Manhattan Declaration, (update)

More perspectives on the Manhattan Declaration. Our friends at Shepherd's Fellowship provide the views of more brothers. Im with them 100% on this. Check it out its interesting.
The main point is that we should not ally ourselves with people who have wrong views of the fundamental truths of the gospel.

The Manhattan Declaration

If you have not yet heard about the the Manhattan Declaration I suggest you look in to it. This is a document calling "believers and non-believers alike" to support the following principals:

1. the sanctity of human life
2. the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife
3. the rights of conscience and religious liberty.

  There are some disagreements of whether or not to sign the document. Personally I am more convinced by MacArthur's rational for not signing the document. Albert Mohler however chose to sign the document.
Here are the explanations for their decisions.
Albert Mohler
John MacArthur 
If there is any news on who else signed the document let me know :)

Get 3 free Mp3's from Amazon

The title says it all. Just enter MP34FREE as the coupon code upon purchase.
Check it out. Offer end's November 30, 2009.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&ref_=pe_67050_13524000&docId=1000455181

Tecnology and our Illiterate society

Its no doubt that technology is changing the very way we live and exist. The last decades have experienced an exponential growth in technological expansion. From the way we wake up, to the way we communicate, almost every aspect of our life is in some way affected by technology.

Technology in an of itself is not sinful or bad, but  it is a mixed blessing. We should consider the effects of technology, just like we look at the symptoms and benefits of medication. While bringing imminence convenience to our world, technology is almost certainly making us(humans) dumber. Our society is becoming increasingly dependent on images rather than text.

A look at the progression of operating systems(OS) makes this point very clear. The newest operating systems feature a myriad of icons and images over the traditional text buttons. We are bombarded with commercials boasting of simpler and easier to use OS. This move to "easier more and convenient" looks like a great leap backward. In their studies scientist have found that monkeys can understand and respond to symbols. If the monkey presses the banana button he gets a banana. This is the case in most modern operating systems, "press the picture to get what you want." Another great example of this is ancient cave pictures and hieroglyphics. Before writing this was the main way to record information. Is technology leading us to a less literate society?

It sure looks like it is. This is easily seen by comparing the way we write to the past. Language is getting simpler as we know it. The lengthy eloquent conversations of the past have been replaced with short blurbs of abbreviations and half words. Just look at any one persons text messages, im, or twitter. Our society is encouraging, perhaps unintentionally, that we express ourselves with as little effort as possible.

This is a dangerous thing. As Christians we are called to examine ourselves 2 Corinthians 13:5, a practice that obviously requires a fair amount of thinking. Christians should strive to be more literate. After all the Bible is a book and not a set of images.

Relearning to read(and write) with you,
-Roman

My first poem

It's not great and it's kind of short (I like to think of it as to the point), but it was fun to write. Decided to write it just for the sake of trying who knows maybe I will continue to write (and maybe not). Either way hope it makes some sense. It comes from 1 Peter 3:13-16 (the text we studied at our small group this week).
I will sanctify Christ as Lord.
Though all around me seem so cold.
I will be gentle, calm, yet bold.
In proclamation of the faith,
To which I now, and will forever hold.

-Roman

My take on "Song of Myself" by Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman is one of the most famous poets in American history. He redefined poetry, and created a uniquely "American" voice. I believe that he changed the world of poetry not for better but for worse. Whitman ventured away from traditional rhyming and rhythmic poetry to a style that would eventually become what we know as free verse. He striped his poems of what I think truly makes a poem a poem. Answering Emerson's call, Whitman wrote explicitly on many controversial topics (e.g. sex, Communism, homosexuality, and war).

One of his longer poems "Song of Myself" (its 1345 lines) is one of the most selfish and immoral works I have ever read. Whitman was clearly a Godless man who had no problem celebrating immorality. Reading his poetry for literature class has not been an enjoyable experience, and I would not recommend him to anyone.

Postmodernism

Recently Albert Mohler wrote a great blog post on postmodernism (pun not intended). The subject has been on my mind over the past few weeks because of the upcoming Reality conference at our church. In this article Mohler reviews John R. Franke's new book Manifold Witness: The Plurality of Truth. Here is an excerpt of the article.

The problem is this –  Franke’s argument that truth is plural means that the church should both embrace and celebrate different and even contradictory understandings of these doctrinal statements and core truths. While Franke is undoubtedly correct in warning that no theological system is free of cultural limitations, his proposal amounts to a total and unconditional surrender of doctrinal accountability. While he insists that not all doctrinal assertions are allowable, he undercuts the authority of Scripture to serve as the norm for establishing truth from error. (emphasis added)

Where did this idea come from, certainly Franke did not study scripture and derive this idea. As soon as one stops seeing scripture as the only, inherent, sufficient, and absolute definer of truth: they find themselves on a slope that will eventually lead to sin and heresy. We must diligently study the scriptures to find the truth contained in it. Sadly more and more people are reading their ideas in to scripture and therefore missing what God really says.

For, “All flesh is like grass, And all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, And the flower falls off, But the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word which was preached to you.
-1 Peter 1:24-25

Math, Truth, and the Glory of God

This quarter in school I am talking a wide range of classes. It's nice to exercise various parts of my brain. Now more than ever I am realizing how wonderful math is. I and thankful that this is one class where almost everything is true. Unlike literature, or biology where un-biblical worldviews must be filtered with much care, math presents principals that are true and right. Finally, a class where I am not being taught against God. However it is important to note that math can be studied in a way that doesn't give glory to God. We must be careful to see the glory of God through math and not use math(or any other subject) to exalt ourselves.

"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."
     -Colossians 3:17

May God give us the grace to glorify him in our education.

-Roman

The Way to Wealth

In reading for my American lit class I came across some interesting quotes from Benjamin Franklin.

"the taxes are indeed very heavy, and if those laid on by the government were the only ones we had to pay, we might more easily discharge them; but we have many others, and much more grievous to some of us. We are taxed twice as much by our idleness, three times as much by our prid, and four times as much by our folly"

"early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."

" 'tis easier to suppress the first desire, than to satisfy all that follow it."

" 'tis hard for an empty bag to stand upright"

Quotes taken from "The Way to Wealth" aka "Poor Richard Improved" aka "Father Abraham's Speech"
Anyways  I found them interesting.

"Sons & Daughters"

Once again I am exited about a new Sovereign Grace Music CD release. This CD is called "Sons & Daughters" the main focus of which is our adoption through Christ (Eph. 1:5). The songs, (as always) are very Biblical and remind us of the love God showed us adopting rebels like us; they also encourage purposeful obedience.

"Sons & Daughters" is coming out on 5 August 2009. Click here to read more about the CD and to listen to some song samples.

“And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!” - Gal. 4:6

Book Review: "The Pilgrims Regress"

Well I finished reading The Pilgrim's Regress by C.S. Lewis. This was an awesome book an I recommend it to all. It is allot like John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, in the fact that it is an allegory and that the story in the book is the author's dream. But the "The Pilgrim's Regress" is different because the main character does not become a christian until the end of the book (whereas Bunyan's main character becomes a Christan at the beginning). This gives Lewis an interesting opportunity to present "An Allegorical Apology for Christianity Reason and Romanticism" (the books subtitle) or in other words "An Allegorical Argument for Christianity Logic and Desire."

The book suggests that to get to a correct (ie. Christian) worldview one must keep a careful balance between desire and self discipline/the law. The following quote from the afterword is a good summary.

"We must not 'hearken to the over-wise or to the over-foolish giant'. We were made to be neither cerebral men nor visceral men, but Men. Not beasts nor angels but Men- Things at once rational and animal. " 207

The Regress is partly autobiographical explaining some of the main philosophies and ways of thought that lead Lewis to conversion.

But to get what I'm talking about you should read the book for yourself. I guarantee that you won't be disappointed the book is very interesting and well written.

Biblical Productivity

C.J. Mahaney has finally finished his blog series on biblical productivity. This series of blog posts was very helpful to me personally, and I am glad to see it all in one file uninterrupted by other blog posts (not to say that the other blog posts were not useful). So this is his whole series in a pdf file.

Resolved

Resolved is going on right now. This years theme is sin. You can watch the confernce live at the times listed below on the Resolved Website. This should be a very profitable and intersting subject, I'm looking forward to it.

Friday, June 12
4pm – Registration
8pm - Session 1, Rick Holland

Saturday, June 13
11am - Session 2, Steve Lawson
5pm - Session 3, C.J. Mahaney
6pm - Session 4, Enfield Concert

Sunday, June 14
11am - Session 5, Steve Lawson
5pm - Session 6, John MacArthur
7pm - Session 7, John Piper

Monday, June 15
9am - Session 8, Rick Holland
11am - Session 9, John MacArthur
5pm - Session 10, C.J. Mahaney
7pm - Session 11, John Piper

"To Be Like Jesus"

I'm exited for the new Sovereign Grace childrens' album "To Be Like Jesus." I really enjoyed their first childrens' album "Awesome God" almost five years ago. The focus of the new album is to teach kids that Christ is the perfect example of the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and how we should be like him. This album also conveys that we can't be like Jesus without the power of the cross. It's hard to find good worship songs today (especially for kids) that's why I'm so thankful for ministries like Sovereign Grace.

Coldplay "LeftRightLeftRightLeft" (Free CD offer)

Not particularly amazing but it's worth a listen.
Download here http://www.coldplay.com/lrlrl/lr.html

Cellular Respiration (ATP)-- Boulevard of Broken Dreams

It's the official one year anniversary of our extra credit biology video. yay! :)

Systematic Theology

If anyone was looking to learn about systematic theology here is a good opportunity. Dr. S. Lewis Johnson did a great series called "Basic Bible Doctrine" for his church (so its not supper complex and stuff). He covers the general idea really well. So it's simple and useful. I liked it :). Check it out (to download right click the mp3 link and press "save target as..." or "save link as...").

He is risen indeed!

"As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand the earth."Even after my skin is destroyed, Yet from my flesh I shall see God;
Whom I myself shall behold, And whom my eyes will see and not another. My heart faints within me! - Job 19:25-27

Happy Easter!

Is There Christian Eloquence? Clear Words and the Wonder of the Cross

This is Piper's sermon form the Desiring God National Conference 2008. Its a good one. Discusses the way we are to articulate our sentences, and what our speech should be like.

Mark, the Restored Deserter

I wanted to share this great sermon by MacArthur. This is the beginning of MacArthur's last new testament book (after he finishes Mark he will have preached through the whole new testament verse by verse). It's an awesome, humbling sermon. Praise God for giving us faithful men like John MacArthur.
You can download the sermon at the Grace to you web site.

The Gospel According to James

I recently heard this sermon from the Shepherd's Conference . Now don't let the title make you think this is some heretical sermon. I recommend that everyone listens to it (especially if you are or are planing to study James). Some of the things Will Varner presents are very surprising. He gave me a new perspective on the books of Acts, James, and even the whole New Testament. You can download this sermon for free at the Shepherd's Fellowship website. It was the 2009 conference, and it is one of the seminar sessions. If you don't have an account you can use the one brothaGT generously made.

Cool stuff from Logos Bible Software.

Ref tagger is an awesome (free) tool for any blog or website that you site scripture in. I use it for this blog. If you have a blog or any website with scripture references check it out.
http://www.logos.com/reftagger

Also If your looking for an pretty good place to read the bible online you can use http://bible.logos.com its the same company that made "ref tagger" and "Libronix."

Spring Break

Hey yal, just wanted to say enjoy your spring break. But more importantly don't waste your spring break.
"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."
-Colossians 3:23-24 (emphasis added).

New Bible Study Tool

"Blue Letter Bible" is perhaps one of my new favorite online (free) bible study tools. It has allot of cool stuff like commentaries, original languages, tons of versions and allot of other cool stuff that is actually really helpful. I use it mostly for historical/geographical context and word/character studies. But anyway I just wanted to share it so check it out. Its a little complex at first but its worth exploring.

First Post

Hey this is my new blog. I don't know why I made it. I guess it was mostly because Google accounts offered it, and I wanted to try it out. So I don't know if I will even use this but here it is. I copied the idea for the name of the blog from Sean Higgins (his blog has a Hebrew name). Epigraphō (pronounced e-pē-grä'-fō). Is the Greek verb "to write" or "to write upon" (physically or mentally) its also used as "to write upon the mind". So I thought the name was appropriate. Now in no way do I expect anyone to actually read this blog. But I just made it for fun.