The Cash Cow

The other day while commenting on the Leadership Summit, I quoted Rick Warren as saying, "there aren't any preachers doing this for money..." Well here's a few more other than the obvious, Benny Hinn. Check out the link I've listed below and try to keep yourself from vomiting. I must also say that I believe that Rick Warren is not one of these preachers that is doing it for the money. He claimed to be a reverse tither (he gives away 90% of what he makes) and does not even take a salary from Saddleback, and not only that, he has returned all of the salary money he had recieved from Saddleback over the last 25 yrs. he's been the pastor there. I think that is extremely commendable and may God bless him for doing that. It was what he said after that which I thought was a bit irresponsible because I know that he knows better.
See Ya.
http://www.myfortress.org/mansion.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4619733.stm

The Leadership Summit and Rick Warren

In my last post I had mentioned that Julie and I were able to attend the The Leadership Summit that is put on by Bill Hybels and Willow Creek Community Church. The event was originally held back in August at Willow Creek,near Chicago, where almost 8000 people were in attendance. This past weekend the videos from that conference were shown at the conference we attended in Glasgow, as well as many other cities around the world. We had somewhere between 400-500 people in attendance at the Queens Park Baptist Church in Glasgow. The fact that that many people showed up to watch videos of the conference in Scotland is pretty amazing. It is very hard to get that many people to show up for any church related events here in Scotland. I think one of the reasons for that is the line up of speakers. Of course Bill Hybels spoke and there were other pretty high profile speakers as well. Most notably though was Pastor Rick Warren from Saddleback Community Church in California. He is most well known now though as the author of the Purpose Driven Life. I have to admit for several years I have been a big promoter of him and his books but I'm afraid it's possible that I was decieved by some very slick marketing. In fact I hadn't even thought about taking a closer look until this past summer when I received an e-mail from him prior to the G-8 summit which was held in Scotland this year. The e-mail was basically a promotion of the 'One Thing' campaign to wipe out debt and poverty in third world nations around the world but mostly focussing on the continent of Africa. I am all for reaching out to the poor as the bible is very clear on our responsibility to do so. The thing I didn't like about the campaign is that it was about linking arms with celebrities like Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Bono and many more. I would rather do something with established Christian ministries that have already been doing this sort of thing for years. I guess my point is that it would be better to put my support behind something that's ultimately going to give the glory to God and lift up Christ's name. I don't think non-Christian celebrities are going to do that and I don't think God needs their help just because they are really famous. So, I refused to sign the petition or whatever it was they wanted me to to sign and I explained why. Well, one week later I got another e-mail thanking me for joining the 'One Thing' campaign from Rick Warren (It had his name on it so I'll give him the credit). This, to say the least made me a bit angry because I know they set up the e-mail so that once you've opened it you've signed on. Talk about decptive marketing practices. Why does the church need to stoop to these measures? Do we not believe in the Holy Spirit's power anymore? If that were all though I would most likely have left it alone and not mentioned it here but there is more. During the conference, Rick Warren, while sharing his global P.E.A.C.E. plan had mentioned that we need a new reformation but this time it shouldn't be about creeds, it should be about deeds. First of all there are plenty of people out there doing good deeds in the name of Christ in some very poor obscure places but we don't hear much about them because unlike Rick Warren, Bob Geldof, Bono, Brad Pitt, George Clooney and the rest of them, their not drawing attention to themselves. Check out what Jesus had to say about this: "Be careful not to do your `acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." I am all for stepping the effort to help out these impoverished nations but we don't need to exchange sound doctrine for good deeds, they should run together. As a matter of fact, I strongly believe that the church is in a worse state now than prior to the reformation in the 1500's. Check out 2 Tim. 3-4 and tell me that doesn't describe what you see today. More than anything the church needs to get back to the basics of expositional bible preaching and teaching and from that there will be an overflow of deeds.

Another thing Rick Warren mentioned while digussing his personal finances is that he doesn't know of any preachers out there doing it for money. Is he kidding me? Has he not heard of Benny Hinn and most of the people you see on the Trinity Broadcasting Network? Unfortunately, they're all over the place and sadly they are exporting their false doctrines all over the globe.

Well, that's enough for now. Check out these links for more info. on this subject.

http://www.letusreason.org/Popteac26.htm

http://www.svchapel.org/Resources/articles/read_articles.asp?ID=112

http://www.ministrywatch.com/mw2.1/pdf/MWDA_053105_BennyHinn.pdf

http://srn-chrislawson.blogspot.com/

"I Can't Stands It No More!"

This past weekend Julie and I attended the International Leaders Summit in Glasgow. This summit which has just celebrated its 10th year was created by Bill Hybels, the pastor of Willow Creek Community Church near Chicago out of a passion to see church leaders better equiped to lead.

Over all I thought much of what was shared in the conference was good sound practical advice for pastors and other church leaders. I could have however left after the first message of the conference which was given by Bill Hybels and had been completely satisfied. I guess that's the one session I got the most out of and seemed to speak right to my heart. He spoke about our calling and how God usually allows a burden to be on our hearts that weighs so heavy that as Popeye would say, "I can't stands it no more!" It's a kind of righteous indignation, somethinng you see and you just can't stand letting it go on.

As I was listening to the message it wasn't hard for me to know what this was for me. One of the things God has laid on me is a passion to see churches get back to the basics of equiping their congregations with the clear preaching of the word. This is so needed especially here in Scotland. Most of the preachers here don't even believe the Bible is God's word, and these are ordained ministers we're talking about here. Then there are those who are unfortunately trying to get more people in their churches by watering down the word, or are indulging in extra biblical experiential pandering that puts a higher emphasis on the experience rather than the word. They stay away from those parts of the Bible that some might find offensive and rather than testing their experiences in light of scripture, they twist scripture to fit their experience. This absolutely kills me and I must say, I can't stands it no more!" God's whole word must be preached uncompromisingly. If it is not you will continue to see cults develop and Christian churches full of people who have a warped concept of who God really is and what He wants to do with their lives.

The other thing I just can't stands no more is seeing people dying unnecessarily around the world from starvation, disease and abortion. Every time I see it on T.V. I have to change the channel because it is just too heartbreaking for me to see these little children dying horrible deaths, some in the arms of utterly greif stricken parents or worse yet, with no one there to comfort them at all. The Bible clearly teaches us as Christians, we are called to help those that can't help themselves so that Jesus Christ would be glorified.

I think James 1:27 sums it up pretty well, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

So, what am I to do with this clarity of conviction? Pray! My prayer is that God will lead me in the direction where He can use me best. I know we are already on the mission field but I think God is filling in some specifics here with what we are doing so, we'll see what happens. I'll have more on this soon.
Marc

Hurricane Katrina

In the past week I have been amazed at the devistation from hurricane Katrina. I have also been completely gobsmacked as they say here in the U.K. at not only the media, (both American and U.K.) but also all those out there speculating on why this happened. The latter is what I would like to focus on. I'm sure in the next few days I will have some words for the media as well.
Here are some of the things I have heard within two days of the landfall of the hurricane:

1. This is God's judgement on the U.S. because of the U.S. waging war on Iraq and killing innocent Iraqi's.
2. This is God's judgement on America for it's policy in supporting the Israeli Government in the removal of the Jews from their homes in the Gaza strip.
3. New Orleans had it coming because it is such a sinful city.

First off let me just say that I don't know why this happened and I'm pretty sure no one else does either, but I would like to respond to these statements with scripture as my guide.

To those that might think that this is a result of the war on Iraq, isn't it just as possible or even more so that the war on Iraq is God's judgement on Iraq for the slaughtering of hundreds of thousands of their own people, Iranians, and for their support of terrorists. Check out what the bible says because that is the final authority.
Romans 13:3-4 " For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4 For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer."

In regard to the Gaza strip, wouldn't it make sense also that some major catastophy come upon the Israeli government since in the end they had to implement the policy. In other words, they are just as copable as the United States, probably even more so. In Genesis chapter 12:3, God tells Abraham the following: "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." I think the Israeli government is just as copable as anyone. I didn't see any American soldiers taking people from their homes, those were Israeli soldiers taking their own people from their homes and I might add, some of them were in tears having to carry out the orders from above. The U.S. has stood beside Israel for years and has had to take much criticism for it, so I would be very slow to blame the hurricane on this situation.

Last but but not least, if God took out New Orleans because of it's sin, look out Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore, Detroit, Miami, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Etc.... Every one of these cities is riddled with sin as well as every human being on the face of the earth. The bible says that " All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." -Romans 3:23
In reality all of us deserve what New Orleans got but God is mericiful. This reminds me of when Jesus' disciples asked him why the man was blind from birth;
JN 9:1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
JN 9:3 "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.
So, it's possible that God allowed this to happen (and He did, God is sovereign!!) ultimately so that his love and mercy would be demonstrated through His people. So instead of everyone trying to figure out why this happened, lets see what we can do to help.
I guess some of these senarios are possible but we don't know for sure. I remember when the towers came down on 9-11 and Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell very soon after made the statement that it was God's judgement on America for it's sins of homosexuality and abortion. That was possibly true but unless we know it for sure, I think we need to be very careful with our words. I think these words from James in the bible sum it up pretty well, " My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." James 1:19
There will be wars, storms, and tsunamis and earthquakes because we live in a sinful world. When sin entered the world, it didn't just affect man but all of creation as it says in Romans 8:22
"We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. "
Check out also the words of Jesus in Matthew 24: Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, `I am the Christ, ' and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
MT 24:9 "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
Man, does that sound like today or what?
I think that pretty much sums it all up.
Marc

Don't all religions lead to God?

Recently there was a comment left on our Marc and Julie blog that put forth the notion that it really doesn't matter who you worship or who you call God. The idea being that all religions are just different expressions of God and that we are all worshiping the same God no matter what we may call him or her. The only problem with this is that it is in direct conflict to the bible and it also renders Jesus death on the cross as being meaningless. There is much more to be said on this but for now I will leave you with a helpful article by Hank Hannegraff. Let me know what you think.
Marc

Don’t All Religions Lead to God? by: Hank Hanegraaff

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
Before answering this question, a word of warning is in order: Anyone who answers in the negative may well be ostracized for being narrow-minded and intolerant. That being said, my answer is, “No, not all religions lead to God, and it is incorrect and illogical to maintain that they do.”
First, when you begin to examine world religions such as Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, you will immediately recognize that they directly contradict one another. For example, Moses taught that there is only one God; Krishna believed in many gods; and Buddha was agnostic. Logically, they can all be wrong but they can’t all be right.
Furthermore, the road of religion leads steeply uphill, while the road of Christianity descends downward. Put another way, religion is fallen humanity’s attempt to reach up and become acceptable to God through what we do; Christianity, on the other hand, is a divine gift based on what Christ has done. He lived the perfect life that we could never live and offers us His perfection as an absolutely free gift.
Finally, Jesus taught that there was only one way to God. “I am the way and the truth and the life,” said Jesus, “No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6, emphasis added).
Moreover, Jesus validated His claim through the immutable fact of His resurrection. The opinions of all other religious leaders are equally valid in that they are equally worthless. They died and are still dead. Only Jesus had the power to lay down His life and to take it up again. Thus, His opinion is infinitely more valid than theirs.

For further study, see John MacArthur, Why One Way? Defending an Exclusive Claim in an Inclusive World (Nashville: W Publishing Group, 2002); and Ronald Nash, Is Jesus the Only Savior? (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994).
(Adapted from Hank Hanegraaff, The Bible Answer Book (Nashville: J. Countryman, 2004)
Monday, July 25, 2005

Greetings from Scotland

Religion vs. Relationship

The picture to your left is of the Abbey at Iona, Scotland. It's founder Columba came to Scotland's shores in the 6th century after having to flee Ireland because of his involvement in a petty dispute over the ownership of a manuscript. This little dispute evolved into a tribal conflict that left over 3000 dead. After he was forced to flee the country, Columba vowed not to return until he led as many pagans to Christ as he killed on the battle feild. It was here on Iona that a major change happened in his life. He was no longer the head strong soldier of Ireland, but according to his biographer, he became a very loving, kind person with a great concern for the poor. Sounds like he had a real encounter with the living Christ. This is what the gospel is all about and why I wanted to tell this story in my first post on the new blog.
Columba was very religious while living in Ireland but he wasn't engaged in a real relationship with Jesus. He had what some would now call a seminary degree studying under Finnian and graduating from Whithorn, but he didn't have that life giving relationship with his creator, Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, that is the story of many who fill the pews in churches today, " having a form of godliness but denying it's power..." - 2 Timothy 3:5 Jesus isn't impressed with your church attendance or even if you have a seminary degree, are a pastor or a missionary if you haven't made the great u-turn in life and started trusting and following Jesus instead of your latest wim and personal passion. Jesus said to Nicodemus in John 3:3 "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." So why do we have to be born again? What was the problem with our first birth? Because of Adam's sin (which contaminated the whole human race and all of our surroundings) we are all born with a sin nature, a natural gravitation towards that which is wrong. If you don't believe me you probably don't have children. We didn't have to teach our children to do bad things, they figured it all out on their own. So, the idea here is to be born again into Christ by putting our trust and faith in Him andHis death and resurrection for our sins. By doing this we take on a new nature where sin becomes the unatural thing rather than the natural. - Romans 8:9
So, if you are living a religious life as Columba once did, I would encourage you to make that great u-turn in life and follow the real living Christ and experience a peace that transcends all understanding.
God bless you,
Marc

The New Blog

Hi and welcome to my new blog.
This blog is not to replace the marc and julie blog but is in addition to it. I just wanted to create something that would be used more specifically for research, defending the gospel, and general commentary about stuff happening in and out of the church. One of the things that drives me crazy is the amount of misinformation being distributed on such a wide scale these days. These embelleshments and down right lies are coming from all facets of society including the media, the universities, politicians (I know that's hard to believe) and unfortunately the church. I think we have a great opportunity today with the blog scene to combat the lies and proclaim the truth, so that's what this is all about. I hope it will in some way encourage you who take the time to read it.
God bless and keep posted.