Baptist Theology in American Culture

Sin Invented?

The other day someone responded to a friend of mine by saying that sin was invented by the Bible (I would presume he meant those who wrote it) so that it could then be cured by the Bible. He went on to ask, "Would you be grateful to a doctor who cut you just so he could stitch you back up?" But is sin really just the invention of the Bible? Would there really be no such thing as sin if there were no such thing as the Bible? It isn't that difficult to find an answer.

The problem of sin existed before there was a Bible. I know believing the Bible will give me critics; but I ask my critics to confirm that the oldest portions of the Bible are only about 4000 years old and that known human history records stories of wars, rebellion and Conquest prior to the writing of Moses. Would we really insist that war is not sinful? I am reminded that one of the early accusations the American Indians had about as Christianity is that it took the honor out of murder. The Indians believed they did no wrong in killing another human being so long as they did not dishonor the body of the dead by stealing from it. Really?

Speaking of native people, there are, people groups who do not have a word of the Bible. Those people groups each have some code of ethics, morality, right and wrong. Even in the least civilized people groups there is some form of government and some means of dealing with those who will not live for the betterment of the group as a whole. The word "sin" may not exist in their vocabulary but the problem of sin does.

The Bible did not create the concept of sin so it could then be the cure of sin. But it does offer the only true cure for sin. In Benjamin Franklin's autobiography he described his method of becoming perfectly moral. He believed that since he thought he knew right from wrong and desired to be perfectly moral, it should not be a problem to become perfectly moral. I note two things about his system;
First, even he included a passage of Scripture to meditate upon daily
Though he saw that Scripture as merely a wise saying rather than God breathed.

Second, he admitted failure
Though he wanted to be moral; though he believed he knew right from wrong, though he applied himself to becoming perfectly moral nearly his entire adult life, he admitted he had failed. Only the Bible offers a perfect solution to the sin problem and it is not in a system but in a Person. Jesus Christ came
• First to seek the lost, finding out those who longed to be forgiven
• Secondly to pay the price of sin dying in the place of the sinner and giving us reconciliation with God and
• Finally to prepare for us a place where sin would be non existent

The Bible did not invent sin. But it does offer the only eternal remedy for sin.

Marvin McKenzie
In the fields

A Better Christian Than Me?

I cannot tell how many times I have heard a Christian esteem another and judge themselves with a term similar to this, "He is a better Christian than me."

Such a judgment has sometimes led to one being motivated to grow in the cause of Christ. As often and perhaps more often it leads to compromise or other weaker spiritual traits. Who is to say that they are a better Christian? By what criteria do we make such a judgment? Is one a better Christian because
• They win more people to the Lord?
• They spend more time in the Bible?
• They are less likely to display tendencies of the flesh?

After all I have heard some Christians claim that Mormons are better Christians than they are. Mormons are not Christians at all!

And then when did we get Biblical authority to judge one a better Christian than another? The Bible says 2 Corinthians 10:12 KJV
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

It is never safe to compare ourselves among ourselves but would do best to keep our eyes upon the Lord. He is the measure by which we want to place ourselves.

I tend to think that the comparing of our Christianity with that of another person is based rather on our own sense of failure in the Christian life. Which one of us feels like we
• Pray enough?
• Witness enough?
• Know our Bibles well enough?
The most telling though is this, who is it who believes His relationship with Christ is essential and real enough?

We all wrestle with the flesh and we know it. We know it well enough that we certainly want to avoid letting others know it. And here is the thing: that guy who is a better Christian than we are; he's got the same tension inside him we do.

He probably thinks we are better Christians than he is.

Marvin McKenzie
In the field

Could He? Would He? Did He?

May 2nd will mark the 400th anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible. It seemed appropriate to me to post this article as my thoughts concerning the King James Bible. It was originally written as a tract for discipleship in our church.
……………………..

Bible Baptist Church believes that the Word of God is preserved without error in the King James Version of the Bible. With new versions of the Bible being printed seemingly every year, each claiming to be more accurate and easier to read than the ones before, is this position tenable?

Consider these thoughts:
Could God?
Could God preserve the Bible word for word accurate and without error today?

If you were to read the positions of the prominent Bible publishers you would think not. Each new version of the Bible claims to be an improvement upon the version previous to it and since you can't improve on perfection the obvious conclusion is they do not believe the Bible versions before theirs were perfect. (Nor do they claim perfection for their own.)

Yet we still are faced with the question, “Could God preserve His Bible perfect and without mistakes today?” If God is God at all He can!
• If He can call into existence the heavens and the earth, He can preserve His word without mistakes
• If He can part the Red Sea, He can preserve His Word
• If He can dwell among us as Jesus did, He can preserve His Word.

Could God preserve His Word without mistakes? The answer is a resounding, of course He could!

Would God?

Would it be the will of God to preserve His Bible perfect and without mistakes today?

Psalms 12:6-7 says He would.
Jesus said heaven and earth shall pass away but not “one jot or one tittle” of God's Word will pass. (Matthew 5:18)

The Bible makes it very clear that God had no intention to allow man to mess up His Bible. He gave it to us as His communication to man how to be forgiven of our sin and given a home in heaven. The message is just too important to let it be corrupted by the errors of man!

Would God preserve His Word without mistakes? The answer again is a resounding, of course He would!

Did God?

Since God can and God would preserve His Bible perfect and without mistakes, it is only right to ask the question, "Did he do it?"

Again you would think not, seeing all of the versions of the Bible on the shelves today. One would have to admit that with so many versions, and with each one being different than the other, all of them cannot be perfect and without mistakes. Then, of course there is the problem of the ancient languages. None of the original copies of the Bible still exist today. And, even if they did, we could not read them.

But there is light in this tunnel. One version of the Bible bears the marks of infallibility. The King James Version has

The backing of the majority of ancient manuscripts of the Bible
The witness of several earlier translation efforts
The cooperation of some of the world's finest minds serving together to complete its translation, and
The heritage of millions upon millions of lives being saved and changed because of its impact

• God could preserve His Word without mistakes
• God would want to preserve His Word without mistakes and
• God did preserve His Word without mistakes in the King James Version of the Bible

Marvin McKenzie
In the fields

What Is An Independent Baptist Church?

I thought I would submit today an article I wrote originally to be used as an informational tract for those visiting our church.

---------------------------
Are you confused about all of the different churches in your community? Do you wonder what the difference is between each of the denominations?

You are not alone! Jesus warned that there would come a time when there would be so many different religions claiming to be the true faith of Jesus Christ that, if it were possible they would deceive even the very elect of God. (Mattew 24:24)

Many today feel that the church should be a place where no real distinction is made, only that we all love Jesus. But is this really of God?

The position of independent Baptist Churches like this one is simple and three-fold.
Independent Baptist Churches believe in the preservation of the soul.
Our contention is that the Bible teaches very clearly that when a person is genuinely saved, they cannot lose that salvation. Our conviction is based upon the person of Jesus Christ. If He is all that the Bible claims Him to be, then how could He possibly preside over a salvation that is as fickle as is mankind? The Bible says we are saved, not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to His mercy. (Titus 3:5) His mercy brought Jesus to the cross for us while we were yet sinners. (Romans 5:8) That same mercy will not fail to keep us saved after we have trusted Christ.

Independent Baptist Churches believe in the preservation of the Bible.
How could Almighty God have gone through the effort to give us a perfect Bible, only to allow sinful men to pervert it and twist it? It is not consistent with the power of God that He would allow the Bible to be so corrupted by men as to necessitate the work of scholars to improve upon its accuracy. God has promised repeatedly in the Bible to preserve His word without error. (Ps 12:7) Baptist Churches like this one believe that God has kept His promise and that He has done it through the King James Version of the Bible.

Independent Baptist Churches believe in the preservation of the church.
Jesus said He would build His church and the gates of hell would not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18) That church, as far as the Bible declares, is always a local congregation of believers.

Historically, there are those churches that strayed from the faith once delivered unto the saints. (Jude 1:3) Those churches had to be protested against and reformed. Today they take the form of the Catholic Church and all of her children, the Protestant denominations.

Independent Baptist Churches follow a different line than those. We follow a line of churches that refused to unite with the catholic system from its very beginning and that have tenaciously striven to keep the faith committed by Jesus to His apostles.

When you attend an independent Baptist Church, you are participating in a form of worship

• That leans only on the Word of God for its authority,
• That believes strictly that we are saved and by the grace of God and not of our good works, and
• That claims a heritage of unwavering allegiance to the doctrines once committed to the saints.

Marvin McKenzie
In the fields

Another Pastor Scandal

The news is out that another pastor is down. This one took his own life, in the church building, with police there, and all of this just prior to Resurrection Sunday.

A few thoughts this morning:
Although he was a Fundamental Baptist, this didn't happen specifically because he was a Fundamental Baptist.
The sin nature exists in us all and snatches people in all groups of people, evangelicals, fundamentalists, Catholics, police departments, fire departments, school officials you name it, sin is in it.

This happens frequently enough among Fundamental Baptists that we should take note and concern.
I am not suggesting we can completely free ourselves from the problem, but we should address the problem. In that light here are a few things to consider:
A. We focus too much on success and not enough on Christ.
Preachers meetings have become all about how to reach numbers and not nearly enough on what is our relationship with Christ
B. We idolize men too easily
Sometimes we idolize self. If we have become successful we view ourselves as above sin
C. We justify lack of spirituality too often
There is no excuse for missing communion with God. Ever.
D. We accept confrontation and correction too seldom
I am reading Ben Franklin's biography right now. In his early years Franklin founded two groups whose sole purpose was to improve each others skills through practice, examination and constructive criticism. One of those groups remained active through his entire life. Preachers ought to form such groups.
E. We fail to take seriously the spiritual battle we have become engaged in.
And we do not pray enough or enlist the prayers of others nearly enough.

May God protect us.

Marvin McKenzie
In the fields

Perceptions Concerning the Power of God

Brother Greg Perkins is the pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in Republic, WA. We are privileged to host him in our church this week for what we are calling revival meetings. This pastor is as genuine as any one I have known. I asked him for revival type preaching and he came prepared to bring just that.

Last night was the first service. The preacher's theme was the potential power of God in us - especially through the church. Basing his message from Matthew 28:19, "All power" Bro. Perkins asked repeatedly whether we think we are experiencing the full potential of God's power. We of course answered, "No."

Here is the potential trouble I see: while each of us in the service last night wants to see God's power in our church and in our lives, each of us, including the preacher and including this preacher, has a different opinion of what that power would look like. Each of us perceives God's blessing and fullness of His power in different ways.
• Some of us have been in churches where a thousand or more assembled together weekly.
• We see that as the power of God
• Some of us see God's power as baptisms every Sunday, or professions of faith.
• Some of us would view the power of God as some perhaps intangible dynamic happening in church

Or getting a raise at work
Or getting our way in our marriage
Or having an enemy vanquished in some way

What if God's power displayed didn't mean any of that?
• What if it meant the power to die without denying Christ?
• What if it meant the power to stay in a situation that hurt every moment?
• What if the power of God meant something spiritual, internal and completely invisible to the fleshly eye?

Perhaps the greatest battle we fight with the flesh is the battle to let God speak through His Word without inserting in it the meaning we choose for it.

Marvin McKenzie
In the fields

To my readers:

I would love to hear from you. Leave comments below.

For more than 3800 Daily Visits with God visit Pastor Marvin McKenzie’s blogger page. There you will find daily visits going back to 2006.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

Please consider helping our church’s teen department by signing up for cash back shopping at Bible Baptist Church Fundraiser. This program has three levels of participation, the first being completely free.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit Bible Baptist Church of Puyallup.

(photo from pixabay.com)

Independence

Americans love independence.
• Our forefathers paid an awful price for us to have it
• As young people we revel in it
• As we age we look forward to the day when we can retire and rest in it

We struggle with the fact that other do not have it, sometimes concerned for them, but mostly miffed that we can't go to their countries and enjoy our same independence.

And I pastor an Independent Baptist Church.

Truth be told I have yet to meet a Baptist of any sort who would not defend the independence of their church.
• An American Baptist pastor defended his independence to me
• A General Association of Regular Baptists pastor preached it publically
• The Southern Baptist pastors adamantly proclaim the independence of their churches
• Missionary Baptists will fight for their right to be called independent
• Conservative Baptists believe their churches are independent congregations
As I presume the other what, twenty seven or so Baptist denominations do as well.

And of course among those who are independent Baptist churches, there is all sorts of rankling over which are the most independent of the independents.

I would hate to be anything less than independent; free to worship the Lord according to the dictates of conscience and not the whims of men.

But I see a whole lot of problems with being independent.
In many cases we are so independent we have no accountability. We do and say as we please and the only thing there is to stop us is; whether anyone will come to hear us preach and give their tithes and offerings when they do.

And we call them backslidden, rebellious or worse when they do not.

Because we are independent we cannot be held accountable for our actions
Because we are independent we often become self serving, do what is best for our own church (lest I say what is best for our own selves) at the expense of what is best for the cause of Christ or even what is best for the people we claim to be ministers to.

Because we are independent, we are completely unethical. Even when we are men of integrity we cannot be men of ethics because there is no one who is allowed to call us into account.

We are independent, but we are not loners. So we assemble together with other independents who appear to be compatible with us. But our union is more like a pack of stray dogs than a heard of the Lord's sheep. We submit to the most alpha among us, believing that he can make us as alpha as he is.

And when he falls:
And he does fall - those alphas are falling like flies. Believing the claims of everyone around them that they are incapable of failing, they fail.

And when he falls; we destroy him, hoping to be the next one to take his place as the leader of the pack, or at least be best friends with the guy who does get to be the leader of the pack.

I am all for independence.
But there is something to be said for organized unity. There is merit for purposeful, genuine concord with the strings to call one into question and bring one into accountability.