Attack on Homeschoolers

Just read a story about a family in North Carolina who has had the courts "order" them to place their children into government schools, in spite of the fact that they have all tested above their grade level. Something about needing "broader educational" experiences, or something.

Sadly, this came about because of the parents going through a divorce, and dad had never been supportive of homeschooling. Even more sadly, in the process the conservative Christian mom was ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation; but dad wasn't. Can anyone say "BIAS"?

Read the story here, and then read Voddie Baucham's take on it here. You can also check out a site called "Homeschool Injustice" started by some friends of this family. There is a page of Action Steps if you are interested.

Most of all, keep this family in prayer, as well as all your homeschooling friends. I have a suspicion that this kind of thing will only incrase in the coming years as we find ourselves with an increasingly hostile/anit-Christian government.

Book Review: Christianity in Crisis: 21st Century

Forget about Frank Peretti or Ted Dekker. The scariest book from a Christian writer in recent memory comes from Hank Hanegraaff. That’s right, the Bible Answer Man. And the book is Christianity in Crisis: 21st Century. In large part this is merely an updating of the original Christianity in Crisis published some 20 years ago. But as Hanegraaff points out, things have only gotten worse since then. Some of the things being taught by some of the more popular “Christian” teachers of our day is enough to keep you awake at night.

In short, this is an expose of the Word Faith movement. Here you will find the history of the movement and the core fallacies of its warped theology. He starts with some of the “old” names like Hagin and Copeland and the new edition works its way up to include the newer stars like Osteen and Myers. The “Cast of Characters” section alone is worth the price of the book. Of particular interest are the parallels pointed out between the teachings of people like Joel Osteen and the New Age thought behind books like Rhonda Byrne's The Secret. He also shows how this parallel with demonic metaphysical thought goes back to the earliest days of the movement.

The book is proliferated with Hank’s use of acronyms to help us remember the key truths, including the overall FLAWS to mark the five basic areas of error in the Faith movement’s teaching: Faith in Faith, Little Gods, Atonement Atrocities, Wealth & Want, and Sickness & Suffering. Each section then has an acronym or two of its own.

Whether you like such mnemonic devices or not, the content of this book is worth your time. In fact, I would suggest that every pastor, if not every Christian, should have a copy of this book on your shelf to use as a reference work. Hanegraaff has done extensive research to back up the information presented here, as evidenced by the 40+ pages of notes in the back. There is also a more than 15 page Bibliography showing the source material.

I started to collect a bunch of quotes and anecdotes Hanegraaff uses to show the ridiculous nature of what these Faith teachers promote; but the list quickly grew too large (I guess that’s why it took over 300 pages for Hank to write it all). I’ll simply have to say: pick up a copy of this book (along with Michael Horton’s Christless Christianity, which is a wonderful companion read to this one, I might add).

As much as followers of some of these folks might be offended, this book is a much needed one. It’s already been out for awhile now (I’m a bit behind on my reviews), but if you haven’t picked it up yet, I would strongly encourage you to do so soon.

Reclaiming the Amazing in Grace

I collect antique hymnals. Strange habit, maybe. Not really even sure how I got started. But over the years I’ve collected almost 250 of them; 116 over 100 years old; several over 150 years old; the oldest 178 years old.

In fact, that oldest is one of my favorites: Village Hymns for Social Worship by Asahel Nettleton. Designed as a “supplement to the hymns and psalms of Dr. Watts” in includes several of Isaac Watts’ songs as well as those of other well known poets/hymn writers like John Newton, William Cowper, Anne Steele, Phillip Doddridge, and Samuel Stennett.

One of the most notable aspects of these songs, at least in my mind, is that these writers seemed much more aware of the depth of our sin and the amazing nature of grace than we often are today. (In fact, in the subject index in the back, there is even a category for “Depravity”!) We’ve been so infected by the humanist philosophies that have dominated for the last couple generations, that our awe of grace has suffered.

The average person today sees himself as basically good, or at least better than the next guy. And the church’s message has been watered down to nothing more than “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.” To which this already self-confident person will respond: “Isn’t that nice; of course God would love me, I’m such a loveable person. And how nice that he wants to give me His wonderful plan (which no doubt includes my comfort and happiness at its core.)” Is it any wonder our churches are full of shallow professlings?

Grace isn’t all that amazing when it’s just a minor fix-it added to an otherwise good life. Grace is only truly amazing when we comprehend the holiness of God, the depravity of man, and the overpowering awe of realizing what Jesus has done to bridge that gap.

The hymn writers of days gone by grasped this. And so in one small attempt to try and recapture the amazing nature of grace, I offer just a few lines from these giants of church music. I hope you enjoy, but more importantly, I hope you can appreciate anew that sense of awe at the grace of our Sovereign God.

Samuel Stennett
Prostrate, dear Jesus, at thy feet
A guilty rebel lies;
And upwards to the mercy-seat
Presumes to lift his eyes.

Oh, let not justice frown me hence;
Stay, stay the vengeful storm:
Forbid it, that omnipotence
Should crush a feeble worm.

If tears of sorrow would suffice
To pay the debt I owe,
Tears should from both my weeping eyes
In ceaseless currents flow.

But no such sacrifice I plead
To expiate my guilt;
No tears, but those which though has shed,
No blood, but thou has spilt.


William Cowper
Had I a throne above the rest,
Where angels and archangels dwell,
One sin, unslain within my breast,
Would make that heav’n as dark as hell.

The prisoner, sent to breathe fresh air
And bless’d with liberty again,
Would mourn were he condemn’d to wear
One link of all his former chain.

But Oh! no foe invades the bliss,
When glory crowns the Christian’s head;
One view of Jesus as he is,
Will strike all sin for ever dead.


Isaac Watts
Where shall we sinner hide our heads
Can rocks or mountains save?
Or shall we wrap us in the shades
Of midnight and the grave?

Is there no shelter from the eye
Of an avenging God?
Jesus, to thy dear wounds we fly,
Bedew us with thy blood.

Those guardian drops our souls secure,
And wash away our sins;
Eternal justice frowns no more,
And conscience smiles within.


Anne Steele
And will the Lord thus condescend
To visit sinful worms?
Thus at the door shall mercy stand
In all her winning forms?

Surprising grace! – and shall my heart
Unmov’d and cold remain?
Has this hard rock no tender part?
Must mercy plead in vain?


And from that king of grace songs, the author of Amazing Grace himself…
John Newton
Now may the Lord reveal his face,
And teach our stamm’ring tongues
To make his sov’reign, reigning grace,
The subject of our songs!

Grace reigns to pardon crimson sins,
To melt the hardest hearts;
And, from the work it once begins,
Tit never more departs.

‘Twas grace that call’d our souls at first,
By grace thus far we’re come,
And grace will help us through the worst,
And lead us safely home.


Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Rom 5:2, ESV)

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. (Ephesians 1:7, ESV)

even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved—(Ephesians 2:5, ESV)

Addendum To "Dads/Daughters" Post

Having just posted about Voddie Baucham's latest book (see here), I really enjoyed this post from my friend Pastor Scott Lee. He posted a letter, originally written by Charles Spurgeon, then adapted by another guy, and then again by Scott. Did you get all that? Anyway, you can go HERE to read his post in its context, or read the basic content of the letter below. As a father with two daughters, this is very meaningful. (Wish I was smart enough to come up with this stuff on my own!)

__________________________________________

My dear daughter,
May my dear child be preserved from the defilements of a vain, dangerous, and destroying world. You know not, and I wish you never may know--its snares and corruptions!

I send you the following applications of my sermon on Ephesians 5:15-16, "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil."

On circumspection of walk, redemption of time, and general sincerity of character:

1. Adhere most scrupulously to Scriptural truth; and labor to preserve the strictest integrity, simplicity, and sincerity.

2. Engage in no pursuit in which you cannot look up unto God, and say, 'Bless me in this, my Father!'

3. Strive to be as kind, forbearing, and forgiving as you can--both to friends and foes. Never speak evil of anyone.

4. Strive to recommend true religion by the courtesy, civility, and humble character of your conduct.

5. Watch against irritation, pride, unkind speaking, and anger--study and promote love.
6. Mortify (kill) all lusts, sensuality and sloth.

7. Never speak well of yourself. Keep down pride; let it not be indulged for a moment--but watch against it.

8. Shut out evil imaginations and angry thoughts.

9. Let it be your sole business here to prepare for eternity. Consider every moment of time in that view.

10. Remember that you have to contend with . . .
a legion of devils;
a heart full of deceit and iniquity;
and a world at enmity with God.

11. Pray that you may ever rejoice in the advancement of Christ's kingdom, and the salvation of sinners; and labor in every way to promote these objects.

12. Prayer is the only weapon which can subdue your corruptions, and keep you in close fellowship with God. Cultivate prayer.

The love of Christ is the only safe ground of all motives, and of all conduct. Where this is established, all is well. The life-blood of Christianity then circulates through every vein of the soul; and spiritual health, strength, and purity of mind is the happy result. Fall down upon your knees before God, my dear, praying that He would pour that love into your heart, until it becomes a constraining principle for the government of your thoughts and actions. The love of Christ is the only remedy for all the diseases of the soul.

Standing Firm on Abortion: Even a child can do it

On the heels of my last post regarding federal funding for abortion, I found this story especially encouraging. A 12-year-old from Toronto stood up to those who tried to discourage her from entering a speech contest with a speech opposing abortion. In the end, after one judge quit in protest, she won and will have the opportunity to move on to a regional contest.

Read the whole story HERE and/or watch a taping of the speech below.

Folks, why can't the "adults" around here have the same conviction of this 12-year-old. The issue isn't going away. Here's hoping a whole generation of young people will grow up with this kind of conviction and maybe even change the world!

Petition RE: Abortion Funding

From Focus on the Family Action:

In recent years, Congress has attached special annual funding provisions called pro-life “riders” to spending bills, to ensure taxpayers aren’t forced to fund abortions here and overseas. Now, the Democrat-controlled Congress is moving forward to strip those “riders” from the spending bills and thereby require taxpayers to fund abortion and abortion-providing organizations through the federal budget.

We knew this kind of thing would happen. I would encourage you to go HERE and sign the petition asking our legislators to "oppose any and all legislative and executive efforts that require or allow my taxpayer dollars to be used to fund abortions or providers of abortion services."

I know we live in a fallen society. I know we can't "legislate morality." I know we will never fully stop the heinous murder of innocent lives through abortion. But, by all means, we can certainly work to stop paying for it with our tax dollars.

Go now and sign the petition.

A Must Read For Dads of Daughters

All parents want their daughters to marry godly young men. But which qualities, specifically, should they be looking for? What will you say when that certain young man sits down in your living room, sweaty-palmed and tongue-tied, and asks your permission to marry your daughter? What criteria should he meet before the two of them join together for life?

As a father with two teen daughters, this promo for Voddie Baucham’s latest book hits close to home. Actually, I’ve been looking forward to this book for almost a year. Dr. Baucham mentioned it during the Answer’s In Genesis family conference we attended in Branson. I’ve been anxiously awaiting the release ever since.

Here’s the deal. Even though I haven’t even read it yet, I can guarantee this is a book that I’ll be recommending for years to come. I’ve heard enough of Voddie’s teaching to have a general idea of what’s in here, plus the promo tells us what to expect:

"What He Must Be... If He Wants to Marry My Daughter" outlines ten qualities parents should look for in a son-in-law, including trustworthiness, a willingness to lead his family, an understanding of his wife's role, and various spiritual leadership qualities.

Dads, let’s resolve now that we will take the admonition’s we’ll read here to heart. I don’t know about you, but I have pretty high standards for the young man who will eventually marry my daughter, and I’ve been praying for him for years.

Folks, I’m telling you now, this is a must read. Without having cracked the cover, I know this to be true. In fact, you can click on the picture here or on the book title above and order it right now from Monergism books. Or wait a couple weeks and it will be in most stores. But get this book.

Mohler On Darwin (and other brief thoughts on evolution)

"Today marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of both Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln. Both men shaped history, but it is Charles Darwin who presents us with the most significant intellectual challenge."

This is how Al Mohler introduces today's blog entry. He then goes on to provide links to well over a dozen past articles in which Darwin is discussed. If you are really looking for something to do today, this would be a good use of your time.

It's true, Darwin's legacy is one we must deal with on a daily basis. Sadly, most folks are either unaware of the problem (that being the overwhelming dominance of an evolutionary worldview in everything from education to economics to history, etc), or they are simply unwilling/unprepared to deal with it.

I would encourage you to read up a little on things. Try these two recent posts from the Answer's In Genesis blog (here and here). Pick up a copy of Nancy Pearcy's Total Truth. Or invest in some of AiG's resources.

Like it or not, this is an issue we will continue to face, and we need to face it.

Happy Groundhog Day!

I almost let this slip by. I had to spend the day having "further tests" on the kidney stone front, but all is well.

Since I'm a bit late, and since Phil's prediction is the same as last year, I'll just link you here to see why this is a special holiday for me.

Happy Groundhog Day, Everyone!

Call to Dunkirk: Rescuing Children from Government Schools

For several years, some of us within the Southern Baptist Convention, as well as state conventions like our Missouri Baptist Convention have attempted to introduced resolutions to encourage our families to rescue their children from government schools. While I know that will sound completely radical to some, I would encourage you to view this "Call to Dunkirk" video from folks like Voddie Baucham, Bruce Short, Ray Moore and others. Then visit the folks at www.exodusmandate.org