The end of the matter for all mankind is to what? Fear God and keep His commandments!
Maybe the church should start preaching God's law again. Time to get re-acquainted with the great, centuries old doctrines of the church that we used to study before church became nothing more than a gushy feel-good love service.
The end of the matter for all mankind is to what? Fear God and keep His commandments!
Maybe the church should start preaching God's law again. Time to get re-acquainted with the great, centuries old doctrines of the church that we used to study before church became nothing more than a gushy feel-good love service.
If the ‘church’ did that, they would have to start keeping the REAL Sabbath, and the CC does NOT allow that. Then they would have to actually keep the REAL Holy Days, instead of the pagan days. Then the church would begin to do what we were supposed to do in the first place, ‘provoke Israel to jealousy’, so much so that even THEY would begin to Obey Him too. Too much money would be lost I.e.Christmas and Ishtar (sorry Easter) . And corporations would quit paying their ‘indulgences’ to the CC and Black Friday would then be Red.
The wishy-washy feel good stuff that passes for worship in most of the churches these days (not all…for God always keeps a remnant for Himself) is a HUGE part of why things are the way they are in our western cultures. We sowed the wind and are reaping the whirlwind.
May The Lord Almighty grant us grace for repentance and His Spirit work in us to restore the precepts & doctrines of scripture in our hearts. Let God be found true, though every man a liar.
It’s been refreshing to read and see others who appreciate Reformation theology and are still holding fast.
Dispensationalism has proven to be a sucking hole that all too often spirals down into darkness. And I say this as one who who was called through the ministry of Calvary Chapel in the 70’s. What a long, strange trip it’s been.
Phil, sounds like you need to find yourself a new church... If it's not opening the Word of God and feeding you a Holy Spirit filled banquet, you must be starving!!!
That's an odd judgement for you to make. I've never been RC. Was it the Bible verse you didn't like or was it what I said about historic church doctrine? The modern church in America today is, by and large, spiritually impoverished and of no consequence to American society. She is salt that has lost her flavor. To a large extent, this is the result of the church abandoning the great reformation creeds that the Holy Spirit brought forth in the church over the centuries. It's time for a new reformation and revival.
(Actually, every post of yours just above & in today’s threads have been stimulating & edifying & as usual have articulated well the crux of the matters at hand.) As for Faith, I was a lost lamb til late in life, but learned the Bible, church history and to love the doctrines, creeds, confessions worship, faith and practice handed down through the Reformed church — Sadly, it’s hard to find one that hasn’t been remodeled, to some degree, substituting a banal and insipid pottage for the depth and beauty of her inheritance. URC is close, but somehow, it has a weak grasp of the Holy Spirit, perhaps from far too much ivory tower navel gazing (I really don’t give a rip about 2 kingdom theology disputes) and the congregation seems to be far too insular.
Yet, the profound and gorgeous hymns are there (in hymnals… what a concept!) and all the rest is too —Psalms, Gospels & Epistles every week in depth, plus the glorious Heidelberg Catechism(!); The Law & The Gospel of Grace & the Solas in spades. Machen may be turning in his grave or maybe he’s just getting comfy. I waver.
Thanks! I had the exact same reaction to a reformed congregation I was attending: "URC is close, but somehow, it has a weak grasp of the Holy Spirit, perhaps from far too much ivory tower navel gazing (I really don’t give a rip about 2 kingdom theology disputes) and the congregation seems to be far too insular." I found their weak grasp of the Holy Spirit to be very curious. I pointed this out to them in Bible study when I did a review of a Reformed scholar's work. The reaction of the elders was surprise at my insight as if they had never seen this before. You and Daverkb are the only two I have found here who have similar outlooks on today's church. It's a pleasure to have a bit of company. When people start posting about the "end times", I just cannot resist. I have to jump in and say something to try to bring a little Biblical sanity to the subject. I don't think I'm too well received...lol.
…writing a response to your great and most welcome reply (in my phone notes). But it’s getting longer and longer! About Machen & Darby & Scofield & how disp’ism infiltrated the churches & Isr & what’s being made of this ME thing & how & which end-time/Isr peeps have massive followings since & 🤔🧐🤨🤔.
Ah well… Many thanks to you and to Him for you (and daverkb, too) and Blessings(!) this beautiful Sabbath!
Getting bogged down in checking;my facts & too many labyrinthIne (but interesting) trails. Sorry! Perhaps a trickle of thoughts are better. One great thing was revisiting what I call the Machen book: “Fighting The Good Fight” by D.G. Hart & John Muether. It’s a fascinating & rich account of what happened in the Presp Ch in the 20s & especially the 30s. (if you like that sort of thing — LOL) Lookimg to recall how Darby & Scofffield’s disp. theol. infiltrated the church. I know it snuck in via an org offering Sunday school classes In reformed (& many other) churches including the young OPC (Machen’s child) & it was even taught by some OPC pastors. starting about then. The laity, mostly, assimilated it big time. Insidious, like a virus and it smells of masonic miscjief. Can’t find where I learned about the Sun. school classes...will keep looking, There are bits about Machen’s concern when he realized the extent of it — I can copy from the book & send tomorrow, if you’d like. Not many had noticed — there were so many fierce doctrinal & control battles going on at the time...Will also grab & send some excerpt of my ADD ramble...
Phil, you made mention of the church "becoming nothing more than a gushy feel good love service" I thought you were talking about your own church, bc that's not what I experience at mine. AND if I did, it would not be the ONLY thing experienced there. My personal relationship with Jesus, God the Father, and His Holy Spirit, take on many more aspects than what you're eluding to in your post. I wasn't making a judgement on you, merely a suggestion that now appears you didn't need.
Trust me, I can always use good advice. It's difficult to caveat everything when writing a short comment but I was just trying to comment on the general condition of the American church today. But God always has His remnant even if it looks dire.
The end of the matter for all mankind is to what? Fear God and keep His commandments!
Maybe the church should start preaching God's law again. Time to get re-acquainted with the great, centuries old doctrines of the church that we used to study before church became nothing more than a gushy feel-good love service.
If the ‘church’ did that, they would have to start keeping the REAL Sabbath, and the CC does NOT allow that. Then they would have to actually keep the REAL Holy Days, instead of the pagan days. Then the church would begin to do what we were supposed to do in the first place, ‘provoke Israel to jealousy’, so much so that even THEY would begin to Obey Him too. Too much money would be lost I.e.Christmas and Ishtar (sorry Easter) . And corporations would quit paying their ‘indulgences’ to the CC and Black Friday would then be Red.
So.....
CC? 🤔
Sunday is the day of Resurrection.
The Ressurection is the new Passover/ Pascha.
Pascha is the word in every language but English for the great Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord.
THANK GOD I LEFT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OVER 50 YEARS AGO.... NO REGRETS EVER!!!
From your lips to God’s ear!
The wishy-washy feel good stuff that passes for worship in most of the churches these days (not all…for God always keeps a remnant for Himself) is a HUGE part of why things are the way they are in our western cultures. We sowed the wind and are reaping the whirlwind.
May The Lord Almighty grant us grace for repentance and His Spirit work in us to restore the precepts & doctrines of scripture in our hearts. Let God be found true, though every man a liar.
You enlighten my spirit. You must post more often and early.
It’s been refreshing to read and see others who appreciate Reformation theology and are still holding fast.
Dispensationalism has proven to be a sucking hole that all too often spirals down into darkness. And I say this as one who who was called through the ministry of Calvary Chapel in the 70’s. What a long, strange trip it’s been.
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
and rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
of never-failing skill;
He treasures up His bright designs,
and works His sov'reign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
the clouds ye so much dread
are big with mercy and shall break
in blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
but trust Him for His grace;
behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
unfolding every hour;
the bud may have a bitter taste,
but sweet will be the flow'r.
Blind unbelief is sure to err,
and scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
and He will make it plain.
Could I impose on you to post this poem to today's C&C? I thought of doing it but I think you should.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44028/light-shining-out-of-darkness
I love that poem. Sounds like a Psalm.
Phil, sounds like you need to find yourself a new church... If it's not opening the Word of God and feeding you a Holy Spirit filled banquet, you must be starving!!!
That's an odd judgement for you to make. I've never been RC. Was it the Bible verse you didn't like or was it what I said about historic church doctrine? The modern church in America today is, by and large, spiritually impoverished and of no consequence to American society. She is salt that has lost her flavor. To a large extent, this is the result of the church abandoning the great reformation creeds that the Holy Spirit brought forth in the church over the centuries. It's time for a new reformation and revival.
Amen! In His Sovereign will may He make it so!
(Actually, every post of yours just above & in today’s threads have been stimulating & edifying & as usual have articulated well the crux of the matters at hand.) As for Faith, I was a lost lamb til late in life, but learned the Bible, church history and to love the doctrines, creeds, confessions worship, faith and practice handed down through the Reformed church — Sadly, it’s hard to find one that hasn’t been remodeled, to some degree, substituting a banal and insipid pottage for the depth and beauty of her inheritance. URC is close, but somehow, it has a weak grasp of the Holy Spirit, perhaps from far too much ivory tower navel gazing (I really don’t give a rip about 2 kingdom theology disputes) and the congregation seems to be far too insular.
Yet, the profound and gorgeous hymns are there (in hymnals… what a concept!) and all the rest is too —Psalms, Gospels & Epistles every week in depth, plus the glorious Heidelberg Catechism(!); The Law & The Gospel of Grace & the Solas in spades. Machen may be turning in his grave or maybe he’s just getting comfy. I waver.
Thanks for your posts and for letting me share.
Godspeed, brother!
🙏🏽👆🏼✝️🕊💌
Thanks! I had the exact same reaction to a reformed congregation I was attending: "URC is close, but somehow, it has a weak grasp of the Holy Spirit, perhaps from far too much ivory tower navel gazing (I really don’t give a rip about 2 kingdom theology disputes) and the congregation seems to be far too insular." I found their weak grasp of the Holy Spirit to be very curious. I pointed this out to them in Bible study when I did a review of a Reformed scholar's work. The reaction of the elders was surprise at my insight as if they had never seen this before. You and Daverkb are the only two I have found here who have similar outlooks on today's church. It's a pleasure to have a bit of company. When people start posting about the "end times", I just cannot resist. I have to jump in and say something to try to bring a little Biblical sanity to the subject. I don't think I'm too well received...lol.
…writing a response to your great and most welcome reply (in my phone notes). But it’s getting longer and longer! About Machen & Darby & Scofield & how disp’ism infiltrated the churches & Isr & what’s being made of this ME thing & how & which end-time/Isr peeps have massive followings since & 🤔🧐🤨🤔.
Ah well… Many thanks to you and to Him for you (and daverkb, too) and Blessings(!) this beautiful Sabbath!
👆🏼✝️🕊🙏🏽👀💌
LOL...don't be shy. Let her rip. Always good to get something off ones chest so to speak.
Hah!
Well…I may have to send it unfinished…we’ll see if you still want the rest. It’s pretty much of a mishmosh of adjoining thoughts. (Symptom of ADD?)
As a fellow sufferer of ADD, I sympathize. I didn't even know about that until I was over 50.
*Sigh* Me neither. The problem is—everything does connect! Darn complicated and dense, this tapestry.
Getting bogged down in checking;my facts & too many labyrinthIne (but interesting) trails. Sorry! Perhaps a trickle of thoughts are better. One great thing was revisiting what I call the Machen book: “Fighting The Good Fight” by D.G. Hart & John Muether. It’s a fascinating & rich account of what happened in the Presp Ch in the 20s & especially the 30s. (if you like that sort of thing — LOL) Lookimg to recall how Darby & Scofffield’s disp. theol. infiltrated the church. I know it snuck in via an org offering Sunday school classes In reformed (& many other) churches including the young OPC (Machen’s child) & it was even taught by some OPC pastors. starting about then. The laity, mostly, assimilated it big time. Insidious, like a virus and it smells of masonic miscjief. Can’t find where I learned about the Sun. school classes...will keep looking, There are bits about Machen’s concern when he realized the extent of it — I can copy from the book & send tomorrow, if you’d like. Not many had noticed — there were so many fierce doctrinal & control battles going on at the time...Will also grab & send some excerpt of my ADD ramble...
Well I’m going to finish watching ‘Defected’ 😎
God’s many Blessingson you Phil!
Phil, you made mention of the church "becoming nothing more than a gushy feel good love service" I thought you were talking about your own church, bc that's not what I experience at mine. AND if I did, it would not be the ONLY thing experienced there. My personal relationship with Jesus, God the Father, and His Holy Spirit, take on many more aspects than what you're eluding to in your post. I wasn't making a judgement on you, merely a suggestion that now appears you didn't need.
Trust me, I can always use good advice. It's difficult to caveat everything when writing a short comment but I was just trying to comment on the general condition of the American church today. But God always has His remnant even if it looks dire.
May I suggest viewing this interview?
TRICIA LINDSAY releasing FIRE and FURY on the DEEP STATE.
https://rumble.com/v3pxfcv-ny-civil-rights-attorney-tricia-lindsay-releasing-fire-and-fury-on-the-deep.html