Ten Questions to Start the Year

If I haven’t already said it to you personally, I wish you a Happy New Year. As we begin a New Year with fresh opportunities to bring God’s light and truth where deception has darkened people’s minds it seems good to start with the fundamentals. You will know that, even within the Christian Church, there are troubling challenges to the long-established truth of the Gospel. Add to this the claims of the cults and the increasing marginalisation of the church in an intolerant liberal society it has never been more imperative to ensure we stand on solid ground in our faith and witnessing.

Even after all these years we at Reachout will get asked about groups we haven't heard about, ideas we are not familiar with. Where do you start, what do you ask, how do you asses truth claims in light of God's Word? Here are ten questions to help lay some solid foundations on which to build a reliable picture.

What do they say about God? Is he the one, true God of the Bible? Is he infinite and eternal in his nature, perfectly holy, good, and wise in his character? Is he personal and all-powerful in his relationship with his creation? Is he the triune God revealed in Scripture, before whom no God was made, and after whom no God will be? (Isaiah 43:10-11)

How do they define man's fundamental problem? Are we lost, slaves to our own sinful nature, sinners before a holy and righteous God? (Romans 2:10-18)

What is the answer to man's problem? Is it found wholly in the initiative of God sending his son to die for our sins, to redeem us from our slavery to sin, to reconcile us to God by his atoning sacrifice at Calvary? (Ephesians 2:1-10) Are they working out their salvation, or working for their salvation? (Philippians 2:12-13)

What do they say about Jesus? Is he the 'one and only Son' of God, 'only begotten'? Did he die for our sins, was he buried, and did he physically rise from the tomb on the third day, 'according to the Scriptures'? (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) Is he 'the way, the truth, and the life' through whom, alone, we have access to the Father? Is he the plan, or just a part of the plan? Are they bringing people to a Saviour, or to a system? (John 14:6)

How do we learn these truths about God, man, and salvation? Are they available to anyone who would read the Bible, or is it exclusive to the group? Is God's Word sufficient, or is it added to by the pronouncements of the group's leaders, by 'further revelation'? (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Are questions welcomed? Is honest inquiry respected, is rational thinking encouraged, or is blind trust and obedience expected of every member of the group? (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

Is the group accountable? Does it answer to and fellowship with the wider body of the church in your town or city? Are there connections with Christians of other traditions, or are such connections discouraged? (Acts 15)

Are they accepting of other Christians? When you say you are a Christian do they celebrate that, or do they try and proselytise, recruit you? (Acts 11:17)

What is their history? Is it founded on the faith, 'once for all entrusted to the saints?' (Jude:3) Or is it founded on the exclusive claims of one individual?

What is the relationship between leadership and church? Does the leadership serve the church? Or is the church 'obedient' to the leadership? Is their ministry characterised by servanthood, or sovereignty? (Matthew 20:25-28)

I would add only one piece of advice and that is to find a good Bible fellowship where you can hear the Word of God regularly and faithfully read and preached, and where you can grow in your own faith, be encouraged in your own pilgrimage. Remember the picture painted for us of those first believers who, “…devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42) Here is our foundation, here is the Bible’s description of church – The people of God, gathered around the Word of God, ready to do the will of God.

God bless you and, again, a very Happy New Year.

Obama's mother posthumously baptized into LDS Church - Salt Lake Tribune

In the wake of his remarkable success it seemed that the world and his wife wanted to claim President Obama as their own with even an Irish connection being dug up. Now the Mormons have got in on the act by posthumously baptising his mother. They have in the past upset the Jewish community, the Catholic Church and now the American President with this wacky and unbiblical practice but there is no indication that they will review it. And, of course, it is always someone else’s fault and they promise a thorough inquiry to uncover the real culprits. Maybe they should try looking in the mirror. President Barack Obama's mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, who died in 1995, was baptized posthumously into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints last year during her son's campaign, according to Salt Lake City-based researcher Helen Radkey. The ritual, known as “baptism for the dead,” was done June 4 in the Provo temple, and another LDS temple rite, known as the “endowment,” was...

Mormon Christians? Whats in a Name?

The Mormon Church, disturbed by the continuing identifying of polygamus sects in the news with the name Mormon, recently issued a press statement aimed at "clarifying" issues. It is interesting to note that if you substitute the name "Christian" where they use the name "Mormon" it makes a very good argument for us against the claims of the Mormon Church. The full press release is reproduced below in italics with each paragraph rewritten in ordinary text to present it from a Christian perspective. SALT LAKE CITY 10 July 2008 On 26 June, Newsroom published a package of information featuring profiles of ordinary Latter-day Saints in Texas. With no other intention but to define themselves, these members provided a tangible depiction of what their faith is all about. They serve as the best distinction between the lifestyles and values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a Texas-based polygamous group that has recently attracted media attent...

Is atheism an intolerant belief?

The Big Questions , Sunday 2 August 2009, third question. A growing number of Britons say they are certain there is no God - but how do they know? Professor John Adams of the North Yorkshire Humanist Association begins by asking theists what evidence they have for their beliefs. Paul Woolley of Theos continues by pointing out Richard Dawkins description of faith as a 'virus', and the appalling track record of atheism in the 20th Century, as spearheaded by Pol Pot and Stalin. Chloe Clifford-Frith of the Humanist and Secular Students Society contends that Stalin did not do the things he did because he was an atheist, but because he was evil. Paul Woolley rejoins that atheists are trying to have it both ways when they claim that religion is the cause of evil, but refuse to acknowledge the ideological impetus of atheism when it comes to many evil acts. Mao and Stalin both replaced God with the State - a 'religious' manoeuvre. Rev Alistair Rycroft of St Michael Le Belfrey Ch...

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