Trust the Science, Falsely So-Called

In an interview on the Today Show, December 29, 2022, Peter Alexander asked the Director of the CDC, Rochelle Walensky, why the American people should trust the recommendations of the CDC. His challenge was based on the brand-new guidelines the CDC has come out with, suggesting that those with COVID-19 now need only to quarantine for the first five days of infection. 

Alexander sounded incredulous. The CDC has changed its guidelines so frequently in the two years since the COVID-19 a person could wonder how they determine their guidelines. Based mainly upon information delivered to us by the CDC, the public has become so convinced that COVID-19 is a deadly threat that Americans are “masking up, vaxxing up, and, in many cases, freezing up, refusing to leave the isolation of their homes for anything but the absolute necessities. We’ve been told, and multitudes have believed it, that the way to end this pandemic is to isolate. Now the very people who convinced us that they knew the answer and that it was to hide from the bug tell us we don’t have to hide, even if we have COVID-19, after the fifth day. In the face of accusations that this new guideline is an economic compromise, Alexander asked Walensky, “Why should we trust the CDC?”

Director Walensky’s answer was more revealing than she knew and that most people caught. She said, in roughly her own words (I do not have the exact” quote, “The science concerning COVID-19 has constantly been changing and updated in the course of the two years of this pandemic.” The science, a word that the public has come to define as “the truth” has changed and been updated. But here’s the thing: it would not need to be changed and updated if it were true. 

I don’t have a problem with what she said. She was, in fact, accurate. Science needs to change and be updated constantly because science is the quest for knowledge and not knowledge itself. My problem is that the scientist portrays himself as a proclaimer of truth. To the academic world, he is what a preacher is in the religious world. A preacher who cannot be wrong would be crucified in the media these days. But the scientist, who told us he knew what was best for us two years ago, was wrong according to current science.[1]

Science, by very definition, fits into 2 Timothy 3:7.[2] However, it becomes “falsely so-called”[3] whenever it is elevated beyond a search for truth to being truth itself.

---

[1] Or else current science is wrong according to former science.

[2] 2 Timothy 3:7 (KJV)

Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

[3] 1 Timothy 6:20 (KJV)

O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

Help! I’ve Lost My Kids

I heard from a parent (don’t worry, it’s no one in our church or that those I am closely connected with would know) who reached out for help. She said that she and her husband raised their four kids in church, and homeschooled them until they finished. But then she said, they lost them. They lost all of them. None of their children will allow them to speak to them about the things of God at all anymore. She reached out to ask if there is any hope.

This is one of the most heart-wrenching things I observe as a pastor. Further, it is something I have observed not only in church members but in the homes of many pastors. I do not want to speak poorly of anyone. Our children are individual souls and will give an account for their own choices. I would say, however, that I would be wary of a ministry whose own pastor has not led his children to faithful life for the Lord Jesus Christ. How is he possibly able to set an example for other parents if he has not led the way in his own home?(1) Some, not all but some, ministries are focused on the wrong sort of success. My wife and I determined, from the beginning of our ministry, that we had to make raising a family much more important than building a ministry. That said, allow me to make these observations:

1. Church cannot be optional

By the way, your children will discern when it is optional, even if it is high on your list of priorities. If it isn’t the highest priority, they will catch on. Church is not the answer. Church won’t make your kids a Christian or convince them to be faithful. Church is an act of devotion to the Lord.

2. Faith is from the heart not just talked about or lived out

Kids see through lip service when the heart(2) isn’t in it. Faith isn’t a lifestyle choice. It is a matter of a heart after the Lord. If Christianity merely serves to support your particular values it isn’t real enough to pass down to your children’s spiritual DNA. 

3. Get over yourself

Mom and Dad, you have to love one another, support one another, and love the Lord one as another. Please, don’t just try to hide your disagreements from your kids. Get over those disagreements. Figure it out. Love the “one flesh” that God has made you in marriage more than the one you see yourself to be. 

4. Invest in your kids

They must not be your idols, but they should be your most precious duty. 

There is no way to know how our kids will turn out. Although my children are fully grown, living for the Lord, and raising wonderful children, my wife and I know that the verdict is still out. The fact is, it is still out on even us. This world is tough, the devil is our adversary, and better than we have fallen. But I want to say this, if your faith in Christ is not real, you simply will not be able to pass it down.

(1)1 Timothy 3:4-5 (KJV)

One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

(2)Matthew 15:8 (KJV)

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Baptist Faith, Freedom of Conscience, and the Current Vaccine Mandate

 Opinion

 

Baptist Faith, Freedom of Conscience, and the Current Vaccine Mandate

 

The COVID-19 crisis has led to several mandates that are of deep concern to Americans and the liberties we enjoy through our nation’s Constitution. Notably, the forcing of employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccine against their will, or potentially lose their job.

 

Freedom of conscience is a right guaranteed by our Constitution, enjoyed by American citizens throughout the two and one-half centuries of our history, and cherished by us all. Freedom of conscience, a Baptist would argue, is more than the right of an American. It is a biblical doctrine, and one our Baptist ancestors have suffered for all the way to the first three centuries of this current era.

 

Romans 14:5-12 (KJV)

One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.   

 

The principle of freedom of conscience is this, each of us will give an account of himself to God; therefore, each of us must be free to choose for ourselves the best course of action for our life.

 

Provision:

We understand that our personal freedom of conscience must not infringe upon another’s same freedom.

 

Regarding the issue that this is a government and health-related mandate and not a religious one.

The earliest exercise of freedom of conscience had to do with the Roman government, which had taken charge of religious practice. Every government is, in some way married to religion (or the attempt to dismiss it). Because this vaccine is unproven, has credibly documented health risks, and is being forced up the population by “faith” we do hold that every man ought to have the right to either accept the vaccination and reject it of their own will and conscience.

 

Pastor Marvin McKenzie

In the fields

 

 

No New Revelation

 No New Revelation

I was challenged from the Bible study video I posted out of Acts 1:1. In that video, I make a slight remark that there is no new revelation today. A young Mormon missionary caught that, claimed that there were new revelations today, and offered to educate me on what he “knew to be true.”

I am not going to meet with him.

He isn’t going to school me

He doesn’t want me to school him either

But this does give a good opportunity to discuss the issue of new revelation. I would like to give three simple BIBLE reasons we know that there is no new revelation.

1. The Bible Assures us revelation and prophecies will cease

1 Corinthians 13:8 (KJV)

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

There will, according to the Bible come a time when those spiritual gifts will cease. The passage says it is when that which is perfect is come. I believe that to be the completion of the Bible.

2. The Bible tells us that the last revelation will come from Jesus Christ

Hebrews 1:1-2 (KJV)

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

God did speak through visions, revelations, and prophets, but that has all ended. Jesus was the last communication from heaven.

3. Jesus gave the final revelation in the final book of the Bible, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ”

Revelation 1:1 (KJV)

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

Jesus finished that revelation with the words, Revelation 22:18-19 (KJV)

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

The revelation is finished. There is no new revelation. Everything that claims to be is false and is also cursed by God.

Marvin McKenzie

In the fields

If Women Did Not Share

 If Women Did Not Share

Watch the video

 

I am just about to conclude that if women did not share their life struggles, we would never know how to pray for men.

 

Just the other day, I received ed a prayer request from a sweet Christian lady. She said, and I paraphrase, that they were going through so many impossible situations at the moment that she had no idea where to begin asking for prayer support.

 

Here’s the thing, I speak with her husband with reasonable frequency. He always approaches with a smile and speaks with a quiet sort of confidence. If he has situations that he views as impossible, or if he is concerned about those impossible situations, he certainly does not communicate those concerns around myself or any of those he and I hang around.

 

I get it that men tend to be much more private than women are. I counsel women quite regularly to learn the skill of discretion.[2]

Guys, come on! When your wife senses situations that she feels are so impossible and so numerable that she, who regularly asks for prayer, can’t find a place to begin to pray, she needs you to pray. You will help her more, not by taking the bull by the horns and handling things, but by asking for prayer from your male circle too. Can’t you see how she would find comfort and support knowing that you will enlist men to pray? 

 

I’m not suggesting you have to reach into your innermost being and share all that is in your heart with your peers and “besties.” I’m just telling you could use some prayer support too.

[2] Titus 2:3-5 (KJV)

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

 

God's Masterly Plan to Get Along with Other Christians

 

God's Masterly Plan to Get Along with Other Christians

God has given us a  masterly plan to get along from all walks of life.

1. The local church

While even within the local church, there are some spiritual disagreements, the whole point of the local church is that it is made of people who fit together.

Sometimes we fit people in too quickly. They are not fit to be a member in this particular body. All of us need to be fitted, that can take some time. But some people just don’t fit. Their personal doctrinal persuasions, are not compatible, they may be false professors. 

Given that none of us are perfect and so neither is any local church, still the local church aides us in getting along.

2. The teaching of forgiveness

In Luke 17:3-4 Jesus placed the responsibility upon those who have been trespassed against NOT to become offended. He deals with the offender too, but God gave us this marvelous tool to get along with each other - called forgiveness. One of the best reasons to be quick to forgive is because, well, we need others to quickly forgive our own trespasses against them.

3. The promise of future reparations

It would be completely unChrist-like for Christians to hold a grudge against our offenders and look forward to the day that God will get vengeance upon them. Really we ought to pray for them and ask God to bring them to repentance, knowing that, if it were not for Jesus’ grace, we too would be awaiting God’s wrath. That said, the very truth that there is a day of judgment coming frees us from having to hold a grudge. God will in His time and way, make all things right. We can trust Him in that.

Our God has given us every reason to get along. And every tool to do so.

In the fields

Marvin McKenzie

Click here to watch the video version...

I Am A Pastor

I Am A Pastor

I am not a leader

I am not even a spiritual leader. 

The work of the pastor looks like a leadership role. But if I allow myself to see myself as a leader I am likely to forget who is the Head. No one needs my wisdom, my skill, my insight, my heart, or my direction. They need Jesus. 

I am not a shepherd

The work of the pastor looks like a shepherding position. But if I allow myself to see myself as a shepherd I am likely to forget where Jesus’ flock gets fed. No one needs my thoughts, my study, my education or my pasture. They need to feed at Jesus’ feet. 

I am a sheep of His fold

At the very best, I am that sheep who is most attentive to hear His voice and follow Him. At the very best I am that sheep who has my eyes on Him so that I am quick to move when He moves. If I lead it is only that I am among the first of His flock to see Him, hear Him, and follow Him.

I am a steward 

My work as a pastor is merely to faithfully manage what the Saviour has placed in my care. 

Marvin McKenzie

In the fields

Man is a Trichotomy. This is Why it Matters

 

Dichotomy or Trichotomy

Bible College graduation - “if you are a dichotomist and believe you have to express that, do so now rather than at the ceremony.”

Are we a tri-part being or di- part being?

The issue of dichotomy vs trichotomy would be less an issue except for those who like to “go to the originals” to discover truth. Students of the King James Version should have little trouble distinguishing the difference between the soul and the spirit.

We hare made in the image of God

He is a trinity.

In in His image man is three parts

Body - the part of us the relates to the world around us - our senses touch, taste, smell, see, hear

Soul - the part of us that relates to other earthly beings - mind, will and emotions

Spirit - the part of us that relates to the unseen world - heaven and hell, angelic realm, fellowship with God

The image is corrupted through sin

The flesh is corrupted

The spirit has died

the soul in blinded

Scripture clearly distinguishes the three parts of humanity

“I pray your whole spirit and soul and body”

Trichotomy impacts the doctrine of salvation

If in fact we are only two parts: what part of us is dead in trespasses and sins before salvation?

It cannot be the spirit - because the dichotomist says it is the soul

It cannot be the body because, clearly we are

If, prior to salvation, the soul is dead in Trespasses and sins, then this is the doctrine of Calvinism that claims that God has to quicken it (and not the spirit) before we can call upon Him.

Calvinism (Reformation theology) says that man is so depraved, so wretched, so dead that we would never, could never call out to God for salvation unless God willed it, resurrected us and made us to do it.

Bible truth is that, at the moment of salvation

Our spirit is quickened, made alive

We are now able to commune with God

Our soul is redeemed, purchased and saved

We can see the world as God see it

Our body is awaiting redemption

After the rapture and resurrection

Conclusion

Many Reformers believe we are a dichotomy, claiming that the terms soul and spirit can be used interchangeably.

Reformation theology seems to have launched an all out assault on Baptist Churches. 

Reformation theology likes to appear to be more biblical because they are more scholarly (this is a throw back to a time when priests were the only educated people in town and most highly respected because of it. In fact it was a means to control people.)

Marvin McKenzie

In the fields

The Washingtonian Call

 

The Washingtonian Call

Act 16:9  

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us

 

To this period, the ministry of the Apostle Paul, frankly of the gospel work at all, had been I one culture, and to a people of a particular mindset. Paul’s inclination was to continue with his present course, but the Bible says that the Spirit of God stopped him in his tracks. After a long period of prayer and searching he once again had the mind of God. He saw in a vision a man from Macedonia; not eastward, but westward, not oriental, but European. He saw in a vision what we often call the “Macedonian call” and the world was forever changed.

 

I heard an advertisement on the radio a day or two ago. It was, I believe, John Carlson[1][2] promoting a group tour for Washingtonians to visit Texas to see if a move there would be right for them. Carlson is doing what people in his Industry do. He is conservative but he uses his political persuasion as a means to make money: 

·      For himself

·      For his employer and 

·      For the companies that advertise on his show

There is nothing inherently wrong with that. The political climate of Washington has led many of our state’s conservative people to look into moving to more conservative areas of our country. Carlson, his radio program, and certain advertisers see the potential to make money off this climate. I am praying that the Spirit of God will stop them in their tracks. 

 

Though I am not a prophet and cannot categorically speak for the Holy Ghost, I wish to issue a different plea. I wish to make “a Washingtonian Call.” What we need in Washington and state like ours, is not an exodus of conservatives but an incoming flow. We need a mass migration of conservative minded people to: 

·      Move to Washington

·      Make this their home and 

·      Vote in such a way that a balance of power between liberals and conservatives is at the least restored 

 

I know it will be challenging: 

·      The business opportunities are bleak

·      The political atmosphere is dark

·      The number of liberals, especially on the coast, is overwhelming

But I don’t want to leave. I don’t want to abandon my ship. 

 

I am simply asking for conservatives: 

·      From Texas

·      From Idaho

·      From Oklahoma 

·      From Montana 

Conservatives from around the country, “Come over into [Washington] and help us.”

 

I’m not asking for more pastors to come and plant churches, although that needs to happen too. 

·      I’m asking for people to come fill our churches. 

·      I’m asking for conservative businessmen to come create opportunities in a place where large employers are leaving and creating a dearth of work. 

·      I’m asking politically minded young people to move here, make this your home, and pursue the hard work of getting elected in districts where conservatives have given up even running for office.

“Come over into [Washington] and help us.”

 

Marvin McKenzie

In the field

 

 

---

[1] It is possible I am mistaken. I was listening to KVI talk radio, and I do not listen to the radio much at all.

[2] https://kvi.com/weekday/john-carlson

Water Baptism Versus Baptism with the Holy Ghost and with Fire

Water Baptism Versus Baptism with the Holy Ghost and with Fire 

Matthew 3:11 (KJV)

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

 

In the Bible

·      There is something practical and there is something spiritual

·      There is something temporal and there is something eternal

·      There is something seen and there is something unseen

 

There are terms in the Bible that have both temporal/seen applications and eternal/unseen applications

 

The word “saved” often refers in the Bible to someone being rescued from a present danger, David being rescued from King Saul, for instance. We know it can also have an eternal application, such as Romans 10:13  “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” 

 

The unseen thing does not make invalid the thing that is seen. We all know that being eternally saved is of more value that being saved from an enemy. But we would still like to be saved from the enemy.

 

The term “baptize” is used to speak of an unseen doctrine of the indwelling of the Holy Ghost at the moment of salvation. This is a wonderful and comforting Bible truth. But it is in no way a substitute for water baptism. The one is an unseen reality. The other is an expression of Christian faith and obedience.

 

Water baptism is: 

•      Instituted in the Gospels

•      Practiced in the book of Acts and

•      Instructed upon in the New Testament Epistles

 

Every born again believer ought to follow Jesus and be baptized:

•      After salvation

•      In Christian obedience

•      Fully immersed in water

•      Under the Scriptural authority of a New Testament Baptist Church

 

 https://youtu.be/E54GlpZG3Ts

https://www.slideshare.net/MarvinMcKenzie/water-baptism-versus-baptism-with-the-holy-ghost