Update on the Examination of Douglas Crawshaw Sr.

(Note, I refer to Doug Sr. as "D*d" and not as "my father", in order to not violate Matthew 23:9.  Again, I may be wrong about this (Proverbs 6:23), I still believe in honoring him (Exodus 20:12))

 

 Just now, I was studying D*d's sermons, when I came across something.  If you're familiar with ABC-USA, you know that they allow for female pastors (many false churches do this), which is a violation of I Timothy 2:12.  Anyway, there was a reference to a Jan Smith, a female pastor who spoke about her decision to enroll in Seminary.  D*d used this account to prove the point that we are to not waste the resources and abilities that God has given us (using the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30, v. 30 was not preached on that day).  I believe this is a tolerance of female pastors, and a tolerance of heresy.

This, to my knowledge, made it clear to me that Douglas Crawshaw Sr. is preaching outside of plain Scripture.

Read the following to learn more and to be mindful of the warnings:

https://ibelievedthereforeihavespoken.blogspot.com/p/examining-douglas-crawshaw-sr.html

Titus 1:5-9

 "5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you -- 6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.  7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict." -- Titus 1:5-9, NKJV

So, to start, Paul explains why he left Titus in Crete; there was work to be done there.  Apparently, each city where there were believers needed an elder.

In verse 6, Paul lists the requirements for an elder:

* "blameless": I've heard it said that being blameless is mainly being right with God.  I wonder, what does the Greek say?

Strong's Dictionary says that the word for "blameless" is "anegkletos", meaning unaccused, that is, (by implication) irreproachable .

On Dictionary.com, the English word "reproach" means "to find blame".  So yeah, the elder must be literally "blame" "less".

* "the husband of one wife": Two parts to this, more like three given the times.  First, "The husband", meaning the elder must be married.  Second, "of one", meaning the husband must be monogamous.  Elders, along with bishops, are required to have just one wife.  Nowhere in Scripture does it give the same requirement for the laity, but that's for another time.  Third, "wife".  The spouse must be a woman.  I know this is obvious, but as I have said, the times demand that I reiterate that an elder must not be in a same-sex marriage, like the clergy in the Episcopal Church.  The Greek for "wife" literally means "woman".

* "having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination":  Before I get into the faith of elder's children, let me ask this question: Can someone in the church be an elder if he does not have children at all?  I don't know.  I don't dare try to add to the Word of God on this. (Proverbs 30:6).  As for the faith of the children, do they believe?  Are the children free of being accused of being wild and disobedient?  There is a reputation amongst "preacher's kids", in that they are rebellious, practically the very thing that disqualifies an elder.  A true elder must not allow their kids from behaving this way.  When I was looking over the autobiography of Darwin Fish, the very pastor that led me to rethink my Christianity, I found that he cites that since 2014, he is no longer a pastor, since one of his daughters left the faith.

Now, v. 7.  Paul says "For a bishop must be...".  Does this mean that a bishop and an elder are the same thing?  The context seems to suggest so.  So for now, let's use the term "bishop".

Paul repeats the requirement of blamelessness, and then adds the words "as a steward of God".  Of course!  The bishop represents Him!

* "not self-willed": Strong's Dictionary defines the Greek word "authades", meaning "self-pleasing".  So, a bishop but not please himself.

* "not quick-tempered": This one's a little easier to understand, I think.  A bishop must not easily blow his cork!

* "not given to wine": OK, does this mean JUST wine, or all alcoholic beverages?  Well, the Greek suggests it's just wine.  It's the same Greek word Paul used in I Timothy 3:3 when giving requirements for bishops (read on about that).  Still, could this requirement extend to beer, whiskey, vodka, gin, etc?  I'm not sure. 

* "not violent": Self-explanatory.

* "not greedy for money": Also self-explanatory, well, almost.  Some people think greed is displayed only in the megachurches, when the likes of Jesse Duplantis or Kenneth Copeland (both obviously false teachers) ask for money for a private jet.  Yet, even passing the offering plate with the purpose of soliciting tithes and offerings could also be considered greedy, if we are to adhere to the standard of Abram in Genesis 14:23:

"that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I have made Abram rich'--" (NKJV)

V. 8:

* "hospitable": Does the bishop take people in to his own house and treat them like an honored guest?  In fact, the Greek word "philoxenos", literally means "fond of guests"!

* "a lover of what is good": Again, the Greek makes it plain, the word is "philagathos", literally meaning "fond of good".  Strong's Dictionary also renders this as "a promoter of virtue".  Does the bishop love what is good, that is, what is virtuous?

* "sober-minded": What is a sober-minded man?  My best guess is that the bishop has it all together in his head, but I'm not sure.

* "just": Self-explanatory.

* "holy": Is the bishop set apart? (for example, is his life a polar opposite of that of the world?  To be set apart in this manner is the very definition of holiness.)

* "self-controlled": This is a little like "not quick-tempered", but has other applications.  It is not enough for the bishop to not be quick to anger.  The bishop must also stay away from excess of any sort.

* "holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught": Does the bishop stick to the Truth?  And there is a reason for this particular requirement:

v. 9:

"both to exhort and convict those who contradict."

Sound doctrine gives the naysayers an answer to their accusations.  The Word of God is perfect in doing this.

Just like in the previous verses, these five verses contained a lot of information.  Already, I'm tired. (Ecclesiastes 12:12).  Not sure when or if I'll continue with the series.  If and when I do, we'll get into verses 10-16, titled in the NKJV "The Elders' Task".  This is where Paul gets into the meat of the false teacher problem at hand.

Works Cited:

Strong's Dictionary, from e-Sword by Rick Meyers.

Titus 1:1-4

 I am using the New King James Version here, since I have it with me in print to copy.

"1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, 3 but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;  4 To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior."

So, what do we find?  Paul identifies himself as a bondservant, a "doulos" of God (he's said this of himself before, in Romans and in Philippians), and as Christ's apostle, based on faith and the "acknowledgment" of the Truth.  Paul goes on to describe some of God's qualities which, at least in this version of Scripture, makes for a long grammatical sentence.

One fact sticks out in all these words:  God cannot lie.  Now, does this mean that it is impossible for God to lie, or that He simply chooses not to lie? Some versions say that God "doesn't" lie.  Young's Literal Translation reads "doth not lie".  I don't know.  All I know is, whatever God says, whether or not by choice, it is guaranteed to be the truth.

Here's another fact: God promised eternal life even before the beginning of time.  Which also means that God was around before the beginning of time.  The promise, make thousands of years prior to its revelation in the Jesus Christ of history, reminds me of 2 Peter 3:9:

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." 

This is what many people call "God's timing", teaching that God's timing doesn't make sense.  The previous verse about a day being like a thousand years to God and vice-versa proves this teaching true.

But back to Titus.  Verse 3 tells us that the manifestation of the Word of God (who is Jesus, see John 1:1, John 1:14, I John 1:1, Revelation 19:13) came through preaching, a task that befell Paul and many others, by commandment.

Now, does this task befall all believers?  I actually looked up the Greek word for "preach" on my e-Sword mobile app, and so far, and I may be totally wrong about this (Proverbs 6:23), I haven't found any explicit command for non-apostles to preach.  Still, this does not mean non-apostles are to be silent.  Why should we?  The name of this very blog is based on 2 Corinthians 4:13, referencing Psalm 116:10:

"And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, 'I believed and therefore I spoke', we also believe and therefore speak."

Thus, while not "explicit", we who are believers in the Word of God are all called to proclaim the Gospel, because we believe it.

Verse 4: Titus is called a true son in the common faith.  It is common because Titus shares the "one mind" with the other believers (Romans 12:16, Romans 15:6, 2 Corinthians 13:11, Philippians 1:27, Philippians 2:2, I Peter 3:8).

Paul then gives Titus a blessing.

This is interesting: I'm only four verses in, not even in the main subjects of the epistle, and already a number of teachings worthy of a sermon!  

Next time in this series: verses 5-9, and maybe 10-16.  Verses 5-9, according to the NKJV, has the heading "Qualified Elders", while verses 10-16 has the heading "The Elders' Task".  The former gives a list of requirements for elders and bishops (where I explore whether or not they're the same thing), and the latter is a discussion about certain false teachers.

Titus Is Awesome!

“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” (Titus 2:7-8, ESV)

I was just reading some of Paul's epistle to Titus, and there is so much stuff that I'd like to just dive in to that speaks wonders about how to preach, how to rebuke, and so on and so forth.  Stay tuned for an in-depth study of this.

You Cannot Paint All ABC-USA Churches With A Broad Brush.

 I have said before that I grew up American Baptist, and I have also said that I have found beliefs within the organization that are contrary to Scripture (see exposure here).  Yet, while it is true that any church or minister in association with ABC-USA is likely being unequally yoked together with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14, to what extent the association is UYT, I don't know), not every church or minister within the ABC-USA network believes the same thing (which, on a side note, is an ungodly thing in and of itself, see I Corinthians 1:10).

ABC-USA itself confirms this in their article "10 Facts About American Baptists":

9 American Baptist Churches USA celebrates the racial, cultural and theological diversity witnessed within its membership. 

American Baptist Churches USA today is the most racially inclusive Protestant body. Represented in our churches are equally diverse worship styles, cultural mores and approaches to Scriptural interpretation. The resulting challenges and opportunities have made us stronger —through fellowship, respect, mutual support and dialog, all based on a belief that unity in Christ involves growth and understanding.

Firstly, this diversity of Scriptural interpretation is a slap in the face to I Corinthians 1:10 (KJV):

"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."

This Scripture does not allow for "understanding" in order to be unified in Christ.  It requires God's intervention, as He promised in Jeremiah 32:39 (KJV):

"And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:" 

I have heard of at least two distinct styles of preaching and Scriptural interpretation, both of which are quite different.  The ABC-USA article simply confirms what I've witnessed.

In the meantime, if I am to "prove all things" (I Thessalonians 5:21), the individual church and the individual pastor must be examined.  If any believer knows of a local ABC-USA church and pastor, I implore you to do the same (the Bereans in Acts 17:11 are praised for this).  Their association with ABC-USA is problematic enough, testing the individual church and pastor will paint a clearer picture.

“10 Facts about American Baptists.” ABCUSA, 17 Apr. 2024, www.abc-usa.org/10facts/.

Learn To Discern (and others) Peddles The Word of God For Profit (Plus Bonus Exposure!)

 “For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 2:17, ESV)

It's funny that the YouTube channel is called "Learn to Discern", who exposes false teachers and ministries, because I have "learn"ed "to discern"...that Learn To Discern is also a false ministry, for the same reason that hordes of others are false ministries, because they ask for money for their ministry.  Here's LtD's pitch:

Some may say, "But doesn't Galatians 6:6 and elsewhere teach that we are to share with our teachers?"  Yes.  However, they must be in the Truth, and being in the Truth, they must not peddle the Word of God for profit.  Thus, we are not to support them (I Timothy 5:22).

Also, I've found another YouTube channel, URFRIENDLYHOOD that puts some of his videos behind a "Members Only" paywall.

Bonus exposure:  Nowhere in Scripture does it teach that Mary was a perpetual virgin.  I debated that with Catholic YouTube channel "TruthHasSpoken".  So far, he shot back saying that my adherence to canon (even though I accept that there could be more Scripture) is a tradition of men.  I currently have no response to that, since I don't yet know how to respond to that.  Maybe I shouldn't, since I heard in Scripture that we are to drop the matter in case of contentions (not sure of the exact verse yet).

Here's some more space in case I find more YouTube channels I find that are heretically peddling the Word of God for profit.  Please comment with more false ministries of this type to warn others.  Thanks!

.

Quickie Thoughts About Lent

“And he said to them, ‘Well did Isaiah prophecy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” --Mark 7:6-8, ESV

 I have to go to bed soon, but I wanted to get this out there.  Obviously, according to the liturgical calendar, it's currently Lent.  I haven't really thought about it that much until recently.  I've always thought of it as suspicious, since it's really just a tradition of men, like many in the liturgical calendar.  

Now, I thought it originated in Catholicism, but it may have originated earlier.  (There is evidence that the 2nd century church was Catholic)  According to the Wikipedia article, one theory has Lent starting during the Council of Nicea in 325 CE, during the era of the "Early Church 'Fathers'".

Anyway, there was one quote that gave me serious alarm bells, and it was from Augustine of Hippo, when he said:

Our fast at any other time is voluntary, but during Lent, we sin if we do not fast.

Pardon the pun, but not so fast!  Where in Scripture is this true? (Proverbs 30:6)

Now, there’s nothing wrong with prayer (Matthew 6:5-15, I Thessalonains 5:17 for example), nor fasting (Matthew 6:16-18 for example), nor giving of alms (Matthew 6:1-4, Luke 12:33 for example). But why are you praying? Why are you fasting? Why are you giving alms? Matthew 6:1-18 gives instructions on how to properly do all three, alms, prayer, and fasting, respectively. We don’t do these things because religious tradition tell us to do it. We do it because Jesus tells us to do it.

Alms and prayers are to be done all the time, as Cornelius did in Acts 10:2. Fasting can be done for many purposes, such as, with a supplement of prayer, driving out demons (Matthew 17:21, Mark 9:29), or, during a time of a temporary mutual sexual break between a married couple (I Corinthians 7:5). Fasting can also be done for the sake of contrition, such as in Psalm 69:10. However, to fast in the name of Lent is damningly dangerous, because it is in the name of tradition (Mark 7:6-8, Colossians 2:8).

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” --Colossians 2:8, ESV

Wikipedia contributors. "Lent." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 21 Mar. 2025. Web. 25 Mar. 2025.

 

 

 

God Orchestrates The Good Times, And The Bad Times

 "In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him." --Ecclesiastes 7:14

A Tiny Teaching In A Larger Sermon

I have heard it said that God causes everything.  In fact, this is something I believe wholeheartedly.  Yet, after listening to a recent sermon by Douglas Crawshaw Sr. which taught that acts of God are not hurricanes and shootings and disasters (to be fair, the point of the sermon was not to debate what is or is not an act of God, but rather that bad things sometimes just happen, no rhyme nor reason, the Scripture was from Luke 13:1-9, the "repent or perish" teaching), I started to reconsider my stance, in particular my use of the word "cause".  

If I say that God "causes" disasters (even though it's technically true), it sounds as if I'm saying that God literally and physically came down and spun the clouds to form hurricanes, or that God literally and physically came down and marionetted a school shooter into action.  I doubt this.  Correct me if I'm wrong (Proverbs 6:23).

Yet, like the pleasant times, God also orchestrates the unpleasant times:

“I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.” (Isaiah 45:7, KJV)

“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36, KJV)

“But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” (1 Corinthians 8:6, KJV)

So why the nitpicking, if that teaching was a tiny fraction of the entire sermon, which for the most part, I can accept?  

Mainly, to me it stuck out like a sore thumb, especially since I started to look up all the Scripture that the extreme preachers were talking about, when they say "Jesus Caused 9/11" or "Thank God for IEDs", and the like.  I had to read the Bible for myself, and lo and behold, in a way, it's true.  This is an uncomfortable truth, yet it's true. 

Atheist Stephen Fry once said to a reporter when asked what he would say to God if Fry was in Heaven:

"Bone cancer in children?  What's that about?  How dare you!  How dare you create a world in which there was such misery that is not our fault.  It's not right; it's utterly, utterly evil.  Why should I respect a capricious, mean-minded, stupid god who creates a world which is so full of injustice and pain?"

Mr. Fry essentially calls God evil because he rejects God's sovereignty.  Here's what I mean:

Let me expand on Romans 11:36 because it requires some context.  In the latter part of the chapter, Paul taught that Israel's disobedience to the Gospel led to the salvation of the Gentiles, while at the same time made the Jews jealous.  Paul then said in v. 32 that, according to the ESV, God has "consigned them all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on them all."

Paul later writes that God's judgments are unsearchable and His ways inscrutable (v. 33).  It is impossible for someone to figure out why God does what He does.  After expanding on this thought in the next two verses, Paul finishes in v. 36 with this concluding fact:

“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36, KJV)

The Experience of Job

There is another teaching about God's direction over all things through the experience of Job. Now, while it is true that Satan did the dirty work of creating Job's grief, who was the one who authorized it? God!

“And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.” (Job 1:12, KJV)

Yet how did Job respond?

"And he said, 'Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away, blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21, KJV)

And what was the outcome?

"In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly." (Job 1:22, KJV).  The ESV says Job did not "charge God with wrong."  

Think about that!  Job acknowledged that God was responsible for his affliction, yet he never "blamed" God or called it "wrong".

Then in Chapter 2, God spoke to Satan again about Job:

“And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.” (Job 2:3, KJV)

Even God acknowledges his part in Job's affliction, even though Satan did the dirty work.

Then in v. 6, after Satan made another accusation thinking that Job's fidelity is disingenuous ("Skin for skin") (v. 4-5), God authorizes Satan to afflict Job again, this time afflicting his health. Yet, hear what Job himself had to say about all this, after his wife tells Job to "curse God and die":

“But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.” (Job 2:10, KJV)

Job again acknowledged the "hand of God", even though Satan again did the dirty work.  Job also accepted what God has dealt him, whether in good or evil times.

So why am I so focused on God causing disasters, and not acknowledging with equal time that God causes pleasant moments, including extreme happiness and elation (of which I was a recipient of)?  I remember a quote from atheist George Carlin who exposed the double standard of the world when it comes to acts of God:

"And what can we do to silence these Christian athletes who thank Jesus whenever they win, never mention his name when they lose? Not a word. You never hear them say "Jesus made me drop the ball." "The good lord tripped me up behind the line of scrimmage." According to these guys Jesus is undefeated, meanwhile these a**holes are in last place. Must be another one of those "miracles.""

This is why we must respect both sides of the experience coin.  The highs, and the lows, and acknowledge that God is the author of both.

 

“Stephen Fry on God.” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=-suvkwNYSQo. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025. 

"George Carlin quote: And what can we do to silence these Christian athletes.." AZQuotes, https://www.azquotes.com/quote/759417.  Accessed 23 Mar 2025.

 

The January 6 Rioters Are Damned Unless They Repent

 "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.  For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." -- Romans 13:1-2

While doing research on the American Baptist Churches USA (a heretical organization), I put more emphasis on ABC-USA's resistance to the God-ordained power of the State to put evildoers to death (ABC-USA rejects the death penalty).  I then thought about another group that resists the government.  The rioters on January 6, 2021, when they broke into the Capitol building in order to stop the lawful counting of electoral votes to elect Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States.  

Even IF the election was fraudulent, even IF the election was rigged in favor of Mr. Biden, it was still an act of wickedness to resist the lawful electoral process.  It is like the common adage, "two wrongs don't make a right".  It is still evil to return evil for evil (Romans 12:17, I Peter 3:9, etc.) (presuming evil even initially took place).

Repent (Matthew 3:2, Mark 1:3, Mark 1:15, etc.) January 6ers!

Mainline Theology Leads To Hell

(Scripture passages are from the ESV.)

Yes, this is a clickbait post for a reason.  I need to let this out.

I also wanted to emphasize that "Mainline" theology leads to Hell, and not only specific preachers and churches.

Yes, many progressive and fundamentalist churches are also false and lead to Hell, but that's not the main focus of this piece.

First, what is a Mainline church?

According to Wikipedia's article about "Mainline Protestant" churches, there are seven denominations that are the largest by membership.  In order, they are:

• 1. United Methodist Church (5.7 million)
• 2. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (2.9 million)
• 3. Episcopal Church (1.6 million)
• 4. Presbyterian Church USA (1.1 million)
• 5. American Baptist Churches USA (1.1 million)
• 6. United Church of Christ (710,000)
• 7. Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (278,000)

Here are some things that I found about these churches, according to the article, and boy, are they damning:

Mainline Christian groups are often more accepting of other beliefs and faiths, affirm the ordination of women, and have become increasingly affirming of gay ordination.

This is quite damning.  True churches are to be INtolerant of other faiths, in particular, teaching them in church.  Paul says in Galatians:

Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.

(Gal 2:4-5)

Jesus says to the Ephesians in Revelation:

Rev 2:2  “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 

On the ordination of women, I Timothy 2:12 says:

1Ti 2:12  I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 

On the ordination of homosexuals, firstly, homosexuals have no business being pastors (I Timothy 3:6 prohibits new CONVERTS from the pulpit, which also means that only converts can become pastors), because the homosexual is not a believer.  If he were, he wouldn't be a homosexual, or at least he would cease from homosexual activity. (see Leviticus 18:22 and Romans 1:27)

The Wikipedia article also says about the Mainliners:

Mainline denominations generally teach that the Bible is God's Word in function, but that it must be interpreted both through the lens of the cultures in which it was originally written, and examined using God-given reason.

Seriously?  Isn't it just enough to take God at His Word?  Isn't that what saving faith is (Luke 8:12)?  Just to believe what is written, and to do what God says?  Abraham certainly took God at His Word, and didn't require further interpretation:

Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.

(Jas 2:21-23)

In addition, look at the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 through 7.  There are lots of places where Jesus says, "You have heard that it was said...but I say to you..."

And what was the crowd's response?

And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

(Mat 7:28-29)

Jesus preached with AUTHORITY.  No interpretation needed.  Just do what He says, period.

Mainline churches, if by Mainline meaning neither very loose or very tight on theology, are those similar to the church in Laodicea in the Book of Revelation:

“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

(Rev 3:14-19)

Sources:

Wikipedia contributors. "Mainline Protestant." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 28 Feb. 2024. Web.

Redeem The Time!

 "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, to it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." --Ecclesiastes 9:10

I thought about something after watching this compilation video of Mr. Beast giving advice about YouTube:

I commented, in part: "Mr. Beast is to YouTube as Michael Jordan is to basketball." because Michael Jordan is another person like Mr. Beast, someone who finds a craft, and works on that craft with reckless abandon.  Such people end up wildly successful.

Now, this is not a post to encourage being successful, that's just more likely if you work super hard at what you do.  Just don't grind so hard for the reason of money:

"Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom." --Proverbs 23:4

So why should you work super hard at what you do?  Why should you obsess over whatever craft or skill you have chosen?  Well, as Scripture says, you're going to die anyway, so why not go all-in on an effort?  

In addition, you're really working for the Lord:

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;" --Colossians 3:23, also see Romans 12:11

Finally, the clock is NOT on your side:

"Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." --Ephesians 5:16

That last point is a little personal, because as a teenager in 2004, before I wrote The Ninth Cloud, I wrote a science-fiction story that I never published, called The Adventures of Bluescreen O'Deff.  It was a time-travel story, but really, it was me fantasizing about an "American Dream" future with a wife and kids.  In the story, all of the main characters are encouraging me, and really, it was all about me.  The last line read, "May the clock be on your side." I have since deleted that story.

So, what am I doing that I'm making a giant effort on?  Well, I've kept up this blog for at least 2 years, so that's something.  I'm still a school custodian, and getting better at my job, so that's something.  I have notes on a book about contentment that I might work on.  I guess my advice to people is, do SOMETHING.  Then keep doing it!  Then do it again!  And again!  And again!  

This is the proof of a Christian's saving faith, their works:

"Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." -- James 2:18

So yeah, DO SOMETHING.  It's just pointless not to.

The Source of Contentment Is Jesus

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." -- Hebrews 13:5

One day, going to lunch at a nearby pizza place, I thought about contentment, or satisfaction, a lot.  I wrote down a few notes with the intention of putting all this in a book.  I've said in this blog that I might do a post on contentment, and tonight, I decided to give it a shot.

The tentative title of the first chapter is "The Source of Contentment is Jesus".  Now, of course, presuming I write, finish, and publish the book, that this chapter will be released to the public for free, since it speaks of the Bible, and I don't want to make merchandise of the Word of God (2 Corinthians 2:17).

So, why do I say that the source of contentment is Jesus?  Because this world is full of dissatisfaction.  Even Mick Jagger said in the title song, "I can't get no satisfaction".  It seems that everyone, especially in developed countries like the USA, are always striving for the next big thing in their lives, whether it be a better paying job, a nicer house, a nicer car, etc.  I too once bought into the lie of the "American Dream".

Then, like in the lyrics to the theme song to "Friends", "it's like you're always stuck in second gear, when it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year..."  

I didn't get a job in my college major.

I didn't move out, either during college (the school was blocks away from home), or after college.

I didn't get married.

I didn't get to have righteous sex.  (I'm just being honest, my desire to be a father was secondary to my desire for the ever elusive dangling "pleasure of pleasures" (what I called it), I might do a post about the modern church's culture on sex, which had a HUGE effect on me)

So, I was especially dissatisfied with life, given that I also had tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt.

How then did I learn to be content with my life?  Firstly, it was a biblical command to do so, reinforced by some preachers from time to time.  

Now, I did have a positive attitude in the first few years after college, thinking that since I started at the bottom (due to the 2008 recession), the only direction to go is up.  With the exception of some theophobic scrupulosity in the early 2010s, when I learned that modern Christianity is a big lie that sends people to Hell, I was generally OK with my life.

On Marriage

Then, one of my cousins, who I never thought would get married, got married.  I was the oldest in my generation in that side of the family who was still single, 2nd oldest in my generation overall.  That, with also battling lust led me to actively find a wife.  Not "get married", but "find a wife".  I was determined.  I used I Corinthians 7 as my key Scripture in this "epic quest for the blessed fountain" (see Proverbs 5:18).

There was one preacher (who I later found to be false) named Vaughn Ohlman who even offered a practical opportunity for me to find a wife, but after arguing about dating, which he believed was unbiblical (in fact, the Bible never mentions it explicitly), I stopped listening to him.  He even taught that you can marry an unbeliever, twisting the words of I Corinthians 7:11-16!  He explained away 2 Corinthians 6:14, that speaks of "not being unequally yoked together with unbelievers" with the previous Scripture. 

Anyway, dozens of women and three actual physical meetings with two people later,  I was content with singleness, although not instantly.  It took more study of Scripture, such as Proverbs 21:9 and 25:24, which says:

"It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman (and) in a wide house."

Proverbs 25:24 in the KJV adds the word "and".

And of course the recommendation by Paul for single people to stay single in I Corinthians 7 helped as well.

In essence, Scripture (whom Jesus also is, says John 1:1, John 1:14, I John 1:1, I John 5:7, Revelation 19:13) led me to contentment.

On Living With My Parents

As for living at home, there were many pieces of Scripture that I studied in order to calm my dissatisfaction.  

Firstly, there's the example of Jacob and his sons in Genesis 37 - 50.  Generally, they all lived together (even with a long foot commute to and from Egypt).  In fact, one of them is listed as having children of his own:

"And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again." -- Genesis 42:37

Thus, multi-generational living is a thing, albeit not always under the threat of death.

Secondly, there's the command to provide for your family:

"But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." -- I Timothy 5:8

It's easier to do this if you all live together.  A provider is the OPPOSITE of a sponge.  Besides, in Mark 7:9-13, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for disobeying the command to honor their father and mother for the sake of "Corban".  In this passage, and similar ones in Matthew 15:3-6, the context of "honor thy father and mother" is supporting them, helping them, providing for them, etc.

In the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge entry for Mark 7:11, the author calls "corban":

"a formula common among the Jews on such occasions; by which the Pharisees released a child from supporting his parents; and even deemed it sacrilege if he afterwards gave anything for their use."

So, those two pieces of Scripture wisdom, in addition to the greatly decreasing stigma of living at home, helps in my contentment in this manner.

I say it again: The source of contentment is Jesus.  He commands it, and He shows you how to do it.

Other Works Cited:

Bagster, Samuel. Edited by R. A. Torrey.

TSK Cross References, from e-Sword by Rick Meyers.

Just Want To Make Some Things Clear.

I was with my family shopping, when we encountered someone from an old church.  The conversation at one point turned to Dad's profession as a pastor (bivocationally).  

The lady asked, "Do you go [to his church]?"

I along with my brother was silent.  We hardly ever go to church, but for different reasons.  Besides, we work practically every day as custodians.

"You still believe, don't you?"

We all agreed.  I said, "Yeah, we believe." (I meant, we all believe in God and the basic facts of Christianity).

I then added, "...believe in the Bible."  (I meant, I believe what the Bible says, even the literal controversial teachings.)

I later clarified myself, saying with a quicker and slightly lower tone, "I believe in the Bible.", speaking for just myself.  I never explicitly said that my family didn't believe in the Bible.  I do have my doubts of this because I believe in the Bible more plainly and literally (similar to Fundamentalists but not precisely like them), and the rest of my family doesn't.  I'm not saying I'm better than my family.  I'm just saying that my SPECIFIC faith is in the "Bible", the Word of God.  I don't believe in any denomination.  I simply wish to take God at His Word, no matter how crazy it is.  

I don't know the extent of my family's belief in Christ, I've simply stopped automatically considering anyone, including myself, a believer simply because they say that are, for there are loads of false teachings in this world with the label of Christ.

Why am I saying all of this?  I have taken a more plain and literal take on the Bible, and question everyone else who does not, because of my exposure to Darwin Fish and A True Church, who, not explicitly, drew me to search the Scriptures for myself.  I have yet to reconcile the notion of "God is a man" and the "two virgin births" teachings.  All that matters is that I can set aside everyone else's notion of what the Bible says and just read it for myself.  If we agree, great!  If not, I am not responsible on the Day of Judgment.

In conclusion, by simply getting my religion from the Bible and nowhere else, no one can say I relied on mere men, Darwin Fish included.  That, and I'd rather just speak for myself about my faith, because of that I am more sure.

James 5:16

 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16, KJV)

UPDATE:  No, I am not observing Lent.  I just realized that I am posting this on "Ash Wednesday".  And No, "Mardi Gras" was not on my mind.

Lately, I've been thinking about this concept, about confessing your sins to a fellow believer (and yes, I may have had some Matthew 5:28-ish issues last night, maybe more accurately, not following I Corinthians 6:18.  I dabbled in "lighter" and not so obvious content, but it's still not "fleeing") (as well as some occasions where I unintentionally go a few miles over the speed limit, that happened recently a few times (3/19)).  Some say we are to only confess to God.  They say that we are not to seek "absolution" for our sins.  They say that the following Scripture is enough:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, KJV)

I wonder:  What do I do?  I'm not Catholic, Catholicism is full of heresy.  

At the very least, I can confess to God.  Nowhere in the following passages is an additional party needed to receive forgiveness:

“I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.” (Psalms 32:5, KJV)

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13, KJV)

“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 18:13-14, KJV)

So where does James 5:16 fit in?  What if there is no believer for you to confess your sins to?

Honestly, I don't know.

In the name of potential obedience to James 5:16, I address this post to any who are true believers, those are among the "one to another".

Oh, and I've also implemented Matthew 5:29 concerning last night's issues.  For years, I've been wrestling with doctrine concerning...well, self-pleasure, from Darwin Fish of A True Church (he says that the act in and of itself is not sinful, I agree).  If I have sinned in this matter, it is not Mr. Fish's fault, I may have simply misread his stuff.  So what is the implementation?  Cutting off the practice entirely.  This will solve so many problems, especially the following:

“And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23, KJV)

3/9 UPDATE:  Self-pleasure itself may not be the cause of my issues.  It could be certain internet content (I was dabbling in animated internet content, seeing if there was something safe, yeah, that was foolish, see I Corinthians 6:18).  So, let's try staying away from any spicy content, even if it's tame.