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May 31, 2009 Commentary: Sometimes it really gets me down when I think about how many millions of people in America today watch TV preachers like Joel Osteen, Robert Schuller, or Joyce Meyer and read their best-selling books. Meanwhile, programs like the WHI and books about sound doctrine have a mere fraction of the audience. Then there are the mega-churches were people flock to feel better about themselves while churches that faithfully proclaim God's Word and administer the Sacraments each week often struggle and their ministers often find themselves under enormous pressure to change their emphasis. How many Christians today are bathed in the great truths that Paul considered essential basics for any church? But then I remember that the mega movements come and go, it is the church Christ founded, however small and unentertaining it is, that endures from generation to generation. Just look at the religious movements and individuals that capture the headlines of Time magazine over the decades and ask yourself where they are today. Yet the church is still around today in every part of the world. The prophets warned against the false teachers who lead the people astray with false hopes dressing the wound of my people as though it were not serious. Similarly Paul warns Timothy the in the last days people will be lovers of themselves, boastful, proud, gathering teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. In the passage before us: Romans 16:17-20, Paul warns his readers to hold firm to the doctrine you have been taught and to avoid the false teachers who by smooth talk and flattery deceive the hearts of the naïve. In this program we consider Paul's warning especially in light of our own smooth talk and flattery that passes for Christianity in America today. Our verses, again, Romans 16:17-20, "I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you." Click here to see the related information for the May 31 broadcast. May 24, 2009 Commentary: Commentary Coming Soon Click here to see the related information for the May 24 broadcast. May 17, 2009 Commentary: We often hear the term "Christ-centered" thrown around a lot in Christian circles and that's not surprising I guess for a religion named after Christ. But you just can't say that everything that goes by the name "Christian" is necessarily Christ-centered. Just walk into an average Christian bookstore-paraphernalia shop, take in a bunch of hours of Christian radio or TV, or sample a broad spectrum of church services over a month of Sundays and this point becomes pretty clear. Not to say that we haven't used Christ's name, but it is often used as a sort of brand. We really shouldn't use Christ's name in vain. We've used his name for everything from t-shirts to diet programs, there are even Christ-centered tattoo parlors, not that I am against tattoo parlors per se, but aside from violating the second commandment I can't imagine what would make my tattoo Christ-centered if I got one! What does it really mean to be Christ-centered? Can we expect to read the whole of Scripture not just with Christ as a sort of general logo endorsing it all, but as the central figure from Genesis to Revelation and if so how? That's our topic in this program; you are listening to the White Horse Inn. Click here to see the related information for the May 17 broadcast. May 10, 2009 Commentary: There is no commentary this week because this edition of the White Horse Inn was recorded before a live audience near Washington DC, and features Michael Horton, Ken Jones, and special guest Rob Norris, pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church in Bethesda, Maryland. Click here to see the related information for the May 10 broadcast. May 3, 2009 Commentary: There is no commentary this week because of the interview with T. David Gordon professor of Religion and Greek at Grove City College, and author of Why Johnny Can't Preach: The Media Have Shaped The Messengers. Click here to see the related information for the May 3 broadcast. |
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