Top 10 Myths About Martin Luther

Here is an interesting list from Alpha and Omega Ministries about Martin Luther. I'll just post the headlines here. Go to their website for the full explainations.

Ten Martin Luther Myths
I regularly get e-mail from people I don't know asking questions about Martin Luther. I've even had people contact me in the hopes I will help write their research papers for school (I will not!). Recently, I was sent a few Luther questions, and I was amazed certain myths still circulate. Despite the explosion of cyber-information, here are ten that somehow still survive.

1. Luther Threw an Inkwell at Satan

2. Luther's Evangelical Breakthrough Occurred in the Bathroom

3. Luther Repented and Re-entered the Church on his Deathbed

4. Luther's Hymns Were Originally Tavern Songs

5. Luther Spoke in Tongues

6. Luther Added The Word Alone To Romans 3:28

7. Luther Was an Antinomian and Hated the Law of God

8. Luther Acted Like a Protestant Pope

9. Luther Was a Drunk

10. Luther Said Imputed Righteousness is Like Snow Covered Dung

Attack Of The Calvinists - Part 2

Mark Dever, pastor of Capital Hill Baptist Church is writing a series that explains where all the Calvinists are coming from. This is interesting on several levels as Calvinism has become a big issue in Baptist churches. He is exploring the issue historically by looking at major influences that is bringing this revival of reformed doctrine.

Where'd All These Calvinists Come From? Part 2 of 10 by Mark Dever

When Jim Packer is asked the question "who is the greatest man you've known" I have, on several occasions, heard him reply without hesitation "Martyn Lloyd-Jones."

Where'd all these Calvinists come from? Quietly, all over the world young Christians, young ministers have had their spiritual tummies rumbling after they've been reading many of the spiritual bestsellers, books that are full of jokes and life tips, whose height of profundity have been something like "Lighten up and Live!" And someone has turned them on to Lloyd-Jones. And, by God's grace, they have learned about the grace of God, and the God of that grace.

How to teach Church History for Senior Adults

How would a Reformed Children's Minister teach Church History to a Senior Adult Bible Study? Here is an excerpt from my introduction. We will be covering up to Luther over the next 15 weeks and then we'll spend about 20 weeks on Reformation through the present.

Three Goals Of This Study

1. To deepen our love for Jesus Christ:
• Christian history demonstrates the faithfulness of God both toward his church and through his church.
• By studying the perspectives of believers in the past, we can gain fresh insights into God and the Bible.
• In learning about former times we gain access to a treasure of devotional material and are able to appreciate its strengths and weaknesses.
2. To foster love and toleration for other Christians:
• Our spiritual bond with other believers is stronger than any divisions of culture, time or even death. As we look at the ancient Christians we must affirm, “These are my brothers and sisters in Christ.”
• By appreciating their struggles (through love) we can better appreciate the struggles of Christians that we know.
• To remove our fear and prejudice toward believers with whom we do not agree. This is greatly helped by understanding the beginnings of their beliefs and ours.
3. To foster self-examination and a humble certainty in our beliefs.
• To know why we believe we must examine how such beliefs have developed.
• To be equipped to refute unbiblical ideas that Christians often assimilate from the culture.

you can't keep a good heresy down

Brother Tony, did you see the news this morning?

8:30 AM Friday, it begins when I first get to church. After assuring my friend. I went about my routine.

Then a deacon.

Brother Tony, did you read the paper this morning.

This time I was ready to listen. It took me about an hour to get to the bottom of the issue.

It was Judas. In case you're in the dark. He's back. It seams you can’t keep a good traitor down - at least not in Madison. A quick education via AlbertMohler.com and I spent the rest of the morning in church history mode. From Sunday school teachers to the church secretary – everyone was talking about Judas.

Even on Sunday, our pastoral staff fielded a dozen questions on the subject. Here are some of my observations. Your comments will be warmly received.

1. Many of our faithful people were confused. Even seasoned believers. I was astonished at how easily they were shaken.


2. The media is still supreme. In changing hearts and minds, the church is second tier at best – even with our own people. Our pastoral staff was blindsided.
   


3. Our people do not trust the scriptures. Proverbs 30:5 says “Every word of God is flawless . . .” This is a fighter verse for our children’s ministry. I want our kids to stand ready when the world comes against them. I pray that God would raise a generation that does not waiver.


4. Without the intentional and prevailing study of biblical doctrine the church will remain open to false teaching. If we don’t know the “infallible rule of all faith and practice” we will be deceived. This is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the sufficiency of the Scriptures against the challenges of false gospels – ancient and modern.