History of Fundamentalism

Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

There are truths that we ought to stand and contend for. Dr. George Dollar gives a history of this ongoing struggle in his work A History Of Fundamentalism in America. First published in 1973, it has been updated by his daughter, Marcia Dollar Phillips. The updated edition includes material that Dr. Dollar had been preparing for an update covering the three decades that had elapsed since its first issue.

This work is well worth procuring for the serious student of the history of our movement. Though not as easy to read as Beale’s Pursuit of Purity by BJU Press, it is perhaps, more thorough and gives proper emphasis of the contribution of Baptists. I highly recommend it!

In His Service,
WEW

Revival with Dr. Flanders

Psalm 85:6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?

Last month we had a week of revival meetings with Dr. Rick Flanders. They were a real blessing to me as well as to our church. Of course there were the usual evening meetings. There were 4 individuals saved through out the week and many other decisions. Two of those that came to Christ were during the meetings, one Wednesday evening and the other Thursday evening. One of our teenagers was burdened for her friend that evening and after the service chatted with him through Facebook and he trusted Christ. Thursday afternoon we had a “Gospel luncheon outreach” at a local business. The owner allowed us to have a brief service with his employees and the foreman got saved. On Friday afternoon I hosted a Pastor’s luncheon at Perkin’s restaurant in Billings. The purpose of the luncheon was to encourage area IFB pastor’s in the are of revival.

As you can no doubt tell, the week was very helpful and spiritually productive. Perhaps the most moving other than the sound preaching was the revival prayer meetings that were held Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evening after the service. Those that could stay did, with no pressure to pray or stay. We definitely seemed to come to a unity with each other as we sought the Lord’s will and favour for the meetings.

Mat 18:19-20 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. (20) For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

In His Service,
WEW

Donny’s Day

Recently Bridget and I were on a trip and read the book The Day Donny Herbert Woke Up. This is the true story of a Buffalo, NY firefighter that suffered an on the job accident and went into a coma like condition for nine years and then came back and talked almost non-stop for 16 hours. This is a great illustration for the reason all life is sacred.

In His Service,
WEW

Revival – What, When, How?

There is much talk of revival among independent Baptists. Some of that talk is negative – they don’t believe that it can come, and relegate the desires of the other side to Keswickian leanings. The other extreme seems almost Pelagian in that it is all dependent upon man’s actions, faith, submission, and that God is obligated to give it due to our spiritual arm-twisting. Not to mention the many works that are available from other corners of “Evangelical Christianity.”

With all this confusion no wonder so many christians either don’t know what it is or if it is even necessary or wanted. Let me say that I do believe that revival is a biblical truth and that it is possible to have revival today. I desire such a moving in my life and ministry. But with so many voices the truth of Scripture sometimes gets drownded out by the good sounding ideas of men.

While I don’t claim to know all and am still learning what it is, I do know the true revival that I desire and that every Christian needs is through the power of the Holy Spirit. Also it is clear from Scripture that He can be quenched and grieved when my life is not in line with God’s truth. I encourage you to listen to the sermon included in this post. It is entitled A Heart and Mind for God. While one sermon can not be all-inclusive of the truth concerning revival, this may be a start for you.

In His Service,

WEW

Family & Fidelity

Family is a very precious thing! Recently I had the priviledge of finally meeting my paternal grandfather. That was a rather awkward meeting. I am almost 50 and had never met him. He and my father had become estranged at my older brother’s birth almost 50 years ago, and so I grew up without him as an active part of my life. He passed away last Friday. He was a rather interesting man who I wish I could have known longer and better. This loss has certainly highlighted for all in my family the importance  of our relationship with each other.
As I pastor a wonderful group of people, here in Montana, I have opportunity to reach and influence the lives of a varied group of people – stable, churched families to children from difficult broken homes. The extent of pain and sorrow due to a loose moral attitude toward family should be obvious to all, but it is not. How we need the leading and enabling of the Holy Spirit to help us in our daily lives. The 7th commandment has become a joke to our so-called Christian nation: THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY. If you would like to listen drop me a post and I will forward it to you.

In His Service,
WEW

Sanctity of Life & Teens

This evening Bridget and I were with our daughter and son-in-law.  He is a youth pastor at an independent Baptist church.  As I observed the teens behaviour, which some no doubt would attribute to normal teenager living, my heart was grieved.  I became burdened for them to such a degree that I requested to preach to them.  What was considered common courtesy a  century ago is an endangered species today.  What we do not realize is that courtesy of days long ago was routed in a common understanding that man was made in God’s image, an opinion that today goes by the nomenclature of “Sanctity of Life.”

I shared the following with the teens:

Gen. 1:26-26 – Humanity was created in the image of God.  Both genders show characteristics of God’s being.

Gen. 9:6 – God delegated punishment for those that commit murder to man.  In fact man was authorized to execute people that care so little about the life of other humans that they would take the life of another.  Such individuals give up the privilege of life themselves.

James 3:8-9  But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  (9)  Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

This final passage shows that even our conversation about and toward others is a reflection of our opinion of the image of God reflected in other humans.  In summary all humans regardless of gender, ethnicity, ability, intelligence, etc… are in God’s image and reflect Him.  Also, God takes very seriously the physical actions we exhibit towards others.  We are to be held accountable for such actions even to the point of forfeiture of life.  Lastly our very words express our opinion of the sanctity of life.  Our words are an expression of our thoughts and attitudes within (Prov. 23:7; Matt. 12:34).  When we behave in act or word in a disrespectful way towards others we disrespect God.  When we act or speak in such a way that we disrespect or devalue ourselves we do so to God, for we also are made in His image.

Each person is extremely valuable to God.  He spent the precious blood of His son to purchase us off the slave market of sin.  Are we living in such a way that we reflect the truth we as Christians say we believe?  Friend, are you struggling to find value in the opinions and acceptance of others, only to find yourself with an even greater sense of no value?  God sees you as worthy of His love – in action by the giving of His son; in word in His written revelation of His love in the Bible.  Won’t you come to Christ?

Life is sacred.  Life is eternal.  Where will you spend yours?

In His Service,

WEW

A New Adventure in Blogging

Is it blogging or blahhhhhhhing?  I have resisted the seeming drive to enter this medium but, apparently it can be a very effective means of sharing the truth of God’s word as well as His working in my life.  I trust we can have meaningful and productive interaction.

1Co 2:2  For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

I trust that you have or soon will accept Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour.  If I can help please allow me that priviledge.

In His Service,

WEW