Terminology Reveals Theology (Evangelical)

The words we use expresses the views we hold. However in the day that we live in the 21st Century this has not changed except in the fact that the dictionary that defined our words have either changed or the words just simply don't mean the same. Biblical terms without a Biblical dictionary confuse people, the reason being, it seems that hardy anyone can discern what is really being said. Our pulpits have become a place of philosophy and psychology instead of sound theology.

The term that I would like to discuss today is "Evangelical." I am 63 years of age, when I was saved at 22 the term "fundamentalist"was a popular term. It simply meant someone who believed the basic tents of the Christian faith. As the culture was changing in the 70's and 80's this term was associated with someone who was hateful, narrow-minded, intolerant, and mean. People identified a "fundamentalist" in a negative way so therefore the term "evangelical" replaced the term by some in order to appeal to the new generation in a more sympathetic and compassionate way.

The Identification of Biblical-believing people was the term "evangelical." An evangelical was a person who gave accent to the basic fundamentals of the faith but would not like to be called a fundamentalist but welcomed the term evangelical.

Today the evangelicals have decided to use this to identify anyone who claims to be born-again and confesses that Jesus is Savior, however giving mental agreement to theological concepts but actually deny what they say by what they do. An illustration of this is the debate among us called "conservatives" whether one can be an evangelical and simply agree to disagree on same sex marriage. As an evangelical we can disagree on some minor issues of doctrine and even some liberty concerning a few moral issues but NOT this one. The Bible is clear that marriage is between a man and a woman, anything else is unnatural and unacceptable. Our President may approve, our congress may even consent, but God declares that this is sin and will never have His acceptance.

I would simply say this to all who are shifting to the left of culture that you need to go back to the basics of the Bible. When the Bible speaks - God speaks and God has spoken through His Divine inerrant Word. Instead of agreeing to disagree and still value and respect each other, there needs to be a true recognition that you cannot be a true evangelical without adhering to the truth of scripture. Some who say they are evangelicals may simply be people who are lost who stand in need of a real born-again experience with the living God.

Terminology Reveals Theology "Kingdom"

The 21st Century is proving to be the time of change. Political change has brought our country to more of a socialistic government with intrusion into every area of our life. Our democracy has taken a new twist with Executive order becoming the authoritative pen of legislation instead of the Congress. Many Americans find this unacceptable and are speaking out therefore calling for a renewal to our Constitution which is the document that spells out our freedoms.

In the same manner the church in the West is drifting away from the limits of scripture. The authority and document that believers hold dear is the inspired, inerrant Word of God. I am not nearly as interested as some by the many translations of the Bible but I am concerned about the terminology that I hear from books that are being written and sermons that are being preached. For instance, the word "Kingdom" has become the key word of Evangelicals. The emphasis being upon the fact that all who belong to the Lord are part of His "Kingdom" and we are to expand this "Kingdom."

The past distinction between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven has been explained away by most of the more modern theologians of our day. One of the sad things that is happening is the fact that almost no one recognizes that this is the work of those who embrace replacement and covenant theology. Being a student of a dispensational point of view which most of my generation are, this is appalling and unacceptable. The emphasis that the "invisible kingdom" will usher in a "visible kingdom" and that the covenant promised to Abraham and David were conditional is really a grievance against the literal interpretation of Scripture.

These are days of different point of views and interpretations of the Bible, we should give each other respect and be willing to evaluate and reevaluate our positions concerning doctrine. My position concerning the term "Kingdom" is that it refers to the Jews and God's promise to them concerning a land and a King. All that God promised in the Old Testament and rejected by Israel in the New Testament gospels will be eventually fulfilled by the Lord in the future. When we confuse the church and Israel, we are headed down a road that allows us to interpret the Bible more figuratively than literally.

This is why I have done a series of sermons on the covenants at First Baptist Church Indian Trail  where I am Staff Evangelist. It is so important for us as Christians to realize that we live in the church era and not the kingdom era and that God will fulfilled what He has promised to Israel. I have made this series available to order. Contact me at ron.lynch@fbcit.org if you are interested in ordering this series on cd! I hope you enjoyed this weeks post and it challenged you to get in the Bible and figure out what you believe! Next week I will be speaking on the term "the gospel." Thanks again and God bless!

Books I Recommend (The Unfolding Drama of Redemption)

In 1975 Stephen F. Olford recommended the purchase and study of Dr. Graham Scroggie's  book The Unfolding Drama of Redemption. Theologically this book has helped form my thinking and direct my teaching. The emphasis of the book and primary message is the progressive revelation of Christ through out the whole Bible. The Dipensational point of view has been rejected by many in the twenty-first century but I still believe that the Bible when taken literally will confirm that point of view.

I constantly challenge young men called into the ministry to get this particular work by Scroggie and study every aspect of this great book. Replacement theology may be the trend but I personally believe that every promise made to the Jews will be ultimately fulfilled in the future.

Preachers need to recapture the light of the scripture and be revived with the love of the Saviour. All of the Bible is Christological. Jesus is the theme and total message of the Word!

In Christ Alone (The Blessings of the Trinity)

I'm very excited about preaching through the book of Ephesians this summer at First Baptist Church Indian Trail. This week we begin a mini series in this series on the longest Greek sentence in the New Testament Ephesians 1:3-14. I'm so excited about this Mini series because it truly is a praise song to our God. Below is my outline for tomorrow nights sermon. I hope this helps you out as you begin to study for tomorrow night!

The Blessings of the Father 

Ephesians 1:3-6

I. He Has Blessed Us (3)

A. The Source “God and Father”

B. The Subject “Us”

C. The Scope “Spiritual Blessings”

D. The Sum “All”

E. The Sphere “Heavenly Places”

F. The Standing “In Christ”

II. He Has Chosen Us (4)

A. What

B. When

C. Why

III. He Has Adopted Us(5)

A. Predetermined

B. Privileges

C. Pleasures

IV. He Has Accepted Us(6)

A. Freely

B. Fully

C. Forever

Books I Recommend (Victory in Christ)

Henry Blackaby wrote the forward for the book Victory In Christ by Charles Trumbull. He said, "Years ago I read this book and my life and ministry were deeply and positively affected." I can testify to the same significance of this book in my life also. God used this work to enable me to realize the sufficiency of Christ as my life on a daily basis.

The Christian life is so complicated and confusing for so many who sincerely desire to live the abundant life. The key to the victorious life is abandonment and complete surrender to Jesus as Lord. Actually victory has already been won and must be appropriated daily by faith as we rely and rest in the Lord.

If we are interested in living on the highest plane then why not read not only this book but other Keswick sermons and books. Dr. Stephen F. Olford. and Ronald Dunn were influenced by these wonderful works. Manly Beasly and Bill Stafford were used of God to help me to understand the victory that we have and should enjoy in and through Christ.

Trumbull warns us of the perils of the Christian life. He encourages us to abide moment by moment in the Lord and live by faith in complete dependance upon Him. When the Lord lives through us, we will never be passive in life but active with the Lord. As God initiates his Word and will in us and we obey, then we enjoy the Lord as God intended for us when He created us.

I commend this book for you reading this summer. Read and become one who leads by realizing the Victory that you have in Christ. If you are interested in this book or any other of the books that I have recommended in the past month please go to our Ebay page and purchase them Remember the purchases of these books will help Life out of Death Ministries get the message of New Testament revival to the ends of the earth. Also if you are interested in hearing expositional verse by verse preaching I encourage you to download my podcast. Right now we are digging into the book of Habakkuk. I pray you are encouraged and remember "Readers are Leaders!!"

Books I Recommend (How To Worship Jesus Christ)

One of the five greatest books that I have ever read is How To Worship Jesus Christ by Joseph Carroll. Worship is the essential activity and priority of the believer. Truly God created us for Himself and He is worthy of our true devotion. John MacArthur wrote the forward for the book when Moody published the book in 1984. MacArthur says "nothing is more solely needed in the church today than a renewed emphasis on worship."

My introduction to this book and the author took place in the early 1980's. Miss Bertha Smith gave me my first copy while at her home in Cowpens, South Carolina. She had served as a missionary to China and met Dr. Carroll as he served in Japan. Joseph was from Australia but after his mission work in Japan and the Phillippines, he returned to Paris Mountain in Greenville, SC and established a school to train missionaries called the Evangelical Institute.

Joseph and I became personal friends an visited together many times. He preached in several churches I pastored and shared in Christ-Life Conferences with Life Out of Death. This man of God influenced and helped me as a mentor and friend. He was the most holy but also mysterious man that I have ever met this side of heaven. I loved him and he loved me.

His sermons are available for you to listen and learn on the Evangelical Institute website. Joseph labored in the strength of Christ and knew the power of the resurrected life of Christ. May God use this book in your life, if interested please go here for a copy. I have shared this book with all that I have com in contact with since meeting him in 1982. May God keep us weak enough that we may be used as God used Dr. Carroll.

Please be in prayer for my ministry as we enter into the Summer months. This Sunday I start a revival at Unionville Baptist Church. Please pray that God would do great and mighty things in the coming months, and that he would send true real revival to our churches. Thanks again for your prayers and hope to hear from you about how God has used the message of the Christ-Life to change your life.

Books I Recommend (Calvary Road)

Calvary Road by Roy Hession is a classic book on Revival. Roy was a successful evangelist in England but trough his books God has impacted the world with the message of brokenness and repentance. This book was used of God mightily n my life in the early 80's. I have read Calvary Road many times and have always been stretched and challenged in my relationship with others and my fellowship with the Lord.

My friend Bill Stafford knew Roy Hession personally and always shared with me the message of brokenness that Roy preached and practiced. Wayne Barber who is the pastor of Woodland Park Baptist in Chattanooga, Tennessee also knew Roy and told me many stories concerning their friendship and fellowship. I regret that God did not allow me to meet him but it feels that I have by the spirit of the man that flows through his writings. I have read all of his books and only eternity will reveal the impact that this man of God has brought to the church with the message of revival.

The desperate need in the Southern Baptist Convention and especially among preachers is the message of New Testament Revival. I challenge you to read this book with a willingness to be broken before God and a submissiveness to God in all things. Humility is the ground that must be fertile with repentance that a crop of Godly character may grow out of us and touch others.

Contact us at lifeoutofdeath.com and order this book today. It will make a difference in your life! Also if you have read this book I would love to hear how it has impacted your life! Please pray for my ministry and I as we enter into the slow summer months. I have had a very busy spring filled with great meetings and unexpected trials and it has shown me that God is faithful. Pray for me this summer that God will give me rest and that He will truly do great things in and through my life!