I grew up on School House Rock. Now if you are a child of the 70’s you will no doubt remember learning all sorts of great history, grammar, and mathematics while watching your Saturday morning cartoons over a bowl of Cap’N Crunch, Quisp, or Alphabits (see 70’s breakfast cereals on the Interwebs for a trip down memory lane). Those short, educational cartoons that arrived between commercials for toys like Stretch Armstrong and Spirograph taught us valuable information in a fun way. Do you know that I can still quote the entire pre-amble to the Constitution? If you hear me pause in strange places while reciting it’s because I am going over the tune to the song in my head as I say it. Setting the learning to music and using colorful images made a lifetime impression on me. I still find myself using those catchy tunes to count by 3’s or to remember the rules for using conjunctions. One of the most memorable of the bunch was the one entitled “I’m Just a Bill” which outlined the process that congress uses to pass legislation. Seeing that lonely piece of paper sitting on the steps of Capitol Hill in Washington illustrated the sort of cooperation necessary in order to get things done. The 3 minute cartoon brought the complexities of legislative function down to its common sense core.
We have just celebrated the July 4th holiday and our declaration of independence from the rule of tyranny and oppression that so plagued us back in 1776. We value our independence on a corporate level when we stand and remove our hats as the Star Spangled Banner is played. It has also become an individual value as historically we have taught our children to grow up and become productive members of our society (although this instruction has seemingly been abandoned more and more of late). While being independent is an important virtue to have, it stops short of a higher value. Being interdependent underscores more possibilities in life than simply making your own way. I understand that the word interdependence can be used as a sort of new age buzz word, but the principle is Biblical. At the end of Acts chapter 2 we see the church coming together as a body, doing good amongst themselves and others. Galatians 5:13-14 tells us not to abuse our freedom for selfish gain but to “serve one another humbly in love.” Interdependence means that I am counting on you and I both to do the right thing and work together so that we all benefit. 1 Peter 2 says we as Christians are being built together as living stones in a spiritual house with Jesus as the Cornerstone to be a royal priesthood that declares His praises.
Understanding the work and sacrifice that went into our celebration of freedom and independence, I think we owe it to our God and our fellow man to sit down once again and work out how we can build up the Kingdom together. What’s your favorite cereal, again?
Jeff Christmas is the Associate Pastor of First Baptist Church of New Carlisle. Contact him at www.fbcnewcarlisle.org or by joining him at church on Sundays at 9 and 11:30 AM.
Articles, news and announcements from the members of First Baptist Church of New Carlisle, Ohio
First Baptist Church of New Carlisle, Ohio has a rich and unique history in our community. Since 1955 we've been establishing ourselves as a lighthouse for Jesus Christ in our hometown of New Carlisle, Ohio.
We have Bible Study at 9:15 am and Worship Service at 10:30 am every Sunday. Childcare/nursery provided for all services. Wednesdays we have Prayer Meeting at 7:00 pm and Revive Student Ministries for youth at 7:00 pm
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Tim's Thoughts - By Pastor Tim Binns
This is July. This is the month of vacations, heat and youth camp. I get the joy of spending 3 weeks at Seneca Lake with over 1000 youth and their chaperones. It is usually the best time of my year. I get to see God move powerfully in the young people’s lives. However, I have to admit I have been enjoying being a part of First Baptist. Our church is filled with people who genuinely love the Lord and want to see our church continue to be a mission point to the community and the world.
When I was interviewed I promised that I would not come into the church with programs and changes already determined. I have been talking to people, observing and praying about what we can do to make the church become even more of an impact in the community and transition you to your next pastor. I have spotted a few changes we can make that should not cause too much pain, but will help the church. Many of the changes will occur starting in September, but we might make one as early as the first Sunday in August. I have to meet with some key leaders to make that change.
We have formed a transition committee. This is a committee that will study the church and the community. It is made up of the church council and deacons. It will help us to find our strengths and weaknesses in more detail.
Some dates to remember for July:
July 27 - Transition Committee workshop on the History of the Church
When I was interviewed I promised that I would not come into the church with programs and changes already determined. I have been talking to people, observing and praying about what we can do to make the church become even more of an impact in the community and transition you to your next pastor. I have spotted a few changes we can make that should not cause too much pain, but will help the church. Many of the changes will occur starting in September, but we might make one as early as the first Sunday in August. I have to meet with some key leaders to make that change.
We have formed a transition committee. This is a committee that will study the church and the community. It is made up of the church council and deacons. It will help us to find our strengths and weaknesses in more detail.
Some dates to remember for July:
July 27 - Transition Committee workshop on the History of the Church
Replacement Theology - By Ken Lawler
I got the idea to address this topic from two articles in the summer 2014 issue of Israel's Messenger, the publication of Jewish Awareness Ministries. So the credit for this goes to Dr. Keith Megilligan, Wake Forest, NC, and the JWA Executive Director, Rev. Mark Robinson.
Replacement Theology, also called supersessionism, is the view that God has turned His back upon the Jews, Israel and His promises to them in Scripture and has replaced them with the church. Thus, whatever covenants and provisions God has made with and for the children of Israel now belong to the children of God in the church. God has rejected the "old Israel," and the church has become the "new Israel."
This view started with Origen, one of the most prominent early church fathers (~185-254 AD). He taught that the Jews would never be restored to their former condition. In his view, all of the promises to Israel was "spiritualized" in its meaning to refer to the church.
Another more recent proponent of this theology was Martin Luther. He ended up with strong anti-Jewish sentiments, writing at one point, "thus all the Gentiles who are Christians are the true Israelites and new Jews, born of Christ, the noblest Jew." One German theologian, Rudolph Bultmann, implied that Jews were children of Satan.
You would think the "fundamentalists" of the early twentieth century would have cleared up and corrected the view of disparaging the Jews and replacement theology. It hasn't happened. We have major denominations, seminaries, and Christian leaders who still espouse the view of replacement theology, or supersessionism. Many, if not most, seminaries that consider themselves "reformed" (or covenantal) in their theology are also "replacement" in their Israelology! On the other hand, those Bible colleges and seminaries that are more, or exclusively, dispensational in their view of Scripture (that is, there is a distinction between Israel and the church and God still has a plan for His chosen people, the Jew) do not adopt replacement theology.
To a certain extent, the development and declaration of the modern State of Israel (1948) boosted the dispensational view of Israelology. Bible believing Christians can see God preparing the way for fulfilling His Scriptural promises to Israel and her people. The modern State of Israel shows clearly that God would/could bring Israel's dead bones back to life (Ezekiel 37).
A few prominent denominations today who are replacement theology advocates include: the Roman Catholic Church, the United Methodist Church, the Mormons, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, the Episcopal Church, Churches of Christ, and Jehovah's Witnesses. Prominent theologians of our day who advocate replacement theology include: RC Sproul, Michael Horton, Meredith Kline, and JI Packer. Even John Piper has called Jewish people, "a non-covenant-keeping people that does not have a divine right to hold the land of promise."
These denominations and theologians need to read God's clear statement to Abraham (Genesis 12-15) and His promise to keep Israel as His own in the land (Jeremiah 31,33).
Be discerning.
Replacement Theology, also called supersessionism, is the view that God has turned His back upon the Jews, Israel and His promises to them in Scripture and has replaced them with the church. Thus, whatever covenants and provisions God has made with and for the children of Israel now belong to the children of God in the church. God has rejected the "old Israel," and the church has become the "new Israel."
This view started with Origen, one of the most prominent early church fathers (~185-254 AD). He taught that the Jews would never be restored to their former condition. In his view, all of the promises to Israel was "spiritualized" in its meaning to refer to the church.
Another more recent proponent of this theology was Martin Luther. He ended up with strong anti-Jewish sentiments, writing at one point, "thus all the Gentiles who are Christians are the true Israelites and new Jews, born of Christ, the noblest Jew." One German theologian, Rudolph Bultmann, implied that Jews were children of Satan.
You would think the "fundamentalists" of the early twentieth century would have cleared up and corrected the view of disparaging the Jews and replacement theology. It hasn't happened. We have major denominations, seminaries, and Christian leaders who still espouse the view of replacement theology, or supersessionism. Many, if not most, seminaries that consider themselves "reformed" (or covenantal) in their theology are also "replacement" in their Israelology! On the other hand, those Bible colleges and seminaries that are more, or exclusively, dispensational in their view of Scripture (that is, there is a distinction between Israel and the church and God still has a plan for His chosen people, the Jew) do not adopt replacement theology.
To a certain extent, the development and declaration of the modern State of Israel (1948) boosted the dispensational view of Israelology. Bible believing Christians can see God preparing the way for fulfilling His Scriptural promises to Israel and her people. The modern State of Israel shows clearly that God would/could bring Israel's dead bones back to life (Ezekiel 37).
A few prominent denominations today who are replacement theology advocates include: the Roman Catholic Church, the United Methodist Church, the Mormons, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, the Episcopal Church, Churches of Christ, and Jehovah's Witnesses. Prominent theologians of our day who advocate replacement theology include: RC Sproul, Michael Horton, Meredith Kline, and JI Packer. Even John Piper has called Jewish people, "a non-covenant-keeping people that does not have a divine right to hold the land of promise."
These denominations and theologians need to read God's clear statement to Abraham (Genesis 12-15) and His promise to keep Israel as His own in the land (Jeremiah 31,33).
Be discerning.
Kitchen Korner - By Dolly Lawler
It seems like only yesterday I was gently transferring my fragile cabbage seedlings to miniature, individual pots. Well, yesterday, whenever that was, is gone, and we have already reaped 14 nice sized, mature heads of cabbage from our garden. My main cabbage project this year is sauerkraut, which, by the way, is right now in the fermenting stage. Time will tell whether or not it will turn out good. I've had both successes and failures with my sauerkraut. Besides kraut, I always like to make Grandma Zella's Freezer Coleslaw. You don't even have to have a garden to make this slaw. Just pick up the ingredients at your local grocery store. The fact that this slaw can be frozen, refrozen, or just refrigerated, makes it a quick and convenient salad for any dinner menu. I sometimes find myself craving its sweet and tangy taste. It's excellent with a meat, mashed potatoes and gravy type meal. I think I'm hungry for it right now and I've just eaten. (I'm sure this kind of "thinking" is what's wrong with my seemingly expanding waistline.)
GRANDMA ZELLA'S FREEZER COLESLAW
1 medium head cabbage, shredded
1 carrot, grated
1 green pepper, chopped
1 tsp. salt
Mix salt with cabbage; let stand 1 hour. Squeeze our moisture, then add carrot and green pepper. While cabbage mixture is standing, make this dressing:
1 cup vinegar
¼ cup water
1 tsp. whole mustard seed
1 tsp. celery seed
2 cups sugar
Combine dressing ingredients and boil 1 minute. Cool to lukewarm and pour over slaw mixture. Refrigerate overnight to serve next day, or put in freezer containers and freeze for future meals. This slaw thaws in just minutes ready for serving and eating; leftover slaw can be refrozen.
Please submit a favorite recipe to:
lawlers@windstream.net
GRANDMA ZELLA'S FREEZER COLESLAW
1 medium head cabbage, shredded
1 carrot, grated
1 green pepper, chopped
1 tsp. salt
Mix salt with cabbage; let stand 1 hour. Squeeze our moisture, then add carrot and green pepper. While cabbage mixture is standing, make this dressing:
1 cup vinegar
¼ cup water
1 tsp. whole mustard seed
1 tsp. celery seed
2 cups sugar
Combine dressing ingredients and boil 1 minute. Cool to lukewarm and pour over slaw mixture. Refrigerate overnight to serve next day, or put in freezer containers and freeze for future meals. This slaw thaws in just minutes ready for serving and eating; leftover slaw can be refrozen.
Please submit a favorite recipe to:
lawlers@windstream.net
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