Theology · Uncategorized

Here is an excerpt from A.W. Pink’s commentary on Exodus.

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This section is about how the materials of the tabernacle were typological representations of Christ.

Historically, we may admire the fruit of God’s grace working in the hearts of His redeemed so that they willingly offered the required materials. Their offering was so spontaneous and full (see 35:21-29) that we are told, “And they spake unto Moses, saying, the people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the Lord commanded to make. And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary, so the people were restrained from bringing. For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much” (36:5-7). But behind the historical we are to look for the spiritual, and behold here a lovely type of the voluntariness and joy of the Lord Jesus, who freely and gladly became flesh, thus providing God with a perfect Sanctuary as He tabernacled among men! “And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver and brass; and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen; and goats, and rams’ skins dyed red, and badgers skins; and shittim wood; oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense; onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate” (v. 3-7). Each of these articles tells forth one of the manifold perfections of Christ. The gold, His Divine glory. The silver, the redemption which He wrought and bought for us. The brass, His capacity to endure the wrath of God against our sins. The blue, His heavenly origin. The purple, His royal majesty. The scarlet, His earthly glory in a coming day. The fine linen, His holiness made manifest by His righteous walk and ways. The goats’ hair, His atonement. The rams’ skins, His devotedness to God. The porpoise skins, His ability to protect His people. The shittim wood, His incorruptible humanity. The oil for the light, His Divine wisdom. The spices, His fragrance unto God. The precious stones, His priestly perfections. We do not now offer proofs for these definitions nor enlarge upon their blessedness, as, God willing, each one will come before us for fuller consideration in the articles to follow. With the above verses should be compared Exodus 38:24-31, where the Holy Spirit has given us the respective weights of the gold, silver and brass. Careful students have estimated there would be fully a ton and a quarter of gold, which at modern value would be worth upwards of one hundred and seventy-five thousand pounds, or eight hundred and sixty thousand dollars, but allowing for present day purchasing values, worth much more. Of silver there would be fully four tons and a quarter, and worth forty thousand pounds or two hundred thousand dollars. Of brass (more likely, copper) there was also over four tons. In addition, there were the textile fabrics, blue, purple, scarlet and fine twined linen, besides goats’ hair, rams’ and badgers’ skins, and large quantities of shittim wood, the amounts of which are not recorded. Last, but not least, were the precious stones for the breastplate of the high priest. All of this indicates the great costliness of the Tabernacle. At modern values its materials would be worth at least a million pounds or five million dollars. How this, in type, told of God’s estimate of Christ; how it shows us the Father saying, This is My Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased!
Uncategorized

The Three Keys to Proper Biblical Interpretation.

Bob Snyder1 Comment

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We’ve all seen preachers who take part of verse out of context, and combine it with other fragments to twist the Bible into saying something it doesn’t just to prove a point.  We’ve seen them commit pastoral malpractice by abusing the word of God.  Here is an example.  The Bible says of Judas, “…went away and hanged himself…”

We also know it says, “…“Go and do likewise.”…” Judas hung himself, no go and do likewise…  Do you see how easy it is to teach people damnable heresy, and make it look Biblical?

We call this proof texting.  It is like eisegesis on steroids.  Now granted, most preachers don’t attempt to teach things so blatantly harmful, but in their appeals to itching ears they have done more damage than any temporal erroneous teaching could do.  They haven’t preached the word, and they haven’t taught you the way of life.  They are leading their followers straight to Hell.  Conscious eternal torment…  Think about that for a moment.  They aren’t preaching eternal living, they are teaching eternal dying!

All we need to know to properly interpret scripture as Christians are the 3 keys, context, Context, CONTEXT!  Let’s look at the 2 verses I cited/twisted and see what they look like with just a bit more context.

(Matthew 27:1-10 NASB)

“  1Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to put Him to death; 2and they bound Him, and led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate the governor.

      3Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!” 5And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. 6The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood.” 7And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers. 8For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “AND THEY TOOK THE THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER, THE PRICE OF THE ONE WHOSE PRICE HAD BEEN SET by the sons of Israel; 10AND THEY GAVE THEM FOR THE POTTER’S FIELD, AS THE LORD DIRECTED ME.””

(Luke 10:25-37 NASB)

“   25And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” 27And he answered, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 28And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE.” 29But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

      30Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. 31“And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32“Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33“But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, 34and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35“On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’ 36“Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” 37And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.””

I think it is obvious to all, that proof texting occurs.  As Christians, if we don’t know our Bibles, and Lord well enough, how can we defend ourselves against these false teachers?  Read the word of God.  Know God.  Then you can tell if someone is preaching a false one.

Uncategorized

Post Midterms…

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As we move past the midterm elections, remember that God is sovereign.  He is in control of everything.  He owns everything.  He raises nations up, and brings them low.  While His children were being persecuted by the Romans, He remained God.  While His children are being persecuted around the world today, He remains God.  Regardless of how the elections went for you, He is God.  Live for His glory in the dark, and dead world.  Share the good news of Christ Jesus’ crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection with everyone.  Remember His words to the remaining disciples before His ascension, “… 16But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. 17When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. 18And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age…”(Matt 28:16-20)

Our true King is Christ, and our true citizenship is in His kingdom!  Hallelujah Christ arose!

Low in the Grave He Lay

1 Low in the grave He lay—
Jesus my Savior!
Waiting the coming day—
Jesus my Lord!
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!
2 Vainly they watch His bed—
Jesus, my Savior!
Vainly they seal the dead—
Jesus my Lord!
3 Death cannot keep his prey—
Jesus, my Savior!
He tore the bars away—
Jesus my Lord!
abortion · Movie Review · Uncategorized

www.gosnellmovie.com

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After watching this film, there is one obvious question that comes to mind, “What is the difference?”  Even the high priced defense attorney brings this question to light while questioning the upscale female abortionist.  What is the difference between what Gosnell did and what abortionists do every day?  They go into the womb, where a living human being awaits birth.  They extinguish the life of a living soul with various barbaric means.  Then they deliver that corpse of a murdered person.  If by chance, one is birthed alive, they lay it on a table to die an excruciating death of exposure, dehydration, and starvation.  Gosnell seems downright merciful comparatively.  When the person is born alive, he used scissors to severe the spine, and kill them.  You see, there is no material difference between these two murderers.  Sure, there are some differences in the details, and methods, but the results are the same, the brutal usurping of God’s right to give, and end life.  The blood of the infants cries out to God for justice.  On judgment day, all of those who are complicit will answer for their heinous crimes.

gospel · Uncategorized

Where Does Your Assurance Come From?

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jesus is the only way

When we come to God to repent of our sins, do we come to Him feeling unsure, and insecure, about our repentance?  Are we ashamed that we sinned again?  Are we doubtful about our regeneration and justification, because we don’t feel as bad as we should about our sin?  Do we put off coming to Him to repent, because we are ashamed of how we failed again, how we sold Him over for some temporary pleasure, not much unlike how Judas Iscariot, who betrayed our beloved Savior for a mere 30 pieces of silver?  I want to be careful, so as to not appear to give license to sin, but if you are having doubts, let me ask, is your focus on your sin, how you failed again, and how you don’t feel bad enough, how you don’t deserve any good thing from God?  If that is the case let me suggest that you are trusting in yourself, rather than in the finished work of Christ.  If it is all about how you do, or don’t do, then it isn’t about who did.

Jesus is our righteousness.  “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;” (Eph 2:8) When you, or I have sinned, we need to come to God, in the name of Christ Jesus our Savior.  Come and plead, ask for forgiveness, not because of anything of ourselves, but because of what Jesus accomplished.  “Lord, forgive me please.  I’ve sinned again.  I did “X” and deserve your wrath, but Jesus bled, suffered, died, and was resurrected Lord, for me…  Forgive me Lord because of Jesus’ Thank you, Amen.”

Lay hold of what Christ accomplished!  Claim it, cling to it, believe it, and live according to the reality of it!  It is the most real thing ever done for you, for any of us.  No person, has ever offered you any love that could compare.

Book Reviews · Uncategorized

A Snyder’s Soapbox Review of, “The Fatal Flaw: Do the teachings of Roman Catholicism Deny the Gospel?” Kindle edition, by Dr. James R. White.

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I know this book has been around a while, and it isn’t a very big book, but it is new to me, and possibly to some of you. This is such a useful book, I figured you should know too. By now I think it is obvious that I agree with much of what Dr. White writes. I find his work to be accurate, nuanced, and properly tempered by scripture. It is scholarly, includes bibliographies of cited sources, and still completely suitable for the laymen. This book is no different. Dr. White cites long tracts of text from Vatican II, and the Council of Trent. This way nobody can claim that the citations were out of context, or twisted. The focus is on the Roman mass, and purgatory, as well as the ramifications they have on the work of Christ, the gospel, the authority of scripture, objective truth, the doctrine of justification, and your eternal destination.

I would recommend this book for your Christian library. I think it distills the essential differences between the Roman works righteousness system, and the true gospel of Christ, and His imputed righteousness. This book would be great as a hand out to people who are in similar cults, like Mormonism, or Jehovah’s Witnesses. They would be able to see their own doctrine as very similar to that of the Roman system.

You can get your copy of the kindle version here, or the paperback.  This ISBN number is for the paperback.

  • ISBN-13: 978-0925703101
abortion · Movie Review · Uncategorized

A Guest Review of the Movie, “Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer” by A. Galardi.

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Let it be said, “Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer”, truly is horrific in its telling.  This is not some film, not some piece of fiction, but the untarnished truth of what abortion is.  This isn’t due to graphic violence, or horrendous language, but the artistry in which the actors portrayed the events as they unfolded in Pennsylvania.  The efficacy of detail, the absolute portrayal of the actors and the individuals that they delivered on screen, I can say that what I expected going into the theater that night and what I knew after coming out of the movie was life affirming. I went to my vehicle with my husband and we both sat there in stunned silence.  I cried.

We, each individual cell that is made of who we are, are known to God before the creation of the world.  He knew us in our mother’s womb, and not some randomization of happenstance thrown together by cosmic indifference.  I knew beyond all doubt that I needed to see this movie. I needed to witness it and understand the gravity.  This is not a film, even though rated at PG-13, that I would take teens to without full disclosure to them because this is a film that will destroy your naiveté about abortions.  This will disgust you, humiliate you, and open your eyes to what barbaric practices abortion truly does not only to the baby, but the family, the mother, the siblings, the world.  You cannot watch this film without condemning the very thought of anyone committing such a heinous sin.  And you come out thinking we have, as a nation, “In God We Trust” and yet we allow the murders of innocents and babes. We deserve a fate from God much as what he delivered the Israelites to the Assyrians in 2 Kings Chapter 17.  We deserve it and more.

Gosnell, in all his evil, destroyed much for his glutinous lifestyle.  He also did this because of the complete sociopathy of our nation diverging from God and believing the sin of our own importance preempts God’s authority in our lives.  But let me emphasize, as the people in the film did, the DA wanted the prosecution of this man not to be over abortions, but over murders.  He murdered viable children and a woman.  I say, he murdered.  He murdered for over 30 years.  Each life that he destroyed, the family and from the mother’s womb, each instance of him doing so is a sin against God and slap in the face for every Christian out there.

Even to this moment, I wish I had never watched this film.  But even to this moment, I am thankful to God that I have done so.  This is the type of movie that is completely life affirming, and beyond doubt demoralizing.  I urge you, even if it makes you terrified, this is the film you need to see.  This, because it is real, it is still happening, and it is TRUE.

May God keep and bless you.

Amen.

You can learn more at the official movie site here.

Bible Reviews · Bibles · Crossway · Uncategorized

Snyder’s Soapbox Review of the, “E.S.V. Reader’s Bible, Six-Volume Set Cloth over Board with Permanent Slipcase.”

Bob Snyder2 Comments

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I received this set from Crossway some time ago, and wanted to use it for a while before writing a review. This review will differ from my others in the lack of a listing of the physical attributes like, paper weight, cover material, binding, font size, and layout, as all of that information and more can be found here. The Reader’s Bible is unlike any other Bible I’ve reviewed. This one is a six volume set, intended for undistracted reading. That is not to say that other Bibles aren’t for reading. It is to say, that the focus of the layout, and construction was to be conducive to reading.  This is necessarily at the exclusion of other purposes. For instance, study, easy reference, citation, and so on, as there are no chapter or verse numbers, no footnotes or cross references. There is a chapter index in the back of each volume.  For older folks like myself, it is so different from Bibles we’ve used for such a long time, that it takes some getting used to. It isn’t a bad experience, just different.
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I am a slow reader, and tend to study as I go. Other people can speed through the Bible, and retain information. When I simply read the Bible, I have to remain very conscious of what I am reading, and be diligent to properly regard it. When I start to read sometimes I start to drift.  I find myself going back over the same section a few times, to make certain I have understood what I’ve read. With the Reader’s set, you can read without getting side-tracked by interesting cross references, or footnotes.
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The first thing you notice is the volumes are constructed as a quality hardback, cloth covered book. Each volume has a marker ribbon, sewn spine, heavy paper, and easy to read font. Then while reading you start to experience what Crossway intended. You have a smooth progression through large sections of scripture. As you read, you don’t make your decision on where to stop by chapter numbers, or section headings. Instead, you stop where it seems natural, usually at the end of an idea. As you read, you’ll also notice that your eyes don’t tire as easily due to the very thick paper, and font. (For all the stats follow the link in the first paragraph of the review.) With the longer sessions, you tend to cover more ground. I would not let my reading, exclude separate study of the Bible. Having the Reader’s Set does force you to make time for reading, and study. I think I need that in my daily routine. Separating the two activities does seem beneficial. DSCN6918
I think this set should hold up well, as long as they are cared for properly. I would be careful around moisture, as the pages are not coated, and would absorb water, finger oil, and dirt readily. Which brings me to my next suggestion, don’t eat, drink coffee, or have dirty hands when reading this set. You will stain the cover, mess up the pages, and make it look messy.
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My final thought, is that they are nice to have when you want to sit and read God’s word. My eyes aren’t what they used to be, and even though the font isn’t large, it is easier to read. I like the feel of them. It is an awful lot like reading a hardback novel in certain ways.  
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You can view Crossway’s product page here. You can also read more about this specific sets production here.  Be sure to check out the rest of the pictures on my flikr page. 
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Crossway ESV Reader's Set in Cloth Covered Hardback

 

Book Reviews · Uncategorized

“Sola Scriptura, the Protestant Position on the Bible” From Reformation Trust Publishing.

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This book is authored by some of the top contemporary theological minds in Christendom. Each one wrote a chapter treating the topic of sola scriptura. The forward was written by Dr. Michael Horton. Together they present a cohesive, and convincing defense of the true doctrine of Sola Scriptura, or scripture alone as God’s authoritative indelible will, as opposed to the Roman Catholic position of magisterium, and tradition. The following list is of the chapter titles and their authors to give you an idea of how the book is laid out;

Chapter 1 “What Do We Mean by Sola Scriptura?” by Dr. W. Robert Godfrey.

Chapter 2 “Sola Scriptura and the Early Church” by Dr. James White.

Chapter 3 “The Establishment of Scripture” by Dr. R. C. Sproul.

Chapter 4 “The Authority of Scripture” by Dr. Derek W. H. Thomas.

Chapter 5 “The Sufficiency of the Written Word” by Dr. John MacArthur.

Chapter 6 “Scripture and Tradition” by Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson.

Chapter 7 “The Transforming Power of Scripture” by Dr. Joel R. Beeke, and Rev. Ray B. Lanning.

“Afterword” by Dr. Don Kistler.

I appreciated the manner in which they dealt with all of the subtopics. Each expert did a fine job of astutely presenting the information. Unlike so many modern works, there was a bibliography at the end of each chapter, displaying their scholarly due diligence to cite source texts. The book was just long enough to be helpful, and not so long as to lose the laymen in the tall grass.

I would definitely recommend this book to your Christian library. It will aid you, and it is a great resource to lend out to friends, and family who may be unsure of what to think on the topic of sola scriptura. It is a great primer on the topic of sola scriptura. You will learn what it is, and what it isn’t. You will learn how we arrived at the conclusion, and why it is the right one. If you are a questioning Catholic, it could help answer some question for you, as to why your Protestant friends believe what they do, and maybe even convince you. It isn’t just for questioning Catholics either, you could give it to anyone who is in a false religion that relies on extra-biblical sources, and traditions for their doctrinal authority e.g. Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Eastern Orthodox, and many more.

The book is published by Reformation Trust. It is available on the following sites; Amazon.com Christianbook.com, and Reformation Trust Publishing.

ISBN-13: 978-1-56769-333-1