Monthly Archives: November 2007

-J.P. Moreland Shakes Up Evangelical Conference Talking About ‘Bibliolatry"

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Talbot Seminary professor J.P. Moreland shook up the recent Evangelical Theological Society conference in San Diego by telling attendees that evangelicals were ‘over-committed’ to the Bible and disregarded other ‘extra-Biblical’ forms of guidance from God. During his address, Dr. Moreland pointed out that evangelical scholars and the movement, as a whole, many times reject:

…guidance, revelation, and so forth from God through impressions, dreams, visions, prophetic words, words of knowledge and wisdom. …

We shut that down because of charismatic excesses, because of abuses, we fear teaching people how to use it. We think its all going to be Benny Hinn or something like that.

Comments: As you can well imagine, his address sparked considerable controversy and response from those who were there and hundreds of comments on the Internet.

What is really shocking, this comes from a major professor from Biola University’s Talbot Seminary. A school which started out and remains squarely in the dispensational camp. Many of its ‘big guns’ in the past have been especially critical of the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements.

I have read a number of articles and books by J. P. Moreland in the past and have always found his works to be particularly good in the area of apologetics. We should not look for him to become a Charismatic or a Pentecostal anytime soon, but neither is he a card carrying cessasionalist. He seems to be far more open to the ‘gifts’ than I had ever supposed.

J.P Moreland is a very careful Biblical apologist and philosopher. What’s important here, while his address was about how evangelicals treat the Bible, it is tantamount to admitting that there is really no Biblical basis for the cessasionalist tendencies that have dominated so much of the American evangelical community.

Now what we need is a Charismatic or Pentecostal leader of similar influence reminding Charismatics and Pentecostals to balance out our spiritual gift with balanced Bible study.

I believe we will see a balance when revival comes.

-Why Muslims Convert to Jesus?

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I am way behind in my reading right now. Yesterday at lunch I read an great article in the October issue of Christianity Today: “Why Muslims Follow Jesus“. It was all about why Muslims convert to Christianity. Over 750 former Muslims filled out an extensive questionnaire on that question.

The number one response was:

-The example of Christians that they knew

Followed by a number of responses that Charismatics and Pentecostals will appreciate and understand:

-Answered Prayers

-Healing

-Deliverance from the demonic

-Visions and dreams

It should be noted here that some of the greatest differences between Christianity and Islam involves the Holy Spirit and Spiritual gifts. There is no Holy Spirit or Spiritual Gifts in Islam.

The only practitioner of healing and miracles, according to the Koran, was Jesus the Prophet. Muhammad never performed any miracles or healing. This is why Muslims are open to seeking Jesus when they need healing and deliverance.

Finally, it was the Gospel message itself, the assurance of forgiveness and Salvation, and the proclamation of the ‘Love of God’ through Jesus that was of primary importance to the converts. There is no certainty of salvation in Islam and according to the Koran, one can never be assured of Allah’s forgiveness or love. He forgives who he wills and punishes whom he choses (2:284).

Praise God and rejoice all you Christians! Any time I look at Islam I am thankful for the faithfulness of our God through Christ Jesus. Our Father does love us and loved us before we even knew him, and He sent his Son into the world for our salvation. Praise the Lord!

-Should Christians Pray Against Their Enemies?

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Are ‘imprecatory prayers’ justified? Should Christians pray against their enemies?

The following story has been bothering me ever since I read it. It was posted by the LA Times Online sometime in August, unfortunately the link no longer works.

The Rev. Wiley Drake, Pastor of the First Southern Baptist Church of Buena Park, California, asked his congregation (August) to pray an ‘imprecatory prayer’ against the leaders of an opposing organization. He listed Psalm 109 as a reference.

The Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a Washington-based group had asked the IRS to investigate the tax-exempt status of Drake’s congregation because the Pastor had sent out a letter supporting Gov. Mike Huckabee for President on a church letterhead.

All heck broke loose when the Pastor asked for ‘imprecatory prayers’ against the AUSCS and it somehow became public knowledge. Even those who profess to have little or no faith in God were offended and became upset with Rev. Drake, which is surprising to me. It has became the subject of numerous news articles including an article in the LA Times which sought out responses from several religious leaders and scholars, who came across with mixed opinions.

Comments: One of the more interesting things that you run into when you are going through the Psalms in the Bible are the prayers of David asking God for justice and to take action against his enemies. I have always appreciated the candor of David and his ability to talk truthfully about his feelings with God. I have always thought that it is a good example for all of us.

However some of things that David prays for should also be shocking to Christians especially in light of the teaching of Christ to pray for our enemies:

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” (Matt. 5:44clip_image002)

I have no problem praying against the real enemy, Satan and all of his minions and plans. However, I hope and pray for everyone to find Jesus, even those I disagree with and those who consider me their foe for some reason.

I guess what bothers me about this story, the Christians here (the Pastor and his congregation) come across as unforgiving and seeking retribution rather than bearing a positive testimony of Christ and hoping, praying, and expecting for the best. For me, to pray against a bunch of people in an organization is tantamount to performing a curse and way to close to witchcraft. Am I wrong?

Personal Testimony:

Here’s a personal story: On one occasion I was bothered by one of my business rivals who had obviously stepped over the line and personally cost me over $2,000. I was driving down the road praying and calling upon the Lord for justice and as I remember, I felt justified to pray against the person and cried out that judgment should be upon him since he had ‘moved the stakes’ and violated his contractual obligations.

Immediately the Spirit spoke to me and told me to retract it or I would be under the same curse and judgment since the company that I represented had years before broken their word with this man.

Immediately a huge truck pulled into my lane and I miraculously avoided a major accident (I took that as a warning).

Then the Holy Spirit asked me to pray for blessings to heaped upon him. That was one of the hardest things I have ever done. However, I have personally prospered ever since and my rival not so much. So the Lord Himself took care of it.