September 2007 - Posts

Olivet Discourse = Premillennialist's Difficulty
Saturday, September 29, 2007 11:42 PM

The following brief interpretation of Matthew 24:1-35 advocates the AD70 destruction of Jerusalem (by the Roman army) as the fulfillment of these verses. I am persuaded this is a better interpretation than the typical American evangelical dispensational premillennial understanding of these verses. I am also persuaded that these verses contain insurmountable difficulties for the overall premillennial position.

Here is Part I of the article.

Here is Part II of the article.

 

What do you think? 

 

Anybody know the piece of art here to the right?

by Bahnsen8 | 4 comment(s)

Filed under: As the Waters Cover the Sea

Return of the Daughters Premiere
Thursday, September 27, 2007 9:10 PM

Greetings Steeple Friends,

Geoff Botkin has graciously offered me the chance to organize the South Carolina area premiere of the documentary "Return of the Daughters." You can learn about the production at www.visionarydaughters.com and you can see a promotion specifically for homeschool leaders and families at this link: http://www.visionarydaughters.com/return-promo

Mr. Botkin's daughters, Anna Sophia and Elizabeth, wrote the excellent and timely book, So Much More, and Mr. Botkin is a professional film maker and producer, and "Return of the Daughters" was written, produced, filmed, edited and scored by his five oldest children.

This is my open invitation to be involved with enjoying, organizing and premiering this prophetic documentary in the South Carolina area. I have yet to decide where or when. I will receive the premiere copy of the documentary sometime in October. Let me know if you are interested.

 

 

 

by Bahnsen8 | with no comments

Precious Oil on the Head
Monday, September 24, 2007 4:47 PM

Psalm 133 

1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down on the collar of his robes!
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
life forevermore.

As many steeple people know, I recently engaged in an online debate with an avowed proselytizing atheist. After that interaction, I was impressed with my heightened gratitude for Christian friends who embrace the Truth. That includes my friends here at steeple media. While Wesley, Istvan, Joe (and others) and I have spent a lot of time disagreeing (and agreeing) over the finer points of theology, ecclesiology, eschatology and ethics, we have never disagreed on the basics. We have never disagreed where we Christians should look for answers to life's questions: the Bible. We have never disagreed regarding the inerrancy, sufficiency and Divine expiration of the Holy Scriptures. We agree that God is Triune, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Creator of all things by His omnipotent Word, Savior of His people by His perfect atoning death, Victorious King of all as proven by His resurrection from the dead; most glorious, most radiant, most awesome above all things; to be praised with all that we are, all that we have, in every moment and in every place.

Thanks for the refreshing Christian fellowship in the midst of this fallen, wicked and confused world.

by Bahnsen8 | 3 comment(s)

Filed under: Precious Oil

Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham
Tuesday, September 18, 2007 11:54 AM

I haven't read this book, yet, but I have listened to his teaching and heard an interview with him. I believe Voddie Baucham is positioned to be one of the most influential Christian men in America. If the church will listen to and heed his Biblical advice and warnings, we may yet see the true revival of God for which all Christians long.

Here are some links: Voddie's Website, Cooking Sacred Cows Interview and Voddie Teaching on the Centrality of the Home

For the interview link, scroll down to "Return of the Daughters, Update #1".

Warning: Only read, hear and ponder this topic if you want to understand the failure of the typical unbiblical American church system and American educational philosophy. The question is to you, Christian parent: What will you do with this information?

Don't waste your time reading this material if you have already blindly and permanently embraced Sunday School, Youth Group, Kid's Church, age-segregated education, government schooling and abdicating your personal responsibility to educate your children according to God's Ways.

by Bahnsen8 | 8 comment(s)

Filed under: Semper Plene Radix

Self Portrait
Monday, September 10, 2007 9:48 AM

Online etiquette is new to me. I have lumbered into this forum with my ancient ways, stepping on toes and spreading fleas. Please accept my apologies as I attempt to become civilized to the ways of the net. I believe this picture of me may help you understand my recent online faux-pas (advertising my blog posts on the forums).

by Bahnsen8 | 2 comment(s)

The Courage and Wisdom of Patrick Henry
Friday, September 07, 2007 9:36 AM

Only 9 days after beginning his first appointment in the Virginia House of Burgesses, Patrick Henry celebrated his 29th birthday as he delivered his famous Stamp Act oratory. I am amazed at his understanding of the times, his courage to stand for freedom, his amazing wisdom and eloquence and his boldness to step forward at such a young age in the midst of such a controversial topic, as a first term statesman only 9 days into his term and only 29 years of age. The following resolves were approved on May 29th, 1765, by a margin of only one vote. I ask you to consider our government today. Then, I ask you to consider Patrick Henry's thoughts regarding taxation authority. Then, I ask you to also ponder the fact that Patrick Henry never agreed to sign the U.S. Constitution. Then, I ask you to ponder what Patrick Henry would have said in 1860, and what would he say if he looked at our nation today?

Resolved, that the first adventurers and settlers of His Majesty's colony and dominion of Virginia brought with them and transmitted to their posterity, and all other His Majesty's subjects since inhabiting in this His Majesty's said colony, all the liberties, privileges, franchises, and immunities that have at any time been held, enjoyed, and possessed by the people of Great Britain.

Resolved, that by two royal charters, granted by King James I, the colonists aforesaid are declared entitled to all liberties, privileges, and immunities of denizens and natural subjects to all intents and purposes as if they had been abiding and born within the Realm of England.

Resolved, that the taxation of the people by themselves, or by persons chosen by themselves to represent them, who can only know what taxes the people are able to bear, or the easiest method of raising them, and must themselves be affected by every tax laid on the people, is the only security against a burdensome taxation, and the distinguishing characteristic of British freedom, without which the ancient constitution cannot exist.

Resolved, that His Majesty's liege people of this his most ancient and loyal colony have without interruption enjoyed the inestimable right of being governed by such laws, respecting their internal policy and taxation, as are derived from their own consent, with the approbation of their sovereign, or his substitute; and that the same has never been forfeited or yielded up, but has been constantly recognized by the kings and people of Great Britain.

Resolved, therefor that the General Assembly of this Colony have the only and exclusive Right and Power to lay Taxes and Impositions upon the inhabitants of this Colony and that every Attempt to vest such Power in any person or persons whatsoever other than the General Assembly aforesaid has a manifest Tendency to destroy British as well as American Freedom.

by Bahnsen8 | with no comments

Filed under: The Glorious Deeds of the Lord

What is Christian Education?
Tuesday, September 04, 2007 1:53 PM

The Almighty, Triune God of the Bible is King over all, and Christian parents are responsible before God to educate their children to this reality ONLY within a setting where this reality is proclaimed and exulted. Any setting that denies the reality of the One True God is, by definition, satanic. Thus, American public schools are, at the foundation, satanic. Christian parents disobey God, harm their children, and contribute to the kingdom of satan when they place their children in this setting where the glory of God is denied. It is time for Christian parents to repent and return to Biblical Christian education of their children.

This Voddie Baucham Blog Post presents all the undeniable facts for those Christian parents who still refuse to repent and embrace the truth on this matter.

by Bahnsen8 | 1 comment(s)

Father's Desires
Tuesday, September 04, 2007 12:12 PM

He died one cool autumn dusk, not unlike many before or since, with his daughter and their land painted in his mind. She was by his side, but she was too young to understand. The tender letter contained his desires for her and their land. The paper folded by his hands remained silent in the dusty wooden box as she grew. The land his sweat procured remained lonely as she grew.

She graduated from nursing school one unusually cool spring day, surrounded by her friends and family, filled with gladness and anticipation. The next day, as she gathered her belongings from around the house, her aunt reminded her of her father's keepsakes in the attic. The bare bulb over the dusty box haunted her as she sorted through her father's special items. He had led such a remarkable life to have such a small treasure box. There was a picture of her with her father and mother as an infant on the land. There was a picture of her mother in her wedding gown. There was a picture of her father's parents. There was a land deed signed over to her aunt, her father's sister, and there was an unopened letter addressed to her. There, in the still, dusty attic, beneath the bare, hot bulb, she unfolded his folds and read the letter for the first time.

"My dear Karen,

I have worked to obtain a good piece of land for you and your family and the future of our family. Your mother and I never had the chance to enjoy it together, as you know. I have asked your aunt Cheryl to keep this land for you until you are ready for it. I have asked her to teach you the necessary skills and knowledge to cultivate and enjoy this land with your family. Often, I drift away in thought, picturing you and your husband and your children together on the land, enjoying it, working it, making it more beautiful together. I pray God will strengthen you for this task, for this joy. I write this letter so you may know my desires for you and the land.

Awaiting our heavenly reunion in Christ,

Father"

Karen felt numb and confused, at first. Why had aunt Cheryl not shared this with her? Where is this land? What is it like? How could she have grown all these years not knowing her father's desires? Her only memory of him always made her love him more and desire to please him more. The scrape on her knee, his kind embrace, then everything was alright. Suddenly, she realized all her pursuits had little to do with her father's desires. She cried.

Aunt Cheryl read the letter aloud with Karen. Uncle John was there, but said nothing, as he read the daily news. Cheryl encouraged Karen to ponder the joy and effort and accomplishment of her nursing degree. Karen smiled as she remembered all the little ones she had helped. She always felt closer to her father whenever she helped someone feel like everything was alright. Cheryl asked Karen to ponder that her father's deepest desire was for her to have joy in life- his dream about the land was just one way to accomplish that. Cheryl said that she had always known that Karen was not cut out for that kind of life. And finally, Cheryl said, "Besides, it's not like you are disobeying your father. Show me in this letter where he forbids you to be a nurse."

Karen moved away and began her career. She kept her father's box. On cool days, she would often read the letter and comfort herself that she was not disobeying her father. Yet, she couldn't help but wonder what life would be like if she devoted herself to her father's desires.

 

 

 

by Bahnsen8 | with no comments

Filed under: Semper Plene Radix