Quotable

Error is like leaven, of which we read, "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump."

Truth mixed with error is equivalent to all error, except that it is more innocent looking and, therefore, more dangerous. God hates such a mixture! Any error, or any truth-and-error mixture, calls for definite exposure and repudiation. To condone such is to be unfaithful to God and His Word and treacherous to imperiled souls for whom Christ died.

H. A. Ironside

Question: Hebrews 9:27 says: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die...

Question: Hebrews:9:27And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: says: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." Lazarus of Bethany, who died physically, was resurrected and then, of course, died again. So, how many times did Lazarus die? The answer is "twice." We have other cases where Jesus gave His disciples the power to raise people from the dead who later died again physically. How are we to understand? Which is it, once or twice?

Response: As you point out, Hebrews:9:27And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: says, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." "Men" is generic, speaking of all mankind. That the Lord, of His own will and sovereign choice, has, on occasion, brought back to life individuals (temporarily) does not affect this general ruling. Both Elijah and Elisha raised individuals from the dead by the power of God. Jesus raised a number of people from the dead. Again, these exceptions did not change the ruling under which humanity lives (and dies), as Hebrews:9:27And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: summarizes.

The fact that the Lord Jesus walked on water (Mt 14:26) or that Elisha made the head of an axe float (2 Ki:6:6And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim.) did not overturn the law of gravity. In short, we need to discern the plain meaning of the Scriptures.

This is important, as Muslim "apologists," for the sake of argument, often bring this up as "yet another contradiction" in the Bible. With careful examination of context and  word meanings in Scripture, such a conclusion is insupportable. Let us strive to be diligent as we search the Scriptures daily.

Question: Many of the younger people (and some of the older ones) at our fellowship are getting tattoos...

Question: Many of the younger people (and some of the older ones) at our fellowship are getting tattoos. Some are saying that a tattoo can be used as a witnessing tool. What do you think about this?

Response: It must be noted that this appears to be growing in acceptance among professing Christians and with the profusion of "Christian" tattoo artists, someone voicing their disapproval may soon discover that they threaten another person's source of income (Acts:19:24-27 [24] For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;
[25] Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.
[26] Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:
[27] So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.
) . Further, it is commonly heard that those disapproving of tattoos appeal to Old Testament passages no longer applicable to believers. What do the Scriptures say concerning tattoos and body piercing?

It is important to see in what context the prohibition against tattoos appears. In Leviticus:19:26-29 [26] Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.
[27] Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.
[28] Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.
[29] Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.
, the admonition against marking or cutting the flesh comes in a section that forbids eating blood, using enchantments, observing times, or prostituting one's daughter. No one would say that these instructions were abrogated because they are "Old Testament." Further, some would point to verse 27: "Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard" and presume that this is a simple command regarding shaving. It is not. Elements of pagan worship include cutting or otherwise marring the face and body. Hair was cut from the face and head (Lv 19:27; Dt 14:1; 1 Ki:18:28And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.) . Both blood and hair had a role in idol worship and pagan ceremonies.

Further, since the Leviticus prohibition against marking the flesh comes in a sequence including eating blood, we know from Acts:15:20But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. that abstaining from eating blood is one thing specifically enjoined upon Gentile believers. Other passages in the New Testament also leave no doubt that believers are not to be involved with occult practices such as enchantments or astrology. It seems logical to conclude that God's intent concerning "marks upon you" covers more than pagan funeral rites.

It is difficult to see how one can avoid the pagan connections tattoos have. Scripture and history are unanimous in noting that the pagan priests of most cultures either inflicted ritual scarring or tattoos upon themselves. The Lord wants us to be different from the nations. The apostle Peter tells us (as Christians) that we are a "peculiar" or special, people (1 Pt 2:9) . The fact that so many believers are getting tattoos shows no leadership on our part but rather a tendency to be little more than followers of trends.

God certainly has absolute ideas on how we, as His creation, can decorate or adorn ourselves. Consistently, throughout Scripture (1 Pt 3:3-5) , God respects the inward adorning of humanity over external marks or signs. Paul spoke of bearing "in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus" (Gal:6:17From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.) . These were not self-inflicted wounds--persecutors inflicted every single one. "Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep" (2 Cor:11:25Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;) .

Finally, despite our best intentions, tattoos by their very nature draw attention to us. We don't need that. James warned about those who say they have faith, but their works deny it. One may have all kinds of evangelistic slogans liberally tattooed that allegedly proclaim one's faith. James didn't need to advertise. He said, "I will show thee my faith by my works" (Jas 2:18) .

What is that work? "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world" (Jas 1:27) . May we take up that challenge.

Some have asked the question: "What about those who come to the Lord and are already covered with tattoos? What should they do? One of the blessings of the gospel is that the Lord receives us as we are. As the hymn so wonderfully puts it, "just as I am without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me." Although we repented of the sins of the past as we came to Christ, we still have the same bodies we have always had, including tattoos. Some choose to keep their tattoos as a reminder of what Christ has delivered them from, but perhaps our tattoos are immoral or occultic in nature.

The Lord may call one into missionary service. Depending on the culture, our tattoos may very well be a stumbling block to those we are trying to reach with the message of the gospel. Paul discloses his heart for the lost: "Conscience, I say, not your own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?...Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved" (1 Cor:10:29-33 [29] Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?
[30] For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
[31] Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
[32] Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
[33] Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
) .  In such cases, there are certainly a number of alternatives for tattoo removal. Paul writes, "Ye are not your own: for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Cor:6:19-20 [19] What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
[20] For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
) . How indeed can tattoos glorify the Lord?

Question: "...I was extremely shocked by the obvious lack of scholarship in your figures regarding the African slave trade...."

Question: I have been receiving TBC's mailing for more than 10 years and am normally highly impressed with the level of scholarship supporting the information presented. That is why I was extremely shocked by the obvious lack of scholarship in your figures [in the June issue] regarding the African slave trade, and your very limited explanation of it as being of Arab and African making. First, the minimal figures of the number of Africans (not "blacks", these people all had a country, culture, language, heritage) brought to the "new world" is between 9-12 million , not thousands, as you reported.

Secondly, though it is correct that Africans and Arabs had been involved in slave trades for centuries before European participation, there was a difference in the way the slaves were treated (as evidenced by the fact that Europeans did not want slaves from North African [Muslim] areas because many had been educated and were rife for rebellion; further, in many African kingdoms the slaves were eventually given full privileges including land ownership)....It is extremely disheartening and frustrating that the far-reaching ramifications of the African slave trade are largely ignored in this country, especially when we are continually reminded of genocides and holocausts that happened on other lands , while the vile abuse suffered by those whose labor largely forged not only U.S. existence but that of just about every country in the Western hemisphere, goes largely ignored, undervalued, and unrecognized.

Response: We are clearly compelled to be as accurate and correct as possible. We know that to underestimate the magnitude of slavery is a disservice to the truth, and we also note that exaggeration tends to destroy credibility. What is in view here, however, is our mistake not in quoting statistics but failing to distinguish that the reference was specifically regarding the American colonies, to which some 645,000 slaves were taken. We have since corrected that.

"Twelve million Africans were shipped to the Americas from the 16th to the 19th centuries" [Ronald Segal (1995) The Black Diaspora: Five Centuries of the Black Experience Outside Africa , (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux), 4.)] "It is now estimated that 11,863,000 slaves were shipped across the Atlantic." [Note in original: Paul E. Lovejoy, "The Impact of the Atlantic Slave Trade on Africa: A Review of the Literature," in Journal of African History 30 (1989), 368.] Of these, an estimated 645,000 were brought to what is now the United States. The largest number were shipped to Brazil.

Second, it was after 1832 that specific anti-literacy laws were enacted, codifying the practice that you mention. They were not there at the beginning but represented a hardened attitude of those whose institutionalization of slavery was viewed as essential to economic survival. We mention this because your statement can undermine the points being made: "those [slaves] whose labor largely forged not only U.S. existence but that of just about every country in the Western hemisphere, goes largely ignored, undervalued, and unrecognized."

On the contrary, slavery actually limits the development of economies. Compare industrial and economic development prior to the Civil War. The North far outstripped the South (as well as Central and South America), in economic development, arguably because it was not based upon the labor of slaves but of free men. This is another reminder that great evil can never produce long-term success.

Regarding the alleged better treatment of slaves in Muslim lands, slavery is horrendous regardless of who practices it:

While education was viewed as subversive by Western slavemasters, "Two-thirds of African slaves were female. The males were considered to be troublesome. Further, while Western slaveholders preferred men as workers, in North Africa the women were incorporated into harems and served as concubines. 'High prices were paid for eunuchs...Islam prohibits physical mutilation, so many eunuchs were castrated before entering Islamic territory'" (Ibid.).

Question: Why do Christians quote Leviticus condemning homosexuality, while they ignore the rest of the prohibitions?

Question: Why do Christians quote Leviticus condemning homosexuality, while they ignore the rest of the prohibitions?

Response: Leviticus contains two types of prohibitions for a precise reason. Much of the book (as well as Numbers, Deuteronomy) is given over to specific prohibitions the nation of Israel was to observe as "a special people unto Me." Consistently, whether these prohibitions concern eating of particular foods, wearing of specific garments, or other ceremonial considerations, the Lord says to Israel, "these are unclean [or an abomination] to you" (Lv 11:7,11, etc.) . This is one kind of prohibition, clearly applicable to Israel alone.

On the other hand, moral issues, such as adultery, sorcery, child sacrifice, bestiality, incest, homosexuality, etc., are said to be abominations (period). Penalties against those who commit these behaviors are assessed because it is "My [God's] judgment" (Lv 18:4) .

News Alert

Charleston Daily Mail, 6/23/09 Excerpts: "Joy is related to the presence of God," [William Paul Young, author of The Shack ] said. "God is about relationship. There is a God who loves us. There is a God involved in details we don't see."

These comments were sprinkled throughout the presentation Young offered at the Clay Center Monday for a fundraiser for the Christian ministry organization called Young Life. Young also was to speak Monday evening at Morris Memorial United Methodist Church.

Young talked about his bestseller The Shack , a work of fiction filled with genuine pain he experienced throughout life. The miraculous success of the book can only be attributed to God being involved in the details of life, he said.

Young never set out to write a bestseller and had no idea how to market a book. Young is a Canadian native who now lives in Happy Valley, Ore. "I've never considered myself a writer," he said. "My wife, Kim, wanted me to write something for the kids. She said, 'Would you put in one place how you think--because it is so outside the box?'"

He began that process in 2005 on the commuter train...as he scribbled thoughts on napkins, receipts and legal pads...eventually...compiled into a book for his six children, now ages 16 to 28...telling them how he dealt with hurdles in life that caused him so much pain, shame and grief...from sexual abuse as a child and an affair that threatened his marriage to devastating family deaths. He was working three jobs and struggling to make ends meet when he turned his notes into a work of fiction flecked with emotional baggage....He found peace and healing in the letting go of secrets. When the manuscript was done, he headed to a local Office Depot...to print 15 copies for family and friends.

Then something amazing happened. Friends loaned the book to their friends and more copies were requested. "I was soon getting emails from people I didn't know," he said. Many of the notes were filled with personal details about people's lives. Eventually, friends with some writing and movie knowledge decided to check into publishing the manuscript. It was turned down by 26 publishers before the group of friends pooled cash and credit cards to publish it themselves. In May 2007, they ordered 10,000 copies.

The book has since sold more than 7 million copies and made the New York Times bestseller list. "It wasn't anything we did," said Young, 54. "When the book touches people, they buy multiple copies. We can't claim how brilliant we are." He said the book is a result of the power of prayer. He asked God, "Let me hang around something you are blessing. The book is just something God decided to bless."

"The book has opened relationships and opportunities," he said. "I can watch people's lives because of a little story I wrote. How cool is that?" He even sees the controversy it has created as a positive way of encouraging dialogue among a variety of people. The book has attracted readers of virtually every religion.

"I trust the Holy Spirit is present in my life and the right things will be drawn out," he said. Plans are in the works to turn his current book into a movie within the next couple of years.

[TBC: "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to (God's) word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah:8:20To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.).]

Letters

Dear Saints of Berean Call,

Thank you for the many faithful years of your newsletters--they are so informative. So much of the time I've not even heard of the information you're writing about. What is sad to me is that when I realize that it's true and try to pass it on, there are people who just don't want to hear it! So many want to stay uninformed, period! Sad! But I look forward to your wonderful newsletters every month.... AH (TX)

Dear Dave and Tom,

Thank you so much for your TBC newsletter and for your time in putting it together. I do so much appreciate how you back up what you write with the truth of God's Word. Being an ex-Catholic, I remember much doctrine that was scripturally untrue....I am thankful for the Lord's leading my family and me to a Bible-based church some years back, and, through His word preached accurately, our eyes were opened. We praise Him for your ministry. There are so few truly accurate ones today. JD (WI)

Dave,

Thank God for those who still believe that the Bible is sufficient. I am so tired of all the illustrational sermons and theatrical gimmicks used in proclaiming the Gospel. Dave, I wonder how you have survived without sports cars, etc., on your platform to help you illustrate the Gospel....God gave us the greatest illustration and example in His Son Jesus. Thanks for just preaching the Word of God! BM (IA)

Dear Mr. Hunt,

Thank you so much for the welcome arrival each month of The Berean Call . In these difficult times it is so good to read sound Biblical teaching from God's Word. Here in the U.K., we are seeing such a determined turning away from the Lord Jesus and open persecution of His people. This present government seems quite triumphant in its assault on the Body of Christ, and proud of our sinful record in HIV, teenage pregnancy, abortion, and growing numbers of homosexuals and pagans. We so need a true revival and repentance before our Holy God. Instead of so many distractions and events in our church life we need to "go forth and preach the gospel" so that souls may be saved in our Lord Jesus. BB (UK)

Dave Hunt,

What a sleazy mischaracterization of Calvinism. I used to be a fan of yours--attended several of your seminars and purchased your books. Now I wouldn't waste my time--your snippy insinuations--strident exaggerations to make a misguided point. God is in control not you. You've gone the way of sensational journalism and even worse is your adoption of Roman Catholic pelagianism. EL (email)

Dear Dave & T. A.,

Are we, who are the Lord's, being overwhelmed by the signs of the time we're in now--or what?! I would liken this to what Noah & family must have experienced as the last animals were herded onto the Ark and the ominous black clouds & lightning became so intense! Even as the Lord sealed the Ark doors shut! And instead of begging for God's chastening, cleansing, holiness, that they be made ready, most of the church-world's still looking for "that big break-through"--health, wealth, and their dream come true! No love of God's truth, so they've been deceived & blinded! And God's Spirit-led ministers have never needed to beg, bribe, and threaten their listeners to supply their needs, as long as they faithfully trusted Him. May He continue to strengthen, bless & keep you in all things! JH (WV)

Mr. Hunt & McMahon,

I enjoy your books and the work both of you are doing. I pastor a small church and have seen several families [leave] us for social and political reasons. Your ministry is large...reaching many millions, and I pray for you as you don't hold back on telling the truth in a society today that seems to only want their ears tickled--a so-called Christian society that wants to keep their pet lust and still feel they are good, Bible- believing, obedient saints. Hope and pray that you both are feeling and doing much better health-wise. JM (email)

TBC,

Too often in our fast paced world we do not thank people for what they do for others. I share your thoughts and they make me think. In the end, my walk with Christ is strengthened. Thanks! MR (prisoner, ID)

TBC Notes

The Heresy Lode

One of the problems that Dave Hunt and I had nearly a quarter of a century ago was convincing Christians that there was a substantial seduction taking place in the church that was undermining "the faith...once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3). As frustrating as that experience was, those were the "good old days!" A wry grin comes across my face when I think about how many times we were accused of "digging for heresies among God's anointed servants." Although one did not have to "dig up" the false doctrines that were being taught back then, neither were they as common as rocks.

Today, heresies are coming out of the religious mines by the truckloads and openly sold on every corner. Christians are lining up for this spiritual fool's gold! Here are two examples, though hardly the most ludicrous or outrageous of those coming across my desk daily.

Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts Schori, blames individualistic views of salvation for ills plaguing the church in the United States. She argues that Christians should reject the belief "that we can be saved as individuals, that any of us alone can be in right relationship with God." Obviously, Paul badly misinformed the Philippian jailor. Or not!

Melanie Phillips, author of Londonistan , warns about Christian Palestinianism, a pro-Islamic movement that the Anglican Church, as well as some evangelical leaders are supporting: "Arab Christians [have] reinterpreted Scripture in order to delegitimize the Jews' claim to the land of Israel, this kick-started replacement theology, which roared back into the imaginations, sermons and thinking of the Anglican Church. The Anglican bishop of Jerusalem, Riah Abu el-Assal, claimed of Palestinian Christians: 'We are the true Israel....'" Another writer notes that this heretical agenda is guilty of "de-biblicizing the Bible," expelling "the Jews from their own Scriptures," and reinterpreting it "from the viewpoint of the Qur'an."

Saints, we sorely need our "loins girt about with truth" (Ephesians:6:14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;) in these days of rampant apostasy. A seatbelt of righteousness is also necessary safety equipment.

Executive Director

T. A. McMahon

TBC Extra

The Shack

Excerpts of a review by James B. DeYoung , Western Theological Seminary

(See theshackreview.com/content/TheShackReview2Page.pdf for the complete review)

Recently The Shack has been approaching sales of [seven] million copies. There is even talk about making the book into a movie. But while the novel breaks sales records, it also breaks with the traditional understanding of God and Christian theology. And therein lies the rub. Does a work of Christian fiction have to be doctrinally correct?

Who is the author? William P. Young [Paul], a man I have known for over a dozen years. About four years ago, Paul embraced "Christian universalism" and has defended this view on several occasions. While he frequently disavows "general universalism," the idea that many roads lead to God, he has affirmed his hope that all will be reconciled to God either this side of death or after death. Christian universalism (also known as universal reconciliation) asserts that love is the supreme attribute of God that trumps all others.  His love reaches beyond the grave to save all those who refuse Christ throughout their lifetimes. Even fallen angels, and the Devil himself, will one day repent, be delivered from hell, and enter heaven. There cannot be left in the universe any being whom the love of God does not conquer; hence the words, universal reconciliation.

Many others have pointed out the theological errors they find in the book. They fault Young's view of revelation and the Bible, his presentation of God, the Holy Spirit, Jesus' death and the meaning of reconciliation, and the subversion of institutions that God has ordered, such as the government and the local church. But the common thread tying all these errors together is Christian universalism. A study of the history of universal reconciliation, which goes back to as early as the third century, shows that all of these doctrinal deviations, including opposition to the local church, are characteristic of universalism. In modern times, it has undermined evangelical faith in Europe and America. It has joined with Unitarianism to form the Unitarian-Universalist church.

By comparing the creeds of universalism with a careful reading of The Shack , one discovers how deeply universalism is embedded within the book. Here is the evidence in brief:

Near the beginning of this review I raised the question: "Does a work of fiction have to be doctrinally correct?" In this case, the answer is yes, for Young is deliberately theological. The fiction serves the theology, not vice-versa.  Another question is: "Do not the good points of the novel outweigh the bad?" Again, if one uses doctrinal impurity to teach how to be restored to God, the end result is that one is not restored in a biblical way to the God of the Bible. Finally, one may ask: "Could not this book lay the foundation for seeking a growing relationship with God based in the Bible?" Of course, this may be possible. But, in light of the errors, the potential for going astray is as great as the potential for growth. Young offers no direction regarding spiritual growth. He discounts the Bible and the institutional church with its ordinances. If one finds a deeper relationship with God that reflects biblical fidelity it will be in spite of The Shack and not because of it.

August 2009 Printable Newsletter

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