Category: Christianity

Sin, Wrath, Grace (Genesis 4:25–6:9)

In this post: The story thus far; Introduction; The righteous long for the promised Seed; Adam’s lineage, and the hope of salvation; The consummation of man’s wickedness; Unexpected grace; Conclusion.

This is the audio and approximate transcript of a sermon preached on the evening of 11 December 2016. The prior sermons in this Genesis series are: He Gave Them New Clothes (Gen. 2:4–3:24), Two Religions (Gen. 4:1–16), and God and His Creation (Gen. 1:1–2:3).

(Note: I had to re-record the Bible reading after the service, so the audio quality of the reading differs from that of the live sermon.)

Genesis 4:25–6:9

25 And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, “For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.” 26 And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the LORD.

5 This is the book of the genealogy of Adam. In the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. 2 He created them male and female, and blessed them and called them Mankind in the day they were created. 3 And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. 4 After he begot Seth, the days of Adam were eight hundred years; and he had sons and daughters. 5 So all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years; and he died.

6 Seth lived one hundred and five years, and begot Enosh. 7 After he begot Enosh, Seth lived eight hundred and seven years, and had sons and daughters. 8 So all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years; and he died.

Continue reading Sin, Wrath, Grace (Genesis 4:25–6:9)

Response to the Isle of Man consultation on introducing so-called same-sex marriage

The Isle of Man Government is conducting a consultation regarding its proposed legislation to permit same-sex ‘marriage’ on the Island. This post contains the response my wife and I sent to the Isle of Man Government. Many of the points covered are applicable to the same-sex ‘marriage’ controversy in other countries.

Your response can help

The consultation closes on 13 November 2015 and is open to all, regardless of where they live. It would be very helpful for the Government to realize that a great many people from all over the world are opposed to the introduction of same-sex ‘marriage’. Here is how you can help:

  • State your opposition (no matter how briefly) in a polite email to Ms Anne Shimmin at equality@gov.im.
  • Leave a message by phone on +44 (0)1624 685202 opposing the legislation.
  • Share this post widely using the Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus buttons at the end of the article.

Thank you!

The Government’s consultation documents

Our response

We oppose the introduction of so-called same-sex marriage to the Isle of Man on the following grounds:

  1. the proposed legislation fundamentally misconstrues the purpose of the state’s legal recognition of marriage;
  2. the proposed Bill is unnecessary and divisive;
  3. on the basis of its own standards, the proposed legislation is intellectually incoherent and unfair;
  4. the proposed Bill would enshrine homosexual marriage in law as a second-class institution;
  5. the existing marriage legislation is already entirely fair and equal;
  6. the proposed legislation would further undermine the institution of marriage to the detriment of society;
  7. the proposed legislation does not sufficiently protect those who hold sincere philosophical or religious beliefs in opposition to same-sex ‘marriage’;
  8. Tynwald has no public mandate to enact the proposed Bill;
  9. the proposed legislation is a rebellion against God’s moral Law, blasphemes the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and is thus greatly offensive to Almighty God and to many people of faith.

We shall now briefly explain each of these points. Continue reading Response to the Isle of Man consultation on introducing so-called same-sex marriage

God and His Creation (Genesis 1:1–2:3 Sermon Audio and Transcript)

In this post: Prologue; The opening declaration; Elohim; Fiat lux; It was good; Let Us make man in Our image; In the image of God He created him; The blight of sin; The Gospel; The seventh day

This is the audio and approximate transcript of a sermon preached on the morning of 25 October 2015. It is a prequel to He Gave Them New Clothes (Genesis 2:4–3:24) and Two Religions (Genesis 4:1–16).

Genesis 1:1–2:3

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.

Continue reading God and His Creation (Genesis 1:1–2:3 Sermon Audio and Transcript)

Pastor Ken Silva’s death

Connecticut River Baptist Church has announced Pastor Ken Silva’s death. In response to this deeply sad event, I have already seen many comments from people who contacted Ken and found him to have a listening ear and gentle, ministering heart. These stories are commensurate with the friend I knew. He will be sorely missed.

Ergun Caner’s lawsuit against Jason Smathers dismissed with prejudice

Jason Smathers writes:

US Federal Court says posting Caner video is fair use, not copyright infringement. Footage will be online again in short order.

[Update: you can now view the videos Ergun Caner sued to suppress here.]

In 2010 videos showing Ergun Caner deceiving the US Marines was posted on Witnesses Unto Me. At that time Ergun Caner was still preaching behind Christian pulpits, telling a web of lies. His story was about a young man who grew up trained to do “that which was done on 9/11,” growing up in Turkey in the house of a polygamist Muslim before moving to America as a teenager and eventually becoming a Christian. In truth, Caner was born in Sweden and moved to Ohio while he was two years old.

Nearly three years later, Ergun Caner began sending copyright complaints concerning many videos online that contained proof that he invented a fake life story. When submitting such a notice concerning the Marines videos, this author responded by stating the video is public record, created by the US Government, and not subject to copyright. Caner responded with a lawsuit.

Today, the court has ruled on a motion to dismiss by stating the use of the video was fair use and not a violation of copyright. The case is dismissed, YouTube and Viddler will soon be informed so the videos will return, and the court will entertain a future motion for legal fees to be recouped by charging them to Caner.

Smathers’ post includes the final judgment of the District Court, and its order granting the motion to dismiss Caner’s lawsuit. The court order contains a helpful account of the background to the case.

Be prepared for Christ’s return: the parable of the Two Slaves, and the parable of the Talents (Matthew 24:42–51; 25:14–30)

In this post: Introduction; The parable of the Two Slaves; The parable of the Talents; Crushed by the Law; Comforted with the Gospel

This is the audio and approximate transcript of a sermon I preached on 26 January 2014. It was originally my intention to focus on the Sheep and the Goats passage from the end of Matthew 25, briefly covering the preceding parables to establish context. It eventually dawned on me that I could not even begin to do justice to all the material in a single sermon. What follows, then, is a treatment of just two of the three parables.

Matthew 24:42–51; 25:14–30; 26:1–2

Our focus tonight is on two parables from the Olivet Discourse, Jesus’ private teaching to His disciples on the Mount of Olives, shortly before His crucifixion. Our theme is ‘Being Prepared for Christ’s Return’. We’ll begin reading at Matthew 24:42.

42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant …

Continue reading Be prepared for Christ’s return: the parable of the Two Slaves, and the parable of the Talents (Matthew 24:42–51; 25:14–30)

Sola Scriptura, the Canon, and Rome

Do we need an infallible church to tell us what is in the Canon of Scripture? Is Scripture alone a sufficient final authority in matters of life and faith? Is sola scriptura even biblical, or do we need to give equal weight to authoritative church tradition? These questions are tackled in an unmissable discussion between Dr. James White and Dr. Michael Kruger, President and Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, North Carolina. Dr. White writes:

Our visit was prompted by a phone call made by a Lutheran to Catholic Answers Live back on 10/31/13. We played the entire call before the program started, and we played the heart of the call, where the Roman Catholic priest made the key assertions about canon and scriptural authority, during the interview with Dr. Kruger. We covered a wide variety of topics relevant to the canon issue. Truly one of the most useful programs we’ve ever done! Enjoy and learn!

Audio and video of the discussion are available on the Alpha and Omega Ministries website. Dr. Kruger’s introduction to the discussion on his Canon Fodder website is also well worth reading.

Historians are not infallible

Paster Gervase Charmley has written two short articles pertinent to the recent debate between Dr. James White and Chris Pinto on the authenticity of Codex Sinaiticus, an important fourth century Bible manuscript:

In case you missed it, here is the debate: