May, 2008

Biblical Truth / Charismatic Issues — No Comments
30
May 08

Greater Works???

Todd BentleyA verse that is getting thrown around a lot lately (especially in Lakeland, FL) is John 14:12 where Jesus told His disciples that they would do greater works than He. Much has been and is being said about present-day Christians being able to do greater miracles than Jesus in both number and kind.

Let’s get real here — Jesus did some pretty unbelievable things. From spitting in the dirt, making clay and healing a blind man to raising 3 people from death to life, Jesus’ 3 years of ministry contained some radical miracles. For us to claim that we can do “greater” than He is just preposterous.

Still, let’s examine the proof-text and see what it really says:

12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask[a] anything in My name, I will do it. 15 “If you love Me, keep[b] My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever–

Where in this text does Jesus talk about miracles, signs and wonders?? In fact, after looking through the immediate and extended context, you will find that the nearest miracle Christ performed was the raising of Lazarus from the dead in John 11 (though, chronologically close to what He is saying here – about one week before crucifixion) and none after that. Lazarus’ resurrection was Christ’s climactic last miracle. But again, to what “works” are Jesus referring to here, saying that future believers will do greater than He?

The answer is clear — Christ is referring to the scope and reach of the ministry of the disciples and future believers will have in the world because of the gift of the Holy Spirit whom Jesus is about to promise starting in verse 16. Compare the message here with Acts 1:8:

8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me[a] in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Greater works?? Yes. Greater scope of the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not greater healings and resurrections. The Holy Spirit (Helper — parakl?tos) whom Christ gave us in His place will empower us to take His message to places Christ Himself would not reach. A clear reading of the text reveals this rather abundantly.

Good hermeneutics is a lost science among most Christians today, but there is no excuse for it in a minister of the gospel of grace — unless there is another motive behind interpreting the verses certain ways, which is clearly the case in various TV preachers, charismatic evangelists and “revival hubs” (particularly Todd Bentley in Lakeland, FL) around the world.

Charismatic Issues — No Comments
29
May 08

Tattoos, Earrings, and Jesus in Florida

[UPDATE] Sunday, June 1 — The resurrection count is now up to 17.

[UPDATE] Thursday, May 29 — Bentley now claims to have raised 15 people from the dead, up from the previous 13.

There’s something strange going on in Lakeland, Fl. Prophet/Evangelist Todd Bentley has been down there for more than 45 days in a “revival” that is being dubbed the “Lakeland Healing Outpouring.” Fortunately (or unfortunately), we subscribe to DirecTV and subseqently receive “God TV” in our programming which airs the revival services every night for 3-4 hours.

The first thing that caused a caution flag to be raised for me was his appearance. He is inked up with tattoos and all sorts of piercings — and unashamed about it. He’s worn a stylized t-shirt that says “Jesus loves me and my tattoos too!” While I have no problem with someone who has tattooed themselves up being saved and being my brother in Christ, I do have an issue with someone claiming to be saved and at the same time taking pride in their “markings.”

The Old Testament is very specific about not tattooing our bodies. The NT admonition is that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and we should treat them as such. To be saved and regret the things we did to our bodies before being redeemed is one thing. To claim to be a Christian (a prophet/evangelist none the less) and to take pride in said tattoos is something I find unbecoming of a minister of the gospel of grace.

Anyway, lest you think I am a legalist, I can live with the tattoos, it’s the theology I’m concerned about.

Beyond that, his preaching (rather, lack thereof) does not reflect Biblical theology and is basically the same demotion of God/deification of man that the Faith Movement has been pushing for decades. The manifestations are sometimes bizarre (though I am aware the different people respond to God’s presence and touch in different ways). The healing/resurrection claims are sometimes most of the time over the top. He’s claimed to have raised at least 13 15 people from the dead, though the Lord Jesus Christ — God incarnate — only managed this feat 3 times in 3 years of earthly ministry.

Well, enough for now, but Todd Bentley is on tap for a few posts on HAPPYDADLIVE! coming up in the next few weeks. For now, have a peek at Mr. Bentley being “overwhelmed” by the glory…

Commentary — No Comments
29
May 08

Currently Serving…

Discerning Truth

  • About 95% of information you read, see, and hear in the news (TV, Radio, Newspaper, Magazines) is embellished, distorted or just simply untrue, leaving only about 5% of it to be true.
  • About 85% of information you read, see, and hear on the internet is embellished, distorted or just simply untrue, leaving only about 15% of it to be true.
  • About 80% of information you hear from other people is embellished, distorted or just simply untrue, leaving only about 20% of it to be true.
  • Depending on the type of church you go to and your pastor, about 50% or less of information you hear from the pulpit is embellished, distorted or just simply untrue, leaving only about 50% or less of it to be true. (Only about 2% of the information you hear from TV ministries is true)

(Ok, those stats are my own, but have come from a lot of personal experience and study. You get the point.)

That leaves us with only ONE source of reliable truth: the 66 books found within the front and back covers of the Bible, the word of God.

1 Peter 1:13 and 2 Peter 1:20, 21 tells us…

Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ…Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for the prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

My exhortation to you in these troubling and deceptive times is to not be a “magnet” for false teaching and untruth. The following mentality will never lead you wrong: if it is not written or revealed in the 66 canonized books of Scripture, then it cannot be trusted as reliable truth. Science, the arts, politics, education and theology all must find themselves in line with the written revealed teachings of Scripture or they must be discarded as untrue. This is not popular with the vast majority of people in the United States today, and surprisingly unpopular with a good many within the visible church.

Do not allow yourself to be distracted by shocking news, fear-inducing internet reports, or doom and gloom news on the TV/radio. If you want to read a horror story, read the book of Revelation, and then remind yourself that our lives on earth are but a vapor.

Develop your discernment through careful study of Scripture and stay away from false teachers/teaching in the church. Take nothing for granted and test all claims to truth against the written word of God. Most of all remember the deceived do not know that they are deceived.

HD

Biblical Truth / Commentary — No Comments
23
May 08

Living For Eternity

One of the easiest things to do in America is to get caught up in living for “now.” Kind of like what Eddie Murphy said in “Haunted Mansion,” “we only go around once.” Living it up and “living life to the fullest” is the mantra of modern American culture. But the Bible teaches another way (as always). Jesus said:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:19-20, NIV)

So, do we live entirely for the “here and now,” having fun, making money, being cool at school/work, and focusing all our attention on having our “best life now?” Or do we live for eternity — aware of the need to store up our treasures not on earth, but in heaven where they will have an eternal impact?

The question is:

Who are we living to please, ourselves or the Lord Jesus Christ?

Commentary — No Comments
22
May 08

Currently Serving…

Each week I’ll post some thoughts about whatever my mind is “currently serving.” In other words, what’s on my mind in particular for that week. The first “currently serving” is regarding the fourth commandment.

Taking God’s name in vain.

You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain. (Exodus 20:7, NASB)

This commandment has always mystified me until recently, and I’m still not sure I have a sufficient grasp on it. Reading in Exodus 20 the other night, I came across this verse and checked the study notes in my study Bible (I can’t remember which one I was reading). It made a simple statement about what it means to take God’s name in vain: attach His name to emptiness.

Think about that — attaching God’s name to emptiness. A quick definition check on webster.com shows that vain is defined as “having no real value.” It means to use His name in an empty way, serving no purpose. Phrases such as “oh my g-d,” “g-d,” “J-sus Chr-st” and certainly “g-d d***” certainly qualify as empty uses of God’s holy name.

Christians should certainly not use any of the phrases above. The question then becomes, should Christians watch television shows or movies that contain such uses of God’s name — however slight or explicit they may be. Well, let’s talk about that later (though the answer is obvious for many).

Commentary — No Comments
21
May 08

Learning To Be Content

The title says it all. Becoming content with what we have is difficult and is getting harder with the pressures of the present culture in America to “have it now.” Looking at my own life, I have everything I need and most of what I want. Yet, I find myself constantly looking for new stuff. Being an electronics buff doesn’t help the matter either.  :)

The best way I’m finding to gradually become more content is to live for eternity instead of the here and now. Focusing on spiritual growth, discipleship and just learning to live in the grace of God will keep us from getting too tangled up in the snare that is discontentment.

Biblical Truth / Commentary — No Comments
16
May 08

The Erosion of Truth

A friend sent me an email of this blog post by John MacArthur about a California court ruling allowing homosexuals marriage rights. I thought my reply to him was so good :) that I would post it here:

I saw this news last night. With the erosion of Biblical truth (is there any other kind of truth????) at an unprecedented rate, sinful men will continue to grow even more bold in their wickedness. Biblical Christianity is fast becoming nothing more than myths to modern America. Sin, wrath, and repentance are words scarcely heard in the majority of churches on Sunday morning and we have lost our “saltiness” and as such, have lost our preserving qualities. The result?? The rate of spiritual decay in America is increasing at an astronomical rate — and modern “Christianity” bears the sole responsibility. We have become so much like the world that there is no light left to shine on their darkened hearts. If our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who perish. The church needs more “John MacArthur’s.” He would be run out of most pulpits as judgmental and arrogant.

But…there is a remnant. There always has been.

Commentary — No Comments
5
May 08

Blog Chaos

For reasons beyond my control, my old website and blog are no more (henson360.com). I actually have a backup of my blog (with over 2 years of posts), but I thought, why not just start over with a clean, fresh blog.

So, here I am again, trying to get things rebuilt on the website and blog. I’ll be posting regular stuff soon. I’ve got a lot of good thoughts cooking.