CARM Newsletter 06-16-07

Welcome to the June 16, 2007 Newsletter

Mini-devotional - The Sting of Death is the Law

The law is a reflection of the character of God.  God says "thou shalt not lie" because he cannot lie.  God cannot bear false witness.  He cannot do wrong.  Therefore, the law is good because it reflects his character.  Unfortunately, the law brings about the opposite of what it requires.  It requires perfection and holiness but shows us our imperfection and sin.

1 Cor. 15:50 says, "The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law."  The reason sin has its power is because of the law of God.  Sin is breaking the law of God.  Do you know of any law that has no punishment?  Laws are have punishments for breaking them. In this case, the law gives sin its power to kill because the punishment for breaking the law is death (Rom. 6:23).

But, thanks be to Jesus our Lord and Savior who has delivered us from the penalty of the law by suffering death in our place (Is. 53:4-6; 1 Pet. 2:24).  Therefore, it can be said of those who have trusted in Christ alone that they have died to the law:  Rom.  7:6, "But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter."

Ryan

Ryan has been staying with me for about a week.  He flew out from North Carolina to check out CARM and possibly move out here next year after he graduates with a Masters in Apologetics.  He knows his stuff and is willing to learn. If he works with CARM, he will try and raise his own support.  But, of course, we will try and raise support for him as well.  So please pray for the will of the Lord in this matter.

Seattle, WA
Thanks to all of you who sponsored the Seattle trip.  You made it possible for me to take Ryan, drive to Seattle from Boise (7 1/2 hours), attend two churches and get home safe and sound.  The trip was very interesting.  But, before I let you know what happened I need to apologize to the gentleman who offered his trailer for Ryan and I to stay in.  I lost contact with him by accidentally deleting his e-mail.  So, whoever you are I want to thank you and I apologize for dropping the ball.

I will be writing several articles about the emerging church, including the two that Ryan and I visited  The second one, Mars Hill, was very good.  Mark Driscoll preached on the blood atonement and did a very good job.  The music was upbeat, worshipful, and the building was large enough to hold 600 people. 

Unfortunately, the first church that we visited was a problem.  I spoke with the pastor, a woman, at The Church of the Apostles there in Seattle.  I will be giving more details on what happened, but there was some serious problems in her understanding of basic Christian theology.  Basically, she said that people can believe almost anything they wanted to.  When I responded with scriptures declaring essential what is essential, she said "the Bible was written by men" and then after I tackled her on that a little bit she walked away right after saying "the self-righteous will not inherit the kingdom of God."

The emerging church has a wide variety of adherents.  Some have good theology and some don't.  More on this when I release the Emerging Church section in the next few weeks.

Mac Home Page

I was over a friends house who has a Macintosh computer.  I took a look at CARM and noticed that the homepage was messed up.  So, if there's anyone out there who has a Macintosh computer, can see that the CARM homepage is not displaying properly, and also knows how to write the proper code to fix it so it will work on Mac and PC browsers, could you please send me the code for the home page to [email protected]  Thanks.

Video Production

You know I have been researching cameras and bought two.  Pretty soon I hope to start filming and editing. Someone has told me he will send me a program for editing, though I have not yet received it.  When I do, I can soon after start work in this field.

If you have any advice on lighting techniques, that are not expensive, I'm open to suggestions.  I was thinking of getting two white umbrellas and putting bulbs behind them so the light would be diffused.  With two on either side, it would be easy to have a lighting necessary to produce a good quality video.  I say this because I don't know what I am doing... yet... and I'm open to suggestions.

Prayer

Please pray that I would hear the voice of the Lord in carrying out his direction and desire for this Ministry.  When I ask this, I don't ask simply because it's appropriate.  I ask because it is absolutely necessary and though I am also praying, I truly need the prayers of the saints for protection, provision, wisdom, and stamina.  So, please pray for CARM.

Logos Software

By way of reminder, if any of you are interested in perhaps one of the very best, if not the best, Bible programs available, please check out http://www.logos.com/carm.  I use it all the time.  If  you purchase software through the CARM link, you can get a discount and it helps to support CARM as well.

If you get anything at Logos, use CARM as the coupon code during checkout.

Love and Hate Mail
CARM is constantly getting e-mails of thanks and praise and condemnation.  Here are a few...in the raw.  (At the suggestion of a reader, the hate mail is first so that the last taste in your mouth, is the love mail).

  • Hate mail:
    • Well you call it hate mail, but it is really disagree mail. I know that when you disagree with someone it prefectly ok to insult them in the many ways you know how, and it is OK for your neglegently misrepresent them. You are very good at playing the game 'the pot calling the kettle black' For you to think that you are doing something wrong not get hate mail is a sign of the arrogence and pride you have. The fact is people are just tired and bored with you and your unbiblical nonesence. You simply would not know Jesus from a hole in the ground and are a complete hypocrite. Oh I know for me to say that is an insult, only when you call others the same is it OK. Sad CARM is a sad bunch of fools
    • You're desire to attack other religions is an error. You will never ever find in LDS literature or teachings of it's leaders the attacking of other faiths. That only seems to be done when one is unsure of his own beliefs. Confrontation is of the devil. If you don't believe the doctrines of others, just let them be. Be a true Christian.
    • Christians should be banned from voting and have their children taken into care, Christians who break the law regarding homosexual rights should be put into mental hospitals as they are obviously mentally ill and in need of treatment. God is just a figment of your imagination and Jesus is NOT the creator of the universe he is NOT coming back on a cloud and in all likelieness you will be quiet DEAD when you die. The resurrection is a pack of lies, Creationism is a joke. and you are mentally retarded. Why dont you just bugger off and leave vulnerable people alone and take your STUPID beliefs with you You are a joke your website is a joke and God if he ever existed is the biggest joke of all.
  • Love mail:
    • I just wanted to say thank you for your ministry and for the useful information you provide.  Also, remember "Those who live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution", but you are in good company.
    • The Lord is really using you! What an awesome website and an answer to prayer for me. I have been a Christian for a long time yet have felt led by the Lord to study Apologetics; we are living in the last days and need to have an answer for the false doctrines. I have looked at many websites but yours has the most apologetics I've found. Thank you for being faithful to the Lord in this ministry! "YOUR LABOR IS NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD." may the Lord bless you and I look forward to meeting you in Heaven! Your sister in Christ.
    • I would like to say you have an awesome website.  I have learned a lot from you, as well as the elders in my little, but faithful local chapel in Sydney, Nova Scotia. It always surprises me when people defend their faith/beliefs by degrading, defacing, or belittling others.  You have a site that looks at others through the eyes of God, not through the blind eyes of man.  Keep up the fight for our beloved Jesus.  The Holy Spirit is with you.
    • I listen to your podcasts as I am unable to listen to the show live since I am usually at work.  I can tell that you are fighting an uphill battle.  I want to encourage you to stay on the front lines.  The Lord Jesus has used you to encourage me continually and has given me the desire to be able to give an adequate defense of our faith.  I have CARM in my prayers constantly, for financial support as well as for full-time staff support.  Please stay encouraged, even though the enemy presses in around you.
    • Hey I just wanted to personally thank all of you because this website is truly a blessing to me and millions of others all around the world. I know God is so pleased with all of you and you are all definitely being blessed with riches in heaven! Keep strong in the faith!

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    1. Podcast Link -  If you are interested in listening to the radio podcasts of faith and reason,  there are several options.  One is to go to the CARM home page and click on the radio link, or go to www.carm.org/radio/radio.htm, or click on this link http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=432798 and enter your e-mail address.  Its free and you'll be notified every time the podcast page is updated.
    2. Feedback and Suggestions - I would love to have feedback and suggestions from the CARM readers about the website, the radio show, and this newsletter.  Please feel free to let me know what you would like covered and/or addressed.  [email protected]
    3. Please Support CARM - CARM is supported by the voluntary gifts and offerings of people like you.  I have revamped the donations system and hope that this new year will bring in more support so that we can hire an additional staff person.  Even $5 a month can make a big difference.  CARM is on the front lines and we need all the help we can get.  Please pray for us.  We need it.
    4. Discussion Boards - The CARM Discussion Forums are doing extremely well.  In less than a year we have over 13,700 people signed up as participants. We even have a donation option for people to support the Ministry and have extended posting privelaes.  If you are interested in learning how to defend your faith as well as finding out what others believe about vendors, than the CARM discussion forums are the place to be.
    5. Chat Room http://www.carm.org/boards/chat.htm.  Want a live discussion?
    6. Thanks Again - Thanks to all of you who have been signing up for the online schools and donations to CARM.    They have been a real encouragement to this Ministry as they have increased lately.
    7. Prayer Ministry - CARM does have a prayer Ministry.  If you are interested in joining us as we pray for others' needs, or if you have needs that you need prayer for, please go to http://www.carm.org/prayer.htm and sign up.
    8. Online Schools. Theology, Apologetics, and Critical Thinking.  You can support CARM and also learn.
    9. Live Radio Show! - The show is called "Faith and Reason with Matt Slick."  I am on for one hour, five days a week, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Mountain Time). It's a live call-in show where people can ask all kinds of questions dealing with Christianity, the Bible, cults, counseling, the occult, etc.  You can call in to the number is 208-377-3790 and/or listen live via the Internet at www.myfamilyradio.com on the AM station.  P odcasting CARM now has podcasting ability for past radio shows:  http://feeds.feedburner.com/carmorgpodcasting.
    10. Suggestions?
      Do you have any suggestions for the CARM newsletter or the CARM website?  If so, please contact us at [email protected]  We want to know what you think, areas of need that you would like to see addressed, as well as any comments you might have.
      11.

    • Same as Last Newsletter

 

From the CARM Theological Dictionary

Humanism
A philosophical system of thought that focuses on human value, thought, and actions. Humans are considered basically good and rationale creatures who can improve themselves and others through natural human abilities of reason and action. Secular Humanism is a late development emphasizing objectivity, human reason, and human standards that govern art, economics, ethics, and belief. As such, no deity is acknowledged.

 

 

Be fishers of men, not keepers of the aquarium

In Jesus,

Rev. Matt Slick, your missionary to the  Internet. Equipping the church to defend the faith in a secular society.

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Notes

  1. Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.

 

 

 

 
 
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