Blog | Reproach of Men

An Answer to the “Free-Thinker’s” Non-tract – Part I

Copyright 2005; updated 2010. All scripture is Authorized King James Version, 1769 edition. This article may be copied and used without permission of the author, provided it is copied and used in its entirety. Underlining is used in Scripture passages for emphasis.

As with any answer, it is best to begin at the beginning. It is not often that I do this, but this is somewhat irresistible as the introduction contains contradictions in itself. Therefore, the introduction to this tract is where we will begin. After addressing the introduction, the “contradictions” will be addressed and explained.

The introduction of non-tract No. 5 states:

“Paul said, “God is not the author of confusion,” (I Cor. 14:33), yet never has a book produced more confusion than the bible! There are hundreds of denominations and sects, all using the “inspired Scriptures” to prove their conflicting doctrines.
Why do trained theologians differ? Why do educated translators disagree over Greek and Hebrew meanings? Why all the confusion? Shouldn’t a “divinely inspired” document be as clear as possible?
The problem is not with human limitations, as some claim. The problem is the bible itself. People who are free of theological bias notice that the bible contains hundreds of discrepancies. Should it surprise us when such a literary and moral mishmash, taken seriously, causes so much discord? Here is a brief sampling of biblical contradictions.”

The very beginning sentence begs the question: If there is a God (and there is), isn’t there also a Devil? If you are going to argue against the existence of God, shouldn’t you also argue against the existence of the Devil as well? How is it that the Atheist always argues against the existence of God, but NEVER argues against the existence of the Devil (or Satan)?

Perhaps it is because the Devil, who is the author of confusion, is heavily influencing their thinking. After all, the Scripture (the Bible) plainly states:

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (II Timothy 2:24-26)

If we notice, the above passage states that those that oppose themselves (the lost) are taken captive by the devil at the devil’s will. The fact that Satan uses snares to do this makes it impossible for the individual to know that Satan is influencing his or her thinking. As a testament to the Scripture’s honesty, the Bible is plain that even born-again believers can be unknowingly influenced by the Devil. There are three prominent instances in Scripture. The first is the incident with Peter in Matthew 16:

From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. (Matthew 16:21-23)

What makes this all the more amazing is that shortly before this incident, Peter was the one that declared that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 16:13-17)

By the way, it should be noticed that in the last statement by the Lord Jesus Christ, that He stated that discerning who He is, cannot be accomplished by men’s methods. Rather, the discerning of who the Lord Jesus Christ is, both then and now, strictly by revelation from God. For one to know with certainty that the Lord Jesus Christ is God in the flesh cannot be accomplished except through the operation of faith. Which leads us to a short rabbit trail that will be examined more fully later, that is: How does one obtain faith?

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)

It is not a matter of how much you hear, rather, are you willing to hear and consider what God has to say about man (and thus you) and man’s condition and what God has done about it, as it is written:

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18)

Now, let’s return to the subject of being influenced by the Devil. The second incident is with James and John, the sons of thunder. We should ask the question of just where their attitude came from as we consider this passage.

And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. (Luke 9:51-56)

It should be obvious, the manner of spirit they were of was demonic. They, without realizing it, were being influenced by the Devil.

The third incident is also with Peter just before the Lord’s crucifixion.

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. (Luke 22:31-34)

Of course, we should all know what Peter ended up doing: He denied the Lord Jesus Christ just as the Lord had told him he would.

Now, this being the case with those who are born of God, just what chance do those who are not the Lord’s stand against Satan and his wiles. Again the Scripture states:

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (II Corinthians 4:3-4)

By the way, the god of this world is Satan, by right of conquest. However, in returning to the issue at hand we find that the Lord Jesus Christ spoke of the Devil when He rebuked the Pharisees:

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44)

Now, I have a couple of questions:

Have you ever been lied to?
And believed the lie?

The most accomplished liar in all of creation, both physical and spiritual, is Satan, the Devil.

How is it that the Atheist never attempts to disprove the existence of Satan?

By the way, did you know that the Supreme Court of the United States has declared Atheism to be a religion? However, as you will see by the following quote from a Atheist reviewing the video America’s Godly Heritage that the reviewer is not honest about Atheism being a religion. Please notice the last line of the quotation.

Claim 1: “The Supreme Court ruled that Secular Humanism is a viable First Amendment Religion.
Cases cited: Torcaso v. Watkins (367 U.S. 488), 1961, and an unnamed 1985 decision.
Torcaso v. Watkins ruled nothing of the sort; a footnote mentioned “Secular Humanism” as a “Among religions in this country which do not teach what would generally be considered a belief in the existence of God [sic].” This did not refer to what “secular humanism” generally refers to today, but to a church in California, the Fellowship of Humanity. The footnote cited Fellowship of Humanity v. County of Alameda, 153 Cal. App. 2d 673, 315 P. 2d 394. I checked the second cite, which is the _Pacific Reporter_, and found that the Fellowship of Humanity formed in 1952 and was suing the County of Alameda to recover property taxes and penalties paid under protest. The California Appeals Court ruled that this was a legitimate religion and therefore tax exempt (2-1 decision). (This case was filed September 11, 1957.) The members of the Fellowship of Humanity referred to themselves simply as “humanists,” not as “secular humanists.” (PDF capture of the Skeptic Files page ((It was necessary to capture the page from the Wayback Machine as the site (and page) disappeared.)))

However, the Fellowship of Humanity still exists, and it has a website. On its website the following statement is quite visible:

“Humanism is about what humans ARE and DO at their Best for each other and all Life Forms without supernatural interventions.” (http://www.humanisthall.net/)

Thus to claim that the humanists at Fellowship of Humanity are not secular humanists is patently absurd. After all, they plainly state they do not believe in the supernatural (http://humanisthall.net/BYLAWS.htm) which plainly eliminates a belief in God. Thus, they are secular humanists as well, and secular humanism is a religion.

This makes one of the primary claims of Atheists a patent lie. They are influenced by their religion, and their religion influences their view of the Scriptures.

Contrary to the claim in the introduction to this “non-tract” where it is stated “People who are free of theological bias notice that the bible contains hundreds of discrepancies.” the Atheist has a theology. It just so happens that the theology the Atheist has is one of self. They are their own gods. And they worship and serve themselves. Quite obviously, there is a head-on collision with the Bible.

Again, this is not new. In the Bible the Lord Jesus Christ addressed this very issue with the Jews in John, chapter 10:

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? (John 10:31-36)

Here, He quoted the Psalms to show them that they acted like they were gods that could control their destiny and the destiny of those around them.

I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. (Psalm 82:6-7)

Again this is stated in Isaiah as the LORD God challenged men concerning their refusal to obey Him and hear His word. In fact, this particular challenge sounds very much like the LORD is speaking directly to the Atheist.

Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together. (Isaiah 40:21-23)

Finally, twice in Psalms and once in Romans, the word of God declares that Atheism is nothing new.

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Psalm 14:1-3)

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Psalm 53:1-3)

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (Romans 1:18-25)

So it is that the Atheist is not honest when he declares that he has no theological bias. Moreover, the Atheist cannot honestly declare that there is no spiritual realm in which powers beyond our control influence what we think and sometimes how we act — even without our knowledge and understanding that that is what is going on. In short, until someone on this earth knows everything, and knows and can prove that they know everything, anyone that declares that a spiritual world does not exist is lying. Moreover, we would have to ask what is influencing them to declare such things.

To be continued . . .

Sickening

Some things are just utterly sickening to find out about. The story in Bangladesh’s The Daily Star, dated Thursday, Feb. 3rd, 2011 is one of those sickening stories you pray you never hear about, let alone have happen anywhere near you.

What happened? Well, the gist is that a terrible crime was committed against a fourteen (14) year old girl – and then horribly compounded by the followers of a sick, twisted, demented religious system.

In brief, the fourteen year old was raped by a 40 year old cousin. This was bad enough. However, lest we forget, or are ignorant, in Islam, if a woman is raped – it is automatically her fault – and rape carries the same penalty as adultery – death (or 100 lashes if you are not married). Now, you can argue that 100 lashes does not constitute a death sentence, but let’s see you take the 100 lashes given by a strong man using a cane. If you are not dead when he is done, it will be a miracle.

So, the local religious leader promptly issued a fatwa calling for 100 lashes for the 14 year old (and nothing of note for the 40 year old), which was then carried out by persons in the village. The young girl died after 80 lashes.

Now precisely what did the young girl do wrong? We can ask lots of questions as to why the LORD allowed this. But perhaps we would be better served asking the question as to why such a religious system is allowed to continue unchecked and unhindered? Regardless of where it is in the world, Islam is Islam, meaning that Islam remains the same, no matter where or when we find it.

Hence, understand these things about Islam, as they are indisputable tenets of that religion:

The woman is always to blame.
Women are little better than property.
If you do not agree with Islam, you are a blasphemer subject to be put to death.
Living peacefully with Islam means being converted to Islam.
Pedophilia is okay. Rape is okay. Having a mistress is okay. Having more than one wife is okay… just DO NOT blaspheme Muhammad.

Now, there are those who will rush to the defense of Islam and swear up and down that these things are not true. . .

However. . .

Tell that to those who have been (and are still) being forced to convert to Islam under pain of death.

Tell that to the little girls who are subject to forced circumcision.

Tell that to the women and girls who have died in innumerable “honor” killings.

Tell that to the innumerable Christians, Jews and other “infidels” ((Some are truly infidels, and some are perhaps not, but is that a reason to deprive them of life, liberty and property?)) who have been subject to systematic persecution, up to and including being put to death.

Tell that to the “dancing boys” of Afghanistan.

Tell that to the countless girls and women who have been raped by Muslim men who yell “Allah Akbar” while raping them.

And all of this sanctioned by the religious leaders of Islam.

You know, ordinarily we would call all the above criminal behavior, worthy of severe penalty, up to and including death.

Only, when it is done under the cover of Islam, we just shrug our shoulders and go on as if nothing happened.

At what point will we realize that a religion as destructive as Islam cannot be allowed the liberty to exist and flourish? You know, religions which require human sacrifice are illegal in America. Why can we not see that a 14 year old was sacrificed to satisfy a religious tenet?

And we are told that fundamental, Biblical Christianity is a religion of hate and meanness.

Josef Tson

I first heard about Josef Tson back in the 1990’s. The tape I have from then is a partial recording, but it is very powerful. The video is not quite as powerful, but the message is the same. The message is profitable for all, and fundamental, unaffiliated Baptists would do well to take heed.

There are only three caveats that I make concerning Pastor Tson and the forum in which he presents his messages and testimony:

His forum is Southern Baptist. It is not the best and he could do better. However, the Southern Baptists are the largest “Baptist” denomination in America, and they took Pastor Tson in immediately. I am not certain Josef Tson understands who and what the Southern Baptists are. But, I am not certain most Southern Baptists understand who and what they are either.
His understanding of the word “servant” as opposed to “slave” is culturally driven. That is not bad, but it does bear some explanation. In the KJV, the word “slave” is only used twice. The word “servant” is used in 887 verses. In short, the word “servant” encompasses everything from a slave to a taxi driver who is hired for a few moments time.
I cannot speak as to his Bible, but the wording he uses and the understanding he has of what it teaches is consistent with a Received Text rendering.

With those things in mind, please be blessed.

If you cannot view the video in the post, it can be found here.

In Christ,

Paul W. Davis

How to Know You Live in A Nation the LORD is Judging

No, the title is not lightly chosen. Neither is it a joke. Rather, it is a serious matter and worthy of sober consideration. The link given below is about a Federal firearms case. What is so striking about it is the blatant hypocrisies that are plainly evident in the case:

Velte pointed out that “There is no way for a citizen to know who is here legally or not. In fact, under Austin’s ‘sanctuary city’ policy, not even the police officer at the door of the gunshow was allowed to ask a person’s immigration status, yet the average Texan inside the show is expected to assume that a person standing before them with a Texas driver’s license is in the country illegally just because they look Mexican and speak Spanish.” Velte noted that the federal government’s lawsuit against Arizona was based on that very type of conduct: Concluding someone could be here illegally based on their looks or their language. Velte said gun owners in his group are outraged, and they want to know:

Why is the illegal alien who purchased the gun, Leonel Huerta Sr., still living in Austin?

Why does he still have a Texas Driver’s license?

Why is ATF using illegal aliens to set up and convict American citizens?

What has he been promised for his cooperation?

Why has he not been prosecuted? He committed three distinct crimes: he purchased a firearm knowing he was an illegal alien, he possessed the firearm, and he transferred the handgun to another illegal alien (Hippolito Aviles, who was convicted and given time served on June 30, 2010).

Why has Huerta Sr. not been deported?

The really sad part is that a jury of the defendant’s peers believed the hypocrisies told them by the Federal prosecutor and convicted the defendant, rather than simply refusing to convict. In English jurisprudence, the refusal of a jury to convict has always been an option when they believe the law has been misapplied or an individual wrongly prosecuted. It is one of the protections we enjoy(ed) from would be tyrants who exercise the law improperly.

You may read the rest of the article by going to the link below, and consider why the LORD God has allowed this to come upon us.

FEDS CONVICT TEXAN FOR SELLING A GUN TO ILLEGAL ALIEN WITH TEXAS DRIVER’S LICENSE

The Foolishness of Preaching

According to modern American Christians, plain preaching of the word of God is wasted effort, and utterly ineffective for reaching people and bringing them to Christ. Rather, what they believe is necessary for reaching the lost and even helping Christians grow in Christ, is quoted below:

“Drastically reduced! This 12 DVD set formerly sold for over $200. Now, the WND Superstore is making this extraordinary set available for only $49.95! Hurry, supplies are limited!

Product Description
Ten years in the making, “The WatchWORD Bible – New Testament” is a remarkable breakthrough – 26 hours of content, much of it shot on location. Each of the 27 books of the New Testament is brought to you word-for-word through a dynamic combination of video, text, narration, music and sound effects.

For the broadcast reach, it uses the Contemporary English Version, a clear introductory translation. “The WatchWORD Bible” is compelling to watch and amazingly easy to understand. Its uses are almost endless: for kids, young adults, seniors, families, the disabled, churches, schools, bible studies, read programs and English as a second language. “The WatchWORD Bible – New Testament” is an essential addition to every library. Individual books or the entire series now available on DVD. Instant search by chapter on DVD. “The WatchWORD Bible” – It’s the Word of God!” ((http://superstore.wnd.com/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=2297&ref1=email&ref2=082910Watchword))

I beg to differ. According to my Bible, the things promoted as helps in the above advertisement are actually hindrances bringing individuals to Christ. Moreover, they are done in the wisdom of man, and not the wisdom of the LORD. The following lesson addresses this issue. May you find it profitable.

[audio:http://www.reproachofmen.org/preaching/mp3/foolishness_of_preaching.mp3]

For those who cannot use the embedded player, wish to use a different player, or want to save the file, the following link is provided:

The Foolishness of Preaching

In Christ,

Paul W. Davis

Setting A Society Up For Failure – Pts 1 & 2

This lesson is probably misnamed somewhat. But perhaps not, as it addresses the issue of reproof and our attitude about it. Nonetheless, any society, any nation is made up of its people. Hence, its character is defined by its people. If its people will not bear reproof, will not bear correction, then there is little that can be done for that society, that nation.

This lesson is in two parts.

Part One:

Part Two:

For those wishing to download the file or the podcast does not work, the following link to the mp3 files.

Setting A Society Up For Failure – Part 1

Setting A Society Up For Failure – Part 2

England Returns to Her History. . .

of persecution of Christians, that is…

Christian preacher arrested for saying homosexuality is a sin

It seems that those so openly espousing “tolerance” are totally INTOLERANT of any message that convicts them and states plainly they are wrong. They are especially intolerant of the Bible and those who preach the Bible:

Dale McAlpine was charged with causing “harassment, alarm or distress” after a homosexual police community support officer (PCSO) overheard him reciting a number of “sins” referred to in the Bible, including blasphemy, drunkenness and same sex relationships.

If the police officer half understood anything, he would understand that Mr. McAlpine is actually trying to save his life. It does make one wonder how the police officer would be able to see the truth of the Scriptures, when he cannot even see that ALL nature condemns his “lifestyle?”

The LORD rebuke you, Barack Obama.

Yesterday, President Barack Obama spoke in Minneapolis, MN and decided to invoke the name of God to support his contention that we all should have government mandated and managed health insurance forced upon us. Fundamentally, I disagree, Moreover, I have major problems with him invoking God in any way to support his socialist cause. The passage where he mentioned God follows:

In the last 12 months alone, 6 million more Americans lost their health insurance — 6 million more. Today, we received more disturbing news. A new report from the Treasury Department found that nearly half of all Americans under 65 will lose their health coverage at some point over the next 10 years. Think about that. (Boos.) More than one-third will go without coverage for longer than one year. We’ve got to do something. (Applause.) We’ve got to do something because it can happen to anyone. There but for the grace of God go I. It could happen to anyone. ((http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-at-Rally-on-Health-Insurance-Reform/))

Mr. President, nice of you say it is the grace of God that gives us health insurance and by implication, it would be the grace of God that gives us a government mandated health plan, as if your health plan were somehow equal to the grace of God.

No Mr. President, you do greatly err, the grace of God brings salvation of the soul, not a cheap, two-bit, government mandated “health plan,” as it is written:

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, . . .(Titus 2:11)

The LORD rebuke you, Barack Obama.

Spiritual Maturity?

From time to time I receive notifications of the surveys Barna Group does relating to religion, and specifically Christians and Christianity. The title of the latest survey is “Many Churchgoers and Faith Leaders Struggle to Define Spiritual Maturity” ((http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/12-faithspirituality/264-many-churchgoers-and-faith-leaders-stru
ggle-to-define-spiritual-maturity))

The results, though distressing, are not surprising. The sad truth is the results should not surprise anyone familiar with the study the Barna Group released on the 10^th of April titled “Most American Christians Do Not Believe that Satan or the Holy Spirit Exist” ((http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/12-faithspirituality/260-most-american-christians-do-not-believe-
that-satan-or-the-holy-spirit-exis))

It is an essential and integral part of Scripture that the Holy Ghost exists, is a real person, and the third Person of the Godhead. It is also clear from Scripture that Satan exists and is a real person as well. Thus, without having a basic trust in the Scripture and what the Scripture teaches, how could anyone ever understand what spiritual maturity is, let alone try to get there?

When the study on the existence of the beliefs of “Christians” demonstrates the following:

Four out of ten Christians (40%) strongly agreed that Satan “is not a living being but is a symbol of evil.” An additional two out of ten Christians (19%) said they “agree somewhat” with that perspective. A minority of Christians indicated that they believe Satan is real by disagreeing with the statement: one-quarter (26%) disagreed strongly and about one-tenth (9%) disagreed somewhat. The remaining 8% were not sure what they believe about the existence of Satan.

Although a core teaching of the Christian faith is the divinity and perfection of Jesus Christ, tens of millions of Christians do not accept that teaching. ((If you DO NOT accept this teaching and doctrine, you are NOT SAVED, and NOT a Christian — END OF STORY!)) More than one-fifth (22%) strongly agreed that Jesus Christ sinned when He lived on earth, with an additional 17% agreeing somewhat. ((The same note applies here.)) Holding the opposing view were 9% who disagreed somewhat ((And the same applies here. Why? Because if Christ Jesus sinned, then he had his own sin to pay for, and could not pay for our sin. Secondly, if Jesus Christ could sin, then God could sin. If Jesus Christ did sin, then Jesus Christ, who is Almighty God in the flesh, is not Holy and Righteous, and thus God is not Holy and Righteous. And just what religion are these folks now?)) and 46% who disagreed strongly. Six percent did not have an opinion on this matter ((Christian? Really?)).

Much like their perceptions of Satan, most Christians do not believe that the Holy Spirit is a living force, either. Overall, 38% strongly agreed and 20% agreed somewhat that the Holy Spirit is “a symbol of God’s power or presence but is not a living entity.” Just one-third of Christians disagreed that the Holy Spirit is not a living force (9% disagreed somewhat, 25% disagreed strongly) while 9% were not sure.

Can we then really expect the following findings to be any different:

5. Pastors are surprisingly vague about the biblical references they use to chart spiritual maturity for people.

One of the reasons churches struggle with making disciples may relate to the lack of clarity that pastors have about the underlying biblical passages that address the process of spiritual maturity. This is most clearly reflected in the huge proportion of pastors who give generic responses when asked to identify the most important portions of the Bible that define spiritual maturity. In fact, one-third of pastors simply said “the whole Bible.” Other generic responses included “the gospels” (17%), the New Testament (15%), and Paul’s letters (10%). In all, the survey showed that three-quarters of pastors mentioned some type of generic answer to this query. In addition, one out of every five pastors gave a semi-generic response, such as “Romans” or the “life of Christ.”

As for verse-specific responses (mentioned by just one-fifth of pastors), the most common passages included: Galatians 5, John 3:16, Ephesians 4, Matthew 28, and Romans 12:1-2. Just 2% of pastors specifically identified the Galatians 5 passage relating to the “fruits of the Spirit,” which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control. Theme specific answers represented just 7% of responses, including the Sermon on the Mount, the Great Commission, the Great Commandment, and the Beatitudes. ((There is not a one of these passages and verses mentioned that have to do with spiritual maturity. All the references given either apply to the church, or to attributes that are given to every believer at salvation. Spiritual growth is beyond just having attributes that you begin to use. Rather, it is about changing, not just the very way you act or your attitude, but your entire concept of existence, and the way you think about everything. In short, to be spiritually mature is to look at everything, including yourself, the way the LORD God knows everything to be, and letting that knowledge drive everything about your life.))

The thing that is highlighted most prominently in both studies is the lack of Biblical knowledge and understanding — especially among Pastors. If pastors cannot properly identify spiritual maturity, how in the world are their congregations supposed to grow and be more spiritual? Simply put — they can’t. They are limited by the knowledge and understanding of the under-shepherds who are supposed to feed them.

It is amazing, yet it is not. The amazing part is that they continue to call themselves Christian, yet have little to no idea of what a Christian is, because they won’t read the Scriptures. One of the most important things a child of God must do, is read the Scriptures. This is not go read a book someone wrote about the Scriptures, but actually read the Scriptures themselves.

Why?

Because the Scriptures are the heart and mind of the LORD God toward man. In the 49^th Psalm, the 107^th Psalm, Isaiah, and many other places in Scripture, the heart of the LORD God toward man is plainly revealed, as it is here:

Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world: Both low and high, rich and poor, together. My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding. I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp. Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?
They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption. (Psalm 49:1-9)

And here:

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Isaiah 55:1-11)

And again here:

Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live? Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? (Ezekiel 33:10-11)

Additionally, there are many other passages that speak to the very same thought and desire of the LORD God that every single soul be saved and reconciled to Him. The LORD God would that every person repent and believe in Christ as their Saviour.

In like manner, the LORD God has published the standard for spiritual maturity. However, if one never reads the Scripture or only reads their “pet” books, or their pastor only preaches from certain books, and on certain subjects, then what do we expect? I would certainly hope that we would not expect spiritual maturity to appear out of thin air and without extensive instruction and admonition from the Scripture. The LORD God has provided in Scripture both the standard for spiritual maturity, and how to get there. He expects us to read the Scripture, be taught by it, and walk in its instruction. It is amazing how very easy it is to find both the standard, and how to get there. In fact, the standard for spiritual maturity ought to be obvious:

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29)

Moreover, the LORD gave indicators and markers so that we could know and understand how we are to work toward that maturity in Christ:

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (II Peter 1:5-11)

And He expects all His children to work toward the end of being conformed to the image of Christ:

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. ((You know, these really are the “first things.” Yet, how many truly born again believers actually get beyond these?))And this will we do, if God permit. (Hebrews 6:1-3)

Knowing that the end of it all is charity, the love of God being continually expressed in everything we do:

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. (I Corinthians 13:4-13)

Understanding that the love spoken here is not the world’s kind of love, but the love of God in which we are rebuked, chastened, challenged and tried so that we may know of our witness and testimony, whether we are growing or not, and be reassured that we are indeed the children of God:

Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. (Hebrews 12:4-11)

The problem is, most American “Christians” are without any chastisement at all. Hence, they cannot grow and be spiritually mature. How can this be said? The proof is in the surveys referenced and quoted above. How can one be a Christian when one does not even believe what the Scripture, which is the word of God, states? And how can one be a Christian when one does not honor the LORD and His word? After all, it is plain in the Scripture how high a position of honor the LORD God gives His word:

I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. (Psalm 138:2)

Thus, spiritual maturity begins in the word of God — the Scripture. Without the message of the gospel from Scripture, salvation in Christ and subsequently staying in the Scripture and learning, no spiritual growth can or will occur. The problem with American “Christians” is not that they are not growing spiritually like they should. The problem is that the express conditions for spiritual growth are simply not there. It is no wonder they can’t “put a finger” on spiritual growth and how to achieve it.

A Mislabeled Can

From time to time I received notifications of The Barna Group’s studies and surveys of American Christianity. It is helpful in understanding why this country is in the mess it is in, and how supposed Christians seem to have little to no influence on this nation. Well, the latest Barna Survey shows exactly why “Christians” have little to no influence in America today.

Plainly put — they are mislabeled.

Now granted, they are self-identified as Christians. But, doesn’t that make the report all the more condemning? After all, a bunch of folks out there identify as “Christian,” and they do not have the foggiest notion of what a Christian really is.

I wonder where the fault lies for this one: America’s churches, perhaps?

The report is here:

Most American Christians Do Not Believe that Satan or the Holy Spirit Exist