Archive for May 2012
CCS SysTheo 2012 FINAL EXAM GUIDE – I MEAN . . . FINAL ;(
May 14, 2012 | 
Author See attached for a blank study guide. This is for you, Will.
Posted in Cary Christian School, Lessons Repository | 
Tags: Afterlife, Death, Eschatology, Rapture, Resurrection | 
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Our closing sessions in Systematic Theology at CCS – Issues in Modern Theology – Are you aware? . .
In these slidepacks, Open Theism, The Quest for the Historical Jesus, The New Perspectives on Paul and The Emergent Church are discussed. All of these are various levels of a blight on Christendom and need to be addressed, none more than Open Theism.
We would do well to follow after the once, future king of Israel, David, when he arrived in the Valley of Elah to bring supplies to his brothers at war with the Philistines, as well as gather info to bring back to his father. Coming upon the scene of Goliath of Gath taunting God’s army, David says,
“For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?” – 1 Samuel 17:26
A ruddy, small, young man was the only one who got it – no matter who, no matter what and no matter how against the masses and odds it is, when someone speaks against God or His truth- respond. Later, Israel would be nearly consumed by the wrath of God over THEIR defaming God’s name . . .
Believe. Live. Respond.
Posted in "Ruminations", Cary Christian School, Lessons Repository | Tags: Albert Schweitzer, Ben Witherington, Brian Maclaren, Bruce Ware, Clark Pinnock, David, E.P. Sanders, God, Goliath, Greg Boyd, Holiness, Jacon Neusner, James Dunn, John Pier, John Sanders, King David, N.T. Wright, New Perspectices, New Perspectivs on Paul, NPP, Open Theism, Rob Bell, The Emergent Church, The Historical Jesus, The Quest for the Historical Jesus, Theology Proper | No Comments »
It’s only “funny” because it’s true- the question is: is this YOU?
Once I saw this guy on a bridge about to jump. I said, “Don’t do it!”
He said, “Nobody loves me.”
I said, “God loves you. Do you believe in God?”
He said, “Yes.”
I said, “Are you a Christian or a Jew?”
He said, “A Christian.”
I said, “Me, too! Protestant or Catholic?”
He said, “Protestant.”
I said, “Me, too! What franchise?”
He said, “Baptist.”
I said, “Me, too!
Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?”
He said, “Northern Baptist.”
I said, “Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?”
He said, “Northern Conservative Baptist.”
I said, “Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region, or Northern Conservative Baptist Eastern Region?”
He said, “Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region.”
I said, “Me, too!” Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?”
He said, “Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912.”
I said, “Die, heretic!” And I pushed him over.
– a joke from Emo Philips
A. W. Pink: from his book, The Sovereignty of God
The Sovereignty of God. What do we mean by this expression? We mean the supremacy of God, the kingship of God, the god-hood of God. To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that God is God. To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is the Most High, doing according to His will in the army of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth, so that none can stay His hand or say unto Him what doest Thou? (Dan. 4:35). To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is the Almighty, the Possessor of all power in Heaven and earth, so that none can defeat His counsels, thwart His purpose, or resist His will (Psa. 115:3). To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is “The Governor among the nations” (Psa. 22:28), setting up kingdoms, overthrowing empires, and determining the course of dynasties as pleaseth Him best. To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is the “Only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords” (1 Tim. 6:15). Such is the God of the Bible.
How different is the God of the Bible from the God of modern Christendom! The conception of Deity which prevails most widely today, even among those who profess to give heed to the Scriptures, is a miserable caricature, a blasphemous travesty of the Truth. The God of the twentieth century is a helpless being who commands the respect of no really thoughtful man. The God of the popular mind is the creation of maudlin sentimentality. The God of many a present-day pulpit is an object of pity rather than of awe-inspiring reverence. To say that God the Father has purposed the salvation of all mankind, that God the Son died with the express intention of saving the whole human race, and that God the Holy Spirit is now seeking to win the world to Christ; when, as a matter of common observation, it is apparent that the great majority of our fellowmen are dying in sin, and passing into a hopeless eternity; is to say that God the Father is disappointed, that God the Son is dissatisfied, and that God the Holy Spirit is defeated. We have stated the issue baldly, but there is no escaping the conclusion.
…
The Sovereignty of the God of Scripture is absolute, irresistible, infinite. When we say that God is Sovereign we affirm His right to govern the universe which He has made for His own glory, just as He pleases. We affirm that His right is the right of the Potter over the clay, i. e., that He may mold that clay into whatsoever form He chooses, fashioning out of the same lump one vessel unto honour and another unto dishonour. We affirm that He is under no rule or law outside of His own will and nature, that God is a law unto Himself, and that He is under no obligation to give an account of His matters to any.