Posted on 01/29/2004 9:22:18 AM PST by sheltonmac
Clark County Washington has over 350,000 people. If Calvinism is so great, there should be lots of opportunity for growth. Bet you could help increase those numbers.
By the way, I've started a new term paper for one of my classes: I'm going to trace the rise of dispensationalism in the American church, starting with Darby and the Plymouth Brethren in Britain, and analyzing how the Scofield Bible popularized and Dallas Theological Seminary, and later Ryrie, lent it theological weight. I'll probably wrap up with how Lindsay and LaHaye popularized it in their works.
I'm thinking it will be an interesting topic. Anyone here have any scholastic-level resources you'd recommend?
This is for a class in American Church history taught by the same professor from whom I took Pauline Epistles and wrote a term paper on the Calvinist exegesis of Romans 9.
I dont see anything here unique to Covenant theology.
In the sermons I have read there isn't a claim that these particular doctrines are unique to Covenant Theology. The 33 sermons in this series lay out the fundamental doctrines that comprise CT.
By the way, I've started a new term paper for one of my classes: I'm going to trace the rise of dispensationalism in the American church, starting with Darby and the Plymouth Brethren in Britain, and analyzing how the Scofield Bible popularized and Dallas Theological Seminary, and later Ryrie, lent it theological weight.
I'd love to read that when you're done! Almost all of my college Bible professors were graduates of Dallas Theological Seminary. Dispensationalism (or Dispsensationalism, if you prefer) was the theology of choice on campus.
there is confidence. What teaching could give us greater confidence regarding our individual lives and the fate of our race than the doctrine of God's sovereignty? According to this doctrine, all things are working together for good, as determined by the One who made all things. This doctrine lets us approach each day with assurance because we know that the course of each day has been ordered by our God. Christians really do not have to worry about what unfolds tomorrow or next week or next year. Whatever happens will be according to God's perfect will. Consequently, we can simply focus on God's Word and do what we are supposed to do, knowing that if we are doing what God desires, we can't go wrong. If the One that we are following is the strongest, wisest and most powerful, why shouldn't we have confidence? Why shouldn't we be bold in our challenges to unbelief and sin? Why shouldn't we live our convictions without apology? What do we have to fear? Is someone going to overthrow God and change the rules?
The word is so full of fear and uncertainty , people fear for their jobs and their safety and their health etc.
It is a wonderful gift that we can have assurance that the world is not spinning out of control ..we are not the victims of coincidence or happenstance . We are not hostage to the outcome of politics or the "new world order" , or disease or death
We have one that watches us and guards us and that will turn all circumstances for the good for those that love Him. We can have faith and hope because we know the author of our faith and our hope.
It is a gospel of peace , and hope and joy
Isa 41
'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored; Those who contend with you will be as nothing, and will perish. You will seek those who quarrel with you, but will not find them, Those who war with you will be as nothing, and non-existent. For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, 'Do not fear, I will help you.'"
Psa 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Think of that right in front of those that hate you God shows his favor
On several occasions I have written scripts for "visual illustrations" used as an intro to my sermon. This one was used before a sermon on "Theocentric Worship." The message idea was: In true worship God is the audience and His pleasure is the measure that counts. Worship is Theocentric and we are not Theo!"
After the skit I had the congregation turn to Revelation 4:1-5:14 and I read an account of what worship looks like in heaven.
"Worship" Skit
CAST:
Bill, a church attender
Jeff, another church attender
John, an usher
SCRIPT:
[Jeff and Bill arrive in the church foyer just in time for morning worship. Both are a little out of breath. Jeff is still adjusting his tie.]
Jeff: Hi Bill!
Bill: Hi Jeff! You look like you just ran all the way to the church.
Jeff: [Looks at his watch.] Yeah, we just made it. I had to run the light at Himes, though.
Bill: We just got here ourselves. I watched that game last night. They didn't kick the winning field goal until after midnight. I almost decided to attend Bedside Baptist today, if you know what I mean.
Jeff: I know. We rented a movie last night that lasted over three hours. It took two cups of coffee this morning just to open my eyes.
Bill: Since I've got you here, I have a question about my computer.
Usher: [Comes over to Jeff and Bill.] Excuse me, the service has started. Would you like to be seated? [He hands each a bulletin and leaves.]
Bill: What's the deal with John? Make a guy an usher and it goes to his head.
Jeff: I know it. After all, they are probably just giving announcements or singing or some of that other preliminary stuff. I figure we've got time to spare!
Bill: [Browses the bulletin.] Six choruses! Man, they're singing us to death. One or two would be plenty.
Jeff: I prefer singing real hymns of the faith. I don’t know any of these choruses. It seems like we never sing the hymns I like.
Bill: I think we need more variety in the services here. But! I was glad to see them add some contemporary instruments.
Jeff: Me too! but my folks have been griping ever since. They figure if an organ and piano was good enough for the Apostle Paul
Bill: Maybe they ought to install head phones for each pew.. you know, like they use on the airlines. Then each person could tune in to their favorite "worship channel !"
Jeff: Exactly! Hey, what did you think of the message last week?
Bill: You really want to know?
Jeff: I asked, didn't l?
Bill: Last week I was so stressed out over the chaos at work that I used the message outline sheet to jot down my strategy for the big show-down with my boss on Monday.
Jeff: Speaking of the pastor's messages, we better hustle. John just went to take the offering.
Bill: OK, I'll see you later. I want to get a drink of water while the choir's singing.
[Jeff exits the direction John exited before. Bill exit the other direction.]
Steve: [Steps to the pulpit] The preceding was purely fictional. Any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental. However, if the shoe fits...
..."Holy Spirit laughter," "Slain in the Spirit," "worship lap running," "pew jumping," and various other Finney excitements.
I love to laugh as much as the next guy, and I appreciate it when the pastor interjects some humor every now and then, but when I saw a video clip of a "holy laughter" service it kinda creeped me out! Can't say I've ever heard of "worship lap running." Is that like "worship lap dancing"? ;-) (Of course there are probably some churches that aren't too far from that. All in the name of appealing to the "unchurched," you know.)
I wonder how long it will take until a church actually does this?
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