An atheist’s empty boasting
“Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth,” Proverbs 27:1, KJV.
An Irish biopsychologist, Dr Nigel Barber, believes that religion will be all but replaced by 2041! Dr Nigel Barber’s new book, published earlier this year, “Why atheism will replace religion” says the market for formal religions is being reduced by modern substitutes such as sport and entertainment, especially in more developed countries. Barber pointed out that atheists are more concentrated in richer countries and religion will decrease as personal wealth increases. Of religious groups Barber said, “Noisy as they can be, such groups are tiny minorities of the global population and they will become even more marginalised as global prosperity increases and standards of living improve.” Read more…
Dr Joel Beeke Recommends a Book on Contemplative Prayer!!
It is difficult to believe that any professing Christian could ever be deceived into thinking that ‘Soul Recreation’, written by Tom Schwanda deserved their glowing commendation. And yet this is exactly what Dr Joel Beeke has done by posting the following recommendation on his Reformation Heritage Books website! (Link to RHB website)
“While mystical ideas must always be sifted with biblical discernment, it is undeniable that the Reformed and Puritan tradition contains a richly experiential emphasis on delighting in God through Christ. Tom Schwanda has done us a great service in probing that tradition in this study of Isaac Ambrose in his historical context. He offers a nuanced explanation of Ambrose’s view of being ravished with Christ, the Bridegroom of the church. He . . . encourages evangelicals to return to our Reformed roots in order to grow in authentic spirituality.” —Joel R. Beeke-President of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids
What Dr Beeke has omitted to say is that Schwanda’s book not only considers and draws on the teachings of Ambrose, Calvin and commendable others, but he also promotes and encourages evangelicals to imitate the practices of The Desert Fathers, Ignatius of Loyola, (yes, founder of the Jesuit Order!!!) Richard Foster, Thomas Merton, and other apostates, whose mystical teachings are based on New Age/occult philosophies.
Why are men so trusting of this man despite the accumulating evidence of his compromise and disobedience to God’s Word? Read more here…
Beeke in bad company – and taking good men with him!!
In September past, Joel Beeke was advertised as preaching at Bell Creek Community Church in Livonia, Michigan, USA.
The church website contains quite a bit of information about itself. For instance, under one link it tells us “What happens during the church service?” “Each week is different, but some common elements include the following: Uplifting worship by a great band.” Read more… [Updated in response to communication from Mr Malcolm Watts]
The candle burns low
There were two news items which made the headlines in the United Kingdom recently and which are indicators of the spiritual and moral downward spiral of the nation.
God, in His mercy, through the labours of men such as William Tyndale, the translator of the first English Bible, caused the light of His holy Word to shine brightly in our nation, more brightly than in many other nations. It was William Tyndale who said to a blaspheming, ignorant popish priest: “If God spare my life ere many years, I will cause the boy that drives the plough to know more of the scriptures than you!” Read more…
Roman Catholic participation in Refo500 – a fruit of its ecumenical approach
Refo500 was an ecumenical organisation from its commencement as this blog article, which includes a speech by a Roman Catholic Bishop, from a Refo500 press conference in the Netherlands in February 2010 proves conclusively. The ecumenism of the organisation did not merely develop over time, but was foundational in the approach of Refo500 to the Reformation.
It is difficult to accept that anyone could be directly involved in such an organisation and be fully engaged as a partner at the North American launch, as was Dr Joel Beeke, and not be aware of its ecumenical nature!
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