tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147339863061248232.comments2014-10-21T14:13:04.441-07:00The King's Way at Queen WayCasey Headhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04606189313511457488noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147339863061248232.post-80693712903554932462014-10-21T14:13:04.441-07:002014-10-21T14:13:04.441-07:00That's not at all what I'm saying. Did you...That's not at all what I'm saying. Did you read the article? :)Casey Headhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04606189313511457488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147339863061248232.post-87649922467522642062014-10-21T13:58:12.591-07:002014-10-21T13:58:12.591-07:00Richard, what is freedom? When you look at religio...Richard, what is freedom? When you look at religious service, you see subservience and bondage. In one sense, that is true. But in another sense, it is the ultimate freedom - freedom from the bondage of sin and the fate to which I was bound apart from Christ (read Romans 6).<br /><br />I'm also curious as to whether or not you're consistent in your view of dictatorship and oppression, as you understand these terms? Do you refuse submission to the government when it oversteps its perceived bounds? Do you not recognize the authority of this government given the fact that it dropped nukes on Japan and killed thousands of innocent people? What about the moral atrocities of this nation? Are you going to live in a compound somewhere and refuse to pay taxes because of these things? I doubt it.Casey Headhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04606189313511457488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147339863061248232.post-79273744456561199202014-10-17T20:26:20.727-07:002014-10-17T20:26:20.727-07:00That whole concept you prop up right there as some...That whole concept you prop up right there as something to be worshiped. What about freedom? A God that feels that servitude is a necessary, to be subservient to, is god not worth any of my attention no less worship.A true loving being would hold no requirement of servitude. For one other thing since this is all mythical required thinking...The world is just not set up this way, and it would be an abomination to the world of physics as we know it if it were. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10984819182802432134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147339863061248232.post-46593184119932215042014-10-17T20:20:07.679-07:002014-10-17T20:20:07.679-07:00And sending Jesus (or anyone) to suffer for anothe...And sending Jesus (or anyone) to suffer for another's bad behavior, that is immoral!<br />I refuse eternal life! Particularly if it is at the feet of this guy. I am good with this one thank you!<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10984819182802432134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147339863061248232.post-21012289930312615822014-10-17T17:36:49.660-07:002014-10-17T17:36:49.660-07:00To accept the existence of a sovereign God who has...To accept the existence of a sovereign God who has the authority (and since He is the source of everything in this world, it belongs to Him - He has complete right to claim authority to dictate morals to us since we and everything else are and is His property) to dictate what will be considered right and wrong...is precisely what atheists will practically by definition of who they are (refusing to accept their position of subservience to a being who holds authentic and reasonable right to have, hold and exercise authority over them and their behavior)...will logically never accept...unless...nah...they would never accept God's right to take what is His because they don't even accept He exists.adr705https://www.blogger.com/profile/07115058527215482406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147339863061248232.post-61440782854127525652014-10-17T16:37:35.713-07:002014-10-17T16:37:35.713-07:00Sounds like what you are trying "not" to...Sounds like what you are trying "not" to say is that, education is robbing young people of their faith or spirituality. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10984819182802432134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147339863061248232.post-67794505276581873282014-10-17T10:54:32.990-07:002014-10-17T10:54:32.990-07:00Even if you cannot explain or justify what God did...Even if you cannot explain or justify what God did 3,000 years ago, His existence isn't negated. At the most, it only means that you don't approve all of God's actions. But He is still God. He still sent Jesus to be the sacrifice for your sins - even if you don't accept this as logical. And He still offers you the gift of eternal life.<br /><br />Having said that, there is much more to these texts than atheists such as yourself are willing to acknowledge. That was the point of this article. Whether you accept it or not, at least you know more (from a Christian perspective) than you did before.Casey Headhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04606189313511457488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147339863061248232.post-7258658903291953972014-10-16T19:10:19.561-07:002014-10-16T19:10:19.561-07:00Casey I just see this as a sad commentary on how b...Casey I just see this as a sad commentary on how believers are willing to sacrifice their own morality and humanity in deference to a god that deserves no worship or attention. If this being existed in our world it would be a despised being.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10984819182802432134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147339863061248232.post-67953077537392366282014-05-09T08:26:24.619-07:002014-05-09T08:26:24.619-07:00I absolutely agree. This is a matter of worldview ...I absolutely agree. This is a matter of worldview and applying a personally chosen framework to what we observe in nature. Darwinian evolution has a paradigm that can easily mold to nature and yet leave some questions unanswered. I may well say the same of the Christian faith.<br /><br />In the end, I find this is a matter of the heart, the conscience (Rom. 2:14-16, 1 John 3:19-21). The heart that does not recognize God, thank Him, and glorify will lose faith and get wrapped up in a world of corruption (Rom. 1:18ff). While discussing the science may help open mind to consider, there must also be a sincere heart. Thank God for His Word that can pierce the harden conscience (Heb. 4:12). Therefore, let us follow 2 Timothy 2:24-26.<br /><br />God bless. Thank you for this excellent article.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147339863061248232.post-87398583596436529852014-05-06T10:16:04.299-07:002014-05-06T10:16:04.299-07:00I enjoyed your article and look forward to Part 2....I enjoyed your article and look forward to Part 2. With regards to mutations they claim mutations are the mechanism for macro evolution. But if I'm not mistaken mutations are extremely rare and 99% of them are harmful to the host. Maybe I"m missing something. I hope you share more on that.Monitor Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04212232556806936625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147339863061248232.post-17521224363796020512013-06-06T18:12:45.224-07:002013-06-06T18:12:45.224-07:00Sin has to be dealt with, Kelly. If there are thos...Sin has to be dealt with, Kelly. If there are those in a church - accepted members - who are living in adultery, then that sin has to be dealt with. There is a difference between weakness and sin. No church is perfect - we all make mistakes. But we can't ignore or persist in sin.<br /><br />Hope that helps :)Casey Headhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04606189313511457488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147339863061248232.post-61152988594058340202013-06-05T07:39:40.708-07:002013-06-05T07:39:40.708-07:00I didn't cover that text in my sermon and for ...I didn't cover that text in my sermon and for anyone wanting to justify "social drinking" (or at least keep from condemning it), that would be one of the stronger texts. However, after reviewing the text carefully, what I noticed is that they were told tha they could buy and drink wine (Hebrew: yayin) which is generic and can be fermented or unfermented. The reference here to strong drink, or similar drink (Hebrew: shekar) is different, though. Whereas the text specifically says that they could drink the wine (yayin), the text says nothing explicitly about drinking strong drink...just that they could purchase it. As you know, alcohol has a lot of different uses.<br /><br />Knowing how strongly Solomon speaks against social and recreational drinking in Proverbs, I approach this text in Deuteronomy by asking: is there a logical way to interpret this so that it doesn't justify social drinking and seemingly contradict Proverbs? And I think there is.Casey Headhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04606189313511457488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147339863061248232.post-2115188864132445232013-06-04T09:08:44.513-07:002013-06-04T09:08:44.513-07:00Casey, I have not heard the sermon, so please forg...Casey, I have not heard the sermon, so please forgive if this has been covered, but how would you respond to Deut. 14:22-27 where they are commanded to take their tithes, and along with other supplies, buy wine or fermented drink and eat and drink in the presence of the Lord. My bottom line on this issues is probably more wrapped up in the words of Paul in Col 2:20-23<br />"20 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence."Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06504590114899687829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147339863061248232.post-83328033071441595202013-01-22T13:45:10.193-08:002013-01-22T13:45:10.193-08:00Great point, Jacob. Thanks! We should always stand...Great point, Jacob. Thanks! We should always stand firm in God's truth.Casey Headhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04606189313511457488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147339863061248232.post-66464443913386984202013-01-22T13:29:37.633-08:002013-01-22T13:29:37.633-08:00The second point is very valid, because if you thi...The second point is very valid, because if you think of many within the world want to charge us with various sins in order to justify themselves. In those judgments in can lead to doubt and our effectiveness in the work for God.Jacob B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05124475737458684582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147339863061248232.post-36008831786507000382013-01-08T14:18:50.240-08:002013-01-08T14:18:50.240-08:00How do you deal with the issue of divorce and rema...How do you deal with the issue of divorce and remarriage?? With the divorce rate being so high these days, it seems that many congregations have someone who has been divorced and remarried while their first spouse is still living... Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05733157788011435444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147339863061248232.post-20385448945727259672012-11-02T17:45:27.499-07:002012-11-02T17:45:27.499-07:00Regarding preaching... Lee Grady recently wrote......Regarding preaching... Lee Grady recently wrote...<br /><br />http://www.charismamag.com/blogs/fire-in-my-bones/15662-say-goodbye-to-the-armor-bearer-mentality<br /><br />3. Keep it real. Older Christian leaders have picked up some bad habits that turn off young people. Some ministers preach with affected voices, wear weird hairstyles and insist on dressing like funeral parlor directors—even on their days off. Please talk in a normal voice when you preach so young people won’t dismiss you as a fake. Be transparent, admit your faults and let everyone know you’ve had struggles. Young people don’t want to follow someone who pretends to be perfect.<br /><br />So, would you consider stopping the affected voice when preaching?<br /><br />Simply talk, not go into the affected voice. Capiche?Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12515762847297280521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147339863061248232.post-39191132857331052012012-07-19T11:15:53.042-07:002012-07-19T11:15:53.042-07:00Hey Casey,
I agree, the law of sin is the law in ...Hey Casey,<br /><br />I agree, the law of sin is the law in his members, which was one of the reasons I don't believe the law of sin here refers to the law of Moses. If that law was really in his members, dwelling in him, governing him, he wouldn't be having all this trauma.<br /><br />I'm actually referring to Romans 8:2-3. I do think there are three "laws" in those verses. There is the "law of the Spirit of life." There is "the law," which I think refers to the law of Moses. There is the "law of sin and death," which I believe refers back to the law mentioned in 7:21: "So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand." <br /><br />The law of Moses cannot set us free from the law of sin and death, but the law of the Spirit of life can and does. That is why I choose Jesus over Moses.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12033423791246648246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147339863061248232.post-26961017914571525272012-07-18T04:25:28.512-07:002012-07-18T04:25:28.512-07:00Oh, and if I don't respond quickly, it's b...Oh, and if I don't respond quickly, it's because I don't get notifications that comments have been made. I just have to manually check to see if anyone has commented. I know...archaic, right? Blogspot needs to get with the times! Haha.Casey Headhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04606189313511457488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147339863061248232.post-86197801592454422232012-07-18T04:24:01.378-07:002012-07-18T04:24:01.378-07:00I can see what you're saying, but I don't ...I can see what you're saying, but I don't agree. I think, however, that in the end we reach the same basic conclusions. <br /><br />Having said that, I don't understand what you mean in the 4th paragraph of your last post when you say, "It makes absolutely no sense to me to say that the text is telling us the law of Moses can't set us free from the law of Moses." If you're referring to verse 23, it seems to me that the "law" that was in Paul's members was trying to turn Paul's attention from the "law of [his] mind" back to itself. I don't think that Paul is identifying three laws there (i.e. the law in his members, the law of his mind, and the law of sin). The law of sin, Paul says, IS the law in his members.<br /><br />Hey, maybe we can discuss this more at camp. I'd enjoy that. In fact, I know a few others who would really enjoy that, too. Anyways, feel free to respond. We can continue this conversation here. I'm enjoying this.Casey Headhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04606189313511457488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147339863061248232.post-1717116078059501582012-07-18T04:13:30.314-07:002012-07-18T04:13:30.314-07:00Edwin, to answer your big question, "YES!&quo...Edwin, to answer your big question, "YES!" I don't think that the concept of "five acts of worship, three works of church, etc" are necessarily indicitive of some troublesome "works-based-salvation" mindset, but yes, the mindset can exist. In other words, if we focus merely on the externals, the motions, without delving into the wisdom behind these acts, the spiritual side of things, Christian attitude (i.e. the fruit of the Spirit), then, yes, we are guilty. And Edwin, I didn't grow up in the church, but I will say that I have seen this mindset among some brethren, and yes, it ought to be corrected. That's why, in my preaching, I try to put a lot of emphasis on the more spiritual side of things, rather than just lessons on what we need to DO. Instead of an out-in approach, we need to be stressing an in-out approach, which is, I believe, what the NT scriptures advocate.Casey Headhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04606189313511457488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147339863061248232.post-54092793753986479442012-07-17T11:49:39.769-07:002012-07-17T11:49:39.769-07:00Hey Casey,
I think I agree with everything you sa...Hey Casey,<br /><br />I think I agree with everything you said in your reply.<br /><br />So that leads to my big question. Is it possible for us to treat the New Covenant law the same way the Jews did the Old Covenant law? If we do, are we not also trying to be justified by law in the exact same way they were, but with a different set of legal codes?<br /><br />Please do not misunderstand me. I believe God has a pattern for how His church is to worship and work. I believe He has a law for us that when we violate it we sin. That is the whole reason we need the grace that comes through Jesus Christ. But in my past, I feel like I've made the New Covenant more about the externals--5 acts of worship, 3 works of the church, etc. Perhaps it is simpler than the OT, but is facing it that way doing the exact same thing the Jews did? Is it trying to establish our own righteousness and approaching Christ's law through works and not through faith (cf. Romans 9:30-10:4)?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12033423791246648246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147339863061248232.post-33585604708908637112012-07-17T11:44:11.301-07:002012-07-17T11:44:11.301-07:00Great question, Casey. First, I don't really t...Great question, Casey. First, I don't really think he stops talking about the law of Moses. I simply think in vs. 22, the law of God is a reference to the law given by God through Moses that said, "You shall not covet."<br /><br />This is the law Paul is talking about serving and delighting in. It is the law that is good, holy, righteous (vs. 12), spiritual (vs. 14), and is not sin (vs. 7). Further, it is not the law of Moses that actually brought death. Paul explains that in vs. 13. Rather, sin used the good law to its advantage and produced sin and death in me.<br /><br />Notice vs. 21. After having talked so much about the law of Moses and then in multiple verses explaining that sin was dwelling in him. He says, "So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand." Is that the law of Moses? I don't see it as such. But Paul calls it a law. That is, it is something that is governing him. Then he explains how this law is working in his life in vss. 22-23. Even though he is delighting in God's law in his mind, he sees another law waging war against the law in his mind. That law takes him captive to the law of sin in his members. Thus, the term law is used in this context accommodatively. It is not a prescribed law, but rather a governing force that Paul is saying no matter how much he delights in God's will, this law takes over. This ties in to what was said in Romans 6:16. If you submit to sin to obey it, you'll become a slave to it. That is, it will become a governing master. The sad thing about the slavery of sin is once you submit to it, you can't get away from it...except through Jesus Christ.<br /><br />Further, in Romans 8:2-3 seems to demonstrate this same point to me. In that text it says that the "law of the Spirit of life" sets us free from the law of sin and death. Then it goes on to say that God has accomplished what the law could not. That to me throws a wrench in the works. It seems to me "the law" in vs. 3 is the law of Moses. Moses' law could not do what the Spirit's law can. But what can the Spirit's law do? It can set us free from the law of sin and death. So, the law of Moses cannot do that. It makes absolutely no sense to me to say that the text is telling us the law of Moses can't set us free from the law of Moses. Obviously, that is a tautology, but it just makes no sense. Rather, there is a law that is holding us captive. That is the law of sin and death. We are sinners. Having submitted to the rule of sin, we have become slaves of sin, and we have lost the power to throw off our new master. So, we might turn to the Law of Moses. The problem is that sin is lawlessness. Can we really treat sin by simply throwing more legal code at it? No. That would be like tossing a bucket of water on top of a drowning man. But "the law of the Spirit of life" can set us free from the law of sin. Of course, while I believe the New Covenant contains law, I think law in this phrase is used accommodatively as well. That is, instead of submitting to the governing power of sin, we submit to the governing power of the Spirit (btw: I do believe that governing power is brought to us through the Word, though I am perfectly willing to allow that the Spirit might be doing other work as well, I just don't know what it is and I know that my only way to know what the Spirit has directed is through the revealed Word).<br /><br />Anyway, this went longer than I intended, but maybe it helps clear up what I see in the text.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12033423791246648246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147339863061248232.post-74650430524150335842012-07-17T09:37:26.197-07:002012-07-17T09:37:26.197-07:00A couple of thoughts...
First of all, Peter himse...A couple of thoughts...<br /><br />First of all, Peter himself rebuked the Judaizing teachers for "putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear" (Ac. 15:10). I think this is partly what Paul had in mind when he wrote, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage" (Gal. 5:1). Yes, there are laws in the NT just as there were in the OT, but the Law of Moses, but what I gather from these statements is that the Law of Moses was inifinitely MORE complex and burdensome. <br /><br />And yes, while it's absolutely possible for Christians today to be spiritually frustrated and to struggle with certain commands, we are constantly reminded throughout the NT that we can find peace, comfort and hope in Christ, and that we can grow to maturity...to the point that "perfect love casts out fear." That's pretty amazing!<br /><br />Third, the OT did emphasize obedience from the heart; even Jesus acknowledged that, regarding the old law, the two greatest commands were to love God and to love one's neighbor (Mt. 22:37-38). If we learn anything from the prophets, it's that God wasn't pleased when His people were just going through the motions. So I'm not saying that the Law of Moses didn't require inward zeal. However, when you compare the two laws, it's easy to see that one has more of a physical/outward focus while the other places MORE emphasis on attitude and heart. While the Jews of old were raised up following the Law and going through the motions (and hopefully would develop a passion for God), we today begin our embrace of the new covenant with a zeal and passion for God (it's a choice) that then leads us down a path of faithful obedience.<br /><br />Finally, as I pointed out in the article, the Law of Moses, as difficult and as tedious as it was, couldn't lead one out of their sins. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't overcome that chasm. Christ changed that, and I have to believe that there is some mental/spiritual "release" when the burden of our sins is actually removed from us (something the Jews didn't have).Casey Headhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04606189313511457488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147339863061248232.post-65928153575904750562012-07-17T06:30:42.108-07:002012-07-17T06:30:42.108-07:00I understand what you're saying, but perhaps y...I understand what you're saying, but perhaps you're focusing on the wrong word in verse 25. It seems to me that Paul is not so much emphasizing "serve" as he is emphasizing "flesh." In other words, the Jewish-Christians, or the Jews, or even Paul - if and when they subjected themselves to the Law of Moses, they did so to satisfy the flesh, rather than the Spirit. The Law of Moses, in it's proper place and context, was a God-ordained law, and was therefore holy, just and good (vs. 12) - but by serving it (which they couldn't/wouldn't perfectly do; again, it only led to frustration), it became to them - speaking in practical terms - a "law of sin." That's my thought, anyways. Just out of curiosity, at which point does Paul shift from the "Law of Moses" to the "law of sin?" And how would you define the "law of sin," especially in light of the fact that sin cannot exist apart from an ordained law from God (sin itself isn't a law, it is the result of violating the law)?Casey Headhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04606189313511457488noreply@blogger.com