ryan.the.calvinist

I am not sure there is ever an excuse to quote a heretic from the pulpit... not unless you are giving an example of their bad theology. For example... if a pastor ever gave a quote from Joel Osteen... one that wasn't followed by "this is an example of horrible theology!" then I think there is a right to be concerned. The congregates may assume that the quote is coming from a sound and biblical source... and journey down that rabbit hole and arrive at the verge of heresy without knowing it. Today a red flag went up when I heard a preacher at a church in town quote from mystic Brother Lawrence. For more on this mystic see here: http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/brotherlawrence.htm I have to wonder... why? Is there NO ONE else in the history of Christianity who has spoke on prayer at any length who isn't a heretic? Someone who was not engaged in contemplative practices that are more pagan than Christ-centric? Why is there a desire in ANY way to reconnect with t...

1 Peter 3:13-17 (ESV, emphasis added) Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. I wish I could remember 100% the quote I am about to reference, but I do not really know where to begin to look for it. I know it was said by the guys who are on The White Horse Inn --one of my favorite podcasts to date. Though I will be unable to regurgitate the quote word-for-word, the essence will be there. The best thing to do to someone who has...

I thought I may try something out that I've seen on some other blog sites with regard to films... they will watch a film and make comments on that film while watching on a blog and post that. So I thought I'd try the same thing with Titus , the book I read tonight for my time with God. This may be disastrous... but it may be FUN TOO! lol. If you would like to follow along, I will list the verse I am commenting on... but it is best to have a Bible in front of you or opened in a new tab in Firefox (and I know ALL my readers use Firefox... you had better!)... I'll be using the English Standard Version (ESV) ... the favorite of Mark Driscoll and John Piper, as well as my favorite English translation. Here we a go..... 1:1 -- Oh... look at the purpose for which the book was written: for "the faith of GOD'S ELECT"! HA! Take that you Arminians / anti-Calvinists. That type of address is not unique to Titus either... check out 1 Peter, 2 John, Jude, Romans.....

This is going to be EXTREMELY disjointed... it is 5am and I am wiped out. However something needs to be addressed, I think... and that someone (someone) is Mark Driscoll, pastor at Mars Hill Church in Seattle. Long known as "the cussing preacher," this 'emerging preacher' (more conservative than their Emergent counterparts... or rather, than their universalist counterparts) is none too shy about letting vulgar words of disgust exit his lips while at the pulpit. According to my older bro, Driscoll recognizes his own prideful sin in this and has taken steps to try and improve in the direction of holiness in this very unfortunate area of sin in his life. This is also echoed by my buddy (not personal buddy though, much to my dismay!) Todd Friel of The Way of the Master Radio, as he too recognizes that he's cleaned up his language to a large extent. Great. As possibly one of the biggest haters of vulgar speech you will ever meet (I try not to be a jerk about it when i...

i had this convo today w/ this guy on Facebook that randomly found me and added me as a friend on facebook. his religious views on his profile were labeled as "opti-mystic"... turns out he was the starter of a "Christian group" on myspace that allowed a Mormon to join and saw no problem w/ this... this is our conversation... Between Mike Morrell and Ryan Gill Ryan Gill Today at 5:52pm what is an opti-mystic? is that like opti-free contact lens solution? Mike Morrell Today at 5:56pm Report Message Ha! Its like someone living by means of Jesus who then gets, to quote Brennan Manning, a "serious and incurable case of the happies." So, if by opti-free you mean someone who can see clearer, and in freedom...sure! (See John 17) Ryan Gill Today at 5:57pm ewwww... brennan manning... catholic mystic... yuck. i get who jesus is... the only way. john 14:6. any other "way" leads to destruction. Mike Morrell Today at 6:02pm Report Mes...

The following is contained in the Michael Molloy textbook that I used for Religion 210 entitled Experiencing The World's Religions: Tradition, Challenge and Change . Inspired by the biblical admonition to "pray always," [Luke 18:1] many forms of prayerful meditation have emerged in the long history of Christianity. In Russia, it became common to repeat some form of the Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me." That was done hundreds of times a day, until the repetition became almost as automatic as breathing. In Greece, monks practiced sitting quietly, putting their heads forward, and guiding their consciousness to the center of their bodies, where they used their imaginations to experiences the inner light of God. In Europe of the Middle Ages, a form of walking meditation began to be done in labyrinths designed in the flooring of grand churches--such as we see at Chartres Cathedral in France. (This walking meditation is becoming i...