Archive :: July 2009

July 2009

FBFI Resolution 09-03

By FBFI Wed, 07/01/2009 - 12:00am Tags:

See “Note to the Readers.”

Regarding Limited Participation

Whereas the Scripture admonishes believers generally to maintain fellowship with one another in the love of Christ and in the bond of peace,

And whereas the Scripture also commands believers, individually and collectively, to separate themselves from professing believers who persist in disobedience to the clear teachings of the Word of God,

And whereas Christian individuals and ministries that otherwise enjoy fellowship with one another in the Lord may still disagree over sincerely held convictions, over questions of ministry philosophy, and over judgment as to the prudence of various courses of action,

And whereas such disagreements may be significant and may limit the degree to which individuals and ministries may participate together in various aspects of the work of the ministry,

And whereas the Bible establishes the pattern of respect for the soul liberty and responsibility of individuals and local churches as to matters not clearly determined by Scripture,

Now, therefore, the FBFI urges God’s people:

To respect the liberty of Christian individuals and ministries to limit their participation in projects or activities provided that the particular exercise of this liberty does not violate Scripture;

To avoid labeling such limited participation as separation and to avoid giving the impression in its exercise that other believers or ministries are in sin or are spiritually inferior;read more

Separation versus Limited Participation

By David Shumate Wed, 07/01/2009 - 12:00am Tags:

Editor's Note: This article accompanies FBFI Resolution 09-03 and is reprinted with permission from the May/June issue of FrontLine magazine.

Is There A Difference?

Introduction

Pastor Robert Corso is facing a hard decision. Another Bible-believing pastor in his town has asked him to participate in a joint youth outreach emphasis. The difficulty is that Pastor Corso has some significant differences with the other church in terms of ministry philosophy and the practice of youth ministry. Although he does not wish to throw stones, he does not feel comfortable participating in the event. Pastor Corso is sure that some of his church members believe that he should publicly separate from the other church. Other members would see nothing wrong with participating, given that the gospel is more important than a church's "parochial interests."

Although there are times when a church must unequivocally separate itself from individuals and ministries, many times a pastor is faced with a situation like the one above. He does not believe that he has clear enough Scriptural warrant to publicly declare another ministry or minister to be "in sin," but he does not think it prudent to involve himself too closely with that ministry or a particular project. The question is whether he has the leeway to limit his participation without officially separating from the other ministry. Are there such things as prudential limits on association that are different in nature from Biblical separation?read more

The Faith of Jenny Sanford

Get Religion ponders the role of faith in the response of the wife of SC’s philandering goveronor

Posted Wed, 07/01/2009 - 7:24am by Greg Linscott

Calvary of Lansdale Receives Regional Accreditation

News at cbs.edu

Posted Wed, 07/01/2009 - 8:51am by Greg Linscott

BYU drops You-Tube Ban

Beliefnet has the story

Posted Wed, 07/01/2009 - 9:47am by Greg Linscott

Pastor, Bible College President Dies

 

Dr. Greg Baker of FaithWay Baptist Church and College of Ajax, Ontario died suddenly and tragically this past Tuesday, June 30.

Baker was slated to be a speaker at the National Sword of the Lord Conference this month.

The family and the church are in need of prayer.

Posted Wed, 07/01/2009 - 2:42pm by Greg Linscott

A Famous Observation Regarding the Creation of Eve

By Douglas K. Kutilek Thu, 07/02/2009 - 12:00am Tags:

Editor’s Note: This article is reprinted with permission from Doug Kutilek’s free newsletter "As I See It," a monthly electronic magazine, and appears here with some editing. AISI is sent free to all who request it by writing to the editor at dkutilek@juno.com.

One of the most often-quoted devotional comments in Matthew Henry’s (1662-1714) famous commentary on the Bible is his remarks regarding the creation of the first woman from the side of the first man (Genesis 2:21-22)—

[T]he woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved. [italics in original]

Henry’s observation was picked up by later commentators, among them John Gill (1697-1771), who, at Genesis 2:22, reproduces much of Henry’s phrasing:

It is commonly observed, and pertinently enough, that the woman was not made from the superior part of man, that she might not be thought to be above him, and have power over him; nor from any inferior part, as being below him, and to trampled on by him; but out of his side, and from one of his ribs, that she might appear equal to him; and from a part near his heart, and under his arms, to show that she should be affectionately loved by him; and always under his care and protection.read more

Rick Warren Addressing Islamic Society

Story in USA Today

Posted Thu, 07/02/2009 - 7:01am by Greg Linscott

Dr. Baker's Death "His Choice"

 

I have personally spoken with personnel at FaithWay Baptist Church and have confirmed that Dr. Baker’s death was self-inflicted. They stated that "we don’t understand why," but also ask that we remember the good things the Lord was able to accomplish through his life and ministry. Please uphold his widow Melissa, daughters Allison and Christi-An and their husbands and children, the church and staff, and associated ministries in prayer. Comfort, wisdom, and grace are needed during this time.

"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."

2 Cor. 1:3-4, KJV

Posted Thu, 07/02/2009 - 10:50am by Greg Linscott

Ten Years at SEVBC, Part 2

By Joel Tetreau Fri, 07/03/2009 - 12:00am Tags:

Read Part 1.

A Memoir by Pastor Joel Tetreau

The TetreausDiscomfort with Movements on the "Right" and "Left"

Historically speaking, all churches that are orthodox in their faith and militant about the gospel are in a sense fundamentalist churches. Fundamentalism has been right about many important things over the years. In its struggle with liberalism, it was right about a pure gospel. In its struggle with New Evangelicalism, it was right about the clear gospel. SVBC has an apreciation for its separatist heritage. From the very beginning we have been a bit different than your typical fundamental church. We are excited about historic Fundamentalism as an idea; however, we have not been nor continue to be as equally excited about Fundamentalism as a movement.

Too much modern-day Fundamentalism is riddled with leadership abuse, ecclesiastical politics, schisms over nonessentials, and the problem of equating men’s standards with the doctrines of God. So in a sense we find ourselves between two worlds. On the one hand we are uncomfortable with the main of Evangelicalism (especially New Evangelicalism) with its ecumenicalism and adoption of the world. On the other hand, we are uncomfortable with much of the fundamentalist movement and its propensity toward self-righteousness.read more