Added Word Verification

I added "word verification" for comments. This is to help reduce the amount of Chinese link spam that unfortunately comes. Anyone can still comment, it will just ask for the word verification now. If this sort of nonsense continues, I will switch to wordpress. :)

Fasting

The church has a long history of fasting, especially during Lent. Now is an appropriate time to look at the discipline of fasting. Lent is the 40 days prior to Easter (not counting Sundays). It is a time when through self denial we especially take note of the death of Jesus and his victorious resurrection.

Fasting is Biblical
Jesus fasted regularly (Luke 4:1, John 4:31-34). He spoke of fasting as something that was expected ("When you fast..." Matt 6:17).

Fasting is Combined with Prayer.
Daniel prayed and fasted (Daniel 9:3). The Israelites prayed and fasted when returning from exile (Ezra 8:21-23). The early church fasted and prayed when seeking guidance (Acts 13:2-3).

Fasting May be Corporate, Especially When Seeking God's Mercy.
The whole city of Nineveh fasted (even livestock!) after the prophet Jonah warned them of their pending destruction (Jonah 3:6-9). Judah fasted when destruction was imminent (2 Chron 20:1-4). During Esther's time the Jews fasted when Haman plotted against them (Esther 4:1-3).

No Extra Points for Fasting.
Jesus saves us by grace through faith. We can't save ourselves by fasting or by any other discipline. Some people think that by their work of self denial they can make God do something that He wouldn't do otherwise. That is self centered, and doesn't move God. Some think they can sin and then fast to cancel it out. Again, this doesn't impress God. God prefers mercy over sacrifice (Hosea 6:6), and justice over fasting (Isaiah 58:3-8).

Fasting Should be God Centered and Combined With Obedience.
Fasting can have health benefits, but the main reason we do it is to seek God's face. When we fast, we wait to hear from God. If He speaks to us, we obey and do what He says. Charles Spurgeon wrote: "Our seasons of fasting and prayer at the tabernacle have been high days indeed; ever has Heaven's gate stood wider; never have our hearts been nearer to the central glory." (quoted in Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster, p 55)

Fasting Allows God to Work in Us With Power.
Fasting is a type of special dependence on God. God can use it to work in us with power and authority. Jesus said that certain types of demons cannot be exorcised without prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29).

Fasting Will Reveal the Sin Inside of Us.
Richard Foster writes: "More than any other Discipline, fasting reveals the things that control us. This is a wonderful benefit for the true disciple who longs to be transformed into the image of Christ. We cover up what is inside of us with food and other good things, but in fasting these things surface. If pride controls us, it will be revealed almost immediately...Anger, bitterness, jealousy, strife, fear - if they are within us, they will surface during fasting. At first we will rationalize that our anger is due to our hunger; then we will realize that we are angry because the spirit of anger is within us. We can rejoice in the knowledge because we know that healing is available through the power of Christ."

Give Something Up, Add Something to Replace It.
Usually the focus on fasting is on giving something up. Thus, a person might fast food. An additional focus can be to add something new to replace what has been given up. Thus, a person might spend more time in prayer, Bible reading, or in service to others. For example, if you fast TV, you could replace the TV time with prayer.

You Can Fast Anything.
Some people can't do a food fast because of heath issues. Is there something else in your life that is too high of a priority? It may be a good candidate for fasting. TV, facebook, blogging, theology books, coffee (these are all things that could apply to me). Ask God to show you something to fast and He will. Replace the time you spent doing the activity with something else, like prayer, worship, or service.

Done in Private
Fasting should only be between the participating parties and the Lord. The only people who should know about your fast are those who must know. If you fast to try and impress others, that will be your only reward (Matt 6:16-18).

Fasting has a long History in the Church
Our society has become accustomed to ease and a "have it now" mentality. Fasting is a largely neglected discipline. But the church has fasted since the beginning, as the book of Acts records. The Didache (an early church manual written around AD 100) encouraged fasting every Wednesday and Friday.

Wesley Advocated Fasting
John Wesley fasted every Friday and sometimes on Wednesdays. He encouraged all of his Methodist pastors to do likewise. For those who don't like Wesley, you can look to Augustine, Luther, Calvin or Spurgeon - who all advocated fasting. As this is the Wesleyan Arminian blog, Wesley gets his props here. :)

Wesley was convinced that fasting, abstaining from food or drink, was a practice firmly grounded in the Bible. People in Old Testament times fasted (Ezra 8:23). So did Jesus and his followers (Matthew 4:2; Acts 13:3), and Wesley saw no reason why modern Christians should not follow the same pattern. His plan of fasting sometimes allowed for limited eating and drinking. He found that fasting advanced holiness. (John Wesley: Holiness of Heart and Life, Charles Yrigoyen)

Tips for an Extended Food Fast (largely borrowed from Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster).

• Don't beat yourself up if you fail on the fast. Ask for God's help, and try again.
• Don't try to stock up with a big meal before fasting. It is better to work into it with light meals of fruits and vegetables.
• Start with a short fast of just a meal or two "...it is wise to learn to walk well before we try to run."
• Drink lots of water.
  
• During a long fast, the first few days will be the most difficult. You will feel hungry. The body is like a child, and needs to be put in its place. The body will be ridding itself of toxins, you may have bad breath for a day or two. If you fast caffeine you may have withdrawal headaches.
• As you fast, you will see a progression from the superficial aspects of fasting to the more rewarding ones. You will go from congratulating yourself to reflecting on Christ, to surrender and prayer.
• "By the sixth or seventh day you will begin to feel stronger and more alert. Hunger pains will continue to diminish until...they are only a minor irritation."
• "Anywhere between twenty-one and forty days or longer...hunger pains will return. This is the first stage of starvation...the fast should be broken at this time."
• When you end an extended fast, do it gently. Your digestive system will be out of practice. End the fast with a small meal or two, and with healthy and easily digested foods.

Arminian Audio: Brown / White Discussion

Christian radio host Dr. Michael Brown recently did a debate with Dr. James White. The debate lasted two days, and took place on Brown's call in show: The Line of Fire. Brown argued from a Non-Calvinist position, and White came from the Calvinist position. The questions included: Does God love everyone? Does God give everyone a genuine opportunity to be saved? What did Christ's atonement accomplish? Are the number of elect fixed? Does God reprobate specific individuals? Does Calvinism result in pride for its adherents?

Here are the link to Brown's blog (where you can also comment), and the direct mp3 links.
January 26, 2010 (mp3) - Brown and White discuss Calvinism - part #1
January 27, 2010 (mp3) - Brown and White discuss Calvinism - part #2
January 28, 2010 (mp3) - Calvinists call into Brown's show and ask him questions.

My thoughts:
Both theologians clearly had respect for each other and accepted each other as believers. Brown went out of his way to point out that Arminians and Calvinists agree on 99%, and that we are all brothers in Christ.

James White is an excellent debater, and I was afraid that he would clobber Brown. However, Brown did quite well. It no doubt helped that he was hosting the show, chose the format, and was the one asking the questions.

White depended very heavily on the "Two wills of God" theory - This is the Calvinist theory that God has a hidden decretive will that overrides and contradicts his revealed will. Thus God says that he doesn't want us to sin, and commands us not to sin, but he has secretly decreed that we will sin, and then damns us for doing what he has decreed (so goes the theory). I think the scriptural support for this theory is non-existent, and I would have like to have seen Brown point this out in stronger terms.

I would also have liked to see Brown better develop the concept of Prevenient Grace. PG largly mitigates many of the complaints that Calvinists often have about Arminian theology (that we believe we save ourselves, etc). Brown did develop this a little more on day two.

Haiti - Why do Disasters Happen?

Why do disasters happen? What should Christians do when disasters happen? The recent earthquake in Haiti was catastrophic. Perhaps it has caused you to wonder if it was caused by God. I don't think that it was.

When a disaster occurs, sometimes Christians rush to judgment. We think that the disaster happend because the people who lived there were sinful, or perhaps their ancestors were sinful.

Something happened a long time ago in Haiti, and people might not want to talk about it, They were under the heel of the French. You know, Napoleon the third, or whatever. And they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, ‘we will serve you if you will get us free from the French. True story. And so, the devil said, ‘OK, it's a deal.’ -Pat Robertson on the Haiti Earthquake

There are also some Christians who believe that God directly or indirectly causes all disasters. John Piper is one who holds to this view:

Jesus Christ controls the wind, including all tornados....The tornado in Minneapolis was a gentle but firm warning to the ELCA and all of us: Turn from the approval of sin. Turn from the promotion of behaviors that lead to destruction. -John Piper on the ELCA tornado.

God had a purpose for not holding up that bridge, knowing all that would happen, and he is infinitely wise in all that he wills. -John Piper on the Minnesota bridge collapse.

This type of speculation from Robertson and Piper is counterproductive because it attributes destructive events to God when God has not spoken. In reality the events can reasonably be attributed to other root causes. Earthquakes happen where there are fault lines. Tornadoes happen in tornado alley. Bridges and buildings collapse when they are not properly built or maintained.

In Haiti there were two factors that contributed to the disaster. First, there was a shallow fault line near to Port Au Prince. Second, many of the buildings were built poorly. These two factors adequately explain why the disaster occurred. There is no reason to attribute it to a curse or anything else.

Speculation like Roberson's and Piper's is also quite selective. When a disaster fits our paradigm we quickly assign blame. But when it strikes us personally, we respond differently. If Robertson's house was destroyed by hurricane, would he blame that on a curse? Probably not. If Piper's church was destroyed by a tornado, would he attribute it to sinful doctrine being taught? Probably not.

When Christians speak in such ways we damage ourselves. Rather than being salt and light to a world that needs us, we are seen as hypocritical and selectively judgmental. Pat Robertson perhaps meant well, but he damaged his Christian witness and held all believers up to ridicule. When disaster comes, Christian help. We grieve for those who are hungry and hurt. We give to those in need. We do not assign blame.

So why do disasters happen? There is not an easy answer, and perhaps it is dangerous to look for one. One thing that can be said is that we live in a fallen physical world. Creation is in decay and is awaiting liberation (Romans 8:18-21). God's will is not always done on earth, that is why we pray "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (Matt 6:10)

Theologian Roger Olson argues that:

...what if God limits himself so that much of what happens in the world is due to human finitude and fallenness? What if God is in charge but not in control? What if God wishes that things could be otherwise and someday will make all things perfect?

And:

In this world, because of our ignorance and sinfulness, really bad things sometimes happen and people do really evil and wicked things. Not because God secretly plans and prods them, but because God has said to fallen, sinful people, "OK, not my will then, but thine be done -- for now." -Olson On the Minnesota bridge collapse.

Does God ever cause disaster? First and formost we should remember that Jesus came to bring life (John 10:10). When Jesus died he paid for the sins of the entire world. That includes the people of Haiti.

God can cause disaster as a form of judgment, however, he makes his intent known when he judges, he does not leave it wide open to interpretation. Greg Boyd notes that:

...the model of God bringing about disasters to punish people is rooted in the Old Testament. Here we several times find God using nature and human agents to punish people. (Though even back then this wasn’t God’s normal mode of operation). But in these contexts, God first gives ample warning about a coming judgment and he tells people exactly what he is doing. Punishment without teaching is not pedagogically effective.

Imagine a parent saying to their child, “I’m going to spank you whenever I want to but not tell you why.” It just doesn’t work! -Boyd, Why Did the 35W Collapse?

As noted above, John Piper has stated that "Jesus Christ controls the wind, including all tornados." This explanation does not line up with the scriptural account. In fact, scripture records that Jesus rebuked a storm (Mark 4:35-41). If Jesus causes all storms, he was rebuking himself.

In a fallen and decaying world bad things happen. Even to good people. If it greives us, we can be certain that it grieves God as well. In the meantime, we help those in need and we pray for the coming of God's kingdom. Only then will God's will be fully done on earth, just as it is in heaven.

Patty Thomas - Haiti

Here is a blog with updates about what's going on in an orphanage in Haiti: Patty Thomas, News and Updates. Patty Thomas is connected to my local church, her two grown boys attend there.

Patty works in an orphanage near Port Au Prince. The orphanage takes care of about 90 children. The orphanage building was not damaged during the recent quake, however, the wall that surrounds it fell down. Given the general lawlessness going on there, it is a high priority to get the wall rebuilt.

The boys John and Todd Thomas will be leaving on Tuesday 1-19-10 to go down there and help out their mom. They will be taking at least one nurse with them. There have been some great things happening in our community related to this. One organization donated a large number of medical supplies, a credit union is raising money, and Home Depot donated building supplies and tools. They will be sending the supplies down with them.

Please keep the orphanage in your prayers! Here is a slide show of Patty and the kids.

The Meaning of "The Man Comes Around" by Johnny Cash

"The Man Comes Around" is a song about judgment day. It was released in 2002, and was the title song for Johnny Cash's last album. The song has numerous Biblical references, many of which are cryptic.

The following is an interpretation. All Bible references are King James, since that's the version Cash quotes in the song.

And I heard, as it were, the noise of thunder: One of the four beasts saying: "Come and see." And I saw. And behold, a white horse.

This is a quote from Revelation 6:1-2. It references John's vision of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, who bring disaster at the end of the world. "¹And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. ²And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. "

There's a man going round taking names. And he decides who to free and who to blame. Everybody won't be treated all the same. There'll be a golden ladder reaching down. When the man comes around.

The "man going round taking names" has double meaning. It is a reference to a song by folk singer Lead Belly. It is also clearly a reference to Jesus and the Book of Life where the names of believers are recorded (Revelation 20:12, 15).

God decides who to free and who to blame. Those who believe in Jesus will be saved and will escape punishment. The ladder reaching down refers to Jacob's ladder (Genesis 28:12). It could also refer to Jesus (John 1:51). He is the ladder that gives us a way of escape from judgment.

The hairs on your arm will stand up. At the terror in each sip and in each sup. For you partake of that last offered cup, Or disappear into the potter's ground. When the man comes around.

The hairs on your arm will stand up. This is a reminder of the fear that God will command on judgment day. The terror in each sip and sup refers to body and blood of Christ which we symbolically take during communion (Matt 26:26-28). To partake of the last offered cup means to be saved at your last opportunity. On judgment day believers who are covered by the blood of Jesus will be saved. Non-believers will be lost and disappear into the potter's ground. The potter's ground is a reference to the field that the chief priest bought with Judas' betrayal money (Matt 27:5-7).

Hear the trumpets, hear the pipers. One hundred million angels singing. Multitudes are marching to the big kettle drum. Voices calling, voices crying. Some are born and some are dying. It's Alpha's and Omega's Kingdom come.

Hear the trumpets. In Biblical times important news was announced with trumpets. Revelation records seven plagues which are all hailed by trumpets. Trumpets will also announce Christ's new kingdom, and the raising of the dead (1 Cor 15:52).

Angels singing - Cash's brother Jack died in a terrible accident at a young age. His brother had a vision of angels while he was dying, and Johnny remembered this throughout his life. The Bible records there will be angels singing in heaven: "And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;" (Rev 5:11). The multitudes marching probably refers to Revelation 5, where multitudes are worshiping God.

Voices calling, voices crying. One must follow Jesus in this life. It will be too late to turn on judgment day (Matt 7:22-23 , Heb 9:27).

Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, and are a name for God. "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." (Rev 22:13). Kingdom come refers to when Jesus will return and establish his kingdom on earth (Rev 21). It is also part of the Lords prayer. "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done..." (Matt 6:10).

And the whirlwind is in the thorn tree. The virgins are all trimming their wicks. The whirlwind is in the thorn tree. It's hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

The whirlwind and thorn tree is a self reference. Cash had a dream where he saw Queen Elizabeth. She said to him, "Johnny, you're like a thorn tree in a whirlwind." Job 38:1 also references a whirlwind. The virgins trimming their wicks are a reference to a parable told by Jesus in Matthew 25. There are wise and foolish virgins. The wise ones have their wicks trimmed and wait for the bridegroom. The foolish ones miss out. The point of the parable is that we need to be ready for Jesus' return or we will miss out.

"It's hard for thee to kick against the pricks" may be a self reference, about how it was hard for Cash to follow God, but God kept calling him back. It is also a reference to the apostle Paul's conversion experience on the Damascus road (Acts 9:5 , 26:14). A prick (or goad) is a sharp stick used to prod livestock. The phrase in context means that it's hard for Paul to fight back against what Jesus is calling him to do. Cash identified with Paul, and wrote a book about Paul's conversion experience.

Till Armageddon, no Shalam, no Shalom. Then the father hen will call his chickens home. The wise men will bow down before the throne. And at his feet they'll cast their golden crown. When the man comes around.

Armageddon is a location in Israel, and a site of a huge battle that will take place before Christ returns to earth (Rev 16). Shalom is a Hebrew word that means peace. Shalam is a variation that probably means the same thing. There will be no peace until Jesus returns after Armageddon.

Then the father hen will call his chickens home. This echos Jesus' lament in Luke 13:34: "how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!". Jesus wanted to gather the people of Jerusalem up to follow him, like a hen gathers her chicks, but they would not. In the end, God will call his followers home. The chickens will come home to roost. :)

The wise men bow down and cast their crowns. The wise men may represent the church. This is a reference to Rev 4:10: "The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne..."

Whoever is unjust, let him be unjust still. Whoever is righteous, let him be righteous still. Whoever is filthy, let him be filthy still. Listen to the words long written down, When the man comes around.

Whoever is unjust.... This is a quote from Revelation 22:11: "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." This portion of Rev 22 refers to the coming of Jesus. When he comes people will be found as they are, there will be no time for them to change at that point.

Listen to the words long written down. This means to listen and to follow what the Bible says.

Hear the trumpets, hear the pipers. One hundred million angels singing. Multitudes are marching to the big kettle drum. Voices calling, voices crying. Some are born and some are dying. It's Alpha's and Omega's Kingdom come.

And the whirlwind is in the thorn tree. The virgins are all trimming their wicks. The whirlwind is in the thorn tree. It's hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

In measured hundredweight and penny pound. When the man comes around.

In measured hundredweight... refers to Rev 6:6: "...A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny..." There is severe famine in the last days. A person has to work all day for a loaf of bread. A penny is what a person made in a day, and a measure of wheat is how much one would need for a loaf of bread.

And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts, And I looked and behold: a pale horse. And his name, that sat on him, was Death. And Hell followed with him.

The song closes with with the last of the four horsemen recorded in Revelation 6:7-8: ⁷And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. ⁸And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

If you are interested in more about Cash's faith, see this article from Christianity today.

Arminian Audio - Jack Cottrell

Here is a link to some audio resources by Jack Cottrell. Cottrell is a well known theologian from the Conservative Christian Church / Restoration movement. There is one link entitled "Once in Grace" that is a refutation of eternal security.

[17 Jan 2010, made correction of denomination]

HT: Steve Noel

Arminian and Calvinist Christmas Cards

(This is a repost from last year. Merry Christmas!)

Arminian Christmas Card:

Calvinist Christmas Card:

Interesting Links - 12/19/09

Ben Witherington has Handel's Messiah, the Story Behind the Classic. He notes that, "John Wesley was one of the ones who saw an early performance of this work. In his Journal he commented "there were some parts that were affecting, but I doubt it has staying power"."

The history of Hark the Herald Angels Sing. The original lyrics were written by Charles Wesley and then modified by George Whitefield (which reportedly made Charles furious). "Hark! how all the welkin ring", I think Whitefield was right on this one. It's good to see that a combined Arminian / Calvinist effort turned out a great classic Christmas song, even if Charles was displeased.

Check out the newly updated Wikipedia article: Conditional Perseverance of the Saints. Arminian Steve Witzki has spent time expanding the entry and adding primary sources references for everything.

Dan from Arminian Chronicles is doing a series on Romans 9, 10, and 11. For our Calvinist friends, Romans 10 and 11 are the chapters after Romans 9. ;)

A youtuber named by the name of Providential1611 has done a pretty funny presentation called FREE WILL Answering silly Calvinist challenges. HT: James Brown

Book Review: John Calvin Goes to Berkely

Theology Made Accessible in a Novel.

John Calvin Goes to Berkely (author's website)
John Calvin Goes to Berkely (Amazon link)

This book is the first in a series from University Christian Fellowship. It is a novel that weaves the age old questions of predestination and election into an interesting story line. The local University Christian Fellowship in Cal Berkeley is fractured. One of the members is a staunch high Calvinist. He is attempting to “convert” the rest of the leadership to his point of view, and is receiving outside pressure from his pastor to make this happen. The story revolves around the UCF leadership. Can they be salt and light? How does the fellowship respond to the challenges of a secular university? Can they understand the mystery of predestination? Is it solvable? How will the president Alex Kim cope with the division this issue causes? Can he bring peace and make everyone in the fellowship happy? Or is conflict and separation unavoidable?

The author James McCarthy does a fine job in presenting the major points of Calvinism and Arminianism, and the history behind these movements. The story is written in such a way that these theological points of view are made interesting and accessible to the average reader. It is fair to state that the author comes to basically Arminian conclusions regarding the issues at hand. The book also contains a bit of interesting history about Berkeley. The motto of Berkeley is: Fiat Lux. “Let there be light”. The author is obviously familiar with the campus. The reader will come away with a better understanding of how this rather unique college works.

A Comparison of Wesleyanism and Classical Arminianism

Wesleyanism and Classical Arminianism have much in common, however, there are a few differences. Here's a list that compares some of the differences in belief. These are generalities, as particular beliefs often vary from person to person. And some of these categories overlap a bit. For example: One's view of sanctification influences one's view of righteousness.

Sanctification / Holiness: Wesleyans place an emphasis on entire sanctification (although perhaps less so though than they used to). Classical Arminians do not hold to entire sanctification. Wesleyans teach that Christians can be completely sanctified in this lifetime, and can live a holy life. Sanctification is not only inward, it is also outward, and motivates a life of service. John Wesley called this "Holiness of Heart and Life". Some Wesleyans see this as a process. Some see it as an instant second work of grace. Some a combination of the two. J Kenneth Grider has a book about this. Entire Sanctification: The Distinctive Doctrine of Wesleyanism.

Atonement: Wesleyans often hold to the moral government view of the atonement. Jesus suffered and died as a governmental act to show that God was displeased with the sin of man. Anyone who accepts the suffering of Jesus will be saved. Classical Arminians usually hold to substitutionary atonement. Jesus died as a substitute for mankind, taking our place. Those who believe will be saved. It should be noted that John Wesley himself held to substitutionary atonement. However, most of his followers have held to the governmental view, particularly since the late 1800's. This was the view originally articulated by the Remonstrant Hugo Grotius, and later advocated by evangelist Charles Finney, and Methodist theologian John Miley.

Forfeiting Salvation: Wesleyans believe salvation can be forfeited by a deliberately sinful life. It can be regained by repentance. Classical Arminians have different opinions on the matter. Some agree with Wesleyans that salvation can be forfeited and regained. Some believe that if salvation is forfeited it cannot be regained again. Some believe that salvation cannot be forfeited. Arminius himself never took a position on this issue. As a side note, I think there is a trend toward identifying with Classical Arminianism among some in the SBC, because they can still hold to "once saved always saved". This is good. Calvinism has become very divisive among the SBC and the folks who believe that Jesus died for the world are taking another look at Arminianism.

Righteousness: Wesleyans believe in imputed righteousness and imparted righteousness. Classical Arminians generally hold to only imputed righteousness. Imputed righteousness is a forensic righteousness before God. It teaches that that we are still sinful at heart after becoming Christians, but God the Father ignores our sin because of our faith in Jesus. When he looks at us he sees the righteousness of Jesus instead of our sin. Imparted righteousness teaches that we are acceptable to the Father because the blood of Jesus has really made us pure and has changed us inside. We are holy in God's sight because Jesus has genuinely made us so.

Spirit Focus: Wesleyans place a priority on the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and gifts of the Spirit (healing, prophesy, etc). Charismatic Wesleyans also hold that the gift of tongues is one of the evidences of the filling of the Spirit. Classical Arminians believe in the filling of the Spirit, but generally have less focus on gifts of the Spirit.

Foreknowledge: Wesleyans are more friendly to open theism, although many also hold to classical foreknowledge. Open theism teaches that God does not exhaustively know the future because the future is open and cannot be known. Classical Arminians believe that God exhaustively knows the future.

Life is Hard - by Heidi Jackson

Here is a song written and sung by my daughter Heidi. I hope it blesses you as it has me.

Life is hard ‘cause we make mistakes.
Life is hard ‘cause we sin.
Life is hard ‘cause we have bad days.
And it’s hard ‘cause we’re far from God.

But God gave us a gift.
For whoever believes in him,
Shall not die, but have eternal life.
There’s no doubt when God’s around
‘cause he loves us, and he’s with us.

Life is hard ‘cause we’re getting sick.
Life is hard ‘cause we’re sad.
Life is hard, cause we’re getting mad.
And it’s hard ‘cause we’re far from God.

Life is hard, cause we get bullied.
Life is hard, cause we’re scared
Life is hard, cause we lose our friends.
And it’s hard ‘cause we’re far from God.

Interesting Links - 11/29/09

Dr. Jeffrey E. Greenway, a UMC Pastor gives a review of the Wesley Study Bible. He comments on the Calvinist resurgence. "In my opinion, the trend of the majority of modern evangelicalism has a Calvinist/Reformed bent...However, I also believe that the world and culture in which most of us find ourselves is ripe for a resurgence of a Wesleyan approach to faith and practice."

Looks like Bill O'Reilly is not a Calvinist. In this video he mentions (in passing) some of the problems of Calvinism. Go to 2:45 for the pithy version. (HT: Contemporary Calvinist)

Blogger Peter Churcher is doing a series called "Out of the Closet", where he gives his reasons for holding to certain doctrines. In this post he explains why he is an Arminian. "Arminianism is a belief in God's grace first and foremost, with an acceptance of our God given free will and responsibility. Arminianism is the belief that we are all spiritually blind and are in need to God's grace."

William Birch gives three reasons why Calvinism should be rejected: Historical Verity Belongs to Arminianism, God is to be Glorified, and Scripture and the Significance of Hermeneutics.

According to Nick Norelli, Christian radio hosts James White (Calvinist) and Michael Brown (Arminian) are looking into a possible debate.

Fun Little Poem

A little poetry about a certain opponent of Arminius. :)

Franciscus Gomarus was a Superlapsarius;
He actually gave Adam an excuse,
God had decreed, foreordained Adam's deed
God had precooked Adam's Goose!

(Author unknown, quoted by Vic Reasoner in his audio series on systematic theology, "Attributes of God, part 1")

Servetus the Evangelical out of the Closet?

Hat tip to Steve Noel.

According to Steve, "Apparently Servetus the Evangelical is a golfer named Kermit Zarley. Never heard of him before but his clues match up with this fellow."

If you don't know who Servetus the Evangelical is, his website is here. Mr Zarley's website is here.

Interesting Links - 11/14/09

Wesley the Movie premiers tonight in Winston-Salem, NC. The Winston-Salem Journal has an article about the production. For more info see the movie website or Facebook page.

Vision.org has a good short biography about Calvin: John Calvin - Geneva's Iron Hand.

SLW presents a cure for the TULIP.

The New American (a conservative opinion site) has an article that is critical of Al Gore and his climate change theories. The author, James Heiser, ties Gore's theory to Arminianism. "In a style suited for a culture swamped by typically Arminian thinking, Mr. Gore assures his readers that salvation is in their hands."

Calvinist Tim Haufler takes a look at 1 John 2:2. What does "whole world" mean?

Arminian Audio: Dr. Michael Brown

Here is an audio link to a Christian radio call in show hosted by a person named Dr. Michael Brown. He explains why he is not a Calvinist.

Calvinism vs Arminianism - Part 1: November 4, 2009
Calvinism vs Arminianism - Part 2: November 5, 2009
Why I Am Not a Calvinist – Part 1: November 9, 2009
Why I Am Not a Calvinist – Part 2: November 10, 2009

Also available by podcast

Of interest:

• He gives an account how he was a Calvinist for five years and then later rejected the system.
• He became a Calvinist through intellectual studies and not by "being on his knees".
• For him Calvinism promoted intellectual pride and a lack of spiritual vitality.
• He noted the tendency of Calvinists to have a fixation on certain doctrines.
  

HT: Arminian Today

John Goodwin's "Redemption Redeemed" Online!

The Society of Evangelical Arminians has obtained a PDF of "Redemption Redeemed" by John Goodwin. It can be found here.

From the website:

John Goodwin's Redemption Redeemed may be the best defense of Arminianism ever written. Published in 1651 by the Arminian Puritan John Goodwin (1593-1665), it is written in seventeenth century English with a Puritan writing style, which can make for challenging reading. But it contains tremendous biblical exegesis. The patient reader will be rewarded with a powerful, classic, comprehensive, biblical defense of five point Reformation Arminian theology.

And also:

A revised, shortened edition has been produced, which mildly updates the language and provides excerpts concentrated on defending unlimited atonement from the much larger work made available here: Redemption Redeemed: A Puritan Defense of Unlimited Atonement

Thanks to John Wagner for all the hard work he has done to make these resources available.

Women Leaders in the Wesleyan Movements

This post contains some short biographies of women who were early leaders (prior to 1900) in the various Wesleyan inspired movements. The Methodist, Holiness, and Charismatic movements all have a rich egalitarian history.

Due to the length of this post, many worthy names are omitted. This list should not be considered exhaustive.

Sarah Crosby (1729-1804) Sarah was born in Leeds, Yorkshire. A former Calvinist, she became a Methodist after hearing John Wesley preach. In 1761 she became one of the first female preachers in Methodism. She traveled and preached extensively, with the encouragement of John Wesley.

Barbara Heck (1734-1804) An immigrant from Ireland, Barbara was instrumental in the founding of the Methodist movement in New York state. She is known as the mother of American Methodism. She was a loyalist (supporter of England). After the American Revolution, her family relocated to Canada and she continued her work there.

Mary Bosanquet Fletcher (1739-1815) Mary was an early leader in the Methodist movement. She was a preacher and teacher. She managed a house in London to take care of the poor and destitute. Later in life she married John Fletcher (a close associate of John Wesley). After Mr. Fletcher's death, she continued in ministry for another 30 years.

Jarena Lee (1783-1849) Lee was the first female preacher in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She was born in New Jersey (a free state). In 1819 she received permission from the AME to preach. She was an evangelist who traveled throughout the East and Midwestern United States, including the slave states of Virginia and Maryland. She wrote a small autobiography (online here), where she gives a moving account of her conversion, and how she was called to preach. " For as unseemly as it may appear now-a-days for a woman to preach, it should be remembered that nothing is impossible with God. And why should it be thought impossible, heterodox, or improper for a woman to preach? seeing the Savior died for the woman as well as for the man."

Fanny Butterfield Newell (1793-1824) Fanny was the wife of a well known Methodist preacher, and also preached herself. They helped found a Methodist church in Sydney Maine, Fanny preached in the New England states.

Sojourner Truth (1797-1883) Sojourner was was a fiery Methodist, who spoke on the topics of abolition, women's suffrage, prison reform, and capital punishment. Her early life contains the awful stories common to slave women. She was born in New York and became emancipated when New York outlawed slavery. "Where did Christ come from? From God and a woman. Man had nothing to do with Him!"

Juliann Jane Tillman (?-?) Tillman was preacher in the AME in the early part of the 19th century. She was probably an itinerant evangelist. In the early days of the AME, women were permitted to preach, but not to be in leadership in the local church. The lithograph on the left was done in 1844.


Phoebe Palmer (1807-1874) Palmer was an evangelist, author, and prayer warrior. She was instrumental in the founding of the American Holiness movement. She had a heart for the poor, and started an inner city mission in New York City. She wrote a book entitled "The Promise of the Father" which advocated women in leadership. "Earnest prayers, long fasting, and burning tears may seem befitting, but cannot move the heart of infinite love to a greater willingness to save. God's time is now. The question is not, What have I been? or What do I expect to be? But, Am I now trusting in Jesus to save to the uttermost? If so, I am now saved from all sin."

Laura Smith Haviland (1808-1898) Laura was the daughter of Quaker leaders and later worked with the Wesleyan Methodists in the fight against slavery. She was a well known abolitionist, and active in the underground railroad (helping African slaves escape to free states). The Wesleyan Methodist church recognized her work by giving her a district appointment (the same authority that a pastor of a church would receive).

Fanny J. Crosby (1820-1915) Crosby penned the lyrics for more than 8000 poems and hymns. She sometimes used pseudonyms when writing because publishers were reluctant to fill their hymnals entirely with her work. Crosby memorized long passages of scripture. She was a frequent public speaker, and a sought after revival preacher. She was an advocate of education for the blind (being blinded herself in early childhood). Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Sarah Smith (1822-1908) Known as "Mother Smith", Sarah was a believer in the power of God. She had little formal eduction, knowing only how to write simple print. Originally a timid person, she became a bold prayer warrior after a sanctification experience. At the age of 61, she first felt the call to preach. She joined a group of holiness evangelists who held revival meetings and planted new churches in many different states. These churches eventually formed the "Anderson Church of God" denomination.

Julia Foote (1823-1900) Julia was born in New york, a child of former slaves. She was a longtime member of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (AMEZ). By the late 1840's she felt a call to preach, and became a traveling evangelist.

Mary Clarke Nind (1825-1905) Mary was a leader in the Methodist missionary movement. She founded the "Woman's Foreign Missionary Society". Originally a Congregationalist, Mary became a Methodist because of her interest in holiness doctrine, and because of her desire to preach the Gospel. She was affectionately called "Our Little Bishop".

Annie Wittenmyer (1827-1900) Nicknamed "God's angel", Annie was best known for her work assisting wounded Union soldiers during the American civil war. President Grant is quoted as saying "No soldier on the firing line gave more heroic service than she did." Annie had a special heart for children. She wrote children's hymns, established Sunday schools, and dedicated time to assisting war orphans. She was was a writer and leader in the Temperance movement. She was active in leadership in the development of the state of Iowa.

Catherine Booth (1829-1890) William and Catherine Booth founded the Salvation Army. Catherine's leadership skills and strong Wesleyan theology were instrumental in the formation of the organization. She often preached to to more affluent audiences, urging them to minister to the poor. She was involved in the temperance movement, seeing the effects of alcohol abuse. Catherine was known as the "Army Mother".

Jennie Fowler Willing (1834-1916) Willing founded the "New York Evangelistic Training School", which was a missionary training center. She was ordained in 1873. She was an early Christian expert on Mormonism, and wrote a book entitled: Mormonism: The Mohammedanism of the West.

Mary Depew (1836-1892) Mary was an evangelist for the Wesleyan Methodists, and was a major influence in the Wesleyan Holiness revival. She preached throughout Indiana, Ohio and Michigan.




Amanda Berry Smith (1837-1915) Amanda was known as "the colored evangelist". Born a slave, by 1840 her parents had saved enough money to purchase the family's freedom. They moved from Maryland to Pennsylvania, and joined the abolitionist movement. Amanda taught herself to read by cutting letters from the newspapers that her father brought home. By the 1870's Amanda had become a well known holiness evangelist, frequently preaching at revivals and camp meetings. She traveled throughout the United States. She spent 12 years abroad, doing missionary work in Europe, India, and Africa. She founded an orphanage in Chicago.

Elizabeth Sisson (1843-1934) Elizabeth was a writer, missionary, and preacher. She was an early missionary to India, where she ministered among the Hindus. After returning to the USA she became a popular evangelist and speaker in the young charismatic movement. She was a co-editor for a publication called "Triumph of Faith" (with Carrie Judd, see below). Elizabeth was involved in the founding of the Assemblies of God, and was ordained in 1917.

Anna (Annie) Hanscome (1845? - 1899) Annie was a holiness preacher. In 1890, she founded a church in Malden, Massachusetts. She was ordained in 1892 by a holiness group that would later join the Nazarene church, thus making her the first of many ordained females in the denomination. The church she founded continues today, and is one of the oldest Nazarene churches in existence.


Emma Whittemore (1850-1931) Emma Whittemore was an unlikely leader. She and her husband Sydney and were wealthy New York socialites. They both felt called to serve the poor. Emma was quite timid and shy, until the Holy Spirit called her into service. She founded the "Door of Hope" mission in New York City, which ministered to street girls. The Whittemores became leaders in the Salvation Army, and were also active in the foundation of Gospel Rescue Missions. Emma was a popular public speaker.

Carrie Judd Montgomery (1858-1946) After being bedridden for a number of years, Carrie had an amazing healing experience. Afterwords she began to share her story with others. She was a well respected person, and preached to widely different audiences. She shared her message with multiracial groups, and with any church who would open their doors. She was involved with the Salvation Army, and was acquainted with many leaders in the various Wesleyan-Holiness movements. She was involved in the founding of the Christian Missionary Alliance, and of the Assemblies of God. At a time when many were suspicious of the new Charismatic movement, Carrie was a unifier who helped to promote unity between Holiness and Charismatic groups.

Rachel Bradley. Rachel's motto was "The World for Jesus". She was a Free Methodist. She founded a number of missions and outreach programs in Chicago, the oldest of which was the Olive Branch Mission, established in 1867. At the time, prostitution was rampant in the city, even among young girls, who were bought and sold by the brothels. Rachel took girls off the street and taught them skills in order to give them an alternate means to provide for themselves. The mission is still in operation today.

Helenor M. Davison Helenor M. Davison was a Methodist, and was ordained in 1866 by the North Indiana Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church, probably making her the first ordained woman in the American Methodist tradition.

Florence Lee (1859-1958) Florence was an ordained minister in the Pilgrim Holiness Church (A parent body of the Wesleyan Church). She was an evangelist, ran a rescue home in Colorado, was active in the PCH Bible college, and was an editor of a magazine called "The Mission Advance".



Fannie McDowell Hunter (1860-1912?) Fannie was the grand daughter of a Methodist circuit rider. She was a holiness evangelist, and was involved in the founding of the Church of the Nazarene. She wrote a book entitled "Women preachers" which was a compilation of stories of contemporary women preachers.

Dr Lilian Yeomans (1861-1942) Lilian and her mother Amelia were physicians in Manitoba. They learned medicine in Michigan, as Canada did not admit women into med school at the time. They provided health care for women and children, the poor in their community. Lilian became addicted to morphine after using it on the job. After nearly dying, she was healed from the addiction. She gave up her medical practice, and became an evangelist and a missionary to the Cree Indians. She wrote about diving healing and how God had healed her addition. She was a popular speaker on the topic of healing.

Alma B. White (1862-1946) Alma was an amazing woman, yet not without controversy because of her racism. She founded the "Pillar of Fire" church denomination. She was the first female bishop of a denomination in the United States. She was involved in the temperance and woman's suffrage movements.



Rachel Sizelove (1864-1941) Rachel was an itinerant evangelist. Initially a Free Methodist, she became Charismatic after hearing William Seymour preach at the Azuza Street revival in Los Angeles. She founded the original Assembly of God church in Springfield, Missouri.



Mary Lee Cagle (1864-1955) Mary was a holiness preacher from Alabama. She felt the call to preach at a young age, but was discouraged by her family from following the call. She married an evangelist named Robert Lee Harris, and first learned to preach by observing him. After Harris died of tuberculosis, Mary began preaching on her own. She traveled with a group of women evangelists. She also often preached to black congregations. This was quite unusual at the time for a white woman from rural Alabama. She helped to found a number of holiness churches in Alabama, Texas and New Mexico. She was involved in the formation of the Church of the Nazarene.

Santos Elizondo (1867-1941) Santos was born in Mexico. She became a Christian at one of Phineas Bresee's Holiness revivals in Los Angeles. She founded at least two churches, one in El Paso, TX, and another in Juarez, Mexico. She lead Nazarene missions in Mexico for 35 years. While there, she founded orphanages and ministered to the poorest of the poor. Because of her servant heart, she was able to overcome much of the initial Mexican cultural hostility to her work (being Protestant and female were two big strikes). A number of prominent priests and officials attended her funeral.

Elsie Wallace (?-?) In 1897 Elsie founded a holiness mission in Spokane, WA. The mission was "literally filled on its four sides with saloons and places of wickedness." In 1902 the mission was reorganized as a church, and Elsie was unanimously called to become the first pastor. The church exists today as "Spokane First Nazarene Church". Elsie also started churches in Ashland, OR; Boise, ID; Walla Walla, WA and Seattle, WA. In addition, she was a district superintendent (in charge of all churches in a region). The Pentecostal Messenger reported that Pastor Wallace “is indeed one of the best pastors we ha[ve] ever seen anywhere, and is doing a great work."



References:

• Spiritual Chain Reactions: Women Used of God - A list of early Assembly of God leaders.
• Wesleyan Holiness Women - The history of women preachers in the Holiness movement.
  
• Living the Legacy - An article about Women Missions in the Methodist Church
• Empowered Foremothers - An article about how today's Christian feminists can learn from the leadership of early Wesleyan women.
• American Women in Mission - Online Google book.
• Turn the Pulpit Loose - Article on women preachers from the last two centuries.
• Why I Favor Women in Ministry - by Ken Schenk (Professor from Indiana Wesleyan)
• God's Word to Women - A brief history of some women in ministry.
• A Woman's Place? - Online book by C.S. Cowles.
  

In memory of my grandmother Lela Jackson. G'ma was an ordained minister (and many other things).

Interesting Links - 11/01/09

The Spokane Examiner has an article entitled: A Methodist's Take on Predestination and Free Will. (HT: Wesley Wong)

Richard Coords takes a look at a dissertation that explores the potential Gnostic influence on Augustine’s doctrine of Predestination.

Blogger Josh Taylor has an excellent piece on Justification by Faith.

Calvinist Kevin DeYoung asks: Can God Know Everything and Still Give Us Free Will? Be sure to see Adam O's comment.

Hyper-Calvinist Bill Parker says Calvinists aren't saved if they defend Arminians.

Destiny or Free Will? Christianity Today's Todd Hertz writes about a new ABC TV series that will "explore the nature of destiny and the human condition."