Fact not Fable

Before we leave all thoughts about Christmas behind for another year…

“Think about the familiar words from Luke 2. If you study other religions and read about the birth of Hercules or the birth of the gods in Hinduism or the birth of the gods in Shintoism the stories are nothing like Luke 2.

In those days [a certain time in history] a decree [something that the Romans issued from time to time…] went out from Caesar Augustus [a known world figure] that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria [an extra bit of history which shows that Luke is trying to be meticulous, even if scholars today aren’t sure where to place Quirinius chronologically]. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph [a historical person] also went up from Galilee [a specific region], from the town of Nazareth [a specific town], to Judea [another specific region], to the city of David [more historical background], which is called Bethlehem [another specific town we have record of], because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child [more background information]. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

There is nothing in here that sounds like fairy tale and everything to prove that Luke means this to be verifiable, accurate, precise, historical fact.”

– Kevin DeYoung

Why Christmas?

“He was poor, that He might make us rich. He was born of a virgin that we might be born of God. He took our flesh that He might give us His Spirit. He lay in the manger that we might lie in paradise. He came down from heaven that He might bring us to heaven.

“That the Ancient of Days should be born or that He who thunders in the heavens should cry in the cradle. He who rules the stars should suck the breast and that a virgin should conceive.

“Christ taking flesh is a mystery we shall never fully understand until we come to heaven. If our hearts not be rocks, this love of Christ should affect us. Behold love that passes knowledge (Eph 3:19).”

Taken from Thomas Watson’s (1620-1686), “A Body of Divinity”

Rebuttals to Muslim Paul Williams

This week I was singled out for attack by a former professing Christian apostate Paul Williams now Muslim Sam Shamoun kindly sent me a link to rebuttals he has provided to Mr Williams over time. Sam covers such subjects as:

• The Quran’s Fables, Myths and Conflicting Tales
• A Muslim Dawagandist Asks A Question
• Islam’s and Substitutionary Atonement
• Jesus Is indeed God Incarnate Which Is Why He Is Able To Forgive Sins!
• Was Jesus’ Sacrificial Death Necessary for the Forgiveness of Sins?
• Jesus Christ – Our Gloriously Divine Mediator
• Who is Islam’s Real Savior?

These articles can be found here.

Friday Round Up

(1) A comprehensive teaching series is now available to listen to called “Theological Foundations of the Reformation” by Derek W.H. Thomas. It is well worth checking out Ligonier has some excellent deals today in this week’s $5 Friday sale. The online sale starts at 8 a.m. EST and goes on for 24 hours or until items are sold out. Dr. James White started a review of James McCarthy’s recent sermon on “Calvinism” on a special pre-Christmas Radio Free Geneva. He will continue his examination in future webcasts! Here’s the program.

When was Jesus Born?

I quote the following article with this as a word of introduction:

“The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed…” Acts 17: 10-12

Because a teaching or article is found here it should not necessarily imply that I would endorse everything written or taught by the author/speaker elsewhere. However, it does mean that what you find here has been a blessing to me.

The Scripture speaks of the noble attitude of the Bereans who (1) eagerly received the word but (2) tested it (even when the teacher was the Apostle Paul) – by comparing what they heard with the word of God. I would ask you to employ the very same discipline or methodology in all you hear or read. This should be the case both for my articles and for any posted here. May God richly bless you as you walk in the light of His Word.

When was Jesus Born? by Pastor Mark Driscoll

So Jesus was born on December 25, in the year AD 1, right? Or was it year 0?

In fact, there is simply no clarity regarding the timing of Jesus’ birth. The Scriptures do not speak directly to the issue, and the presence of flocks in the field has caused many to question the traditional December date of Christmas. This is because grazing in the field seemingly indicates a milder climate than that of winter, although there are reports of occasional breaks, for upwards of a few weeks, in the rainy winter season.

Commentator William Hendriksen raises an interesting point as well: “At this season of the year many roads in that region are impassable. No government would have forced people to travel then to the places where they must be registered” (New Testament Commentary: Luke, vol. 11, 150).

On the other hand, New Testament scholar Darrell Bock shows that while “some Jewish traditions argue for grazing in the period from April to November,” others note that “these restrictions are limited to sheep ‘in the wilderness’” (Luke 1:1–9:50, 226–227).
Continue reading

A Word to the Reader

With my new book “Twelve What Abouts – Answering Common Objections Concerning God’s Sovereignty in Election” due to be published in early January, 2012, I thought it would be helpful to provide something of a window as to my purpose in writing it. Here’s an introductory chapter entitled “A Word to the Reader”:

Question: WHY THIS BOOK?
Answer: For the glory of God

Question: WHO IS THIS BOOK WRITTEN FOR?
Answer: Christians who believe the Bible is the word of God and who wish to gain a biblical understanding of God’s electing grace in Christ.

Question: WHO WILL GAIN MOST FROM THE BOOK?
Answer: Those who are willing to test and examine their traditions and hold them up to the light of Scripture, the sole infallible rule of faith for the people of God.

This is not an easy process at times, more for emotional rather than intellectual reasons. Many of us have been told things by highly respected people in our lives (such as the person who led us to Christ, or a revered pastor or Bible teacher, or a father or mother in the faith) which, upon analysis, may not in fact be true. Sometimes, to actually test such statements can feel like an act of betrayal on our part. Yet, it is vital for all who desire to be led by the Spirit of truth to yield to His leading rather than maintain an emotional allegiance to what many call “theological love lines.”

Continue reading

Charles Spurgeon Movie

THE PRINCE OF PREACHERS – Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-92) was England’s best-known preacher for most of the second half of the nineteenth century. In 1854, just four years after his conversion, then only 20, became pastor of London’s famed New Park Street Church (formerly pastored by the famous Baptist theologian John Gill). The congregation quickly outgrew their building, moved to Exeter Hall, then to Surrey Music Hall.

In these venues Spurgeon frequently preached to audiences numbering more than 10,000 — all in the days before electronic amplification.

In 1861 the congregation moved permanently to the newly constructed London Metropolitan Tabernacle.

Spurgeon’s sermons are still in wide circulation today, along with his many printed works such as his “Letters to My Students”, and “The Treasury of David.”