Friday, February 29, 2008

Problems of Uncertainty and Apathy about Truth

A blog named Reformation Nation has a post which was up back in December, 2007, that I thought was very interesting.

It is a video clip group comparison between John MacArthur, a Catholic Priest, Joel Osteen and Billy Graham.

The comment section is highly informative, as well.

After viewing those videos, perhaps readers here might like to share their thoughts.

Speaking of thoughts, I can really appreciate the following quote that I found at the same blog:



Many self-styled evangelicals today are openly questioning whether such a thing as truth even exists. Others suppose that even if truth does exist, we can’t be sure what it is, so it can’t really matter much. The twin problems of uncertainty and apathy about the truth are epidemic, even among some of the evangelical movement’s most popular authors and spokespersons. Some flatly refuse to stand for anything because they have decided that even Scripture isn’t really clear enough to argue about. Except for the massive scale on which such thinking has attained popularity today, and the way it is seeping into the church, such ideas themselves are really nothing new or particularly shocking. It is exactly the same attitude with which Pilate summarily dismissed Christ: “What is truth?” (John 18:38)

- John MacArthur




John MacArthur on The Battle for Truth

John MacArthur on the error of "wider-mercy" salvation.



P.S. If you double click on either video, you will go to the youtube site and see a menu that includes many of John MacArthur's excellent, biblical interpretations and explanations on various Christian topics. The one on the meaning of justification is short, but really good!

Also, click on the Menu button at right of video, search for "John MacArthur on the Emergent Church pt. 1" and hear MacArthur's biblical responses to Brian McLaren's heresy. Don't miss this one...truly one of the best I have ever heard for countering the heresy of the emergent church movement!!

HT: Reformation Nation

2 comments:

Matt W. said...

How awesome it is, after seeing interviews with Osteen, Warren, and once, even on with Haggart, to see a Pastor who is willing to state the Truth, no matter what.

Christinewjc said...

I was disappointed with Billy Graham's answer to Robert Schuller.

This morning on Fox News, there was a brief film clip of Bill Maher - the big Christian hater - on Larry King. The newscaster mentioned that both Maher and King are atheists! I never realized that King was an atheist. I always figured that he was a secular Jewish man, but I thought he was still searching for the truth. Maybe he's really agnostic? King has had Christian pastors and evangelists (as well as other New Age religious leaders like Chopra) on his show so many times over the years, you would think that he might be searching. Apparently not. Perhaps he just has them on his show for the ratings boost he gets.

Yes. Pastors and evangelists like John MacArthur are rare today.

Unfortunately, some big names have fallen into severe error. It's such a shame.

Over at another blog, I was commenting about the fact that the genuine, born again Christian believers (a.k.a. "the elect") will not be fooled by the imposters.

The following verses in Matthew, spoken by Christ Himself, reiterate the fact that the elect will not be deceived. [Note the bolded sections.]

Mat 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here [is] Christ, or there; believe [it] not.


Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.


Mat 24:25 Behold, I have told you before.

I went to the Bible commentary section and here is what Matthew Henry says about those verses:


[1.] They shall deceive many (v. 5), and again, v. 11. Note, The devil and his instruments may prevail far in deceiving poor souls; few find the strait gate, but many are drawn into the broad way; many will be imposed upon by their signs and wonders, and many drawn in by the hopes of deliverance from their oppressions. Note, Neither miracles nor multitudes are certain signs of a true church; for all the world wonders after the beast, Rev. 13:3.

[2.] They shall deceive, if it were possible, the very elect, v. 24. This bespeaks, First, The strength of the delusion; it is such as many shall be carried away by (so strong shall the stream be), even those that were thought to stand fast. Men’s knowledge, gifts, learning, eminent station, and long profession, will not secure them; but, notwithstanding these, many will be deceived; nothing but the almighty grace of God, pursuant to his eternal purpose, will be a protection. Secondly, The safety of the elect in the midst of this danger, which is taken for granted in that parenthesis, If it were possible, plainly implying that it is not possible, for they are kept by the power of God, that the purpose of God, according to the election, may stand. It is possible for those that have been enlightened to fall away (Heb. 6:4, 5, 6), but not for those that were elected. If God’s chosen ones should be deceived, God’s choice would be defeated, which is not to be imagined, for whom he did predestinate, he called, justified, and glorified, Rom. 8:30. They were given to Christ; and of all that were given to him, he will lose none, Jn. 10:28. Grotius will have this to be meant of the great difficulty of drawing the primitive Christians from their religion, and quotes it as used proverbially by Galen; when he would express a thing very difficult and morally impossible, he saith, "You may sooner draw away a Christian from Christ.’’

(4.) The repeated cautions which our Saviour gives to his disciples to stand upon their guard against them; therefore he gave them warning, that they might watch (v. 25); Behold, I have told you before. He that is told before where he will be assaulted, may save himself, as the king of Israel did, 2 Ki. 6:9, 10. Note, Christ’s warnings are designed to engage our watchfulness; and though the elect shall be preserved from delusion, yet they shall be preserved by the use of appointed means, and a due regard to the cautions of the word; we are kept through faith, faith in Christ’s word, which he has told us before.


This will be one of my blog topics this week!