Departments
Staff List
Staff List
MORNING STAR
A Multimedia Christian Publication
P.O. Box 7755, Nashua, NH 03060
Phone: 603-883-4624 - Fax: 603-883-0466
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Toby Trudel - Nashua, NH
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Pastor Geoffrey Kragen - Roseville, CA
SENIOR EDITORS
Teresa Giordanengo - Canonsburg, PA
Al Murillo III - El Paso, TX
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Jerry Johnson - Modesto, CA
Sharon Sanders - Jerusalem, Israel
Mike Wilkinson - Citrus Heights, CA
Dr. Charles Wootten - Matoaca, VA
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Jody Fauss - Lindale, TX
Joseph A. Nigro - Oradell, NJ
Jeannine Robinson - Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Moishe Rosen - San Francisco, CA
Clark Stephens - Huntington Beach, CA
Pastor Dale Strand - Dublin, CA
Rick Thrasher - Santa Clara, CA
J.C. Trudel - Naples, FL
SENIOR PUBLISHER - DOS and WINDOWS Editions
Steve Paulovich - Pembroke, NH
SENIOR PUBLISHER - MACINTOSH Edition
Toby Trudel - Nashua, NH
SENIOR PUBLISHER - Hard Copy Edition
Ray Reed - Beaumont, TX
OFFICE SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN
Patrick Auriemma - Nashua, N.H.
U.S. DISTRIBUTION
DIRECTOR OF BBS DISTRIBUTION
Walter H. Bauer Jr. - Sugar Land, TX
AMERICA ONLINE NETWORK DISTRIBUTION
Jerry White - Germantown, MD
COMPUSERVE NETWORK DISTRIBUTION
Dr. Charles Wootten - Matoaca, VA
GENIE NETWORK DISTRIBUTION
Mike Wilkinson - Citrus Heights, CA
DELPHI NETWORK
Rev. Vince Gonzalez - Naples, FL
MORNING STAR is produced and published monthly, by a staff of born again
believers in Jesus, located across the United States of America.
Correspondence to MORNING STAR may be sent via the U.S. Postal Service or
one of several computer networks.
ELECTRONIC MAIL LINKS
INTERNET: mstarmac@aol.com (Toby Trudel)
AMERICA ONLINE: MStarDOS (Steve Paulovich)
GENIE: M.Wilkinson1 (Mike Wilkinson)
COMPUSERVE: 70743,603 (Jorge Lopez)
DELPHI: VINCEGSR (Vince Gonzalez)
PRODIGY: xvsn02a (Vince Gonzalez)
FIDONET: 1:106/3118 (Walter Bauer)
CHRISTIAN FAMILY NETWORK: 8:3003/0 (Walter Bauer)
CHRISTIAN DISTRIBUTION NETWORK: 8:2013/0 (Walter Bauer)
POLICENET: 150:402/53 (Walter Bauer)
To receive a free copy of the MS DOOR program, which allows viewers to read
the magazine onscreen, contact:
Alan Graff
P.O. Box 131
Wheelersburg, OH 45694
FIDONET: 1:2260/50
Editor's Letter
Editor's Letter
Hello and welcome to the 27th issue of MORNING STAR, our international
computer-based Christian magazine. To those receiving the hard copy of this
magazine, I'll "warn" you ahead of time - this is our annual "high-tech"
issue. Our Feature area, People Profile interview and the Ministry Focus
column are dedicated to Christians using computers, networks, electronic
bulletin boards and other such modern contraptions. This month's Resource
column has a list of "electronic bulletin boards" (BBS) which carry MORNING
STAR. It is now available in 27 states as well as ten countries via these
BBS. We even gave the "Bookworm" the month from his column off to make room
for a software review!
Hopefully, those readers who aren't very experienced with computers and
such will appreciate the fact that Christians are using such methods to get
the "Word" out and help one another in our work for the Lord.
Scripture teaches that we are to use all legitimate means to get the good
news of Jesus' Gospel out. I'm sure if he were alive today Paul would be
taking a laptop computer with him as he flew from country to country doing
the Lord's work. (By the way, I'm presently typing this letter on such a
computer aboard a plane, on my way to visit my family in Florida. I think
we're somewhere over South Carolina right now!)
It is our hope that our readers enjoy the wide variety of subjects in our
Feature area and we encourage everyone to send in articles and stories to
help us continue to make MORNING STAR a quality magazine.
Would you consider writing something for an upcoming Feature area? We are
NOT looking for professional writers. We want this magazine to be a vehicle
for ANY believer to express whatever is on his or her heart. Here's a list
of our upcoming themes, beginning with volume 3.5, our February issue. (Talk
about variety!)
Feb 93 - Messianic Studies
Mar 93 - Prison Ministry
Apr 93 - Deliverance from homosexuality
May 93 - Women "of" the Bible (Godly women of the past and today)
June 93 - Annual Prophecy issue
July 93 - Witnessing
Aug 93 - Bible Study
Sept 93 - Praise, Prayer and Worship
Besides the Feature area, our Education, Music, Ministry Focus, Mission
Field and Commentary columns are especially good places to make a
contribution to.
In addition to considering a literary contribution, keep in mind that our
latest endeavor, the success of the new hard copy of MORNING STAR is
dependent on the generosity of Christians who believe this is a worthy
project. We started with enough funding to publish 500 copies into 1994
(150 of which are sent to prison chaplains at no charge to them) and we're
trusting the Lord after that! Anyone wishing to help us should send a
donation to our publishing ministry, DAVID'S MIGHTY MEN, PO Box 5093,
Beaumont, TX 77726.
In service to Jesus,
Toby Trudel
People Profile
People Profile
MORNING STAR Editor-in-Chief Toby Trudel conducted this interview over the
America Online network, with Rick Thrasher, president of the California-based
CHRISTIAN MACINTOSH USERS GROUPS (CMUG). CMUG is an international organization
linking Christians who use Macintosh computers in their work for the Lord.
Toby: Rick, can you give our readers a basic idea of what CMUG is all about?
Rick: CMUG exists to help Christians who use Macs in their personal,
professional or ministerial lives. If we can help them be more effective
using their Mac, then they will be more effective for our Lord. We do this
in four ways. First, we have a monthly newsletter, His Servant. Second,
many companies offer discounts to CMUG members, including the entire
Macintosh line. Third, I'm available to help CMUG folks with Mac questions
and problems. Fourth, we have several local chapters demonstrating the Body
of Christ at work, teaching, sharing and encouraging one another.
Toby: What got you going in all this? Were you a "computer hacker" or a
Christian first?
Rick: I accepted the Lord in 1976, a few months after I began my
professional career as a mainframe programmer. When the Mac came out
in 1984, I couldn't see what the fuss was all about. Icons and pull
down menus didn't seem to offer much. But I used a Mac for the first
time in the summer of 1984 and I was hooked. Even though I had been
using computers for years by then, I had never really enjoyed them. But
using the Mac that first time, I smiled and laughed! I was having fun
with a computer! When I started my computer management consulting business
in the fall of 1984, I needed a computer, and the Mac was my choice: a 512k
"Fat Mac".
In 1986, the pastors and staff at my church, Peninsula Bible Church in Palo
Alto CA, all got Mac Pluses. I began to help them learn how to better use
their Macs. Eventually the lightbulb went on: there are probably other pastors
and ministry workers who could use some help. So in February 1987, we held our
first meeting. We mailed the invitation to about twenty people and fifteen
came. We decided to call ourselves the Christian Macintosh Users Group.
Toby: How many people belong to your group? Are they from all across the
country?
Rick: Our current membership is well over 700. We have people in many states,
but the largest population is in California. We also have several local
chapters around the country.
Toby: Are their any CMUG groups outside the U.S.?
Rick: There are many members outside the US. We even have chapters in the
United Kingdom and the Philippines.
Toby: What benefits do CMUG members enjoy? Do they get discounts or special
insight on new products?
Rick: There are many companies that offer discounts on software (Bible study,
church management, graphics, etc.) and hardware (peripherals, Macs, etc.). We
offer these discounts because we want to help you be better stewards of your
limited financial resources.
Toby: Rick, you publish a magazine called HIS SERVANT. Can you tell us what
we might find in a typical issue?
Rick: His Servant is a monthly newsletter. We publish product reviews and
feature articles focusing on various aspects of Christian Mac computing. We
also have How-to columns. We also accept advertising, so people can learn
what products are available.
Toby: Do you have a big staff working on this publication?
Rick: It has varied over the years. We've never had more than a single person
doing the editing and layout, plus a couple of contributing writers. Right now,
the Lord is leading our editor into other ministry opportunities. So we have an
opening for a skilled and committed person to do the layout and editing,
preferably here in Silicon Valley.
Toby: How does someone go about subscribing to HIS SERVANT?
Rick: Send me your name, address and phone number and I'll give you a free
three-month trial subscription. If you like what you see, annual membership is
$15 for US, $20 for Canada and Mexico, and $35 for all other countries.
Toby: What do you see in the future as far as Christians using High-Tech in
their work for the Lord?
Rick: The technological possibilities are tremendous. However, the Church does
a poor job of utilizing technology, not just computers, but audio/video,
telephones and answering systems, faxes, etc. We need to help the Church learn
how to effectively and professionally use technology to do its traditional
business: evangelizing the lost, teaching the saved, encouraging the hopeless,
helping the poor, etc.
Toby: With all this new technology, and the Bible not addressing many of the
particulars, are their any dangers or pitfalls believers should be wary of?
Rick: The world around us thinks that, in many ways, technology will save us
from our problems. Here in Silicon Valley, technology has become a god!
Thousands of the movers and shakers here are convinced that their
technology-based products will save the world. Apple is one of the formats in
this belief. We, as the Church, must not allow the various technologies
available to us to become a replacement for the Power, Authority and Saving
Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Technology is just a tool that can help us in
many ways, but it will not save a single soul.
At the same time, the Church must regain our voice. Most of these technologies
raise ethical and moral issues. Except for a few areas, like medical ethics, the
Church is silent. We must enter into the discussion from a Godly perspective so
that we can be salt and light in the dark world around us.
In a couple of years, for instance, our cable TV line will be able to bring into
our living rooms hundreds of channels of educational and entertainment material.
We'll have movies on demand, donwloaded from a central computer to our
TV/Computer/movie player. How will we as parents regulate the availability of this
enormous spectrum of material? We're barely able to right now, with only a few dozen
channels available. We need to be involved in this discussion.
Toby: Any new plans on the horizon for CMUG or HIS SERVANT?
Rick: I always have plans, but I must wait on the Lord to raise up workers. One of
our recent works is a bulletin board system. The Lord brought me a couple guys who
wanted to do this, so we have a Mac with a 120MB hard drive stuffed with public
domain, shareware and Christian software, including MORNING STAR. It's small and
we're just getting started, but we're hopeful it will become a real opportunity to
minister to people.
Toby: By the way, what do you think of the Macintosh edition of MORNING STAR?
Rick: The design and content are great. It's a wonderful idea, and I appreciate your
efforts in getting it started and keeping it moving.
Toby: Rick, are there any parting thoughts you would like to leave our readers?
Rick: CMUG exists to serve you. We have a motto "For the Christian with a Bible in
one hand and a mouse in the other" and a guiding verse from Ephesians 4:12: "He gave
some ... for the equipping the saints for the work of service, to the building up of
the Body of Christ". If you need anything related to Christian Mac computing, please
let me know. I'll be glad to help in any way I can.
For more info contact:
Christian Macintosh Users Group
2190 Bristolwood Lane
San Jose, CA 95132-1208
408/945-5773 - voice
408/946-4946 - FAX
Internet: rickt5@aol.com
AppleLink - THRASHER.R
Ministry Profile
Ministry Profile
CORNERSTONE COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL
"Serving Those Who Serve God"
By Jo Reaves
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Cornerstone Communications International was started nine years ago with the motto:
"Serving Those Who Serve God." The logo was a crown indicating that Jesus Christ was
the presiding CEO. The logo itself has since changed to trumpets proclaiming God's
Word, but its meaning and the organizational chart at the top have remained the same.
Nine years ago, "high tech" had not invaded the ministry scene or even the small
business arena to any great degree. The personal computer had not become the popular
and affordable item that it is today. Purchasing a used word processor was about as
high tech as I could go, but it definitely had its advantages over the typewriters that
most people I knew were still using.
At that time, in 1984, I had recently left my position as Director of Administrative
Services for Prison Fellowship in the Washington DC area, and had relocated to the
Midwest. Minneapolis was a beautiful and pristine city and one of the most progressive
in the Midwest in terms of industry and the arts, but still not quite up to speed with
the East Coast in terms of available technology and technical support. My experience
with computers had to wait a while for my pocketbook and my local office equipment
dealer to catch up.
As a published freelance writer, I knew how exhilarating it was to receive a letter
from a publisher saying that they would publish my work. I also knew that for every
positive response, there are many responses that are not so positive. I decided early
on to work with gifted Christian writers who because of their lack of a block buster
best seller or a block buster name, were not being sent the positive letters, but who
had a message that was worth getting out nonetheless.
My first client was one such gifted writer whose work touched me deeply. I began right
away to work on a collection of his work. Next came a local ministry which had
publication needs. This too seemed to fit within my overall plan to serve those who
serve God; and so before desktop publishing became a popular catch phrase, I was
already engaged in such an activity using my word processor.
Within a short period of time, the Macintosh computer arrived on the scene and with
the encouragement of a Christian friend who had been bitten by the "Mac bug," I made
an investment in this new high tech kid on the block: the Apple Macintosh. A laser
printer soon followed. For the first time, it seemed that available technology was
catching up to the vision which I had to publish Christian writers, now extended to
include Christians involved in ministries, at a cost which they could afford.
The possibilities now were endless and I spent the next few years learning and taking
every advantage of the high tech capability which I now had at my fingertips. As my
software and my expertise in using it increased, so did my ability to offer more
professional and wider ranging services to my clients. My ministry started to take on
a variety of faces to meet the needs of those whom I served.
At the same time, I began noticing a need among Christians who were starting their own
small businesses. I decided to extend my services to include these budding new
entrepreneurs. Thus came into existence my first subsidiary, Quest Design and Publishing.
Starting out in business requires a wide range of printed materials from logo design, to
business cards, to letterhead, to brochures, and the list goes on and on. An 800 number
made it possible to bring in clients from around the nation. The Macintosh had enabled me
to provide this needed service at a cost far lower than that charged by the local print
shop which was still using the traditional cumbersome typesetting equipment. Electronic,
popularly known as desktop, publishing was fast making the traditional method of
typesetting and graphic design obsolete.
The day I found a "calligraphy" software, another aspect of my ministry/business was born.
From day one, I began designing an extensive collection of Scripture greeting cards, note
cards, bookmarks, and wall hangings. Bookstores became interested and suddenly orders were
coming in from as far away as Jamaica. The simplicity of God's Word with the elegance of
what appeared to be hand-drawn calligraphy and lovely graphic art seemed a suitable
combination.
Custom orders began coming in from ministries including "Evangelism for Jesus." Christian
bookstores began to order the popular "Wedding Plaque" which contained the names of the
couple, the date, along with Christian symbols and a scripture passage, all embossed in
gold, then matted and framed. Another popular item was the name plaque with the birthday
and the special Scripture verse. Thus was born Cornerstone Creations.
A couple of incidents most memorable include the time a gift box of cards was given to a
woman who has a ministry of writing to prisoners. Knowing that God's Word was going into
prisons around the country in this form was such a thrill to me. Another time I remember
being especially pleased was when I was able to give a large collection of cards to someone
who had contacts with many missionaries around the world. Knowing that just the right
Scripture card would arrive at just the right moment and that the Lord would have a special
blessing for the recipient gave me great satisfaction.
The next addition to the Cornerstone Communications family came with the publication of a
Christian magazine which was distributed free of charge. As my software became more
sophisticated and my layout and design skills improved, a magazine seemed to be the most
logical next step. Proclaim! magazine was a digest of what the Lord is saying to the church
through those He has placed in leadership, as well as through less visible Christians.
Permission was granted to print articles by Billy Graham, Chuck Colson, James Dobson,
Beverly and Tim LaHaye, Jack Hayford, Larry Burkett, Jay Sekulo, James Whitehead, Robert
Duggan, Intercessors for America, and others. Local writers and poets were also included.
The response was positive but due to a lack of financing, this project is now on hold.
At this point, Cornerstone Communications took on the additional word "International" to
reflect the ever growing clientele and the scope of its mission. The newest addition to the
CCI family, and one which grew out of the magazine, was Proclaim Publishing. This part of
the ministry, which had really been born years earlier with my word processor, at this point
took on an identity of its own. And as before, it was strictly for publishing Christian
writers who had become tired of sending out their query letters and unsolicited manuscripts
only to receive the standard turn-down letter stating that their work "does not fit in with
our publishing schedule for the future."
Although my publishing work in the past had been on a contractual basis, where I was hired
to simply produce the authors' work and deliver it for them to do with as they saw fit,
my desire was to become a run-of-the-mill publisher who would pay for the work to be
produced and printed, give a royalty to the author, and coordinate the mass marketing
efforts. It didn't take long for me to find out that there was a major problem with the
marketing aspect, a fact which put a glitch in my overall plan. Bookstores generally
only buy from the big well-known distributors and those distributors only deal with
the big well-known publishers who have many titles for them to distribute. Someone
like me, working on a small scale with many writers and no real "line" as it were,
was not eligible to be included in the services of these distributors. Without a book
being marketed, there was no reason for the book to be printed.
Then a whole new type of writer presented itself to me. Those who had a message,
who had a commitment to seeing that message reach people, who had not been
accepted for publication from the big publishing houses, who had a network or
could create a network of people desiring to buy their book, who did not have
the necessary capability or desire to self-publish, and who did not have an
exorbitant amount of money to pay a vanity press to publish their work. However,
they did have a reasonable amount of money they could spend to have their book
published and they were willing to spend that money to see their dream become
a reality.
Thus was created Proclaim Publishing, a kind of hybrid publisher, known in the
business as a "subsidy publisher" as opposed to and very different from a "vanity
press." Through high tech desktop publishing, I was able to produce the books
fairly inexpensively. I played the traditional role of a publisher in terms of
editing, design, layout and typesetting, and I coordinated with a book printer
who was able to give a competitive rate. And "Voila" the writer had a book
published with the copyright in his or her name registered at the Library of
Congress at a cost which was both affordable and reasonable.
The writers who opt to publish this way are generally those who will be able
to do much of their own marketing either because of their own networking with
friends and colleagues, and/or their willingness to go on TV and radio. They
are committed to their message and confident of their ability to work with the
Lord in seeing avenues open for them to get their message out. For those who want
an 800 number where people may call to place their order, along with order
fulfillment and shipping, I am privileged to work with a printer who will
provide this service to my clients who wish it. In addition, this printer works
in cooperation with another company which can offer a limited promotion and
marketing program for those clients who want to supplement their own marketing
efforts.
The most satisfying aspect of what I do is to be able to help a gifted, anointed
writer fulfill his or her mission by spreading the word that the Lord has put
on their heart. The Bible states in Isaiah 52: 7 "How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news, who PROCLAIM peace, who bring good
tidings, who PROCLAIM salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" Proclaim
Publishing is one vehicle which I believe the Lord has raised up to help His
servants spread His Good News.
The next step that I see in the progression of this ministry involves whole church
bodies coming together to publish works to fulfill the mission of their church
beyond the confines of their four walls. I have had some inquiries about this
and know that there are many churches which have a message they want to get out
through the media, be it radio, television, the printed word, or all three. Many
of these churches have the means to publish on their own as they have the
equipment and staff to get the job done. For those whose means are more limited
but their vision just as great, Proclaim Publishing is an avenue available to
help them get their message out to those who do not attend their church.
The motto which I believe the Lord gave me nine years ago still sums up what my
ministry work is all about, even though high tech has made the possibilities far
greater than I imagined at the time... "Serving Those Who Serve God." I am grateful
to the Lord for calling me to this work and for blessing it. A little over twenty
years ago, in the summer of 1973, as a young, new, born again believer in Jesus
Christ, before the phrase "high tech" was ever coined, and before I even had a
clue as to what wonderful plans the Lord had for my life, a word of instruction
and encouragement was given to me from a visiting evangelist. This man had come
from another country to minister at our church. He did not know anyone except
our pastor who had invited him.
As many may remember, the early 1970's was a time when the Charismatic Renewal
was coming to many mainline denominational churches. The church where I was a
member at the time was one such church. The gifts of the Holy Spirit had begun
to be manifested in a very gentle and orderly manner, as suited the character
of our denomination and our church. What this evangelist, operating in the gifts,
said to me at that time has born fruit many years later. His words to me were:
"Let your hands be strong. I will bless the work of your hands." Little did I
know that it would be realized in such a literal manner.
This is an exciting day in which to live, as we see biblical prophesy unfolding
before our very eyes. High tech is a permanent part of our world and will continue
to advance as we approach the day of Christ's return. We as Christians need to
advance with it and make the best possible use of these marvelous tools available
to us. They are not innately - in and of themselves - either good or evil, but
they can be used for good or for evil purposes. What better purpose than to use
them to fulfill our Lord's Great Commission to us, His Church. Surely, we can do
no less for the Master. Maranatha!
For more info contact:
CORNERSTONE COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL
1117 Marquette Avenue, Suite 2303
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Fax (612) 673-0866
Internet Email: calliesmom@aol.com
The Bookworm - Software Review
The Bookworm - Software Review
SOFTWARE REVIEW
God's Second Best Gift to Mac Users:
A Review of the ONLINE BIBLE 2.0
By Kay Hall
If you were to dream up an ideal Bible study program for the Macintosh you'd probably
want something that was fast, friendly, powerful, frugal with disk space and
inexpensive. It would have the standard Mac interface, be available in several
translations, and include flexible note taking and text handling. Perhaps you'd
also like some study helps like cross references, and why not throw in a Greek and
Hebrew lexicon keyed to Strong's numbers? And while we're dreaming, wouldn't it be
great to be able to access your computer Bible from within any application with a
simple key combination?
Well, thanks to programmer Ken Hamel, these dreams have now come true. Ken has recently
released the Online Bible 2.0 for the Macintosh and it has all the features mentioned
above and much more. He created the Mac version in cooperation with the developers of
the excellent Online Bible for PC's which has been popular for some time.
The configuration I tested for this review consisted of the Online Bible 2.0 application,
the combined KJV/NIV text, cross references, and Greek and Hebrew lexicons, taking up
just over 10 megabytes on my hard disk. The basic text for the Online Bible is the King
James (1769 Authorized) Version, indexed to about 350,000 Greek and Hebrew words using
Strong's numbers. Version 2.0 has added over 100,000 verb parsings, footnotes from the
original translators, and alternate readings from the 1833 Webster Bible.
Each Biblical Greek and Hebrew word is transliterated and defined in English using
Thayer's and Smith's Bible Dictionary plus others keyed to the large Kittel, and
the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament and the Brown, Driver, Briggs,
Gesenius Lexicon keyed to the Theological Word Book of the Old Testament. By using
the Strong's numbers to access the lexicons, it is simple for users with no knowledge
of Greek or Hebrew to discern the meaning of the original Biblical words independently
of their English translation. Also included are almost 600,000 cross references from
the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and other sources.
Entering references to be displayed can be accomplished with as little as the first
two letters of the book name. Periods will substitute for colons so you won't even
have to reach for the shift key when typing chapter and verse numbers. When you click
OK, a window instantly appears with your chosen verse in context. Twenty or more
windows may be opened at one time, depending on your Mac's memory. KJV text may be
displayed with or without corresponding Strong's numbers. Any window may be easily
switched from one Bible translation to another when using combined text modules.
The Online Bible has outstanding search capabilities - fast and friendly yet powerful
and flexible. Complete search facilities include word (one or more words anywhere in a
verse), phrase (words adjacent to each other in the specified order), wild cards, and
more. Even beginners can construct complex Boolean searches (using AND, OR, NOT and
proximity operators) using handy buttons in the search dialog box. The range for
searches can be restricted to any group of contiguous verses, chapters or books.
Searches can even combine English words and Strong's numbers. All of the verses
matching the selection criteria are displayed in full with the matching words/
phrases appearing in boldface text.
Online Bible 2.0 is full of special details that render it well above your average
software. One terrific feature is what I call dynamic menus. When you highlight a
Strong's number, word, phrase or verse reference in a text window, the highlighted
text then appears as an "Open [Selection]" item and a "Find [Selection]" in the
appropriate menus. With excellent navigation features such as this, you'll rarely
find yourself entering information into dialog boxes from the keyboard. Nearly
every menu item has a corresponding command key sequence for even faster performance.
And how's this for a nifty feature? When dragging the vertical scroll bar of a verse
window, the window's title bar changes to display the verse reference at that location.
This makes it easy to zip from verse 1 to verse 14 of a chapter, or to New Testament
cross references, for instance.
Once summoned, the cross references for a particular verse appear in full, instead of
just their references. "Chaining" to the next verse of interest is simple and the
Online Bible keeps track of your last 8 verses to help you keep your place. You may
also add your own personal commentary to any verse. In addition to verse notes, you
can define over 32,000 topical entries. Topics differ from verse notes and cross
references in that they are independent of any specific verse. Cross references can
be stored in the notes or topics you create for automatic display using the valuable
"Note Reference" command.
You may transfer any verse to your own verse list by any of several convenient methods.
Verse notes, topical entries, lexicon definitions and simple text files created with
Online Bible can be fully edited to create files that best suit to your particular
needs. Any window can be printed directly, or copied and pasted into your word processor
for more formatting control.
Perhaps my favorite feature of the Online Bible is the Bible FKey. From within any
application, simply evoke the designated keystroke and a dialog box appears asking
you to enter the reference you would like. You also have the opportunity to specify
format preferences and Bible version. Click "OK" and the requested text pours forth
error-free into your document at the current insertion point complete with the verse
reference. You'll be amazed at the usefulness of this feature. Even if you don't
have the hard disk space for the other Online Bible modules, I recommend that you
treat yourself to at least this much.
Late in the review process Ken Hamel sent me the Thompson Chain reference topic set
and the Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge Verse Note set. These helpful references
take a little more effort to use but are well worth it. If you can spare the extra
9 megabytes of disk space they require, you will appreciate them as "icing on the
cake."
The Online Bible 2.0 comes with an illustrated, 60 page manual on disk. This
excellent documentation fully explains each and every feature of the Online
Bible in plain English and includes a helpful tutorial section. While most
aspects of using the Online Bible will be intuitive to experienced Mac
users, the manual documents many worthwhile features you'd be unlikely
to discover on your own.
Perhaps the best news of all is that the Online Bible 2.0 is available at
little or no cost. All of the Online Bible, with the exception of the NIV
text, may be copied and distributed freely - in fact, it's encouraged that
you do so. (The NIV carries a royalty fee from its publisher and therefore
may not be copied for your friends.) Don't let the low cost fool you,
Online Bible 2.0 is of equal or better quality than the current commercial
offerings, price notwithstanding. Here is one case where you will get much
more than you pay for!
Ken bills his work as "software for serious Bible students" and indeed
Online Bible 2.0 is suitable for the scholarly. What really excites my
about this software, though, is its potential to make serious Bible
students out of "the rest of us." The Online Bible can be ordered directly
from Ken Hamel at a nominal charge of $5 or less per disk. Write him at Box
168, Oakhurst, NJ 07755 for a complete list of modules and prices.
System Requirements: Mac Plus or greater, System 6.0 or greater (including
System 7), 4-20 megabytes hard disk space.
Versions available: KJV, NIV, Darby, Young's Literal Translation, RSV,
Spanish, French, 4 Greek and 1 Hebrew consonantal text.
Praise and Prayer
Praise and Prayer
PRAISE AND PRAYER is our international prayer link column. Send your praise
report or prayer request to MORNING STAR for publication in our next issue.
Call on your brothers and sisters worldwide and together we will call on God!
PRAISE REPORTS:
Lucinda in Georgia praises the Lord that the eye surgery went well and the
pain is minimal.
Patti in Colorado is thankful that her blood pressure is almost down to
normal and she has lost seven pounds!
Seven year old Christina in Pennsylvania was diagnosed as having a brain
tumor. After prayer the tumor was no longer there. Praise the Lord!
Thank the Lord that Janette in California was able to get to the shoulder of
the road safely after blowing a tire at 65 MPH in the fast lane.
Jack in Georgia is the proud owner of a Dodge Caravan with hand controls. He
is so happy to be driving and thanks the Lord for a truly wonderful gift.
It will mean a lot more independence for Jack.
Praise the Lord that Kenny in Pennsylvania has celebrated six years clean of
drugs and alcohol.
Jay thanks the Lord for a youth ministry position in Bowling Green, Ohio.
Clara in Nebraska thanks the Lord for a very nice job.
Deanne from Texas thanks the Lord for wonderful students who are willing to
learn in her classroom this year.
Patti praises the Lord that her blood pressure is normal now.
Geoff in California praises the Lord for increased support in his ministry.
Dennis praises the Lord that he has stopped drinking and smoking.
Antonio praises the Lord that his sister Lucy is set up in her new daycare
business in Tampa, Florida.
Bert in Ohio thanks the Lord for bringing a wonderful lady into his life.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Pray that the Lord will give Christian a complete healing of the brain tumor
surgery he had.
Geoff in California has requested prayer for someone who is suffering from
depression.
Pray for a young man named Nick in Pennsylvania who is in financial difficulty
and has left a suicide note for his parents and is missing.
Pray for salvation for Archie Sr., Doris, Jeffery, Bruce and Jimmy in Chicago,
Illinois.
Pray for Denise's husband in Florida that the Lord will grant him a job in
this next interview.
Pray for Teresa in Massachusetts who is working for the family and her job is
frustrating and the commute is hard on her.
Continue praying for Toby in New Hampshire that the Lord will heal the injury
in his right elbow.
Pray for Alvin in Arkansas who lost his wife Marie recently. They would have
been married 47 years. Remember their son Phillip also.
Pray for Robert and Alice Mary in Lincoln, Nebraska whose 34 year old son
died recently of pneumonia.
Pray for Iams father and uncle in Georgia who are in the hospital.
Pray for Joe and his family in New Jersey and his father who is having surgery
for cancer.
Tom in California asks for prayer that the Lord would reveal to him soon His
will for a new job/career.
Continue to pray for Danny in Texas who has health and financial problems.
Continue to pray for Sepher Ministries in California, that the Lord will
encourage individuals to support the work.
Pray for Joe in Pennsylvania who is very ill.
Pray that the Lord will have His way concerning Patti's health and also in
her daughter's court hearing in Colorado.
Mason in Michigan asks prayer for his mother-in-law in Colorado who has lung
cancer.
Bert from Ohio has been laid off for 4 months and asks for prayer that he
will be called back to work as a pipefitter.
Pray for Mae in Florida who is recovering from back surgery.
Chuck in Massachusetts asks for continued prayer for his business.
Pray for a closer walk with the Lord for Will in Missouri.
Pray for Erin, Karla, and her mom as they grieve the loss of their
father/husband who was 34.
Pray for Mr. Green in Georgia who was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus
and recently underwent surgery to remove it.
Pray for Greg and his wife in Iowa who are youth counselors for a youth group.
Pray that the Lord will have His way in the life of a five year old boy who
has seizures.
Pray for Joe in Connecticut who needs a maintenance/property management job.
Pray for Amy in Alabama who needs an editing or word processing job.
Pray for Lucinda's daughter Jennifer in Georgia who is having a tremendously
hard time with school.
Bill asks for prayer for the good health of his wife and 10 month old son,
and that he would reflect the balance of love and holiness of God in his life.
Pray for the Lord's provision of two or three Mandarin speaking broadcasters
for a gospel radio station based in Kentucky.
Pray for Jack in Georgia who just had surgery for cancer.
Pray for Walt in Texas who is contemplating a job move and wants to be in the
Lord's perfect will for his life.
Pray for Ari that the Lord will have His way in his life.
Pray the Lord will heal the problems in Beverly's pregnancy.
Pray for a healing of Bob's marriage and for the salvation of his in-laws.
Pray for Denise in Florida as she undergoes surgery.
Pray for a baby that is experiencing seizures and is in the hospital in
California.
Robert in North Carolina asks for prayer for a friend who needs the assurance
of salvation.
Bob asks for prayer for a friend who has gotten involved with astrology.
Pray for Amy's church that is going through a split.
Pray for Dennis' Aunt Dorothy in Floria who is near death due to aneurysms in
the brain.
Pray that Oke's three boys, Chris, Jason, and Corry, will find a church at
college.
Pray that Raymond will find a job in Houston, Texas.
Pray for Jay's sister Edna in Washington. She is having surgery due to a spot
on her lung.
Pray for Mary Clare in Maryland who has an enlarged thyroid and nodules.
Pray for the music ministry at Dale's church in Maryland.
Pray for Bill who has just had bypass surgery.
Pray for a young Christian lady who was raped and is expecting a child shortly
from this and will not talk to anyone.
INTERNATIONAL REQUESTS:
Pray for the "Wa" people of SE Asia, who are looking for evangelists, teachers,
health care specialists, and agriculture specialists to make the shift from a
heathen culture addicted to opium to a Christian culture producing more positive
cash crops.
A Missions Team from Calvary Chapel Spring Valley in Las Vegas, Nevada is on a
trip to Kazakhstan in former Soviet Union delivering pharmaceutical supplies and
witnessing the love of Jesus to the local populace there. Please pray for them.
MORE THAN EVER - Sha'alu Shalom Yerushalayim. Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem.
(Psalm 122:6a)
S.C.U.D. Warnings!
S.C.U.D. Warnings!
S piritual
C ounterfeits
U ndermining
D octrine
W A R N I N G S
By Jerry Johnson
Some common problems in communication:
Presumptuously presentational aural input generated by pedantic, pedagogic,
voluminous verbosity purports a propensity for obscurification of efficacious
and reciprocal informational interchange.
Ifyoutalktoofasteverythingyoussayrunstogetheranditbecomesveryhardtounderstand.
When you talk too slow it is too easy to become
distracted.
ARRRGH!!! WHEN YOU SAY EVERYTHING IN A LOUD AND EMOTIONALLY INTENSE MANNER
(!!!!!!) IT TENDS TO BE UPSETTING TO THE OTHER PERSON!!!!! DON'T YOU THINK
SO?????
You know, if you have, like, you know, too many, you know, like unnecessary, uh,
how do you say it, like, uh, interjections, is that the word? It can, you know,
make it kinda like hard to, you know, figure out, like, what's being said, you
know, eh?
PacHla klorBackmn jobLach KlingogHjsa (Translation: nobody understands you if
you speak Klingon).
And then, of course, is the instance where someone is totally into what they
are saying to the extent that they never stop long enough to let someone else
interject and even if they did interject it is not like the person who is doing
the talking is really interested in what someone else has to say because they
like the sound of their own voice and find the sheer volume of their output
somehow comforting as if by the number of words being spoken there would be an
innate verification of their wisdom and wit but, that not withstanding, they
still are far more comfortable with putting out their own opinions than
listening to the ideas of other because if they ever stopped long enough to
listen to what someone else is saying they may happen upon a circumstance in
which they might have to consider an alternative viewpoint and even consider,
heaven forbid, changing their already set-in-cement concept, which they take so
much joy in sharing.
OK, OK, so speaking Klingon's not a common problem except at "Trekker" conventions.
I had already written about half of this column when I stopped to analyze whether
there was a significant difference between what I'm espousing and what I'm
criticizing. I admit, in the explanation, it sounds pretty subtle, but in terms
of foundational differences, there are some profound effects.
"Are you giving another example of problematic communication or are you actually
trying to say something?"
What I'm saying is, I see a problem with the way some churches and Christian view
prayer.
"You're picking on prayer??!! That's pretty thin ice you're walking on!"
Tell me about it.
You see, a couple of months ago our pastoral staff called together the lay leaders
of the church. We ended up with about 150 people in our youth facility. We were
then told that our church needed to be a praying church (sounds good) and that we
were to think of ways to get as many people as possible in our church praying
(again sounds good). So at the various tables we discussed prayer groups, prayer
chains, prayer meetings, prayer cliques, all with the goal of being a praying
church.
It was stressed for over an hour: We've got to get more people praying. We've got
to pray more. We've got to pray longer. We've got to pray earlier in the morning.
We've got to get more people praying longer, earlier in the morning.
"So what's wrong with that? It sounds like a noble goal to me!"
You're right. It did sound like a noble goal and then it struck me: what are we
praying about? What are we praying for? And then it really struck me; we weren't
talking about who we were praying to and that relationship. We were just talking
about praying, period. As if praying, by the virtue of the act, would revolutionize
the church.
"Everyone knows that prayer changes things!"
That's the whole point. Prayer doesn't change anything.
God does.
"Well, now you're just nitpicking."
No. I really believe that even though the difference seems at best subtle and, at
worst, merely semantic, there is a profound and basic error in exalting prayer in
itself.
"But we all know that when we are praying we are praying to God!"
One man states, "I love being married," another man says, "I love my wife." Those
statements are similar, but fundamentally very different. The first man may simply
like having full-time company that cooks and has sex with him, the second is making
a statement about his relationship with the person, not the arrangement.
I think we have a parallel situation with looking to the act of prayer as having
power and being intrinsically beneficial rather than as a manner of relating to a
loving God through communication that has been given the label "prayer."
As we have frequently talked about in this column, we humans have a bizarre propensity
for clinging to methods, formulas and rules as a security blanket when God has called
us to a living, vibrant and often times unsettling relationship with Him.
Look at the Pharisees, they are a classic example. God chooses to bless the world
through the Jews. To cement His relationship with them and make them truly unique, He
gives them the law. So what happens by the time He sends His son? The Pharisees are so
hooked into the law they don't even recognize the lawgiver!
The trouble is, we aren't that different from the Pharisees. We all like things to be
familiar and pedantically trustworthy and God decided to help us develop our trust in
Him by constantly putting us into unfamiliar situations where we are essentially forced
to rely on Him time and time again.
I don't know about you, but the Christians I talk to admit that the life in Christ is
more like a roller coaster ride than a walk through a park (or, if you are part of our
pastoral staff, a walk through a golf course).
"So you're saying prayer is a sin?!"
Hardly. But it can become a form of idolatry.
"That's it! Get the post, firewood and Bic lighter. We're torching this heretic!"
An idol is anything that we revere in the place of, or before, or along with God.
(Remember, the Israelites did all three versions.) Way back in my first column over
two years ago (boy, is that hard to believe) I defined an idea being in error if it
compromises the preeminence of Christ.
The Pharisees did that with the law and maybe some Christians are doing that with the
idea of prayer.
The title of this article (yes, it has one) is "White Noise Prayer." White noise is
basically static ... but scientists have discovered that if you have it modulating at
a low volume it can sound like wind or waves or rain and can have a very calming effect
on people.
Sometimes I wonder if we don't pray white noise just to make ourselves feel better and
to be able to say, "I prayed about it."
There are some common misconceptions I observe that people have about prayer. Here are
a couple:
1) "Prayer can move the hand of God." Sorry, God's hand doesn't need any help.
Job 42:2 says, "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted."
Isaiah 43:13 quotes God: "No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse
it?" If we are praying effectively it is not because we are so impressive in our faith
and wording that God just can't help Himself and is compelled to do what we ask. If our
prayers are effective it is because God has enlightened us to His truth and desires and
it is our thinking that has been changed, not His. Prayer changes our mind, not God's.
As an example, look up Matthew 16:16 and 17. When Peter declared Jesus to be the Christ,
Jesus didn't say, "Dang, you're brilliant! I think we ought to make you the boss because
you figured that all out on your own!" Jesus pointed out that Peter knew that truth
because the Father had given it to him.
Same with our prayers. They become effective ONLY when they become aligned with what God
already wants.
2) "Getting up early in the morning to pray is more spiritual, because that's what Jesus
did." First of all, we always need to be careful when we start thinking that our
righteous acts amount to anything. Remember Isaiah 64:6. We have to be clothed in
Christ's righteousness because ours stinks. Second, I really believe Christ rose early
to pray because that was the only time He would be left alone, not because God hears
better before the sun comes up.
3) "We always must pray longer to get an answer from God." Have you ever considered that
we only have to pray for a specific answer for as long as it takes God to get the answer
into our thick skulls?! I believe the length of time it takes to get an answer from God
is far more related to our willingness to stop and listen than it is to His ability to
speak. (Please refer to the last communication example in my intro.)
The classic example of this is found in Acts 10 when God is trying to get Peter to let
the gospel go out to the gentiles. I know people who would LOVE to have a vision, but if
you look at it honestly, God gave Peter a vision because Peter wasn't catching on to the
more subtle clues taking place around him. Not only that, God had to give Peter two
reruns of the vision before he caught on. Peter didn't have the vision because he was
spiritual, he had it because he was dense.
There are more, but this column is already looking pretty long.
The bottom line is, don't pray because you think prayer is going to accomplish something
great.
Pray because you choose to commune with a loving God and want to align your heart with
His, and then watch Him do great things.
There is a very real difference.
Next time: a column I've avoided for a long time because it will probably upset just
about everyone...
Commentary
Commentary
Guest Commentary
PEACE AND SAFETY ??
By Zola Levitt
From the LEVITT LETTER 10/93
The recent developments in Israel have surprised me as much as they have anyone else. I
still cannot really believe that an Israeli government has chosen to deal with Arafat
and the P.L.O. Nevertheless, at the time of this writing, we have just sampled the
spectacle of the prime minister of a sovereign nation shaking hands with an international
terrorist, and the agreement between them is fact.
To put together some thoughts on this crucial development, I have reminisced about my 20 years
of touring and residing in the Holy Land, which has included more than 40 tours. I am
acquainted with a number of citizens of Israel, including Palestinian Arabs, Christians and
Moslems; and I have commented from biblical and journalistic perspectives on that country as
a matter of ministry. Still, when assessing an event of this magnitude, everybody is an amateur.
I'll say what I can from my experience and from the perspective of biblical prophecy.
First of all, I think this entire agreement comes under the heading of a false peace. Scripture
is replete with ringing warnings about just such a characteristic in the end times. Familiar
to all are such verses as, "Peace, peace, when there is no peace" (Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11); or,
"For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them"
(1 Thessalonians 5:30); or, "By peace shall he (the Antichrist) destroy many" (Daniel 8:25).
This is not to say that the makers of this particular peace covenant are not well-intentioned
or that somebody plans a double-cross. Men can have their own agendas, but God's plan,
nevertheless, marches on.
To say that any event in world news squares with some biblical prophecy is to invite criticism
and skepticism. How many times have we seen predicted raptures come and go, or "Armageddons"
fall short of ending the world. So, predicting the end by some modern-world happening is
hazardous; but that doesn't mean we are to be asleep when the end comes.
Scripture admonishes in 1 Thessalonians 5:4: "Ye, brethren, are not in darkness that the day
should overtake you like a thief." With all of the above understood, let me make some
predictions.
First, I think the peace will hold for a while and that the world will be somewhat reassured.
However, the posture of Israel in the Tribulation Period to be "hated of all nations"
(Matthew 24:9) indicates that things will go sour in time. At the moment, the P.L.O.'s
reputation has been restored, amazingly enough, and Israel, forever the victim, is being
coerced to give up its territory to make peace work. The Israelis and the P.L.O. have been
characterized in the press as equal and opposite enemies, both guilty of violence and
terrorism. That is a ridiculous conception, however. Israel is a sovereign nation which wants
only to be left alone. The P.L.O. is a terrorist organization whose entire function has been
terroristic acts on an international level. We would not put up with an argument characterizing
the gangs of Los Angeles and the police department of Los Angeles as being equal antagonists
in some battle. To say all of that more clearly, Israel needs to get a major black eye to play
its role in the Tribulation Period when the Antichrist will descend on the Temple, and that
apparently has started.
Second, we have broken through the membrane of the "land for peace" principle. Tiny Israel is
doing what no nation has ever been asked to do giving up its territory and placing its citizens
in the line of fire of those who have sworn from time immemorial to destroy Israel. To assume
that the leopard can change its spots and that the destruction of Israel is only a hope of the
past runs counter to biblical principle. The Second Coming of the Lord happens to prevent the
total destruction of the Holy Land and all the rest of the world as well. ("Except those days
be shortened, there should no flesh be saved" Matthew 24:22). Now that land has been given for
the small price of modest recognition on the part of bitter enemies, more will be demanded
until Israel must refuse and then be regarded as intractable and unwilling to make peace.
Thirdly, we also have to regard the profound influence of the world media on this delicate
situation. As if in answer to cries of the prophets, the media a decade or so ago turned
anti-Israel and it has not changed since. It mindlessly favors Arab dictatorships over the
only democracy in the Middle East and constantly badgers Israel as though it were some major
power among the vast world of the Arabs. To repeat the figures again it's one nation of 4
million vs. 22 nations of about 200 million. In some cases, it's 20th century vs. the 10th;
modem, moral, democratic Israel against feudal, primitive, totalitarian regimes; and still
the media cannot get enough of Israel-bashing until it has made that nation some kind of pariah.
The almost minuscule casualty figures of the Palestinian problem in Israel have captured world
attention, while conflicts hundreds of times the size of Bosnia, South Africa, Ireland, Red
China, etc. have languished as inconsequential, local arguments. I predict that the media
will continue blasting the Israelis, no matter what they do, and will be a major force in
bringing Israel into its Tribulation Period posture. When the Antichrist is ready to come,
the whole world will be saying, "Yes, those Jews deserve it!"
Fourthly, anti-Semitism is a major announcer of the oncoming Tribulation. We are seeing it in
this country, all over Europe and, of course, perennially in the Middle East. And yet, the Jews
are persecuted for nothing at all. Historically and in the modern world, they've really done
nothing to deserve such hatred. But Bible people know the real reason behind these negative
passions; when God chose the Jews, His enemy chose them, too. The argument in the first chapter
of Job¥ whether God's righteous ones will turn against Him if the devil curses them has been
played out many times in the tragic history of the Jewish people.
I can only say that when prophetic events are already happening, nothing can be done to stop
them. As I put it on a recent program, when it has started to rain, we don't try to stop the
rain, but we get people into the Ark. This is the time of salvation! Some are saved out of fear,
Scripture says, and indeed fear of the end was always a major human reason for the appeal of the
Gospel. There's not a person on earth who does not wonder when he is going when he dies and how
he will account for himself before whatever power lies over that edge. If we can make clear that
God's announced, prophetic end of the age is virtually upon us, then it becomes decision time
for everyone. The witness is not so much, "The bridegroom cometh," but more like, "Don't be a
fool." If a person is too skeptical to come to Christ out of love, then let it be out of good
old self-preservation. Or, to say it another way, if this world is truly going to hell in a
hand basket, any sensible person should make a plan to evacuate.
Features
Online Bible College
Online Bible College
ONLINE BIBLE COLLEGE
by Dr. Charles A. Wootten
Attaching a computer to the telephone line with a modem has opened new doors to shopping,
paying bills, meeting new friends around the world, getting instant answers from information
services as well as sending and receiving mail. For years modem users have been able to access
thousands of files and message bases in the growing number of electronic bulletin board systems
(BBS's).
Developmentds in "high-tech" now allow you to use a computer and modem to further your
theological education! The On-Line Bible College operates with the Christian International
School of Theology in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. C.I. has been training ministers,
missionaries, and others for twenty-five years. Eleven courses of study leading to degrees
from Associate level to Doctorate programs are offered on and off line. Christian International
is seeking candidate status for further accreditation. Other schools and seminaries throughout
the country broadly accept their course work.
The On-Line Bible College offers eighty courses in subjects as varied as Christian History,
Counseling and Christian Psychology, Pastoral Ministry, Charismatic Theology, Greek and
Hebrew Biblical Languages, Christian Education and Missions. All courses are theologically
conservative. Students from other theological persuasions can express themselves without
fear of prejudice. Ministerial experience and previous course work for academic credit receive
a full and fair evaluation. Special study groups exist for those taking the same courses that
allow the on-line sharing of information.
The systems operator (Sysop), Rev. Dr. Charles A. Wootten, has a Masters degree in Ministry and
a Doctor of Theology degree from International Seminary. Dr. Wootten is also the dean of the
On-Line Bible College, which allows for on-line grading and responsive help when the student
has a theological question or an administrative problem. The Sysop is constantly writing new
programs to aid the students and improving the course formats.
The support Bulletin Board System, SERVANT OF THE LORD BBS, uses a high-tech, user friendly
format, that minimizes student costs by fast access options, an E-mail door, Front Door, three
major Christian networks, and 24-hour operations. SERVANT also has thousands of Christian
messages, Christian oriented files and programs. Almost 25,000 shareware and public domain
files are available to members and students.
The On-Line Bible College is over two years old and includes international students from
Canada, Japan, South Africa, and Greece. Inquiries are coming in from all over the globe.
Foreign nationals, missionaries, and American military personnel contact the On-Line Bible
College through the mail and through electronic networks such as CompuServe, Prodigy, and
America OnLine. The first graduate was in the summer of 1993!
Costs to the student for studying this way are greatly reduced. There are no hidden expenses
such as travel costs and overhead maintenance on buildings for the school. This savings is
passed on to the student in keeping the tuition low - $45 per credit hour - which may be the
lowest tuition anywhere for theological study.
Another financial advantage is that the Christian International On-Line Bible College doesn't
require payment for the entire program in advance. You simply pay for the courses that you are
working on. There is also a very inexpensive audit program. Nothing beats the convenience of
studying at your own pace, in the privacy of your own home, using your computer to speed your
study and grading. Privacy, yes - isolation, no. That is what makes the On-Line Bible College
unique!
For more information, contact:
Whole Counsel Ministries, Inc.
On-Line Bible College
6113 W. River Road
Matoaca, VA.
23803-8047
Fax: (804) 590-1659.
Dr. Wooten may be reached via Internet E-mail: Listener1@aol.com or through the Christian
Distribution Network: 8:2013/7 or 8:3003/7. A request may also be posted on the
Newlife Christian Messaging Network to the Dean's name.
You may also call "The Servant of the Lord" BBS by modem at 804-590-2161.
8 bits, no parity, 1 stopbit, ansi-terminal, from 300 baud to 19,200 baud
V.32/42. On-line MSDOS catalog: OLBC9306.ZIP. Text files catalog available for
non-DOS callers: OLBC*.TXT (included in OLBC9306.ZIP).
Request a catalog on disk. Please specify computer type, size and format of
the disk. For additional paper catalog copies, send $2 each to:
Christian International School of Theology
P.O. Box 9000
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459-9000
For more information write to CI or call: (904) 231-2650.
For additional copies of the On Line Bible College disk catalog, send $1.25 to:
On Line Bible College c/o Whole Counsel Ministries, Inc. 6113 W. River Road,
Matoaca, VA., 23803-8047 or download from the support BBS: SERVANT OF THE LORD
BBS, (804) 590-2161.
Agape-Way
Agape-Way
AGAPE-WAY
An Electronic Bulletin Board System (BBS)
"For Christ's Love Compels Us"
By Richard and Carol Arendt
Beaumont, Texas
During the summer of 1990, we met two college students whose favorite hobby was
calling computer bulletin boards (BBS). One of them was almost too shy to discuss
anything personal face to face but he could talk freely in discussions on these
boards. After seeing this, the Lord gave us a vision to use this non-threatening
forum to reach people who would not otherwise listen to the gospel. Soon afterward
Agape-Way was born.
Agape-Way is completely dedicated to the Lord and our primary goals are evangelism
and helping people to grow in their relationship with Him. Like most BBS's we have
many computer programs, graphic files, and text files that a caller can "download" to
their own computer. Unlike most BBS's, however, nothing goes onto it that the Lord
would not approve of. The text files cover a wide range of subjects including powerful
classic articles and many of the graphics are, to say the least, unique.
In the message areas people can share their faith with others, discuss their understanding
of the Bible, and leave private messages to us. From time to time, people ask us for
guidance in personal matters and their walk with the Lord. Sometimes the subject is too
personal for them to discuss with someone they know (and who might gossip). We are glad
when we can help them, and it makes all the work of running the system worthwhile.
Surprisingly, the majority of the 600 plus people who have called are atheists and
agnostics. Many have "interesting" personalities that would make them extremely difficult
to reach with conventional evangelism. Most wouldn't even think of going to church but
they will call Agape-Way. We typically receive about ten calls per day and an "average"
user calls about ten times.
Agape-Way is unapologetically Christian but is totally nondenominational. Since most
callers never meet us in person, they don't know if we are young or old, black or white,
rich or poor or what denomination we come from. Therefore, we can, as Paul said, "be all
things to all men so that by all possible means (we) might save some." (1 Cor 9:22) Our
message is simple and direct presenting Jesus Christ as LORD and SAVIOR and encouraging
callers to commit themselves completely to Him. Ironically, Agape-Way is NOT religious.
Some callers from harsh doctrinal backgrounds are even shocked by the concept that the
Gospel really is "good news" but we view our ministry as a celebration of God's holiness
and unfathomable
We believe that the Bible is the final authority and provides guidance for every area of
our lives... including how to run a BBS. First, salvation is a free gift from God. Jesus
said, "Freely you have received, freely give." (Matt 1 0:8b) Therefore, access to Agape
Way is completely free. As the apostle Paul wrote, "Unlike so many, we do not peddle the
word of God for profit." (2 Cor. 2:17) Indeed, we even refuse to accept donations. That
may seem extreme but we are fishing for the hearts of man who are disgusted by the massive
greed they see in the churches.
Secondly, no subject is off limits and we don't hesitate to call sin what it is ... whether
in the night-clubs or in the pews and the pulpit. Some people find this offensive but the
Bible is totally candid about such matters so we must be also. To pretend that it doesn't
exist is, in the eyes of unbelievers, excusing it and nothing but hypocrisy. Some might
say, "They're just using that as an excuse..." but, excuse or not, if someone doesn't
reach them with the pure, unadulterated gospel they will die in their sins and perish for
eternity. Thus, as Paul said, "... the love of Christ compels us." (2 Cor 5:14)
We also see from scripture that the Gospel is for everyone and therefore EVERYONE is
welcome on our board. This includes those who are tangled up in drugs, cults, promiscuous
lifestyles, homosexuality, or even the occult. We accept them with the unconditional love
of Christ but they will know without a doubt that they must accept Christ as Lord and
Savior, be cleansed by His blood, and forsake such sinful lifestyles. Many of Jesus'
disciples came from such backgrounds as Paul reminds us when he says:
"... and that is what some of you were. But you were sanctified, you were justified in the
name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Cor 6:11 )
We believe that the gospel is more than a one time decision. It is an ever deepening walk
with God for the rest of our lives ... and all eternity. As we walk with Him, He molds us
into the image of Christ as we submit our lives to the Holy Spirit who lives within us.
Thus, we encourage believers to seek Him with all their hearts and to lay their lives
before Him as a living sacrifice. It is especially gratifying to be able to encourage
those who have backslidden to return to Christ and to lay a solid foundation which cannot
be shaken.
Despite the obvious potential for evangelism and ministry of Agape-Way and other boards
like it around the country, very few people in the church share our vision for it. Indeed,
many church folks are highly suspicious of computer bulletin boards and those who run them.
Part of this is simple "techno-phobia" but the computers and modems are merely the vehicle
we use to reach a group of people who would otherwise be missed. The rest is a fear of
doing something "different" but Paul made it clear that he would use "all possible means"
to reach people for Christ.
If you are interested in starting a bulletin board of your own we will be glad to help you
develop your vision. It's a lot of work and you will receive little thanks from those you
serve and recognition from the church but if God has called you to do it He will reward
your efforts. We may never know (in this life) just how many people we have reached
through Agape-Way, but God promises that His Word will not return void and bringing even
one person to eternal life would be worth any effort we could put into it.
For more info contact:
Richard and Carol Arendt
13650 Moss Hill
Beaumont, TX 77713
Agape Way BBS: (409) 753-2014
Internet: davidsmm@aol.com
An Anti-Virus Program for Your Mind
An Anti-Virus Program for Your Mind
AN ANTI-VIRUS PROGRAM FOR YOUR MIND
By Kay Hall
Cocoa Beach, Florida
Computer viruses and other types of "rogue" software have caused great consternation in the
computing community over the past few years. With increasing dependence on technology in
all sectors of our society, the potential for serious damage from intentionally errant or
destructive software is all too real.
The methods Satan uses to corrupt our minds are not unlike those of the "hacker" or
"cyberpunk" who sends a virus, "worm" or "Trojan Horse" to wreak havoc on a computer
system. Satan eagerly seeks to set up strongholds in our minds from which he can replicate
evil thought patterns and begin to render us powerless.
Computer viruses don't come on floppy disks clearly marked "DANGEROUS VIRUS,"
but rather are disguised as attractive (and often free) software. Similarly,
2 Corinthians 11:14 tells us that "Satan himself masquerades as an angel of
light."
Fortunately, we are not unaware of Satan's schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11), nor
are we defenseless. Our minds need no longer be controlled by Satan, for we as
believers have been given the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2 :16).
There is software available to detect and combat computer viruses and, likewise,
the Bible gives us a program to protect our minds against the attacks of Satan.
As instructed in 2 Corinthians 10:5, "we take every thought captive to make it
obedient to Christ." This means to carefully examine each thought that presents
itself, just as any new file loaded via disk drive or downloaded by modem would
be examined by an anti-virus utility.
The criteria to use in evaluating a thought are found in Philippians 4:8. Is it
true? Is it noble? Is it right? Is it pure? Is it lovely? Is it admirable?
Is it excellent? Is it praiseworthy? If the thought does not pass the Philippians
4:8 test, then it should be promptly replaced with a thought that does. Learn to
reject the lies of Satan as Jesus did in the wilderness with specific truths from
Scripture.
(See Matthew 4:1-11)
For the thought life already infected by Satan, there are weapons available prayer
and God's Word that have "divine power to demolish strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:4).
By diligently praying and applying scripture the Christian can detect and remove
wrong thought patterns, restore a proper mindset and even guard against future
infiltrations. Victory is assured to those who discover and apply God's truth as
Jesus promises in Luke 10:19, "I have given you authority ... to overcome all the
power of the enemy; nothing will harm you."
Reprinted in MORNING STAR with permission from Kay Hall (Internet: kayhall@aol.com)
This article first appeared in the 9/1/91 issue of Church Bytes
magazine.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION.
Copyrightc 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of
Zondervan Bible Publishers.
A Vision for Today
A Vision for Today
A VISION FOR TODAY
Christian Brotherhood Inc.
By Norb Novocin
Jacksonville, Florida
When you look at the church around the world, what do you see? Do you notice any
problems? Whether you noticed it or not there are problems, that is a fact. The
Church, or the Body of Christ around the world is scattered, divided and is not drawn
together. As an example, I know of a village of 20 people which has been blessed by
several missionaries in the past, the people of the village accepted the Lord and now
rather than being united, there are 6 churches for those 20 people. Think about that.
Our Lord, Jesus Christ is returning for His bride, a bride having no spot or wrinkle,
who has made herself ready for her bridegroom. Nowhere in scripture do we see Him
returning for a million little brides.
Christian Brotherhood, Inc., (CBI), is a non-profit organization dedicated to drawing
the body of Christ together. We feel God has called us, during what we believe to be
the end times, to help in this monumental task of getting the Body of Christ drawn and
working together. Through much prayer and seeking the wisdom of God, over the last 6
years, a plan was devised to work towards that goal. Using a healthy blend of high end
technology and good old fashioned love, one for another, CBI sought the most practical
and simplest way of accomplishing this task. This article should, Lord willing, share
some of that vision and plan.
Before sharing too much, let us agree on a few basics. First, there are Christians who
truly know the Lord in every type of denomination or sect of Christendom. Thus we work
with any and all people who name Jesus as Lord. Second, when someone comes to a saving
knowledge of Jesus Christ and is serious about going on with Him, sooner or later they
will get involved in doing something for the Lord. Thus our main thrust is with
individuals, ministries, chaplains, etc., doing something for the Lord, outside their
own church walls. And third, it is scriptural that God's people will only be genuinely
united by His love and through the demonstration of His love one to another.
Next to best understand CBI's goal, you need to recognize the overall problem, the
results of that problem and what is needed to correct it. The overall problem is
fairly simple, historically, ministries, chaplains, as well as individuals working
for the Lord, are not tied together into the Body of Christ. The consequences of the
overall problem are mainly this; The physical and volunteer needs of ministries,
chaplains, and individuals working for the Lord go unmet. Most of these expend the
majority of their effort on ministering and do not have the time, nor the energy, to
make their presence known to more than their immediate church or peers They have not
been able to avail themselves of the huge resources found within the whole Body of
Christ. There is a vast duplication of effort, within almost every community large or
small.
In order to solve this problem and its consequences, we see a need for three simple
things. First, there needs to be a way of keeping track of ministries, chaplains, and
individuals working for the Lord, what their needs are, and what they are doing.
Second, there needs to be a practical and realistic way to reach out to ministries,
chaplains, and individuals working for the Lord in such a way that we do not get in
the way of their work and calling, and without causing any additional strain on what
is already a huge workload. And finally, there is a need to involve individuals, as
well as churches, with these ministries, chaplains, and individuals working for the
Lord, which have historically stood alone.
Understanding the problem mentioned above, and recognizing what is needed to solve that
problem, we start to look to the Lord for a plan in how to go about this monumental
task. First off, let's look at figures. In the United States alone, there are an
estimated 1,503,500 ministries, chaplains and individuals doing something for the Lord,
in a somewhat organized manner, outside their own church walls and around the world,
nearly 20,000,000. Until recently, (the last 15 years or so), there has been no
practical way of keeping track of this large of a number of organizations and individuals,
along with their diversified callings.
But now, we are blessed with what is commonly called the computer age. The number of
personal computers, and their peripherals, modems, BBS's, On-line services, etc., are
increasing at a geometric rate. Software for these computers is constantly evolving,
becoming increasingly sophisticated and now there is the capability to keep track of who
is doing what. The technology is here and the time is now!
CBI has felt lead to start in this direction. But looking at this realistically and following
what we outlined above, technology by itself does nothing to unite the Body of Christ. And
even if it did, how do we gather the information on all of these ministries, chaplains, and
individuals, and keep it up to date? Bottom line, scripture is very clear, what draws us
together is His love and our demonstration of His love one to another. Or as the author
put it in Philippians 2:3 "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility
of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself".
There are 3,007 counties in the U.S., as a general rule of thumb, each county has
roughly 500 ministries, chaplains and individuals working for the Lord outside their
own church walls. We realize that quite a few counties come no where near this
figure, but others are greatly over it, overall it averages out to about 500.
This is what we envision; In each county, we would like to see a group of volunteers
loosely working together. Each volunteer befriends any where from 1 to 10 of these
ministries, chaplains or individuals. The volunteer chooses to become a servant to
that small group of ministries, chaplains or individuals. Not on a full-time basis,
but on a regular basis. They call and find out if there are any needs that can be
prayed for. They ask if there is anything they can do. They just plain become a
friend to the leader of that ministry.
If the volunteer knows where to get a need met on their own they do so. If they don't
know directly where to get a need met, they bring that need back to their home church
and share it there, they also share it amongst the other volunteers within that county.
Because the volunteer has chosen to become a servant to the ministry, chaplain or
individual, love will be the result. Love flowing in both directions. If you want to
be loved by someone, become their servant, unasked and willing to wash their feet, after
a time they will return that love.
To assist the volunteers in each county, there is a coordinator. The coordinator, keeps
track of all the ministries, chaplains, and individuals within the county on a dedicated
computer system. The computer system is available for people to access directly and find
out who is doing what in their county. The coordinator plays much the same role to the
volunteers as the volunteers play to the ministries, chaplains and individuals. The
coordinator becomes a servant to the volunteers in the county, assisting them wherever
possible.
Here is a real life example of how this works; Recently, a ministry was much blessed
with a large gift of two semi-trucks full of fresh food, including meat. While this was
a blessing, they had no way to use this amount of abundance, nor the freezer space to
store it. Not only that but the semi-trucks needed to be unloaded within a three hour
period, so there was a sharp time limitation. Upon contacting us, we were able to
locate through our contacts enough, ministries, chaplains and individuals doing something
for the Lord, to unload and use this entire load of blessings for the glory of God.
To assist the county coordinator there is a state coordinator. This role is duplicate of
the county coordinator only state wide. The best of all possible worlds would allow for
the county computers to be tied in with the state computer, thus having all information
updated almost immediately. The state computer would again be a dedicated system,
allowing people to access the information on who is doing what within the state.
By now you can see the progression, the state is assisted by the country
coordinator and the country coordinator is then in turn assisted by the
world coordinator. When completed, literally anyone doing anything for
the Lord outside their own church walls, would have an individual working
and praying with them and there would be a system which would allow for
knowing who is doing what anywhere.
If you would like more information on Christian Brotherhood, Inc. or would
like to help with this vision, contact:
Christian Brotherhood, Inc.
P.O. Box 41503
Jacksonville, FL 32203
Phone (904) 783-3210
E-mail: norbn@aol.com
The Hi-Tech Gospel
The Hi-Tech Gospel
THE HI-TECH GOSPEL
Do cyborgs have souls?
By: Evangelist Brian P. Jenkins
Crandall, Indiana
We at Life in Jesus Ministries, Inc. have been using our computers to
"Publish the Word" in Southern Indiana and North Central Kentucky since
1986. The things we have been involved in would not have been possible
without the use of computers. We maintain a mailing list of over 1,200
individuals and churches throughout our area. Our monthly Unity Newsletter
grew to over a 1,000 a month for a short time. We mail 250 "And If We Be
One ..." letters to area pastors each month and distribute other materials
as well. We constantly are called upon by area churches to produce flyers,
bulletins and pamphlets.
However, one day I was browsing through a catalog of Christian materials
and I realized that there is no end to the books and materials that you can
buy. In my spirit I spoke to the Lord and said, "Why should I be producing
printed material when the world is already full of it?" I know that other
countries are still needing printed materials but the United States is
flooded with it. And, oh, the prices! As I took this to prayer I began to
realize that this is truly the information age. We are inundated with all
sorts of information. Anything and everything that you could want to know
is right at your fingertips.
Many times truly important information is lost beneath a sea of unimportant
and unrelated facts. How can we as Christians use the latest technology to
its best potential for spreading the Gospel? I believe the answer lies in
filtering information to those who need it. It's not just a problem that
the church is faced with, it applies in many areas of life. As I study
church history I find that the early missionaries were faced with the fact
that many cultures could not read or only the wealthy and elite could read.
In that day preaching was a communication tool that reached people on the
level where they were. The apostle Paul said that he became all things to
all men that by all means he might win some. I believe this philosophy should
be used when approaching computers and other communications tools for the
spreading of the Gospel.
Recently I have been looking at presentation software like Aldus Persuasion,
Adobe Premiere and others. These tools are very effective in distilling a large
amount of information down to a certain level for a certain type of audience.
It could be possible to produce slide shows, overheads and even video tapes
containing a powerful presentation of the Gospel or some other aspect of
Christian doctrine.
Our goal is to setup a system that would be capable of handling input from all
available sources and refining it down into, if you will, a multimedia
presentation. Source materials can be video (VHS, S-VHS, VHS C, S-VHS C, 8mm
and Hi8), audio (waveform up to 44.1kHz at 16-bit and 16 Channel MIDI), text
(typed and OCR), photos and slides (35mm and up to 4" x 5" transparencies and
8" x 10" prints, also Kodak Photo CD). These inputs can then be manipulated in
a program like DigitalFilm and output to various medias for use in presentations.
Output medias can be video tape, broadcast television or cable, audio tape, CD's
and, yes, even books.
We are currently looking at SONY equipment that will allow our Macintosh Computer
to control three VTRs (video tape recorders) and digitize video onto our Hard
Disk through a protocol called ViSCA. We are also looking at some Yahmaha MIDI
synthesizers and MIDI interfaces that will allow us to dub MIDI music onto a
digital track of the digitized video clips. Lastly we are looking at an analog
audio digitizer that will allow us to digitize 16-bit audio narration onto our
videos.
Our Completed system would include a Quadra 800 computer with acceleration, a
17" 24-bit color monitor, a slide scanner, a color flatbed scanner, a MIDI
interface with an SMPTE code generator, (3) SONY Hi8 VTRs, (2) frame accurate
S-VHS Decks, a CD player and various storage devices. Software for video editing
is still up in the air but if there are some price decreases by the first of the
year we should have our decisions made for us. Many other pieces of software must
be used in production. These include Photoshop, HyperCard, FileMaker Pro, Ray
Dream Designer, FreeHand and assorted utilities.
Our first goal with these new tools is to produce a 30 minute Standard VHS video
tape entitled "The Writings" that will give people a concise history to the origins
of our modern day Bible translations (Note: The title "The Writings" is already
copyrighted). As CD video capabilities mature we will address converting this video
over to an interactive multimedia presentation on compact disk that people can run
on a more standard computer configuration. We maybe will have a version that will
run entirely on a CD player hooked directly to a television. We have to see how
technology develops.
In the same way desktop publishing led the way for our ministry (and many others)
to self publish and promote the Gospel in our area, so these leading edge
technologies will allow us to reach many others where they are.
By condensing pertinent information into presentation form, I believe that more
people will be drawn to view these presentations and obtain information about
faith in Jesus that they can really use. However when it comes to using technology
to win the lost, just remember: Modern computers with all their video capabilities
are still just communications tools. The words that save still come from the Spirit
of God to the soul of a man through the voice of a witness.
If I can help anyone who is working in these same areas, my over the phone
consultation is free.
May God bless you in your every endeavor for him. Whether you use computers, pen
and paper or word of mouth, always be ready to give an answer to every man
according to the faith that is within you!
For more info contact:
Evangelist Brian P. Jenkins
Life in Jesus Ministries, Inc.
P. O. Box 60
Crandall, Indiana 47114-0060
Office: (812) 366-4558
FAX: (812) 366-3905
Internet: lijm@aol.com
Starting a Christian BBS
Starting a Christian BBS
STARTING A CHRISTIAN BULLETIN BOARD SYSTEM
By Walter H. Bauer Jr.
You've been using computers at work for sometime and feel comfortable using them.
You've decided to purchase one for home or perhaps like me you have decided to
purchase one that can be upgraded as technology improves.
You have a heart after the Lord and want to be used by Him. You've been calling
several bulletin board systems in your area but just can not seem to find one that
lifts up the name of Jesus. You decide that it would be great to run your own BBS
but you're just not sure where to begin.
As with anything we do in our life we should take it to the Lord in prayer.
Phil 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (KJV)
We should in our prayer continually seek his will for our life. When we seek the
Kingdom of God first and all of His righteousness He will add all the other things
we need unto us.
Matt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all
these things shall be added unto you. (KJV)
Lets say now you have spent some quality time praying and seeking the Lord's
will on starting a Christian Bulletin Board and you have a peace about starting
one. The next step is to begin to see what your budget will allow you to get
and what software there is available out there to use for your BBS. I would
suggest that you download a demo version of some BBS software from your local
BBS (Wildcat, TAG, and SuperBBS are a few of the different types of BBS software).
Try them out to see if you can load them so they work properly, and whether you
as a caller would like the feel of the software. You want a program that is user
friendly not only to you who will maintain it but to the caller who might be brand
new to BBS'ing.
Once you have decided on what type of software you want to use for the BBS you
will need to again seek the Lord on what He would like for you to call the BBS
and what theme you will project to your callers. Your next step is to decide if
you want to belong to the different Christian networks so that you can offer your
callers different conferences (places they read and leave mail). Many of these
conferences can be a tool within your BBS to minister to new Christians, mature
Christians, and those that are not Christians at all.
In order to accomplish this you will need to join a network. I will use Christian
Distribution Network as an example, as I am familiar with it. To join this you
need only download a copy of Join_CDN.exe (a self extracting archive) which
contains the application. If there is already a Christian BBS in your area that
picks up mail from this network you can forward this completed application to
the operator of that board for processing. The SYSOP will then assign you a network
address. This is similar to your street address so the US MAIL knows where to send
your mail. For example it might be 8:2013/23 which would mean you are the twenty-third
board to get mail from 8:2013/0.
Once you have joined a network you will need to add some more software to your board.
You will need what is called a "front-end loader." There are three I know of. I use
Frontdoor 2.02 as it is free of charge. There is also blinkley term and D'bridge.
The later two have a registration fee. What this front-end loader will do is allow
incoming mail sessions and also forward any mail left onto the person you get your
mail from. It will also pass a human caller onto your BBS software. In addition to
this you will need to have a "mail tosser." I currently use Wildmail to "toss" the mail.
Wildmail works just like the mailman as it "tosses" the mail into the correct
conference number and also extracts any mail that is left and processes it for
forwarding. It is best to ask someone who has already set up these type of programs
so that they can help you get it fine tuned so that it will work smoothly for your
particular setup.
Lets say you have now made it this far. You can add fancy ANSI screens (screens that
display graphics in color) with the name of your BBS with a nice backdrop, utilities
to announce when the mail has come in, how many messages were sent and received, as
well as any other announcements you want to let the caller know about such as bulletins,
newsletters, etc.
For this to work best you will need an additional phone line. This phone line will
be exclusively for your BBS to operate 24 hours a day. It is a regular phone line
just like the one you talk to your friends on. Try to get a number from the telephone
company that has never been assigned to anyone and its best to have it non published
for security reasons.
Now what do you do. You've just gotten all of the software working, have your phone
line installed and are waiting for your first caller. In order for folks to know
about your BBS you will need to advertise. In Christian Distribution Network and
Fidonet there is a conference for sending an advertisement for your BBS across the
USA and beyond. You should include the name of your BBS with area code and phone
number, any games you might offer the caller, your theme, and the baud rates that
can connect to you.
I went through the steps above and decided to use the Wildcat BBS software from
Mustang Software, Inc. I choose this one over several others as it was very easy
to load. Once I went through the steps of loading the program it was ready to
receive callers. I put advertisements in Fidonet, Policenet, Christian Family
Network/Christian Distribution Network, and even in a Police Magazine telling folks
of this new BBS.
You the SYSOP (System Operator) must be willing to be available and ready to share
Christ with those that are seeking. You will have to remain sensitive to the Holy
Spirit and his leading in this area. You don't want to be obnoxious but you want to
be open and available to share your faith in Christ. You will be rewarded soon enough
when you begin to see fruit from this adventure. It will be rather expensive to begin.
The BBS software will be your most expensive part. The other programs mentioned above
are either free of charge or cost under $30.00 to register.
You should have a Hard Drive large enough to be able to allow callers to upload
shareware programs, and to carry any Christian programs you might offer for downloading.
I know of some that only have a 40 MB hard drive but really have to shuffle space. I
personally have a 120 and find that there is only 26 MB left. You will need a good
modem. Many are still using 2400 baud modems however many are going to 9600 or 14.4's.
This you will have to decide on what is best for you.
If you have any questions feel free to leave them on my board at (713) 265 2798 (Morning Star and Policenet) or if you have one of those front-end loaders you can send the mail to 8:2013/0;
1:106/3118; 150:402/53.
Studies
New In Christ
New In Christ
NEW IN CHRIST is dedicated to the basic teachings of Biblical Christianity. In this issue we begin a series on the Bible itself - the "Measure of Truth" that God gave us to live by. The editorial staff of MORNING STAR encourages all readers to freely use this information to help new Christians grow in their walk with the Lord.
THE MEASURE OF TRUTH
Part 1 of a 3-part series
By Toby Trudel
Even if you believe God exists, there is one very important thing you should do each time before you start reading the Bible. Always ask God to help you understand the truth in what you are about to read. Don't think that just because you're a good reader or smart that it should all make perfect sense to you. Many "wise" people don't comprehend the Bible, as they approach it from strictly an intellectual point of view. It doesn't work that way.
"... I praise you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes Father, for this was your good pleasure." (Luke 10:21, see also 1st Corinthians 1:20,21 1:26-32 & 2:4,5)
The Bible is a book of God's spiritual thoughts put into words. To truly understand His word requires spiritual understanding which you only get by asking God for it. (1st Corinthians 2:10-16)
"Then He opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures." (Luke 24:45)
If you read the Bible like an ordinary book, not sincerely asking God's help in studying it, you won't fully understand all of its truths. (Colossians 1:9,10, Ephesians 1:17) Or if you read it with inflexible religious or cult beliefs, and not with an open mind and heart, you'll also "miss the boat."
Anyone who says that there is no way to correctly interpret the Word of God should make it a point to read First Corinthians, chapter 2, verses 10-16. It says that if someone doesn't comprehend the truths of the Bible, it's because they don't have the correct type of understanding, which is SPIRITUAL understanding. It's not the material (the Bible) that can't be understood, it's the student that must learn how to understand it.
If you were a child and came home and told your folks that you had flunked a test because the material didn't make sense, wouldn't they say that it didn't make sense to you? They certainly wouldn't run down to the school to have the textbook removed because it was unlearnable. Rather, they would find out what you weren't doing right in studying and correct it. If you trust a mere school board to provide material that has truth in it and can be learned, there's all the more reason to trust that God has provided us with His "textbook" which also can be learned. The key to knowing the truth of God's word is to accept Christ (become born again) and thereby receive the guiding help of the Holy Spirit. He is the actual author that inspired the human authors as to what to write and illuminates believers to proper spiritual understanding. (1st Peter 1:10-12, 2nd Peter 1:20-21)
Some people say they aren't sure that God really gave us His word in written form to live by. They claim to believe in God, but apparently feel He dumped us on this planet to figure everything out on our own, without telling us what is right from wrong, or how to run our lives and get to heaven to be with Him one day.
This is not a definition of a creative God by any stretch of the imagination. You might as well believe in the "Big Bang" theory or some other human concoction. There are also those who say that only certain parts of the Bible are God's word while other are not. If that's so, then how can we tell which parts? How about the part that says that all of the Bible is God's word?
"ALL Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." (2nd Timothy 3:16)
To reject even the smallest part of the Bible is to void the worth of the entire book. Who would feel comfortable not knowing if the verses they depended on for their salvation were the "right ones"? Who would get the job of telling the rest of us which passages are from God and which aren't?
Finally, the argument that the true meaning could have been lost through translation into English, doesn't hold water either. All top Bible scholars agree that today's English versions are as precisely translated as possible and quite accurate. We will cover this more in-depth in part 3 of this series.
To those who don't know why they should accept the Bible as God's word compared to all the other "holy" books of other religions, here is something to consider. No other book on Earth has made any of the scientific, historical and (especially) prophetic statements that the Bible has. Other books are full of philosophy and mythology, but none dare to make claims concerning the hidden things of the past (that might be discovered one day) or predict events of the future. Only the Bible does this. Year after year, many historical and scientific claims of the Bible are being proved correct through geological excavations and advances in science.
Here's a few examples of the Bible and science. For the most part, people didn't believe the Earth was round until the fifteenth century, though the Bible spoke of the circle of the Earth in the old testament seven centuries before Christ (Isaiah 40:22). The Bible even states in the book of Job, written around 1500 B.C., that the earth was suspended in space (Job 26:7). Sir Isaac Newton was the first to confirm this over three thousand years later in 1687 A.D. The Bible also told of the innumerable number of the stars (Genesis 15:5, Jeremiah 33:22, Hebrew 11:12) existence of canyons and mountains on the ocean floor (2 Samuel 22:16, Jonah 2:6) springs and fountains in the sea, (Genesis 7:11, 8:2, Proverbs 8:28), and ocean currents (Psalms 8:8). These, and other scientific claims, were written hundreds of years before Christ, and only discovered in the last
couple of centuries.
Here's an interesting fact. Jesus, speaking of a single future event at His second coming, said some people would be fast asleep at night, others making the morning meal and still others out working in the fields when it happened.
"I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed ... two women will be grinding grain ... two men will be in the field." (Luke 17:34-36 & Matthew 24:40,41)
Night, morning and afternoon at the same time around the world. Jesus was talking in terms of time zones long before any man thought of it!
The greatest evidence the Bible presents however, deals with prophecy. There are been many predictions in the Bible dealing with nations, cities, individuals (especially Jesus) events and time periods, which have come true. Not one has failed to occur. Of course there are some, dealing with Christ's second coming, which won't be fulfilled until His return.
Actually, some of these have already been fulfilled or are in the process thereof, such as the re-creation of the nation of Israel, as forecast in Ezekiel, chapters 36 and 37. You can search through the "holy" books of every religion on earth and you won't find a single piece of fulfilled prophecy. Not one. Space is too limited here to record all there is on this matter, but there are a number of Christian books dealing with this subject if you want to learn more about it.
Another remarkable fact about the Bible is that it wasn't written by one person over a period of one lifetime. It was written by 40 different people, in different parts of the known world, over a time frame of around 1600 years. Yet all the books are part of the same specific message concerning man's relationship with God and how Christ fits into the equation.
How this can be simply can't be explained, until you realize that there is really only one author to the whole Bible, God Himself. He inspired people (through the Holy Spirit) to record His Word so that we would have it in writing with us through history. Despite numerous all-out attempts by religious and pagan groups to destroy the Bible throughout the centuries, it has survived and flourished. That in itself is a miracle when you consider how other great philosophical writings which men have never persecuted, and in fact tried to preserve over the centuries, have often partially or totally vanished.
We will continue this series on the Bible, "The Measure of Truth" in next month's NEW IN CHRIST column.
New Testament Studies
New Testament Studies
This issue features the thirteenth in a series on the Epistles of John. This is the first study in 3 John. On some occasions this column with be called Old Testament Study. Whatever we call it, studies will include Psalms and books from both the Old and New Testaments.
ENTERTAINING ANGELS
3 John 1-8
By Pastor Geoffrey Kragen
I don't remember if I read this or heard it at a conference, or both. The board of a local church was considering providing care and parental training for single mothers. Needs included baby-sitting and maybe even meals for the women and their children.
This was perceived as a wonderful opportunity to make the Lord's love real and filling a specific need within the community. One of the older men of the board expressed a real concern. "We've put a lot of work into maintaining the church facilities. We've just completed a remodeling of the kitchen. If we allow children in, we'll find messes, juice rings on the counter, spills on the rugs. We have a responsibility to care for the Lord's building."
This man's concerns were legitimate. And the board did have a responsibility to care for the property. But, as another member put it, "On the other hand, the property should be primarily a base of operations. It should be used to carry out the Lord's requirement to care for people. When the structure becomes more important than people, perspective has been lost."
"Yes," he continued, "the children may create a mess. But the mothers, as part of their parental training, could be helped to encourage their children towards proper behavior. To drop the
program because of the danger that the kitchen might get dirty is unreasonable, and in the final analysis, disobedient. Maybe the little 'angel' will make a mess, but who knows when we will have entertained angels unaware."
To serve the Lord may mean being uncomfortable. But to see lives changed, even our own, should be worth substantial discomfort. When we are willing to reach out to others, we will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness" (Matthew 25:21)!
Again, as in John's second epistle, he gives attention to the problem of itinerant teachers. The church to whom John is writing was caring for those who came to them. The believers were providing for the needs of strangers. But this letter deals with the questions: Who were these strangers and just what type of care should be provided?
A second problem had also arisen in this church. There was at least one individual who was being disruptive to the ministry. This person was attacking the saints of the body. We will examine John's response to this situation in the next article.
The focus of this letter shows a marked contrast with the previous one. John stresses the importance of caring for those who are doing the work of Christ. He also provides a warning against those who would interfere with that mission.
Also, unlike the second epistle, John names individuals in the body of the text. As a result, this provides a clearer picture of some activities in his day. The focus of this letter is more on the importance of practicing hospitality with discernment.
To provide a bit more background, I'd like to quote from John Stott's introduction to this epistle.
"The Didache, the first-century Church Manual ... shows that early Christian hospitality was sometimes abused. Instructions are given that an 'apostle' may not stay beyond one day or, 'in case of necessity,' two. 'If he stays three days, he is a false prophet' (xi. 5). On departing, he may receive enough food to last him his journey. But 'if he asks for money, he is a false prophet' (xi. 6). Again, if a prophet, apparently speaking under the inspiration of the Spirit, says 'give me money, or something else,' he is not to be heeded unless the money is 'for others in need' (xi. 12). It is recognized that true prophets have a right to stay and be supported (13), but an ordinary Christian traveler must not be entertained free for more than two or three days (xii. 2). If he wants to settle, 'he must work for his living. ... If he refuses to do this, he is trading on Christ' (xii. 3-5)." (1)
Vs. 1: John addresses his letter as coming from the elder. He writes from a position of authority. What follows carries the weight of God's Word.
Unlike the second epistle, this letter is addressed to a specific individual, Gaius. There is no way of knowing just who this person is, the name being a very common one. Because of the contents of the letter we can assume Gaius was in a leadership position in his church.
John loves Gaius in truth. As already noted in previous studies, Christian relationship is always grounded in relationship with God. And that relationship always depends on an understanding of
Scriptural truth.
We can never emphasize enough that for people to be saved they must understand the basic doctrinal issues for salvation. This issue was of major concern to John in the midst of anything else he may have written about. These issues include the incarnation and all that is involved with it. "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, ... " (1 Corinthians. 15:3-4). And knowing this " ... if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).
Vs. 2: It is reassuring to note that John wishes circumstantial wellness for Gaius. Apparently John knew that life is not necessarily miserable if one is in the will of the Lord. It is OK to be healthy. It is OK to get along in circumstances. This is bad news for those who glory in being miserable.
But, it is also clear that John is concerned for Gaius' spiritual well-being. And it is safe to assume from the thrust of Scripture in general, that while God is concerned with the quality of our life, He is more concerned with our spiritual growth. "And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God" (Colossians 1:10). "Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God" (Hebrews 6:1).
Vs. 3-4: John was also pleased with the news of the faithfulness and quality of walk that Gaius had been showing. Gaius' life was a testimony within the Christian community. This is shown by other believers who brought back the word to John.
John had suffered a great deal in his own ministry. In fact, if these letters were written after the book of Revelation, John would have been in exile. One source of encouragement in the midst of difficult times was to see the growth in the lives of believers. The Lord's work in the lives of others frequently is used to give those in ministry reassurance of the validity of their own service. And we do need this.
As we walk in the Lord, we become a testimony to those around us. We also can be a source of joy to those who have had the opportunity to minister to us. Those of you who are parents can understand the joy that you experience when you see your children walking before the Lord.
Vs. 5-6: Next, John commends Gaius for his willingness to minister to the needs of unknown believers. In fact, the account of his service had been carried by these individuals to others in the church. Gaius showed the qualities desirable for Christian leaders, balance. He was exercise love in the contest of truth. "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ" (Ephesians 4:15).
Providing support to those who serve the Lord brings glory to the name of the Lord. "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me" (Matthew 10:40). One quality of the early church, which to a great extent has been lost by many of the contemporary western churches, is the sense of family and care between believers.
Where believers have faced persecution, there is a sense of camaraderie and shared responsibility for one another. This is often missing where lives are comfortable. We will see more believers pulling together in this society as Christianity becomes more socially and culturally unacceptable.
Vs. 7-8: Believers should not expect help from the unbelieving world. Gaius cared for individuals who risked everything in the service of the Lord. The only support that these believers received
came from other believers. And this is still true. Certainly the world sometimes helps Christians carry out "humanitarian" work, such as support to organizations like World Vision in its programs for feeding the world's hungry. But, there will never be, and for that matter shouldn't be, support for the efforts to spread the Gospel to a fallen world.
In the next article, we will see that for this specific ministry Gaius apparently didn't have everyone's support in the local congregation.
"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it" (Hebrews 13:2). The principle of caring for individuals in obedience to the Lord is one that must never be forgotten.
Wherever possible, we are to aid those who are serving the Lord in their career choice. John's concern here was specifically for those who were ministering outside the structure of the local church. I wonder is this is Biblical support for the para-church ministry?
I'd like to take the concept a bit further, and focus on the need for individuals within the local church being willing to commit support to ministry sacrificially.
The local body, in its corporate sense is to be a training camp for ministry. It is there we learn of God's expectations for our life, both related to our walk with Him and with each other, and in our reaching out to others. We can aid the work of the Lord as we minister in many areas. But, as we do, so we risk encountering people looking for aid and comfort.
We may find people coming to the church who make us uncomfortable. We may find the facilities over stretched. We may find ourselves strained and in over our heads.
And as we will see next time, we may even experience interference from within the Christian community itself. But Christ, our model, showed that the Father's ministry is to be carried out in the real world. Therefore, it will bring discomfort and sacrifice.
Gaius, however, received John's commendation because he cared for those God sent to him. He provided hospitality to the Lord's ministers. His reputation for showing God's love to others had reached John through those who had seen Gaius' testimony. May the same be said of us.
Let us be open to care for God's servants whenever He calls us to do so. And even more, let us never lose sight of our responsibility to care for the community around us. Our commitment will be pleasing God.
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me'" (Matthew 25:34-40). After all, you never know, we may be caring for angels!
(1) Stott, John R. W., THE EPISTLES OF JOHN, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI, 1983, p. 216-217.
Messianic Studies
Messianic Studies
Through out the history of the Church, there has been aberrant teaching which has become accepted as Biblical. One of the most insidious has been the view that the Church is "Spiritual Israel." This position holds that Israel, because of the rejection of Christ Jesus, lost its place as God's chosen people. All the promises made to Israel now belong to the Church.
This is not the teaching of Scripture. And this teaching has done great damage. It needs to be refuted because it is bad theology. It is non-biblical because it gives an inaccurate view of God, Israel and the Church. It is dangerous because it has been used to support Anti-Semitic attacks on Jews individually and as a nation.
In this issue of MORNING STAR we present part two of our 3-part article from Wayne Hilsden, on this false theological system, its problems and the true position of Scripture. The Jewish people are still the Chosen People.
THE CHURCH AND ISRAEL
An Explanation of Replacement Theology
Part 2 of a 3-part article
by Wayne Hilsden
A transcript from an address given at the I.C.C.C. Shalom Israel Conference
Hyatt Hotel, Jerusalem - 13th June, 1992
IT SEEMS TO BE BACKED UP BY HISTORY
One reason is that it is not only because the allegorization method was used. There is a second reason why Replacement Theology has dominated the teaching of the Church. Replacement Theology seems to be backed up by historical facts.
Let me explain. A fundamental assumption of Replacement Theology is that because Israel rejected Jesus as the Messiah, God has cast off the Jewish people as the chosen nation once and for all. Consequently, God has dispersed the Jews into the nations as a punishment for the rejection of Jesus and the Land of Canaan promised to Abraham and his seed forever, has now been forfeited and the Jews can no longer make a legal claim to it.
Now when we look at what is happening to the Jewish people since the first century, Replacement Theology would appear to have history on its side, at least up until this century, maybe 1948 to be more specific. On the surface the historical facts seem to be overwhelming proof that Replacement Theology is true. Within a generation of the crucifixion of Jesus the Roman army ransacked the City of Jerusalem, totally destroyed the Temple and uprooted the Jews from the land and carried them off into various corners of the Roman Empire. To the early Church Fathers these historical events were convincing proofs that God was finished with Israel and the Church has now rightfully taken Israel's place in the purposes of God.
The suffering of the Jewish people did not end with the cruel Roman legion. The history of the Jews since that time has been filled with tragedy and for Replacement Theologians this sad history only confirms their belief that God is indeed finished with Israel.
But their argument is a circular argument. Think about it. In reality the horrible suffering of the Jews is more a result of Replacement Theology than it is a cause. Actually if Replacement Theology had never been taught in the Church most of the atrocities inflicted upon the Jewish people during the last 1900 years would never have happened in the first place.
THE TRAGIC STORY OF THE JEWS
Let us review some of the highlights of this tragic history of the Jews to demonstrate what I mean. From about the fourth century on, the Church consistently regarded the Jewish people with prejudice and contempt and they justified this kind of anti-semitism when they began to see at least from their eyes that the Jews were responsible for the death of Christ. Christian theologians began to teach that it is the Jews who are responsible for the greatest of all crimes committed, the crime of Deicide, the murder of God. In fact many Christians came to believe that one way of showing loyalty to Jesus was to express their hatred toward the Lord's murderers.
John Chrystoson, we call him St. Chrystoson for some strange reason. He was the man who lived in the Fourth Century, a prominent Church Father and theologian. He said these words in one of his sermons on Sunday. "They are murderers, destroyers, men possessed by the devil." He goes on to say "they know only one thing, to satisfy their gullets, get drunk, to kill and maim one another." To think this is St. Chrystoson!
Chrystoson and other theologians in the Church were to have a deep and lasting influence upon the attitudes of Christians for hundreds of years. Six centuries later a hatred for Jews far more hideous than what we heard from Chrystoson was revealed. The Crusaders were remembered for their chivalry, their faith, their zeal for God, but in reality many Crusaders took revenge upon the Jews who were living at that time in the Holy Land.
On one occasion when the Crusaders discovered a Jewish congregation of people meeting in a synagogue here in the City of Jerusalem, they burned down the building resulting in the death of all the worshippers that were trapped inside. This is just one of innumerable atrocities committed by the Christian Crusaders against the Jews!
In 1,000 A.D., when the Crusaders first arrived in the Holy Land to liberate the land there were approximately 300,000 Jews living here. Two hundred years later, when the Crusaders were finally pushed out there were only 1,000 Jewish families that still remained in this country. Many of them were killed, many were exiled out of the land.
What I have found shocking in my study of Church History is that anti-semitism is evident in the writings of the Christian Reformers, men who supposedly cleansed the Roman Church of much of its corruption and theological errors. The reformer Martin Luther at first was very sympathetic to the Jews. When he rediscovered that wonderful doctrine called Justification by Faith in the book of Romans, he believed that now the Jews would accept the Good News of the Gospel. Now they would know that they don't have to live by their works but by the grace of God, and that the righteousness of Christ justifies us. He got all excited. The Jews are going to get saved now - but it didn't happen did it, not under his ministry.
Luther got so frustrated with these stubborn stiff-necked people that he became an anti-Semitic person himself and it was a tragedy to see this great theologian - and I have his books on my shelf because I respect him as a theologian - but there was this dark side to Martin Luther and almost every other theologian at that time who was anti-Semitic. Martin Luther in fact advocated the expulsion of the Jews from Germany and the destruction of the synagogues and religious books and on one occasion Luther wrote these words, "the Jews are brutes, their synagogues are pig-sties and they are to be burned. They live by evil and plunder. They are wicked beasts that ought to be driven out like made dogs". That is Martin Luther.
It should come as no surprise that when the Nazi's came to power in Lutheran Germany, also Catholic Germany, but "Christian Germany" at least so-called, they used the writings of theologians like Martin Luther and others to justify their anti-Semitic policies. A sign greeted the Jews who came into the camp at Dachau, just outside of Munich in Germany. Do you know what it says on that sign? This is what the Jews would see as they went into that camp. It said "you are here because you killed our God".
Replacement Theology would seem to have history on its side. With all of the suffering that the Jews have experienced over centuries and the fact that Hitler came within a hair's breadth of totally annihilating the Jews from this planet, certainly it must mean that God has rejected the Jews and He is set on their utter destruction. Seems to make sense doesn't it? Those horrible facts are there. What other people on earth have had this kind of persecution. No other people. Certainly they are a rejected people. Certainly the Church is really the beloved apple of His eye. He has finished with the Jews!
AGAINST REPLACEMENT THEOLOGY
But the trouble with this seemingly powerful argument is the fact that Replacement Theology was more a cause of this tragic history than an affect. At this point I think it is very important that I expose one more hole in this argument, the argument of history used by Replacement Theology. I contend that the history of the Jewish people is actually a stronger argument against Replacement Theology than for Replacement Theology. I believe that the history of the Jews as horrible as it has been is not a sign of God's rejection but rather a sign of God's absolute faithfulness to His people and I want to show you why I believe that.
FACT...THE MIRACLE OF JEWISH SURVIVAL
First of all when we consider all of the persecution and threats against the Jews, the very fact that the Jewish race still exists can be explained in no other way except to say that God loves His people Israel. They are indeed the "apple of His eye". It must be a Divine miracle that Israel exists today. In spite of having been stripped of their home land and scattered to the four corners of the earth, in spite of the threat of mass genocide, in spite of attempts at forcible conversion, even their own attempts to be assimilated into the rest of the Gentile world, Jews have survived as a distinct separate nation upon the face of the earth. There is simple no other ethnic group in the history of mankind that has faced such odds and yet endured.
What can explain the immortality of the Jewish people? The only answer is the God of Israel. In the words of Malachi 3:6, "I the Lord do not change so you, oh descendants of Jacobs, are not destroyed." I want to read that again, "I the Lord do not change so you oh descendants of Jacob are not destroyed." The fact that the Jews have not disappeared off the face of this globe, in spite of every threat to annihilate them is one of the strongest arguments against Replacement Theology.
FACT ... ISRAEL IS BACK IN THE LAND
The other fact concerning Jewish history that actually shoots Replacement Theology foot holds is what has happened in most recent history. Now you can imagine people believing Replacement Theology prior to 1948. The Jews are scattered and certainly that must be a result of God's rejection of them, but what happened in 1948, it's unexplainable!
Out of the ashes of the holocaust, after six million Jews were totally eliminated, suddenly out of the ashes came a resurrection of new life to this nation. Once again after two thousand years Israel has that same piece of real estate which was promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob back as their eternal possession. When God said, "you are going to have this land forever", He did not mean they were going to live in it forever but they were going to possess it forever. They may be scattered to the four corners of the earth but that doesn't mean they have lost their ownership. We are seeing lots of Germans going back now to reclaim their property, not that they lost possession of it is it. It is simply that they didn't live in it. Now you have lawyers working double time to figure all this out, how to get their property back to the rightful owners.
Well Israel has come back and you think those lawyers in Germany are having a bad time, what is happening right now in this country? Who really owns this piece of property? We have