At times, it is mysteriously shocking how Stephen Tong and John MacArthur preach alike.
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Reformed Rap and Hip-Hop
Interesting musical turn from the modern: The Reformed Rap.
What drew my interest was this quote by Anthony Bradley:
Reformed hip-hop is a theologically driven masculinity movement. It says no to the prom songs to Jesus in CCM, no to whiny emo Christian music for hipsters, and no to empty, shallow, individualistic Christian music lacking theological content produced out of Nashville.
And then I thought of those orthodox churches (not the Eastern Orthodox), which gradually surrender their music to the very songs they've once called shallow...they would be no better than shallow, beginning it emotionally until it spread through the whole essence of a man.
Though hip-hop rap is very wordy than others, providing the advantage of content building, I am not too impressed when I browsed through an example of Curtis Allen's Heidelberg Catechism song, which is more repetition of the title than anything theological. How would one over come the aggressive masculinity obsession in a style whose essence comes from it.
I would put it in the Entertainment-Education category, still, it is very distracting, especially when I try to be serious in focusing on the meaning of the Westminster's Catechism when it's sung by Curtis. And the speed of Marcus Gray's Who Can Pluck Us, while I may try to keep up, is tempting me for unecessary aggression, I doubt it is possible to have a pious "music" in this way.
However, I'll give them credit for being calvinist...perhaps a tool I'll throw into the modern Christians who's so crazy about pop Christian songs to sink them to a point of turning around, though not for myself.
Prom songs to Jesus...ha...that is certainly a fresh term for the CCM.
Posted in General
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Death of Bin Laden
Finally, after 10 years, the CIA has killed Osama. Everyone's getting very emotional, especially in America.
Well, I supposed Obama's next term is secured.
And some, like Trump, would want proof of body, no doubt.
My only questions are:
Are there collateral damage?
How was Osama killed? Or was it just a simple firefight?
Why is any time needed to invade any terrorist compound? Money? or are we just interested in Osama?
What is Bush thinking? I mean really thinking inside...That's all.
Source Search: Who are the preachers
While listening to MacArthur's "Fundamental Priorities of a Good Church", I heard two "puritan" preachers mentioned without names. Thus, I was unable to learn about the incidents in more detail.
After some search, I believe I've found one, but while the major background is similar, some minor details differ, unless it's the wrong guy, which I doubt.
1. Charles Simeon, a preacher who has often found church locking door and pew against him (10-12 years) simply because he wanted to preach directly from the Bible. He allowed the Word to change the people despite the fact that he's got a legal order to force open doors which he didn't use.
2. Still unknown to me: There was another Puritan who came to a church in New England and said he was going to preach through Isaiah. He preached there over 25 years and died in chapter 8. That's too slow.
Posted in General, Questions
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Rev. David Wilderson passed away
First thought across my mind: Why was he in Texas?
David Wilkerson, famed "The Cross and the Switchblade" protagonist in real life then, well respected as the preacher who turned whorehouses and gangs (ie. the gangster-turn-evangelist Nicky Cruz) of New York City around, passed just like that in a car crash.
Time Square Church (based in an old theater house) megachurch while being non-denomination (I thought it was "inter-denomination"), is very charismatic in style: music-wise and having a prominent healing center in the basement. It is probably the only pentecostal type church I don't mind re-visiting, mainly because of how all of their pastors have to sit on the stage and listen during the sermon, instead of running around doing their own thing - a method towards good elder relationship, I presume.
Posted in News
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Obama releases Birth Certificate
Putting Americans from some chaos thanks to the "birthers" as well as Donald Trump, the Whitehouse has Hawaii released the certificate. Of course, in denial, the response of them is naturally: Why wasn't this done sooner...etc.
Perhaps Obama doesn't have the "long form" document himself (only the standard short form is shared) and having the government to release the original is not a standard protocol. I don't know.
But unless his birthland is proven otherwise, patriotism is exhibited beyond papers and constitutions. Thus I feel the president puts it adequately:
We do not have time for this kind of silliness. We have better stuff to do. I've got better stuff to do.
Posted in News
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Answering Muslims: Is the Bible the Word of God
The aggressive Muslims (not extreme) love to contend with Christians on the validity of the Bible. Highly motivated by one of their heroes, the late Ahmed Deedat, they've challenged the Bible with Christians around the globe, particularly of the Western countries.
My soundbite to this challenge is simply:
Since the Bible predates Quran, it is better to admit humility, than to say if God's word is questionable then it is not God's word. It is better to seek the will of God patiently, than to make sense with new movement and betray the old.
Posted in General
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The Apple of the Eye
In the past week, celebration of the Passover by the Jews and Easter Sunday by the Christians reminded me of the phrase "the apple of His eye" as the Jews use it quite often when referring to the uniqueness of their race.
Since it has been said that the identity of the Jews today is somewhat obscured, I will not debate if the State of Israel today or the upholders of Jewish rituals could claim the "apple of God's eye" in this entry. I note however, that while some wander about the reference of All Israel who are assured salvation in Romans 11, the silencing key is Romans 9:6 - Not all of Israel are Israel. After all, some has contended that Jesus Christ is the apple of the eye...look no further. Thus, the ALL ISRAEL referred by Romans 11:25 remains a Mystery to me.
The Apple of the Eye (眼中的瞳人), the most tender part of the body where greatest precautions are taken, as John Calvin puts it (Calvin Commentary Deu 32:10), is found only in the Old Testament in 5 verses:
1. Deuteronomy 32:10 (Jacob, as representative of his people)
2. Psalms 17:8 (David, in his prayer)
3. Proverbs 7:2 (the Law of God, as the apple of one's eye)
4. Lamentations 2:18 (Daughter of Zion)
5. Zechariah 2:8 (Daughter of Zion)
Of all 5, 4 refer to people of Israel, 1 refers to the Law or Laws (Torot ותורת ) of God.
In the 4 cases, the object is in singular form, a representative.
In conclusion, I would say this phrase is exaggerated today by the Jews or the Messianic Jews when they refer it solely to themselves via those of ancient patriarchs of Israel, but not Christians. The true heritage of Jacob, remains a mystery yet to be seen.
Posted in Reflection, Theologization
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Social Club Fellowship
The problem with most fellowship today is not because it's just a social club, it's a social club using God as an excuse to be a social club.
Thus it is obvious, when everytime before a Bible study or after the finishing Amen, the talk of God and His glorious works are out of the window.
Posted in General
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Attempted rape in Brooklyn
At least after about 10 seconds of screaming, the neigbhors come out yelling. I really thought the neighbor was going to say he stayed home like a little chicken when he heard the scream during the interview.
Good thing they put the video out and did not say it's too "gory" for the public to watch. But one month is definitely too long.
Posted in News
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