The High Cost Of Reformation
The High Cost Of Reformation By Dr. Johnson C. Philip
We stand at a turning point of history today. Several historical events and movements have completed a significant amount of time in history. It is now time to take notice of what all we have achieved and what all we have lost. An awakening is an immediate need.
The historic Protestant Movement has completed five centuries of existance and growth. The New Testament pattern assemblies known as the Brethren have completed a century in India. Both the movements brought freedom from spiritual bondage and tyranny. The Protestant movement brought freedom, and the assembly movement brought an unparalleled era of diligent Bible studies. If spiritual momentum is to continue, we must once again capture the essence of both these movement.
Who Is An Authority?
Who Is An Authority, Jay N. Forrest
“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine” (1 Timothy 5:17).
Not all options are created equal. It is unfortunate that many do not realize this. One opinion is not just as good as another’s. There are some who think that they are an expert just because they did a little study in the Scriptures. It is amazing the arrogance that some people have concerning their own opinion. They act as if they were infallible popes. A little knowledge puffs up, but a great wealth of knowledge leads one to humility. For the larger one’s pool of knowledge, the greater one’s shores of ignorance.
The Root of Rebellion
The Root of Rebellion, J. Vernon McGee
Now Korah…took men: and they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD? (Numbers 16:1-3)
The Idolatry of Rationalism
The Idolatry of Rationalism, Jeremy Swanson
“It is not sufficient for everyone to obey and to listen to the Divine message of the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City. In order to propagate that message among the heathen, nay, in order to understand it as clearly and as fully as is humanly possible, one must also consider to what extent man could discern the outlines of that City if left to himself, to the proper exercise of his own powers.”
– Leo Strauss, The City and Man
These words of prominent twentieth-century political philosopher Leo Strauss are a clear manifestation of his rationalistic spirit, of his rationalistic desiderata. But let’s make this personal: I fear that the impure, unsubmissive, hidden corners of our hearts find a certain needfulness or security in the desiderata of Leo Strauss’ rationalism. May the Holy Spirit be with us as we compare the spirit of these words of the man Leo Strauss with the Word, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May the Word of God pierce to the bone and marrow; may the contact not be mere external superficiality, mere “argument.”
Is The Brethren Movement Dead — 2
By: Dr. Johnson C. Philip
[There are a number of pulpit-speakers and one-man publications in India that have been creating a feeling of bitterness and rebellion in the hearts of young believers against the Assemblies. Motivated mostly by greed, these people only stand to gain if the assemblies are spiritually weakened. Assemblies have spiritually and materially nurtured these men, but in turn they have no loyalty to the Assemblies. Here is the second in a series of articles that takes an in depth look on what these people have been doing to destroy the testimony that was established by great men in India a century ago — The Webmasters]
Church historians have repeatedly accepted that it is the Brethren Movement that made the Bible an open book. With their emphasis upon the priesthood of every believer, and the repeated emphasis that each believer-priest should exercise his spiritual gifts, this movement brought forth an era of great understanding and teaching of the Scripture.
Is The Brethren Movement Dead — I
Dr. Johnson C. Philip
[There are a number of pulpit-speakers and one-man publications in India that have been creating a feeling of bitterness and rebellion in the hearts of young believers against the Assemblies. Motivated mostly by greed, these people only stand to gain if the assemblies are spiritually weakned. Assemblies have spiritually and materially nurtured these men, but in turn they have no loyalty to the Assemblies. Here is a series of articles that takes an in depth look on what these people are doing to destroy the testimony that was established by great men in India a century ago — The Ed]
Almost every Christian likes and defends his church, but it seems that for some reason many Brethren believers are turning against their own fellowship. Articles like “Are The Brethren Dead”, and “Why The Brethren Are Dead”, etc. are making appearance here and there in minority or rebel one-man publications. Many believers, mostly those who do not have much idea of the Assembly Heritage in India, are quick on reading these rebellion-fostering publications to denounce the whole movement, only to lavish praises upon Pentecostals or other such non-assembly groups. Worse, the animosity against the assemblies among the assembly believers has been increasing, and if this is allowed to continue, soon we will reach the point of no-return. Thus now is the time for self-examination and restoration.
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Technology to Reach Cyber-Savvy
More Churches Upgrading Technology to Reach Cyber-Savvy Masses
A spokesman for a coalition of groups utilizing Internet evangelism says he’s not surprised at a report that faith-based organizations are going after technology to reach the current generation in a way like never before. The Christian Post reports that several secular media sources, including the New York Times, have noted the hiring of a major advertising agency by Teen Mania, a Christian youth ministry. Founder Ron Luce says the secular ad agency was brought in to help bring the youth-targeted organization’s “Battle Cry” campaign website get up to speed with all available web technology.
Because the current generation is tech-savvy, Luce observes, Teen Mania needed the best consultant it could find to help the ministry compete with MTV and other rival influences. The practical impulse behind that decision is echoed by Robby Richardson, vice chairman of the Internet Evangelism Coalition (IEC), who says when it comes to reaching young people, Christian outreach must go as far as the modern technology available can take it.
“In proclaiming the gospel, in trying to reach people with the good news of Jesus Christ,” Richardson says, “we need to use the best tools available and to use them in the best way possible. And I think ministries are becoming savvy and are looking for ways to do that.” Just last weekend, the IEC organized its second annual Internet Evangelism Day, a yearly event designed to promote the use of the latest online technology for churches and faith-based groups in their evangelism. The group’s vice chairman says the pursuit of technology does appear to be a rising trend among faith-based groups in general, as well as those that interact specifically with today’s technologically adept teens and young adults.
For many young people, Richardson says, “twenty-five years [old] and down, maybe 30 years and down, the Internet is a first language. It is the way they communicate.” Therefore, he asserts, for churches and ministries to reach these youth, “to be in front of them with the gospel or to give them opportunities for relationship and for follow-up, involves utilizing that medium. There’s no question about that.” On the other hand, Richardson points out, it is still important for Christians not to become totally reliant on technology for evangelism. Ultimately, he says, coming to the faith requires a relationship with Jesus Christ and with other believers.
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