.  Other congregations refuse to encourage lost souls to attend the congregations with drama based on the obvious lack of reliance on the Word of God.  If costumes serve as an expedient to knowing what something from the past looked like, would not a picture of the real thing more swiftly and accurately convey the truth?  Is scripture itself not sufficient to guide a man to salvation (2 Peter 1:3)?  Is dressing like a donkey or crab or Jesus to teach the Word reverent to God?  Is the amount of time and resources spent to develop costumes good stewardship?

“We made crafts”.  1 Corinthians 15:3 –“ For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures; and that he appeared to Cephas; then to the twelve;  then he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once… [handing out little crosses fashioned from popsicle sticks]”.  No, the bracketed words do not represent scripture.  However, according to the wisdom of man, Christ would have helped the children remember Him by giving out crafts.  Crafts fill time.  Crafts busy little hands.  Crafts do not teach the Word of God in an expedient manner.  How many children run from VBS class with their crafts having no idea what they did or why they did it.  Oh, but they got to eat glue and use a stapler… that was fun!  The young Jewish children were studying the written Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) at the age of five.  “Make work” demonstrates lack of knowledge and inability to provide proper Biblical instruction.  Yes, teachers, there does exist sympathy here.  Because parents fail in their duties to raise children who will listen and learn without pandering, a great challenge stands before you.  Do not flinch!  Send them back to mom and dad until they can behave.  Put the crafts away and get out the Bible.  VBS should never be daycare.  That is the job of the parent, not the Church.

“[We] watched a play.”  Drama seems to be the flavor of the week for many VBS undertakings.  Used here the word “drama” refers not only to actors playing a part but the utilization of puppets to act out parts as well.  The utilization of drama poses a great number of hurdles for the Christian.  Books have been written over its failings.  In the least, drama cheapens God the gospel as if it were something common, at its worst drama delivers souls to gates of eternal hell. It lacks reverence toward God.  I once approached drama with ignorance. As part of a congregation’s VBS I played the part of Jesus, our God and Savior, twice.  To this very day I am sorry for what I did and the example I gave.  How dare anyone assume to play God!  My acting treated God, holy and above all (I Samuel 2:2), as something common.  And how did the acting affect the youth?  For years later, the children called me Jesus.  It pains my stomach now to even think about it.

Drama does not equal the precision of reading scripture.  Indeed, the countless hours spent preparing drama only demonstrates poor stewardship of time in comparison to the time required to read and explain a passage of scripture.  Peter established that scripture can be difficult to understand (2 Peter 3:15-16).  Why would anyone throw the difficulty of interpreting a dramatic performance into the mix?  What can an actor convey quicker and more clearly than the spoken Word of God?  No backdrops need creating, no costumes need making, and no lines require memorizing… the most expedient form of learning happens to be preaching.  Imagine that! (I Corinthians 1:21-25)  If drama does not result in expediency, it exists without authority.  As stated previously, if God desired His word to be performed, why did the apostles not do so in the era of Grecian theatre?  No command, authority, or implications for necessary inference exist to support drama.

Drama falls hard on its face when it comes to edification.  Rather than one man delivering a clear message from the Bible, men, women, boys, and girls “take the stage” and perform.  Scripture does not teach this! (I Corinthians 14:26-31)  Actor’s minds dart over appearance, remembering their lines, the thoughts of parents and friends, the actions and emotions coming next, and trying to perform better than everyone else.   To be edified, their minds should be upon the word of God.  Acting outside of their God given roles, women stand before the congregation where a man should stand sharing the message of God.  God gave men that authority, not women (I Timothy 2:11-15). A preacher constantly battles controlling his pride and remembering he stands only as a messenger before God’s people.  Yet, congregations put women and children on a stage and expect everything to be acceptable and with authority?  What about the people who did not get roles?  How did being left out edify them?  What behind the scenes bickering developed because someone got the “special” role while another got to be the backside of a donkey?  Edification remains far from drama.  Pride, chaos, division, backbiting, gossip, and a lack of authority flourish.  In the end, the emphasis of drama focuses on the actor’s behavior and costume rather than God.

When drama sets itself before its audience, its frequent objective equals amusement, social attraction, and emotion.  Can you imagine anyone finding something amusing at the crucifixion of Christ?  Drama enabled my eyes to see it and I am ashamed.  Is there anything funny about the resurrection of Lazarus?  Ever see that performed in the mode of Kung Fu theatre?  One of the greatest miracles of all time demonstrating Christ’s power over death simplified down to a twenty second laugh track.  Why drama?  If honest hearts answer, drama comes to congregations in hopes of drawing a crowd.  Only by Jesus does man come to the father (John 14:6).  Jesus through the gospel draws men.  Congregations condemn themselves trying to draw people to God by means of social interaction.  The denominations and the world at large will ultimately out duel any drama, performance, musical, or carnival atmosphere a congregation dreams up.  What makes the church unique is the power of the gospel to save (Romans 1:16).  Emotions cannot substitute for truth.  Emotions lead men to their destruction (Proverbs 14:12).  Drama attempts to play upon the emotions of an audience, swaying them one way or another.  However, God does not authorize drama and it does not lead to life (Matthew 7:13).

Do not let yourself think drama does not wound the consciences of others in the congregation.  Do not let yourself think drama does not act as a stumbling block for the actors.  Do not believe for a minute that other congregations do not notice the slippery slope those engaging in drama walk.  They notice and separate themselves as far as they can from it.  Drama represents a serious issue and departure from the faith.

Dress up, craft time, and drama inhabit many VBS enterprises every summer.  Say goodbye to them and return to God’s authorized manner of knowing Him: teach, preach, study.  Rely only on the Word of God.  Truth sanctifies you (John 17:17).  Truth sets man free (John 8:32).  The inspired Word of God is suitable for doctrine, conviction, correction, and instruction (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  The truth enables man to be adequately equipped for the purpose God made him.  When man chooses cheap substitutes, his actions only result in failure and a displeased God.

VBS Gone Wild (Part 3) closes out this series and focuses on four more failings of the VBS.

Posted in Travis Main | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on VBS Gone Wild (Part 2)