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Worley's Woeful Rhetoric

noreply@blogger.com (Jared C. Wellman) — Wed, 23 May 2012 18:25:00 +0000

I am taking a temporary break from my temporary break because I feel like it is important for every pastor to make a statement on this particular issue.

As I write this, a video (above) is going viral on the internet in which Charles Worley, pastor of a Fundamental Church in North Carolina, suggests how to get rid of all of the “lesbians and queers,” but that he “couldn’t get it passed in congress.” He suggests building “a great, big large fence that is 50 or a 100 miles long,” that it should be “electrified,” and that we should “fly over and drop food” so that they can at least eat. “In a few years,” Worley states, “they will die out because they can’t reproduce.”

If this wasn’t bad enough, listening to the church scream “amen” to such a horrific suggestion revealed that there may be many organizations operating under the anthem of Jesus Christ who are suggesting things contrary to Jesus Christ.

Is homosexuality a sin? Yes. This much is clear in the Scriptures (Genesis 19, Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 6:9). Should Christians (or anyone for that matter) approve trapping the homosexual population in an electrified fence in order that they might die off? Absolutely not. Jesus would never condone such an act. In fact, Jesus did quite the opposite. Romans 5:8 says that “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.”

Jesus had the choice to let us die or die in our place, and He chose the latter. As Christians, our job is not to lock the sinners of the world away and watch them die. Our job is to share the Gospel with them, letting them know that although their sin separates them from God that He loved them enough to send Jesus to die in their place, just like He died in the place of those who have placed their faith in Him and are now forgiven.

God forbid that we forget that we are all sinners who can be saved by God’s grace.

When God had the choice to let us remain trapped in an “electrified fence” to die, He chose to instead send His only Son Jesus Christ to die in our place. Both Romans 5:8 and John 3:16 tell us that He did this because He “loved” us.

God operates in love. The problem with Charles Worley’s suggestion is that it does not reveal the loving heart of God for the lost, and it is this kind of preaching that causes the world to look at Christians and state that they want nothing to do with such an unloving organization of people.

Consider these statements: Mahatma Gandhi once said, “I like their Christ, I don’t like their Christians.” Friedrich Nietzshe said, “I will believe in the Redeemer when the Christian looks a little more redeemed.” Another has said, “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who profess God with their lips, but deny Him with their lifestyles.”

Let’s not let men like Charles Worley cement the stereotypical view of the church and become our national spokesperson. Let’s use this opportunity to tell the world that God is against sin, that He loves the sinner, and that is why Jesus came.

A Temporary Break

noreply@blogger.com (Jared C. Wellman) — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:20:00 +0000

Just a quick note to let everyone know that I will be taking a temporary break from posting on here for a while as I use my time to complete my current book project: The Church Member. If I find the time to post, I will certainly use it, but for now I do not plan on posting regularly.

I appreciate your faithfulness and look forward to getting the time to post again. Look for the release of this book sometime in the third quarter of this year!

In the meantime you can check out missiondorado.com to view updated and current material, specifically in the media portion of the website.

How To Choose a Church

noreply@blogger.com (Jared C. Wellman) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 03:52:00 +0000

The following is a copy of an article I wrote for the Odessa American published on March 29, 2012:

How to Choose a Church

Choosing a church can be an intimidating endeavor. The thought of walking into a brand new place with brand new people is, for most, a bit overwhelming. If I may, I would like to provide a few tips to help you out in the process. First, it is important to know what church is.

When most of us think of church, we tend to think of the three P’s: a place, a plan, or a passion. That is, we can’t help but think of a building with a steeple and stained glass windows (place), the order of service (plan), or about our emotions towards it (passion). While all of these capture a portion of what church is, they fail to represent what the Bible says about church, which is that it is people!

Paul told the Ephesian elders to, “Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). Jesus did not “purchase with His own blood” a place, a plan, or a passion, but people!

This means that when you are looking for a church, you are looking for people. Moreover, because people (who follow Jesus Christ and therefore have eternal life) make up the church, the services should be as close to heaven on earth as possible. This is what you are looking for when you are looking for a church!

So how can you find this “heaven on earth?” Consider the following three basic questions. We have already seen the three P’s when thinking of church, so let’s call these the “three P’s of finding a church”:

1. When I pray, where do I feel God calling me?

The most important thing you can do when looking for a church is to ask the Lord where He is leading you. This overrides other factors that you might think are more important, such as size, music style, and even ministries. God’s direction should override your preferences.

2. Where do I see myself being dynamically pluggedin?

Most of us when looking for a church like to ask: What can this church do for me? We should instead ask: What can I do for this church? God gifts various people with various talents and He expects us to use them through the church to bless Him. Moreover, it is encouraged to find a church that is in close proximity to your home. It would be difficult to be dynamically (livingly) plugged into a church if it requires you to travel hours to get to. It may also dissuade you from going when life gets busy, which it always does.

Moreover, watching church on television or on the internet is not a valid substitution for church, because by definition, it is not church. Sitting and listening to a sermon or watching a band play music is not a bad thing and it can assuredly bless your walk with the Lord (and even give you an opportunity to worship), but do not confuse or substitute such a thing as a “church experience.” Church is people, not computer monitors or television sets. God expects you to be with people (Hebrews 10:25).

3. What does this church preach as truth?

What the church believes about God and His Word is the single most important question you should ask when looking for a church. As Jesus, the “word made flesh” (John 1:14), once asked, “Who do people say that I am?” (Mark 8:27).

The Bible is an inerrant and infallible book that says that even while we were sinners, God loved us and sent His Son Jesus to atone for our sins (Romans 5:8; John 3:16). Moreover, it says that Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6). This was verified by His resurrection which signified victory over death. If you are looking for a church that preaches the truth, then look for a church that preaches Christ crucified and resurrected.

The answers to these three questions surmise some of the most important aspects of searching for a church home.

If you are in the market for a church home, I hope that this article aides you in your search. I would also like to invite you to consider Mission Dorado Baptist Church. I believe that we are a church that meets all of the biblical criteria for a sufficient church home.

You can visit missiondorado.com for more information about Mission Dorado Baptist Church. The website includes information about our new educational facility, our ministries, and our 2012 theme, which is “I am a city on a hill.”

Should the Lord lead you our direction, I genuinely look forward to the opportunity to worship alongside you! You will find that we are a “fellowship of excitement!”

Jared C. Wellman

Senior Pastor, Mission Dorado Baptist Church

Death Dethroned

noreply@blogger.com (Jared C. Wellman) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:40:00 +0000

Each of the four Gospels details the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 27:33-28:15; Mark 15:22-16:13; Luke 23:3-24:12; John 19:16-20:18). Jesus’ death atoned for sin, and His resurrection signified victory over death. Paul writes, “just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). He moreover writes that because of sin “death reigned” (Romans 5:14). However, “as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:21).

Death can only overcome where sin is present. Romans 6:23 tells us that the “wages of sin is death.” This means that if a man is able to somehow escape death, that that man was free from sin. The problem is that the Bible tells us that “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23), meaning that death has an unchallenged victory over the human race. Thankfully, God had a plan that was established before the foundations of the world (1 Peter 1:19-20). Because He loves the world so much, He sent His only begotten Son (John 3:16).

Jesus came “in the appearance of man, [and] humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death” (Philippians 2:8). He was “tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). So, because He was sinless, “God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power” (Acts 2:24). This propelled Paul to quote Hosea 13:14 and write, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory though our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55, 57). It moreover is, as Paul writes, the pinnacle of our faith: “if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17).

This means that because Jesus overcame death, that if you, “confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Salvation means to be saved from death and consequently to have eternal life. Jesus says, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). We now await our own resurrection. Paul writes, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 14).

The Bible clearly states that the resurrection of Jesus is the central claim of Christianity. If the resurrection is false, then the Christian faith fails. We are, according to Paul, of all men to be the most pitied (1 Corinthians 15:19). If the resurrection is true, however, then Jesus really is God.

Of all of the various theories concerning the resurrection of Jesus, the most logical conclusion is that the tomb was empty not because He "swooned," or because people "hallucinated," or because "the body was stolen," but because He actually truly did rise from the dead. The resurrection is the pinnacle of the Christian faith because without it, we are still in our sins, and therefore, still under the reign of death.

Why It's Difficult to Understand Predestination

noreply@blogger.com (Jared C. Wellman) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:25:00 +0000

One of the most controversial topics of the church today concerns "election" (and not the political kind, although that is pretty controversial as well). In theology, the word suggests that God chooses who will be saved. This is often called "predestination," meaning that God predestined some to be saved before the foundations of the world.

Volumes of books have been written, countless churches have been split, and thousands of debates have taken place over this subject. In my opinion, however, many who discuss this subject suggest the same answer, but emphasize one side more than the other. A bible-believing Christian cannot doubt the sovereignty of God over everything (including salvation; Job 12, 36), but he also cannot deny that man is responsible for his own sin (Romans 6:23).

How does one merge these two, seemingly incompatible, concepts?

There is a philosophical argument for the existence of God called the Cosmological Argument that suggests that the universe must have had a beginning and that an outside source created that beginning (i.e., God). A specific version of this argument (called the "Kalam") utilizes the concept of "infinity" to argue for a beginning. The argument states that the scientific concepts behind "infinity" support the thought that our universe had a beginning.

Infinity refers to something that is "without end." The Kalam Cosmological Argument suggests that there is, in this world, no such thing as an "actual infinity." There are instead only "potential infinities." If an individual, for example, presses "start" on a stopwatch, the numbers are potentially infinitely long, but are never actually infinitely long. Because there is, in this world, no such thing as an actual infinite, this means that our world cannot be infinite, meaning that our world must have had a beginning. Many scientists agree, and have deemed that beginning the "Big Bang," although this would mean that something (the universe) had to come from nothing (the big bang), which ignores many other scientific principles. The only other rational thought regarding our beginning is that there must have been an infinite outside source. Christians believe that this source is God, particularly the one found in the Holy Bible.

Consider this illustration on the absurdity of actual infinites:

Imagine for a moment that you had a CD collection that was infinitely large, and each CD had an infinite number of songs on it. If you listened to one CD, you hear as much music as if you had listened to all of the CD's--an infinite amount--and yet those infinities are of different sizes--a nonsensical notion (Doug Powell, Quicksource Guide to Apologetics, 30).

If you are still reading and find this a hard concept to grasp, then you are right where you should be because again, actual infinities do not exist in this world. It is like trying to conceive of fitting a square peg into a round hole.

Actual infinities, however, do exist in another "world." This is what most people refer to as "heaven." In heaven exists a being who is actually infinite.

What does all of this have to do with election? When we try to merge God's sovereignty (especially over salvation) with man's responsibility, we are attempting to merge an "actual infinite" into this world, and the concept resultantly is impossible to understand The same wall that is hit when conceiving of an infinitely large CD collection that includes an infinite number of songs on an infinite number of CDs is the same wall that results when merging God's sovereignty with man's responsibility. Our minds have a difficult time comprehending such a thing.

The best answer for such a dilemma is to trust in God's Word, which states that God is sovereign over all, that He desires that people come to know His Son, and that He commands His children to go and share that news with others (Matthew 28).

We may not be able to understand God and His ways, but we can trust Him! "Oh the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!" (Romans 11:33).

How to Avoid Church

noreply@blogger.com (Jared C. Wellman) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:58:00 +0000

I had the rare opportunity this past week to be a church visitor. I decided to take the opportunity to observe how a church of a different denomination practiced church. Actually, this was a church that had no denomination.

It should be known that I have no qualms with churches of a different denomination than my own (so long as they preach the Gospel), but I do take issue when churches miss what I believe to be biblical aspects of worship (Baptists, my denomination, can miss important aspects of worship as well).

My experience resulted in a few thoughts that I had regarding how a person can attend church, but in reality avoid it.

1. Worship the Experience of Worship

We have the opportunity each week to worship God in various venues. Some of these opportunities include worship through music (Psalm 150), through gifts (Mark 12:41-44), and through Scripture (Isaiah 40:8; Hebrews 4:12). Every church worships differently, but the focus should always be on God, not man.

Sometimes it is easy to worship the experience of worship. Focusing on the emotions of the music being played, or the individuals playing it, or the cool aesthetics to help illuminate the experience such as fog, bright lights, and fancy camera work (if these are present, which they were in my experience) can all distract from the true focus of worship, which is God. Focusing on these things can create a “concert-like” atmosphere as opposed to a worship atmosphere. In one experience, the focus is on you. In the other, it is on God.

Fog machines, bright lights, and fancy cameras are not inherently bad (and in some cases may aide in worship), but if you find yourself more fixated on the aesthetics of the worship than on the purpose of worship, then there is a definite disconnection taking place. Peter did this in Mark 9 when he focused on the appearance of Moses and Elijah instead of on Jesus: "let us make three tabernacles" (5).

2. Give God's Word Honorable Mention

Many preachers use the Bible to expound upon what they are saying when it instead should be reversed. The preacher should instead expound upon what the Bible is saying. That is, instead of choosing what you want to talk about and then finding verses to support it, you should let God's Word speak for itself, and then highlight it through such means as explanation, illustration, and application. When you do this, a natural thing occurs in which the Lord Jesus Christ (the Word made flesh) will be exalted. This is because God's Word naturally does this.

It is easy to spot when the Bible is only given honorable mention. The most obvious is when the preacher reads a passage of Scripture and then never refers to it again. Another way to spot this type of preaching is when the preacher never uses the Bible except to highlight a story or joke he just told, or to emphasize what he is saying. This usually appears in the insertion of random verses and they are usually taken out of context. In this, the Word of God is highlighting the word of man, which may result in a good “message” but a poor “sermon.”

If the Bible really is God's Word (and it is), then the preacher should spend his time contextually unpacking God's message from a passage of Scripture, not focusing on telling humorous jokes or stating fancy one-liners.

And if you don't like this point, you can just turn or you may just burn! (sarcasm intended)

3. Give No Evidence That Jesus Saved You

The church I visited hosts about one thousand people per week. This prompted someone to ask me this question: What would you say draws that many people there each week?

I do not think that I can adequately answer this question after visiting the church on a single Sunday morning, but I do feel comfortable suggesting that it may be because there is little to no accountability or discipline. When people can dress like they want (girls in tight clothes and short dresses), and when kids can sleep on a couch in the student room during service (yes, I saw this), and when you don’t have to bring your Bible because “hey, it’s okay if you don’t bring a Bible because we put it on the screen for you,” people will feel as if they can do their weekly church duty yet not let it interfere with their lifestyle.

(I should say at this point that I believe that churches should be sensitive to newcomers or to the “lost.” We certainly cannot expect a non-believer to bring a Bible or even dress appropriately and we should moreover accept them lovingly, discipling them toward Christ. Putting the verses on the screen certainly helps with this. The above statements are directed to believers and to regular church members.)

Church is a place in which we are confronted with God’s standards via His Word through His announcer. It should be a place of joy, fellowship, love, and many other glorious things. Sometimes the message from God’s Word can hurt and in result, you may feel uncomfortable. This is not a bad thing. It means that God is loving you enough to transform you to be more like Him. Although we are “in this world,” Jesus prayed for us not to be “of this world” (John 17).

If you are looking to avoid church, all you need to do is worship the worship experience, ignore God’s Word, and resist God’s discipline. But know that although you may be in a building that is reserved for church and in a service that is called church, you will be, in reality, avoiding it.

The Purpose of Prophecy

noreply@blogger.com (Jared C. Wellman) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:22:00 +0000

One of the most confusing, yet enticing, subjects in all of Bible study is prophecy. There are over 1,200 prophecies in the Old Testament, and just under 600 in the New Testament. This equals to over 1,800 prophecies in the Bible. Out of the 31,000 plus verses in the Bible, these prophecies are threaded throughout over 8,000 of them. This means that about 27% of the Bible is prophecy. This suggests that since 1/4 of the Bible is prophecy, then it is not unreasonable to conclude that prophecy is important to God and that it should therefore be important to us (although, it is not unreasonable to conclude that anything in the Bible is important to God, and should therefore be important to us!). In his second letter, Peter gives us at least three reasons why (2 Peter 3:10-18).

1. Prophecy Is Important Because All Things Will Perish (10-12)

Peter writes that the "heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up" (10). Peter leaves nothing out in his description of destruction.

The word "roar" refers to the whistling or crackling sound that a fire makes when it is burning something up. Peter essentially says that all things in heaven and on earth will succumb to this kind of burning. He leaves us with a handful of ways to counteract this forthcoming destruction, however. Peter says, "Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way," we should be holy (11) and watchful (12). That is, we should be set apart for God and be watchful for His Son's return.

We wouldn't know this if it weren't for prophecy!

2. Prophecy is Important Because of God's Promise (13-15a)

The question is begged, "If everything is to be burned up, where does that leave us?" Sure, we can be holy and watchful, but what is the point to these things if the "earth and all of its works will be burned up"? Peter writes, "according to His promise we are looking for a new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells" (13). This is the second reason why prophecy is important. This is a promise that God has been issuing for thousands of years, and although our righteousness is "but filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6), once saved, we "become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21). This "Him" is none other than Jesus Christ.

Consider these Scriptures detailing God's promise of a new heaven and earth, in which righteousness dwells, written thousands of years ago:

"For behold, I create a new heavens and a new earth" (Isaiah 65:17).

"For just as the new heavens and the new earth which I make will endure before Me," declares the Lord, "So your offspring and your name will endure" (Isaiah 66:22).

"Of old You founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. Even they will perish, but You endure" (Psalm 102:25-26).

Peter writes concerning this promise, "Therefore, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless, and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation." That is, the second reason prophecy is important is because God has given us a promise of eternal life, and we should therefore respond in peace, spotlessness, blamelessness, and finally in rest, knowing that every day is a gift from God in order that some might be saved.

3. Prophecy is Important Because of Paul's Precedent (15b-18)

"Paul's precedent" is a fancy way of saying "God's Word." That is, a third reason why prophecy is important is because God's Word says so. Peter writes, "just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things" (15-16).

Sadly, there were some in Paul's day who distorted (and some in our day who distort!) his letters. Peter calls these individuals "untaught," "unstable," and that they also distort "the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction" (17). He calls believers to stand above this. He writes, "You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (17-18).

This reaffirms a third reason why prophecy is important, which is because Paul and many other individuals wrote that in the last days some would distort God's Word, manipulating His prophecies to suit their own desires. We, knowing this beforehand, need to be on guard so that we are not carried away by error.

The Bible is full of prophecies including some that have been fulfilled, some that have partially been fulfilled, and some that are yet to be fulfilled. As followers of Jesus, we should heed Peter's warnings and be holy, watchful, diligent to be found in peace, spotless, blameless, regard the patience of the Lord as salvation, be on guard so that we are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men, and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Prophecy is important because it helps direct us in how we ought to live. Essentially, it allows us to properly give "to Him the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen" (18).

Cherry Picking Preaching

noreply@blogger.com (Jared C. Wellman) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:36:00 +0000

In the book, Jim and Casper Go To Church, Jim (a believer) and Casper (an atheist) travel around the nation visiting various types of Christian churches. They visit everything from the nearly 50,000 member Lakewood Church (Joel Osteen's church) to a small,15 member local house church. The book is essentially the product of their conversations about their experiences. Remarkably, after a visit to the Potter's House (T.D. Jakes's church), Casper says something that gives some incredible insight for those who preach God's Word. He says that it is unreasonable for a preacher to preach "cherry-picking" messages.

After listening to the sermon (from Pastor Jimmy Johnson in place of Jakes), Casper says, "He made up his mind about what he wanted to say and the pitch he wanted to make, and then he selected passages in the Bible that support that pitch" (141). Casper says that the man even said, "I'm gonna extract various Scriptures to support the topic." To this Casper says, "...cherry-picking bits and pieces of the Bible to support your chosen topic [is like] asking someone to understand the meaning of the Mona Lisa but only letting that person look at her hand. If the Bible is really the Word of God, it's very, very important to not take it out of context" (ibid.).

The point is, even an atheist realized the importance of preaching God's Word correctly, and it should not be by "cherry-picking" various Scriptures.

Interestingly, Casper continues his thoughts suggesting that, "the Bible is kind of like the Constitution: It's a document of the rules we used to live by and the rules we live by now, with each addition fixing and overruling what came before" (ibid.). Casper uses a biblical illustration saying, "You can't look at Leviticus and say God hates gay people, then ignore Jesus' endless commands to love each other. You can't take a snippet of the Bible out of context and misuse it, or spin it, to support your particular pitch. That's twisted" (ibid.). [1]

While Casper "the friendly atheist" is correct in his observation that the Bible must be taken contextually, he is wrong in his interpretation of that context. That is, he is taking the context out of context! The New Testament is not some "new addition" that fixes and overrules the Old Testament. It is the fulfillment of it (Matthew 5:17; Romans 10:4). This is expressed well in Paul's letter to Timothy in writing,

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

This "Scripture" here is the Old Testament because the New Testament wasn't canonized at this point, therefore rendering that Casper is correct that it is dangerous to cherry-pick verses of Scripture to prove a personal point, but incorrect in that the New Testament overrules the Old Testament. They instead support one another, interpret one another, and fulfill one another. The New Testament does not have a foundation without the Old Testament and the Old Testament does not have an end without the New Testament.

It is safe to argue that many sermons today are cherry-picking sermons, meaning that the preacher chooses a topic in the week and then searches for verses that help support his topic. This is a dangerous endeavor because you are essentially picking out lines of various conversations and formulating them to fit your conversation. For example, if you are talking about prayer, it would be easy to go to a passage like Matthew 18:20 which says, "Where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." This passage is talking about prayer, but it is prayer and forgiveness. That is, the passage is referring to church discipline and how if after a string of events an individual is unwilling to admit sin, then two or more witnesses must be included. This is where the "two or three" comes from. We know through other passages of Scripture that God is in the midst of even one person who prays. Jesus, for example, often withdrew to pray by Himself.

The sermon process instead works better if reversed. Instead of choosing a topic and then making the Bible fit into that topic, it is best to allow the Bible to speak for itself, telling you and the congregation what the topic is. This happens when a passage of Scripture is unpacked allowing other verses to help illuminate the passage, not your thought. In other words, instead of cherry-picking various Scriptures it is better to camp-out and unpack a single passage. This way, the Scriptures are speaking for themselves as they should.

If you are a preacher or a teacher, I encourage you to consider unpacking passages as opposed to cherry-picking. This can help you convey a message far greater and far deeper than you ever could if you rest on your own thoughts. God's Word is infallible and inerrant after all, so we can trust it completely!

For a more detailed understanding of the importance of Scripture, you can read my papers on biblical inerrancy:

Biblical Authority Among Southern Baptists

The Erroneous Hermeneutics of the Baptist General Convention of Texas

Bibliography

Henderson, Jim. Jim & Casper go to church : frank conversation about faith, churches, and well-meaning Christians. Carol Stream, Ill: Barna Books, 2007.

Endnotes

[1] For the record, Leviticus does not say that God "hates gay people." The Bible however does say that homosexuality is a sin and that God judges it (1 Corinthians 6:9). Casper is taking these verses out of context while explaining how not to take things out of context. The New Testament does not "overrule" sin in the way Casper suggests; it expresses how we can be saved from it. Sin still exists and has not become null and void by "loving our neighbor as ourself." Homosexuality was a sin in the Old Testament (Sodom and Gomorra) and it is still considered a sin in the New Testament.

What is Apologetics?

noreply@blogger.com (Jared C. Wellman) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:47:00 +0000

I just uploaded an article I have recently completed entitled, What is Apologetics? I will be teaching a course on Apologetics this semester at the Mission Dorado Bible Institute. If you are interested in reading the article, it can be found at this location:

What is Apologetics? Article

Don't forget that you can visit carm.org for more information on apologetics, philosophy, and theology.

Come Just As You Are?

noreply@blogger.com (Jared C. Wellman) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:11:00 +0000

The phrase "come as you are" is a phrase that has become synonymous with the Christian faith. It is a phrase that is heralded to the downtrodden, the prodigal, and the lost. It is a phrase that means, "It doesn't matter where you have been, or who you have been, Jesus accepts you just as you are." It is a phrase that generally reaches out to those who have led a life that is evidentially contrary to what Jesus would expect. It is a phrase that you have most likely found yourself personally accepting.

There have been a couple popular songs written about the phrase, "Come just as you are." One of these songs is specifically entitled, Come Just As You Are, and the chorus sings,

Come just as you are,
Hear the Spirit call,
Come see, Come receive,
Come and live, forever

Another, more recent, song entitled Come, Now is the Time to Worship, says,

Come, now is the time to worship,
Come, now is the time to give your heart,
Come, just as you are to worship,
Come, just as you are before your God

While the idea of coming just as you are indeed holds value, there are some very important truths that are often left out of the phrase that make it more accurate. Moreover, there are some important observations that need to be seen when utilizing or singing this phrase.

1. Salvifically, We Do Not Come, But We Are Found Just As We Are

Paul writes in Romans 5:12, "Just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned." This essentially means that everyone is conceived and born into this world as sinners, separated from God. This is what most refer to as "original sin." This idea of original sin is advanced in Romans 3:10 when Paul says that our sin leaves us utterly depraved, with no desire to search for God. This means that before God we are "just as we are," which is unrighteous, sinful, and depraved. This also means that the phrase "come just as you are" is a bit misleading because although those who come to God through Jesus all come "just as we are," we really don't come at all. It is instead God who comes. It is God who has been coming and finding us where we are since the Garden of Eden, when He walked in the cool of the day (Genesis 3:8), at the Tower of Babel when we disobeyed His command to fill the earth (Genesis 11), and ultimately through His Son Jesus Christ when we were dead in our sins (John 3:16).

God has been coming and finding us just as we are since the beginning of time.

2. Worshipfully, Before We Come Just As We Are, We Must Adjust What We Are

The most popular use of "coming just as you are" is used in the context of worship and not salvation. The idea is that regardless of how you spent your week, you can still "come as you are before your God." This, however, is a very dangerous endeavor.

Consider for a moment a couple named Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5). The couple sold a piece of land but held back a portion of the funds in their offering to God. The text says that the result was that Ananias "fell down and breathed his last" (Acts 5:5). Sapphira suffered the same fate (Acts 5:10). Ananias and Sapphira didn't die because they didn't give God their entire paycheck. They died because they essentially came before God unprepared for worship (i.e., they "came just as they were"). The context of their sin is seen in Acts 4 when the church was of "one heart and soul" and not "one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them" (32). Ananias and Sapphira wanted others to think that they were part of this one heart and soul, but didn't actually want to be of the one heart and soul. They "came just as they were," and it was the death of them.

The Old Testament conveys the same message. The High Priest, prior to worship, needed to offer up sacrifices "for his own sins and then for the sins of the people" (Hebrews 7:27). The idea is that instead of coming to God just as he was, he prepared himself to stand before the presence of God.

The solution to this is found in Paul's instructions to participating in the Lord's Supper. Paul writes that "a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup" (1 Corinthians 11:28).

Before we "come just as we are before our God," perhaps we should examine ourselves in order that may come before God for worship.

3. Come Just As You Are, But Expect to Be Changed

We live in what is known as the "post-modern" world. The post-modern world questions truth which breeds compromise and tolerance. All beliefs are welcomed, accepted, and meaningful, but no single belief takes precedence over another. In other words, Jesus may work for one person, but not for another, and that is okay. This worldview, however, simply does not jive logically, and especially with the faith that we call Christianity (Jesus is either "the way" or not "the way," not "a way").

Although this is the case, there are some who attempt to combine post-modernism and Christianity, and the result is phrases such as "come just as you are." It sounds welcoming and forgiving, but it isn't necessarily biblical because it is an incomplete sentence. A better way of stating the phrase would be, "Come just as you are, but expect to be changed."

In the book, Jim and Casper Go to Church, (a book in which a believer and non-believer go around the nation visiting and evaluating churches), Jim and Casper visit a church in Portland, Oregon called "The Bridge." The title of the chapter is, Come As You Really Are. The chapter is about how "The Bridge" is a church designed for those who have become disenchanted with the "normal" way of doing church, and so it accepts the "outcasts" who can come as they "really are," as opposed to the rest of us are just "as we are." These "outcasts" have tattoos, smoke at the entryway, and talk during the "sermon," among other things. Jim and Casper seem to really like this church because it accepts people "just as they are," while other churches allegedly use the phrase without truly meaning it.

The problem with this is that becoming a follower of Jesus is more than just "being who you are," because "being who you are" means being a wretched sinner. God calls us to leave our sinful ways behind and to be "conformed to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29). Granted, this takes time. It is not expected (or even possible) that we immediately become a perfect person upon becoming a Christian, but there is a process that should begin to take place in us called sanctification. This process does not mean that an individual is not saved if he has a tattoo, smokes, or talks during the sermon (these are but trivial behaviors included in Jim and Casper's book). It does mean, however, that when a person becomes a follower of Jesus that he begins to act more like Jesus, and Jesus lived contrary to the world. He was not indistinguishable from it.

Sanctification is essentially the evidence that we have been "born again" (John 3). We have been found just as we are, but God begins to change us to the likeness of His Son Jesus Christ.

Coming just as you are is essentially impossible, but by the grace of God He finds you where you are, changes your heart, and calls you to become something holy and acceptable to stand in His presence for all of eternity.

The Meaning of Life

noreply@blogger.com (Jared C. Wellman) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:58:00 +0000

When I was young, I often remember hearing the question, "What is the meaning of life?" I heard it on the radio, on television, and from people. The question always intrigued me because it captured the essence of why we are here, as opposed to not being here. I found that the answers were always different, (happiness, knowledge, wealth, life is an accident, etc.) but I never recall hearing the right answer, which is to become a follower of Jesus Christ.

If becoming a follower of Jesus is the meaning of life, then the question must be asked, "Why is it that when a person becomes a follower of Jesus that they remain in this world?" This question is based on the premise that followers of Jesus have an end-hope of eternal life with God, and if we have fulfilled our purpose in this life, then why doesn't God just translate us into the next one? The answer to this question is found in John 17, a prayer from Jesus concerning His followers who are in the world. Here He explains why those who have found the meaning of life are still left to live in this world. He essentially says that His followers are "in the world, but not of the world." That is, although we may have personally found the meaning of life, part of that meaning involves sharing it with others.

God leaves Jesus' followers in the world for a very specific reason, which is to share the meaning of life with those who have yet to find it. In Jesus' sermon on the mount, He shares at least three ways that a person can be in the world and not of it, and extend the meaning of life to a lost world.

1. Followers of Jesus are Salt (Matthew 5:13)

Salt is good for many things (to flavor, preserve, purify, etc.). The thrust of Jesus' use of salt is to flavor and to preserve. Much like we sprinkle salt on a bland entree, so Jesus sprinkles salt on the bland earth. Without His followers, the earth is flavorless. More importantly, however, is the thought that we preserve the earth. If the world was void of followers of Jesus, then it would literally rot away. The context of Jesus' message was before modern day refrigeration. Salt was one of the primary ways to preserve food. It was an absolute necessity for life. Wars were even fought over it. Jesus is essentially saying that one reason why His followers are not immediately translated to Heaven after deciding to follow Him is because without us, the world would be flavorless and it would rot away.

He furthers this thought in saying that if we were to actually lose our flavor, (which is impossible, but He was exaggerating a point), that we would become worthless. This is the difference between being "in the world, but not of the world." If we become of the world, we are essentially salt that has become mixed with a worthless substance, and although we have not lost our flavor or our nature to preserve, we are too mixed up with the world to do any good.

2. Followers of Jesus are Light (Matthew 5: 14-16)

Jesus secondly calls His followers "light." He illustrates this in two ways. First, we are a "city on a hill." Second, we are "a lamp on a stand." Consider these properties of light and how it reflects the follower of Christ:

Light Give Us Sight - The sun is our primary source of light. Without it, we would be in utter darkness. Sure, we have man-made lights, but these are only possible because of the light the sun gave us to make them. Likewise, the world would be in utter darkness if it were not for the light of Christ in His followers.
Light Has a Dual-Nature - If I understand correctly, if you look at light from one angle, you see it in waves. If you look at it from anther angle, you see it in particles. Scientists deem this dual-nature the photon. Followers of Jesus also have a dual-nature. Although we are citizens of God's kingdom, we are also citizens of this earth. Although we are in the flesh, our souls belong to God.
Light is Fast - Light travels at 186,282 miles a second. It could travel around the earth 7.4 times in that second. Likewise, Christians have the amazing opportunity to cover the earth with our light.
Light Exerts Physical Pressure on Objects - It is a phenomenon that light can exert physical pressure on an object because it is essentially an immaterial thing. This is likened to the light that we have as followers of Jesus. Although we cannot physically see the light, we can see its affects.

3. Followers of Jesus are Righteous (Matthew 5:15-20)

The crowds apparently began accusing, or at least thought about accusing, Jesus of heresy. His message seemed fairly radical, almost as if it denied God's Word (Law and Prophets). Jesus says that He did not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill them. The general idea here is that the Law and the Prophets are good, but it must be understood that they cannot, in and of themselves, fulfill the meaning of life. They point you to the meaning of life, which is Jesus Christ. To read the Law and the Prophets without the understanding of Christ is to misinterpret it altogether. It is to place righteousness on self and on the ability of self to be perfect, instead of on Jesus' ability to pay the price for sin. Our goodness is not a valid payment for the sin that we have committed against God.

Jesus says it this way, "Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of Heaven" (20). These were considered the most righteous of all in Jesus' day. It was considered impossible to surpass their righteousness. This is exactly why Jesus said this. He was conveying the fact that interpreting the Law and Prophets apart from Him is not enough. Jesus must be the "end of the Law."

As followers of Jesus, it is important that although we are "in the world," that we never become "of the world." We are here to be salt, light, and express righteousness in Christ. Becoming a follower of Jesus is the meaning of life, and He expects us to share that truth with the world.

What I Learned From Steve Jobs

noreply@blogger.com (Jared C. Wellman) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:52:00 +0000

Although I serve in leadership, I do not consider myself a "natural born" leader. I had to learn any leadership skills that I have through research or experience. This is why I pick up books like Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs. My hope is that I can imitate what other great leaders have done.

I found myself devouring Isaacson's 600-page book in about a week. Because Apple is one of the most successful companies in the history of the world, I also found myself underlining anything and everything that had to do with leadership. The following comprises the lessons that I learned from Steve Jobs.

Imitate the Great, Execute it Better (p. 98)

Picasso once said, "good artists copy, great artists steal." Jobs referenced this quote while reminiscing about Apple's "heist," as Isaacson describes it, on Xerox PARC's revolutionary bitmap technology (modern day computer screens). No, I am not suggesting that great leaders should steal ideas from others, but I think that there is something to be said of imitating great ideas, as long as credit is given where it is due. We are, afterall, called to "imitate Christ" (Ephesians 5:1). Xerox was not able to execute on their revolutionary idea, and Apple therefore was able to take the reigns and change the world. "In the annals of innovation, new ideas are only part of the equation. Execution is just as important" (98).

There is Power in the Tongue (p. 240)

People who serve in influential positions should be very careful with their words. This is described well by Alvy Ray Smith, co-founder of Pixar: "I grew up a Southern Baptist, and we had revival meetings with mesmerizing but corrupt preachers. Steve's got it: the power of the tongue and the web of words that catches people up" (240). As Uncle Ben has said, "With great power comes great responsibility." Leaders should be careful with how they use that power, especially when it concerns words.

Create a Lifestyle Brand (p. 332)

As Christians, our beliefs are a lifestyle, not merely thoughts. Larry Ellison, co-founder and chief executive officer of Oracle Corporation (one of the world's leading enterprise software companies), notes, "Steve created the only lifestyle brand in the tech industry" (332). "Jobs," Isaacson writes, "was able to encourage people to define themselves..." (332). It is also interesting to note that Jobs was deeply involved in Apple's marketing campaigns. "There's not a CEO on the planet who deals with marketing the way Steve does. Every Wednesday he approves each new commercial, print ad, and billboard" (332).

Stay Focused (pp. 336-7, 339, 460, 552)

Focus is perhaps the most important thing I learned from Jobs. Jobs believed that things should be as simple as possible. This is evident in the products that Apple makes. When he first arrived back at Apple, Jobs essentially dismantled every project the company was working on and narrowed their focus down to four products. Four computers, two affordable and two high-end, for households and businesses. Isaacson notes that "One of Jobs's great strengths was knowing how to focus" (336) and that "The ability to focus saved Apple" (339). Jobs used his company meetings to enforce focus. "Instead of encouraging each group to let product lines proliferate based on marketing considerations, or permitting a thousand ideas to bloom, Jobs insisted that Apple focus on just two or three priorities at a time" (460). "Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do" (336).

Don't Let Money be Your Primary Motivation (p. 365)

When Jobs returned to Apple, he became the "iCEO" (interim Chief Executive Officer) and took only $1 a year. Of course he was already a multimillionaire, but that usually doesn't dissuade a person from wanting more. Actually, Jobs had lost much of his money by investing in another company he started called NeXT in which he wasn't making much, if anything, back so a healthy paycheck would have surely been enticing. For Jobs, however, it was about the company, not the dollar. Apple was a company Jobs started in his parents garage and it was more than just a business. It was his baby. During his iCEO period Apple begged Jobs to take a modest stock grant that would have been worth $400 million dollars, but Jobs refused: "I don't want the people I work with at Apple to think I am coming back to get rich," Jobs said. He instead made $2.50 during that period. Jobs assessed that the main reason the company struggled during his absence was because decisions were being made by how much money could be made, instead of by what great products Apple could produce. Ironically, it was when the company stopped focusing on making money that they actually started making money.

Control the Experience (p. 369)

Jobs was a control-addict. In many ways this was a downfall, but it was also one his greatest attributes. Jobs sought to create an "end-to-end" experience with every product Apple made. This is why the Apple store was created, why Apple products do not have on or off switches or upgradable hardware, and why every product is packaged so cleanly (from the box to it's sleek designs). Leaders can learn something about how a customer perceives how much time you put into your product.

Don't Procrastinate and Expect Perfection (p. 374)

Jobs once said, "If something isn't right, you can't just ignore it and say you'll fix it later. That's what other companies do" (374). Isaacson writes, "Jobs liked to tell the story about how everything that he had done correctly had required a moment when he hit the rewind button. In each case he had to rework something that he discovered was not perfect" (373). Jobs did this during his Pixar days with the Toy Story character Woody, who had evolved into a jerk in early production, and even with the original Macintosh computer. Jobs was renowned for delaying the release of a product simply because it "didn't look right" or because he decided that he didn't like a certain feature after all. He both fixed issues and made sure that every product was the best that it could be.

Leaders Set the Tone (p. 426)

Isaacson notes that the managers at Apple were "excitable and exhausted" because Jobs tended to be "volatile, and people felt nervous about where they stood with him" (426). This was one of Jobs's weak leadership characteristics. Although Jobs was influential at Pixar, he left the managing up to others. It became a haven where Jobs could escape the intensity (that he created) at Apple. The storytellers and illustrators seemed more serene and behaved more gently, both with each other and even with Jobs at Pixar. Isaacson notes, "In other words, the tone at each place was set at the top, by Jobs at Apple, but by Lasseter at Pixar" (426).

Meet with People, in Person (p. 431)

Despite being a denizen of the digital world, Jobs was a strong believer in face-to-face meetings. "There's a temptation in our networked age to think that ideas can be developed by email and iChat," Jobs has said. "That's crazy. Creativity comes from spontaneous meetings, from random discussions. You run into someone, you ask what they're doing, you say 'Wow,' and soon you're cooking up all sorts of ideas" (431). Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." This is best done in person (and also why I encourage classroom education as opposed to internet courses).

Always Look for Opportunity (p. 486)

Jobs saw the world through a opportunistic lens. He was a perfectionist and therefore was always looking for flaws and how he could make things better. Isaacson tells a story of when Jobs was in the hospital, barely conscious because of his cancer, and how his creative personality was still coming through. "At one point the pulmonologist tried to put a mask over his face when he was deeply sedated. Jobs ripped it off and mumbled that he hated the design and refused to wear it. Though barely able to speak, he ordered them to bring five different options of the mask and he would pick a design he liked. He told them that it was too ugly and too complex. He suggested ways it could be designed more simply" (486). "He was very attuned to every nuance of the environment and objects around him," his wife said (486).

Be Moral (p. 516-7)

Jobs was not the most moral of persons. He often treated people poorly and lived life at his own standard. He was also, self-notably, a poor family man. When Jobs was convinced of something, however, he would rarely, if ever, concede. This is illustrated well when people became angry because Jobs would not allow pornography onto his devices: "We believe we have a moral responsibility to keep porn off the iPhone," Jobs once wrote in an email to a customer (516). "You might care more about porn when you have kids. It's not about freedom, it's about Apple trying to do the right thing for its users" (517). Leaders should live at high moral standards and never concede them.

Never Compromise (pp. 516, 556, 561)

As seen during the pornography discussion, Jobs would not compromise his standards. When asked what he thought about our current administration, Jobs replied, "I'm disappointed in Obama. He's having trouble leading because he's reluctant to offend people." Jobs said, "That's not a problem I ever had" (556). Leaders should be unapologetic about their convictions, standing behind what they believe. This was seen in how Jobs stood behind his "closed" system of operation versus the "open" system that companies like Microsoft created. Even if he was in the minority, Jobs would stand his ground. This is a quality many leaders should consider adopting.

Give and Take Criticism (p. 517)

Jobs criticized everything and everyone, but he was also able to take it. He was often criticized for his end-to-end way of creating products because people wanted to switch out the hardware or add their own personality onto their devices. In responding to criticism concerning his morals on pornography, Jobs is quoted saying, "What have you done that's so great? Do you create anything, or just criticize others' work and belittle their motivation." Jobs looked at the log in his own eye before pointing out the speck in someone else's.

Build a Good Team (p. 552)

In business meetings, Jobs spent his time doing two things: focusing and choosing people. Jobs, through experience, developed a keen sense on who to trust, and how to build a team of people he can count on. He called these people "A-players," and everyone else was a "B-player." Jobs was a bit crude in how he would distinguish between an A-player and a B-player, but the concept of having trustworthy people around you is key in leadership.

Leave a Legacy (p. 559)

Part of Jobs's success is due to some experiences that he had in the early days of Hewlett and Packard (HP). Jobs reserved a special place in his heart for this company because they took a chance on him when he was young. In a conversation about how HP had failed in the tablet market, Jobs--usually thrilled at the news that a competitor had failed--expressed disappointment saying, "Hewlett and Packard built a great company, and they thought they had left it in good hands. But now it's being dismembered and destroyed. It's tragic" (558-9). The words that followed express a rich thought concerning a leader's legacy: "I hope I've left a stronger legacy so that will never happen at Apple" (559).

Jobs on God (pp. 15, 453, 538, 571)

Steve Jobs is arguably the most innovative person who has ever lived. In my estimation, he deserves to be ranked in the highest among influential people. He literally changed the way people live. His influence impacted everything from education to music. The way we read, type a paper, and watch the news has all been changed because of this man's ability to innovate. For this, he deserves to be commended. While I found myself learning much from Jobs in the context of leadership, however, I can not follow him in his spirituality.

Jobs's disenchantment of God began in the July month of 1968, when Life published a shocking cover showing a pair of starving children in Biafra. Jobs took the magazine to his Sunday school and confronted the church's pastor. "If I raise my finger, will God know which one I'm going to raise even before I do it?" The pastor answered, "Yes, God knows everything." Jobs then pulled out the Life cover and asked, "Well, does God know about this and what going to happen to those children?" The pastor answered, "Steve, I know you don't understand, but yes, God knows about that." "Jobs announced that he didn't want to have anything to do with worshiping such a God, and he never went back to church," Isaacson notes (15). Jobs was later quoted saying, "I think different religions are different doors to the same house. Sometimes I think the house exists, and sometimes I don't. It's the great mystery."

Jobs's thoughts on God were rekindled upon learning that he had cancer. One of his first calls upon hearing the news was to Larry Brilliant, whom he first met in India. "Do you still believe in God?" Jobs asked him (453). Jobs also "made [a] deal with God or whatever" after his diagnosis "which was that I really wanted to see Reed (his son) graduate." This "deal" got him through 2009, Jobs noted.

At the end of his life, Jobs discussed his beliefs on God with his biographer. Isaacson appropriately concludes his book with their conversation:

One sunny afternoon, when he wasn't feeling well, Jobs sat in the garden behind his house and reflected on death. He talked about his experiences in India almost four decades earlier, his study of Buddhism, and his views on reincarnation and spiritual transcendence. "I'm about fifty-fifty on believing in God," he said. "For most of my life, I've felt that there must be more to our existence than meets the eye." He admitted that, as he faced death, he might be overestimating the odds out of a desire to believe in an afterlife. "I like to think that something survives after you die," he said. "It's strange to think that you accumulate all this experience, and maybe a little wisdom, and it just goes away. So I really want to believe that something survives, that maybe your consciousness endures." He fell silent for a very long time. "But on the other hand, perhaps it's like an on-off switch,' he said. "Click! And you're gone.''Then he paused again and smiled slightly. "Maybe that's why I never liked to put on-off switches on Apple devices" (570-1).

The greatest quality that any leader can have is to be a follower of Jesus Christ because it roots your life into the very reason for your existence. Jesus is the Son of God and the man who paid a price that no man could afford. The price was death and the cost was perfection. Billions of people could die in sin and it would never atone for it because we are tainted by the thing that we are trying to defeat. Jesus, being God's Son and living a perfect life, however, was the only qualified individual who has ever lived whose life was worthy to pay the price of sin. He did, and the Bible says that when you "confess" Him and that when you believe that God raised Him from the dead that you will be saved (Romans 10). This is something that Jobs never did, but it is something that you can. If you want to be a great leader, consider first being a follower of Jesus.

Bibliography: Isaacson, Walter. Steve Jobs. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2011.

Mission Dorado Bible Institute

noreply@blogger.com (Jared C. Wellman) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:22:00 +0000

The Southern Baptist Texan was kind enough to write an article about our church's Bible Institute. You can click here to read the article.

You can click here to subscribe to the hard copy of this great paper.

Loud Night, Holy Night

noreply@blogger.com (Jared C. Wellman) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:47:00 +0000

Growing up, one of my favorite moments of the Christmas season was the annual Christmas Eve Candlelight service. It was always a special time. The entire family would gather together, dress up in our finest, and drive to church. The service was always packed out so it was fun to see both old and new faces. Everyone would get a candle, and at the end of service the lights were turned down low and everyone sang Silent Night a capella as each candle was lit. I savored every moment of it.

As I matured, however, I started thinking about the words that we were singing and I found myself somewhat perplexed. Was the night really “silent?” Was all “calm and bright?”

Now, as I read the events surrounding the story of the birth of Christ, I cannot help but believe that the night may not have been as silent as we like to think…and sing...

Luke 2 details three important events that happened on the night of Jesus’ birth. I believe that they all suggest that the night wasn’t silent at all:

1. In Luke 2:14, a host of angels suddenly appear “praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.’” This suggests that even the heavenly beings could not keep silent about the birth of Jesus. The shepherds immediately went to Bethlehem to both see Jesus and tell others how they learned about Him.

2. Luke 2:18 says that all who heard what the shepherds told them “wondered.” I imagine that this wondering was not silent, but instead vocal. This is contextually possible if the “but” at the beginning of verse 19 is taken as “on the contrary.” Mary, unlike the others, treasured the shepherds’ words, “pondering them in her heart.”

3. Luke 2:20 says that when the shepherds went back to their fields, that they “[glorified] and [praised] God for all that they had heard and seen.” This doesn’t sound like it was silent at all!

Perhaps it isn't as catchy to turn down the lights, light a candle and sing, "Loud night, holy night," but it seems that we would be more accurate in doing so.

As we continue to celebrate Christmas two millennia after this event, may we imitate the characters present at the birth of Christ, glorifying God for the Savior that has been born. The birth of Jesus is a glorious event that deserves to be continually celebrated and vocalized, especially in a culture that wants to snuff out the “Christ” in “Christmas.”

Favorite Fifteen

noreply@blogger.com (Jared C. Wellman) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 04:52:00 +0000

Today my blog ticked over 15,000 pagehits, causing me to want to do two things. First, I want to thank everyone who has ever taken the time to read my blog, especially the faithful readers who have both signed up to receive my blog via email and to those who have taken the time to respond either in the comment section or through email. I appreciate every comment because it means that you took the time to both read and think about what I was attempting to communicate. Second, I want to share my fifteen most read blogs since the inception of this website almost two full years ago. That is, the blogs that garnered the most interest among readers.

My hope is that if you have not had an opportunity to read these, that they serve as a source of edification in your walk with the Lord.

1. Flakey
2. Understanding
3. At Heart, Not in Hand
4. Valleys
5. Moles
6. Born This Way
7. God is Liberal
8. Near
9. Hearing the Gospel
10. The Trapped Child
11. Donating Blood
12. Earthquakes
13. Noisy Gongs and Clanging Cymbals
14. How Can They Hear?
15. What's Wrong with the 2011 New International Version of the Bible?

Hope

noreply@blogger.com (Jared C. Wellman) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 06:17:00 +0000

My wife and I just announced that we are starting the process of adoption! Check out hopeonthehorizon.org to read about our hearts for orphans, updates, and how you can support us.

Bonhoeffer on the Penn State Scandal

noreply@blogger.com (Jared C. Wellman) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:21:00 +0000

This past week the sport’s world has been drenched with reports involving Penn State University and a child sexual abuse scandal. This story, for the most part, particularly revolves around Penn State’s long time football coach Joe Paterno, an individual who is arguably the most beloved figure in the history of the University.

Paterno started coaching the team in 1966 and was released this past week allowing for a 45-year tenure. Paterno currently holds the record for the most victories ever among Football Bowl Subdivision coaches at 409.

Paterno’s legacy, however, has been severely damaged over what has come to be known as the Jerry Sandusky Child Sexual Abuse Scandal, a scandal involving Penn State’s former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky and an alleged cover up that he was sexually abusing children in the Penn State facilities. Earlier this month, Sandusky was arrested on 40 counts of molesting eight young boys over a 15-year period.

The result was that a legacy that took 45 years to build was destroyed in a matter of days.

It has been difficult for authorities to ascertain exactly who is involved in this alleged cover up. Reports suggest that Joe Paterno reported the allegations promptly upon hearing them, but Jerry Sandusky—the offender—was apparently still allowed full access to the Penn State facilities. The appearance of Sandusky’s continued access to the Penn State facilities suggests that individuals like Paterno and other Penn State University leaders perhaps stood silent in the face of evil.

Regardless of Paterno’s involvement, the incident reminds me of something Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, “Silence in the face of evil, is itself evil.”

As followers of Jesus Christ, it is important that we always, always, always stand for what is right, especially when it involves the innocent. It is not enough to just know what is right; we must actively advocate it in our actions. This is why it is important, for example, for the church to speak against issues like abortion. This week Mississippi voted down Proposition 26 or The Personhood Amendment that would have made abortion illegal. In this, Mississippi voted to legalize murder. Followers of Jesus should stand against these kinds of decisions.

Today, let us be reminded to not be silent in the face of evil, for it is itself evil. Let us also pray for the innocent, especially those children whose lives have been forever impacted by this incident. This is the real story.

Jonah was a Hyper-Calvinist

noreply@blogger.com (Jared C. Wellman) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:57:00 +0000

Most are familiar with the term Calvinism, but most are not familiar with what Calvinism is. Calvinism is a system of theology that was developed as a response to the Arminian Remonstrance and is best expressed in an acrostic known as TULIP.

The acrostic is as follows:

Total Depravity of Man
Unconditional Election
Limited Atonement
Irresistible Grace
Perseverance of the Saints

A generalized understanding of these five points emphasizes the sovereignty of God, especially in the context of salvation. Most (if not all) Calvinists would argue that God has predestined some to be saved. This is known as the "elect" or the "chosen." Some adherents to this theology have emphasized God's sovereignty in salvation so much that they refuse to evangelize because "God already knows who is going to be saved." This is known as "Hyper-Calvinism." The argument is: Why should I spend time trying to lead people to salvation when I don't know who God has already chosen? If God has chosen them, then they will be saved whether I evangelize or not.

Hyper-Calvinism is an unbiblical understanding of evangelism (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8) and God's sovereignty in salvation, but it is biblical in the sense that it is expressed in the Bible, and when it was, it was portrayed as disobedience.

In the book of Jonah, God calls the prophet to "arise" and go to the wicked city of Nineveh. Jonah instead goes "down to Joppa," then "down into a ship," "down into the sea," and finally "down into the belly of a fish." It was the fish that did Jonah in and God essentially gave him a mulligan, or a "do-over." On his second chance Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, he prophesied against it, and they repented and were spared. This made Jonah very angry, even to the point of death (Jonah 4:1). (Jonah was perhaps the only evangelist in history who saw an entire city turn to God and was upset over it!)

Jonah's reason is outlined in the following verse:

"Was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity" (Jonah 4:2).

Jonah was essentially saying that He knew how sovereign and compassionate God was, and he therefore didn't feel the need to be involved in God's plan. One could say that Jonah was a Hyper-Calvinist.

Most are familiar with how the story ends. God essentially asks Jonah three questions:

Are you this compassionate about your self? (Jonah was moved from his place of comfort)
Are you this compassionate about your stuff? (Jonah was upset over a plant)
Should you not instead be compassionate about sinners? (Jonah should have been concerned over the lost people of Nineveh)

Hyper-Calvinism is a dangerous misunderstanding of God's sovereignty in salvation. God is indeed sovereign in how He wills and calls, but He offers man the opportunity to be involved. When we fail to do the work of evangelism, we are sinning against a God who has told us to "arise" and we are instead "going down."

DQB Series: The Face of God (P3)

noreply@blogger.com (Jared C. Wellman) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:01:00 +0000

Question: The Bible says that "no man can see God's face and live," so what does it mean in Revelation 22:4 when it says that "they will see God's face?" (Part Three)

Some Observations and Questions Answered

1. But if God is Spirit (John 2:24), how can He have a face? There are many times in the Bible where God is said to have “human” features. Isaiah 59:1 mentions His hand and His ear. Zechariah 2:8 says that He has an eye. Matthew 4:4 mentions His mouth. In Genesis 3 He “walked” in the Garden. While these are all, however, arguably anthropomorphisms (a word meaning “human form” or a symbolic representation used to make God’s actions more understandable to man), the idea is still present that man will be able to see God in a way that we never have. In this thought, the “face” could arguably be an anthropomorphism but this is still a sight that man has not been capable of seeing in the past.

2. But Jesus said in John 14:9, “If you have seen me you have seen the Father.” This verse speaks to the various roles that each Person of the Godhead performs. Jesus was the physical representation of God the Father and although when we see Him we see God, we do not see the full and total manifestation of the Father. That is, we do not see the Father in His full glory (otherwise we would die). This is captured in John 1:18 when John says that “no one has seen God at any time.” Jesus, although God, was “limited” or “subjected” by the flesh. The full context of John 14 says that Jesus “explains” the Father. This is much of what His earthly ministry was about.

3. But the book of Revelation is the “revelation of Jesus,” so Revelation 22:4 must be about Him specifically. Yes, Revelation is indeed the book of the unveiling of Jesus Christ, but because Jesus is God, you cannot talk about Him without also including the other two Persons in the Godhead. They too are unveiled in deep ways throughout the book, especially in the last two chapters when John talks about the Eternal Heaven and Earth. The thrust of these chapters is that earth finally can be a place for God to dwell in His fullness. He is arguably still in the current “intermediate” state of Heaven during the Millennium (since it has yet to be destroyed), which is why it is so significant that He comes down to dwell with man on earth during eternity.

4. But doesn’t this mean that there will be three Gods? Absolutely not! God is Triune. Scripture is evident about this. Even in Genesis 1:26 God speaks as “Us” in creating mankind. Although Triune, He is completely One in unity. That is, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit are all equal. We fail to comprehend this completely because of our corrupted minds. We cannot understand perfect unity, or how three can be one, but God is perfectly unified (Ephesians 4:5; James 2:19).

DQB Series: The Face of God (P2)

noreply@blogger.com (Jared C. Wellman) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 03:59:00 +0000

Question: "The Bible says that "no man can see God's face and live," so what does it mean in Revelation 22:4 when it says that "they will see God's face?" (Part Two)

A distinction needs to be made here concerning the face of God the Father and the face of God the Son. Some have suggested that Revelation 22:4 is not talking about the face of God the Father but instead the face of Jesus Christ. While both God the Father and God the Son are one in the same, Revelation 22:4 is speaking about the face of the Father. The following observations give biblical reasons as to why:

1. We saw Jesus’ face during His first coming and will see it in His second coming (not including after His resurrection). There would be no significance or reason for John to write about seeing the face of God if we have already seen it. This is not to degrade the value of seeing Jesus’ face, only that seeing Jesus’ face is the way to seeing the Father’s face (John 14:6).

2. This is the same language used in Exodus 33:18-23 and John 1:18, which both concern God the Father. Revelation 22:4 is the “bookend” to this “story.” Moreover, John wrote John 1:18 after Jesus’ first advent. Although the chronology of the verse is before Jesus made claim to be the Father, John wrote the book after His claim, giving reason to suggest that there is indeed a distinction between seeing the face of Jesus and the face of God the Father. Man has yet to see the Father’s face.

3. Revelation 22:1 details the throne of “God and the Lamb” meaning, God the Father and God the Son. John uses the word “God” for the face we will see in 22:4, not “Lamb.” Moreover, the book of Revelation makes a clear distinction between God the Father and God the Son (although they are one in the same, they are different Persons in the Godhead). The author uses “God” here, not “the Lamb.”

4. 1 Corinthians 15:24 is a prophetic verse speaking about the events unfolding in Revelation 22. Regardless the millennial perspective, the New Heaven and New Earth follow the millennial reign of Christ and then Jesus hands over the “kingdom keys.”

5. Jesus said in Matthew 5:8 that the “pure in heart will see God.” That is, God the Son made a contextual distinction between seeing Him and seeing the Father.

6. Throughout the Bible man has attempted to see God in all of His splendor, but it has been impossible (Genesis 11:1-9; 2 Samuel 6:7; 2 Chronicles 26:16-23; Leviticus 10:1-3). In Revelation 22:4 that will all change!

DQB Series: The Face of God (P1)

noreply@blogger.com (Jared C. Wellman) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 03:45:00 +0000

Question: The Bible says that "no man can see God's face and live," so what does it mean in Revelation 22:4 when it says that "they will see God's face?" (Part One)

Important Contextual Interpretations

Revelation 22:4 is a very special verse. It is the culmination of the revelation of God. Scholars deem it “The Beatific Vision.” To “see the face of God” will be an incredible moment and experience and it is not unreasonable to suggest that this is more than what man has experienced in the past.

It is first important to understand the context of Revelation 22:4. This experience will take place in the New Heaven and New Earth. This means that the verse is for believers and that the believers will be in their resurrected bodies. Paul calls this “the change” (1 Corinthians 15:50-58). A simple biblical survey of God’s revelation to man reveals that man in his former state cannot look upon the face of God and live, nevertheless experience Him in His fullness.

Consider this brief overview:

God’s Revelation in Eden (Genesis 2:16-17, 3:8-24)
God’s Revelation in Heaven (Isaiah 6)
God’s Revelation on the Mountain (Exodus 33:18-23)
God’s Revelation in the Tabernacle/Temple (2 Samuel 6:7; 2 Chronicles 26:16-23; Leviticus 10:1-3)
God’s Revelation Moving (Ezekiel 11:23)
God’s Glory in Jesus (John 1:14)
God’s Glory in Spirit (John 16:7)
God’s Glory in Man (1 Corinthians 3:17)
God’s Glory in Eternity (Revelation 21:3)

Although far more verses can be used to detail the history of God’s revelation to man, these verses capture the essence of how man’s relationship with God has been injured and limited. God went as far to tell Moses in Exodus 33 that “no man can see My face and live.” Even the Seraphim in Isaiah 6 “covered their faces.” This sheds an important light on Revelation 22:4. When man is finally able to “see the face of God” it will indeed be an incredible moment. This is because man will finally experience the fullness of God. That is, we will finally be able to look upon God the Father and live. John 16:7 arguably reveals that man can only experience so much of God’s revelation at a time, but in Revelation 22:4 we will see and experience Him in full.

What's Wrong with the 2011 New International Version of the Bible?

noreply@blogger.com (Jared C. Wellman) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 01:41:00 +0000

Since 1984, many believers have welcomed a translation that is considered the most readable literal Bible translation available. This translation is the New International Version (NIV). Recently a newer and updated version of this translation has been made available, which ultimately means the imminent end of the current 1984 edition. Those who want to continue using the NIV will experience a translation that, although bearing the same name, is vastly different.

Gary Ledbetter, a respected leader serving in the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, writes, "I personally cannot recommend the 2011 NIV to anyone because the committee has paraphrased the words of Scripture with no apparent compelling reason in most cases." I concur and the following summarizes the reasons why (as argued by Ledbetter in an article appearing in the Southern Baptist Texan, October 3, 2011):

1. The translation closely parallels the unsuccessful Today's New International Version (TNIV)

The TNIV, an unsuccessful attempt at updating the 1984 NIV, re-translated thousands of verses from the NIV with a gender-neutral twist. "Son" became "child," "father" became "parent," "he" became "they," etc. The changes were too much for conservative believers to handle, and the TNIV was soon off the market. Ledbetter notes that "the 2011 NIV is very much (75 percent by one count) the same as the TNIV."

2. The translation category has changed without changing the name

Bible users have a plethora of translations to choose from. Ledbetter divides translations into three distinct categories: very literal (KJV, NASB, ESV), as literal as possible while maintaining easy readability (NIV, HCSB), and paraphrased (The Message, NLT). The 1984 NIV falls into the second category--as literal as possible while maintaining easy readability. It "spans the gap" between the first category and third category. The 2011 NIV, however, includes quite a bit more paraphrasing than the 1984. Here are two examples:

Proverbs 15:5 and 1 Samuel 18:2 change the word "father" to "parent" and "family" respectively. The result of such a translation misses the point that the family residence was actually the "father's house." He was the householder.
Psalm 8:4 changes "what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him" to "what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?" thereby interpreting out any kind of Messianic understanding of the verse.

3. The translation uses poor grammar, making the Bible appear less serious

Ledbetter notes that "one of the several philosophical lines the committee crossed was to decide that the loathsome singular/plural confusion was good English." A good example is found in John 14:23. The 1984 NIV decided that the English grammar needed no revision, but the 2011 version translates the verse: "Jesus replied, "Anyone (singular) who loves (singular) me will obey my teaching. My father will love them (plural) and we will come to them (plural) and make our home with them (plural)." This kind of grammar, Ledbetter notes, "makes the Bible seem less serious, and it is not what the biblical manuscripts say. Gone are the days when reading the Bible will improve our grammar, I suppose."

So how should a conservative Bible student respond?

These are, in the very least, three reasons why the 2011 NIV can no longer be considered a viable "literal" translation of the Bible. The translation falls more into Ledbetter's "paraphrase" category.

Ledbetter graciously notes that the 2011 NIV is not a "wicked or heretical Bible," to which I agree. The committee is made up of respected conservative scholars, but there are some questionable issues concerning many of the choices they made in their translation. I advise anyone who uses the NIV to consider trying out a new, more literal, Bible translation that will give you a better understanding as to what the original authors intended.

Ten Reasons Why I Am a Baptist

noreply@blogger.com (Jared C. Wellman) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:35:00 +0000

It is important to know what you believe, and why you believe it. Some years ago, I made a decision to join the Baptist church. The following is a list of ten distinctives that define the Baptist denomination. This by no means is an exhaustive list, but it captures ten reasons why I personally am a Baptist.

I believe these things not because I am a Baptist, but instead, I am a Baptist because I believe these things.

1. The Authority of the Bible
The Bible is both inerrant and infallible in its original manuscripts. It is truth without any mixture of error. All Scripture is totally true and trustworthy.

2. Believer's Baptism
Baptism is the immersion of a believer in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

3. Importance of the Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming.

4. Missions Cooperation
Through the cooperation of thousands of like-minded churches, Southern Baptists form the largest missions organization in the world, affording the opportunity for many to come to know Christ.

5. Perseverance of Saints
Once an individual has become born again through faith in Jesus Christ, they can never lose that status.

6. Grace Through Faith Alone
The grace of God is imparted to man not by his works, but by faith in Jesus and His substitutionary work.

7. The Invitation
The opportunity given at the end of a worship service by which man can make a decision in response to the message from God's Word.

8. The Supremacy of Jesus Christ
Jesus is the eternal Son of God. He was born of the virgin Mary, conceived by the Holy Spirit. He lived a sinless life, was persecuted, died, was buried, rose, and ascended to the right hand of God. He will come again and set up the Millennial Kingdom. There is no other way by which man can be saved except through Jesus Christ.

9. The Regenerate Church
That while there are church buildings, the "church" is in actuality those who are saved and serve the Lord. Church is who you are, not where you go.

10. Education
Christianity is the faith of enlightenment and intelligence. In Jesus Christ abide all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. All sound learning is, therefore, a part of our Christian heritage. The new birth opens all human faculties and creates a thirst for knowledge.

Hastening His Coming

noreply@blogger.com (Jared C. Wellman) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:27:00 +0000

*This devotion originally appeared in an email from the Institute for Creation Research. Author is Henry Morris.

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

These very familiar words of the Lord Jesus are commonly considered as a statement of His Great Commission, commanding us to go "into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). Actually, however, it is not given here as a command, but rather as a declarative statement--indeed, a prophecy--saying that we shall witness for Him to the very ends of the earth.

Then, His disciples were promised that "this same Jesus" would return (Acts 1:11), with the promise clearly tied to the prophecy. Just a few weeks previously they had asked, "What shall be the sign of thy coming?" (Matthew 24:3). And Jesus had answered, "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (v. 14). Mark recorded His answer very simply: "The gospel must first be published among all nations" (Mark 13:10).

Peter says that the Lord may seem to have delayed "the promise of his coming" because He "is longsuffering . . . not willing that any should perish," urging us to "account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation" (2 Peter 3:4, 9, 15), suggesting that we should be "looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God" (2 Peter 3:12).

We can hardly draw any other conclusion from such passages than that if we want the Lord to return quickly, we can hasten His coming by fulfilling His command and His prophecy, doing whatever we can to publish His gospel among all nations. His coming has always been imminent, because this could well have been done--and can be done--at any time. But it evidently has not been done yet. HMM

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Bible Etiquette

noreply@blogger.com (Jared C. Wellman) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 19:31:00 +0000

I talked with some good friends the other day who, in visiting a church recently, noticed something very different than what they experience at their home church--that the people and pastor did not carry a Bible. This seems to be a growing trend in today's church, and it is in my estimation disrespectful, if not borderline heretical. Here are a few reasons why:

(1) The Bible is available as a result of the sacrifice of men.

The Bible has not always been immediately available to us. Even the Catholic church has historically withheld the Bible from its congregants. In order that the Bible might be more accessible, many individuals risked and even gave their lives through persecution in order that it might be more accessible for future generations. William Tyndale, for example, saw his work confiscated and burned by English ecclesiastical authorities; he was burned at the stake in 1536.

(2) The Bible is available as a result of God's sovereign revelation.

The Bible is one of the clearest revelations that God has given to man. It is a key way that we know the specific love that God has for us and the sacrifice that He made in giving His Son. God wanted this revelation to be available to creation, and He therefore sovereignly orchestrated its formation, and protected it throughout the generations.

(3) The Bible is not immediately available to all as a result of persecution.

Randy Alcorn has contrived a list of 17 countries that persecute Christians, and therefore, either do not allow, or frown upon the possession of a Bible. This means that while I sit here with 25+ Bibles on my shelf, there are some individuals and churches that don't own a single Bible.

In light of these three facts, there are, in the least, two tenets that I firmly believe every church should endorse:

(1) A Pastor should preach with a Bible in his hand.

It may be considered convenient or cool to preach without the "hindrance" of a pulpit, notes, or a Bible, but when a Pastor preaches without having the authority of God's Word before Him, it speaks to the authority of man, not of God. The visible Bible before the pastor is a great way to communicate where the authority of the message is coming from.

(2) A Christian should carry a Bible to church.

When a Christian who has the freedom to both own and carry a Bible fails to do so, it is in the very least insulting to God, to the martyrs of old, and to those who do not have the privilege. It also forbids you to fully comprehend the message that the pastor is giving because you do not have the liberty to read and meditate on the verses.

In a world where it is considered a convenience to not have a Bible, may we set a precedent and stand firm in our conviction that the Bible truly is the Word of God, and may we express this by carrying it with us as we worship our God together.