Biblical Worldview
What determines how you think and feel about the issues of the day? What is it exactly that makes you feel the way you do about what is going on in the world? It is safe to say that the variables are many. We are influenced by our culture, molded by our upbringing, guided by our prejudices, and even driven by certain fears. Those things work together to build our “worldview”…how we look at things. But I feel that it is precisely because our worldview is predicated on those things that we have so much conflict and turmoil around the world and in our own personal lives. Culture, fear, prejudices and such allow for some pretty outrageous beliefs…such as one race being superior to another or that a male has inherently more worth or value than a female. It also gives us groundwork for believing that same-sex attraction is just another way of living or that a person can become whatever sex he/she/they/ze/vis/syrs, etc., desires. It literally lets us boil down our lifestyle to “let your conscience be your guide”.
That isn’t a good thing. People’s consciences often allow them to do horrible things. People’s consciences allow for robbery, violence, murders, rape, hatred, and so forth. People will rob others and not feel bad about it. People will hate other races and go to bed and sleep like a baby. Obeying our conscience will allow us to lie, steal, and injure without regret. Living according to what our conscience allows will cause us to go past justice to get revenge. In other words, when our worldview is based on the whims and fancies of culture and personal feelings things can go south quickly. Isn’t that what we see in the world every day? But there is another way; a better way.
The alternative is a “Biblical worldview” and that worldview is basically a belief in two things: there is a God and that God has spoken to us. You see, our worldview is based on only two possibilities. Either we believe there is a God, or we believe there isn’t a God. There are no other lines of thought; we are going to believe one way or the other. When we believe there is no God then we have no basis for anything except how we feel about it. Our conscience is literally our guideline for every thought and action we take. However, when we believe there is a God and God speaks to us then the basis for our decision is “what does God tell me to do” and we live by that…no matter how we feel.
For instance, suppose we have a boss who we feel overworks us and/or under pays us. Our conscience will allow for putting forth less than our best, leaving early, perhaps even taking liberty with our honesty with him/her. But what does the Bible say? The Bible says work your hardest and take only what is yours. It’s simple. Or perhaps you know someone who is confused sexually, believing himself/herself to be a sex other than what is biological? He or she is a great friend, good person, and deserving of your love and concern. Conscience says go along with it and it’s OK. The Bible says God created two sexes and people are born with one of those two sexes. It says to love that person and try to help…not affirm their sickness and encourage their confusion. Our conscience allows us to hate our enemies and do what we can to undermine them, hate them back….whatever. The Bible says to love them and do good to them…no matter how we feel.
There is so much difference in the way we behave and act toward others when we have a Biblical worldview. There are so many ways our lives are better when we have the absolute truth of God guiding us. Therefore, we must make the decision to live by the Word of God or live by a humanistic worldview. And, Christian, it must be all the Word or God.
Say good things about your Savior and your church!
Bro. Tony
Read more...
ProLife – All Lives!
While reading an article about a recent pro-life gathering in downtown Birmingham I was again accosted by one of the biggest lies about pro-lifers that is espoused by the pro-abortion community. Someone commented (and many others agreed) him: “pro-lifers only care about babies in the womb and don’t care about them after they are born.” I have heard that so often, and it is one of the things that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Here is what I messaged that person and those that agreed with him:
“Where do you get your information? Who tells you that? You are either willfully spreading a lie or are seriously misinformed by someone. The fact of the matter is that I monetarily support, through our church and other means, The Alabama Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministry that provides both temporary and permanent homes across the state for children in distress. They provide foster care in families all over Alabama. They provide licensed and professional counseling to children and to families. The gifts we give them are above and in addition to our taxes.
We support physically and monetarily the Green Spring Ministry in Birmingham. That Christian ministry provides food for any and all that are hungry. We monetarily and physically support the Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief Teams that have boots on the ground proving food and needed relief to areas affected by tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters…often before the government can get their act together. This is above and in addition to our taxes.
Our own church has a benevolence fund and as we help families, one of our primary concerns is the children affected by whatever the need is. We help families without concern for race, religious background, or sexual orientation…we don’t ask because we care about the children involved. This is above and in addition to our taxes.
In addition to those I and our church support, there are countless other ministries supported by pro-lifers such as The Jimmy Hale Mission, the Bethany House, Firehouse Ministries, the Boys and Girls Ranches…and we cannot overlook The Salvation Army. Many, many, churches also have food closets and clothing ministries.
So I want to challenge those of you who keep spreading the lie that we pro-lifers don’t care about children after they are born, in addition to your taxes what organizations and ministries do you monetarily support that help children after they are born?”
Would you believe that not one person responded? Not one person highlighted anything they had personally done. Not a single person took up the challenge. If there is a heart that is hardened against children after they are born it does not beat in the body of those of us that celebrate and protect life in the womb. Don’t let people get away with spreading such lies. Share the truth with them.
Say good things about your savior and your church!
Bro. Tony
Read more...
Biblical Authority is the ONLY Authority
It appears that the United Methodist Churches are about to split into two distinct denominations. One will adhere to historical Biblical authority on marriage and sexuality and the other will support and promote a LBGT lifestyle. While there are a couple of other minor differences, it is this issue that ultimately drives the division. But we must also understand that this issue is only a flower stemming from the root of Biblical authority. Let me explain.
Among Protestant churches there are two main divisions. One is called Mainline Protestant and the other is Evangelical Protestant. Methodist, Presbyterian (USA), Episcopal and others fall into the Mainline category while Southern Baptists, Assemblies of God, and a few others comprise the Evangelical wing of Protestantism. Both parties agree on the sufficiency of Christ as God in the Flesh and salvation through His blood alone. Of that…I am so very thankful. What sets the groups apart is primarily their view of the authority of the Bible.
Evangelical denominations view the Bible as inerrant and infallible. That is, it is to be viewed as the very word of God as the Spirit inspired the men who wrote it. It is without error and speaks the same truth to every generation. It is to be interpreted likewise. John Green, author of “Religion and the Culture Wars” describes the Mainline view of the Bible like this: “Mainline Protestants have a different perspective. They have a more modernist theology. So, for instance, they would read the Bible, not as the inerrant word of God, but as a historical document, which has God’s word in it and a lot of very important truths, but that needs to be interpreted in every age by individuals of that time and that place”. It is that mindset that allows for deviation from historical interpretation and opens the door for what I call non-Biblical lifestyles.
Once we begin interpreting the Bible according to the way the culture is leaning, we have lost the foundation of morality and truth. Our culture is the way it is exactly because it has distanced itself from the Biblical truth. We must view a LBGT lifestyle through the lens of the Bible…not the other way around. I fear for my friends and relatives in the Methodist churches because history has shown that the effectiveness and growth of churches that become more liberal in their interpretation of the Bible soon begins to shrivel. Ironically, the churches that state they are “open” or “inclusive” (code for accepting and promoting the LBGT community) so that they reach more people, actually begin to lose more people.
I am thankful to be a part of Southern Baptist Convention. The convention isn’t perfect by any means. But taking a stand on the inerrancy of the Bible is of utmost importance. I heard a high-ranking official of a Mainline Protestant denomination say, when asked about a particular doctrine that most people see and understand as antithetical to the Bible, say that “we can’t live by one book”. Let me emphatically say, speaking of the Bible, we can…we must…live by that one book!
Say good things about your savior and your church!
Bro. Tony
Read more...
Biblical Admonition
I read a post on Facebook from the owner of a store Angie and I shop occasionally. He was very opinionated about some political stuff and outspoken in his disdain for people who hold different political viewpoints than his. I happen to be one of those people. He as much has said that he didn’t care if I shopped there or not. I’m going to choose not to…not because he has a different political philosophy than I but because he was rude and judgmental about mine. He just wasn’t nice.
I try not to get too political with these columns because my calling is not politics…my calling is to preach the gospel. I have to keep reminding myself that I don’t need to drive political wedges between myself and the people I want to reach for Christ. However, there are some issues I dare not keep quiet about because they are spiritual issues before they are political ones. Abortion, for instance, is a deal-breaker in the way I vote. Because I believe that taking the life of a child in the womb is spiritually wrong. I cannot vote for anyone who would legislate differently. I will always preach against abortion. Given the Biblical admonition against homosexuality I have no choice but to preach the sinfulness of such a lifestyle. Therefore, I could never vote for anyone who would promote laws that prevent me or anyone from counseling those with homosexual desires about the wrongness of those feelings. I believe the Bible instructs Christians to abstain from taking part in un-Godly ceremonies and events so I will not vote for any politician that will force Christians to violate their beliefs, even with their businesses.
For the most part I have become very cynical and pessimistic about our government. I believe Washington to be a cesspool of corruption where backroom deals and vote buying rule the day. I don’t have much confidence that the people who have been in office for so long are going to change that now. But I do know this: God is on His throne and I will…I must…please Him with my words and actions and let the political chips fall where they may.
Say good things about your savior and your church!
Bro. Tony
Read more...
Happy New Year 2020!
It’s hard to believe that I’m writing a column that will be published in the year 2020. What happened to 2019? Or for that matter 2018? Time does seem to fly by doesn’t it? The other day I saw a man in the church parking lot teaching his daughter how to ride a bike. I wanted to go out and tell him to cherish that moment because it won’t be long before he is back out there teaching her how to drive and park the car.
My prayer for each of us is that we better utilize this year of 2020 for the things that are important. I’m going to suggest what I believe should be our top two: Our relationship with Jesus and our family. Those two things can and will bring us much peace, joy and happiness this year.
I’m hoping that our “Who’s Your One” campaign with its emphasis on daily prayer and devotions for 30 days will help us get into the habit of daily prayer and devotions every day. I saw a cartoon in the paper where a man is praying for God to speak to him. It ends with a hand from a cloud handing him a Bible. The Bible is how God chooses to talk to us. The more we study it…the more we pray according to our understanding of it and the more God actually speaks to us. I fear that far too many Christians spend much of their lives not hearing from God because we do not pursue prayer and Bible study on a daily basis.
At the same time, I’m thoroughly convinced that family is one of the most important concepts of the un-fathomable mind of God. We should embrace our family. Even if there are political differences, social differences, religious differences, we are still family. I believe that to be important. That doesn’t mean we water down our theology or change our political affiliation. Rather, as we live out our relationship with God and its effect on our social-mindedness and our political sway, our own family will benefit from our deep and abiding love for them.
Hold tighter to God and family this year and see what joys 2020 will bring.
Say good things about your savior and your church!
Bro. Tony
Read more...
Freedom of Speech and Christian Values
I recently read of a Christian church/ministry that was evicted from a municipal building they had leased from the city of Toronto for over a year. The reason? They engaged in “hate activity”: they preached on the street corner that homosexuality was a sin. They simply said out loud in a public space what the Bible says about homosexuality. That constitutes “hate activity” according the city’s laws. But that’s Canada, right? That could never happen here, could it? Did you know that just over 63% of Canadian citizens claim to be Christian. How can a majority of Christian voters vote for governmental leaders who will suppress their own religious beliefs?
According to the Pew Research Council the number of Christians in the U.S. has dropped from 76% in 2009 to 65% this year. That’s within two percentage points of the number who claim Christianity in Canada. Already “hate speech” is being broadly defined and used as excuses for why some groups are chastised and even denied the right to speak publicly. Right here in the good ‘ole USA. Federal judge nominees are being grilled about their religious beliefs (even though that is strictly prohibited by our constitution).
Who is to blame? There is a lot of blame to pass around (and, yes, I’m pointing a finger at myself, too). We too often vote according to our pocketbooks instead of according to our religious beliefs. We vote for candidates that will clearly distance themselves from sound Biblical teaching. Listen, any politician who supports abortion on demand and who supports the LGBTQ demands for their agenda and says that their politics are driven by their faith is a liar. I know that is a strong word, but I do not believe they are merely misinterpreting scripture; they know exactly what they are doing.
Parents shoulder a lot of responsibility because many let the government and the entertainment industry educate and indoctrinate their children. If the government says it’s good, then it must be good. If the TV shows they allow their children to watch normalize sexual perversion, then that’s best for the kids. Nothing is further from the truth. Parents are the most important part of their children’s lives, bar none. Moms and dads need to use some common sense as well as Biblical guidance.
And the Church itself needs to recognize that as much as we love all those who God created, there are times when we have to show “tough love” to those who are lost in their sins. We don’t reach people for the Lord by normalizing sin. We may can fill a church building by doing that, but we will never fill heaven.
Say good things about your Savior and about His Church on the Bluff.
Bro. Tony
Read more...
Don’t Be Deceived by False Religion
In my previous life I worked at a TV station and was involved in the production of commercials. Because of my experiences with sales personnel, copy writers, and the merchants I have a very jaded opinion of most commercials….and yet a fascination with them. You see, commercials tell us a lot about human nature. There was a commercial before Thanksgiving that showed a happy family sitting around a table eating and enjoying each other’s company. Then it closed with the name of the grocery store. One commercial shows a young man driving across town to answer a friend’s phone text in person. Then you see his new car in the driveway. Neither commercial said anything about the price or quality of their product. Yet…. I wanted to buy a Nissan and drive to Publix and pick up a turkey. Why? Because family and friends are important to my nature, as they are to most people. Companies that celebrate family and friends are surely good businesses, aren’t they? Apparently, we think they are. But that’s what commercials do, they appeal to the “carnal” part of us: pride, desire, lust, riches, self as well as family and friends.
In this day and age, we have to be wary of religions that do the same thing: appeal to human nature. I’m not saying we should stop talking about the friend and family aspects of religion, but we must understand that all religions stress family and friends. What religion, wanting to attract a person to it, would dare say that family and friendship are not important?
Religious organizations (cults and false teachers) often seek to do what commercials do; they gloss over their central beliefs (quality and price) to lure you into their web of deceit. And yes, I’m placing “prosperity preachers” in that group. The most important thing about any religion is what they believe about Jesus. Mormons love family but believe that while Jesus was a great guy, they must follow the teachings of Joseph Smith and his appointed leaders. Jehovah’s Witnesses say they are a Christian religion but also say that Jesus was just a wonderful teacher and prophet. And don’t get me started on the family-loving Muslims who, to this day still pillage, murder, and rape to advance their cause. Prosperity preachers celebrate family for sure as they tell you that God wants you to name and claim your many material blessings. (Some would say that I’m perhaps jealous that I don’t live in a $10 million mansion like Joel Osteen or fly around the country on a multi-million dollar jet like Kenneth Copeland. My answer is simple: of course, I’m a little jealous…that’s human nature. But I’m not willing to water down and pervert the Gospel to attain the desires of the flesh.)
The Bible tells us to lift up Jesus and HE will draw all people to Him. He says the road will be rough sometimes and He says that tough love is necessary sometimes and He tells us that we will be hated sometimes. But He also tells us that there is a peace that passes the understanding of the human nature that allows joy, happiness, and satisfaction untold and He assures us that every pain, every heartache, and every test will be worth it in the glory of His eternal presence.
Let’s not fall into the trap that the devil places before us that we must present anything other than the Gospel of Christ to attract people to the God that created them, loves them, and will supply their every need. We don’t have to be deceptive and we don’t have to lure people into church with false promises. As always…
Say good things about your Savior and about His Church on the Bluff.
Bro. Tony
Read more...
Joy of The Season
Thanksgiving is over and the official Christmas season is upon us. I’m not going to bemoan the secularization of the holiday; we live in a carnal world and we can expect no less. There is a lot that Christians have to endure…coffee cups with non-Christian messages, store employees saying “happy holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas”, even Holiday Trees instead of Christmas Trees. But I am determined to not let those things diminish my joy of the season. I know what and why I celebrate. I will enjoy this season because of the festivities, decorations, the excitement in the air, and all the family things, but I will genuinely love the church activities where we unashamedly celebrate the real meaning of Christmas.
There will be opportunities to publicly express our faith as we celebrate Christmas. Whether it be with our Christmas attire, magnets on our vehicles, or merely responding to the “happy holidays” with a hearty “Merry Christmas”, we can gently remind people of the true reason for the season. But also, I want to challenge you to look for opportunities to help and give God the glory. This is a solid month of financial problems, frazzled nerves, tired bodies, and frustrated attitudes. So…adjust your attitude. Be purposeful and intentional in smiling, encouraging, and helping; always look for a situation where you can remind people that you love them because God loves them.
A couple of weeks ago I was at a convenience store near the house and an elderly man in front of me told the clerk he wanted five dollars on pump eight. Five dollars. That is barely two gallons of gas. I knew I had a five dollar bill in my pocket so I took it out and told the clerk to make it ten at pump eight. When he turned to thank me, he was smiling broadly (I was surprised at what a huge smile five bucks can buy!). I told him to give God the glory and have a blessed day.
It’s not about money, though. Sometimes it’s just a kind word or action. Sympathize with the cashier’s long and tiring day. Call him or her by name and let them know you understand their hard day. Tell them you will pray for them (and do pray for them). Be kind to the tired parents whose excited children are behaving like little….well…excited children. The more that people see Christ at work in you, the more they will be drawn to the One who makes a difference in you! In the name of Jesus try to make someone’s day a little better.
Say good things about your Savior.
Bro. Tony
Read more...
Are Christians “Phobic”?
Christians are often accused of being very phobic. We are said to be homophobic, transphobic, and Islamophopia along with a few others. Are we? Dictionary.com defines phobia as “a persistent, irrational fear of a specific object, activity, or situation that leads to a compelling desire to avoid it”. I want to focus on the two words “irrational fear”. I’ll gladly admit to having an irrational fear of snakes. It’s called ophidiophobia. A grown man running from a garden snake? Nothing rational about that.
But I do want to make one thing perfectly clear and that is that I am very afraid of anything that is contrary to the purpose and character of God. So, yes, I am afraid of the results that accepting and teaching that homosexualism and transgenderism have on God’s creation. I don’t have to explain it or defend it. The Word of God declares them to be sinful and that is all I need to know.
And anyone who thinks that Islam is a peaceful and benign religion that deserves the same respect and acceptance of Christianity is delusional. Having studied the history of Islam and the present situation of Islamic countries and radical activities, I see a double whammy on fear. First and foremost it is a religion that does not worship the one true God. It is anti-Christian. It adds to the gospel and is thus declared cursed (1 Corinthians 16:22 and Galatians 1:9). The second fear is nationalistic. The teachings of Mohammed are not in tune with our Constitution and should the Muslim believers ever gain any sense of control our nation will fall.
But even with those fears they are not phobias because they are not irrational. Indeed, they are very real and rational fears. They each present a measurable threat to both our relationship with God and our wonderful nation. We should fear them, and we should do everything in our power to prevent their philosophies and teachings from permeating our thinking and our beliefs. At the same time our love for the masses who have been deceived by these horrible teachings should be evident in our words and demeanor toward them. God loves them and will save them as he loved you and has saved you.
Brother Tony
Read more...
Real Freedom in Christ
When God gave the Israelites the famed “10 Commandments” He laid the groundwork for a special people; set apart from the lawlessness and immorality of a wicked culture. Most importantly He showed the people what He expected of them in their relationship to Him. During their journey with the Lord, of course, God continued to explain the ways to keep those commandments and even gave them commandments regarding their health and safety (don’t eat meat that can be dangerous, don’t touch dead bodies, cleansing directions, etc.). Living as God directed truly set the people apart and made their lives better.
But then mankind began inserting their own wisdom and intellectual knowledge into the interpretation of those wonderful, life changing commands and by the time Jesus appeared on the scene the special Jewish relationship with God had become a religion of works and deeds: hundreds of laws and instructions that began to rob the people of a true relationship with God.
Jesus taught a personal relationship with the Father that superseded the stifling man-made rules of Judaism. He taught them of a relationship by grace not laws. Though a dangerous time for His followers it was also a time of freedom and joy. But guess what? The “church” began doing exactly what the Jewish people had done: they instituted rules and regulations on how to “be obedient” to that freedom. The reformation began precisely because “church” had begun robbing the followers of Christ of a personal relationship with the Lord. It was simply a “say these words, pray this prayer, give this much money, and you’re good to go” religion. So, the Protestant movement began and the relationship aspect of Christianity was restored.
My point is this: Let’s not go back to throwing away our wonderful freedom in Christ for a set of man-made rules that we think will determine our relationship with God. When we live a “rules” lifestyle it results in two distinct Christian lifestyles that rob us of a loving, fruitful “relationship with God”. One is the Pharisaic way of living where we determine all the things we can’t do and all the things we have to do, and we present that lifestyle to the Lord as our righteousness that allows Him to be proud of us and accept us. Basically, living by the law. The other is a hedonistic lifestyle where we determine all the things we can do and still consider ourselves a Christian. We end up living in the human nature and finding scripture, or lack of scripture, that seems to allow us to fulfill the desires of the flesh. Basically, living by the lust of our heart.
So where is the middle ground upon which Christians are to live? What marks a true Christian lifestyle? Let’s start with the basic: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37 NIV). Add to that: “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39 NIV). Then: “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5 NIV). Follow that up with: “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8 NIV). You may be surprised by how living out those scriptures will result in a lifestyle that wonderfully glorifies God as it frees you from a legalistic, binding way of life.
Say good things about your Savior and His Church on the Bluff.
Bro. Tony
Read more...