Reformation Day

Today is the day we commemorate the posting of the “95 Theses” on the door of the University Church in Wittenburg, Germany in 1517. Reformation was certainly needed in that day. The church was corrupt spiritually, morally, theologically, and just about every other way we can imagine. Martin Luther wanted to debate the issue and a revolution broke out.

The Reformation was, indeed, a revolution. People died for their faith, but much more revolutionary is the fact that modern science, modern education and modern views on government all resulted from the Reformation – especially because of the Reformers’ insistence that the Bible is God’s Word and it is an infallible and authoritative for all matters in life. We’ve managed to distort science, education and government, but the only possible way to reform society today is the same way the Reformers did – a reliance on God’s Word. But today, the seminaries and the churches are playing a large part in distorting God’s Word, as well.

University of Virginia sociologist James Hunter reports that 35% of evangelical seminarians deny that faith in Christ is absolutely necessary for salvation. George Barna, the George Gallup of Christian polling, reports that about the same percentage of conservative, evangelical Protestants in America also accept this watered down view of the means of salvation. He reports that “Many committed born again Christians believe that people have multiple options for gaining entry to Heaven.” George W. Bush also has affirmed this on many occasions, and he is considered by many to be an evangelical Christian.

Reformation is needed today. It is the church which needs it most. Alleged “Evangelicals” and “Born Again Christians” are accepting these blatantly unbiblical beliefs. And they hear it from the pulpits – because the pastors were taught in seminaries and Bible colleges where the professors neither believe that Jesus is the only way to salvation nor accept His Word as an inspired, infallible, and authoritative guide.

If we are to take Jesus at His Word (and I do!), then nobody comes to the Father but by Him (John 14:6). That’s plain enough for me to understand. It was plain enough for the Reformers to grasp. Now let’s share it in the churches and pastoral training schools.

Soli Deo Gloria.

King Middle School

By this time most of you will have heard of the King Middle School in Portland, Maine. Just in case you are one of the few in the nation who hasn’t, this is a school in which it’s OK now to dispense all manner of birth control devices to children as young as 10 without parental knowledge or permission. Here’s a link to one of the many stories about this “progressive” program.

At a time of the year when stories out of Maine ought to be about the great foliage, this has become a national issue in newspapers, in chat rooms, and on talk shows. Just a few words from me on this issue.

First, I expect that many of you are more outraged than I am. My response is, “What did you expect?” These are pagans acting like pagans. These people do not accept God’s Law. We cannot expect them to even make a pretense at following it. Of course, I also do not expect God to make any pretenses on their behalf come judgment day.

In John 14:15 we read that Jesus told His disciples, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” This is a conditional statement. Those who love Jesus should be expected to act in accordance with His commands. In Matthew 11, Jesus explained this in this manner: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” The reverse side of this coin is that those who do not love Jesus can’t be bothered with His commands.

Now, to say that I am not outraged, does not mean that I believe Christians should just lie down and take this foolishness. Those parents in Portland should take steps to protect their children. They could take their children out of the schools; abandon them altogether. The alternatives are Christian schools and homeschooling. If they want to send the children to Christian schools and there aren’t any, then they could start one – or more.

Portland Christians could also work to get rid of the seven school committee members who voted to unleash this program on their children. If they choose to stay in the schools, they should take them over.

Portland is not the worst city in the world, I suspect. This story is just one of many atrocities being perpetrated all around the world by those who have either been duped (not without their own duplicity) or who have an anti-God agenda. All Christians should be praying for their cities and towns and sharing the love of Christ.

We cannot expect non-Christians to be Christ-like. But we should be.