Reformed Reconstructionists aim to fill Christian society with their philosophy and doctrine. They are heavily involved in writing material for homeschoolers and are glad to put their own twist on Christian history. James B. Jordan, in "The Failure of the American Baptist Culture" (p.89), declares anabaptism to be basically the same as the ancient heresy of gnosticism. Then, building from this ridiculous charge, he implies that this anabaptist/gnostic view is the view of Baptists and other similar groups today. One way in which he distinguishes what he calls the orthodox view from the gnostic view is by the method of salvation. He states, "The focus of orthodoxy, by way of contrast, is on the objective goverrnment of God. The defining mark of a Christian is not, as in gnosticism, some 'conversion experience,' but rather an evident submission to the government of God, signed and sealed in baptism and manifest in a holy walk." That is, salvation is not a personal experience but an outward submission to the church government sealed by infant baptism. These people are on a mission to destroy the influence of the Baptists in America. They are a fifth column in our battle for truth. Beware of the concision (Philippians 3:2).
Much of God's creation is marked by the number three. This makes sense since God Himself is a trinity. There are three kinds of vegetation: grass, herbs and trees (Genesis 1:11). There are three kinds of lights in the sky: the sun, the moon and the stars (Genesis 1:16). There are three kinds of animals: fish, fowl and land animals. There are three kinds of land animals: cattle, creeping things and beasts (Genesis 1:24). Man has three parts: spirit, soul, and body (1Thessalonians 5:23). There are three basic colors and three states of matter (solid, liquid and gas). If you think about it, you can find other examples.
In the April, 2006, edition of "The Berean Call," T. A. McMahon has an article called "Psychology in Prophecy." He admits that he has had some strange responses from this title. What does psychology have to do with prophecy? He quotes from 2Timothy 3:1-2, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves." Now, do you see the connection? Psychology is the elevation of self-love, self-esteem, self-worth, self-image, and a host of other exaltations of self. How do you feel? Are you happy with your life? Are you living the life you deserve? According to 2Timothy 3:1-2, the first indication of the last days for this age of grace is that men will be lovers of their own selves. Today's elevation of psychology and its attendant humanism is strong evidence that we are living in the last days. Sadly, the Christian community is as deeply involved in the cult of self-love as is the world. Just consider the prevalence of Christian psychology in our books and radio programing. It is standard content in most sermons today. Perhaps the most telling fact is that one of the most influencial individuals in the Christian community over the last quarter of a century has been the psychologist, James Dobson. We are certainly living in the last days.
Of the 17 times the word firmament is used in the Bible, over half (or 9) of the times are found in Genesis One. Firmament means an expanse or expansion of space and it refers to the expansion of space between the earth and God's heavenly abode. It is bound by the waters above and the waters below (Genesis 1:6-8). This explains why there are "waters that be above the heavens" (Psalm 148:4). Of the three heavens indicated in 2Corinthians 12:2, the firmament includes the first two heavens while the third heaven refers to God's dwelling place. The first heaven is the "open firmament of heaven" where the birds fly (Genesis 1:20). The second heaven is "firmament of the heaven" where the planets and stars reside (Genesis 1:14-15). As known to anyone who has considered the heavens as the work of God's finger (Psalm 8:3), the firmament exalts God. As the psalmist proclaims in Psalm 19:1, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork."
Saudi Arabia is said to be one of our closest allies in the Arab world. However, the textbooks they used for their children were notorious because of the inflamatory statements they contained. After 911, the Saudi's rewrote their textbooks in order to be more sensitive to their allies in the west. Here some examples of their kinder, more gentle approach. FIRST GRADE: "Fill in the blanks with the appropriate words (Islam, hellfire): Every religion other than ______________ is false. Whoever dies outside of Islam enters ____________." FOURTH GRADE: "True belief means . . . that you hate the polytheists and infidels but do not treat them unjustly." SIXTH GRADE: "Just as Muslims were successful in the past when they came together in a sincere endeavor to evict the Christian crusaders from Palestine, so will the Arabs and Muslims emerge victorious, God willing, against the Jews and their allies if they stand together and fight a true jihad for God, for this is within God's power." EIGHTH GRADE: "As cited in Ibn Abbas: The apes are Jews, the people of the Sabbath; while the swine are the Christians, the infidels of the communion of Jesus." TWELFTH GRADE: "Jihad in the path of God -- which consists of battling against unbelief, oppression, injustice, and those who perpetrate it -- is the summit of Islam. This religion arose through jihad and through jihad was its banner raised high. It is one of the noblest acts, which brings one closer to God, and one of the most magnificent acts of obedience to God." If you wish, you can read more.
