Comments on: How to Confront the Culture http://www.sfpulpit.com/2006/09/19/how-to-confront-the-culture/ A Ministry of Shepherds' Fellowship Sun, 01 Mar 2009 19:54:00 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: The way to confront culture « Church website and blog ideas http://www.sfpulpit.com/2006/09/19/how-to-confront-the-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-211 The way to confront culture « Church website and blog ideas Thu, 21 Sep 2006 19:44:15 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2006/09/19/how-to-confront-the-culture/#comment-211 [...] Curious Christian wrote a comment on this blog encouraging the preaching of the gospel and there is an article by John McArthur with more detail, which examines Paul’s preaching and the challenges he faced: From Athens to Los Angeles, first century to twenty-first century and everywhere in between, repentance may not be popular, but it’s still the gospel. Teach this post-Christian culture about God and then command repentance. That’s the only message we have; without it, no one would be saved. [...] [...] Curious Christian wrote a comment on this blog encouraging the preaching of the gospel and there is an article by John McArthur with more detail, which examines Paul’s preaching and the challenges he faced: From Athens to Los Angeles, first century to twenty-first century and everywhere in between, repentance may not be popular, but it’s still the gospel. Teach this post-Christian culture about God and then command repentance. That’s the only message we have; without it, no one would be saved. [...]

]]> By: Caleb Kolstad http://www.sfpulpit.com/2006/09/19/how-to-confront-the-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-207 Caleb Kolstad Thu, 21 Sep 2006 16:36:15 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2006/09/19/how-to-confront-the-culture/#comment-207 An excellent article by a man committed to cutting it straight. Thanks for always trying to do ministry God's way. Caleb An excellent article by a man committed to cutting it straight. Thanks for always trying to do ministry God’s way.

Caleb

]]> By: Culture Matters « SFAdams http://www.sfpulpit.com/2006/09/19/how-to-confront-the-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-205 Culture Matters « SFAdams Thu, 21 Sep 2006 16:01:16 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2006/09/19/how-to-confront-the-culture/#comment-205 [...] Read John MacArthur’s article first: How to Confront the Culture [...] [...] Read John MacArthur’s article first: How to Confront the Culture [...]

]]> By: CM Hill http://www.sfpulpit.com/2006/09/19/how-to-confront-the-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-202 CM Hill Thu, 21 Sep 2006 12:07:09 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2006/09/19/how-to-confront-the-culture/#comment-202 Even when one seeks to speak in a manner that will not offend, speaking about Jesus Christ as the only way to eternal life, there will be those who cry they are offended. This is because of what Paul reminds us of in Romans 1:18-32. We are in an age that those around us think that knowldge and intellect are most every thing, just like those in Acts 17. The only problem is that Acts 17 has moved from Greece to the entire world and we still have not learned anything. Lord Jesus have mercy upon us. Even when one seeks to speak in a manner that will not offend, speaking about Jesus Christ as the only way to eternal life, there will be those who cry they are offended. This is because of what Paul reminds us of in Romans 1:18-32. We are in an age that those around us think that knowldge and intellect are most every thing, just like those in Acts 17. The only problem is that Acts 17 has moved from Greece to the entire world and we still have not learned anything.
Lord Jesus have mercy upon us.

]]> By: The_Armchair_Theologian http://www.sfpulpit.com/2006/09/19/how-to-confront-the-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-187 The_Armchair_Theologian Wed, 20 Sep 2006 04:04:50 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2006/09/19/how-to-confront-the-culture/#comment-187 Interesting comments Wes. Thanks. I've read Van Til's take on if, but I admit I have not read Bahnsen's take. Thanks for the direction to the article. Interesting comments Wes. Thanks. I’ve read Van Til’s take on if, but I admit I have not read Bahnsen’s take. Thanks for the direction to the article.

]]> By: Wes Bredenhof http://www.sfpulpit.com/2006/09/19/how-to-confront-the-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-186 Wes Bredenhof Tue, 19 Sep 2006 23:17:38 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2006/09/19/how-to-confront-the-culture/#comment-186 Armchair Theologian: with your second point, Paul seems to be quoting or paraphrasing Deut. 32:8 in Acts 17:26. Though the passages were probably written later, there are also parallels between verse 28 and Romans 11:36 and Colossians 1:17. One of the best expositions of Acts 17 I've come across is that of Greg Bahnsen. It's in an appendix to his book Always Ready. Among other things he notes, "Although Paul is addressing an audience which is not committed or even predisposed to the revealed Scriptures, namely educated Gentiles, his speech is nevertheless a typically Jewish polemic regarding God, idolatry and judgment." Bahnsen agrees that Paul uses Old Testament language and concepts, even if he doesn't directly quote the OT. Armchair Theologian: with your second point, Paul seems to be quoting or paraphrasing Deut. 32:8 in Acts 17:26. Though the passages were probably written later, there are also parallels between verse 28 and Romans 11:36 and Colossians 1:17.

One of the best expositions of Acts 17 I’ve come across is that of Greg Bahnsen. It’s in an appendix to his book Always Ready. Among other things he notes, “Although Paul is addressing an audience which is not committed or even predisposed to the revealed Scriptures, namely educated Gentiles, his speech is nevertheless a typically Jewish polemic regarding God, idolatry and judgment.” Bahnsen agrees that Paul uses Old Testament language and concepts, even if he doesn’t directly quote the OT.

]]> By: The_Armchair_Theologian http://www.sfpulpit.com/2006/09/19/how-to-confront-the-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-183 The_Armchair_Theologian Tue, 19 Sep 2006 20:29:23 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2006/09/19/how-to-confront-the-culture/#comment-183 Here's two different takes on the text of Acts 17:22-34 that I constantly run across: 1. In verse 16 and 28 Paul was attempting to show the Athenians that what they knew in general, he knew in specific. Not that Paul was commending the Athenians religiosity, but that he was instead showing them that he was further along the same road (exposing their intellectual sloth...). Reasoning along the lines of "You have A+B, but I offer you C+D+E as well". 2. It seems strange that Paul doesn't quote any scripture with the Athenians. Because Paul instead quotes Aratus ("We are his offspring"), he's also seeking a "low impact" approach of not hammering them with scripture (like he does with the Jews). Is it possible to evangelise without ever quoting scripture? Doesn't that seem to kind of undermine the concept of Biblical authority? I'm not saying that I agree or disagree with those, but I run across those interpretations of the passage all the time (and I'd have to admit that this is one of the most abused pieces of scripture...at least where I come from...). Any thoughts from y'all? Here’s two different takes on the text of Acts 17:22-34 that I constantly run across:

1. In verse 16 and 28 Paul was attempting to show the Athenians that what they knew in general, he knew in specific. Not that Paul was commending the Athenians religiosity, but that he was instead showing them that he was further along the same road (exposing their intellectual sloth…). Reasoning along the lines of “You have A+B, but I offer you C+D+E as well”.

2. It seems strange that Paul doesn’t quote any scripture with the Athenians. Because Paul instead quotes Aratus (“We are his offspring”), he’s also seeking a “low impact” approach of not hammering them with scripture (like he does with the Jews). Is it possible to evangelise without ever quoting scripture? Doesn’t that seem to kind of undermine the concept of Biblical authority?

I’m not saying that I agree or disagree with those, but I run across those interpretations of the passage all the time (and I’d have to admit that this is one of the most abused pieces of scripture…at least where I come from…). Any thoughts from y’all?

]]> By: William Dudding http://www.sfpulpit.com/2006/09/19/how-to-confront-the-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-181 William Dudding Tue, 19 Sep 2006 18:43:39 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2006/09/19/how-to-confront-the-culture/#comment-181 I have found so much peace by just presenting the gospel unashamedly without fear of offending someone by just letting God's Word do the work for me. It takes all the pressure off of me and puts my faith totally on Him!! I have found so much peace by just presenting the gospel unashamedly without fear of offending someone by just letting God’s Word do the work for me. It takes all the pressure off of me and puts my faith totally on Him!!

]]> By: Jeremy http://www.sfpulpit.com/2006/09/19/how-to-confront-the-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-179 Jeremy Tue, 19 Sep 2006 16:00:27 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2006/09/19/how-to-confront-the-culture/#comment-179 I'm so thankful for all who stand firm in the truth. What a joy it is to know that the Creator, and ruler is in perfect control of all things. That it is not our job to save, but the Lords. We are the messenger of the good news that transformed our lives. Thank you to all who stand for the truth as revealed in God's Word. I’m so thankful for all who stand firm in the truth. What a joy it is to know that the Creator, and ruler is in perfect control of all things. That it is not our job to save, but the Lords. We are the messenger of the good news that transformed our lives. Thank you to all who stand for the truth as revealed in God’s Word.

]]> By: belinda http://www.sfpulpit.com/2006/09/19/how-to-confront-the-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-177 belinda Tue, 19 Sep 2006 13:29:15 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2006/09/19/how-to-confront-the-culture/#comment-177 It's getting harder and harder to hear this truth from most churches today...instead of repent or be judged, it's 'believe and get your best life now'. It's very encouraging to hear Dr. MacArthur preach the truth so boldly...God has blessed my so much through him and others who are standing so firmly and contending for the faith! It’s getting harder and harder to hear this truth from most churches today…instead of repent or be judged, it’s ‘believe and get your best life now’. It’s very encouraging to hear Dr. MacArthur preach the truth so boldly…God has blessed my so much through him and others who are standing so firmly and contending for the faith!

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