This week is one of those weeks… a mad dash up and down the Island with many activities and responsibilities. Monday we had a service in a local senior’s condominium. Tuesday we had our Mid-Week service with a trio from Crown College. Wednesday I met with one of our men and a new convert who he is helping get established in the faith. I was also up-Island to meet with a young couple to be married on Friday and met with a pastor friend, working on helping him get a life insurance company to pay out after his wife’s passing in March (we succeeded, praise the Lord!). Tonight we have a Bible-study in the home of some of our people who live 45 minutes up-Island from us. Tomorrow is the wedding I mentioned. And next week is Family Camp. so I have to really work on getting messages ready for two Sundays and for Camp.
Whew! Not complaining, I relish the activity. But I suspect I won’t be blogging a lot over the next few days.
Here are a few things that caught my eye. Some of them would be good for the illustration file:
An article on The Scientist.com: “Bone fat squelches new blood” talks about how fat cells in bone marrow regulate the production of new blood cells in the body. This is news because it was formerly thought fat cells in bone marrow really served no function. And the illustration point: an additional layer of complexity that increases the impossibility of evolution – all these interdependent cells and mechanisms had to be in place for life to exist, all at once. How could they evolve? [Free registration is required to access this article.]
The Globe & Mail, Canada’s arrogant numbskull paper, reports on the importance of little details: “Comma quirk irks Rogers”. It appears that a little detail like a comma is going to cost one of Canada’s big cable companies about 2.13 MILLION dollars. That’s got to be a good illustration for some sermon… now to find a passage to put it in!
“Waving the Flag – Part 2” on SI has some valuable conclusions concerning the drift and decay in Christian colleges:
First, institutions normally do not change radically overnight. The change is usually gradual and continues over a lengthy period of time.
Second, institutions move toward liberalism under trusted conservative administrators who tolerate agents of change.
Third, because the changes are gradual and take place under conservative leadership, many do not understand the significance of what is happening. When people speak out, they are viewed as extreme and disloyal. Only after significant time has passed are others willing to recognize and admit the changes which now are firmly in place.
Fourth, what needs to happen, then? Early on in the process and throughout an institution’s history and life there needs to be a lot of flag-waving going on! Unless a firm commitment to founding convictions is voiced and consistently practiced by those who can do something about it—rather than tolerating ideas and persons who wish to broaden or modify—the tragic story of what has happened elsewhere will be repeated.
May the people of this generation realize that we need to be constantly vigilant lest we drift as others did.
Not trying to stir something up – just curious: Did this trio from Crown College (or the College itself) contact you ahead of time to find out where you stood doctrinally and on Bible versions? The reason I ask is that Crown College is KJVonly. I figured they would only minister at like-minded churches. I know that these music groups have gone to some Free Presbyterian churches (while Calvinistic, they are still KJVonly).
I guess I am just wondering to what level this College takes its stand of separation. Clarence Sexton has preached at some Free Presbyterian churches and has had Ian Paisley preach at his church or college in the past. Perhaps they agreed to stay away from the Calvinist issues at those times.
I am KJVonly, and it seems to me Calvinism is an issue that I would stay away from just as much (ie. not minister in a church that believed in those doctrines) as I would stay away from ministering in a church that did not stand in the same place on the Bible version issue (due to my convictions in this area).
Perhaps someone might say, singing is not the same thing as preaching, so the separation issues would be different or not apply in the same manner. What are your thoughts here?
Hi Jerry,
No, they didn’t ask our views at all before coming. It wasn’t on their radar, nor is it on ours. My wife’s aunt teaches at Crown and is Assistant Dean of Women, if I remember right. The library at Crown is named after my wife’s uncle. However, the family connection isn’t why we were called, either. I think we were just on someone’s list and they were filling their schedule.
For me, neither versions nor Calvinism are separating issues, as long as the other party isn’t divisive about it (i.e., trying to stir things up in a local church). I’ll repeat something that I said in another thread:
That’s my view. By the way, the girls trio from Crown is chaperoned by a young married couple from the college. The young fellow preached for us and gave us a fine message. We want to work with our brethren as much as we can without division. Obviously, some things Crown might do we wouldn’t be involved in, but in general we appreciate them and their work for the Lord and are happy to support them where we can.
Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3
Thanks, Bro Don. I have only ever been involved with one specific IFB church since 1998 (have visited about 2 or 3 others – checking out 1 or two where my sister used to live in New Mexico, but those were liberal ones – and one solid one for about 1/2 dozen to a dozen times or so – when travelling back and forth when my Mom was dying), so sometimes it is hard to think outside the box, when you’ve only ever really gotten one perspective. I appreciate you willing to answer my question without thinking I am weird for asking it. God bless.
Hi Jerry,
By all means ask! If someone can’t or won’t be willing to answer for what he does, something is seriously wrong!
That is not to say I always get it right, but I hope that I am always ready to answer questions.
Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3