Three Kinds of People

Luke 19;11-28- Three Kinds of People from Erick Sorensen on Vimeo.

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

Here is another taste of Page CXVI's new album. I love this band. The new album drops on November 30th.

05 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee by PageCXVI

Jesus said the American Dream is stupid.

Be Still My Soul

Another song from the upcoming new Page CXVI album.

01 Be Still My Soul by PageCXVI

WHY NO FEMALE PASTORS? PART II

Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.

(1 Timothy 2:13-14 ESV)

Yesterday I left off with a series of possible objections to my view that biblically, only males can be Pastors. Today, I'll try and answer those objections as well as dig into the broader Theological reasons why the Bible teaches this doctrine:

1. Isn't this just a command for that time and place?-

At first, this seems like the most logical possible objection there is to the text in 1 Timothy. After all, in 1 Corinthians 11 we're told that men shouldn't wear their hair long, and women need to go before the Lord with a head covering. We don't require these things today, so why can't women's ordination fall under the same category? The issue is basically historical, and contextual. When we look back at first century Rome, in Corinth, we see that when a woman did not wear a head covering (cloth or long hair) she was either saying, "I'm available" to the world (when she was already married) or she was usurping her husband's role as the Leader, saying, "I have the authority over him." For a man to wear long hair (at that place and time) meant that he was seeking to be effeminate or give away his authority. But in our culture, long hair and short hair have no such meaning and never have. Therefore, we don't observe the letter of the principle laid down, but the spirit of the principle laid down. The context helps determine our understanding and interpretation.

With our passage in 1 Timothy (as well as others I'm not covering), the context does not revert to something cultural, but something universal. Read what Paul appeals to to make his case: "For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor." He does not refer to local issues, or local people, but to the very first people of the human race! He appeals to the created order of things and therefore is speaking to something that applies to all people in the Church for all time. As has been said before, context is always the key.

In response, some have said that in the Church Timothy was Pastoring, there must have been women usurping authority and trying to teach the Church false doctrine. The reality is though, we have no such evidence of any practice going on. Also, when false teachers are mentioned in the letter, they are only males. If females were indeed permitted to teach and were not teaching rightly, surely they would have been mentioned by name (as are Hymenaeus, Alexander and Philetus.)

2. Isn't this sexist? Are you saying that women aren't as smart as men?-

I suppose the easiest way to answer this objection is to say if the Bible were saying that women can't be Pastors because they're not as smart as men, then yes, it would be sexist. But the Bible is not saying any such thing. Rather, the Bible is merely appealing to specific ways God has called men, and for that matter, specific ways, God has called women in the Church. That leads to the next point...

3. Are you saying women can't be leaders in the rest of society?

No not at all. As a matter of fact in the Old Testament we see the example of Deborah leading the nation of Israel politically (Judges 4) and Esther also ruled as a Queen. God has gifted some women to lead in society, just as he has gifted some men to lead in society. The two areas where God has not permitted a woman to lead are in the family and in the Church, as Pastors.

4. I thought Galatians 3 said that in Christ "there is neither male nor female." What gives?

Good question! Again there is some interpretive principles that need to be put into effect here in order to understand what this text means, and what it does not mean. First off, context always shows us the way forward. Second, we always must remember that we have to interpret Scripture with Scripture. That is to say, no verse of Scripture stands alone, but is understood in light of what the rest of Scripture says about the issue at hand. For example, if one were to read the Sermon on the Mount in isolation from the rest of Scripture, it would be nearly impossible not to conclude that our salvation comes purely by our works. But when we read it in light of everything else, we see that the Sermon on the Mount is meant to show us the impossibility of being saved by our works, so that we would indeed flee to Christ!

So then the context of Galatians 3 (Click the link to verify what I'm saying :) Paul is hitting on one of his major themes in his writings, which is, the Unity we have in Christ. Over and over he emphasizes this between Jews and Gentiles, so as to bring the two groups together. He then moves on to say "there is neither slave nor free, male nor female..." Some have thought therefore, this meant in the body of Christ these distinctions ceased to exist. Yet, in many other letters that Paul wrote, he specifically wrote to slaves (Ephesians 6) and specifically to free men (Ephesians 6) addressing them individually. He specifically writes to females (Ephesians 5) and specifically writes to males (Ephesians 5) giving them their individual instructions.

Is Paul then contradicting himself or is it something else? Well the rest of Scripture gives us the answer: Throughout Paul's letters, he emphasizes the importance of being members of the Body. In those discussions he shares the importance of Diversity and Unity within that Body. We are all part of One Body, but in this One Body there are many members. So in the sense of Unity, there is neither male nor female. Christ doesn't judge us or give us any standing based on these things; on the other hand, as individual members of the Body we remain male and female, with distinct differences and callings as the rest of Scripture points out.

It looks like I've already written too much, so tomorrow, I'll get into the broader Theological reasons why women are not called to be Pastors...

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Erick

RECEIVING FROM CHRIST....GROWING IN CHRIST....GOING WITH CHRIST....

WHY NO FEMALE PASTORS?

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.

(1 Timothy 2:8-14 ESV)

I can't think of a more difficult Biblical topic to tackle in our day then the issue of Female Pastors. Women are in leadership positions all over the general society and have been for quite some time. There have been Queens who ruled without the aid of a King; there have been C.E.O's, C.I.A. Agents, Soldiers, Professors, etc. all leadership positions in society. Because of this, most, if not all of the Mainline Churches (the largest denominations of the various Protestant sects) have ordained Females into the rosters of the Clergy for sometime now. And yet, I am a Pastor of a Church that still believes that a woman cannot be a Pastor?! And I believe that my Church is right on the issue!? Why the difference? Why the forbidding? I'll do my best to try and answer the difficult questions with as much Biblical data as God gives. To start off, let's get down to the fundamentals and work our way out from there:

1. God is Creator of all- We believe, teach and confess that God is Creator. He created the universe, the galaxies, the stars, the fish, the birds, the mammals, the people: "Male and Female He created them." As Creator and Ruler over all of His creation, He makes the rules.

2. God Has Spoken- We believe, teach and confess that God the Creator has spoken in His holy Word, the Bible. Because it is God's Word (though penned by individual human authors), we believe that this Word cannot have error, as God cannot have error. If "all Scripture is God breathed" as Paul insists in writing to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:15-16) then like His initial creation, it must be perfect.

- This is a point at which the Mainline Churches and Evangelical Churches disagree; long ago, mainliners gave up the idea of "an inerrant Bible" preferring to use the word "inspired." That sounds fine, but what that practically ended up meaning was "Sure, God wrote through these authors, but their own opinions, errors and limited thinking unfortunately got into the mix as well." But then, where does this "finding of errors" stop? What or who becomes the authority in determining what is error, and what is true? Science? Theologians? Me? You? The doctrine of inerrancy hinges on God's perfect Personage, and His claims to have written this book. As 2 Peter describes it:

"And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." (2 Peter 1:19-21 ESV)

3. God's Word is Binding- So then, if the Bible is God's perfect word, what it says has ultimate authority for faith and conduct. It tells us what to believe and what to do. It does not tell us everything (for example, that vitamins are good for us), but what it does clearly speak of, we are obligated to obey whether it makes any sense to us or not.

4. God's perfect Word says- In the Church, "a woman is not permitted to teach or exercise authority over a man." So then, God is the Authority; in His authoritative Word He says women can't teach or exercise authority. Because the position in the Church where a person both teaches and exercises authority over a man is the position of Elder, we hold that a woman cannot be an Elder/Pastor (in the New Testament they are the same office). A woman can teach a class at Church to a group of men; a woman can teach and exercise authority over children and other women, but she cannot be an Elder/Pastor.The only question that remains is "Does this passage really say what it appears to be saying?" Tomorrow, I'll take that up.

As you can imagine, there are many, many objections to this point of view from both Godly people and not so Godly people. Let me list a few, and tomorrow, I'll try and answer them:

1. Isn't this just a command for that time and place? (There are indeed commands like that)

2. Isn't this sexist? Are you saying that women aren't as smart as men?

3. Are you saying women can't be leaders in the rest of society?

4. I thought Galatians 3 said that in Christ "there is neither male nor female." What gives?

I'm sure there's more I'll think of by tomorrow, but if you have any comments or feedback you'd like to share on this issue, please let me know, and I'll be happy to discuss it....

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Erick

RECEIVING FROM CHRIST....GROWING IN CHRIST....GOING WITH CHRIST...

CHRISTIAN FEMINISM?

Is it possible to be a Christian and a Feminist? There are so many possible ways to answer that question that it’s hard to know where to begin. So let’s begin with some basic definitions:

1. Feminism- a doctrine that advocates equal rights for women (Princeton’s definition)
2. Christian- Someone, who being saved by Christ from the condemnation of their sins before God, now seeks to conform their life to the teachings of their Master as revealed in Scripture.

Can these two words come together to describe someone? Well, since a Christian is someone who seeks to conform their lives to Scripture, let’s see what that Scripture has to say about it:

1. Genesis 1 & 2 clearly show that just as man was created in the image of God, so woman was created in the image of God. They are distinct, and different, but both created in His image. Therefore, both have the same infinite value, but also have differing roles.
2. Galatians 3 also confirms this is true not just for the general creation, but especially so for the Christian Church. Paul writes, ‘For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

So, if Feminism truly is what the above definition states, “A doctrine that advocates equal rights for women,” not only can a Feminist be a Christian, but every Christian should be a Feminist! Unless that is, one can come up with a Scriptural proof somewhere that teaches women are not equal to men; but no such text exists. As a matter of fact, one could say that Christianity really was the first Feminism! Who found the risen Jesus? Women. Who funded some of Jesus’ ministry? Women. Who were called to be Deacon/Leaders in the Church? Women. No other system on earth at the time had anything close to the sorts of rights that were granted women within Christianity. So it’s no problem for Christians to say “Women should be paid equally for the same job that a man does; women should have the opportunity to run for political office, host a talk show, fly a plane, etc, etc, etc.”

So what then is the problem? Why would it seem (implied in the initial question) there is conflict between Feminism and Christianity? The answer is that the definition above would not be an accurate description of what most modern Feminism is. If some Feminist organization does truly just seek women's equality, again, we have no issues. But unfortunately, much of modern Feminism has almost nothing in common with the earlier feminism of Susan B. Anthony or Elizabeth Cady Stanton, which indeed did fight for equal rights for women. The earlier feminism really did focus on women gaining the right to work, vote and be freer in the society without having the permission of a man. They were Pro-Life, and abhorred abortion, believing that one of God’s greatest gifts to women was actually the ability to give birth.

The vast majority of well known Feminist organizations today are fiercely Pro-Choice (almost all of them support the right to partial birth abortion which is exactly what it sounds like: deliver a baby somewhat out of the womb, then stab it’s skull with scissors; there is no, literally NONE, no scientific evidence that suggests there is any reason to allow this procedure to continue.), promote deviant sexual behavior and “sexual expressiveness” and almost always promote “other spiritualities” (if you needed any sort of proof, just go to NOW’s website). Lost in this of course is any actual love and admiration for those traits that just may be…wait for it….gulp….inherently feminine (more on that tomorrow).

In closing then, let me put things this way: If one holds to the technical definition of Feminism, than Christians should support Feminism. But if one means by Feminism the right to abortion, sexual deviancy and "other spiritualities" than it’s hard to see how the two world-views are compatible at all.

Tomorrow, relating to this, I’ll cover the question “If the Bible teaches women are equal, why aren’t they allowed to be Pastors?”

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Erick

P.S. It is entirely possible that I am not seeing something accurately in my posts, so please feel free to e-mail or comment anytime to discuss disagreements, or questions you may have. I really do welcome the discussion!

RECEIVING FROM CHRIST....GROWING IN CHRIST....GOING WITH CHRIST....

New Page CXVI Song

Here is one of the new songs that is going to be on the new Page CXVI album, Hymns III, that is set for release on November 30.

02 Be Thou My Vision by PageCXVI

I LOVE BEING A LUTHERAN...

The Reformation- Being re-formed by the Gospel from Erick Sorensen on Vimeo.

GOD IS "PRO-LIFE" PART IV

GOD IS PRO-LIFE

HOW TO HELP

Last week I briefly laid out the case for being against abortion. We saw that it is thoroughly biblical, inescapably reasonable and by every possible scientific and philosophical definition, the killing of an innocent human being. God says that we, as His people, are to stand up for the rights of the innocent and victimized (read the 5th commandment for starters, then read the whole book of Amos, finally move on to James in case you weren't sure about this fact.) But how in the world do we go about this? Below, I'll offer 5 recommendations that if put into place, can significantly make an impact:

1. Pray- I can't say it enough, but God calls us to constantly seek, knock and ask for what we need. "Pray without ceasing."

2. Support local Crisis Pregnancy Centers- What is a Crisis Pregnancy Center? Generally speaking, a Crisis Pregnancy Center is the antithesis to Planned Parenthood. Whereas Planned Parenthood has no problem encouraging people towards the option of abortion, Crisis Pregnancy Centers seek to show the other alternatives the Mother has. They show an ultrasound (usually in color) to the Mom so she can see for herself that what is in her body is not a reptile, or some floating piece of goo, but an actual human being. They talk with the mother about giving the child up for adoption. Some offer childcare for the baby to be, job placement for the Mom, and much, much more. Support them financially, or with your time, talents, anything. They almost always need help.

3. Familiarize yourself with Pro-Life and Pro-Choice arguments- I know for many of you, the issue is so emotional that you can't even stand reading the rhetoric of the other side, but if we are to win the argument in the culture, you must. Conversion on this issue will not come from the top down (meaning legislation, though that would be appropriate still, because it is the protecting of life!), but in real life conversations. The truth is, most people that are "pro-choice" haven't really thought about it all that much; they need to be shown the overwhelming evidence of your argument. But in order to do this, you need to know the sorts of arguments even the most skilled pro-choice advocate will bring up in order to persuade them and others around. For a fantastic resource in this regard, check out this teaching series from Stand to Reason called "Making Abortion Unthinkable." The arguments here are absolutely unassailable.

4. Support Pro-Life Causes- Notice I did not write "support Democrats", or "support Republicans". What I wrote was support Pro-Life causes. I'll leave it to your own conscience to decide how best to do that...

In sort of a related topic, recently someone asked me whether it was possible to be a Christian and a Feminist. Tomorrow (and maybe the next day), I'll attempt to answer that question.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Erick

RECEIVING FROM CHRIST...GROWING IN CHRIST....GOING WITH CHRIST....

GOD IS "PRO-LIFE" PART III

WHAT ABORTION ACTUALLY IS:

(CONFRONTING THE RHETORIC OF THE PRO-CHOICE MOVEMENT)

Let me begin this post by saying that I don't want to post this. It would be vastly more comfortable if we could all stay inside the safe fog that is the rhetoric of the pro-choice movement. "Who are you to tell a woman what she should do with her body?" "A woman should have the right to choose." "It's about women's rights." Or the line of most young males with no backbone: "That's a personal choice; I could never understand what it's like to be a woman in that position."

Note: This is a line that can only be said by the unthoughtful, since we constantly, male and females, make judgments about things that are right and wrong. For example, I have never heard anyone say this about someone choosing to shoot up heroin: "That's a personal choice; I could never understand what it's like to be a person in that position." No, if they're any sort of friend to their drug addicted friend, they actually try and make a case for why shooting up heroin is bad for them. But for some reason when it comes to ending the life of babies, we just aren't sure about it's morality? The reason I think is because we have convinced ourselves of the lie that whatever is in the womb of that mother is something in some way different than, like, a real human baby. The choice movement has come up with insane distinctions such as "viable fetuses vs. unviable fetuses" to determine when the most moral time for an abortion might be. All the while, no one is really dealing with the question, "Viable or not, is what is in the mother an actual human being?" So to answer this question, I am going to do two things today.

1. Detail the development of a baby in the womb

2. Detail the sorts of abortion procedures given to these babies in the womb

The resource I have for this information comes from www.lifesitenews.com. Admittedly, this site is biased, but the information contained therein can be confirmed by multiple sources elsewhere. This site just compiles the data in the most organized fashion.

Here is what legalized abortion looks like:

There are many methods of abortion. The procedure used depends largely upon the stage of pregnancy and the size of the unborn child. Dr. J.C. Willke, in his book, Abortion: Questions and Answers (Hayes Publishing Co. Inc, Cincinnati, 1985), has divided the methods of abortion into three main categories: those that invade the uterus and kill the child by instruments which enter the uterus through the cervix; those that kill the preborn child by administration of drugs and then induce labour and the delivery of a dead baby; and, those that invade the uterus by abdominal surgery.

Dilation of the uterus is required in cervical methods of abortion. The usual method of dilation is to insert a series of instruments of increasing size into the cervix. A set of dilators, metallic curved instruments, are used to open the cervix sufficiently to accommodate the instruments of abortion. In contrast with a normal birth, where the dilation occurs slowly over a period of many hours, the forceful stretching by the abortionist to open the cervix takes a matter of seconds. This premature and unnatural stretching of the cervix can result in permanent physical injury to the mother.

Laminaria (dehydrated material, usually seaweed) is sometimes used to reduce damage to the cervix. Inserted into the cervix the day before the scheduled abortion, it absorbs water and swells, gradually pushing open the cervix in the process.

At Eight Weeks

At eight to nine weeks the eyelids have begun forming and hair appears. By the ninth and tenth weeks the preborn child sucks her thumb, turns somersaults, jumps, can squint to close out light, frown, swallow, and move her tongue.

At this early stage of development, suction abortions are performed using a smaller tube, requiring little dilation of the cervix. This is called "menstrual extraction." However, if all the fetal remains are not removed, infection results, requiring full dilation of the cervix and a scraping out of the womb.

Suction Aspiration

This is the most common method of abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. General or local anaesthesia is given to the mother and her cervix is quickly dilated. A suction curette (hollow tube with a knife-edged tip) is inserted into the womb. This instrument is then connected to a vacuum machine by a transparent tube. The vacuum suction, 29 times more powerful than a household vacuum cleaner, tears the fetus and placenta into small pieces which are sucked through the tube into a bottle and discarded

Dilation and Curettage (D&C)

This method is similar to the suction method with the added insertion of a hook shaped knife (curette) which cuts the baby into pieces. The pieces are scraped out through the cervix and discarded [Note: This abortion method should not be confused with a therapeutic D&C done for reasons other than pregancy.]

At Twelve Weeks

By the end of the third month all arteries are present, including the coronary vessels of the heart. Blood is circulating through these vessels to all body parts.

The heart beat ranges during this fetal period from 110 to 160 beats per minute. All blood cells are produced by the liver and spleen, a job soon taken over by the bone marrow. White blood cells, important for immunity, are formed in the lymph nodes and thymus.

Vocal chords are complete, and the child can and does sometimes cry (silently). The brain is fully formed, and the child can feel pain. The fetus may even suck his thumb. The eyelids now cover the eyes, and will remain shut until the seventh month to protect the delicate optical nerve fibers.

14 weeks: Muscles lenghten and become organized. The mother will soon start feeling the first flutters of the baby kicking and moving inside.

15 weeks: The fetus has an adult's taste buds and may be able to savor the mother's meals.

16 weeks: Five and a half inches tall and only six ounces in weight, eyebrows, eyelashes and fine hair appear. The child can grasp with his hands, kick, or even somersault.

At Eighteen Weeks

The fetus is now about 5 inches long. The child blinks, grasps, and moves her mouth. Hair grows on the head and body.

20 weeks: The child can hear and recognize mother's voice. Though still small and fragile, the baby is growing rapidly and could possibly survive if born at this stage. Fingernails and fingerprints appear. Sex organs are visible. Using an ultrasound device, the doctor can tell if the child is a girl or a boy. The one on the left is a baby girl.

Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)

This method is used up to 18 weeks' gestation. Instead of the loop-shaped knife used in D&C abortions, a pair of forceps is inserted into the womb to grasp part of the fetus. The teeth of the forceps twist and tear the bones of the unborn child. This process is repeated until the fetus is totally dismembered and removed. Usually the spine must be snapped and the skull crushed in order to remove them.

Salt Poisoning (Saline Injection):

Used after 16 weeks (four months) when enough fluid has accumulated. A long needle injects a strong salt solution through the mother's abdomen into the baby's sac. The baby swallows this fluid and is poisoned by it. It also acts as a corrosive, burning off the outer layer of skin. It normally takes somewhat over an hour for the baby to die from this. Within 24 hours, labor will usually set in and the mother will give birth to a dead or dying baby. (There have been many cases of these babies being born alive. They are usually left unattended to die. However, a few have survived and later been adopted.)

At Six Months

Seen here at six months, the unborn child is covered with a fine, downy hair called lanugo. Its tender skin is protected by a waxy substance called vernix. Some of this substance may still be on the child's skin at birth at which time it will be quickly absorbed. The child practices breathing by inhaling amnionic fluid into developing lungs.

Prostaglandin Chemical Abortion

This form of abortion uses chemicals developed by the Upjohn Pharmaceutical Co. which cause the uterus to contract intensely, pushing out the developing baby. The contractions are more violent than normal, natural contractions, so the unborn baby is frequently killed by them -- some have even been decapitated. Many, however, have also been born alive.

Hysterotomy or Caesarean Section

Used mainly in the last three months of pregnancy, the womb is entered by surgery through the wall of the abdomen. The technique is similar to a Caesarean delivery, except that the umbilical cord is usually cut while the baby is still in the womb, thus cutting off his oxygen supply and causing him to suffocate. Sometimes the baby is removed alive and simply left in a corner to die of neglect or exposure.

At 30 Weeks

For several months, the umbilical cord has been the baby's lifeline to the mother. Nourishment is transferred from the mother's blood, through the placenta, and into the umbilical cord to the fetus. If the mother ingests any toxic substances, such as drugs or alcohol, the baby receives these as well.

32 weeks: The fetus sleeps 90-95% of the day, and sometimes experiences REM sleep, an indication of dreaming.

Partial-Birth Abortion

Five steps to a partial birth abortion:

1. Guided by ultrasound, the abortionist grabs the baby's legs with forceps.
   
2. The baby's leg is pulled out into the birth canal.
   
3. The abortionist delivers the baby's entire body, except for the head.
   
4. The abortionist jams scissors into the baby's skull. The scissors are then opened to enlarge the skull.
   
5. The scissors are removed and a suction catheter is inserted. The child's brains are sucked out, causing the skull to collapse. The dead baby is then removed.

At 40 Weeks

The baby, now approximately seven and a half pounds, is ready for life outside its mother's womb. At birth the placenta will detach from the side of the uterus and the umbilical cord will cease working as the child takes his first breaths of air. The child's breathing will trigger changes in the structure of the heart and bypass arteries which will force all blood to now travel through the lungs.

Tomorrow, we'll talk about how we should deal with those who are pro-choice, or who have had an abortion. We'll also begin to deal with our next topic, Feminism and Christianity.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Erick

RECEIVING FROM CHRIST...GROWING IN CHRIST....GOING WITH CHRIST...

GOD IS "PRO-LIFE" PART II

GOD IS PRO-LIFE

WHY BEING ANYTHING BUT PRO-LIFE IS IRRATIONAL

How is it possible that a Jewish Atheist, former writer for the Village Voice and traditionally a supporter of the A.C.L.U., is pro-life? Doesn't one have to be religious to be pro-life? Well, if you're Nat Hentoff, the answer is clearly "No." In virtually all realms, Hentoff is as secular as one can get, and yet he is fiercely pro-life. The following is a bit of his own personal coming around on the issue:

"For me, this transformation started with the reporting I did on the Babies Doe (instances where babies born with defects had been allowed to die. Click here to read more). While covering the story, I came across a number of physicians, medical writers, staff people in Congress and some members of the House and Senate who were convinced that making it possible for a spina bifida or a Down syndrome infant to die was the equivalent of what they called a "late abortion." And surely, they felt, there's nothing wrong with that.

Now, I had not been thinking about abortion at all. I had not thought about it for years. I had what W. H. Auden called in another context a "rehearsed response." You mentioned abortion and I would say, "Oh yeah, that's a fundamental part of women's liberation," and that was the end of it.

But then I started hearing about "late abortion." The simple "fact" that the infant had been born, proponents suggest, should not get in the way of mercifully saving him or her from a life hardly worth living. At the same time, the parents are saved from the financial and emotional burden of caring for an imperfect child.

And then I heard the head of the Reproductive Freedom Rights unit of the ACLU saying - this was at the same time as the Baby Jane Doe story was developing on Long Island - at a forum, "I don't know what all this fuss is about. Dealing with these handicapped infants is really an extension of women's reproductive freedom rights, women's right to control their own bodies."

That stopped me. It seemed to me we were not talking about Roe v. Wade.These infants were born. And having been born, as persons under the Constitution, they were entitled to at least the same rights as people on death row - due process, equal protection of the law. So for the first time, I began to pay attention to the "slippery slope" warnings of pro-lifers I read about or had seen on television. Because abortion had become legal and easily available, that argument ran - as you well know - infanticide would eventually become openly permissible, to be followed by euthanasia for infirm, expensive senior citizens.

And then in the New York Review of Books , I saw the respected, though not by me, Australian bio-ethicist Peter Singer boldly assert that the slope was not slippery at all, but rather a logical throughway once you got on to it. This is what he said - and I've heard this in variant forms from many, many people who consider themselves compassionate, concerned with the pow erless and all that.

Singer: "The pro-life groups were right about one thing, the location of the baby inside or outside the womb cannot make much of a moral difference. We cannot coherently hold it is alright to kill a fetus a week before birth, but as soon as the baby is born everything must be done to keep it alive. The solution, however," said Singer, "is not to accept the pro-life view that the fetus is a human being with the same moral status as yours or mine. The solution is the very opposite, to abandon the idea that all human life is of equal worth." Which, of course, the majority of the Court had already done in Roe v. Wade."

If someone who is pro-choice is to be logically consistent, Singer is absolutely right: There is no fundamental difference in person-hood between the baby in the womb, and the baby outside of the womb. During the Roe vs. Wade trial, attorneys for the right to choose (to kill a baby), held up posters seeking to make the case that what was growing in the womb may not be truly human yet; maybe they were just going through different evolutionary stages (this is real, I'm not making this up). But now, we know better (we really always have, but we will seek to rationalize anything we do): What is growing in the womb of the mother is actually a human being. If what is growing in the womb is a human being and has all the characteristics of a human being, then it deserves the protections that we give all human beings in the society.

I don't have space (or time) to dig much further now, but there is so much more that could be said. For starters, check out this link with pro-life responses to pro-death (choice) arguments. Notice that not one of the responses references a religious text (the Bible or anything else) to make the case. Reason is overwhelmingly on the side of the pro-life cause, so be confident in your stand!

Tomorrow, we deal with what abortion actually is (medically speaking) and with the specific objection that a woman should have the right to choose...

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Erick

RECEIVING FROM CHRIST...GROWING IN CHRIST....GOING WITH CHRIST....

GOD IS "PRO-LIFE"

A LOOK AT ABORTION

Well, this should be interesting....!

If you've been paying any attention to what I've written thus far about Christians and world-view, you know I have been very critical of Churches identifying themselves with politics too much. No Church should swear their loyalty to any particular party, but should be salt and light to both political parties. The church should not baptize any particular policies as being "God's policies." As a Pastor, I shouldn't and I won't do that (though I have in the past, and regretted it :( )

That being said, as individual Christians who are citizens of both kingdoms we are responsible to seek justice in the society around us especially for the poor, the widow, and the orphan (James 1:27). Sometimes this care for the downtrodden, the innocent, the helpless forces us to confront policies that aren't just godless, but are actively fighting against God's design for his world. For example, in World War II, the vast majority of those who helped Jews, Gypsy's and others escape the Holocaust were Christians being disobedient to their government's policies. They heard about the killing of innocents, and saw the enslavement of their neighbors and their conscience couldn't help but take action.

Over the next week as we discuss abortion, my hope is that you would see the silent Holocaust that is abortion in this country and the world (No, I'm not being dramatic, that's what it is.) My hope is that you would see God's clear teaching about the importance of life; that you would garner the arguments from natural law that show the importance of life; My hope is that it would spur your conscience into action as well. Action that mourns over the millions of victims (around 50,000,000 since the Roe vs. Wade decision: 1,220,00 babies killed per year, 101,667 babies killed per month, 3,340 babies killed per day, 139 babies killed per hour, 2 babies killed every second. Just in the U.S. alone); Action that has compassion on those who have had abortion so that they might be healed by the Great Physician; Action that seeks to help those that are pregnant now through Crisis Pregnancy Centers and adoption alternatives.

So to start off, let's just deal with two simple passages from Scripture about how God feels about innocent human life:

1. Genesis 1:27- So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

During the 6 days of Creation, God created many nouns. There were animals, and places, and things, and then He created People. What made people unique is that they were the only part of God's creation, out of the billions of nouns that were made, that were created in His image. Not only that, though He created everything else with His powerful Word, for some reason, with man, He bent down, shaped his body with His own hands and breathed life into his nostrils (Genesis 2). God says He cares about human life so much, that He writes in Genesis 9, “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image."

2. Psalm 139:13-16: 13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

I don't think I have to say much more about this passage; God takes great interest in each of the members of His human creation. The implication is clear: If God cares this much about human persons (from the moment of conception) shouldn't we?

Tomorrow, we'll see why being Pro-Life is not merely a religious stance, but in fact, is an unassailable position from mere reason.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Erick

RECEIVING FROM CHRIST...GROWING IN CHRIST....GOING WITH CHRIST...

Spiritual Blindness

Luke 18- Sight from Erick Sorensen on Vimeo.

NORMAL SEXUALITY PART IV

MARITAL SEXUALITY

So far in this discussion of God's design for sex we've talked about what it isn't (any relations in thought, word, or deed outside of marriage) and what it is (intimacy, and vulnerability and it's highest level between two people God has united in Marriage). Now, the question must be asked, "Is there any sexual activity that is prohibited between the married couple?" The answer is once again, a comforting, yes and no: :)

YES:

The Bible allows much freedom among the married partners when it comes to sex. As a matter of fact, the Song of Solomon describes what appears to be all sorts of different sexual activity besides intercourse. That being said, there are still Theological reasons that we have to say there are prohibitions in marital lovemaking. First of all, we always have to remember, as Ephesians 5:22-33 tells us, that marriage is to be a picture of the relationship Jesus Christ, the Groom, has with His Church the Bride. How does Jesus treat His bride? He gives up everything for her well being, caring for her, loving her, and honoring her. How does the Bride treat her Groom? With respect, honor, submission, and love. Sex is always to flow out of that mindset towards one another. It is not selfish (masturbation), but selfless (Making love).

Therefore, though the Bible may not forbid something, that doesn't mean that it's automatically "allowed." If your spouse is not comfortable doing something that you want to do, or feels dishonored or dirtied by it, then you are sinning against her/him (and causing her/him to sin) by doing it. That's the Biblical rule on marital love. The question you ought to be asking is, "How can we share this time together, so that it increases our love for one another?" Does this mean being prudish? No, not at all. Have fun, enjoy the gifts God has given, just make sure that both of you are enjoying it.

Secondly, really just as an aside: Because you are married and only encouraged to lust after that person alone, it is obviously forbidden to bring pornography into the marriage (or for that matter any other thing that will cause you to lust after anyone besides your spouse).

NO:

As far as specific actions go within the marriage bed, the Bible is pretty much silent. Yes I know, that may come as a complete shock, but it's true. Enjoy your freedom, in love to your Spouse, to the glory of God!

Next week we'll completely change directions, as we'll talk about a Biblical position on "Life issues."

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Erick

RECEIVING FROM CHRIST...GROWING IN CHRIST....GOING WITH CHRIST....

Page CXVI - Hymns I & II

If you haven't listened to these two albums yet, now is your chance. Page CXVI have made both of their albums available to be streamed right from our blog. Enjoy!

For all you musicians out there, here are the complete chord charts for both albums:

Chord charts for Hymns I

Chord charts for Hymns II

There is more music on the way. Hymns III and Hymns IV are already in the works. Hymns III should be out around November 30th. You can find the complete song lists for both albums here.

NORMAL SEXUALITY PART III

THE GIFT OF SEX

Yesterday, after exposing many of the ways in which we as persons find ourselves drawn to or even participating in abnormal sexual practices, I felt like the whole thing was incomplete. It's not that I wanted to add more prohibitions on to the list (though I could have), because there was plenty on there already for us to get the picture of Biblical sexuality; It was that I felt like the vast majority of us have already heard these prohibitions a lot,without hearing the encouragements. So here's what Scripture encourages in regard to sex:

1. Part of God's good creation- Sex is good. Done. After 6 days, God pronounced His creation good, and human persons very good. Part of that "very good-ness" was the sexual nature of human beings. Sex did not come after the Fall, as if before sin was in the world, storks dropped off babies at Adam and Eve's doorstep, but before. No, God said clearly, "Be fruitful and multiply." It is a gift.

2. Meant for marriage- Sex is a gift that is included with marriage. To separate sex from marriage is to put it out of place; It may work for a bit, but not the way it's designed too. Sex is designed to be an expression of intimacy and vulnerability between the marriage partners. There is no other relationship in which a person can have such intimacy, and be so vulnerable as marriage. Without these trust building elements that can only truly be found in this one sort of relationship, the people are either playing pretend, or worse, just masturbating with another person. Genesis 2:24-25 describes the perfect marriage in just this way:

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

3. Sex should be frequent- It's always amazing to me how many people react to this statement with shock and awe. For some reason, many people can accept the first two points, that is they agree that sex is good, and that it's meant for marriage, but then think it should only be done on high holy days or something. This is nonsense. This is a silly carryover from the medieval church and has no basis in the Scriptures at all. The fact is, Paul in 1 Corinthians 7 encourages married people to have sex all the time. Just read:

7:1 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”

(He means here "It is good for a person not to marry because then they are freed up to just serve the Lord and not worry about familial obligations... more on this at another time)

2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

Translation: Because you may be easily tempted to stray on your spouse in thought, word or deed, have sex all the time. This does not mean that any one of the partners in the marriage can demand sex at anytime they feel like. But it does mean that a healthy marriage will also have regular sexual activity.

So then what we know so far is the Bible encourages frequent sexual activity in marriage, and that God thinks it's good. Tomorrow, we'll go a little deeper into what if anything is off limits for the married couple sexually....

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Erick

RECEIVING FROM CHRIST...GROWING IN CHRIST....GOING WITH CHRIST....

NORMAL SEXUALITY PART II

NORMAL SEXUALITY


PARENTAL WARNING: NOT FOR YOUNG CHILDREN; READ WITH CAUTION


Believe it or not, sex is a topic that the Bible has a lot to say about. The prevailing thought for many has been just the opposite: If the Bible has anything to say, we're certainly not going to talk about it, and if we do, all we'll say is that it's bad and dirty. Done. Unfortunately, the people of God when it comes to this subject, have often times found themselves being more prudish than God, and that to their shame. The fact is, if their was ever a time the Church needed to speak with clarity on sex, it is now. Not that immorality wasn't around before, but it seems that in America we're exposed to it constantly on Billboards, T.V., the Internet and on and on it goes. We are sex crazed and mores about it are not determined by God's view on the subject, but are based on what the culture tells us, or worse, what our own bodies tell us. To counteract this, let's take some time to detail what the Bible forbids, and tomorrow we'll discuss what the Bible encourages in regard to sex.


1. Adultery- This of course is the sixth commandment (at least according to us Lutherans) and really sets the tone for everything else the Bible teaches on sexuality. The idea behind this of course is that one must always remain sexually faithful to their spouse (whether married yet or not) in thought, word, and deed, (Matthew 5:27-30). So, right off the bat, we learn that sex is not always prohibited. As a matter of fact, one of the first commands to Adam and Eve (the first married couple) was to have sex and lots of it ("be fruitful and multiply"). Sex was something that God created to be enjoyed between a married couple with the ultimate result being multiplication. The Bible even seems to imply in Genesis 2:24 that the marriage wasn't consummated until the sexual union took place!


So then, any sexual activity outside of the marriage bed in thought, word, or deed is prohibited and thereby sinful. Any sex outside of marriage would be considered abnormal and deviant, not reflecting God's plan. After all, since He created it, He probably knows how it works best. Everything else I will write about are different facets of adultery.


2. Masturbation- Many a teenager has sought to show that the Bible doesn't say anything specifically about masturbation and therefore it's ok right? Not exactly. It is true that the subject is not really brought up in it of itself, but the principles the Bible teach clearly speak against it. Jesus said, "But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman (or a man) with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." In one's minds eye, if lust is going on for someone who is not your spouse, than it's forbidden.


3. Pornography- Going along with number 2 of course is number 3, pornography. There is no allowance for this at all; it is cheating mentally with another person's spouse, or daughter, or son. I know this is obvious to most of you, but more and more, porn has become acceptable in the broader society.


4. Trans sexuality- Again, not to strike on the obvious, but any sort of trans sexuality is forbidden. God made sex for a man and a woman in marriage, not a man dressed as a woman with another man, or a woman dressed as a man with a man, or any other deviancy.


5. Homosexuality- Romans 1 and 1 Corinthians 6 plainly state that homosexual behavior is considered abnormal, and thereby sinful, by God. Remember, God as the Creator of sex says that He created it for the purpose of a married male and female.


6. Necking, Making Out, Feeling Up, Dry Sex, Oral Sex etc, etc.- Outside of marriage, all of these things are forbidden. Once again, how many seek to justify some of this behavior because they say it's not "sex". LOL, please...


I'm sure there is much more that I could say here about what's forbidden, but I think you get the point. Every person at some time or another has struggled with temptation towards immorality, and frankly, failed. How does the Bible say we should handle this temptation?


1 Corinthians 6:18- Flee from sexual immorality.


1 Corinthians 10:13- No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.


1 John 1:9-10- If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


Tomorrow, we talk about what Godly sexuality actually is....


Soli Deo Gloria,


Pastor Erick


RECEIVING FROM CHRIST....GROWING IN CHRIST....GOING WITH CHRIST....