The Problem of Evil

I came across this great video by the renowned Christian Philosopher Alvin Plantinga and felt led to share it and add some of the common errors and misconceptions given by misinformed Christians.

Here is the short video,




THREE OPTIONS TO THE BELIEF IN THE GOD OF THE BIBLE AND THE EXISTENCE OF EVIL

1-Calvinism | God created it, willed it, and gets glory out of it.  Even going so far as to say, "God is the 'author of sin."

2-Open Theism's Response to Evil | God simply created humans, then removed His power and influence from the world and everything that has happened has been both a surprise to God as it is to man.  Meaning, God is not in control of either good or bad- man is.

3-The Bible's Response As Presented By Alvin and the Church Fathers for the first 300+ Years of Christianity | God created free creatures who make bad decisions, but through His Holy Spirit He works in creation to hold back evil and regenerate the desires (wills) of mankind.


CALVINISM AND OPEN THEISM BOTH FAIL IN REGARDS TO GOD'S REVEALED CHARACTER IN THE BIBLE

Therefore, both Calvinism and Open Theism's biggest issues are not "free will," sovereignty," or "predestination," but rather the very character of our God.

Calvinism makes God out to be the cruelest of all monsters- who creates men only perish in hell without any hope- for He only loves the elect.

And Open Theism removes the holiness and righteousness of God from His character, who does nothing to prevent or disuade evil- He is simply a bystander refusing to help the good prevail.

Jonathon Edwards in view of God and Him being the author of sin, speaking as a true Calvinist, said the following:

"If by “author of sin,” is meant the permitter, or not hinderer of sin; and at the same time, a disposer of the state of Events, in such a manner, for wise, holy and most excellent ends and purposes, that sin, if it be permitted or not hindered, will most certainly and infallibly follow: I say, if this be all that is meant, by being the author of sin, I don’t deny that God is the author of sin."

ARMINIANISM IS THE BEST SOLUTION AND BRINGS THE MOST GLORY TO GOD'S CHARACTER

I believe this quote from Dr. Olson, states the rebuttal and the Biblical solution best in the following section from his book, "Against Calvinism."

"The high Calvinist doctrine of God’s sovereignty including evil as part of God’s plan, purpose, and determining power blatantly contradicts Scripture passages that reveal “God is love” (1 John 4:8), takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (ezek. 18: 32), wants everyone to be saved (Ezek. 18: 32; 1 Tim. 2: 4; 2 Peter 3: 9), and never tempts anyone (James 1: 13).

To be sure, Calvinists have clever but unconvincing explanations of these and numerous other passages of Scripture. For example, John Piper argues that God has “complex feelings and motives,” such that he genuinely regrets that sin and evil have to be part of his world, genuinely wishes that all people could be saved, and is grieved when those he predestined to die and even suffer in hell for eternity for his glory experience that fate.

But these are not convincing explanations of these important passages that reveal the heart of God. They make God double-minded. So how might one deal with the reality of sin and evil in God’s world without placing undue limits on God’s power and sovereignty? The only way is to posit what Scripture everywhere assumes— a divine self-limitation in relation to the world of moral freedom, including especially libertarian freedom. That freedom is a wonderful and terrible gift of God to human persons created in his image and likeness. In other words, God allows his perfect will to be thwarted by his human creatures whom he loves and respects enough not to control them."

Olson, Roger E. (2011-10-25). Against Calvinism: Rescuing God's Reputation from Radical Reformed Theology (pp. 99-100). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.


A SUNDAY SERMON, "THE GOD OF THE GOSPEL."




MORE RESOURCES

1. Series of debates on Calvinism and Armianism, click here.

2. More on the problem of evil from a Biblical perspective from Dr. William Lane Craig, click here for the video and here for the article.

3. Great debate with Dr. Michael Brown and Dr. Bart Ehrman on the problem of evil, click here.

Top Three Unique Worship Bands

This is a follow up blog to the previous one in which I spotlighted the obvious lack of creativity in modern worship music and five reasons why.  In this new blog I will share the top five hidden gems of my worship experience that both bless my soul (creative mind) and spirit (union with God)!


MY TOP THREE UNIQUE WORSHIP BANDS

1. Benjamin Dunn | All of his work, especially the latest, "Fable," gave me so much joy and hope in today's worship genre.  I sooooo love it!  I have listened to my favorite tracks probably 50x each!  He not only draws you into God's presence but also tells great stories.

Below is a great worship-story-song called, "My Name is Eustace."  My other favorite more worshipful tracks are, "Sing" and "We Came Alive."  Plus, his older stuff is all great- the album, "Love Cloud" is powerful!




2. Will Reagan and United Pursuit | His acoustic stuff is so good, not mention all the work he does with the United Pursuit Band, but I really like his lyrics and heart when its raw without the bells and whistle.  Its like grunge meets folk music with a shot of "boom-shaka-laka" in your belly!  My favorite album of his is, "Live at the Banks House."  Tracks like, "Climb" and "Set a Fire," showed us all that "less" is so "much more" when it comes to deep-heart-felt worship.

Below is one of my favorite tracks, "If I Give it All (Live)."




3. Paul Meany and Elevator Music | Before his band Mute Math, Paul Meany was rocking hard as a worship leader in a local New Orleans church.  I remember him playing in small venues with less than 20 people and him blowing the roof off the place.  Though much of Mute Math is cutting edge rock, he only made one worship album that I'm aware of and I cannot find in digital form- so you gotta go ole' school and buy it from the church on CD.  Some of the best tracks are, "Kiss the River" and "Love Song."

Below is his rendition of "King of Glory," give it the whole go because his unique sounds and prophetic edge don't come out until the middle/end.  But when it does- hold on- its so rad!





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Side Notes

1. There are individual songs that have come out that I think are awesome, but as a whole, I don't see them keeping the standard in the worship genre.  For example, Sleeping Giant made a great hardcore worship song called, "Tithemi," and Wavedude did a great dubstep mix of Kim Walker which is great, "Kim Walker Dubstep."   

2. I kept the list short because I really wanted to spotlight those who have changed the game- I will add more as I find them.

3. Please feel free to add any suggestion of those you may have found to pass on.

4. Also, if doctrinal differences or the like exist with the artists they don't cause me at this time to look differently on their music- "sing the meat, spit out the bones!"  If I can rock a Taylor Swift song with my wife, I can appreciate these bands and musicians.

5. Yes, I know about IHOP, Morning Star, and Jake Hamilton- they're all awesome, I just don't think they're game changers.

6. If I was writing this blog five-ten years ago, Delirious? would have been at the top of the list- they were the most cutting edge worship band of their time and really brought rock based worship to another level. As well as David Crowder, their mix of techno/electric was definitely inspiring when it first came out!

7. As I stated in the previous blog I believe Kirk Franklin was a game changer in Gospel music, but because that is not my preferred style of worship music I'll leave that genre for others to write and talk about (though I still rock Kirk, Israel, Mary Mary, Eddie J., and Fred H. when I'm in the mood).

8. Someone commented and reminded me of a label that has the same intention of this blog and actually gives their band's music away for free.  Check em' out and try to discover the newest in cutting edge worship, www.comeandlive.com // Ascend the Hill is a good one to start with!

Top Five Reasons For Blaw Music in Worship

I'm writing this blog after the 110th time of trying to find new music to worship too and leaving itunes in a state of "blaw."  Its like 99.99% of the stuff always sounds the same, why is that?  Now, I've been a worship junkie since back in the day with Ron Kenoly and Touching the Father's Heart albums from Vineyard.  However, no matter what time period the church is in, there always seems to be a trend in the Christian community to stick to one style of music and make everything else sound the same.

First, everyone wanted to sound like Vineyard, then it was Hillsong, afterwards it was David Crowder and Chris Tomlin, now its Jesus Culture and IHOP.  Really?  The God who created the whole universe can only release one style of worship music per decade?!  God have mercy!  No wonder people love the best the world has to offer- it always sounds new and fresh.  Lady Gaga, Lil' Wayne, and so many others bring new creative sounds to the secular music scene almost every week.  My point isn't we should be more "worldly," but rather more "creative!"  

I know in overall Christian music we have all the styles of the world- rap, dance, country, even scream-o, etc... but I'm referring to "worship/prayer music."  Meaning, I believe we should be creative in what we present to the people in the way of worship.  And please don't get me started on Gospel- because that style has been basically the same for the last 15 years since Kurt Franklin (which by the way, God bless him for changing that style up)!  Not to mention- Southern Gospel, no revolutionaries there!

Its almost like I have to turn off my creative mind when listening to worship music and just say to myself, "This will not be creative or different, but it will be anointed- so open wide and take your worship medicine of 'blaw' talent!"

Please don't get me wrong, I know its not about me or the style, its about God and Him receiving praise- but why do we keep praising Him to the same tempo, cords, and style?  Can I pretty please praise God in church to other styles of music too?  Just maybe, someone will get this blog and change it once and for all and raise the standard higher than "Celine Dion" and the wanna be adult contemporary style of Chris Tomlin (God bless him for the song, "You're the God of This City," but let's be honest its about as creative as "Life is a Highway," by Rascall Flatts.)


TOP FIVE REASONS FOR BLAW MUSIC IN WORSHIP

1-LACK OF COMPETITION |  The worship industry is not as competitive as the world, thus the "cream doesn't have to fight to get on top and stay there."

2-WE USE GOD'S PRESENCE AS AN EXCUSE | We are people of God's presence and as long as the song touches our heart- we generally don't care how creative it is.

3-WE LOST THE ARTISTIC EDGE | In church, we don't like long songs or new songs that have an artistic edge- short and simple and to point is how we like it.  Thus, the song writers are not forced to be challenged or change up the style because sounding like everyone else is the easiest thing to do.

4-EXTREMELY NICE CAPTIVE AUDIENCES | The weekly church provides a regularly captive audience where people are just happy to not being going to hell and love singing about heaven with a joyful heart- they don't care about "what's new."  Its not like Sister SoandSo is used to new bands at the church every week and gets to decide which one she wants to pay and go see like bands have to do at bars and clubs every week.

(Side Note: Dear worship leader just because your church thinks your the "beezneez," it doesn't mean you are- get out of the nest and see how it works elsewhere.)

5-WE KEEP BUYING IT | We settle for less and keep buying new songs that sound like every other song we worship to because we're so desperate for a new song and don't have a choice.  Thus, they keep giving us the same stuff and the cycle never ends.  Not to mention most Christian radio stations are about as creative minded as PBS.

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Read the follow up blog, "My Top Three Picks for Creative Worship Music," here.

Five Influences in My Ministry

As I was talking with our youth pastor from Riis Park the other day I shared some of the influences I've had over the years and how I've gained wisdom from them to add to what I now do today.  Thus, I wanted to share this list with their links so others could listen to these great men of God and glean from them as well.  I also added a timeline to show when in my life these leaders had the greatest influence.  I loved each of these men for their "radical" and "unique" approach to God and ministry.  

(Note: These are not all of the influences in my life nor the greatest- just a list that helps to share with others some of the people I've gleaned from. Also, I don't agree with everything they teach or practice- I "chew the meat and spit out the bones.") 


FIVE MEN WHO INFLUENCED MY MINISTRY

1-ROD PARSLEY | To be a Passionate Preacher | 18-19yrs Old  

Preaching like Rod Parsley was radical because he was such a great "word smith" and passionate attention holding speaker.  His preaching inspired me to memorize the Word of God and preach with passion.


2-STEVE HILL | To be a Soul Winning Preacher | 20-21yrs Old

Preaching like Steve Hill was radical because he saw thousands saved at the Brownsville Revival and I wanted every service to be like a "revival service!"


3-DAVID HOGAN | To be a passionate, signs and wonders, non-compromising church planter | 22-23yrs Old

David Hogan was radical because he planted over 300 churches in Mexico, saw the dead raised, and didn't care what people thought about him.  Thus, I translated this into being radical in the urban setting as a new church planter.  We fasted often, worked tirelessly, and allowed absolutely no grey areas for the sake of seeing God move in powerful ways.  


4-CARLOS ANNACONDIA | To believe and preach that Jesus is both a Savior and Deliverer | 24-26yrs Old

Preaching like Carlos Annacondia from Argentina was radical to me because demons got cast out while people were being saved.  Thus, I learned to not only see people saved, but also delivered.


5-CESAR CASTELLANOS | To be a discipleship based church | 27-28yrs Old

Preaching like Cesar Castellanos from Columbia was radical because he built a powerful church of over 400,000 people in Columbia on the concept of every disciple making twelve new disciples.


From 28yrs Old Until Now

When, by God's grace, my wife and I started MPI I began to seek God to give us something unique and 100% new.  Thus, when one sees what MPI is today it is the influences of my past and all the influences of the current leaders with us- but more importantly it is what I believe God gave us to do.

The nations for JESUS!

Suicide, The Reasons Why and How to Prevent It

The issue of suicide has been on my heart lately after the Newtown shootings because the shooter also took his own life.  I began to do some research and was shocked to discover that the US has a rising suicide rate and its the tenth reason for death in America.  Thus, I felt led to write this blog to offer resources and help!

Suicide Stats

Here are just some quick facts about suicide from the "American Foundation for Suicide Prevention."

• Every 13.7 minutes someone in the United States dies by suicide.


• Nearly 1,000,000 people make a suicide attempt every year.


• 90% of people who die by suicide have a diagnosable and treatable psychiatric disorder at the time of their death.


• The suicide rate has increased the last five years to a record high of 12.4% per 100,000 people.   


• Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the US.  Click here for US death rates.


• Men are nearly 4 times more likely to die by suicide than women. Women attempt suicide 3 times as often as men. Click here to view.


• Suicide rates are highest for people between the ages of 40 and 59. Click here to view.

As one can easily see from the chart and stats above suicide is a major problem in the US. However, there doesn't seem to be a clear solution from the professionals.  Some blame the drug industry claiming that the rise in the rates over the last five years is due to the increase of people being given dangerous psychiatric drugs, (click to here for more info on this belief).  On the other hand, some believe that proper treatment with psychiatric drugs does produce more of a positive change than those who don't take them, thus leaving people untreated causes the real problems, (click here for more info).

To make the issue even more confusing, there is also disagreement between Christians.  Some Christians believe that all suicide is preventable and is an act of selfishness or self-murder, thus it is a serious sin against God, (click here for more info).  Yet other Christians believe that suicide is an illness just like cancer or diabetes thus the person shouldn't be thought of sinning but rather suffering from a disease, (click here for more info).

As a result of the above conflicting beliefs in the psychiatric and church worlds I believe the ones who need the most help suffer the most and can get lost in the debate.  Therefore, to avoid adding to the debate or the confusion, I would like to simply share some of the main triggers for suicide and the best ways I believe we can help prevent it. 


Some of the Major Causes or Triggers for Suicide

1-Untreated Depression (especially when combined with alcohol and/or drug abuse)

2-Bipolar Depression

3-Drug/Alcohol Abuse and Dependence

4-Schizophrenia

5-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

6-Eating disorders

7-Personality disorders

8-Sexual/Verbal Abuse

9-Intense Rejection or Bullying

10-Helplessness in Regards to the Future (job, money, family, etc.)

For more triggers that may cause suicide click here or here.


Three Ways to Prevent Suicide

1-BE READY TO HELP |  If someone is suffering from depression and mental illness we should offer them the best in help from both the church and medical science. If someone even mentions or hints towards wanting to take their own life, caring people should rally behind them and help them seek help.

2-OFFER JESUS AT ALL TIMES | When the soul and spirit is right with God it will help assist the physical body in healing.  Meaning, if I had a healthy walk with God and lost my arm in an accident, having Jesus would make my recovery easier.  Thus, incorporating Jesus and personal salvation into the mental therapy is a must because Jesus and the Bible grounds a person's hope in life and in the future, Isaiah 40:28-31.   

3-TEACH THE TRUTH ABOUT SUICIDE AND THE MEANING OF LIFE | I believe that many people don't have the right definition or understanding of life and suicide.  Thus, when things in life go wrong they may get depressed and hide it because they believe that things won't change.  Thus, they can feel suicide will make things better for themselves and the people around them. However, the Bible teaches the correct meaning of life, the value of each life, and ultimately how to have hope in this life in Jesus.  We must teach these things to our friends and family because correct theology will affect our every day lives, John 8:31-32. 


More Resources

1. Focus on the Family, a great online Christian counseling site. 

2. A powerful list of Bible verses to encourage you in times of depression, click here. 

3. If you are suffering from depression or having suicidal thoughts please ask someone for help right now.  Please start by calling this 24/7 number 1.800.273.8255 or chat online right now, click here.

Why MPI? Part 1 | Connect, Our Pentecostal Heart

1. Click here for the notes in pdf.

2. Click here to buy the book, "2,000 Years of Charismatic Christianity," by Eddie L. Hyatt.