Hilarity ensues!

18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

 28And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32Though they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. – Rom. 1:18-32

Awhile back I blogged on a favorable book review of Dan Phillips’ “The World Tilting Gospel” by Matt Shultz.

As an update Dan Phillips has a post up today at Pyro pointing readers to the tantalizing fact that for a limited time Amazon is allowing FREE downloads of TWTG for Kindle.  As most of our readers probably know you don’t actually need a Kindle to read Kindle e-books.  There are numerous apps out there that allow many devices to behave like a Kindle reader.

Dan also points Pyro readers to a few resources that are giving away hard copies of the book for those who prefer to hold an actual paper-and-ink book in one’s hands.

I’ve read numerous reviews of the book since reading Matt’s, and I’ve begun reading Dan’s book myself, and I definitely recommend that DefCon readers avail themselves to this excellent and Biblical treatment of the Gospel.  To God be the glory, great things He hath done!

And don’t forget that “I’ve been to heaven and back” noted Biblical scholar, exegete, and expository genius Jesse Duplantis will join other Magisterial Christian giants of the faith on October 30th, 2011 during the 30th anniversary “Night to Honor Israel” at John Hagee’s Cornerstone Church in San Antonio (** a non-conversionary event **).

Renowned and respected teachers of God’s Word such as Dr. Creflo Dollar will be on hand to open up the riches of the Holy Scriptures for Christ’s flock.

Join Drs. Hagee, Dollar and Mr. Duplantis for a serious, sober, and reflective evening fully immersed in sound, Biblical doctrine and powerful Christ-centered truths mined from their combined years of faithfully toiling in God’s Holy Word.

That or prepare yourself for a heresy-palooza of truly Biblical proportions…

Weep.

Rejoice.

Pray.

HT: Triablogue

Sunday!  Sunday!! Sunday!!! 

We’ll sell you the whole seat, but you’ll only need the EDGE!!!  We bring the Word of God with a holy punch right in your kisser at GUTS CHURCH TULSA!!!  It’s NOT your grandma’s church!!! Booo-yaaahhh!!!

Okay, so I made up the intro. 

But I don’t think my imaginary promo is too far from reality.  “GUTS Church” in Tulsa, OK has made the news several times with their over-the-top shenanigans, but sadly they made the news today because a former TU linebacker George Clinkscale died after participating in an illegal, unsanctioned boxing match sponsored by this organization masquerading as a church. 

This is not GUTS’ first appearance on DefCon, in fact the Pilgrim posted a piece about them a few years ago entitled “Hip Hopera” the church Christmas play.

They’ve also managed to make at least two appearances at The Museum of Idolatry for their “You University” sermon series which was also covered on the Fighting for the Faith radio program, and their Nightmare Haunted House “outreach”.

Perhaps jail time stemming from their illegal boxing match, thereby possibly contributing to the death of George Clinkscale, will do GUTS church leadership some good. 

Oh yeah, and “pastor” Bill Scheer and his “pastrix” wife Sandy are Pentasmatic word of faith prosperity pimps.  What were the odds of that in connection with everything else wrong with this “church”?  Go figure.

See also:

Rob Bell: a Brother to Embrace, or a Wolf to Avoid?

Rob Bell: “Evangelical and orthodox to the bone?” Hardly

Rob Bell’s Unbelief in His own Words

Bell’s Inferno

My criteria is simple, I’m showing you what I see on my internet browser history’s frequently visited sites list.  Here’s the list in no particular order (excluding DefCon):

1. Pyromaniacs
2. TurretinFan
3. Triablogue
4. Apologetics315
5. Alpha and Omega Ministries

Honorable Mentions from my “Favorites” list:

• The Highway
• SermonAudio.com
• GTY
• Monergism
• Bible Bulletin Board
• CCEL
• Banner of Truth
• Scripture Truths
• Precept Austin
• Founders.org
• Bible Research
• Grace Online Library
• Christian Truth

**Disclaimer:  I don’t necessarily endorse all the views of all the authors/contributors/articles contained in the links provided, however I do find these resources to be generally edifying, Christ-honoring, uplifting, and often challenging.**

***UPDATE:  I’ve been advised by a reader that Apologetics315 contains links to, and favorable articles about, individuals such as “Peter Kreeft, Hugh Ross, C.S.Lewis, and others that the young and ignorant Christian needs to stay away from.  It also links to Peter Kreeft as a recommended apologetics website.”   While I find the websites linked above to be generally useful, the discerning Christian reader should always be very careful and measure all the claims of men by the Word of God. ***

Check it out.

(Pay no attention to T-blogue’s broke down header.  Apparently Steve Hays forgot to pay their header bill last month…)

Evaluation: Recommended

Dan Phillips (of Pyromaniacs fame) has written The World-Tilting Gospel (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2011; hereafter TWTG) to address a critical concern with Christianity in the West. Given our enormous technological, material and educational advantages, why is our influence on culture and society so decidedly anemic? Phillips observes that the earliest Christians, with virtually none of the benefits we enjoy today, “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). This description, offered by irate citizens unnerved by the message and life of some local believers, reminds us that the Gospel is world-tilting. Phillips, however, is not promoting yet another church planting technique, communications fad or insipid marketing strategy, nor is his objective simply to “influence” the surrounding culture in some sort of ephemeral, moralistic manner. He argues that the profound, agitating influence of the early Christians was due to their life and message being centered around Jesus Christ and his Gospel. That Christianity has lost this influence reveals that it neither understands nor appreciates the Gospel. In TWTG, Phillips charts a course back the Gospel-centered life by expositing the core principles of the Gospel—broadly defined to include concepts necessary to understand it, such as God’s holiness, the original intent for creation, etc.—and applying these truths to the Christian life.

Continue reading here.

Philippians 2:7 says Jesus “emptied Himself” (NASB)—or if you’re using the ESV, He “made himself nothing.” Those are both legitimate translations of the Greek verb κενόω, (kenóō) but they must be interpreted carefully in a way that does not contradict the rest of Scripture.

Specifically, because we know that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever,” (Hebrews 13:8), Philippians 2:7 cannot mean that Jesus emptied himself of His deity or laid aside any of His divine attributes when He took on humanity. That is the view of “Kenotic” theology, which is seriously heterodox.

Continue reading here.

Read and listen to John MacArthur speak the truth in love in his excellent work, Charismatic Chaos.

1. Libertarian Free Will has, as a core element, the ability of a person to do otherwise. [def.]

2. The ability to do A means the power to bring A into existence. [def.]

3. The ability to do A given B means the power to bring A into joint existence with already-existent B. [def.]

4. If it is logically impossible for A to exist jointly with B, then it is impossible to bring A into joint existence with already-existent B. [def.]

5. Let A refer to a person doing otherwise than X, and let B refer to God foreseeing the person doing X (at the same time and in the same way, etc.). [def.]

6. It is logically impossible for A to exist jointly with B. [implied from 5 by consideration of God's infallibility of foresight]

7. Therefore, it is impossible to bring A into joint existence with already-existent B. [from 4 and 6]

8. Therefore, it is impossible to do A, given B. [from 3 and 7]

9. Therefore, given God’s foresight that a person will do X, it is impossible for the person to do otherwise than X. [from 5 and 8]

10. Therefore, Libertarian Free Will is false. [from 1 and 9]

HT: TurretinFan

See Also:

The Doctrines of Grace – Loraine Boettner

Job is the Biblical archetype of the patient, suffering saint.  Like me you’ve probably heard people use the phrase, “He [or she] has the patience of Job!”  Perhaps [like me] you’ve even used it yourself.  But having studied Job at some length I’ve come to realize what a flippant, throw-away rimshot line that little cliché really is.

Let’s be honest, you and I have never met anyone with the patience of Job.  Job’s patience truly is the stuff of legend.  Here was a man who the Scriptures testify was “blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil” (1:1)—”none like him on the earth” (v.8).

Phil Johnson does a yeoman’s work in succinctly expositing Job and capturing the essence of the book in an amazing economy of words and ideas.  Phil’s editorial skills shine as brightly here as I’ve ever seen them.  Do yourself a big favor, and treat your spirit to this excellent article.

The Patience of Job – Living by Faith, Not Feelings

by Phil Johnson

Nevertheless there’s certainly room within the fellowship of the saints to encourage one another to continued and increasing levels of Christ-likeness, and to recognize God’s grace at work in the lives of our brothers and sisters in the Lord.  With this in mind I’m very pleased to direct your attention to what is easily one of the best blog posts I’ve ever read, posted by my friend and brother, the pseudonymous Turretinfan.

In light of a recent and lengthy exchange with a proponent of the so-called “Federal Vision” I found this piece to be especially timely and providential.  It’s Biblically rigorous, doctrinally sound, and offers great and humbling encouragement to the saints of God.  I hope you’ll read it. 

Soli Deo Gloria!

Why is Union with Christ so Important?

Fox reports that Robert Schuller has been tossed from the board of Crystal Cathedral Ministries.

What happened to “honor among thieves”?

Maybe Dr. Schuller can read his book “Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do” during his, ahem, “downtime”.

Austin Duncan offers up some interesting thoughts on the topic of ecclesiology with a particular focus on the Family-Integrated Church model during this session of the 2011 Shepherd’s Conference – with Voddie Baucham in attendance no less!  Listen here.

Bonus: Q&A

The following letter was written by John Newton, perhaps best known as the writer of the hymn “Amazing Grace” to a minister with whom he was acquainted on the occasion of the latter pastor’s penning of an open letter to be published which was critical of another minister’s theological orthodoxy.  May we heed godly brother Newton’s admonitions to his fellow minister of the eternal Gospel of grace.

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins, in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience — among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.  among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.  But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. - Eph. 2:1-7

Dear Sir,

As you are likely to be engaged in controversy, and your love of truth is joined with a natural warmth of temper, nay friendship makes me solicitous on your behalf. You are of the strongest side; for truth is great, and must prevail; so that a person of abilities inferior to yours might take the field with a confidence of victory. I am not therefore anxious for the event of the battle. But I would have you more than a conqueror, and to triumph, not only over your adversary, but over yourself. If you cannot be vanquished, you may be wounded. To preserve you from such wounds as might give you cause of weeping over your conquests, I would present you with some considerations, which, if duly attended to, will do you the service of a coat of armor; for you will easily perceive it is taken from that great armory provided for the Christian soldier, the word of God. I take it for granted, that you will not expect any apology for my freedom, and therefore I shall not offer one. For method sake, I may reduce my advice to three heads, respecting your opponent, the public, and yourself.

1. As to your opponent, I wish, that, before you set pen to paper against him, and during the whole time you are preparing your answer, you may commend him by earnest prayer to the Lord’s teaching and blessing. This practice will have a direct tendency to conciliate your heart to love and pity him; and such a disposition will have a good influence upon every page you write. If you account him a believer, though greatly mistaken in the subject of debate between you, the words of David to Joab, concerning Absalom, are very applicable: “Deal gently with him for my sake.” The Lord loves him and bears with him; therefore you must not despise him, or treat him harshly. The Lord bears with you likewise, and expects that you should show tenderness to others, from a sense of the much forgiveness you need yourself.

In a little while you will meet in heaven; he will then be dearer to you than the nearest friend you have upon earth is to you now. Anticipate that period in your thoughts; and though you may find it necessary to oppose his errors, view him personally as a kindred soul, with whom you are to be happy in Christ forever. But if you look upon him as an unconverted person, in a state of enmity against God and his grace, (a supposition which, without good evidence, you should be very unwilling to admit,) he is a more proper object of your pity and compassion than of your anger. Alas! “he knows not what he does.” But you know who has made you to differ. If God, in his sovereign pleasure, had so appointed, you might have been as he is now; and he, instead of you, might have been set for the defense of the Gospel. You were both equally blind by nature. If you attend to this, you will not reproach or hate him, because the Lord has been pleased to open your eyes, and not his.

Of all people who engage in controversy, we, who are called Calvinists, are most expressly bound by our own principles to the exercise of gentleness and moderation. If, indeed, those who differ from us have a power of changing themselves, if they can open their own eyes, and soften their own hearts, then we might with less inconsistency be offended at their obstinacy; but if we believe the very contrary to this, our part is, not to strive, but in meekness to instruct those who oppose, “if perhaps God will give them repentance to the acknowledgment of the truth.”

If you write with a desire of being an instrument of correcting mistakes, you will of course be cautious of laying stumbling-blocks in the way of the blind, or of using any expressions that may exasperate their passions, confirm them in their prejudices, and thereby make their conviction, humanly speaking, more impracticable.

2. By printing, you will appeal to the public; where your readers may be ranged under three divisions. First, such as differ from you in principle. Concerning these I may refer you to what I have already said. Though you have your eye upon one person chiefly, there are many like-minded with him; and the same reasoning will hold, whether as to one or to a million.

There will be likewise many who pay too little regard to religion, to have any settled system of their own, and yet are pre-engaged in favor of those sentiments which are least repugnant to the good opinion men naturally have of themselves. These are very incompetent judges of doctrines; but they can form a tolerable judgment of a writer’s spirit. They know that that meekness, humility, and love, are the characteristics of a Christian temper; and though they affect to treat the doctrines of grace as mere notions and speculations, which, supposing they adopted them, would have no beneficial influence upon their conduct; yet from us, who profess these principles, they always expect such dispositions as correspond with the precepts of the Gospel. They are quick-sighted to discern when we deviate from such a spirit, and avail themselves of it to justify their contempt of our arguments.

The Scriptural maxim, that “the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God,” is verified by daily observation. If our zeal is embittered by expressions of anger, invective, or scorn, we may think we are doing service to the cause of truth, when in reality we shall only bring-it into discredit. The weapons of our warfare, and which alone are powerful to break down the strongholds of error, are not carnal, but spiritual; arguments fairly drawn from Scripture and experience, and enforced by such a mild address as may persuade our readers, that, whether we can convince them or not, we wish well to their souls, and contend only for the truth’s sake. If we can satisfy them that we act upon these motives, our point is half gained; they will be more disposed to consider calmly what we offer: and if they should still dissent from our opinions, they will be constrained to approve our intentions.

You will have a third class of readers, who, being of your own sentiments, will readily approve of what you advance, and may be further established and confirmed in their views of the Scripture doctrines, by a clear and masterly elucidation of your subject. You may be instrumental to their edification, if the law of kindness as well as of truth regulates your pen, otherwise you may do them harm.

There is a principle of self, which disposes us to despise those who differ from us; and we are often under its influence, when we think we are only showing a befitting zeal in the cause of God. I readily believe, that the leading points of Arminianism spring from, and are nourished by, the pride of the human heart; but I would be glad if the reverse was always true; and that to embrace what are called the Calvinistic doctrines was an infallible token of an humble mind. I have known some Arminians—that is, people who, for lack of clearer light, have been afraid of receiving the doctrines of free grace—who yet have given evidence that their hearts were in a degree humbled before the Lord. And I am afraid there are Calvinists, who, while they account it a proof of their humility that they are willing in words to debase the creature, and to give all the glory of salvation to the Lord, yet know not what manner of spirit they are of.

Whatever it is which makes us trust in ourselves that we are comparatively wise or good, so as to treat those with contempt who do not subscribe to our doctrines, or follow our party—is a proof and fruit of a self-righteous spirit. Self-righteousness can feed upon doctrines, as well as upon works; and a man may have the heart of a Pharisee, while his head is stored with orthodox notions of the unworthiness of the creature and the riches of free grace. Yes, I would add, the best of men are not wholly free from this leaven; and therefore are too apt to be pleased with such representations as hold up our adversaries to ridicule—and by consequence flatter our own superior judgments. Controversies, for the most part, are so managed as to indulge rather than to repress this wrong disposition; and therefore, generally speaking, they are productive of little good. They provoke those whom they should convince, and puff up those whom they should edify. I hope your performance will savor of a spirit of true humility, and be a means of promoting it in others.

3. This leads me, in the last place, to consider your own concern in your present undertaking. It seems a laudable service to defend the faith once delivered to the saints; we are commanded to contend earnestly for it, and to convince gainsayers. If ever such defenses were seasonable and expedient, they appear to be so in our day, when errors abound on all sides, and every truth of the Gospel is either directly denied, or grossly misrepresented. And yet we find but very few writers of controversy, who have not been manifestly hurt by it. Either they grow in a sense of their own importance, or imbibe an angry contentious spirit, or they insensibly withdraw their attention from those things which are the food and immediate support of the life of faith, and spend their time and strength upon matters which at most are but of a secondary value. This shows, that, if the service is honorable, it is dangerous. What will it profit a man if he gains his cause, and silences his adversary, if at the same time he loses that humble, tender frame of spirit in which the Lord delights, and to which the promise of his presence is made! Your aim, I doubt not, is good; but you have need to watch and pray, for you will find Satan at your right hand to resist you: he will try to debase your views; and though you set out in defense of the cause of God, if you are not continually looking to the Lord to keep you, it may become your own cause, and awaken in you those tempers which are inconsistent with true peace of mind, and will surely obstruct communion with God.

Be upon your guard against admitting anything personal into the debate. If you think you have been ill treated, you will have an opportunity of showing that you are a disciple of Jesus, who, “when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not.” This is our pattern, thus we are to speak and write for God, “not rendering railing for railing, but, contrariwise, blessing; knowing that hereunto we are called.” The wisdom which is from above is not only pure, but peaceable and gentle; and the lack of these qualifications, like the dead fly in the pot of ointment, will spoil the savor and efficacy of our labors.

If we act in a wrong spirit, we shall bring little glory to God, do little good to our fellow-creatures, and procure neither honor nor comfort to ourselves. If you can be content with showing your wit, and gaining the laugh on your side, you have an easy task; but I hope you have a far nobler aim, and that, sensible of the solemn importance of Gospel truths, and the compassion due to the souls of men, you would rather be a means of removing prejudices in a single instance, than obtain the empty applause of thousands. Go forth, therefore, in the name and strength of the Lord Almighty, speaking the truth in love; and may he give you a witness in many hearts, that you are taught of God, and favored with the unction of his Holy Spirit.

By Mark Metcalfe, Getty Images

“Michelle Shocked will play at the Wild Goose Festival in Durham, N.C., next week, a venue for 20-somethings who love God but aren’t thrilled with institutional Christianity.

That must mean it’s time for an old-fashioned camp meeting.

Starting Thursday, the bygone staple of the tent revival will be reincarnated on a bucolic farm as The Wild Goose Festival. Nearly 10 years in the making, the festival is an attempt to reimagine Christianity for the 21st century under a bigger, wider more inclusive tent.

The four-day festival is expected to draw thousands of young campers and some of the leading lights of the so-called Emergent Christianity movement.

With musicians such as David Wilcox and Michelle Shocked, and speakers such as Brian McLaren, Jay Bakker, and Shane Claiborne, festival leaders hope to establish the premier venue for 20-somethings who love God but aren’t thrilled with institutional Christianity, particularly the religious right.”

Ken Silva well summarizes this heresy-palooza event thusly:

“The wise Christian will have nothing to do with these neo-Gnostic fools who’ve unbuckled themselves from the Word of God and have embarked upon their Wild Goose Chase of subjective experience,” wrote Southern Baptist blogger Ken Silva of New Hampshire-based Apprising Ministries.

Read Ken’s article here.

See also:

APPRISING MINISTRIES HITS MARK ON THE WILD GOOSE FESTIVAL

THE EMERGING CHURCH ON A WILD GOOSE CHASE

HT: Rho

- J.C. Ryle

1816 – 1900

The newest guaranteed date for the end of the world is now officially October 21st 2011.  This, dear readers is a sad example of a hardened apostate heart, and a stiffened rebellious neck that is lifted up with spiritual pride.

Mr. Camping,

Once again the Lord has proven you to be a false teacher.  Your date setting antics have once again been proven to be both unbiblical, and anti-Christian.  You have blasphemously attempted to make the Lord Jesus Christ out to be a liar by denying His Word, and asserting your own in its place.

But you sir, are the liar; and this fact has been proven - again. 

I strongly urge you to publicly admit your error, and repent of your sinful pride.  You and your ministry, which are tireless in spreading lies about the return of the Lord and bearing false witness against His church, are indicative of a false religious system which is damnable.

You must be born-again.  Turn from your wicked ways and turn to the real Jesus Christ of Scripture, not the idol you have fashioned after your own likeness and in your own image, and encourage your deceived followers to do the same.

Repent.

From Fox News

This wouldn’t be the first time Camping was wrong.

In 1992, Camping wrote a book titled “1994?” about the world coming to an end that year.

He wrote, “When September 6, 1994, arrives, no one else can become saved. The end has come.”

He said this earlier apocalyptic prediction didn’t come true because of a mathematical error.

“I’m not embarrassed about it. It was just the fact that it was premature,” he told The Associated Press last month. But this time, he said, “there is…no possibility that it will not happen.”

“No Timmy, Mommy doesn’t have time to read your book! Now go put it down and let’s get you in bed Little Mister Monkey!” Timmy shuffled his feet a bit. He never likes bedtime.  Always an excuse!  Tish looked down at him there in his bright red fire engine pajamas…so little…so helpless and dependent…

There it is again.

Raw emotion.

Love.

Pure love.

Strong love.

That familiar, overpowering, gripping love that only a mother knows.

I would die for him.

Was that apple sauce on his collar? No time to worry about that right now, it was half past ten and way past bedtime.

“No time”…What does that even mean?, Tish thought. A dark chuckle escaped unexpectedly.

Timmy’s well worn copy of “Goodnight Moon” was lying face down on the tile. Something else to trip over during the night; I’ll get it later.

“Later”…another chuckle, this time darker still.

She scooped Timmy up and gave him a gentle squeeze, “Kiss, Mommy?”, he asked. How did he get such blue eyes? She plunged into those little blue pools, losing herself for a moment, for an eternity, so sweet, so innocent…

It’s not fair, he won’t even get to grow up! Won’t learn to ride a bike! Won’t enjoy…

Stop it! Stop it right now Tish!

“The Lord rebuke thee, Satan!”she said under her breath.

“Thee, thee, thee, thee, thee…”, Timmy playfully echoed.

Okay Mithter, into bed you go! Wheeeee!!!

Delighted chuckles.

Unencumbered chuckles.

The free laughter of innocence, unspoiled by the knowledge of good and evil.

How had she gotten upstairs already? She never liked the way this house was laid out, bedrooms upstairs except for the master. It was hard to hear from down there, and Timmy’s asthma had given her and Bruce so many scares…so many sleepless nights.

I wonder how Bruce has been doing?

He had been so angry about the news. “You’ve got to be kidding me, Tish! You’re not going to fall for that guy’s lies are you? Can’t you see that he’s a faker? Look him up online honey, the guy’s a fruitcake!”

But Bruce had always been that way about spiritual things. He never believed. Never cared. What else could she have expected? How could she have known that they would grow apart?  That they would be driven apart? God chose her and He didn’t choose Bruce, what could she do about it except pray? She prayed so much. Pleading. Tearfully. But it just wasn’t the Lord’s will.  She chose her path and he chose his.

Joining a church had never been an option for Bruce and Tish, he was so hardened!  But the Lord works in mysterious ways. She was so depressed, so low, so alone. Brother Camping came along at just the right time, in the Lord’s timing.

What’s it been, two years now? How old is Timmy?

Divorce.

The thought tied her stomach into knots all over again. How could he? A new baby to care for, medical bills, a house payment. They had just moved from Fresno and didn’t know a soul. How could he?!?

“Kiss, kiss Mr. Monkey! Mmmmmmmaaaaaah! Now you go to sleep like a big boy, okay? Mommy loves you, sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite!”

Sleep tight tonight, because tomorrow night…

“He made the same prediction for 1994, Tish, and that didn’t come true, did it? DID IT?!? I’m not having this conversation again, what’s wrong with you? I didn’t know a married a future cultist!” Bruce was livid. The snide remarks again…typical…belittling…just like daddy.

“Look, I don’t know why you’re so obsessed with this religious nut and his cult but you’re going to have to make a decision because it’s him or me. I’m tired of your constant harping about that old fool’s rantings, and it’s going to stop here and now, or I’m gone for good!”

knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires…

Tish stiffened as she walked out of Timmy’s room and closed the door.

Sleep tight honey…

II.

I can’t believe this is it!

The sun spilled through the curtains into Tish’s blinking face. What is today?

It’s the day before. Before eternity. The day before the Day.

She listened quietly. Breathing. Soft breathing.

He’s still asleep. I’ll let him sleep in.

Drowsily she laid her head back on the softly beckoning pillows and stared blankly at the ceiling. Swirls of mottled shadow and light danced over her. I wonder how they make those patterns?

She fumbled for her glasses and cast an angry glance at the clock. Three minutes past nine.

Bruce bought that clock radio when they first got married.

I better fix breakfast.

Last breakfast, last lunch, last supper. Another chuckle escaped. Last Supper!

What would Jesus do? There were no instructions for this day. Brother Camping encouraged the home groups to meet together one last time, Tish’s group’s last meeting was on Monday. Now it was Saturday. Were they all saved? No one knew. No one could know for sure. God only knows.

They hugged and wept and went their separate ways. A candlelight vigil or something might have been nice. Or maybe it would have been awkward. Who’s to say?

What if it doesn’t happen?

“The Lord rebuke thee, Satan!” Oh, too loud!

Timmy stirred.

Shhhhhhhh Tish!!! You’ll wake him!

Why was she crying? Trembling?

What if it doesn’t happen?

No, no, no, no, no! I’m not doing this! I’m not!

Isn’t that exactly what Bruce said?

Sobbing now. Uncontrollably. So alone.

Where are you Lord? Why have you forsaken me?

What if it doesn’t happen?

shut up, Shut Up, SHUT UP!!!

Is that the phone?

Who would be calling at this hour of the morning? The home group agreed not to reach out to one another. Bruce? No…don’t be foolish.

I better grab it before the noise wakes Timmy.

Hello? Mom? Oh, uh, hi Mom…

We’ve not spoken in months! Why is she calling me? Does she need another self-righteousness trip or something?

Oh I’m fine, yeah; no he’s asleep…yeah I’m letting him sleep in a little this morning; Saturday and all. No he’s good, he’s good. Not had any asthma attacks in awhile…no…he’s doing good.

Yeah, it’s been on the news, I know.  Yeah, well, yeah that’s kind of the whole point mom it’s to warn peop…what?!?

No, I don’t plan to, no…

Why are you even saying that?  I can’t believe you…

No it’s not, uh, it’s not like that Mom. Mom I wouldn’t hurt him or myself, PLEASE MOM!! How could you even…NO…Mom no I’m; Mom please listen please…YES I’M CRYING MOM, you would too if your mother just asked if you were going to…no mom…I told you I’m not having this conversation again, I’m hanging up now, I’m hanging up.

Why won’t they listen?

For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’

Get ahold of yourself Tish, get it together girl, breathe, breathe…

At least we got the message out. No one can say we didn’t try to warn them. Brother Camping has given everything. He gave it all. Greater love has no man than this…

Will Timmy make it?

We just can’t know such things. Such knowledge is too wonderful for us. His ways are mysterious.

I know He does all things well. Will not the judge of the earth do right?

This kitchen is a mess!  And all those dishes!

Out of milk again.

We’ll never use a whole gallon in one day. Maybe when Timmy wakes we’ll walk to the corner and buy a half-gallon. Will we use that much? It doesn’t matter. Nothing really matters. Nothing except…

Yes, that’s all that really matters now.

What if it doesn’t happen?

Nagging. Doubt.

But if it didn’t happen, I mean, that wouldn’t be so bad, would it? Really? Maybe he’s wrong. Lots of smart people seem to think it’s possible. Is it possible? I heard someone talking about it. Maybe the calculations are off? And what about that Lord saying that “no man knows”?

What if it doesn’t happen?

Is that crying?

Mommy’s coming sweetie; I’m coming to get you…it’s okay baby, it’s okay…mama’s here, mama’s here.

No, not that kind…this kind.

The End is Near? The False Teaching of Harold Camping – by Al Mohler

The End of the World As We Know It?  Prediction of Saturday “Rapture” is Fuel for Faithful, Doubters –  by Fox News

Preacher Claiming the Rapture on May 21st ‘holds onto his stuff’ –  by WorldnetDaily

May 21, 2011 . . . much to do about nothing. 

Date Setters’ Moral Conundra

Signs of the Times Redux

Signs of the Times 

Does the Bible Guarantee Camping’s Prediction? –  by TurretinFan

Camping Rained Out by Flood – by TurretinFan

Counting Down with Camping – by TurretinFan

The End of the World According to Harold Camping – by W. Robert Godfrey

Harold Camping: Modern Day Cult Leader – by James R. White (Editor’s Note: A host of valuable related links are embedded in this article)

Harold Camping: The Madness of Date Setting – by David R. Reagan

Other Views: Harold Camping – Institute for Biblical & Scientific Studies

Harold Camping is Wrong - Again – by Apologetics Index

100% wrong, that is, 100% of the time.

So what compels the date setter?  What’s his motivation?  I’m no expert, and there’s little doubt that there are all sorts of extraneous “reasons” one might rightly deduce, but at the bottom of things we must conclude that it is just plain old fashioned sinful pride. 

Such men desire to be followed, and as history confirms there’s no shortage of folks who are willing and eager to attach themselves to a spiritual guru, no matter how ludicrous and manifestly unbiblical his notions might be.  Several examples come to mind, but in an effort to keep this post on topic I’ll avoid that detour and focus on the subject at hand, the date setters’ moral conundra.

I’ve been wondering about the practical implications of a date setter’s predictions for himself and his followers, and I’d like to open the topic for discussion amongst DefCon’s readership. Setting aside the obvious and deeply troubling eternal spiritual issues for the moment, let’s focus a bit on the practical, temporal considerations which nevertheless contain several important moral overtones, especially for the professing Christian.

Specifically I’m wondering about the practical concerns of the date setter himself, his family, his followers, and possibly even his employees who have believed his lies.

For example since they became aware of this fixed date have they accrued worldly liabilities (debt) that they have fully paid off, or worse perhaps that they never intended to repay in the first place?

Are they selling their earthly goods and/or giving them away?

Have they prepared for an orderly transfer of their earthly estates?

Have they given their two-weeks notice at work?

If they have family members who are gravely ill or hospitalized have they arranged for their long term care, assuming they believe they will be “left behind”?

If a date setter adherent becomes gravely ill or injured a few hours before the end, should they seek medical attention, or just die?  For example, say the date setter adherent is on the way to the candlelight gathering where the faithful are huddled to await the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord (which is now only hours away), and she has a traffic accident where one of her children is significantly injured and in need of an immediate blood transfusion and intensive medical care.  Does she just waive the services and allow the child to die, since the Lord is returning in a few hours, or does she approve the care to be administered?

Or what if a date setter adherent’s close family member or child dies unexpectedly the day before the big event?  Does the family proceed with making funeral arrangements for the beloved dearly departed, or do they forgo the effort since the world is ending tomorrow anyway?

Marriages?  Either hurry up, or why bother, right?

Child-bearing?  What if a date setter adhering couple discovers they are expecting, but *whoopsie*, the due date falls after the end?  Does mama go ahead with the wasteful and useless prenatal care, or forgo that in lieu of her translation into the heavenlies along with Jr. in tow (and in utero!)?

In other words I’m wondering how, in principle, convinced date setters and their adherents work out the practical implications of the Bible’s commands for temporal Christian stewardship, and abiding until the Lord returns in obedience to Scripture when they “know” the date and hour?  How are they temporally preparing for their own “exodus”?