I knew Merv Griffin wasn’t a compromiser.

ah man, now I can’t see that pic any other way.

“…and that’s when the manure bomb exploded”

hence the slight smile.

Maybe Ingrid is trying arrest him?

“Strangely enough, most Mormons faithfully live out the commands of the apostles concerning how we are to act towards others than you do.”

Let us be clear, most Mormons faithfully live out the tenents of their false religion in hopes of gaining favor with God.

I think he is saying, “What more can I do to appease those so much more holy than me… those that are such more deserving of God’s grace than me.”

iggy

“The Exclusivity and Sufficiency of Jesus Christ.”

Rick,

He did not define Who Jesus is in contrast to the false Jesus of the LDS Church. So if you do some more “research” you’ll find out that the LDS Church agrees with ““The Exclusivity and Sufficiency of Jesus Christ.”

They do not however, believe in the Jesus Christ of the Bible. That was the issue with Ravi’s “message.” Stealth evangelism at its finest compromise.

Let us be clear, most Mormons faithfully live out the tenents of their false religion in hopes of gaining favor with God.

maybe we can be simpler.

“most Mormons are nicer people who exemplify God’s simple commandments more than the commenter.”

OK, here is a question that I e-mailed to Ken because (somebody rescue his comment) he e-mailed me saying that what Ravi did was “stealth evangelism”. Let us assume that Ravi preached salvation by faith in the Second Person of the Godhead and the true gospel. Let us assume that he did not provide a comparison of the differences between evangerlicalism and the LDS church.

Here is my question to all Calvinists (Matt). Cannot the Spirit use that truth to draw an elected sinner from the crowd to Christ or must there be an extra-biblical comparison given? And when a preacher gives the gospel to a mixed audience with many different and wrong views of salvation, must that preacher cover all the comparative bases or can the Spirit draw a sinner to Christ purely by the true gospel?

And please, this is not about Ken, this is an important discussion. Should a Christian accept an invitation to speak anywhere assuming he is going to present the gospel? Isn’t that what Ravi did?

(According to Tim he even did provide a comparison – thanks T)

I just think about all the ODMs that quite often do not share the gospel… Like SoL and the Hannah scandals… gospel? Ken has a quite a few posts… nope no gospel… Mike R. is consistent in Gospel… Chris R a little less than Mike… but tell me why when I read my “emerging” friends blogs I see more talk about being missional (evangelising) and their personal journey (the gospel lived out) than I do when I go to Team Pyro… I mean I see a lot of “theology” but little gospel.

Mostly I do not see “Good News” I see bad news… I see what is wrong but most often never see what it good, pure…

I see as I look around a big mess or mixed theology all screaming “we have the Truth” but in reality they contradict themselves right and left… truth becomes relative to their oen theology. Instead of wisdom which is what discernment is, I see almost nothing like this ” But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3:17-18) But I do see this:

James 3:9-16

9. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.
10. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
12. My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
13. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
15. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

I see a lot of people wagging their tongues as weapons of God’s holiness but in reality they are practicing selfish ambition, causing disorder and out of their mouths come blessings (to those they accept) and curses (to those they do not)

This is why I constantly cry out to pray for them. I fear that if they hate their brothers as they come across that the truth is not in them. As far as Calvinist. I see a difference between a “Calvinist” and a person who loves Jesus and uses the systematic Theology of Calvin… One is as mean as a hornet the other seems to know love and give love to others.

I see a huge difference between Piper and Phil Johnson…

iggy

Romans 14: 4. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

Right, Iggy. Phillipians 4:8 Whatever is pure, whatever is lovely . . . I think that means focus on what is positive and peaceful and uplifting to others.

I see many issues that I also have a problem with, however,

I do not see a love for sinners.
I do not see personal confession (as in iMonk)
I do not see a balanced correction
I do not see an avoidance of gossip or personal failures
I do not see a massive call for prayer
I do not see overt humility
I do not see many personal devotional posts
I do not see admission when wrong
I do not see brokenness
I do not see respect
I do not see consistency in areas such as women elders
I do not see follow up posts of restoration
I do not see the truth in love

It remains difficult to see things when you do not see these things. And many of these things are invisible in corners of the blogasphere that are not ODMs. I guess you could say that if an outsider was looking in, would he see Christianity?

“He did not define Who Jesus is in contrast to the false Jesus of the LDS Church.”

Did he say that Jesus was God in the flesh? Did He make a distinction that Jesus was not created but was eternal? How can you put words in his mouth without seeing and providing the transcript?

From the Salt Lake Tribune:

“Zacharias acknowledged there are doctrinal differences—including some that are deep—between traditional Christianity and the LDS faith.

His hour-long sermon emphasized aspects of Christian doctrine for which Mormons have a different understanding, such as sin, salvation through the Cross, and the Trinity.
But his overarching message—that Jesus Christ is the answer to the longing in all human hearts—was one that resonated with both evangelical Christians and Mormons … .”

I have spoken before crowds and presented Christ where members of certain denominations heard differently. Some heard a Christ which differed from their church and some from the same denomination heard the same Jesus as their church preached. Only the Spirit can open someone’s heart, we are called to preach Christ.