July 3, 2009

The Preterist View Heresy

The Preterist View, also called Realized Eschatology or the A.D. 70 Doctrine, is an error that seems to resurface every so often. The doctrine states that the Second Coming of Christ, the final judgment, and the end of the world occurred in A.D. 70 with the destruction of Jerusalem at the hand of the Romans.

Max King essentially wrote the book on this doctrine, making the case for it in his 1971 book, The Spirit of Prophecy. Bill Reeves wrote a series of articles answering King’s arguments and demonstrating from the Scriptures the truth about the end times.

If you come across the doctrine today, the arguments made by its proponents will likely be essentially the same arguments made by King in his book. So if you are looking for material to help answer this issue, the articles by Brother Reeves should be useful.

This series of articles, The Preterist View Heresy by Bill Reeves, is available on the website of the Parkway church of Christ.

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May 13, 2009

Do You Have The Lord?

Tim Haile has recently written an article about what it means to “have the Lord.” It is about our fellowship with God and how to maintain that fellowship. Here is an excerpt from the article:

Over the years I have been asked this question many times. The question is scriptural and good, but I fear that it is often answered apart from any consideration of the Scriptures. This results in many people affirming to “have the Lord” when they know nothing of what the relationship involves or requires. If we intend to use a Bible phrase, we should use it consistent with its biblical context. Let us see how the phrase is defined in Scripture.

Read the rest of the article: Do You Have The Lord?

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April 28, 2009

Why People Quit Church

It is a sad thing to see Christians fall away and forsake the assembly of the saints. We often wonder why someone would leave. An article posted today on the Christian Courier website looks at some of the reasons.

Click here to read the article: Why People Quit Church

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April 21, 2009

Context

In studying the Bible, we often stress the importance of understanding the context of a passage, and rightly so. If we take a passage out of context, we could walk away with an understanding that God never intended us to have.

I came across a good, brief article by Jered Smith in Ranger, TX that discusses what factors we must consider when studying the Bible so we understand what we read within its context. I would recommend checking it out.

Click on the link to read the article: Context

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March 25, 2009

The Lectureship Issue

Over the past few years, there has been some discussion about a new form of institutionalism among brethren.

The traditional form of institutionalism involves local churches sending funds to an organization (orphan homes, colleges, etc.) to help them do their work.

The modern form of institutionalism has Christians forming or using human organizations to do spiritual works (evangelism/edification). An example of this that has drawn much scrutiny is the Guardian of Truth Foundation, which is in the business of publishing and selling books, hosting an annual lectureship (like a congregation would a gospel meeting). The problem with this arrangement is simply that God has already established an organization through which Christians can work collectively in these spiritual works. That divinely ordained organization is the local church.

There is a new website that has been set up with articles and audio sermons relating to this topic. This website has been put together by Aaron Erhardt and Tim Curry. I am grateful for their work in this and I encourage you to check out the material contained there.

Lectureship Issue

You can also visit Truth Magazine Lectures for material that I have collected, and some that I’ve written, on this issue.

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March 7, 2009

“My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?”

Was Jesus actually forsaken on the cross? Did the Father turn His back on the Son? Maybe believe the answer to these questions is “yes” based on their interpretation of Matthew 27:46. When we look at the context, however, we see that Jesus was not separated from the Father while on the cross.

Tim Haile has pointed out several problems with the idea that Jesus was actually forsaken on the cross in a recent article posted on the website of the Parkway church of Christ. I encourage you to click on the link below and read that article.

“My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?” (by Tim Haile)

Some time ago, I also wrote an article with the same title. If you are interested you may refer to that article as well – “My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?”

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February 21, 2009

Whose Prayers Are Answered?

Tim Haile has written a good and concise article on prayer and the conditions we must meet for God to hear our prayers – “Whose Prayers Are Answered?

“The initial response of most people to this question will be that “God answers the prayers of all people.” And while it would be quite comforting to believe this, the Bible actually teaches something very different. God has given certain rules and guidelines that govern prayer…”

Read the rest of the article here – Whose Prayers Are Answered?

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