UNIVERSAL SALVATION (WILL EVERYONE BE SAVED?)

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UNIVERSAL SALVATION (WILL EVERYONE BE SAVED?)

(1 Tim 4:10) … we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

So…are you ready for the loaded question?  Will everyone be saved?  Or will only those who have accepted Jesus as their personal Savior have salvation?  

Here’s what Universalists believe:  Since no human being is totally bad, no human will perish eternally. It is God’s plan to take what is good in each individual and multiply it, and replace the bad within us with an infusion of God’s divine goodness, until only the good remains.  Supporting scriptures they use are:  Mat. 19:28, John 12:32, Acts 3:21, Rom. 5:18, 1 Cor. 15:22, 28, Col. 1:20, 1 Tim. 2:4-6.  They go on to say:  Souls that leave this life on earth without experiencing salvation will have other opportunities for conversion, learning and growth after death (1 Pet. 3:18-20, 4:6). No one will ever run out of chances to return home to their Creator. Even the most evil beings who have ever lived can still be saved — and will be, in the fullness of time (Phil. 2:10). 

That all sounds nice doesn’t it?  Like that Hallmark movie where all problems are solved and everything ends on a good note.  It’s the feel good theology.  I heard it one time in the catacombs under the city of Rome.  A woman from the Catholic church gave the most “inspiring” message that God loves all and all will be saved.  On the way out one woman was dabbing her eyes saying it was the most wonderful thing she had ever heard.  I left with fumes coming out my ears.  I pulled my family aside and told them why I was so upset.   

The Bible says all men are born sinners and deserving of the condemnation of eternal punishment.  (John 3:18) “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  If a person dies without Christ’s atonement for their sins they will be lost for all of eternity.  (Heb 9:27) And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.  But the good news is that Jesus took the wrath of God on the cross for mankind opening the door of salvation to all: (Rom 5:9) Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  Now all a person has to do is personally repent and turn to Christ for salvation:  (Acts 3:19) Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.

So we may say that Jesus is the Savior of all people potentially.  But each individual must receive forgiveness and trust in the atoning work of Christ on their behalf.  If man could be saved on his own they why the necessity of Christ’s death?  (Gal 2:21) I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.

Louie

WHICH VERSION OF THE BIBLE Part II (Comparing versions)

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WHICH VERSION OF THE BIBLE Part II (Comparing versions)

Last time our emphasis was on the King James Version vs. the modern translations as well as the importance of accuracy (word for word) and readability.  Now let’s do a comparison:

KJV (King James Version, 1611): Word for word translation. Reading level (RL) 12. Well-loved and traditional favorite.  Difficult to read due to archaic language. Lovely for memorization.

NKJV (New King James Version, 1982): Word for word. RL 9. Purpose: to update and modernize the original KJV but preserve the KJV as much as possible.  Maintains poetry of the KJV.  

NASB (New American Standard Bible, pub. 1971/1995): Word for word.  RL 11. An update of the (ASV) American Standard Version into more current English.  Formal, readable, respectable.  

ESV (English Standard Version, 2001): Word for word.  RL 8.0. A literal update of the Revised Standard Version (RSV).  A good blend of accuracy and readability.  

NIV (New International Version, 1978): Seeks balance of word for word and thought for thought.  RL 7.8. Lively and readable.  Widely accepted and adopted by evangelical believers. 

NLT (New Living Translation, 1996): Seeks balance of word for word and thought for thought.  RL 6.3. Original language sought but goal was a vibrant contemporary English style.  

AMP (Amplified Bible, 1964): Word for word, amplifying word meanings.  RL NA. Brings out more light of Hebrew and Greek words.  Insightful but awkward to read with brackets.  

THE MESSAGE (MSB, 2002): Thought for thought paraphrase.  RL 4.8. Modern day American speech but holds to the meaning of the original language.  Ultra easy and relaxed readability. 

HCSB (Holman Christian Standard Bible, 2003): Seeks balance of word for word and thought for thought.  RL 7.5. Published by Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist convention.  

I hope this Bible version comparison is helpful.  And you know it only scratches the surface of so many Bible translations out there.  And every few years another translation will be published if the pace keeps with the past.  But remember the point is to read your Bible and claim its promises daily!  

(2 Tim 3:16-17) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,  17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Louie

WHICH VERSION OF BIBLE?

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WHICH VERSION OF BIBLE?

(Deu 4:2) You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

Do you ever wonder what translation of the Bible you should be reading?  Is it the good old’ King James Version (KJV)?  Or is one of the more modern translations the way you should go?  

I think for the everyday Christian we shop at a Christian bookstore and look for a Bible we have heard about that has a good reputation and one that is easily readable.  We make our purchase and then that becomes our personal Bible that we usually stay with.   But behind the translations is a debate amongst scholars that runs deep.  Let me explain it in a nutshell.

There are two basic families of Greek texts from which the New Testament is translated from.  The King James Version (and New King James Version) is translated from one Greek text family (Byzantine/Textus Receptus) and the bulk of the more modern translations are from another Greek text family (Alexandrian/Westcott & Hort).  The King James argument sees the Alexandrian text corrupted and influenced by early church heresy.  The modern translations argument say the Greek texts they use are more ancient and therefore closer to the originals that the apostles wrote (called autographs).  This school of debate among theologians is called textual criticism.  (By the way, we are speaking of the Greek New Testament.  There is really no valid argument against the Old Testament translation from the Hebrew because it was so well preserved and the Jewish scribes were so meticulous in their copying.)

So where does all this lead us?  Well, if you are into the debate I would side with the King James Version for varying reasons that make sense to me.  I personally use the New King James Version.  I switched to that from the King James Version because I was a Youth pastor for so long and just couldn’t teach those teenagers with all those thee’s and thou’s!   Then when I became a senior pastor I tried to go back to the KJV but just couldn’t handle the archaic language so I have stayed with the NKJV to this day.

So what do I think of the modern versions?  There are some good ones that I respect like the New American Standard Bible (NASB) and the English Standard Version (ESV) because they are so accurate in their translation but they are from the Alexandrian text.  Other modern versions like the New International Version (NIV) are loose translations (not word for word) so I stay away from them.  (Although I would recommend them for children until they are adults).   Paraphrase Bibles like the New Living Translation (NLT) are way too loose for my taste but could be used for evangelism and new believers.  Accuracy and readability is the key.  But remember the real issue is to read the Word of God and grow in your faith!    (Psa 119:11) Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

Louie

THE CHALLENGE OF MOTHERHOOD

 

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THE CHALLENGE OF MOTHERHOOD

(Luke 2:34-35) Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against  35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also)…

Motherhood.  Bringing a human life into the world is such a privilege and even though the man is involved only she knows the special relationship with the child in the womb and then bringing that child into the world.  Moms have that nurturing instinct that is finely tuned to the needs of her child.  She feels so rewarded as a woman and as a mother for the joy of raising and giving her life for her child.  (Psa 113:9) He grants the barren woman a home, like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!  But is it all joy and no sorrow?  The answer is obvious but one which is needful to address to encourage mothers when they are challenged in their parenthood.  

Mary was so thrilled to bear the Messiah!  We know the story of the angelic announcement of her virgin birth on to the humble delivery in Bethlehem.  There were the shepherds followed by the wise men.  But we also get a glimpse of the holy family as they make their way to the Temple for Jesus’ circumcision and then for Mary’s purification according to the law of Moses.  At the same time the parents were in the Temple an elderly man named Simeon was led by the Spirit to enter the house of worship.  He took the child Jesus in his arms and blessed God.  He was so happy that he had seen the Lord’s Christ before he died.  He offered praise to God. 

When Simeon was finished he blessed the parents and then spoke to Mary a prophesy about the effect Jesus would have on the people of Israel.  Some would fall because of Him while others would rise. With Jesus, there would be no neutral ground: people would either accept Him or reject Him. As Jesus' mother, Mary would be grieved by the many sorrows He would face.  As the prophecy continued, Simeon said a sword would pierce her soul.  Mary did feel “the sword” in her heart continually as she watched her Son in His difficulties during His ministry and then at the cross.

The motherly cherishing of a child seems to have no limit.  The joys are so gratifying and yet the sorrows are deep and cut to the heart.  Moms rise to glorious heights with their children and also sink to bottomless depths below.  If Mary had not been forewarned and sustained by her strong faith, she could not have endured the trials which came upon her Son; but God prepared her for it and the devout mother of the dying Savior was sustained.  She saw her Son risen and she even worshipped in the new Christian community! (Acts 1:14)

Mother, your faith will sustain you during times of your child’s trouble.  Mary made it and many godly women before you have as well.  Unsheathe the sword of God’s Word and let it heal your pain as you claim its promises for you and your child! (Heb 4:12; 2 Pet 1:4; Isa 54:13)  

Louie

BORN AGAIN

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BORN AGAIN

(John 3:3) Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

The term born again can mean many things to many people.  Let’s describe what the term born again does NOT mean:

Born again is not another term for reincarnation, that when you die you are born into the next world and live another life trying to reach nirvana.  Born again also does not mean a new age experience whereby you keep searching for truth until you finally enter a state of spiritual awareness and enlightenment.  Neither does born again describe a Christian evangelical political movement like the one we saw under the Carter administration in the 1970’s.   

Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, thought that being born again was entering into your mother’s womb a second time and being born.  So you see for a long time there has been erroneous views concerning the term born again.  

Born again means to be born twice. (John 3:5) Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  It means you are born physically (once) and then you are born spiritually (twice).  To be born spiritually means a new birth has taken place in your life.  You have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit whereby God imparts spiritual life to the one who trusts Christ. 

When you are born physically into this world you are born a sinner.  That sin nature was passed on to you all the way from Adam and Eve.  We are dead in sin and subject to the wrath of God until we accept the finished work of Christ on the cross.  At that moment our sins are forgiven and the Holy Spirit enters us and we are born again. (Read Ephesians 2:1-9)

Jesus said to Nicodemus that unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.  That means to qualify for heaven you must receive Christ as your Savior and become a new person:  (2 Cor 5:17) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.  It’s like getting a new heart transplant!:  (Eze 36:26) I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  There’s nothing you have to do.  Just receive this free gift:  (Titus 3:5) not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.

Have you been born again?  Why put heaven off when you can have the promise of eternal life right now?  Born once, die twice.  Born twice, die once.  

Louie

ANSWERING AGNOSTICISM

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ANSWERING AGNOSTICISM

I think philosopher William L. Rowe describes agnosticism well.  He says an agnostic is someone who neither believes nor disbelieves in the existence of God, while a theist believes that God does exist and an atheist believes that God does not exist.  The term agnosticism was coined by English biologist T.H. Huxley in 1869 but the concept was expressed way before that.   It goes back to the Greeks around 450 BC and even earlier mentions are recorded in the Hindu Vedas, written between 1700 and 1100 BC. The word agnosticism means “without knowledge” and refers to the agnostic’s unyielding tenet that you can never know for certain that God exists.  

Agnosticism has sometimes been divided into two categories: STRONG AGNOSTICISM which is the view that the existence of God is completely unknowable because the nature of God and faith is far too subjective and unscientific and lacks empirical evidence. WEAK AGNOSTICISM is the view that the existence of God is unknown but is not necessarily unknowable; further evidence is needed.  

How do you answer an agnostic?  

FACTS: Agnostics have great minds and follow strong arguments from brilliant minds of old.  Perhaps facts regarding the veracity of the Bible will help them along the way.  Fulfilled prophecy, archaeological evidence, apologetic studies, and the like might appeal to their sense of reasoning.  (Isa 1:18) “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord…

FAITH: To believe in God you’re going to have to have faith. (Hebrews 11:6) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  As finite human beings we should not expect to be able to comprehend an infinite God.  (Rom 11:33-34) exclaims, “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! ‘Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?’”  If one is devoid of faith, God is able to dispense it as a gift so one may believe without test tube proof.  (Eph 2:8) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.  

FEELING: The book of Ecclesiastes would be a great book of the Bible for the agnostic to read and discern.  This book chronicles king Solomon’s shift away from God and the emptiness it produced.  Agnostics have personal feelings like the rest of us.  Empty feelings may be the result of an empty philosophy.  We can be so smart to be so unhappy.  

Jesus’s answer to “doubting Thomas” was “…because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)  

Louie

THE EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCH

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THE EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCH

Most people see Christianity as made up of Catholic and Protestant sects.  But there is another branch of Christianity that contains 300 million adherents.  It is called the Eastern Orthodox Church.  Most of these believers live in Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the Caucasus and the Middle East but also have churches in most countries and in almost every major city.  

In 1054 the Great Schism occurred where there was a break of communion between what are now the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches centered in Constantinople and Rome respectively.  The Orthodox Church claims to have kept the faith through the church councils while the Roman Catholic Church has strayed into heresy with the development of the papacy and supremacy over all other churches.  

The Eastern Orthodox Church is not a single church but rather a family of 13 self-governing bodies such as the Greek Orthodox Church, Russian Orthodox Church, etc.  They are united in their understanding of the sacraments, doctrine, liturgy, and church government, but each administers its own affairs.  

The head of each Orthodox church is called a “patriarch.”  The patriarch of Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) is considered the universal patriarch. He is the nearest thing to a counterpart to the Pope in the Roman Catholic Church.  He holds special honor, but he has no power to interfere with the 12 other Orthodox communions. 

Orthodox believers affirm the Trinity, the Bible as the Word of God, Jesus as God the Son, and many other biblical doctrines. However, in doctrine, they have much more in common with Roman Catholics than they do with Protestant Christians. 

The doctrine of justification by faith is for the most part missing from the teaching of the Orthodox Church. Rather, Orthodoxy emphasizes theosis (literally, “divinization”), the ongoing process by which Christians become more and more like Christ. But Orthodox tradition fails to understand that “divinization” is the progressive result of salvation, not a condition for salvation. Other Orthodox distinctives that conflict with the Scriptures include: The equal authority of church tradition and Scripture;  the perpetual virginity of Mary;  prayer for the dead;  baptism of infants; the possibility of receiving salvation after death; a person may lose their salvation; prayer to saints (especially Mary); use of icons as an aid to worship.  

Keep in mind:  Salvation is not a gradual process: (Eph 2:8) For by grace you HAVE BEEN SAVED through faith…  Sanctification is a gradual process:   (1 Thes 5:23) Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely… Scripture supersedes church tradition: (Mark 7:9) He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.

Louie