Pastor Fred Wolfe Ministries

pastor fred our free SPREAD THE WORD TALK WITH TH...

2011-12-24T11:56:03.987-08:00

pastor fred our free SPREAD THE WORD TALK WITH THE LORD program inspires daily talks catch they need your help with first question our blog helps g hubbard po box 2232 ponte vedra fl 32004 http://talkwiththelord.blogspot.com/

Soo... When is "America's Next Great Prea...

2011-11-15T16:31:28.240-08:00

Soo... When is "America's Next Great Preacher" going to debut, and how can we get on the show, and how could we possibly justify it, and what would be the prize for the winner, and what would be extinguished or turned off, or turned over, or said when you were voted off?

Casey, For a more in depth study that is still o...

2011-11-05T07:23:42.668-07:00

Casey,

For a more in depth study that is still on the popular level, you may want to check out "Erasing Hell" by Francis Chan. It deals with these objections.

Pastor Wolfe, I would appreciate if you address Rh...

2011-11-05T04:39:44.977-07:00

Pastor Wolfe, I would appreciate if you address Rhett's comments. I have read the word and believe hell is a literal and real place but have spoken with other people who say that Jesus never said that there was a hell based on the "errors" in translations we have from the greek to english. I find that if this is true then it changes the gospel completely. I have found a decent number of sites claiming this same theology, "that there is no hell". I have a question on rev 20.15 because in there it says if our name is not in the book of life, we go to the lake of fire. there is no translation in that to gehenna, hades, etc. so i read that as literal. i am concerned if this is a false teaching because if there is no hell then what is the point for Jesus to come? Please respond with your thoughts, I am a bit confused over what people have said about all this. thank you.

In case anyone is interested in listening to a fre...

2011-09-25T17:45:15.306-07:00

In case anyone is interested in listening to a free audio book of "Instructions About Heart Work" by Richard Alleine, I'm working through it. Only a portion of it is done so far, but there is more coming soon!

http://www.allthingsexpounded.com/audio-book-recordings/

(it's towards the bottom of that page)

Please watch the good comments in this video. He a...

2011-09-09T20:41:18.162-07:00

Please watch the good comments in this video. He answers this common objection.

http://vimeo.com/28834021

Great suggestions Fred!

2011-09-08T11:05:03.046-07:00

Great suggestions Fred!

I like this. What a wonderful sentiment, and kudos...

2011-09-07T23:28:42.902-07:00

I like this. What a wonderful sentiment, and kudos on a post that is both expressive and evocative, along with being well-written. There's something you should know, though: I am an atheist. Now, before you remove my comment, please hear me out, because I'm really being sincere. I may view the world differently than you, and I may have different ideas on how it came to be, and we probably have different ideas on how to live a good life, but when we see something beautiful we likely both feel the same way: a swelling in our chests, a feeling of breathlessness, a sense of wonder at the world we share.

And most of all, we each feel happy. I feel happy because I know that there's so much of this world to explore, and that I can use my time on earth to see and do so many fantastic things. And forgive me if it seems like I'm speaking for you, but I'd wager that you feel happy because you know that God created this and that someday you'll be with the being who created everything that we see as beautiful, and perhaps beauty itself. Now, I don't believe that, but the point is that we each see and experience beautiful things, and that we're more similar than one might think.

There's something that separates us, though. Where you might be content to simple observe beauty and attribute it to God, I dedicate my life to understand that which I find beautiful. Where you see a tree of golden leaves and think, "God is great," I might see the same tree and wonder, "what causes that?" And the answer is often marvelous in itself.

In all my life, though, I've never thought to ask myself, "why?" I never wondered, "why do I find that particular object/sentiment/scene beautiful?"

And so even though your post was anti-evolution, I suppose I should be thanking you for posing such an evocative question. Best of all, I don't know the answer. I suppose it could be linked to evolution. Or perhaps psychology? Beauty is, after all, in the eye of the beholder. Maybe it's because of an experience I had as a child, or could it somehow be hereditary? Some mix of these possibilities, or some that I haven't thought of?

I have no idea, but you've inspired me to go out into the world and find an answer. What a beautiful thing to study: beauty itself. And this is what's wonderful about science; it's also what is different between you and I. When I don't understand something about our world, I search for an answer in terms of our world. It seems to me that when you don't understand something, you attribute it to God and move on.

This is, I suppose, the point I've been trying to make all along: that when one doesn't know something (like many aspects of evolution), that doesn't mean that they shouldn't look for an answer. Simply because there's a part of the evolutionary theory that we don't yet understand doesn't mean that the entire theory is bunk-- it means that we should work harder to understand it.

Anyway, if you've read this far, thanks for listening to my ramblings. I hope nothing I said came off as rude-- I have nothing but respect for you. It felt good to type this out, too; I'm in one of those "everything is amazing" moods. All the best,

anonymous

When there is a direct command of God, Christian l...

2011-09-07T10:52:58.441-07:00

When there is a direct command of God, Christian liberty is not applicable. There is either obedience or disobedience. Christian liberty is applicable when there is no explicit command. But even then there are principles that govern Christian liberty.

The scrolls and paper comparison is a valid illustration of how we can adapt new technologies and methodologies if they do not violate a command or principle of Scripture.

It is the commands and principles of Scripture that are binding on believers. The methods of applying the principles can change. A method can be ineffective without being sin.

When we elevate methodology to a command we are forced to pick and choose which methods are unchangeable and which are "good and necessary inferences." Who decides?

Scripture says nothing of the Internet or air conditioning. Yet we eagerly use these tools.

Regarding youth ministry, I acknowledge there are problems with a lot of things called "youth ministry." It should not be an excuse for parents to abandon their God-ordained responsibilities. Scripture commands parents to teach their children. There is no question about that. But Scripture does not command that only parents be involved in the process. The church can help. Other believers can help. Scripture provides examples of this.

Caution should be exercised to avoid moving from one error to another. There is a ditch on both sides of the road.

DC

DC- "There is no need to dismiss a biblical...

2011-09-07T09:55:50.398-07:00

DC-

"There is no need to dismiss a biblical concept simply because some may have abused it."

I have an issue with this statement. I am not suggesting that we dismiss a Biblical concept.

Does the moral law of God changed after one becomes a Christian? Are we free in our Christian Liberty to ignore the law? Of course not. In fact, we are held to an even higher standard since our very hearts are now regenerate and we have been given a right spirit.

Bringing up scrolls is just a red herring in this discussion. Paper is a good and necessary inference in the command to meditate on the law day and night. The real issue is our desire to obey. When I bring up a methodology (modern youth ministry in this case), and see that what is practiced today is not found in scripture, and in fact is detrimental to the methodology that is prescribed in scripture for the discipleship of youth, one cannot declare Christian liberty and hold a clean conscience.

Now, if two well saved men agree that the Bible is their only Book, and have differing methodologies that seem to both be supported in scripture, I think that is a time to rely on Christian liberty and grace. But Christian Liberty can never be used to support a methodology that is absent from scripture, and such a methodology is an invention of man and can only lead to the glorification of man.

"Adding to the methodology of Scripture"...

2011-09-07T09:29:19.123-07:00

"Adding to the methodology of Scripture" was not Uzzah's error. He disobeyed the direct teaching of God.

I wholeheartedly agree that we are to carry out the commands and teachings of Scripture. But we do not need to elevate a particular methodology to the level of a Biblical command. For example, throughout the Scripture we read that the Word of God was read from scrolls. Even Jesus read from scrolls. These scrolls were typically made from animal skins.

Following the "prescriptive" approach would require that we MUST read the Scripture only from scrolls. It would be a violation of Scripture, as you say, to read a Bible that is printed on paper, especially since paper was invented by pagan Egyptians and Chinese.

God's Word is our rule of faith and practice. But God did not attempt to record a list of rules for every conceivable issue. He gave some commands and many more principles that would apply to all people in all times.

Christian liberty is a valid biblical concept. The apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, gave us important teaching about how to make decisions when there is no specific "Thou shalt not." To say that "Christian liberty is a slippery slope to heresy" is not a valid defense. There is no need to dismiss a biblical concept simply because some may have abused it. The alternative leads to legalism, an error Jesus frequently confronted in the Pharisees.

DC

Anonymous- I would content that adding to the meth...

2011-09-07T07:17:09.743-07:00

Anonymous- I would content that adding to the methodology of scripture is a violation of it. There can be good and necessary allowances to carry out the prescriptions of scripture, but simply declaring Christian liberty is a slippery slope to heresy in too many cases. God's Word is sufficient, and gives us all we need for faith and life.

"Uzzah walked beside the Ark of God, which wa...

2011-09-06T19:23:14.373-07:00

"Uzzah walked beside the Ark of God, which was being carried as was prescribed in scripture by oxen."

Actually, they were carrying the ark in the manner of the Philistines. God had instructed that the ark be carried, specifically, by the priests.

So, in this case the methodology was an issue because it directly violated Biblical instruction: carry the ark and don't touch it.

Methodology that violates commands and principles of Scripture is wrong. But practices that do not violate commands and principles of Scripture should be regarded as matters of Christian liberty.

Dad I think your a great poet. I hope I can write...

2011-08-31T08:04:45.921-07:00

Dad I think your a great poet. I hope I can write like that someday. I love you so much. But for now stop writing and start stretching because you have got a foot ball game to win!

Love, Your son,
Josiah Boyd Wolfe

For your consideration: http://defendingcontending...

2011-07-29T13:35:44.683-07:00

For your consideration:
http://defendingcontending.com/2011/07/28/shame-on-challies/
and
http://defendingcontending.com/2011/07/23/my-thoughts-on-youth-ministry-and-vacation-bible-school/

Not sure if you have listened to the CD series tha...

2011-07-26T10:29:25.839-07:00

Not sure if you have listened to the CD series that Bill Einwechter did called The Great Debate over Baptism and the Covenant (http://www.visionforum.com/browse/product/great-debate-over-baptism-and-the-covenant/?search=baptism&sortby=0)but it is very good.

Interesting. I enjoyed there read.

2011-07-22T07:59:25.501-07:00

Interesting. I enjoyed there read.

Thank you for your well-written response. God Bles...

2011-07-22T01:36:16.714-07:00

Thank you for your well-written response. God Bless!

I wonder if the reason for hostilities against FIC...

2011-07-21T23:20:16.237-07:00

I wonder if the reason for hostilities against FIC is due to personalities. Because if reasonable ideas and thoughtful debate were involved in both sides, we would see a moving toward a God centered methodology on the part of Mr. Challies and others like him. You make a very well laid out case against Mr. Challies' comments. Thanks.

Thank you for this thoughtful, accurate assessment...

2011-07-21T19:42:20.000-07:00

Thank you for this thoughtful, accurate assessment of Mr. Challies review.

I am proud of Ken Ham for exposing these professin...

2011-05-22T22:42:56.949-07:00

I am proud of Ken Ham for exposing these professing "Christian" organizations for what they really are. If they are so confident of their "old earth" position where evolution is a part of the package in the textbooks/curriculum, they should have no problem with Ken speaking about it. For the record, Ken states that he did NOT "question their salvation," but frankly if these people are rejecting a literal interpretation of the Bible, it would concern me greatly and I would NEVER purchase their materials. I'm thrilled that Ken has the guts to call these people out and also to actually photograph and post pictures of their actual textbooks on the inside, showing verbatim what they say about "millions of years ago," "a Big Bang," etc. Ken should be applauded for being salt & light, and the people who kicked him out should be embarrassed. What a pity the politically correct crowd has now infiltrated the homeschooling arena. I think the organizers are compromisers!

Aion equals, not eternity. There are verses that s...

2011-05-18T09:52:36.760-07:00

Aion equals, not eternity. There are verses that speak of "the end of the age." There is not one instance where contextually age is not the best rendering of Aion and many instances where only age makes any real sense. It would be tedious to list verses, but I would challenge anyone to do what I did as I was working through this issue-- get an interlinear Greek New Testament and a Greek English lexicon and read the entire New Testament in Greek paying special attention to this particular word. Now, the derivative "aionian" is wrongly translated as "eternal" most likely because we do not have an exact English equivalent for this word. We do, however, follow the Greek practice regarding the letters "ian" to transform nouns into adjectives to this very day. For instance, a car from Italy is an Italian car. A man from Brazil is Brazilian. The word "Aionian" means of or pertaining to the age or ages. Instead of "Eternal God," a literal rendering is "God of the Ages." This is not to say God isn't eternal. It's just to say that the words Aion and Aionian do not convey this. Take the Greek phrase "Aionian Puros." The King James renders it "Eternal Fire." A literal rendering would be "Purification of Ages." That is a drastically different meaning and completely literal. Does this match the rest of Scripture? "He will Baptise you with the Holy Ghost and with "puros." fire. Jesus baptizes with a cleansing, purifying fire, and this is the same word that is used-- puros. I agree with you whole-heartedly that there is no such thing as seperation from God. It's just that our God is a consuming fire. God is the fire of the ages.

Dear Brother Fred, Rhett Ellis here. I was a full...

2011-05-14T20:44:43.152-07:00

Dear Brother Fred,

Rhett Ellis here. I was a full time Southern Baptist pastor for 14years. You were one of my references in the early days of my ministry, and I will always be thankful for your ministry and friendship. As a pastor preparing to preach on the subject of Hell, I noticed discrepancies in the English translations that were impossible to reconcile with the Greek and Hebrew. Gehenna isn't Hell. Hades isn't Hell in all but one instance. Sheol isn't Hell. Aion and its derivative Aionian consistently refer to ages, not eternity. As you may recall, I was an ultra-conservative in the days of the controversy. I am not telling you this as an unbeliever but as one who takes scripture seriously. I would be happy to meet and discuss the issue any time here in Mobile. I believe Christ is the savior of all mankind, especially of those who believe. Clement, Origen, and others in the early church believed this. As C.S. Lewis pointed out in The Great Divorce, Paul seemed to believe it too, but the Greek has to be read consistently and thoroughly to see it. tentmaker.org is a good starting point for studies, especially the word Aion and its derivatives. For advanced studies, The Inescapable Love of God by Thomas Talbott is excellent, probably the best book on the subject in English.

Marcus, I believe you have missed the point. The...

2011-04-05T17:05:47.315-07:00

Marcus,

I believe you have missed the point. The point is that is we cannot believe what the Bible clearly teaches about Hell, then there is no real reason to believe anything about it, including whether or not there is a God at all. If you pick and choose from the Bible, there is no rule to tell you what to pick and choose. Believing in the Bible is an all-or-nothing proposition, as is a life in slavery to Christ.

"If there's no Hell, then there's no ...

2011-04-05T17:01:10.647-07:00

"If there's no Hell, then there's no reason to believe, and if all roads lead to the same place, then there's no point in anything."

Wow, it's sad that there's no reason to believe in God if there is no Hell. I guess all the grace and blessings that come from God don't count without a Hell.

That's how I want my relationship with my kids to be:

It'd be just fine with me if my son loved me and did what I wanted him to because he had to, for fear of being grounded if he didn't obey and love me. Thats how I want my child to be; motivated by a fear of punishment, and not out of love and respect for me.