Just Plain Weird Dan Long 8/29/12

Sometimes you need a good laugh. Our new page "Just Plain Weird" is designed to do just that. We understand that false teaching, and false teachers in the Church is serious business.  WE DO NOT take that lightly. But their are times when some of the teaching and the teachers are just plain silly, or as the title of the page says, Just Plain Weird! 

We will periodically search the web, and the tube, in order to update the page and give you some of the weird stuff making its way into the Church. Enjoy!  http://longfortruth.blogspot.com/p/just-plain-weird.html

 

The Usage of the Word 'Homosexual' in Paul's Writings (1a) The Word 'Arsenkoites'Steven Long August 26 2012

The hot topic issue in both the political arena and the religious circles today seems to be the issue of homosexuality–or at least gay marriage. Both sides have expressed the issue as clearly and concisely as possible and there have certainly been name-bashing from both ends. Now, this blog is mainly dedicated to issues involving the straying of orthodox theology of mainstream evangelicalism, so you might be wondering why I would write on the issue of homosexuality and gay marriage.

Simply stated, it is because many professing Christians seem to have given in to the idea that Jesus was all love, non-judgmental, and never condemned anyone. This idea has spilled over into the pulpits and consequently, into the pews.

Speaking with a friend lately, I was challenged by a statement he made. This friend stated,

"Paul uses a never before seen word that in its next known appearance seems to mean prostitute. The other NT usage carries different meanings depending on the perspective of the reader; some scholars think it applied to those who left heterosexual relationships for homosexual ones".

My curiosity was peeked. I had heard the argument that the word was never seen or known before. But the next statement was new to me. And since I have a wealth of resources at my disposal, particularly regarding the original languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek) I decided to delve into this subject and explore it a little further. This post will be longer than usual; I normally like to keep things short and concise, but this is a topic that is important and must be examined carefully. So please bear with me as I do my best to tackle this subject.

I am going to approach the main arguments for gay marriage and homosexuality under four different blog posts with the first being divided into two parts: (1a) The word arsenkoites and its meaning, and (1b)the etymology of arsenkoites and its logical inferences. (2) Only the Old Testament speaks clearly against homosexuality. The actual word only refers to pedophilia and has nothing to do with consenting or loving relationships . (3) The authority of Scripture on the subject of homosexuality.

The Word 'Homosexual'

The actual word 'homosexual' and its forms only appears twice in the entire New Testament (ESV version). Both occurrences appear in Paul's letters and so it will not be hard to trace the word and determine how Paul uses it. The two times it is seen is in 1Corinthians 6:9 and 1Timothy 1:10. I have presented them in both English and the Greek for comparison.

1Corinthians 6:9 (ESV)–  Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality

1Corinthians 6:9 (NA27) – Ἢ οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι ἄδικοι θεοῦ βασιλείαν οὐ κληρονομήσουσιν; μὴ πλανᾶσθε· οὔτε πόρνοι οὔτε εἰδωλολάτραι οὔτε μοιχοὶ οὔτε μαλακοὶ οὔτε ἀρσενοκοῖται

1Timothy 1:10 (ESV) – the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine

1Timothy 1:10 (NA27) – πόρνοις ἀρσενοκοίταις ἀνδραποδισταῖς ψεύσταις ἐπιόρκοις, καὶ εἴ τι ἕτερον τῇ ὑγιαινούσῃ διδασκαλίᾳ ἀντίκειται

The Greek words in bold are the English words rendered as 'homosexual.' You will note that 1Corinthians 6:9 has two bold words. Both of these words refer to acts of sexual intercourse between two males. The first word indicates the male passive partner whereas the second references the male initiator or dominant role. Several dictionaries and lexicons affirm this:

ἀρσενοκοίτης (arsenokoitēs), ου (ou), ὁ (ho): n.masc.; ≡ Str 733—LN 88.280 male homosexual, one who takes the active male role in homosexual intercourse (1Co 6:9), specifically interpreted as male homosexual paedophilia (NAB footnote); possibly a more generic term in first Timothy; sodomites (RSV, NRSV, NKJV), perverts (NIV, NEB, REB), practicing homosexuals (NAB), homosexual (NJB), (1Ti 1:10+), note: translations possibly use certain specific terms to infer or allow certain theologies ^{(Emphasis mine)1}

ἀρσενοκοίτης, ου m: a male partner in homosexual intercourse—‘homosexual.’ οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι … οὔτε μοιχοὶ οὔτε μαλακοὶ οὔτε ἀρσενοκοῖται … βασιλείαν θεοῦ κληρονομήσουσιν ‘don’t you know that … no adulterers or homosexuals … will receive the kingdom of God’ 1 Cor 6:9–10. It is possible that ἀρσενοκοίτης in certain contexts refers to the active male partner in homosexual intercourse in contrast with μαλακόςb, the passive male partner (Emphasis mine) ²

ἀρσενο-κοίτης, (κοίτη) lying with men, N.T.
ΑΡΣΗΝ, ὁ, ἡ, ἄρσεν, τό, gen. ἄρσενος; older form of ἄρρην: Ion. ἔρσην:—male, Lat. mas, Il., etc.; ἄρρην, ὁ, or ἄρρεν, τό, the male, Aesch.; οἱ ἄρσενες the male sex, Thuc.
2. masculine, strong, Eur.: metaph. mighty, κτύπος ἄρσην πόντου Soph.
3. of the gender of nouns, masculine, ὀνόματα³

Likewise, the word μαλακός is affirmed by these lexicons as 'effiminate, soft,' indicating a more passive role in sexual intercourse.

Paul condemns both of these actions in 1Corinthians 6:9. This is clearly seen in the fact that both words are used as the subject of the negation of the word κληρονομήσουσιν, which is the future indicative 'they shall not inherit.' In fact, he precludes the statement by telling his Corinthian audience, "Do not be deceived; neither...will inherit the Kingdom of God. Note, that Paul uses that phrase twice, once at the beginning of the phrase, and then at the end to solidify that what he has said is sure and true.

In the next post we will tackle the etymology of the word and conclude some logical inferences from how it is used in the New Testament.

Standing for Truth,
Steven.

---

<sub>1. Dictionary of Biblical Languages Swanson, James (Electronic Edition, Logos Bible Software)
2. Greek-English Lexicon Based on Semantic Domains, Louw, Johannes, Nida, Eugene v.1, p. 771
3. An Intermediate Greek-English Lexion Liddell, Henry, p. 120</sub>

Calvinism Offers the Highest View of God: Unconditional Election Part 1Dan Long August 19, 2012

Every Christian has some view of the sovereignty of God. You cant read through the Bible without running into the fact that God chooses people for salvation. The question is how does He choose? Did God choose to save people based on what He already knew they would do? In other words, did He look down the corridors of time, see that certain people would embrace the gospel when it was presented to them, and then choose them based on that response? Or did God choose to save unconditionally, apart from  any response of the individual?

Is God free? Does He have the freedom to show mercy to some, and to withhold it from others, or, would it be unfair for Him not to distribute His mercy equally to everyone? And what about those who never heard the gospel? What about the countless millions throughout the world who have never had the gospel preached to them, are these people in hell? Our view of God will determine how we answer these questions.

So many in the church today have a small view of God. One reason is because very few Christians take enough time for personal Bible reading and Bible study. Another reason (and I believe the biggest reason) is because Pastors are afraid to preach the hard stuff. They would rather preach a fluffy, light messages to keep their people in the pews, rather then run them off by preaching such "irrelevant topics" like the sovereignty of God.  

And yet this is what the people need! We need to know that God is in control. We need to know that God rules and reigns over everything that happens in this world, including the minute details of our lives. We need to know that everything He created, including us, is for His own glory. We need to know that God is sovereign over the evil actions of men, and that even sin is part of His plan. We need to have a high, majestic view of God. 

I believe Calvinism offers this view, and I think I can show this from the Bible. Over the next several weeks I would like to post scripture passages that support Unconditional Election, Total Depravity, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints. 

I start with the absolute sovereignty of God and Unconditional Election. The Bible makes it clear that God is free. He is the Potter, and we are the clay. He is the One who has absolute authority in the Universe. Everything is under His control, even the choices (including sinful choices) of men. This post will start with God's sovereignty over all things including the actions of men, good and bad. After this I'll move to the second point of Calvinism, Unconditional Election. The reason that I'm starting with Unconditional Election first rather than Total Depravity is because I really believe we need to see that God is free to do as He wishes with His creation. We need to understand that it is God who does the choosing, we do not. Only when we see the freedom of God will we be able to grasp the Total Depravity of man. 

The next post will focus strictly on Total Depravity. These post's will be set up as outlines, with the Bible verse references under each point. Hover the mouse over the scripture reference and a box will pop up  with the reference inside. However, some of the references will be passages of scripture rather than a single verse. The verse will pop up, but in order to read the rest of the passage you will have to click the link. Please feel free to post questions or comments. 

I. God is Sovereign. Ex. 15:18; 1Ch. 29:11-12; 2Ch. 20:6; Ps. 22:28


   
    A. His sovereign right is exercised by ordaining all things that come to pass.
 1Sam. 2:6-8; Job 9:12; Job 12:6-10; Ps. 33:11; Ps. 115:3; Ps. 135:6; Isa. 14:24; Isa. 45:7; Acts 15:18; Ep. 1:11
       
        1. He is Sovereign over the events of creation. 
Gen. 8:22; Ps. 104:5-10; Ps. 104:13-14; Ps. 104:19-20;Mark 4:39
        
        2. He is sovereign over the actions of animals. 
Num. 22:28; 1Ki. 17:4; Ps. 29:9; Jer. 8:7; Eze 32:4; Dan. 6:22
        3. He is sovereign over the actions of good angels.
Ps. 103:20; Ps. 104:4
   
         3. He is sovereign over the actions of bad angels.
1Sam. 16:14-16; 1Ki. 22:19-23; 1Ch. 21:1/ 2Sam. 24:1; Job 1:6-12; Job 2:3-6
       
         4. He is sovereign over the good actions of men. 
Jn. 15:16; Ep. 2:10; Phil.  2:12-13
        
         5. He is sovereign over the evil actions of men. 
Gen. 50:20/ Ps. 105:16-17; Ex. 4:21; Judges. 14:1-4; Pro. 16:4; Isa. 44:28; Isa. 10:5-13; Amos 3:6; Acts 2:22-23; Acts 4:27-28;
        6. Sovereign over "chance happenings." 
Prov. 16:33; Prov. 19:21; Prov. 20:24

II. God has Elected Certain Individuals to Salvation. 
    
    A. God is free: He is free to show mercy, or, to withhold mercy. 
Ex. 33:19; Deut. 7:6-7; Deut. 29:4; Mat. 13:14; Mat. 20:15; Ro. 9:10-24; Ro. 11:4-6; Ep
   
    B. He elected people, not a plan. 
Deut. 10:14-15; Ps. 33:12; Ps. 65:4; Ps. 106:5; Hag. 2:23; Mat. 11:27; Mat. 22:14; Mat. 24:22-31; Luke 18:7; Ro. 8:28-30; Ro. 11:28; Col. 3:12; 1Th. 5:9; Titus 1:1; 1Pet. 1:1-2; 1Pet. 2:8-9; Rev. 17:14
   
    C. His choice to save is not based on what He foresees that people will do.
   Mat. 11:27; Mark 13:20; Jn. 6:44; Jn. 6:63; Jn. 6:65; Ep. 1:4; 2Th. 2:13; 2Tim. 1:9; Rev. 13:8; Rev. 17:8; Ro. 9:11-13; Ro. 9:16; Ro. 10:20; 1Cor. 1:27-29; Ep. 2:10; Jn. 15:16; Acts 13:48; Acts 18:27; Phil. 1:29; Phil. 2:12-13; 1Th. 1:4-5; 2Th. 2:13-14; James 2:5

These scripture references are not exhaustive. There are many more passages that proclaim the sovereignty of God in salvation. Feel free to ask  questions or post comments.  

The Substitute by Daniel Long - 8/11/12

The Substitute
by Daniel Long

Your tears of repentance, they cannot save. 

And the hope of your works are empty and vain. 

the best of your deeds are filthy and vile, 

so how will you plead on the Day of your trial? 

The demands of perfection cry out from the Law, 

and justice for sin is required from all. 

And God will not bend His holy demands, 

obedience required to all His commands. 

So what will you say on that soon dreadful day, 

when the great books are opened and your works are displayed? 

Your mouth will be stopped, and then you will know, 

the wrath you deserve, and to hell you will go.

Unless,

On the day of your trial stands One in your place, 

a Savior, a Substitute, pleading your case. 

"Father," He says,

 "This one trusted in Me, 

all of his sins were nailed on the tree.

Every drop of Your wrath on the cross I absorbed, 

and justice was served for each sin that I bore. 

And as for the law, 

I kept Your commands, 

My perfect obedience is counted as his. 

Now declared righteous by My perfect life, 

through faith in my blood he is clean in My sight. 

I as the Substitute died in his place, 

My life as a ransom, freely, by grace." 

So what will you trust in, what will you say, 

when you stand before God on that fearful Day? 

Your only hope and your only plea, 

is faith in the Substitute, to Him you must flee!

If the World Hates You...And It DoesSteven Long 8-03-12

I was recently involved in an online conversation about the new Target Registry ad featuring two gay men on the cover. My wife saw the ad and decided to comment on Target's wall that she would no longer be shopping there. The hate speech flowed from that comment. I felt obligated as a husband and Christian to step in and support my wife. After 151 comments (only three of us, that I am aware of, opposed the homosexual agenda), I finally called it quits. (here is the link to the entire conversation: Target Conversation)

There were two major arguments that were present throughout the thread. The first were those who swore that the Bible did not condemn homosexuality and that Jesus only preached love and tolerance. Things like, "God loves us all," or "We are all God's children" popped up over and over. The only problem was that there were never any verses that were quoted and if they were, were grossly stripped out of the original context.

The second argument was pure emotionalism. It seemed that people, despite the fact that the Bible was quoted (in proper context, I might add) still chose to ignore the facts that were in black and white and continued to argue based on how they felt, rather than from logical thinking.

But the one thing that was most astonishing was the vile, vicious comments that appeared. The very ones posting about tolerance for everyone were spewing their hatred to those of us that opposed their own beliefs. Below is a screen shot of some of the conversation that took place. (warning: some of the language in the thread was awful. Just a head's up).

Note the Justin's comment in the first screenshot. He was one of the ones throughout the entire thread that preached acceptance and "tolerance" for all people. Yet, here he is wishing death upon me and my family. He also commented that he hoped that our children turned out gay.

All of this is reminds me of Jesus' words in John 15:18–"If the world hates you know that it has hated Me before it hated you."

Keep on standing for Truth and keep on fighting the good fight no matter how many people hate you.


Striving for Truth,

Steven