It is not my normal practice to post a lengthy excerpt from another man’s writing.  However, I recently read the book “Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream,” by David Platt.  It is an incredible book that would challenge any believer in the realm of evangelism and world missions.  As with any book, there are parts that may be discussed and/or debated.  However, the thesis is well-stated.

In chapter four of the book, Platt deals with the subject of “The Great Why of God.”  Here is a excerpt that is worth reading. . .

____Begin Excerpt____

If you were to ask the average Christian sitting in a worship service on Sunday morning to summarize the message of Christianity, you would most likely hear something along the lines of “The message of Christianity is that God loves me.”  Or someone might say, “The message of Christianity is that God loves me enough to send his Son, Jesus, to die for me.”

As wonderful as this sentiment sounds, is it biblical?  Isn’t it incomplete, based on what we have seen in the Bible?  ”God loves me” is not the essence of biblical Christianity.  Because if “God loves me” is the message of Christianity, then who is the object of Christianity?

God loves me.
Me.
Christianity’s object is me.

Therefore, when I look for a church, I look for the music that best fits me and the programs that best cater to me and my family.  When I make plans for my life and career, it is about what works best for me and my family.  When I consider the house I will live in, the car I will drive, the clothes I will wear, the way I will live, I will choose according to what is best for me.  This is the version of Christianity that largely prevails in our culture.

But it is not biblical Christianity.

The message of biblical Christianity is not “God love me, period,” as if we were the object of our own faith.  The message of biblical Christianity is “God loves me so that I might make Him ––His ways, His salvation, His glory, and His greatness–– known among all nations.”  Now God is the object of our faith, and Christianity centers around Him.  We are not the end of the gospel; God is.

____End Excerpt____

Now that is powerful!

I have added a “Book Review” section to this site.  The link is located under the “Books” tab on the menu bar.  I will adding a review of books read, as time permits to write the review.  No review should be construed as an endorsement of any book, unless specifically stated. Neither is it my desire to be a critic of any author.  Any review of a book will simply be my opinion.  Of course, my opinion and two bucks will buy you a cup of coffee at Waffle House.

If you have a special request, please feel free to ask.  If you have comments or opinions to add, please feel free to do so.

The first book to be reviewed is a book by Dr. Louis Arnold entitled, “When Will the Tribulation Begin?” Brother Arnold’s thesis is that there is a period of at least forty years between the rapture of the church and the beginning of the Tribulation.  My review is meant to be a kind, but pointed critique of his deductions.

A. W. Tozer

Back in the 1970’s I can remember many preachers thundering in their pulpits about the dangers of the “Deeper Life” movement.  They declared it to be at odds with the spirit of soul-winning and evangelism.  Yet, the preponderance of the lack of any depth of modern-day believers has become the present strangler of soul-winning.  As with any theological point, it is easy to “go to seed” and miss other important issues.

In his book The Pursuit of God, A.W. Tozer addresses the problem that is produced by those who fail to have depth in their walk with the Lord.  He writes. . .

“We have been trying to apply machine-age methods to our relations with God.  We read our chapter, have our short devotions and rush away, hoping to make up for our deep inward bankruptcy by attending another gospel meeting or listening to another thrilling story told by a religious adventurer lately returned from afar.  The tragic results of this spirit are all about us.  Shallow lives, hollow religious philosophies, the preponderance of the element of fun in gospel meetings, the glorification of men, trust in religious externalities, quasi-religious fellowships, salesmanship methods, the mistaking of dynamic personality for the power of the Spirit: These and such as these are the symptoms of an evil disease, a deep and serious malady of the soul.”  [A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God (Harrisburg, PA:  Christian Publications, 1948) pp. 69-70]

Since this classic book was written in 1948, and what Tozer saw the church of his day, what would Tozer think of much of the church of our day?  Although Tozer has passed away, what about the One who will never pass away?  How does God view His church today?  He yearns for intimate fellowship with His people.  Do we have the same yearning for Him?

 Book by Pastor Wynn

An Examination of the Biblical Principles Regarding Christian Dress

Does God Care What I Wear is a twenty-page booklet that addresses the biblical standard of dress and propriety.  It is the outcome of a two-sermon series preached in the pulpit of Lighthouse Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia.  The sermon was a part of a series on “Things Baptist Believe,” which was answering questions submitted by the new believers in the church. 

To read an excerpt from the preface and introduction, click this link. . .Does God Care (Excerpt).  Or, to read the entire booklet (with watermarked pages), click this link. . .Does God Care (Watermarked)

Chapters include the following:

• Modesty of Dress
• Distinction of Dress
• Testimony of Dress
• Authority of Dress

For more information, please contact me at phone or e-mail at the top of this blog page.  

Single Copies:  $1.75 (+ $1 S/H)
25-49 Copies: $1.50 ea (+ $5 S/H)
50+ Copies:     $1.25 ea (FREE S/H)

Busy but not Blessed

Reading: Luke 10:38-42

It has been a few days since my last post to this blog. The schedule of past days have excluded time for writing thoughts for posting. Yet, it is this very limitation that has challenged my heart and soul.

I was sitting in my office a few days ago and meditating on the Scriptures. As I did, the Holy Spirit began to speak to my heart concerning my communion with the Lord. As with many pastors and preachers, my schedule is full of ministry. With visitation, sermon preparation, teaching and other ministry duties, I am fully engaged in ministry. However, it seems that with all of my trying to refresh others, the spiritual well from which I drank had become dry. I had become guilty of what I call the “Martha Syndrome.”

In Luke 10:38-42, we see the involvement of Martha in serving Christ. She is busy in the kitchen preparing dinner for the Lord. This is an honorable ambition. It is noble to desire to meet the physical needs of the honored guest in her home. Yet, it was this very service that made her resentful of her sister. Her service for Christ did not produce a closeness to Christ. Rather, it made her doubtful of Christ. (more…)