CARM Newsletter 08-30-07

Welcome to the Aug 30, 2007 Newsletter

Mini-devotional - Loving Instruction
"But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith," (1 Tim. 1:5).

In contradiction to the vain speculations and myths of false religions systems, Paul draws a contrast that is supposed to be at the heart of the Christian as he presents the truth of God's Word. Notice that the verse says "love from a pure heart". Both love and purity belong to God but we as Christians have access to the character of God and the sacrifice of Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We must train our hearts and minds so that we have a good conscience and their faith is sincerely based in the work and truth of God's Word.

The quartet of love, a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith is the basis of our instruction.  In other words, were not to be insulting, rude, overly confrontational, etc., when we share the word of truth. It might be that what we are saying is technically correct, but if that truth is house in a belligerent and condemning tone, how and we expect the listener to take to heart the message of love that has been stripped of its substance and delivered in contradiction to what we ourselves are instructed to do?

Nothing much new
There isn't a whole bunch to say in this newsletter. The radio show is doing well. I've just added a Friday night study on the book of Colossians and plan to continue it until finished. Bob the atheist will not start to come on the show in Tuesday's.  I've been resting a great deal, along with going fishing (which forces me to not think of CARM), and I'm feeling more and more refreshed.   So, things have been pretty good.

CARMb-q
I thought I would let people know that if you happen to be in the Boise area on September 16 you are welcome to join us for a church service at a local park next to the Boise river. After the service, we're going to have a really nice barbecue. There is a friend of mine who's hobby is to enter barbecue competitions. He will be the one providing the meat and beans and doing all the bbq'ing. I've used his spices it is VERY good. So, come on out. We already have one couple coming from Portland, Oregon. Anyone else?

Oneness Debate
In the last newsletter I mentioned about a possible debate with a Oneness pastor. Oneness people deny the Trinity. He has tentatively agreed to have a debate at his church near Jackson, Mississippi. I'm entertaining the idea of flying all the way out there for such a debate. I'd want it videotaped.  But there's a catch.  He personally has no objection to me videotaping it, but the people in his church might object because, basically, it's a camera. Apparently they completely reject watching TV, going to movies, etc., and the idea of having a camera in their church might be upsetting -- even if it is just to tape a debate. Sheesh. Anyway, I don't know if I would want to go all the way there if it wasn't videotaped, but I'm letting you know in case there are any CARMites in the area. I figured that if I were to go perhaps I could have a get-together with those who might also attend the debate. Another reason I'm letting people know in this newsletter is for the possibility of anyone sponsoring the plane fare and car rental. I thought it would let everyone know and see what happens.

Love and Hate
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:
    • "ya im not so sure were you found this stuff but none of it makes sence interesting reading but your nutts"
    • "How does CARM and Matt Slick damage Christianity? So what consists of Matt Slick's theology....evil and black thoughts like predestination, faith alone saves or merits heaven, and annoying other Christians by the arrogant intonation that you are saved because you are the elect, accusing all other Christians of being cultists, etc. What makes Matt Slick really annoying is his Google Bombing of the web. This involves a string of cheap websites that refer to each other to get more hits on the internet. Consider yourself not lucky if you have stumbled upon Matt Slick's cultish websites of which there are many. Matt Slick is obviously trying to Google Bomb the web...all this to make a living at the expense of Christianity and the Christian Church. My advice to Matt? Take all the cult accusations off of your websites. he can't deny that they are there. They are part of the official webpages of his site. I checked just today. Have a nice rest of 2007!"
    Love Mail:
    • "Just want to thank you for your website which is utterly superb. Keep up the good work."
    • "i dont have a question, i just wanted to thank you so very much for your web, i've been doing bible studies with the jehovah witnesses for a very long time, i knew they were kinda funny but i thought ," well noone is perfect." but now i see how awful their doctrines are, it is almost satanic!  your web is just what i needed, it has deprogrammed me from their thoughts and beliefs, i have found the real Jesus, my real savior and im so happy, my heart is bursting with joy and i am almost crying at this momment! thank you so much!"
    • "i just wanted to give you kudos on your site. i use to be a mormon and it was sites like yours that finally led me to the truth and i left the church. now i am truely born again and never been happier. i am praying for your ministry because i know that there are a lot of curious and confused people out there, that the mormons are just waiting to prey upon. i was glad to see that your site is on the top of the list. with a mormon running for president, people are sure to have a lot of questions about the church. keep up the good work. god bless you!!!"

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From the CARM Theological Dictionary

Intermediate State
The period between death and resurrection. The condition of the person in the intermediate state is debated. One theory is that the person is without a body, yet is conscious, and that he will receive his body at the resurrection. Another theory states that the person has a different sort of spiritual body that will be lost at the resurrection when body and soul are reunited (2 Cor. 5:1-4).

 

Be fishers of men, not keepers of the aquarium.

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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