The Bible Only (1)

The Bible Only (1)
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

Religious people are often heard proclaiming their allegiance to the Bible. We hear it from Protestants and Catholics, denominationalists and nondenominationalists. And while we rejoice that people respect the Bible enough to make such a claim to its guidance, the reality is that many religionists do not limit themselves to the Bible for their religious authority. They do not speak only “where the Bible speaks,” and they are not “silent where the Bible is silent.” Along with the Bible, they have incorporated their personal opinions, human traditions and religious creeds.

God has chosen to direct and restrict human behavior in certain ways. Humans are not permitted to merely do as they please in these areas. In order for us to be right with God, we must “please Him” (1 Thessalonians 4:1; Hebrews 11:6) and not “ourselves” (Romans 15:1). God’s infallible word, the Bible, is where we learn how to “walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, to be fruitful in every good work, and increase in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).

The Bible commands us to “find out what pleases the Lord” (Ephesians 5:10). Thankfully, we are shown how this is to be done. Acts 17:11 describes the Berean Jews as being more “noble-minded” than the Thessalonian Jews. And what had they done in order to receive such a compliment from the Holy Spirit? Two things: They “received the word with all eagerness,” and they “searched the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” It seems almost too simple, doesn’t it? In fact, it is simple: God is honored when people care enough about what He says to read and examine His word. Great care must be taken to find out what pleases God, for failure to do so will result in eternal misery and doom (1 Thessalonians 2:15, 16; 2 Thess. 1:7-9). Our next article will examine Bible passages that stress the importance of our using only the Bible as our religious guide.

Special Announcement: The Parkway church of Christ will be conducting a gospel meeting at our building, April 14-18, at 7:00 PM nightly. We hope you can come!

View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.

Environmentalism as a Religion (2)

Environmentalism as a Religion (2)
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

I pointed out last week that the “New Age” movement has joined forces with a radical form of environmentalism, resulting in the formation of a new religion. God has often warned humans against worshipping the creation (Deuteronomy 4:19), yet people of all times and places have tended to engage in such idolatry. Let us consider some of the major tenets of the religion of environmentalism:

1. Belief in some “force of nature” that is greater than man. The god of radical environmentalists is the earth itself. Humans are seen as inferior to the earth. Their purpose is to serve and “sustain” the earth by their eco-friendly activities.

2. A “belief system.” Even though no scientific evidence can be produced that proves that global warming and ozone depletion are man-made, it is nonetheless accepted on the basis of blind “faith.” Of course, Bible faith is based upon eyewitness testimony. Referring to the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, Peter said, “We are witnesses of these things” (Acts 2:32; 5:32). Bible believers do not blindly believe.

3. There is a “priesthood” (of certain scientists) whose assumptions and predictions it is considered sacrilegious to even question.

4. There is a “high priest” in the form of some prominent person who is seen as the authority figure and chief spokesman for the movement. Right now this appears to be Al Gore, who has become popular among many radical environmentalists, including many of the Hollywood crowd.

5. Heresy: Rejection of the basic doctrines of radical environmentalism amounts to heresy against the “infallible” pronouncements of some.

6. Sacrifice: Humans are called upon to sacrifice certain rights, comforts and privileges in the interest of being at one with nature. Some people have actually become sterilized in order to help solve the problem of alleged earth overpopulation. Some give up their “carbon emitting” vehicles, air conditioners, electricity…etc.

7. Penance: Some are paying for “carbon credits” in order to offset their “carbon footprint.” Indeed, environmentalism has become a religion for many!

View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.

Environmentalism as a Religion (1)

Environmentalism as a Religion (1)
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

It was just a matter of time before the popular New Age philosophies of spiritualism, mysticism and holism would converge with environmentalism. They have now converged in a huge way. In fact, New Ageism and environmentalism are virtually inseparable in many circles. Thus we are witnessing the rise of a new religion – the religion of “mother earth.” To these new religionists, God is not the personal God that is revealed in the Scriptures. Rather, “God” is seen as the “substance” that binds the universe together. It is thought that one can only know God by knowing nature. A similar concept of God is portrayed in the popular Star Wars movie series under the description of “the force” (“may the force be with you”). The “Jedi knight” was taught to “be one with the force.” The Bible, conversely, describes God as personal and transcendent. His existence does not depend upon material things, nor does it depend upon man’s opinion of Him. The God who is revealed in the Bible is a God that existed before the universe even existed!

A person can be an “environmentalists” without subscribing to New Age views. We must define our terms. Technically, “environmentalism” is activity or advocacy in the interest of protecting the natural world from pollution and destruction. By this definition, a person can be a devoted Christian and still be an environmentalist. In fact, there is a sense in which Christians are “environmentalists.” On the sixth day of creation, God created mankind (Genesis 1:26). Man was made in the spiritual image and likeness of God. Among other qualities, this endowed man with self-awareness and the ability to engage in rational thought. These abilities, which were peculiar to man among all of God’s creatures, enabled man to occupy a special place among all of the other creatures. Man was to exercise “dominion over” all other life forms (Psalm 8:6-8). Along with this, man was also given the task of “dressing and keeping” the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15). Reason tells us that we are similarly responsible for our environment today. Incidentally, one does not have to worship nature in order to see the harm that is done by poisoning lakes, streams and air! Our next article will show the fallacy of environmentalism as a religion.

View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.

Why Christ Died (4)

Why Christ Died (4)
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

Our study has thus far revealed that Jesus died because of the sins of mankind. We learned that “life is in the blood,” thus requiring a blood sacrifice. We also learned that, though blood sacrifices had been offered since the time of Abel, these were animal sacrifices which could not take away sin. This is why Jesus shed His own blood: the blood of the incarnate Son of God (Hebrews 9:12). This blood was shed by one whose body was possessed by God Himself (Hebrews 10:5 & 10). The church has been purchased with the very blood of God (Acts 20:28). Note that the passage describes “the church” as being purchased with the blood of Christ. We shall later emphasize this significance.

This leads us to an important question: How are we saved by the blood of Christ? Justification and redemption are certainly through the blood of Christ (Romans 5:9 & 3:24-26), but at what point are we justified by that blood? Are human sins forgiven automatically and unconditionally by the mere fact of Christ’s death? Universalists say yes. But if they are correct, then how do we explain the various conditions of salvation that are required by Scripture? In John 3:16, Jesus promised salvation to those who believe on Him. If people were all saved automatically at the death of Christ, then why would faith be necessary to salvation? Jesus said, “he that believes and is baptized will be saved; but he that disbelieves will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). How can people be “condemned” after Jesus shedding His blood for them? Salvation must be conditional.

And what about confession and repentance? Jesus twice stated that we will perish if we don’t repent (Luke 13:3, 5). In Acts 2:38, remission of sins is predicated upon repentance. Was Peter wrong to promise forgiveness of sins upon the basis of faith and repentance? No, for he was an inspired apostle. And what about the requirement of baptism, which Peter fastened to repentance? He said, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” May we ignore such commands? Not if we wish to be saved! Obedience to King Christ is demanded (Hebrews 5:9; 2 Thess. 1:7-9).

God’s grace contains conditions. It “teaches us” what we must do, and how we must live (Titus 2:11-14; 3:5). In order for the spiritual benefits of the blood of Christ to save us, we must meet the conditions of salvation. We are saved by God’s grace, and we are saved by Christ’s blood, but only when we respond to God’s word in obedient faith.

View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.