Revival? Repent!
| Posted On: 11/20/09 07:11:48 AM |
Age 48, MO |
It seems to me that to make a point of difference between revival of doctrine and revival of spirit is a false dicotomy. Both revivals will fail without the SPIRIT of GOD working in the hearts of men. Both Word and Spirit is required. Either revival would be fruitless ventures without the other. Both puff up for a time without repentance. I know Jim pointed this out in the article, but the crux of the problem is that we have not repented of our sins and turned. GOOD NEWS- God is bringing the USA to its knees, repentance will happen, the Word and the Spirit will revive men when we follow HIM. John
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My Mistake
| Posted On: 11/19/09 01:09:06 PM |
Age 61, CO |
I'm sorry, 59, NC! My comments were addressed to "Confused" from 45, IL.
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Author Hit the Mark
| Posted On: 11/18/09 04:40:25 PM |
Age 61, CO |
Brother 59, NC, Mr. Elliff simply stated that the modern church is in deep trouble with its experiential-wishy washy-emerging philosphy-post modern message (without the authority of God)to a fallen world. Making disciples by the systematic preaching of the Word of God and saving sinners by the simple truth of salvation through Christ alone through faith alone, does not echo in the halls of government, in schools, and in the streets of America, let alone the world. In essence, it doesn't help the cause of Christ if we "revive" false doctrine when we need to FIRST "reform" false doctrine. Given the right message to a fallen world, we can then "revive" our obedience and approach to seek the lost with the true Gospel. Following 1 John 2:2, in 1 John 2:3, God's Word continues by stating, "We know that we have come to know Him if we obey His commands." That's the emphasis of the article, we must FIRST obey by growing in the knowledge of Christ, keeping the Word pure, so we will be faithful to share it. Blessings in the Name of Jesus.
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Response to "Confused"
| Posted On: 11/18/09 02:54:01 PM |
Age 61, MO |
Dear Confused,
This is the author. Thanks for your comments. This will give me an opportunity to says something that I often wish I could say. Here it is: It is impossible to say everything that could possibly be said about a subject in a short article. Now, I could easily write a longer article on the subject. I have studied revival extensively and have hundreds of books on the subject. I used to lead the Center for Biblical Revival for a seminary. But in the venue we have here, it seems very unreasonable to go beyond a certain length. Readers should remember that picking out things that the writer could not include in a short article is just stating the obvious. Well, I've gotten that off my chest. Thanks.
Now, as to your concerns. I listed several doctrines that were preached during times of more "reformational revival"---eight to be exact, all of which were doctrines around the issue of the gospel. I didn't mention the extent of the atonement and purposefully did not go into explaining the doctrines because that wasn't the intent of my piece. I was trying to say something different about the issue which you may not think is important or what you would like to hear. To me, as a student of revival, I am confident that what I said is at the heart of a real issue. The issue I'm addressing is not so much the content of doctrines but how truth is a better foundation for revival than experience. When I write about justification or regeneration or the sovereignty of God (and I do), then you can fault me for not saying what you want to hear about those matters at that time.
Sorry to be a little ruffled about this, but so often people just say whatever they want to say without really considering what the intent of an article actually is. Regardless, thanks again for commenting. It gives me an opportunity to express myself.
Also, if you have written on these areas, I would love to see your work. Perhaps you could post links here in response.
Jim
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Correct Doctrine and Truthfull teaching
| Posted On: 11/18/09 02:31:57 PM |
Age 64, MO |
November 18, 2009
Dear Mr. Elliff:
I was happy to read your article. Scripture says in two areas of the bible I Tim. 4:16 ... that the only thing that will help save us in a situation is sound solid doctrine; and John 17:17 Sancify them through the truth, thy word is truth. This tells me that we need solid sound doctrinal teaching and that Jesus teaching on all things is solid sound doctrine, that we can BANK ON!!!!
Yours Truly,
Robert Fields
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Confused
| Posted On: 11/18/09 11:52:55 AM |
Age 45, IL |
I guess I have more questions to ask about what the specific "doctrine" you are asking for reform in the body of Christ? Things were alluded to but not specified in detail. Could contrast be drawn on each issue rather than just the "preaching" versus the "experience" issue? I think your article is an example of an "experience" in spouting off about an issue without giving the definitions as to what is meant. Maybe I'm not smart enough to know based upon generalities but at the end of the article I still wondered (other than "experience") what area's needed to be "reformed". I find many who call themselves "reformers" not willing to be specific about what that means as it would draw lines and perhaps some of us who think we agree with you ...actually would disagree on points of doctrine which are very important. The gospel itself is at stake. The Gospel of Jesus Christ as opposed to the gospel of John Calvin. I know there are many out there screaming there is not difference. There are still a few of us out here who still believe that Jesus died not for our sins 'only' but for the sins of the whole world" (I John 2:2)
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Revival
| Posted On: 11/17/09 05:42:12 PM |
Age 59, NC |
I think that we have to look at the distinct possibility that we are going through the apostasy that has been prophesied prior to the end of the age of Grace. I greatly want to have revival for our families, children, grandchildren and our country. However I think that maybe God has taken his hand away from our country. Other than the Temple being rebuilt there seems that all of the prophesy has been fulfilled and that the return of our Lord Jesus Christ is at hand.
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