Thomas Nelson sinks to a new low

Coming out of the rock'n'roll world as I do, I am aware that nothing sells like controversy. Hollywood and Madison Avenue are keenly aware of this fact and they are perfectly willing to market something that is reprehensible because the outcry by offended people will provide the type of exposure and publicity that the seller/promoter could never buy or manufacture. So, it is with a circumspect caution that I even mention Align. I don't want to give it undue publicity, but I also must speak out against this latest in a seemingly unending stream of detestable products being foisted on the "christian" church.

This is the cover of the new "Align" magazine offered by Thomas Nelson Publishing, one of the largest Bible publishers in the world. Although you can barely see it, the title line across the top informs us that it includes "The Complete New Testament for Men."

For men? Do men need a different New Testament than women? Did the First Century writers give us alternate versions of their epistles according to gender?

Align is what TNP calls a "BibleZine." In other words, it's a Bible disguised as a magazine. It includes the New Century Version of the Bible (which is basically a version created for children --- causing me to wonder about TNP's opinion of the general intellect of men). But, what makes it magazine-like is that it also includes articles geared toward men. Like, for instance, "Sexcess: Success With The Opposite Sex!"

Looking at the cover, you'll notice that the word "Sexcess" is actually printed larger than any reference to the Bible or New Testament. The fact that a version of the Scripture is included in these pages is practically overshadowed by headlines like, "Top Ten Lists For Getting Ahead," or "Got Gadgets?" If you left this "BibleZine" sitting on your coffee table, you'd never have to be embarrassed that friends and relatives might drop by and discover that you're reading the Bible. They'll just think you're reading .... ummmm .... Playboy.

Is this really what is required in order to get men to read their Bible? I mean, isn't the text of Scripture sufficient to attract God's people? Do we also need to offer them "Tech-Savvy Ideas"? And, given the carnal nature of human beings, is it necessary to print the word "sex" on the front of a Bible in order to make it more attractive?

Friends, the church-world has hit a new low. I honestly, genuinely hope that this venture is a crashing failure for TNP. They deserve to be boycotted for dragging the sacred Scripture down into the cesspool of carnality. And how do they attempt to justify themselves? They write:

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"Ever wish your Bible was as easy to pick up as your favorite magazine? Now there’s a new BibleZine™ created with today’s modern guy in mind. With an edgy, techo-savvy style and content that makes Biblical truth fresh and relevant, it might just make Bible reading the best part of your day. By putting one of the most readable versions of the Bible, the New Century Version®, together with articles about the topics you face everyday, we’ve created a ‘zine that will help you get deeper in the Bible, find out what God has to say for your life, and grow in your faith."

See For Yourself

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Apparently God is neither sovereign enough nor attractive enough to bring people to Himself without adding "an edgy, techno-savvy style." Poor God. He's just not hip anymore. But, fortunately for Him, the trend-setters at Thomas Nelson are here to give His Word the make-over it needs to make it relevant to the current crop of "Purpose Driven," success-minded, worldly church-going males that populate the contemporary mega-church movement.

Ugh.

By contrast, I was in Lexington two years ago, attending a dinner for ministers and their families. David Morris's son, Seth, was helping me cart my stuff around. He was maybe 6 at the time. I placed my Bible on the table and placed my camera on top of it. Seth froze and stared at me like I had just broken a rule. He said, "We're not allowed to put anything on our Bibles." And he was right! I immediately removed the camera and, to this day, I cannot bring myself to set anything on any one of my Bibles without hearing Seth's perfect admonition.

Seth reminded me of a vital priority: respect for God's Word. These are the words of life that have the power to convert men from darkness to light; from damnation to eternal life. These are the words that explain God's grace, His holy nature, our marvelous salvation in the finished work of His Son, and the peace that passes understanding. God's Word deserves our utmost reverence, love, commitment and respect.

And it never deserves to be reduced to a "BibleZine."

Here, try this. Get your Bible and a Sharpie pen. Okay, ready? Now scrawl the word "sex" across the front of it. Are you comfortable doing that? No, of course not. Something in us knows intrinsically that it would be sacrilege. And the Spirit of God within us ought to convict us that such an action would make a mockery of God's Word by using His sacred text as a platform for our carnality. At best, it would be rebellious; at worst, blasphemy.

Yet, that is exactly what Thomas Nelson has done.

Perhaps the most hypocritical part of TNP's new offering is that the cover of Align boasts, "Centering Your Priorities." But, if you are confused enough to even buy a copy of this travesty, your priorities are already decidedly messed up. And Align BibleZine is not going to help.

Note to Thomas Nelson Publishers: Get your head out of the gutter and learn proper respect for God's Word.

Note to readers: Please do not support TNP until they pull this product from the market and make a public apology to Christians everywhere for assuming this was a good idea.

By the way, I became aware of Align BibleZine while reading James White's blog. He chose the two perfect Bible verses with which to respond:

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2)

"...but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all [your] behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." (1 Peter 1:15-16)

I would only add:

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy -- meditate on these things." (Phil. 4:8-9)

And that does NOT include "sexcess" or "techno-savvy" ideas.

<<<>>>>>

What's The Big Deal With Jesus:

Here's another local article (circa 1999) I thought was worth posting.
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What's The Big Deal With Jesus?
Jim McClarty
Pastor, Grace Christian Assembly
A Sovereign Grace Fellowship

That’s how a recent email began and it struck me. How many people have heard that name all their lives and still don’t know why we Christians care so much about this Jesus fellow? So, I set about to answer that question.

Most folk know the basics. He was born in a manger in Bethlehem to a virgin girl named Mary. He was venerated by shepherds and later by wise men that were following a star. You can learn that much by watching the Peanuts Christmas Special. But, there’s much more to Jesus than that.

First off, Jesus of Nazareth (his hometown) is a provable historic person. In other words, it is a fact that he actually lived on planet Earth and was crucified during the reign of Tiberius Caesar. Even Tacitus, the Roman historian recounted: "Christus, (Christ Jesus) from whom the name (Christian) had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus." So, we have it on both Biblical and secular authority that a man named Jesus was considered to be the Christ and that he was crucified.

The Hebrew Scriptures that make up what we call the Old Testament are replete with predictions about a Messiah, a Deliverer, who would come to bring peace and justice. He was predicted to be a direct descendant of King David (which Jesus was) and that He would be born in Bethlehem (which Jesus was). In fact, there are so many details in the Hebrew Scriptures concerning the Messiah, that the odds against any one man fulfilling them all were practically incalculable. Nevertheless, Jesus matched the details verbatim.

Now, as for "what’s the big deal?" Well, Christianity makes many claims that are utterly unique when compared to the religions of the world, past and present. For instance, Christianity starts with a fact – Jesus lived and was crucified. Then, it follows up with the central event on which Christianity stands or falls – the resurrection. The Bible declares that Jesus was dead and buried. He remained in the grave for three days and three nights (our Easter traditions not withstanding). And, He rose from the dead, ate and drank with his apostles and rose into Heaven, taking His seat at the right hand of God.

This central event – the resurrection - has come under all sorts of scrutiny and criticism over the last two thousand years, but it remains one of the most enduring and powerful facts of human history. Let’s think about it and I think you’ll see what I mean.

Jesus died at the instigation of the Jewish leaders whose authority and social status would be permanently undermined if He were in fact who He said He was. So, the Jewish leaders accused Him of blasphemy since He made Himself equal with God. However, inasmuch as they were living under Roman dominion, the Jews could not commit someone to capital punishment without the involvement of the Roman government. They persuaded the local governor, Pontius Pilate, to have Jesus arrested and tried for treason against Caesar. After all, if Jesus were allowed to live, his followers would attempt to make Him king (in keeping with His Davidic descent), and that would result in the attempted overthrow of Roman authority.

So, both the Roman and Jewish prosecutors had a vested interest in putting an end to Jesus, His followers and the preaching about His divinity. His death should have stopped the growth of Christianity in its tracks and we certainly shouldn’t be discussing it 2,000 years later. However, the earliest preaching, writing and traditions of Christianity all agree that Jesus came out of the grave, was seen by over five hundred witnesses, and taught that we would one day share in that resurrection.

Of course, the greatest piece of forensic evidence we have as proof of His resurrection from the dead is the empty tomb. Again, every early source agrees that the tomb in which Jesus was buried was empty. In fact, to this day there is confusion about the exact location of the tomb. In Jerusalem they point to two different locations that may have been His actual tomb. The reason no one knows which tomb is the actual tomb is that there’s no one in it. It was only occupied for three days.

So, the question becomes, "What happened to the body?" We can narrow our choices to four primary conclusions. Either (1) the Romans took the body. Or, (2) the Jews took the body. Or, (3) His disciples stole the body. Or, (4) Jesus actually did rise from the dead, walk and talk, eat and drink, and ascend into Heaven.

A quick consideration of the facts makes options (1) and (2) pretty untenable. If either the Jews or the Romans had the body of Jesus, they would have produced it at some point in order to stop the spread of Christianity. Early Roman rulers tortured Christians, including the original apostles, in an effort to stop the preaching of the resurrection. The Jewish leaders persecuted and stoned early Christians in order to keep the unity of the Jewish faith. Given their concerted desire to squash the Christian preaching, it is impossible to believe that they had the ultimate weapon – Jesus’ dead body – and yet never brought it out. Still, nowhere in the annals of history do we find even one early critic of Christianity debating the empty tomb, or claiming that the Romans or Jews had the body hidden away somewhere. Nor do we read of any credible claims to have discovered the body after the fact.

So, we’re cornered. One of these two conclusions is true: Either the disciples stole the body and they concocted the most complex and enduring hoax ever perpetrated on mankind; or they were telling the truth and Jesus actually rose from the grave. This question has been debated and researched for centuries. But, to every "truth seeker" who examines the evidence, there is only one conclusion that makes any sense.

Let’s assume for a moment that the disciples were lying. They stole the body and they knew what they were saying was a lie. They constructed a very full and rich theology around that central lie, but it was still a lie. The facts of history tell us that the original apostles undertook missionary journeys all over Asia. Each of them died terrible deaths for their conviction that Jesus was alive and reigning in Heaven. Yet, nowhere do you find a single historian writing that any single one of those early evangelists ever recanted their testimony or admitted to the lie to save their own skin. They were boiled in oil, they had their skin flayed from the bones, they were driven through with swords, crucified upside down, fed to lions and banished to solitary confinement on an island. Yet, not a one of them ever said, "Okay, we made it up."

Now, I can believe that if we took a group of liars and kept them together, they’d stick to the story for fear of being the first man to break rank. But, it’s impossible to believe that these scattered liars, without the benefit of telephone or satellite communication, alone in foreign lands, suffering under brutal torture would each individually hold to their story. One of them – being liars – would say, "That’s it. Stop torturing me. We made it up!" After all, the others would never know.

Yet, you don’t find a one. Not a single one. Not one, not once. That’s incredible. Instead, they died bravely, considering the suffering of this world to be nothing compared to the glory they would inherit. Remember, these were fishermen, tax collectors, political zealots - a real gang of vagabonds. These were not professional criminals. But, something extraordinary happened to them, changing their nature and convincing them beyond the shadow of a doubt that what they were preaching was not only true, it was worth dying a horrible death for.

In other words, they did not act like liars. They acted like honest men who had witnessed events that shattered their sense of reality and drove a commitment into their souls that caused them to preach unwaveringly the resurrection and Lordship of Jesus, even to death.

Lastly, the most convincing proof of the resurrection is that Christianity continues to make cataclysmic changes in people. Even today people are converted from cynicism to faith, from anger to loving kindness, from self-centeredness to charity and service. There is a power that continues to overwhelm people, driving them toward those things that are good and true, despite themselves. The same power that resurrected Jesus continues to bring people from their spiritual darkness into the light of understanding and grace.

And that, my friends, is a very big deal.

To learn more about Jesus, His life and His teachings, you can visit our website at:
www.salvationbygrace.org

Putting The “Fun” Back Into “Fundamentalism”

I found an old Zip disk and was sorting through pictures and Word files, re-discovering pieces of my past. One file was a light article I wrote for the local newspaper circa 2001, or so. As I read it I realized that I still feel the same way. So, I thought I'd post it here.
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Putting The “Fun” Back Into “Fundamentalism”

Jim McClarty
Pastor, Grace Christian Assembly
A Sovereign Grace Fellowship

“So what kind of preacher are you?” a woman recently asked. “You’re not one of those fundamentalists are you?”

I knew what she was driving at. One small segment of Evangelical Christianity has usurped the term “fundamentalism” and redefined it so that only they fit the category. Now, when we think of “fundamentalists,” we imagine fire-breathing pulpiteers who spend their time listing all the things they reject and condemning everyone with whom they disagree. And, it doesn’t help things when Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson use our recent national tragedy as an excuse to go on television and rant.

“Yes,” I replied, “I am a fundamentalist.” She took a couple steps back. I assured her I wouldn’t bite.

You see, I am an adamant defender of the fundamentals of the Christian faith. The virgin birth. The sinless life. The death, burial and resurrection. Those are all fundamental to Christianity. Without those basics, you have no faith.

So I asked her, “Would you go to a doctor who didn’t understand the rudiments of medicine? Or, would you trust an auto mechanic who didn’t know how engines work?”

“Of course not.” She was catching my drift. The same way that we would never trust our bodies or even our cars to the care of someone who lacked the fundamentals, we should never entrust our spiritual well-being to someone who ignores the basics. In fact, you can pick any area of learning or knowledge and uncover the building blocks, the foundation, on which the whole system is built.

In theological circles, those fundamentals are called “doctrines.” A doctrine is simply something taught as a rule or principle of the faith. And, the principles of Christianity are built on those fundamental doctrines.

So, don’t be afraid to call yourself a fundamentalist. Study the doctrines and construct your faith from those basic building blocks. That’s the method Jesus prescribed –

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.” (Mat. 7:24)

Yep, I’m a fundamentalist. I love the doctrines of the Christian faith and am not ashamed to say so. Recently one of our congregants told me, “As we keep teaching the Bible, we’re going to be known as the church that put the ‘mental’ back into fundamentalism.”

I smiled. “You’re right. But, wouldn’t it be great to be known as the church that put the ‘fun’ back, too?”
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You can read more about Christian doctrine at our website: www.salvationbygrace.org

It Keeps Getting Stranger Out There

I know that I keep saying that the contemporary "church" has lost its sense of purpose. Even among those who call themselves "Protestant," very few know their own history or have even a passing familiarity with the circumstances or theological disagreements that led to the Protestant Reformation. Our predecessors were beaten, burned, mutilated and tortured in order to keep the vital doctrine of salvation by grace through faith alive. Yet today, most church-go'ers sit in air-conditioned, carpeted, opulant palaces with surround-sound, smoke machines, projection screens and legions of "worship leaders." And, because they are Biblically and theologically ignorant (in the truest sense of the word) they are willing to engage in any sort of silliness that comes down the pike, as long as someone attaches the name "Jesus" to it. They'll buy any trinket, support any cause, or accept any bizarre activity, as long as it fits their tradition and doesn't require any in-depth Bible study.

Sadly, the evidence of the downward slide within the modern church is overwhelming. If we could only find occasional demonstrations of peculiar behavior, then we could write it off as an aberration. But not only is it pervasive, aberrant behavior in the church is at the very heart of the current church-growth movement. Proper theology and sound doctrine have been utterly replaced by an ever-growing list of worldy forms of entertainment.

Our erstwhile webmaster, Jeff, has been keeping tabs on what's going on out there and every once in a while he sends me the "lastest and worst." Here are a few recent examples:
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Hula praise dance teams at Saddleback Church (Rick Warren’s church).

Hula for Jesus

Quote: “Interested in joining us and learning how to hula for Jesus?”

Appeal for Support: “Hula Praise! needs your help! We cannot do it alone. We need you
to be our partners in keeping worship-hula alive for you and others to enjoy for a long, long time!”

Mission: “We pray that we reach out to other cities, other states and other nations.
One way to do this is to reach other churches and help them start their own hula
ministries or hula worship teams, and then we can all be one big happy hula ohana for Jesus!”

Jeff: AAAAAUUUUUGGGGGHHHH!!!!!

(By the way, it's worth pointing out that hula dancing originated as a form of pagan worship. I'm sure Jesus really appreciates it. --- Jim)

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Drawing Closer to God through a Spiritual Director

Scary…

Spiritual Director


Jeff writes: The “pastoral care” class I took at the liberal seminary I attended had a lady who did this same kind of garbage. At one point, she turned the lights off in the room and encouraged everyone to close their eyes as she “guided” us in prayer through the use of visual imagery….again – scary!

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This church has been given kudos by church growth leaders for its cutting-edge seeker-friendly style. When you reach the site, click on the “Teaching Highlights” link and watch the video.

What Teaching?

As one blogger states: “These so-called teachers and preachers look like washed up comedians on amateur night at a local club.”

(This truly is the worst of the worst. Click on the rock band "worship" link, too. I'm no critic of using various forms of music in the church, but this is not anything I'd be comfortable letting my teens attend. --- Jim)

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The most recent "Drive: A Conference For Church Leaders" actually held a program on the platform (ostensibly dedicated to the preaching of God's word) called: Pimp My Church Van.

Yes, you read that right. It's a title derived from the MTV program of a similar name. Now the church is not only ape-ing the world, it's ape-ing MTV, the worst the world has to offer.

You won't believe it until you see it:

Church Van Video

Or,

Church Van Stage

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Anyway, I don't have the time to chase all the nonsense going on in the churchworld these days. My philosophy has always been that if you lay down straight sticks, everyone can see the crooked sticks for themselves. Heresy is easy to find. And it's growing by leaps and bounds. So, it would be impossible to point out and comment on every heretical movement that comes down the pike.

But fortunately, there is a website that is doing its best to keep up with all the trends and outrageous behavior that is permeating the so-called "church." It makes for interesting, if not terribly frustrating, reading. The site is called "Slice of Laodicea."

You may recall the Laodicea was one of the seven churches of Asia mentioned in the book of Revelation. Jesus had nothing good to say about them and concluded, "You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see." (Rev. 3:17-18)

That seems like a fitting rebuke for the church today, as well.

Anyway, here's the link.

Slice of Laodicea

Prepare yourself.

Hot Dog!

Okay, okay ...

Let me start by saying that I had nothing to do with this. However, a good friend (who shall remain nameless for the moment in order to protect his children) knows of my love and commitment to "the doctrines of grace." He also knows I love my dogs (who are not represented here). And I love word-play. Hence, this picture.

I couldn't help but laugh. Hopefully, you did, too.

Proverbs 17:22 says, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones."

The Devil’s Mission of Amusement

Jeff just sent me an email. We've been looking at church websites lately and there's an overwhelming amount of "entertainment" going on out there; even more than I was aware of, actually. I know that GCA is unique in that it emphasizes nothing but doctrine, theology and Bible teaching. But, when we compare GCA to the general church world, we seem downright unusual.

Anyway, back to Jeff's email. I'm including it here because it's so interesting. Just think of Jeff as today's "guest blogger."

Enjoy.
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In light of all the “junk” entertainment we have been seeing in the church lately, I ran across this article that summed it up well. You might think the author was writing on the “recent” state of affairs in the church. However, this was written over 100 years ago by a contemporary of Spurgeon – Archibald Brown.

Quotes:

“The devil has seldom done a cleverer thing than hinting to the Church of Christ that part of her mission is to provide entertainment for the people with a view to winning them into her ranks.” (This is the exact methodology we see used today)

'Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,' …. 'and provide amusement for those who do not relish the gospel.'

It is a little long (5 pages), but well worth the read:

http://www.pentictonfpc.org/churchentertain.htm

Rome, Hunt, and Truth

Wednesday evening I read two articles that I promised to provide links for. The article concerning the Catholic Church's statement that the Bible is not accurate can be found here:

times on line

Meanwhile, you can download a PDF file of the September 2005 Berean Call here:

Berean Call

The portion I read was from the letters section: pages 5 & 6.

The recording space ran out before I summariazed, but what we see here is that the primary attacks against the sufficiency, accuracy and doctrinal purity of Scripture is not coming from outside the church. The unbelieving world is not doing us the greatest damage. Rather, the damage is coming from "religious" voices; some within the "evangelical" church. Whether it is Rome telling us that the Bible is not accurate or Dave Hunt telling us that adherents of Calvinism are bound for hell, all they produce is divisiveness, doubt and more reason for the heathen to mock.

Stand on the Word, my friends. And if the Word says that God elects, then adjust your thinking accordingly. If the Word says God created the worlds (just as He created the Son of God in a virgin's womb), then adjust your thinking to recognize the sovereign hand of the Creator. But, most importantly, if any voice from any corner causes you to doubt the veracity of the Word, remember Paul's words --- "For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar." (Rom. 3:3-4)

The New (some would say "improved") Pastor Jim

So, there I was --- walking through Lowe's, picking up parts to fix my leaky shower, when I spotted myself in a mirror. For most of my life, I've worn my hair long-ish; usually in a ponytail. It became part of my character. And since I've spent most of my working life as a musician or audio engineer, the look suited my business. The downside was, the hair on top of my head started committing suicide in my middle-20's. And now, newly-50, I stared into the mirror coming to the realization that I wasn't really fooling anyone. So, I stopped by the local barbershop (which I prefer over the one-size-fits-all family hair salons. I mean, if you can't smell the Aqua Velva in the air, it's just not a fitting place for a man to have his locks shorn). Fifteen minutes later, I looked like this.

I was sitting out in the sunroom this morning, thinking about the morning message and enjoying the beautiful Tennessee "nearly fall" weather, when my daughter snapped this picture. The irony in all this is that I shaved my head in order to look my age and this morning the women at GCA all said it made me look younger. So, now I look almost my age. Ahh, life's little mysteries.