Comments on: The Reason for God http://www.newlife-glastonbury.org/blog/2008/02/19/the-reason-for-god/ Thoughts on faith and culture from the community of NewLife Christian Fellowship, Glastonbury, CT Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:05:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Christopher Dart http://www.newlife-glastonbury.org/blog/2008/02/19/the-reason-for-god/comment-page-1/#comment-5820 Christopher Dart Sat, 01 Mar 2008 21:33:37 +0000 http://www.newlife-glastonbury.org/blog/2008/02/19/the-reason-for-god/#comment-5820 <p>Below is a quote about Rev. Timothy Keller.</p> <p>Rev. Timothy Keller<br /> Redeemer Presbyterian<br /> Keller has become the most successful Christian Evangelist in the city by recognizing what marketers have known for decades: that young professionals and artists are “disproportionately influential” in creating the country’s culture and that you have to meet this coveted demographic on its own terms. With intellectual, brimstone-free sermons that manage to cite Woody Allen alongside Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Keller draws some 5,000 young followers every Sunday.</p> <p>I vehemently disagree with the notion of becoming like the world to be relevant to the world. The theater and art culture are greatly opposed to Christ. I categorically reject the idea of bringing theater and the arts into the Church as a means of making the Gospel effective. Paul said, "I will have nothing known among you save Christ Jesus and Him crucified (1 Co. 2.2)." Be sure Paul preached fire and brimstone - Jesus did. Paul preached the blood. He preached the Law. He preached grace. Paul's life was one of brokenness and holiness.</p> <p>Notice, in the blog above, I wrote of Keith Green's evangelistic work. Surely he was a great singer and musician. His ministry, however was bathed in prayer. The churches he played at spent much time in prayer for His ministry. Keith's ministry was intimately connected with Pastor David Wilkerson and Leonard Ravenhill. The only way any of those men would use anyone from the theater crowd was if they repented, were saved and transformed by the renewing of the mind. One example is the man who used to play Jesus of Nazareth in the mockery Jesus Christ Superstar, Pastor David Davis, Kehilat HaCarmel (Carmel Assembly).</p> <p>Just because one can draw thousands to a meeting, doesn't mean the Holy Ghost is there. We, at New Life Fellowship, have much more as we individually and corporately seek the face of the Living God. The members are loving and humble. The pastor has no tricks up his sleeve, just a willingness to be used of God.</p> Below is a quote about Rev. Timothy Keller.

Rev. Timothy Keller
Redeemer Presbyterian
Keller has become the most successful Christian Evangelist in the city by recognizing what marketers have known for decades: that young professionals and artists are “disproportionately influential” in creating the country’s culture and that you have to meet this coveted demographic on its own terms. With intellectual, brimstone-free sermons that manage to cite Woody Allen alongside Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Keller draws some 5,000 young followers every Sunday.

I vehemently disagree with the notion of becoming like the world to be relevant to the world. The theater and art culture are greatly opposed to Christ. I categorically reject the idea of bringing theater and the arts into the Church as a means of making the Gospel effective. Paul said, “I will have nothing known among you save Christ Jesus and Him crucified (1 Co. 2.2).” Be sure Paul preached fire and brimstone – Jesus did. Paul preached the blood. He preached the Law. He preached grace. Paul’s life was one of brokenness and holiness.

Notice, in the blog above, I wrote of Keith Green’s evangelistic work. Surely he was a great singer and musician. His ministry, however was bathed in prayer. The churches he played at spent much time in prayer for His ministry. Keith’s ministry was intimately connected with Pastor David Wilkerson and Leonard Ravenhill. The only way any of those men would use anyone from the theater crowd was if they repented, were saved and transformed by the renewing of the mind. One example is the man who used to play Jesus of Nazareth in the mockery Jesus Christ Superstar, Pastor David Davis, Kehilat HaCarmel (Carmel Assembly).

Just because one can draw thousands to a meeting, doesn’t mean the Holy Ghost is there. We, at New Life Fellowship, have much more as we individually and corporately seek the face of the Living God. The members are loving and humble. The pastor has no tricks up his sleeve, just a willingness to be used of God.

]]> By: Liz Tuers http://www.newlife-glastonbury.org/blog/2008/02/19/the-reason-for-god/comment-page-1/#comment-5620 Liz Tuers Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:25:14 +0000 http://www.newlife-glastonbury.org/blog/2008/02/19/the-reason-for-god/#comment-5620 Thanks for posting this! I'd have to say Brennen Manning has reached my heart, and C.S. Lewis has had a profound impact on my mind. Manning's "Ragamuffin Gospel" found its way into my hands and changed my view of God and grace completely. Ever since that book, the word and theme of grace has been showing up everywhere in my life (church, relationships, struggles, etc). Then "Mere Christianity" by Lewis...the first chapter alone makes such a logical but easy to read case for the existence of God. I'd have to say these 2 books have had the most profound impact, and I'd highly recommend them to anyone who hasn't read them yet! Thanks for posting this! I’d have to say Brennen Manning has reached my heart, and C.S. Lewis has had a profound impact on my mind. Manning’s “Ragamuffin Gospel” found its way into my hands and changed my view of God and grace completely. Ever since that book, the word and theme of grace has been showing up everywhere in my life (church, relationships, struggles, etc). Then “Mere Christianity” by Lewis…the first chapter alone makes such a logical but easy to read case for the existence of God. I’d have to say these 2 books have had the most profound impact, and I’d highly recommend them to anyone who hasn’t read them yet!

]]> By: Christopher Dart http://www.newlife-glastonbury.org/blog/2008/02/19/the-reason-for-god/comment-page-1/#comment-5619 Christopher Dart Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:50:08 +0000 http://www.newlife-glastonbury.org/blog/2008/02/19/the-reason-for-god/#comment-5619 In reading the article, The Reason for God, I recall a listener on Rush Limbaugh's program, yesterday defending the word hope. First, the Word of God needs no defense. Jesus Christ is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. A lion doesn't need to be defended. The listener's complaint was about Fredrick Nietzsche's criticism of the Word culminating in his marvelous work, "God is dead." It must be noted Nietzsche's observation was about the deadness of the Church, who no longer believed in a living Saviour; a God who answers prayer; a Lord who commands us to watch and pray. Nietzsche's work was fascinatingly profound. A year later, in 1889, he lost his mind, perhaps from an aneurysm. I believe the wickedness of Niezsche's unbelief played a role in his demise. Hence, God smote him. Since the Church had followed along in the higher criticisms of Darwin, Satre and Nietzsche, she, indeed was dead. The wickedness of unbelief had become part of her system of "belief." Quite notably, around 1902 came the Welsh revival followed by the Azusa Street revival in 1906. R. A. Torrey, President of Moody Bible Institute, later Dean of BIOLA and son-in-law of D. L. Moody, took an instrumental role in that revival. Mr. Torrey had seen the poisonous philosophies of lower and higher criticism pollute the church, much as it has done today. This brings me to my answer for Pastor Eric's question, "Who have you found inspiring?" I first, shall mention D. L. Moody and R. A. Torrey. In 1949, another revival occurred in the Hebrides. Involved were two notable men of God: Duncan Campbell and Leonard Ravenhill. Mr. Ravenhill has, without a doubt inspired me and continues to inspire. In 1967, yet another revival happened before us. You may recall Eric Severide mocking the Jesus Movement on the evening news. A man who greatly inspired me was saved in 1972, at the end of that revival: Keith Green. I was saved in the "Seventh Fleet Revival" in 1978. God did a sovereign work among a bunch of Navy geezers in San Diego. Keith Green didn't know this, but he was very instrumental. Guys from my ship and those surrounding would go to Calvary Chapel, hear Keith Green, Randy Stonehill, Mark Heard, Pat Terry or simply watch a movie or go to a service and get saved. I was directed to read "The Cross and the Switchblade." Beloved, the man who has had, in recent years, the greatest inspiration in my life, was the author, Pastor David Wilkerson, founder of Times Square Church, where revival is continuous. Previous to 1987, NYC was one of the most dangerous cities on earth. Times Square Church was since founded. Saints are there, daily, praying for the city, the lost, the youth and other churches and us. Manhatten has become the safest city. Finally, I must mention the author who has had the greatest effect on my prayer life: E. M. Bounds. I read his books before I heard of Keith Green or met David Wilkerson. My prayer, since, has been to effect men to seek the face of God, nearly as E. M. Bounds has effected me. The above men all pale to the excellency of Jesus Christ. In reading the article, The Reason for God, I recall a listener on Rush Limbaugh’s program, yesterday defending the word hope. First, the Word of God needs no defense. Jesus Christ is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. A lion doesn’t need to be defended. The listener’s complaint was about Fredrick Nietzsche’s criticism of the Word culminating in his marvelous work, “God is dead.” It must be noted Nietzsche’s observation was about the deadness of the Church, who no longer believed in a living Saviour; a God who answers prayer; a Lord who commands us to watch and pray. Nietzsche’s work was fascinatingly profound. A year later, in 1889, he lost his mind, perhaps from an aneurysm. I believe the wickedness of Niezsche’s unbelief played a role in his demise. Hence, God smote him.
Since the Church had followed along in the higher criticisms of Darwin, Satre and Nietzsche, she, indeed was dead. The wickedness of unbelief had become part of her system of “belief.” Quite notably, around 1902 came the Welsh revival followed by the Azusa Street revival in 1906. R. A. Torrey, President of Moody Bible Institute, later Dean of BIOLA and son-in-law of D. L. Moody, took an instrumental role in that revival. Mr. Torrey had seen the poisonous philosophies of lower and higher criticism pollute the church, much as it has done today.
This brings me to my answer for Pastor Eric’s question, “Who have you found inspiring?”
I first, shall mention D. L. Moody and R. A. Torrey.
In 1949, another revival occurred in the Hebrides. Involved were two notable men of God: Duncan Campbell and Leonard Ravenhill. Mr. Ravenhill has, without a doubt inspired me and continues to inspire.
In 1967, yet another revival happened before us. You may recall Eric Severide mocking the Jesus Movement on the evening news. A man who greatly inspired me was saved in 1972, at the end of that revival: Keith Green.
I was saved in the “Seventh Fleet Revival” in 1978. God did a sovereign work among a bunch of Navy geezers in San Diego. Keith Green didn’t know this, but he was very instrumental. Guys from my ship and those surrounding would go to Calvary Chapel, hear Keith Green, Randy Stonehill, Mark Heard, Pat Terry or simply watch a movie or go to a service and get saved.
I was directed to read “The Cross and the Switchblade.” Beloved, the man who has had, in recent years, the greatest inspiration in my life, was the author, Pastor David Wilkerson, founder of Times Square Church, where revival is continuous.
Previous to 1987, NYC was one of the most dangerous cities on earth. Times Square Church was since founded. Saints are there, daily, praying for the city, the lost, the youth and other churches and us. Manhatten has become the safest city.
Finally, I must mention the author who has had the greatest effect on my prayer life: E. M. Bounds. I read his books before I heard of Keith Green or met David Wilkerson. My prayer, since, has been to effect men to seek the face of God, nearly as E. M. Bounds has effected me. The above men all pale to the excellency of Jesus Christ.

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