What Does the Scripture Say? http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog Tony Ramsek's REAL Blog | What Does the Scripture Say? Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:05:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 en ©Tony Ramsek 2003-2006 tramsek@gmail.com (Tony Ramsek) tramsek@gmail.com 1440 What Does the Scripture Say? | Tony Ramsek's Blog What Does the Scripture Say? | Tony Ramsek's Blog What Does the Scripture Say? | Tony Ramsek's Blog Tony Ramsek Tony Ramsek tramsek@gmail.com No no http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/wdsslogo7.jpg What Does the Scripture Say? http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog 144 144 Jesus Christ is the Propitiation for Our Sins http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2009/10/12/jesus-christ-is-the-propitiation-for-our-sins/ http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2009/10/12/jesus-christ-is-the-propitiation-for-our-sins/#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:05:35 +0000 tramsek Theology http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2009/10/12/jesus-christ-is-the-propitiation-for-our-sins/ I know I haven’t posted anything for almost a year, but I really wanted to share the definition of the Biblical term ‘propitiation’. This term, concept and definition from Vine’s Expository Dictionary has been a blessing ever since I first read it so many years ago. It was one of the first words I looked up in my Vine’s as a brand new Christian and it had a huge influence on my understanding of the gospel. Enjoy!

PROPITIATION

A. Verb.
hilaskomai (ἱλάσκομαι, 2433) was used amongst the Greeks with the significance “to make the gods propitious, to appease, propitiate,” inasmuch as their good will was not conceived as their natural attitude, but something to be earned first. This use of the word is foreign to the Greek Bible, with respect to God whether in the Sept. or in the NT. It is never used of any act whereby man brings God into a favorable attitude or gracious disposition. It is God who is “propitiated” by the vindication of His holy and righteous character, whereby through the provision He has made in the vicarious and expiatory sacrifice of Christ, He has so dealt with sin that He can show mercy to the believing sinner in the removal of his guilt and the remission of his sins.
Thus in Luke 18:13 it signifies “to be propitious” or “merciful to” (with the person as the object of the verb), and in Heb. 2:17 “to expiate, to make propitiation for” (the object of the verb being sins); here the rv,“to make propitiation” is an important correction of the kjv “to make reconciliation.” Through the “propitiatory” sacrifice of Christ, he who believes upon Him is by God’s own act delivered from justly deserved wrath, and comes under the covenant of grace. Never is God said to be reconciled, a fact itself indicative that the enmity exists on man’s part alone, and that it is man who needs to be reconciled to God, and not God to man. God is always the same and, since He is Himself immutable, His relative attitude does change towards those who change. He can act differently towards those who come to Him by faith, and solely on the ground of the “propitiatory” sacrifice of Christ, not because He has changed, but because He ever acts according to His unchanging righteousness.
The expiatory work of the Cross is therefore the means whereby the barrier which sin interposes between God and man is broken down. By the giving up of His sinless life sacrificially, Christ annuls the power of sin to separate between God and the believer.
In the OT the Hebrew verb kaphar is connected with kopher, “a covering” (see mercy seat), and is used in connection with the burnt offering, e.g., Lev. 1:4; 14:20; 16:24, the guilt offering, e.g., Lev. 5:16, 18, the sin offering, e.g., Lev. 4:20, 26, 31, 35, the sin offering and burnt offering together, e.g., Lev. 5:10; 9:7, the meal offering and peace offering, e.g., Ezek. 45:15, 17, as well as in other respects. It is used of the ram offered at the consecration of the high priest, Ex. 29:33, and of the blood which God gave upon the altar to make “propitiation” for the souls of the people, and that because “the life of the flesh is in the blood,” Lev. 17:11, and “it is the blood that maketh atonement by reason of the life” (rv). Man has forfeited his life on account of sin and God has provided the one and only way whereby eternal life could be bestowed, namely, by the voluntary laying down of His life by His Son, under divine retribution. Of this the former sacrifices appointed by God were foreshadowings.
B. Nouns.
1. hilasterion (ἱλαστήριον, 2435), akin to A, is regarded as the neuter of an adjective signifying “propitiatory.” In the Sept. it is used adjectivally in connection with epithema, “a cover,” in Exod. 25:17 and 37:6, of the lid of the ark (see mercy seat), but it is used as a noun (without epithema), of locality, in Exod. 25:18, 19, 20, 21, 22; 31:7; 35:12; 37:7, 8, 9; Lev. 16:2, 13, 14, 15; Num. 7:89, and this is its use in Heb. 9:5.
Elsewhere in the NT it occurs in Rom. 3:25, where it is used of Christ Himself; the rv text and punctuation in this verse are important: “whom God set forth to be a propitiation, through faith, by His blood.” The phrase “by His blood” is to be taken in immediate connection with “propitiation.” Christ, through His expiatory death, is the personal means by whom God shows the mercy of His justifying grace to the sinner who believes. His “blood” stands for the voluntary giving up of His life, by the shedding of His blood in expiatory sacrifice under divine judgment righteously due to us as sinners, faith being the sole condition on man’s part.
Note: “By metonymy, ‘blood’ is sometimes put for ‘death,’ inasmuch as, blood being essential to life, Lev. 17:11, when the blood is shed life is given up, that is, death takes place. The fundamental principle on which God deals with sinners is expressed in the words ‘apart from shedding of blood,’ i.e., unless a death takes place, ‘there is no remission’ of sins, Heb. 9:22.
“But whereas the essential of the type lay in the fact that blood was shed, the essential of the antitype lies in this, that the blood shed was that of Christ. Hence, in connection with Jewish sacrifices, ‘the blood’ is mentioned without reference to the victim from which it flowed, but in connection with the great antitypical sacrifice of the NT the words ‘the blood’ never stand alone; the One Who shed the blood is invariably specified, for it is the Person that gives value to the work; the saving efficacy of the Death depends entirely upon the fact that He Who died was the Son of God.”*
2. hilasmos (ἱλασμός, 2434), akin to hileos (“merciful, propitious”), signifies “an expiation, a means whereby sin is covered and remitted.” It is used in the NT of Christ Himself as “the propitiation,” in 1 John 2:2 and 4:10, signifying that He Himself, through the expiatory sacrifice of His death, is the personal means by whom God shows mercy to the sinner who believes on Christ as the One thus provided. In the former passage He is described as “the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.” The italicized addition in the kjv, “the sins of,ʷ gives a wrong interpretation. What is indicated is that provision is made for the whole world, so that no one is, by divine predetermination, excluded from the scope of God’s mercy; the efficacy of the “propitiation,” however, is made actual for those who believe. In 4:10, the fact that God “sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins,” is shown to be the great expression of God’s love toward man, and the reason why Christians should love one another. In the Sept., Lev. 25:9; Num. 5:8; 1 Chron. 28:20; Ps. 130:4; Ezek. 44:27; Amos 8:14.

]]> http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2009/10/12/jesus-christ-is-the-propitiation-for-our-sins/feed/ I know I haven't posted anything for almost a year, but I really wanted to share the definition of the Biblical term 'propitiation'. This term, ... I know I haven't posted anything for almost a year, but I really wanted to share the definition of the Biblical term 'propitiation'. This term, concept and definition from Vine's Expository Dictionary has been a blessing ever since I first read it so many years ago. It was one of the first words I looked up in my Vine's as a brand new Christian and it had a huge influence on my understanding of the gospel. Enjoy! PROPITIATION A. Verb. hilaskomai (ἱλάσκομαι, 2433) was used amongst the Greeks with the significance “to make the gods propitious, to appease, propitiate,” inasmuch as their good will was not conceived as their natural attitude, but something to be earned first. This use of the word is foreign to the Greek Bible, with respect to God whether in the Sept. or in the NT. It is never used of any act whereby man brings God into a favorable attitude or gracious disposition. It is God who is “propitiated” by the vindication of His holy and righteous character, whereby through the provision He has made in the vicarious and expiatory sacrifice of Christ, He has so dealt with sin that He can show mercy to the believing sinner in the removal of his guilt and the remission of his sins. Thus in Luke 18:13 it signifies “to be propitious” or “merciful to” (with the person as the object of the verb), and in Heb. 2:17 “to expiate, to make propitiation for” (the object of the verb being sins); here the rv,“to make propitiation” is an important correction of the kjv “to make reconciliation.” Through the “propitiatory” sacrifice of Christ, he who believes upon Him is by God’s own act delivered from justly deserved wrath, and comes under the covenant of grace. Never is God said to be reconciled, a fact itself indicative that the enmity exists on man’s part alone, and that it is man who needs to be reconciled to God, and not God to man. God is always the same and, since He is Himself immutable, His relative attitude does change towards those who change. He can act differently towards those who come to Him by faith, and solely on the ground of the “propitiatory” sacrifice of Christ, not because He has changed, but because He ever acts according to His unchanging righteousness. The expiatory work of the Cross is therefore the means whereby the barrier which sin interposes between God and man is broken down. By the giving up of His sinless life sacrificially, Christ annuls the power of sin to separate between God and the believer. In the OT the Hebrew verb kaphar is connected with kopher, “a covering” (see mercy seat), and is used in connection with the burnt offering, e.g., Lev. 1:4; 14:20; 16:24, the guilt offering, e.g., Lev. 5:16, 18, the sin offering, e.g., Lev. 4:20, 26, 31, 35, the sin offering and burnt offering together, e.g., Lev. 5:10; 9:7, the meal offering and peace offering, e.g., Ezek. 45:15, 17, as well as in other respects. It is used of the ram offered at the consecration of the high priest, Ex. 29:33, and of the blood which God gave upon the altar to make “propitiation” for the souls of the people, and that because “the life of the flesh is in the blood,” Lev. 17:11, and “it is the blood that maketh atonement by reason of the life” (rv). Man has forfeited his life on account of sin and God has provided the one and only way whereby eternal life could be bestowed, namely, by the voluntary laying down of His life by His Son, under divine retribution. Of this the former sacrifices appointed by God were foreshadowings. B. Nouns. 1. hilasterion (ἱλαστήριον, 2435), akin to A, is regarded as the neuter of an adjective signifying “propitiatory.” In the Sept. it is used adjectivally in connection with epithema, “a cover,” in Exod. 25:17 and 37:6, of the lid of the ark (see mercy seat), but it is used as a noun (without epithema), of locality, in Exod. 25:18, 19, 20, 21, 22; 31:7; 35:12; 37:7, 8, 9; Lev. 16:2, 13, 14, 15; Num. 7:89, Theology Tony Ramsek no No Dr. Dobson Compromises Principle for Party Pragmatics… Will You? http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2008/11/01/dr-dobson-compromises-principle-for-party-pragmatics-will-you/ http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2008/11/01/dr-dobson-compromises-principle-for-party-pragmatics-will-you/#comments Sun, 02 Nov 2008 03:58:54 +0000 tramsek Teaching http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2008/11/03/dr-dobson-compromises-principle-for-party-pragmatics-will-you/ Let me preface this article with the major point that many Christians may not be aware of and that is this fact: John McCain supports murdering babies in the womb. In cases where the human life is a result of rape or incest, McCain believes that even though that pre-born baby is fully human (he does believe life begins at conception), the mother has the right to murder her own child. I ask the rhetorical question: If a mother who is a rape or incest victim does not have the right to murder her two month old baby outside the womb, should she have the right to murder her two month old baby inside the womb?

Please visit this web page for a shockingly candid look at McCain’s pro-abortion position.
Click to download background information - PDF file

Now onto the the story of how one highly visible Christian man has exchanged his thinking on biblical principles for reasoning based on pragmatics and fear.

Dr. James Dobson is usually a man of high integrity and character. I have particularly appreciated his work in the political realm over the years. So it was with sadness that I watched him this year start strong on the pro-life position only to back pedal and cave into the Republican party’s scare tactics to change his position to one that supports a presidential candidate who is pro-abortion.

Below is Dr. Dobson’s original uncompromising statement regarding McCain back in February of this year (here’s the link to the audio file):

“I am deeply disappointed the Republican Party seems poised to select a nominee who did not support a Constitutional amendment to protect the institution of marriage, voted for embryonic stem cell research to kill nascent human beings, opposed tax cuts that ended the marriage penalty, has little regard for freedom of speech, organized the Gang of 14 to preserve filibusters in judicial hearings, and has a legendary temper and often uses foul and obscene language.

I am convinced Sen. McCain is not a conservative, and in fact, has gone out of his way to stick his thumb in the eyes of those who are. He has sounded at times more like a member of the other party. McCain actually considered leaving the GOP caucus in 2001, and approached John Kerry about being Kerry’s running mate in 2004. McCain also said publicly that Hillary Clinton would make a good president. Given these and many other concerns, a spoonful of sugar does NOT make the medicine go down. I cannot, and will not, vote for Sen. John McCain, as a matter of conscience.

But what a sad and melancholy decision this is for me and many other conservatives. Should Sen. McCain capture the nomination as many assume, I believe this general election will offer the worst choices for president in my lifetime. I certainly can’t vote for Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama based on their virulently anti-family policy positions. If these are the nominees in November, I simply will not cast a ballot for president for the first time in my life. These decisions are my personal views and do not represent the organization with which I am affiliated. They do reflect my deeply held convictions about the institution of the family, about moral and spiritual beliefs, and about the welfare of our country.”

Now of course we know that Dobson is supporting McCain for president. Dobson stated, “If flip-flopping is a sin, I’m a sinner,” said Mr. Dobson. “As you know, I once said I don’t see how I could ever come to support John McCain.”
About one year ago Dr. Dobson wrote an editorial for the NY Times in which he stated propositions using biblical principles:
“The other approach, which I find problematic, is to choose a candidate according to the likelihood of electoral success or failure. Polls don’t measure right and wrong; voting according to the possibility of winning or losing can lead directly to the compromise of one’s principles. In the present political climate, it could result in the abandonment of cherished beliefs that conservative Christians have promoted and defended for decades. Winning the presidential election is vitally important, but not at the expense of what we hold most dear.” — Dr. James Dobson in the NY Times Op Ed

In this same NY Times Op Ed piece Dobson commented on a pro-family leadership meeting:

“After two hours of deliberation, we voted on a resolution that can be summarized as follows: If neither of the two major political parties nominates an individual who pledges himself or herself to the sanctity of human life, we will join others in voting for a minor-party candidate. Those agreeing with the proposition were invited to stand. The result was almost unanimous.”

So earlier this year Dobson based his thinking on biblical principles. Previous to these quotes he even made a vow before God to “never cast one vote for any man or woman who would kill one innocent baby”. Dobson was absolutely correct in his understanding of the issues of abortion in the cases of rape, incest, and the life of the mother. Those little babies are still babies whom God has granted life and no man has the right to take that life away.

The plain fact is that McCain is pro-abortion, he supports the murder of innocent children in the womb (from incest, rape, etc). We should not be voting for the lesser of two evils because that is still a vote for evil. We should cast a vote for righteousness. Whether one party wins or loses is not the primary principle, it is doing the right thing before God. Before the Sovereign God who is the One who lifts up rulers and casts them down. Our responsibility is to do what is right, what is biblical and leave the consequences to God.

Here’s a “what if” scenario. What if Obama is as terrible as he sounds. And what if McCain is exactly what he is, except for one new piece of information. What if McCain also happens to be a serial murderer. He happens to go out every weekend and murder an innocent human being. But his policies are all the same and Obama’s policies will take away all our freedoms. So would you still vote for McCain? Why not? Probably not because you have to stand before God and tell Him that you cast a vote for a murderer. God will not care about your reasoning that Obama was going to destroy this nation. You voted for a murderer. Now back to reality: anyone who votes for McCain, votes for a man who supports murdering babies in the womb. Do you want to stand before God saying you stood with this man?

Another scenario: what if Obama was a serial murderer and McCain was a serial rapist? Would you vote for the lesser of two evils? Or would you find a candidate who was a true Christian, truly pro-life and look into that candidate seriously?

It seems that fear of losing our freedoms (or personal peace and affluence) is the motivating factor to vote for someone who supports murdering babies. But the Scriptures are clear that we are to fear God rather than men. The Christian life is not about comfort, but about God’s glory. We are to focus on bringing glory to God, pleasing Him and allow Him to bring us comfort and joy in His timing. We don’t need to seek our own comfort, especially if that includes compromising God’s values.

For example, my children’s comfort is not my highest priority in life. My most important duty and desire (in regards to my children) is that they love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. If this means they must endure persecution and discomfort in order to have them be conformed to the image of Christ, then so be it. It will not be easy for me to see in the flesh, but in the Spirit, my soul will rejoice knowing that persecution for Christ’s sake will bring blessings in the long run.

What I’m trying to get at is the foundational principles of why Christians are disagreeing on who to vote for president. I will be voting for the thirdy party, Christian, pro-life candidate because he will honor God by supporting life. Others seem to be voting for the pro-abortion republican because they are afraid of what the democrat will do to America. The Republican party seems to be very successful using its scare tactics. But once again, God calls Christians to not fear what men can do. Trust in the sovereignty of God, that He will accomplish his will in this election. Our human responsibility is to do what is right in the sight of God regardless of the consequences. Sometimes this will mean persecution for the Christan, prison or even death but we must make our decisions based on God’s word, not based on pragmatism. Cast your vote in light of eternity, in light of biblical principles, for the glory of God.

In the fear of the LORD,
Tony

]]> http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2008/11/01/dr-dobson-compromises-principle-for-party-pragmatics-will-you/feed/ Let me preface this article with the major point that many Christians may not be aware of and that is this fact: John McCain supports ... Let me preface this article with the major point that many Christians may not be aware of and that is this fact: John McCain supports murdering babies in the womb. In cases where the human life is a result of rape or incest, McCain believes that even though that pre-born baby is fully human (he does believe life begins at conception), the mother has the right to murder her own child. I ask the rhetorical question: If a mother who is a rape or incest victim does not have the right to murder her two month old baby outside the womb, should she have the right to murder her two month old baby inside the womb? Please visit this web page for a shockingly candid look at McCain's pro-abortion position. Now onto the the story of how one highly visible Christian man has exchanged his thinking on biblical principles for reasoning based on pragmatics and fear. Dr. James Dobson is usually a man of high integrity and character. I have particularly appreciated his work in the political realm over the years. So it was with sadness that I watched him this year start strong on the pro-life position only to back pedal and cave into the Republican party's scare tactics to change his position to one that supports a presidential candidate who is pro-abortion. Below is Dr. Dobson's original uncompromising statement regarding McCain back in February of this year (here's the link to the audio file): "I am deeply disappointed the Republican Party seems poised to select a nominee who did not support a Constitutional amendment to protect the institution of marriage, voted for embryonic stem cell research to kill nascent human beings, opposed tax cuts that ended the marriage penalty, has little regard for freedom of speech, organized the Gang of 14 to preserve filibusters in judicial hearings, and has a legendary temper and often uses foul and obscene language. I am convinced Sen. McCain is not a conservative, and in fact, has gone out of his way to stick his thumb in the eyes of those who are. He has sounded at times more like a member of the other party. McCain actually considered leaving the GOP caucus in 2001, and approached John Kerry about being Kerry's running mate in 2004. McCain also said publicly that Hillary Clinton would make a good president. Given these and many other concerns, a spoonful of sugar does NOT make the medicine go down. I cannot, and will not, vote for Sen. John McCain, as a matter of conscience. But what a sad and melancholy decision this is for me and many other conservatives. Should Sen. McCain capture the nomination as many assume, I believe this general election will offer the worst choices for president in my lifetime. I certainly can't vote for Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama based on their virulently anti-family policy positions. If these are the nominees in November, I simply will not cast a ballot for president for the first time in my life. These decisions are my personal views and do not represent the organization with which I am affiliated. They do reflect my deeply held convictions about the institution of the family, about moral and spiritual beliefs, and about the welfare of our country." Now of course we know that Dobson is supporting McCain for president. Dobson stated, "If flip-flopping is a sin, I'm a sinner," said Mr. Dobson. "As you know, I once said I don't see how I could ever come to support John McCain." About one year ago Dr. Dobson wrote an editorial for the NY Times in which he stated propositions using biblical principles: "The other approach, which I find problematic, is to choose a candidate according to the likelihood of electoral success or failure. Polls don't measure right and wrong; voting according to the possibility of winning or losing can lead directly to the compromise of one's principles. In the present political climate, it could result in the abandonment of cherished beliefs that conservative Christians have promoted and defended for decades. Winning th Teaching Tony Ramsek no No Pragmatics and Politics: Abortion and the Presidency. http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2008/10/24/pragmatics-and-politics-abortion-and-the-presidency/ http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2008/10/24/pragmatics-and-politics-abortion-and-the-presidency/#comments Sat, 25 Oct 2008 03:33:20 +0000 tramsek Teaching http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2008/10/24/pragmatics-and-politics-abortion-and-the-presidency/ With the 2008 Presidential elections coming up I thought I would share a few simple thoughts that have been looming in my mind. 1) I will not vote for a pro-abortion presidential candidate and 2) Thankfully I don’t have to vote for Obama or McCain.
 
First off, I would like to state that I would never vote for someone who is a serial murderer or serial rapist. I don’t care how great their foreign policy is, how wonderful their economic stimulus plan is, how experienced in running a government he is, if the man is a murderer, I will not vote for him. If my choice is between a murderer and a rapist, I would look for another candidate who is truly qualified, as murder and rape disqualifies a man to be president, in my book. I will not vote for the lesser of two evils.
 
In the same way, if someone supports murder by being pro-abortion, he is disqualified, he will not get my vote. It seems that most conservatives used to think this way until the last few elections. It was a litmus test, a legitimate litmus test that said, “If you are pro murdering little babies in the womb, you won’t get my vote.”
 
A couple paradigm shifting realities that don’t seem to get mentioned much are 1) McCain supports murdering babies in some cases and 2) There are more than two presidential candidates, at least one of which is truly pro-life in all cases.
 
As everyone knows Obama is pro-abortion, he is for murdering babies in the mother’s womb (and even outside at times). Many folks think that McCain must therefore be pro-life, anti-abortion. We know that McCain stated this year that he believes that life begins at the moment of conception, whereas Obama said the question of when life begins is above his pay grade to answer.
 
However, it is not highly publicized that though McCain is pro-life in most cases, he is pro-abortion in some cases, namely in the cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is in jeopardy (typically known as the exception clause). So he would say he is pro-life with exceptions, but you could just as accurately say he is pro-abortion with exceptions.
 
Let me ask you a question, do you think it is the right of a woman who was a victim of rape to be able to murder her 1 year old baby? How about her 6 month old baby? Of course not. Just because she was a rape or incest victim does not give her the right to kill another human life. Now what if the baby is 4 months old…in the womb? Now does she have the right to kill her own baby? I hope you see the clear answer. But McCain (and George W. Bush for that matter) believe that the rape or incest victim somehow has the right to murder her baby in the womb! This is unconscionable, let alone unbiblical.
 
In a sense, Obama is actually less cruel than McCain when it comes to the abortion issue. Obama basically says he doesn’t believe life begins at conception, therefore when he supports killing babies in the womb, he ostensibly does not believe he is ending actual human life. McCain, on the other hand, since he does recognize that life begins at conception, when he support abortion in the “exception” cases, he knows that he is ending a human life.
 
Just as there are abortion survivors who are giving their voices to those little babies who are born alive in a failed abortion attempt, there are children of rape victims who would not be here if McCain had his way, they would be murdered by their own mothers and physicians.
 
Imagine if Obama was pro-life with exceptions (i.e. pro-abortion) and McCain was completely pro-life with no exceptions. Do you think Christians would vote for Obama? Do you think Christians would see the exception clause as merely a coverup for supporting the murder of babies in the womb? Do you think conservative pundits would say that Obama and McCain were both pro-life? I could see Christians up in arms as they see the truth that Obama is pro-abortion and that McCain is the only true pro-life candidate. Unfortunately I have seen even strong, biblical Christians trade principle for pragmatics during an election year.
 
Interestingly, McCain actually disagrees with the official Republican platform, which is truly pro-life with no exceptions. Watch a clip from the 2000 Republican primary race as McCain tries to change the official platform to be in line with his values, while George W. Bush tries to keep the platfrom unchanged, even though it conflicts with his values (Bush is pro-abortion as well). Alan Keyes, a fully pro-life candidate shows the treachery of both positions. It seems that during this year’s campaign, McCain has taken Bush’s strategy of simply counting on the fact that most conservatives will think he’s pro-life. Unfortunately, it seems to be working.

Now that we have established 1) That I will not vote for a murderer and someone who supports murder and 2) Both Obama and McCain support the murder of babies in certain situations, does this mean that I will not cast a vote this year? Or are there other presidential candidates who are truly pro-life and thus not disqualified for the presidency? Praise the Lord, there is at least one.
 
Chuck Baldwin, on the Constitution Party ticket, is seeking to become the next President of the United States of America. This is a man who is truly pro-life with no exceptions. I may not agree with him on every issue, but at the very least he is not disqualified to be president based on the abortion issue. Chuck Baldwin (and Darrell Castle for VP) is on the ballot in 37 states including Ohio and Kentucky (in Indiana and 10 more states you can write his name in).  
 
Is this just ‘throwing away your vote’ or ‘a vote for third party is a vote for Obama’? Not at all. Christians are to live by principle, not pragmatics. We are called to employ biblical principles in our decision making and not cast votes primarily out of fear. Christianity is not a system that is concerned with ‘winning’ nor even with ‘doing what works’. Christianity is concerned with honoring God, fearing Him and making decisions that glorify Him, even if they don’t seem to ‘work’, or put us in a position to ‘win’. Our responsibility is to be obedient to His word, the consequences are God’s responsibility.
 

Here’s an independent website that compares all the candidates. This particular webpage shows Chuck Baldwin’s take on the issues http://www.ontheissues.org/Chuck_Baldwin.htm This page shows McCain’s specific stand on abortion. http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/John_McCain_Abortion.htm

Please cast your vote “Corum Deo”, i.e. before the face of God and vote according to biblical principles. I pray that we remember God is sovereign over all things including our nation and who leads it.  Whoever our next leader may be will be God’s doing to work out glory for Himself, be it blessing for us or a curse on our nation.  May the Lord bless you as you seek to honor Him with your vote.

]]> http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2008/10/24/pragmatics-and-politics-abortion-and-the-presidency/feed/ With the 2008 Presidential elections coming up I thought I would share a few simple thoughts that have been looming in my mind. 1) I ... With the 2008 Presidential elections coming up I thought I would share a few simple thoughts that have been looming in my mind. 1) I will not vote for a pro-abortion presidential candidate and 2) Thankfully I don't have to vote for Obama or McCain. First off, I would like to state that I would never vote for someone who is a serial murderer or serial rapist. I don't care how great their foreign policy is, how wonderful their economic stimulus plan is, how experienced in running a government he is, if the man is a murderer, I will not vote for him. If my choice is between a murderer and a rapist, I would look for another candidate who is truly qualified, as murder and rape disqualifies a man to be president, in my book. I will not vote for the lesser of two evils. In the same way, if someone supports murder by being pro-abortion, he is disqualified, he will not get my vote. It seems that most conservatives used to think this way until the last few elections. It was a litmus test, a legitimate litmus test that said, "If you are pro murdering little babies in the womb, you won't get my vote." A couple paradigm shifting realities that don't seem to get mentioned much are 1) McCain supports murdering babies in some cases and 2) There are more than two presidential candidates, at least one of which is truly pro-life in all cases. As everyone knows Obama is pro-abortion, he isfor murdering babies in the mother's womb (and even outside at times). Many folks think that McCain must therefore be pro-life, anti-abortion. We know that McCain stated this year that he believes that life begins at the moment of conception, whereas Obama said the question of when life begins is above his pay grade to answer. However, it is not highly publicized that though McCain is pro-life in most cases, he is pro-abortion in some cases, namely in the cases of rape, incest or when the life of the motheris in jeopardy (typically known as the exception clause). So he would say he is pro-life with exceptions, but you could just as accurately say he is pro-abortion with exceptions. Let me ask you a question, do you think it is the right of a woman who was a victim of rape to be able to murder her 1 year old baby? How about her 6 month old baby? Of course not. Just because she was a rape or incest victim does not give her the right to kill another human life. Now what if the baby is 4 months old...in the womb? Now does she have the right to kill her own baby? I hope you see the clear answer. But McCain (and George W. Bush for that matter) believe that the rape or incest victim somehow has the right to murder her baby in the womb! This is unconscionable, let alone unbiblical. In a sense, Obama is actually less cruel than McCain when it comes to the abortion issue. Obama basically says he doesn't believe life begins at conception, therefore when he supports killing babies in the womb, he ostensibly does not believe he is ending actual human life. McCain, on the other hand, since he does recognize that life begins at conception, when he support abortion in the "exception" cases, he knows that he is ending a human life. Just as there are abortion survivors who are giving their voices to those little babies who are born alive in a failed abortion attempt, there are children of rape victims who would not be here if McCain had his way, they would be murdered by their own mothers and physicians. Imagine if Obama was pro-life with exceptions (i.e. pro-abortion)and McCain was completely pro-life with no exceptions. Do you think Christians would vote for Obama? Do you think Christians would see the exception clause as merely a coverup for supporting the murder of babies in the womb? Do you think conservative pundits would say that Obama and McCain were both pro-life? I could see Christians up in arms as they see the truth that Obama is pro-abortion and that McCain is the Teaching Tony Ramsek no No Others May… You May Not http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2008/09/30/others-may-you-may-not/ http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2008/09/30/others-may-you-may-not/#comments Tue, 30 Sep 2008 21:31:17 +0000 tramsek Preaching http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2008/10/02/others-may-you-may-not/ The following is a tract I read recently by G. D. Watson (1845-1924). I hope it is a blessing to you.

If God has called you to be really like Christ in all your spirit, He will draw you into a life of crucifixion and humility and put on you such demands of obedience, that He will not allow you to follow other Christians, and in many ways He will seem to let other good people do things which He will not let you do.

Others can brag on themselves, and their work, on their success, on their writings, but the Holy Spirit will not allow you to do any such thing, and if you begin it, He will lead you into some deep mortification that will make you despise yourself and all your good works.

The Lord will let others be honored and put forward, and keep you hid away in obscurity because He wants to produce some choice fragrant fruit for His glory, which can be produced only in the shade.

Others will be allowed to succeed in making money, but it is likely God will keep you poor because he wants you to have something far better than gold and that is a helpless dependence on Him; that He may have the privilege of supplying your needs day by day - out of an unseen treasury.

God will let others be great, but He will keep you small. He will let others do a great work for Him and get credit for it, but He will make you work and toil on without knowing how much you are doing; and then to make your work still more precious, He will let others get the credit for the work you have done, and this will make your reward ten times greater when He comes.

The Holy Spirit will put strict watch over you, with a jealous love, and will rebuke you for little words and feelings, or for wasting your time, which other Christians never seem distressed over.

So make up your mind that God is an infinite Sovereign, and has a right to do what He pleases with His own, and He will not explain to you a thousand things which may puzzle you in His dealing with you. He will wrap you up in a jealous love, and let other people say and do many things that you cannot do or say.

Settle it forever, that you are to deal directly with the Holy Spirit, and that He is to have the privilege of tying your tongue, or chaining your hand, or closing your eyes, in ways that others are not dealt with.

Now, when you are so possessed with the Living God that you are, in your secret heart, pleased and delighted over this particular personal, private, jealous guardianship and management of the Holy Spirit over your life, you will have found the vestibule of heaven.

]]> http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2008/09/30/others-may-you-may-not/feed/ The following is a tract I read recently by G. D. Watson (1845-1924). I hope it is a blessing to you. If God has called you ... The following is a tract I read recently by G. D. Watson (1845-1924). I hope it is a blessing to you. If God has called you to be really like Christ in all your spirit, He will draw you into a life of crucifixion and humility and put on you such demands of obedience, that He will not allow you to follow other Christians, and in many ways He will seem to let other good people do things which He will not let you do. Others can brag on themselves, and their work, on their success, on their writings, but the Holy Spirit will not allow you to do any such thing, and if you begin it, He will lead you into some deep mortification that will make you despise yourself and all your good works. The Lord will let others be honored and put forward, and keep you hid away in obscurity because He wants to produce some choice fragrant fruit for His glory, which can be produced only in the shade. Others will be allowed to succeed in making money, but it is likely God will keep you poor because he wants you to have something far better than gold and that is a helpless dependence on Him; that He may have the privilege of supplying your needs day by day - out of an unseen treasury. God will let others be great, but He will keep you small. He will let others do a great work for Him and get credit for it, but He will make you work and toil on without knowing how much you are doing; and then to make your work still more precious, He will let others get the credit for the work you have done, and this will make your reward ten times greater when He comes. The Holy Spirit will put strict watch over you, with a jealous love, and will rebuke you for little words and feelings, or for wasting your time, which other Christians never seem distressed over. So make up your mind that God is an infinite Sovereign, and has a right to do what He pleases with His own, and He will not explain to you a thousand things which may puzzle you in His dealing with you. He will wrap you up in a jealous love, and let other people say and do many things that you cannot do or say. Settle it forever, that you are to deal directly with the Holy Spirit, and that He is to have the privilege of tying your tongue, or chaining your hand, or closing your eyes, in ways that others are not dealt with. Now, when you are so possessed with the Living God that you are, in your secret heart, pleased and delighted over this particular personal, private, jealous guardianship and management of the Holy Spirit over your life, you will have found the vestibule of heaven. Preaching Tony Ramsek no No Spontaneous ‘Preaching’ http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2008/08/06/spontaneous-preaching/ http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2008/08/06/spontaneous-preaching/#comments Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:26:49 +0000 tramsek Preaching http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2008/07/31/spontaneous-preaching/ Stephen and Faith were playing down in the basement when I came upon them. They are so cute. They were practicing their Bible verses “preaching” over an amplifier. Praise the Lord for these little ones!


Download Stephe and Faith Preaching
]]> http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2008/08/06/spontaneous-preaching/feed/ 00:01:01 Stephen and Faith were playing down in the basement when I came upon them. They are so cute. They were practicing their Bible verses “preaching” ... Stephen and Faith were playing down in the basement when I came upon them. They are so cute. They were practicing their Bible verses “preaching” over an amplifier. Praise the Lord for these little ones!Download Stephe and Faith Preaching Preaching Tony Ramsek no No 8 Ways that God Saves Us http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2008/07/31/8-ways-that-god-saves-us/ http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2008/07/31/8-ways-that-god-saves-us/#comments Fri, 01 Aug 2008 03:23:43 +0000 tramsek Preaching http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2008/07/31/8-ways-that-god-saves-us/ This is a message I taught last Sunday. It is from Titus 3:4-7 “But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ, so that being justified by His grace, we would be made heirs according to righteousness.”

One of my favorite aspects of our Church is the fact that our teaching time is interactive, it’s not merely a monologue. That is, folks can interrupt the preacher and add some thoughts or ask questions. My son Stephen, who is 5 years old, added quite a bit to this message. He quoted a few Bible verses for me and asked a number of good questions as well as interjecting numerous helpful comments. At one point when I was explaining the Greek term philanthropia, he asked, “Is that like Theanthropos?” He makes me laugh, what a joy! Listen through and I hope you’ll be blessed by the truths of God’s word as well as hear my firstborn son help his Daddy ‘preach’.


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]]> http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2008/07/31/8-ways-that-god-saves-us/feed/ 00:01:01 This is a message I taught last Sunday. It is from Titus 3:4-7 “But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for ... This is a message I taught last Sunday. It is from Titus 3:4-7 “But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ, so that being justified by His grace, we would be made heirs according to righteousness.” One of my favorite aspects of our Church is the fact that our teaching time is interactive, it's not merely a monologue. That is, folks can interrupt the preacher and add some thoughts or ask questions. My son Stephen, who is 5 years old, added quite a bit to this message. He quoted a few Bible verses for me and asked a number of good questions as well as interjecting numerous helpful comments. At one point when I was explaining the Greek term philanthropia, he asked, "Is that like Theanthropos?" He makes me laugh, what a joy! Listen through and I hope you'll be blessed by the truths of God's word as well as hear my firstborn son help his Daddy 'preach'.Download Titus 3-4-7 Preaching Tony Ramsek no No Proclaiming the Gospel with ex-Catholic Mike Gendron http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2008/06/12/proclaiming-the-gospel-with-mike-gendron/ http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2008/06/12/proclaiming-the-gospel-with-mike-gendron/#comments Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:35:20 +0000 tramsek False Religions http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2008/06/12/proclaiming-the-gospel-with-mike-gendron/ We had the tremendous privilege this week of hosting Mike and Jane Gendron while they visited the Creation Museum. Mike was a Roman Catholic for 37 years who really fell hook, line and sinker for the false gospel of penance, mass, sacraments, etc. Praise the Lord that He opened Mike’s eyes to the fact that he was worshiping another jesus, a jesus who is not able to save completely from sins and who’s death on the cross is not sufficient for the forgiveness of all sins.

After being redeemed by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, Mike went to seminary and started up an evangelistic ministry called Proclaiming the Gospel (see www.pro-gospel.org) to Roman Catholics. He now travels the world preaching the true Jesus of the Bible who frees us from the bondage of legalistic rituals, vain prayers, idolatry, etc. simply by repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Praise the Lord I actually had the opportunity to proclaim the gospel with Mike Gendron to a professing Catholic! We tag teamed a man who said he was a Catholic but didn’t attend the church. I spoke with him for about 45 minutes. Please pray for this man.

Interestingly, the last few years it seems his ministry is broadening to include warning the church not only of the false religion of Roman Catholicism, but other false teachings and false prophets in the visible church such as the emergent church movement, easy-believism, etc. Below is an excerpt from one of his DVD’s called “Which Gospel?”. Each of his DVDs come with two stirring messages and I highly recommend them. I have just about all of his materials and they are excellent!

The second clip on the bottom is an excerpt from a message on “Catholics & Evangelicals: How Different Are We?”. Both messages are available on one DVD for purchase HERE.

Which Gospel

Other video clips for download:
http://WhatDoesTheScriptureSay.com/video/HardQuestionsforGoodCatholics.flv

 


Download Flash Video
Download Flash Video
]]> http://www.evolutionofacreationist.com/blog/2008/06/12/proclaiming-the-gospel-with-mike-gendron/feed/ 00:01:01 We had the tremendous privilege this week of hosting Mike and Jane Gendron while they visited the Creation Museum. Mike was a Roman Catholic for ... We had the tremendous privilege this week of hosting Mike and Jane Gendron while they visited the Creation Museum. Mike was a Roman Catholic for 37 years who really fell hook, line and sinker for the false gospel of penance, mass, sacraments, etc. Praise the Lord that He opened Mike's eyes to the fact that he was worshiping another jesus, a jesus who is not able to save completely from sins and who's death on the cross is not sufficient for the forgiveness of all sins. After being redeemed by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, Mike went to seminary and started up an evangelistic ministry called Proclaiming the Gospel (see www.pro-gospel.org) to Roman Catholics. He now travels the world preaching the true Jesus of the Bible who frees us from the bondage of legalistic rituals, vain prayers, idolatry, etc. simply by repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord I actually had the opportunity to proclaim the gospel with Mike Gendron to a professing Catholic! We tag teamed a man who said he was a Catholic but didn't attend the church. I spoke with him for about 45 minutes. Please pray for this man. Interestingly, the last few years it seems his ministry is broadening to include warning the church not only of the false religion of Roman Catholicism, but other false teachings and false prophets in the visible church such as the emergent church movement, easy-believism, etc. Below is an excerpt from one of his DVD's called "Which Gospel?". Each of his DVDs come with two stirring messages and I highly recommend them. I have just about all of his materials and they are excellent! The second clip on the bottom is an excerpt from a message on "Catholics Evangelicals: How Different Are We?". Both messages are available on one DVD for purchase HERE. Other video clips for download: http://WhatDoesTheScriptureSay.com/video/HardQuestionsforGoodCatholics.flv  Download Flash VideoDownload Flash Video False Religions Tony Ramsek no No