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Israeli library uploads Newton's theological texts February 15, 2012 By ARON HELLER , Associated Press Israeli library uploads Newton's theological texts (AP) Israel's national library, an unlikely owner of a vast trove of Newton's writings, has digitized his theological collection, and put it online. More at the link...

One of the earliest and fondest memories of my childhood involves getting up at four in the morning on Saturdays to watch black and white science fiction movies with my father. Inevitably the movie was terrible but I continued to sacrifice sleeping in every week because the fun was not in the quality of the movie but in the experience. There was something exciting about getting up early and laughing at cardboard aliens and monsters whose strings were showing.Not all science fiction is ridiculous; in fact some of it is very entertaining and even inspiring. With that in mind I...

Whenever we, as biblical Christians, think that things couldn't possibly become more preposterous in Christendom, we need to call to mind the Scriptures that tell us that the time will come when Christians will not endure sound doctrine, and many will corrupt the Word of God (2 Timothy:4:3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;; 2 Corinthian 2:17; 2 Peter:3:16As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they...

Last week we explored Dispensationalism's reversal of Daniel's 70th Week from Jesus Christ to the Devil. I think many on this chat page were astonished by this exposition. Today, we will explore how Dispensationalism took this lie and formed another: the Parenthesis Gap Theory. This 'gap' was 'unknown and unforeseen' to Christianity until Darby and Scofield 'uncovered' it in the 19th century. But is it really there? Let's read carefully: 24: Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity,...

My problem with the 'Rapture' (pre-millenial; pre-tribulation) teaching is that it forces its adherents to actually REVERSE the Person of Jesus Christ to the Devil. That's correct. In the 'Rapture' (or Dispensational) scheme the believer is asked to take the Person of Daniel's 70th Week (Who is Jesus Christ at the Cross) described in Chapter 9, verse 27a: "And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, ..." ... and reverse this 'he' to mean a 'future Antichrist'. Are you confused?...

Colossians tells us that the Jewish festivals “are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” (Colossians 2:16 NIV) We all understand this principle as key to understanding the Old Testament, but it may be key to understanding Revelation as well… There are a lot types in the Bible, both Old Testament and New (a type being a kind of prophecy-by analogy). The most widely recognized one is, probably, is the Jewish feast of the Passover. The symbolism there is unmistakable: the sacrifice is slain and the blood of the sacrifice is...

Q. What are some of the main differences between the Battle of Gog and Magog, and the Battle of Armageddon? A. This is a vital question to answer, because many people equate the two, or include the first as part of the second. But there are many differences that make these conclusions quite improbable. First there is the time element involved. While no time is specified for the Battle of Gog and Magog, most evangelical, premillennial, pre-Tribulational scholars place it at or near the beginning of the Tribulation. The Battle of Armageddon takes place at the end of the Tribulation...

One of the most common objections to Dispensationalism offered by Preterists and Covenant theologians is that, according to them, it was an invention based on a 'vision' ascribed to a young Scottish girl named Margaret MacDonald. As they tell it, in 1830, she had a vision about the end of the world and when she came out from under her trance, she wrote it down. This account attracted the attention of Edward Irving and his church later claimed Margaret as one of their own prophetesses. Irving also had an interest in prophecy and held prophetic conferences. The historian of Irving's...

How the Peace of Jerusalem Will Be Established As of late, we have seen the world led by the United States seeking to strip from Israel it present day borders and bullying them into a forced agreement with those who absolutely abhor them and seek their utter destruction. Sadly, America (who is governed at the moment by the progressive Left) has always been Israel’s strongest ally but at present has forsaken Israel and thrown them under the Middle East Islamic bus. With an anti-Israeli Europe and now a current anti-Israeli U.S. administration, Israel’s back is totally up against the wall...

In 1993 Hank Hanegraaff (“The Bible Answer Man”) wrote a book entitled Christianity in Crisis. In the book he exposed problems within evangelicalism. Many think that in actuality Hanegraaff understated the problems of both doctrine and practice within Christianity, and time has made the issues even more acute. Forgive us for saying so, but perhaps it is time to be honest with ourselves. American Christianity is a mess. It is separated into divisive sects, giving the world the impression that we don’t know what we are doing. And maybe we don’t. Some serious introspection is in order.

On February 28, 2010, in Charismatic Gifts, False teaching, Real Truth, by admin My good friend, Charles Carrin, as a Baptist pastor for more than twenty-five years, was much like Apollos before Priscilla and Aquila “took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately” (Ac. 18:24-26). Like Apollos, he was “an eloquent man…and he was mighty in the Scriptures,” he “had been instructed in the way of the Lord” in Baptist schools, was “fervent in spirit,” and “was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus,” meaning the Gospel of Christ’s sacrifice. However, Charles, like Apollos...

Molotov Mitchell hits another one out of the ballpark! Click HERE.

Perhaps you are now like I was before taking the time to study eschatology. You have heard sermons in which there were mentions of the Second Coming. Perhaps you have also heard vague references to the “new heaven and new earth” or the “great tribulation” or the “rapture.” But you have never really studied what the Bible has to say about all this. When I decided to find out for myself what is in the Bible, I was amazed at several things. I was amazed how many passages there really are on eschatology. By my count there are over 70....

snip Following years of devastation under the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein and the ensuing American invasion of Iraq, World Monuments Fund conservationist Jeff Allen told The New York Times this week that archeologists are beginning to work on ancient Babylonian sites and possibly restore some of them. snip

... Perhaps Jerry most grabbed my attention early on in the film when he emphasized that the argument over dispensationalism does not merely pertain to one doctrine in the way that, say, arguments over baptism, or church government, etc., have limited effects. Instead, the dispensational system has universal implications for the Christian faith. It, in fact, has impacted the fate of Western Civilization. This claim jerked me to reality, mainly because—it’s absolutely correct and so absolutely important. ... That the greatest historical waning of Christian influence throughout the world has occurred parallel to the rise of dispensationalism, I believe, is...

<p>One must not neglect the important study of dispensations. The Bible clearly teaches their existence. Church history reveals that the early fathers believed in different administrations and economies within the Scriptures and that belief in them does not have a late date.</p>

If the search for omens and signs of the future were any indication of true faith, ours would be the most Christian generation of all history. But Jesus said, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign” (Mt. 16:4). The popular doctrine of a “future millennial reign” over the present world affords endless opportunities to take daily events and label them as signs of millennial fulfillment. Satiated with sensational international crisis, the public eagerly clutches at every announcement in hopes that this it is!—that this latest event will herald a new day and tend the tension, the frustration, the...

Disasters - earthquake, Tsunami, others - happening rapidly now. Read Matthew 24. There will be earthquakes.....etc. When we see these events occurring in increasing frequency it is because these are the "birth pangs" that we have been told by Jesus Christ Himself - would happen closer together in time as do the birth pangs of a woman in labor. The closer she gets to giving birth, the worse the birth pangs become and the closer together they come.

"What men, then, according to these definitions, should be classed as dispensationalists? The answer to this question might be stated in a variety of ways. Three of these may suffice: (1) Any person is a dispensationalist who trusts the blood of Christ rather than bringing an animal sacrifice. (2) Any person is a dispensationalist who disclaims any right or title to the land which God covenanted to Israel for an everlasting inheritance. And (3) any person is a dispensationalist who observes the first day of the week rather than the seventh. To all this it would be replied that every...

“My primary problem with the Preterist view,” Robert Heidler, a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary writes, “is that it is a blatant example of replacement theology.” If you want to end a debate over eschatology when you can’t make a cogent biblical case for your position, just charge your opponent with holding to replacement theology. What is “replacement theology,” sometimes called “supersessionism”? Here’s a typical dispensational definition: Replacement Theology: a theological perspective that teaches that the Jews have been rejected by God and are no longer God’s Chosen People. Those who hold to this view disavow any ethnic future for...

My friends have often heard me say, “The more I read my Bible the less dispensational I become.”This statement comes from someone who was spiritually nurtured in churches with dispensational theology, who graduated from a Christian university steeped in dispensational theology, who received his first graduate degree from a dispensational seminary, and who—for twelve years—preached sermons that reflected dispensational theology. For the first sixteen years of my Christian life, I rarely questioned the fundamental distinctions of dispensational theology. What are those distinctions? In his discussion of what he called the “sine qua non of dispensationalism,”Ryrie asserted:“A dispensationalist keeps Israel and...

Evidence from Scripture of the passing away of the present dispensation. by J. N. Darby. <02007E> 89 The testimony of Scripture is the only secure resting-place for man amid the darkness of this world. This, through the teaching of the Spirit, is the believer's light and security; from this his judgment flows; and, consequently, from this the rule and foundation of his conduct springs. Wrong thoughts as to God's dealings, and our own place before Him, must lead to wrong judgment as to the conduct claimed from us; and thus all our service will be folly, and, perhaps, our hopes...

About this Episode: Gary wraps up and summarizes his interview with Neil Boron. Using excerpts from the "Islamic Anti-Christ" and "The Day and The Hour." Gary illustrates how date setting has only been proved to be an end time foil.

Facebook is an interesting tool/phenomena. It’s a great way to catch up with real friends, far and wide. It also provides a way to keep up with our new “friends.” We can also listen in on conversations carried on in the ether world that are not our own. In that way, Facebook can become quite voyeuristic. This morning I’ve been “eavesdropping” on a conservation between a friend and one of his so-called friends. The latter is accusing the former of being either theologically inconsistent at best or an outright liar at worst because he claims to be evangelistic. The accuser’s...

Ron Paul

Calvary Chapel of Chino California held “ The Southern California Prophecy Conference” last week (Feb. 20–22, 2009). I wonder if those who came to hear speakers like Tim LaHaye, Mark Hitchcock, Paul McGuire, David Hocking, David Reagan, and Ed Hindson were aware that Chuck Smith, the founder of the Calvary Chapel network of churches, made some very definite predictions about when the “rapture” was going to take place. While cleaning up my office, I came across a cassette tape of a sermon Chuck Smith preached on December 31, 1979. He told his very accepting audience on that day that the...

How would you recognize the most evil person on Earth? According to many historical texts, you should look for a brilliant, enigmatic public figure who transforms the world for good--for a while. Basically, the last person you'd tap as Satan's human emissary. While many believe the Antichrist has come and gone, just as many believe he will soon arrive, if he's not already in our midst. Join us for harrowing two-hour look at an evil so obscure that he answers only to Satan. Real? Our group of prophecy believers and historical experts help sort it out. We follow the emergence...

5. Contrary to many dispensationalists’ assertion that modern-day Jews are faithful to the Old Testament and worship the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Hagee), the New Testament teaches that there is no such thing as “orthodox Judaism.” Any modern-day Jew who claims to believe the Old Testament and yet rejects Christ Jesus as Lord and God rejects the Old Testament also. 24. Despite the dispensationalists’ partial defense of their so-called literalism in pointing out that “the prevailing method of interpretation among the Jews at the time of Christ was certainly this same method” (J. D. Pentecost), they overlook the...

This is the first episode of Radio Free Geneva that has been put on Youtube. The purpose of RFG is to dispel the many caricatures, straw men, and misrepresentations that those who are opposed to Reformed Theology (ie. Calvinism) normally make when critiquing the other side. Lord willing, there will be more in the future that deal with different subjects. Ergun Caner delivered a sermon a few years ago called "Why I am Predestined Not to be a Hyper-Calvinist." However, many Reformed folk thought the sermon would have been more aptly titled "Why I am Not Predestined to Represent the...

According to Rapture Ready, here are the top ten current prophetic issues: Iran's nuclear program Putin's grab for power in Russia The supply of oil Subprime loan crisis The declining value of the dollar China's growing economic and military might Global terrorism Nation ID initiatives Global weather changes Tension between Israel and Syria Boy, do I miss the good ole days when the Soviet-Arab confederacy was about to invade Israel, and when everyone was worried that the EU would soon add the tenth and final nation reconstituting the Holy Roman Empire. I guess you gotta change with the times ....

For some time now I have been challenging dispensationalists to be consistent with their claim that they interpret the Bible literally. They don’t take time words like “near� and “shortly� literally. “This generation will not pass away,� Tim LaHaye and others argue, becomes “the generation that sees these signs will not pass away.� Donald E. Green agrees with Neil Nelson that “‘generation’ refers to an evil kind of people in Matthew’s gospel.�1 Richard L. Mayhue, Professor of Theology and Pastoral Ministries at the Master’s Seminary, argues that the Greek word genea (“generation�) “refers to ‘the category of rebellious people who...

Ezekiel 38 and 39 has been interpreted in various ways over the centuries. The most popular view sees the prophecy as a depiction of a future battle that includes an alliance of mostly Islamic nations led by modern-day Russia in an attack on Israel. Chuck Missler writes in his book Prophecy 20/20 that “the apparent use of nuclear weapons has made this passage [Ezekiel 38 and 39] appear remarkably timely, and some suspect that it may be on our horizon.�1 Prophecy writers have made similar claims, of course without the reference to “nuclear weapons.� They claimed to hold the prophetic...

Chuck Smith, founder of Calvary Chapel and senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, California, has authored another prophecy book: The Final Act: Setting the Stage of the End Times Drama. The book carries the ringing endorsement of Tim LaHaye, co-author with Jerry Jenkins of the widely popular Left Behind series of prophetic novels. LaHaye offers the following complimentary words: “This unique dramatic treatment is both true to the Scripture and practical—both hallmarks of all Pastor Chuck’s teaching! I found it very interesting.� In addition to his new prophecy book, Smith has written the Foreword to Breaking the Apocalypse Code...

In 1977, D. S. Russell warned that end-time theorists might “create the very situation which is being described [in their prophetic writings] so that the interpretation given brings about its own fulfillment.�1 Paul Boyer, professor emeritus of history at the University of Wisconsin at Madison and currently a visiting professor of history at the College of William and Mary and a long-time analyst of prophetic themes and their impact on politics,2 pointed out as recently as 2003 that “as the nation debates a march toward war in the Middle East, all of us would do well to pay attention to...

Ever seen a Picasso? Ever tried to understand a "cubist" painting? It’s a lot like trying to understand Dispensational thinking. Here's a gem for you, in response to a Reformed critique of Dispensationalism. This is the defense that was given: ”The dispensationalist’s answer to the problem is this: The BASIS of salvation in every age is the death of Christ; the REQUIREMENT for salvation in every age is faith; the OBJECT of faith in every age is God; the CONTENT of faith changes in the various dispensations.” "Dispensationalism Today” Charles Ryrie pg 123. Now, folks, what is the sound of...

Replacement theology has become dispensationalism's latest prophetic boogeyman. If you want to end a debate over eschatology, just charge your opponent with holding to replacement theology. What is “replacement theology,� sometimes called “supersessionism,� and why do dispensationalists accuse non-dispensationalists of holding it? Here’s a typical dispensational definition: Replacement Theology: a theological perspective that teaches that the Jews have been rejected by God and are no longer God’s Chosen People. Those who hold to this view disavow any ethnic future for the Jewish people in connection with the biblical covenants, believing that their spiritual destiny is either to perish or become...

An article is circulating around the Internet that carries the title “Israel Warns World War III May be Biblical War of Gog and Magog.� It is written by Ezra HaLevi and was published in Israel National News.1 The article begins with the following prophetic claims, not unlike so many evangelical and fundamentalist end-time assurances about the end: US President George W. Bush said a nuclear Iran would mean World War III. Israeli newscasts featured Gog & Magog maps of the likely alignment of nations in that potential conflict. Channel 2 and Channel 10 TV showed the world map, sketching the...

Hal Lindsey is once again misapplying the Bible to modern-day geo-political events. Here is his claim: You know, I fear for both President Bush and Secretary Rice. I also fear for my beloved country. They must be ignorant of a prophecy God made 2,500 years ago through the Hebrew prophet Zechariah. It applies to this precise time and situation in history. God said, “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples. …� The people surrounding Jerusalem are all the current Muslim nations.1Zechariah 12 has its own interpretive historical clues to help us identify the...

Yes and yes. No, it's not in the Scofield Reference or Ryrie Study Bibles. It seems that some of our dispensational friends have yet to read the memo. See this example sent to me a by a friend. This writer, whom I do not know, claims that folk such as we talk about the apostolic hermeneutic and claim to be able to replicate it but never say what it is. One throws up one's hands in amazement and wonder.

In April 2007, I made my way through Dr. MacArthur’s controversial lecture, “Why Every Self-Respecting Calvinist Is a Premillennialist” (given at the Shepherd’s Conference at Grace Community Church, on March 7, 2007). The lecture can be ordered here (Click here: MacArthur: Why Every Self-Respecting Calvinist is a Premillennialist « Faith by Hearing). Regrettably, I am just now getting around to completing my response–my day job kept getting in the way. Better late than never, perhaps? ... I. Dr. MacArthur on Premillennialism and Calvinism: “Now that leads to my title: `Why Every Self-Respecting Calvinist Is a Premillennialist’ [laughter and applause] Now...

MacArthur’s Millennial Manifesto Chapter 9: Together for the Gospel? Of Panmillennialism and Hyper-Preterism! There are, of course, eschatological issues that impact our understanding of the Gospel. We—many of us at least—are accustomed to thinking of eschatology as merely a secondary issue. We have all heard the one about Panmillennialism. (You know—He’s the Christian who tells you lightheartedly that his eschatology is that everything will “pan out” alright in the end.) There are some eschatological disputes, however, that are important enough to bring up in the discussion of issues essential to the Gospel. Here is where I sympathize with MacArthur. MacArthur...

MacArthur’s Millennial Manifesto–Chapter 8: Of Jewish Evangelism [Part of a mutipart series by Dr., Waldron wherein he challenges John MacArthur’s thesis that every good Calvinist ought to be premillennial. Dr. Waldron is a Reformed Baptist and amillennial in his eschatology, and he is pastor of the Heritage Baptist Church of Owensboro, Kentucky] MacArthur is convinced that the eschatology has enormously practical implications. It is on one of these implications that he closes. He believes that only his eschatology lays a wonderful foundation for Jewish evangelism. He is certain that Amillennialism undermines it. Here are some of the closing words of...

I was making my semi-annual trip through the local Christian bookstore (actually, a trinket store) when I saw the third reincarnation of John F. Walvoord's best-seller Armageddon, Oil and the Middle East. Originally published back in 1974 by Zondervan, the book was re-issued with a snazzy new cover after Operation Desert Storm in 1990. Lo and behold, here it was again on the shelves of a Christian bookstore! This time published by Tyndale with an update (apparently) by Mark Hitchcock. I refused to buy it (since I've already purchased the two prior incarnations), so I can't tell you what has...

John Hagee’s “Christians United for Israel� held its annual meeting in Washington, D.C., last month (July 2007). Supporters of CUFI are looking forward to Armageddon. Of course, they believe they won’t be around to experience it. God will finally fulfill his covenant promises to Israel, but not until He wipes out millions of Jews and billions of others around the world in one final judgment. No wonder an increasing number of people fear “Dr. Armageddon� and his millions of followers. Could their political clout push us toward an all-out Mideast war? There are Jews who support Hagee and CUFI, but...

Joel Rosenberg is a very popular writer who tells a compelling story. His books are even endorsed by Rush Limbaugh. In his book Epicenter, which ranks high up on the Amazon best-selling chart, Rosenberg argues that the current animus between Israel and Iran is actually foretold in chapters 38-39 of the famous prophecy of Ezekiel regarding Gog and Magog. As Rosenberg sees things, one day soon Israel will find itself cornered by a Russian-Iranian-Arab alliance which will threaten Israel's very existence. To prove his point he cites from a number of military, political and journalistic sources. He is probably right...

Dispensationalism - A Reformed Evaluation    If you have your Bibles, I would invite you to turn with me to Romans chapter 2.  I want to point your attention to two verses.  We are going to begin today by making some observations about dispensationalism and then we are going to give a rapid overview to the Davidic Covenant and especially the establishment of the house of David in II Samuel 7.  But first I want you to concentrate on two verses here at the end of Romans 2, 2:28-29.  Hear God’s Word.       “For he is not a Jew who...

Michael Ruse, Professor of Philosophy at Florida State University, devotes a chapter to the subject of eschatology in his book The Evolution-Creation Struggle.1 He believes that the interpretive methodology of dispensational premillennialism is inexorably linked to the way its advocates defend their position on creation. Ruse isn’t the first to point this out. I’ve been making the same claim for years. It’s about to catch up with young-earth/global flood creationsists. Consider the following comments on Matthew 24:34 from Henry M. Morris, a dispensationalist and a founding father of the modern-day creationist movement. The following comments on “this generation� come from...

[I am going to try something new over the next couple of weeks in this blog. I have just now named it “blog a book.” I am responding to MacArthur’s recent introductory sermon at the 2007 Shepherds’ Conference. You can help me write this response by your comments and input. So here goes with Chapter 1.] In fact, this brings me to what is perhaps the major reason why I am writing this response. Actually, I am thankful to MacArthur for lending us his name. Now that he has valiantly addressed this subject. We are at liberty to respond to...

If you want to know when an event in the Bible is to happen, look for time indicators. Some of them are very specific: after three days, in 40 days, after 40 years, at the completion of 70 years. There are less specific time indicators like “near,� “shortly,� “quickly,� and “at hand.� These time words are at the heart of the debate between those who claim that certain prophetic events have already taken place and those who maintain they are yet to be fulfilled. The division between these two views is deep and wide, and yet the implications for interpretive...

I just received a book notice from Moody Press for a new commentary on Revelation by John MacArthur with the title Because the Time is Near. At this time I will forego a critique of MacArthur’s use of “near� to describe an event he believes is “near� while the use of “near� by New Testament writers (e.g., James 5:8; Rev. 1:3) did not mean “near� when they used the same word. For years, I have been dealing with issues related to the last days. I got involved in this topic because Christians were using last-days theology as a way to...