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September 2009
Volume4#9
Wading River Baptist ChurchP.O. Box 438, 1635 Wading River-Manorville Road, Wading River, NY 11792(631) 929-3512; 929-6022
www.wrbc.us [email protected]
The Search for IntimacyReflections on the Ephrata Cloister (Part 1)
For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband,so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin (2 Corinthians 11:2).
This summer, while on vacation, I visitedthe famed Ephrata Cloister in Ephrata,
Pennsylvania. Maureen and I spent a fas-
cinating afternoon experiencing the history
of the Brotherhood, a Brethren sect that
flourished there in the mid-eighteenth cen-
tury. Our tour of the Cloister brought to
mind some spiritual concerns which con-
tinue to be relevant to evangelical Chris-
tians. This month and next month, I want
to share some reflections on two biblical
issues raised by the history of this settle-
ment.
First some history. The Ephrata Clois-ter was founded by Conrad Beissel. Beissel
was born in Eberbach, Germany in 1691.
His father died before he was born and his
mother died when he was eight. Moving to
Heidelberg, he learned the bakers trade
and associated with the Pietists (disillu-
sioned Lutherans who wanted a more ex-
periential religion than they found in their
own church). He was jailed briefly for his
religious beliefs, and upon release was en-
couraged to go to America, and specifically
to Pennsylvania, where the colonys charter
guaranteed religious freedom. Arriving in
Boston in 1720, Beissel journeyed to Ger-
mantown, Pennsylvania. There he became
a weaver, and under the influence of Peter
Becker, a member of the German Baptist
Brethren, an Anabaptist group, moved to
the Conestoga territory (what is now Lan-
caster) and lived there briefly as a hermit.
In 1724, he was baptized and joined the
Brethren, and by virtue of his personal
charisma, powerful persuasive charm, and
natural leadership abilities, he soon be-
came an influential leader.
Beissel, however, developed highly
mystical views of the Christian faith. He
broke with the Brethren in 1728, and four
years later, moved the short distance toEphrata and there founded a colony which
drew adherents from the Brethren. By
1750, there were 300 residents there, di-
vided into three groups: the Brothers (celi-
bate men); the Sisters (celibate women);
and the Householders (married couples
and their families). Members of the colony
pursued a life of asceticism. They were
vegetarians. Their schedule was strictly
regimented, requiring long hours of work
and prayer but allowing little time for
sleep. The Ephrata Brotherhood is still
remembered for its printing presstheirprinting operation was one of the most
important in America at the time. They
translated and published the Mennonite
1500-page Martyrs Mirror(still available
today). Beissel was a prolific composer,
developing a unique style of seven-part
unaccompanied hymn singing. The Breth-
ren were known for their unique style of
German calligraphy called Fraktur-
schriften. Following Beissels death in
1768, the community declined. The last
celibate member died in 1813, and the re-
maining Householders formed the German
Seventh-Day Baptist Church, which cotinued meeting at Ephrata until 1934.
Conrad Beissel was convinced of t
overriding importance of two beliefs: Sa
batarianism (Saturday worship), and ce
bacy (the superiority of the unmarr
state). This latter position was part of h
pilgrimage to join God in Heaven. Und
the influence of the German mystical p
tist, Jacob Boehme, Beissel believed th
the Christian was a virgin reserved for i
timate union with Christ in Heaven, a
therefore should not engage in a mari
relationship in this life. His basis for th belief was the words of Paul in 2 Cor
thians 11:2: For I am jealous for you wi
a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you
one husband, so that to Christ I might pr
sent you as a pure virgin. Beissels je
ousy at this point was the source of h
virtually dictatorial authority at Ephrata.
Conrad Beissels House
Beissel, however, diverged from t
mainstream Pietist movement to follow t
minoritys mysticism. This was not t
mysticism we see invading evangelicalis
todaya mysticism with its roots in Eas
ern religions. Rather, it was the mysticisof Post-Reformation Europe, a spiritual
which sought to move beyond the orthod
creeds of a spiritually dead Lutheranism
a more vital relationship with Chri
Given the low level of spiritual vitality
seventeenth-century Germany, we can a
preciate this passion. Beissel, howev
was an extremist who sought to achieve
degree of intimacy with Christ nowhe
taught in Scripture.
A case can be made that Beiss
tragic loss of his parents and his difficu
continued on page
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continued from page 1
upbringing by impoverished relatives can
explain, at least in part, his passion for
intimacy. He was starved of the experience
of deep, emotional love as a child, and
seems to have sought it all of his life. Fail-
ing to find it, he saw such intimacy as pos-
sible only in the next life, the full enjoy-
ment of that intimacy being accorded only
to those who had preserved themselves as
chaste virgins in this life.Although Pietist spirituality is a relic of
history, the contemporary fascination with
Eastern contemplative mysticism shares
something of this same search for intimacy
with the Lord. Many professing believers
in evangelical churches have sought emo-
tional fulfillment in the Christian faith that
they have been denied in their dysfunc-
tional homes. Divorced parents . . . feuding
parents . . . parents too busy to care and
love . . . this is the tragic experience of
many younger followers of Christ today.
Emotionally starved, they have resorted to
forms of hyper-spirituality foreign to the
Bible.
Reflecting on this quest for intimacy,
what are we to conclude? How does a
Christian find intimacy with the Lord? Is it
a mystical experience neglected by most
Christians, or is it an impossibility in this
life? Let me offer the following two obser-
vations.
1. The biblical image of the church
as the Bride of Christ is a vivid symbol of
the corporate union of the church with her
Lord. This corporate union is the result of
the union of each individual believer to the
Lord Jesus which follows faith in Him and
is outwardly symbolized through baptism
(Rom 6:5). The nature of this future union
is our being transformed into the likeness
of His resurrection (Phil 3:20-21; 1 Jn 3:2).
Beissels erroneous doctrine of celibacy,
specifically denounced by the Apostle Paul
as a doctrine of demons in 1 Timothy 4:1-
3, emerged as a result of taking the Apos-tles obviously figurative description of the
church in 2 Corinthians 11:2 literally. The
church will be united to Christ as His Bride
in Heaven some day (Rev 19:6-9), but that
spiritual union does not require the rejec-
tion of marriage in this life.
2. Intimacy with Christ in the Chris-
tian life now is achieved through obedi-
ence to the Word of God. Thats what Paul
says in Romans 6, where having spoken of
the union of the believer with Christ in the
future, goes on to emphasize the impor-
tance of present obedience (Rom 6:16-22),
using the imagery, not of marriage, but of
slavery! John underscores the same truth
in 1 John 3:3, namely that those who have
the hope of future physical likeness to
Christ purify themselves now in the image
of His spiritual purity. But it could not be
more clearly expressed than it was by the
Lord Jesus himself in John 15:1-10. For
example, Abide in Me, and I in you (v. 4) .
. .If you abide in Me, and My words abide
in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will
be done for you (v. 7) . . . If you keep My
commandments, you will abide in My
love; just as I have kept My Fathers com
mandments and abide in His love (v. 10
Thus, this union is a union of obed
ence; and Gods Word, the Bible, is th
pathway to the intimacy with Christ that
available to every believer in the prese
age. Jesus prayed to His Father: This
eternal life, that they may know You, t
only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Y
have sent (Jn 17:3). Throughout Scriture, knowing is associated with t
marital union (Gen 4:1, 17, 25, and ma
other passages). How is this intima
achieved? The Lord Jesus continue
Sanctify them in the truth; Your word
truth (Jn 17:17). This is the way that t
followers of Christ may be in Him and
His Father (v. 21) I in them and You
Me, that they may be perfected in uni
(v. 23).
There is no greater spiritual intima
than this. So to the Pietistic mystics of t
past like Conrad Beissel and to the cotemplative mystics of the present, the me
sage is the same. There is no mystery; t
intimacy with Christ that you crave is rea
ily available now, not through asceticism
mind-emptying meditation, but throu
consistent obedience to Gods Word.
Next month, Part 2: The Reproach
Christ
Pastor Ron Glass
Missionary of the Month
The Wading River Baptist Church has
selected Michael and Debbie Bannon as the
missionaries of the month for September.
Coincidentally, Michael and Debbie will be
celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary
in the month of September, on the 8th. Of
their 30 years together, the Bannons have
been associated with World Venture for 28
years.
the KTG as it is now involved in a website
ministry, an English language camp for
teens, and international womens Bible
study, an orphanage ministry, a Good
News Club for children, a Samaritans
non
It was not until 1997 that Michael andDebbie, through World Venture, began
working in Lithuania. We must remember
that Lithuania was under Communism and
Russian control until 1990 when Lithuania
became the first of the Soviet republics to
declare its independence.
Since then, the mission field has ex-
panded, forming a team called KTG, mean-
ing The Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Their prayer requests continue to include
Purse program, Friendship picnics, an
the distribution of Christian books/video
The Bannons prayers also include a prai
for an incredible two weeks of the Engli
camps for 172 Lithuanian teens, each wi
a heart-wrenching story, where brok
lives were redeemed and a brand new l
given to those placing their trust in Him.
Other prayer requests would inclu
their daughter, Krista Bannon, who will attending a boarding school in German
for continued financial support for
events, rent of facilities, etc.; for the Ba
s Lithuanian language skills to im
prove; for Gods wisdom in how to best u
computer technologies for evangelism an
discipleship; and, most of all, for Lithu
nias authorities to permit an atmosphe
conducive to preaching the Gospel to t
people.
Michael and Debbie Bannon
Joan Tyska
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Le
Upon meeting Edward Martin Tolf,
Jr., it would be reaso
ts Get Acquainted with Ed Tolf
nable to think Ed is a
native of the southwestern US due to his
love for that part of the country. Knowing
this, it is most surprising to see him find a
comfort zone here in New York. Even
more surprising is to find out he was born
in Chicago, Illinois, November 21, 1949,and remained there for 23 years.
His father, Edward Martin Tolf, Sr.,
was a Captain for TWA and served in the
US Navy during WW II as a pilot. His
mother, Shirley Jean Tolf, was a wife and
mother to her only son, Ed.
His Christian parents provided an out-
standing environment for Ed that brought
him to know his Savior at age nine at a Free
Church Camp. He was active in the church
youth group throughout grade school and
high school and even into his college years.
He taught Sunday school as a high school
student and led a couple of Bible studies
while in college. Ed was the chaplain in his
fraternity while at Arizona State University.
He has attended Baptist churches as well as
Bible churches throughout his life. In
some of these churches, he worked the
sound systems. He was also a Boy Scout,
earning the level of Star Scout a level
reflecting participation, leadership, service
and self-directed advancement through
merit badges offered by the scouting pro-
gram.
Many summers were spent at hisgrandparents home in Michigan on Gull
Lake. There he acquired many fond
memories swimming, water skiing, boating
and going to the Bible conference youth
group with his local friends.
As a young boy, he began developing a
cowboy image and took to the basement of
his home to target practice. Ed still likes to
target practice, but not in the basement any
more! And then there was the Saturday
ritual of watching the westerns on TV, from
the first one on through the last one. And
those were truly the days when Saturdays were not filled with cartoons but with the
good ole westerns.
Then there were those winter family
vacations in Phoenix, Arizona that intro-
duced him to the dude ranch. It did not
take him long before he practically lived at
the stables, working from sunup to sun-
down volunteering to help with horses,
even cleaning their stalls. He rode 3 or 4
times a day, sometimes 6 or 7 days a week.
He only left the stables to eat lunch or to do
a few hours of school work. It is quite pos-
sible that it was at this time his love for the
Old West began developing, a fondness
that would eventually bring him into the
heart of the west where the west would
begin to settle in his heart.
His high school years were active with
a variety of activities. He played the saxo-
phone not only in the school band but also
in the high school jazz band. He was very
much athletically inclined and was the ath-
letic trainer for 2 years at his high school.
He also played tennis and football in high
school.
After graduating from Lake Park High
School in Medina, IL, Ed continued his
education at a variety of schools of higher
education. He first attended LeTourneau
College in Longview, Texas for 1 years
before getting his Associates of Arts degreefrom College of Du Page back in IL. He
received his Bachelor of Science from Ari-
zona State University and his Master of
Arts Degree from Trinity Southern Univer-
sity in Dallas, Texas.
His activities while in college contin-
ued in a pattern much like his high school
days. Ed was in a college jazz band, was an
athletic trainer for a year in college, par-
ticipated in intramural tennis and swim-
ming, and was also an ambulance atten-
dant for a semester at LeTourneau College.
While at Arizona State University and
attending a Campus Crusade for Christ
event, Ed met his wife, Denise, now mar-
ried this November 29th, 34 years. They
have 2 sons; William Edward Tolf, 30 years
old, and Edward Martin Tolf, III, 27 years
old.
In 1974, he joined the naval flight
training command as a pilot/officer, even-
tually flying DC-6s and C-130s out of Bar-
bers Point Hawaii & Guam throughout the
Pacific and Pacific Rim countries. 1984
1988 he flew P-3s out of Whidbey Islan
WA while in the Naval Reserves.
likely initiated by his father, has spillover into his career as a pilot. His resum
is quite impressive, flying the Gulf Strea
aircraft as well as other turbo jets, mul
engine and single-engine planes. Not on
did Ed fly in the US Navy, but for a corp
ration for over 21 years and for chart
aircraft owners for 7 years. His mo
recent employment is with Excelaire
MacArthur Airport.
We can praise the Lord that Ed is
cancer survivor! When he was in El Pa
in the mid 1990s, he went through a toug
time with an operation, chemo and radi
tion. He is now cancer free.
Ed has traveled the world over and h
lived in remote places, but has never f
more at home than when he lived in A
zona and Texas. In the 16 years that
lived there, the southwest entered into h
very soul, never to leave him.
This would explain the John Wayn
image that one might see in him with h
cowboy boots and styles of the southwe
He loves the tales of the old west and
good John Wayne western. He likes
horseback ride and to target shoot. H
would never turn down an invitation to
Texan BBQ, especially if the grill was loo
ing like a pistol!
It is not ha
to see that his lo
for flying, mo
Ed takes a strong liking to Corvette
having owned a couple in his lifetim
Other interests includes coin collectin
wood working, real estate, home remod
ing/building, reading, swimming, wat
sports and boating. Not surprisingly,
loves reading western novels and has re
over 200 in the last couple of years.
Eds wife, Denise, found WRBC in t
yellow pages just two short years ago.
that time, Denise has become the chur
secretary and Ed has become a strong pa
of the churchs fellowship. Both of the
have been a blessing to our church.
Joan Tyska
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Ba on
pes and
cher
as
.
se to
the
Me,
t of
evotional leader,
stayed with the
a
vie
of WRBCsA Sacred Conce
Sundays church ser
Shannon, Sarah and
the announc
men
in d
g; e
annon was
arrated Scriptur
infusing the power of the Word of God an
the testimonies of the hymn writers in
the musical performance. The coffee ho
that followed this sacred concert allow
for the congregation to acknowledge the
gifted musicians and to enjoy fellowsh
with
ck to Basics Senior Saints Lunche
The Back to Basics Senior Saints
luncheon on August 1st was truly a basic
event: from the decorations, hymn singing,
food served, and to the devotions received.
Decorations were quite simple and
basic; black-eyed Susans, sunflowers and
marigolds were all arranged on dinner ta-
bles clad in flowery garden-print table-
cloths. Fruit bowls of fresh gra
ries on the tables offered a decorative
as well as an edible item.
Dinner itself was basic and unusually
well received. After an appetizer of chicken
Praise the Lord with harp: s
Sing unto Him a new son
wings, a summer garden
quite elaborate, was
many garden-fresh vegeta
A dessert featur
ished the meal.
And what fun it was to go back to some
basic childhood songs and sing them with
renewed appreciation. W
learn that there were mu
old familiar songs like
The B-I-B-L-E, This
Mine, and Kum A La.
John Piraino, the d
salad bar, though
basic featuring
bles as possible
ing local fresh peaches fin-
hat a surpri
ltiple verses of
Jesus Loves
Little Ligh
theme and
brought some
basic thoughts
concerning the
Bible. It was
obvious that
To God Be the Glory was not only
the opening congregational hymn of the
church service on August 2nd, but also a
reflection of the content of the service. The
featured musical artists, Shannon Piraino
(violin) and Steve Heuzey (piano),
presented to WRBC a service filled with
lot of research was revealed in
Johns presen-
tation, bringing
a new apprecia-
tion of some
basics that are
overlooked in how the Bible is interwov
into our daily lives.
Wanting to give the seniors a pre
rtscheduled f
vice the next d
Linea Piraino pr
sented a basic concert of hymns to ever
ones delight. A moment of deep apprec
tion for the Piraino family was offered
the end of their musical presentation.
Normally, Trash to Treasures wou
qualify as a basic collection of old knic
knacks of the seniors brought in for
equal exchange. But for this luncheo
mysteriously anything but basic treasur
appeared overnight to the pure delight
the seniors. We thank the anonymous d
nor.
Already plans are in the making for t
next luncheon earmarked for the middle
October. Keep a watch for
t of the date. We are looking forwa
to seeing some new faces then.
Joan Tyska
A Sacred Concertg unto Him with the psaltery an
play skillfully with a loud nois
musical praise through a display of some of
the awesome talents within the church.
The entire service was given over to these
most talented young people, prior to their
return to college. Sh
an instrument of ten strings.
(Psalm 33:2-3, KJV).
accompanied by her sisters, Sarah a
Linea. Chris Hallstrom n
and footnotes throughout the servic
them.
Joan Tyska
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( al
grow
book next month). Gilley, a graduate ofMoody Bible Institute, has been pastor atSouthern View Chapel in Springfield, Illi-nois, for thirty-three years.
This Little Church Went to Marketexplores the phenomenon of new para-digm churcheschurches identified by aphilosophy of ministry intentionally de-signed to effect numerical growth (p. 17).These are churches which have adopted
methods based on market strategy, busi-ness techniques, and demographics, ratherthan on the New Testament. The authorgives particular attention to the WillowCreek (Seeker-Sensitive) and Saddleback
endso creating an at-
mosphere of fun, and that in fact fun haseplaced holiness as the churchs goal. The
imary means to this end are entertain-ment, market-driven philosophy, and psy-chol
cumbed tture attuned to the dynamic
cial television. This, explains the author,caters to that cultures insatiable appetitefor amusementa culture where thefoundational values of character and integ-rity have been replaced by personality andimage. If entertainment is societys stan-dard, then how can the church compete inthe worlds marketplace unless it becomesa bastion of entertainment (p. 31)? Be-cause God designed Christianity to be athinking faith, insists Gilley, the antidoteto this trend is in-depth study and applica-tion of Scripture.
The market-driven technique exempli-fied by the Willow Creek Association fo-cuses on selling its product by meetingpeoples needs. But, as Gilley points out,this entails a destruction of the Gospel it-self. New paradigm, market-drivenchurches claim to have changed theirmet
of psychology, apparentmos
which is the fact that psychology is man-centered (seeking his happ theBible is God-centered (seekingHe traces the roots of thGospel back to Robert Scused on giving the unchu wanted; and it worked. G
that today truth doesnt stagainst success (p. 61).
Thus, American evanlonger committed to trutha cult of self-fulfillment.are brought back to tparadigm mantra: methmessage stays the same.message is shaped by the method. In mar-keting, the product must be modified tomeet New
needs (pp. 68-69). Or, to say it another
ence of entertainment in greater detail.The church has become conformed to the worlds obsession with amusement largelythrough its desire to experience Godthrough feelings. According to chapter 8,however, genuine biblical worship is cen-tered on truth, and that entails an intellec-tual component. Truth is contained inGods Word, but today, the Word of God isincreasingly taking a back seat to themanagerial and the therapeutic (pp. 86-87). New paradigm churches have lostconfidence in the sufficiency of Scriptureand have therefore abandoned the system-atic expository preaching of the Word.Truth has also been lost as the source ofmusical worship in new-paradigmchurches (chapter 9). Genuine worship isa response to divine truth, but contempo-rary evangelicals are choosing their
the basis of the music, ignomandate that the author
of S
wiT
r
n of the Bible (pp. 112-114).
itself. show itself relevant, the church has alwa been to t ththat is not appreciably different from t world has marginalized itself throcompromise and is unnecessary (p. 116
fand itmplod
Out of the inevitable ruin, we can trust th
cted today, they are of fund
believer who is serious about being or bcoming a member of a God-honorichurch, and every leader serving in a Gopel-preaching church, read this book, asorb the principles it expounds, and commit himself to being part of a truly Gohonoring congregation.
Next Month: This Little ChurchStayed Home
Pastor Ron Glass
This Little Church Went to Market
A Review ofThis Little Church We
by Gary Gilley
In the last few years, several critiquesof contemporary approaches to church
nt to Market: The Church in the
Darlington, England: Evangelic
sumer-oriented message advocated bymarket-driven churches today.
Perhaps the strongest influence be-hind the new paradigm churches, however,
is the invasion
Age of Entertainment,
Press, 2005)
His glory).is psychologizedchuller, who fo-rched what theyilley reminds us
and a chance
gelicalism is no, but has becomeOnce again, we
he nave new-ods change, the
However, the
churches oning the biblical
th have appeared. One of the best Ihave read is Gary Gilleys brief book, ThisLittle Church Went to Market: The Churchin the Age of Entertainment. This is actu-ally the first in a series of three this littlechurch books evaluating current trends inevangelicalism (I will review the second
(Purpose-Driven) models. Gilley contthat they are committed t
rpr
ogy.
Evangelical Christianity has suc-o an entertainment-oriented cul-
s of commer-
the consumers perceived needs.paradigm churches contend that theunchurched have not rejected God, buthave rejected the church because it is ir-relevant, boring, and fails to meet their
This is the direction of the new paradigchurch todayan apparently successchurch, but a compromised one;only a matter of time before it i
hods, but not their message. Gilleyrightly insists that this is impossible, sincemethod is intrinsically linked to message.In fact, in this environment, the appeal tofelt needs has eviscerated the Gospelpreached in most churches, and Gilley ex-plains the troubling dynamics of the con-
way, I believe has been replaced by Ifeel (p. 71). This is all a denial of the Bi-bles teaching that the goal of a Christianslife is not self-fulfillment, but faithfulnessto the Lord.
In chapter 7, Gilley explores the influ-
God will raise up a stronger church, omore concerned about feeding the shethan entertaining the goats, a church thknows the difference between worship anamusement (p. 117), a church that is nashamed of the Gospel.
Gilleys book is short and to the poinIt is readable by members of the congregtion, not just by members of the clergyAlthough the principles addressed here awidely negle
t conspicuously in the Seeker-Sensitiveappeal to felt needs. The biblical messageaddressing sin, salvation, and sanctifica-tion has been psychologized into a thera-peutic message. At this point, Gilley high-lights several contrasts between psychologyand Scripture (pp. 49-52), chief among
iness), while
Pu
cripture should dominate our singi(pp. 94-95). When it comes to mustherefore, Gilley makes the case fswimming up stream against the fads the moment (p. 102).
The author entitles chapter 10, TGospel According to Warren, charging tpastor of the Saddleback churchmodifying the Gospel. Referencing
pose Driven Life, he shows how Waren has distorted the biblical message salvation to one that amounts to find Gand you will find yourself (purpose). Hthereby trivializes Scripture, belittles dotrine and replaces them with psychologmysticism and worldly wisdom (p. 11Gilley makes a strong case for returning
the foundatio This Little Church Went to Markconcludes by reminding the reader that ttruth of the cross has always been the ofense of Christianity. To remove that fense is to abolish Christianity
tempted do jus at, but a chur
mental importance to the future of evagelicalism. I highly recommend that eve
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l c h
tell
E
Five evenings ofVacation Bible Schoo
worth a thousand words as each picture
the VBS volunteers and students of VBS.
an ardly be squeezed into one issue of
s a story, a story of the manyGod Sightin
ach of the following pictures represents ju
the
g
s
Beacon but hopefully pictures can be
s, evidence of God in the daily lives of
t a slice of the total. Joan Tyska
Behind the scenes Sing & Play Swamp Stomp Rockys Prescho
Fearless kids, preschooler
olers
s, crew leaders and even a Mom!
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Snack Shack Sing & Play Swamp Stomp
The Director Miss Katie
Spotlight Drama
Gator Games
ockside Drive-InDBible Bayou
Tech Advisor on Snack Break
Skeeter SkeeterSkirditaFriends of the Bayou
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Bible and Baseball, 2009
During the week of Monday, August 3,
to Friday, August 7, WRBC held a camp
that we entitled Bible and Baseball. Six
days before the start of the camp, I called
Pastor Ron and said to him, I need a
shoulder to cry on. Why? Despite send-
ing out cards, advertising the camp in the
Community Journal, and prayer, only 4
kids had signed up. Pastor Ron exhorted
me to not lose hope; so as Monday, August
3, approached, I was mildly optimistic.
However, when all was said and done,
the camp far exceeded any of my or any of
the other staff members expectations.
Only 3 other kids signed up in the final
week, but with the participation of some of
our church family both kids and adults
the camp was an overwhelming success.
I gave an opening Bible lesson eachday by the bleachers and, at times, on the
field. On the first day, we evaluated the
kids skills. But from Tuesday to Friday, we
played doubleheaders. In five days, the
kids played nine full 6-inning games. In
between games, we went inside for snacks
and also for the second
the day. On Monday, Tues-
and Friday, our Child Evangelism Fel-
lowship missionary, Phil Ormsby, taught
the lesson. On Wednesday and Thursday,
hils g, 17-year-old
ter Hamble n.
As most of you have already heard,
made
professions of faith. We praise God for
working on the hearts of these young peo-
Lets continue to pray for their spiri-
ell-being.
By the time Friday came, I dont b
lieve that any of us (adults include
wanted to see the camp come to an en
We really had fun! On Friday afterno
we went back to our house for lunch a
pool time.
I would like to thank all of the adu
who served in the camp: Carl Chapma
Peter Albrecht, Phil Ormsby, Peter Ham
n Tyska, a
llstrom a
Sue Hart. I also extend my appreciation
Bill Ambrosini and the Shoreham-Wadi
River Little League for their generous d
nation of baseball equipment.
Most of all, we praise God, because d
spite my mild optimism, He allowed th
camp to exceed our expectations; Now
Him who is able to do far more abudantly beyond all that we ask or thin
according to the power that works with
us, to Him be the glory in the church an
in Christ Jesus to all generations forev
and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
e Visconti
Open Theism
Dr. Gary Gilley, pastor of Southern
View Chapel in Springfield, Illinois, and
author ofThis Little Church Went to Mar-ket (see book review by Pastor Ron Glass
on page 5), has also written on the subject
of open theism. I will concisely review
Gilleys four-part critique of open theism,
acces
and refreshme
sson of
nts,
blen
o
, my wife Geraldine, Joa
ur drama players, Jackie Ha
Bible le
day,
P assistant-in-trainin
n, gave the lessoPe
three kids one boy and two girls
ple.
tual w
Stev
sible through his churchs website
(www.svchapel.org).
As we studied together i
n
School on July 5, 12, and 19, open theism i
a description of God that emphasizes mans
libertarian freedomthe ability to make a
choice for each one of a number of alterna-
tives, no matter how contrary some of
those options might be to a persons char-
acter. Open theists insist that for such
freedom to be genuine, our decisions must
be immune from Gods interference.
The free will of man is the crucial pre-
supposition that open theists have held to
in formulating their doctrine of God, and it
is also the lens through which they exam-
ine the Word of God. Gilley explains,
Open theism takes all the scriptural evi-
dence for the omnipotence, sov
control and foreknowledge of God, stra
it through the grid of personal freedom,
producing an image of God barely recog-
nizable by previous generations of Chris-tians.
Gilley labels the redefinition of the
knowledge of God as the preeminent doc-
demanded by open theism.
e knowledge to the
past and the presentall that can be
nown, they claim. Open theists deny that
the future infallibly due to the
degree of uncertainty in human decision-
making. Consequently, God can anticipate
only the future of highest probability, and
He risks being taken by surprise.
The biblical testimony to Gods fore-knowledge, particularly that within Isaiah
40-48, pulls the rug out from under open-
ism, Gilley writes. God repeatedly affirms
His knowledge of future events and His
sovereign control in bringing them to pass:
Behold, the former things have come to
pass, Now I declare new things; Before
they spring forth I proclaim them to you
(Isa 42:9); My purpose will be estab-
accompl good
pleasure(Isa 46:10).
The publication of The Openness
Godby Clark Pinnocket al. in 1994 help
propel open theism from a stirring on tfringes of evangelicalism to a more mai
stream conception of Gods attribute
Gilley identifies writer Philip Yancey an
theologian Gilbert Bilezikian as two pop
lar figu aged erroneo
open-theistic views in attractive format
enabling open theism to sneak in throu
the back door of the [evangelical] camp.
Open theists would have us b
that God is continually learning from an
adapting to our supposedly free decision
that we have entered into a give-and-tak
relationship with God and cooperate wiHim to determine the outcome of histor
However, this exaltation of mans freedo
comes at the great cost of Gods sove
eignty, omniscience, and immutability
three biblical attributes of God. Gilley co
cludes by quoting from Psalm 50:
(You thought that I was just like you
in pinpointing a profound error of op
theism: their God is too human.
Peter Albrecht
trinal shiftres who have packOpen th sists limit God
Sunday
s
k
God knows
elie
ereignty,
ins, and I willlished ish all My
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September Bible Quiz Q
1)
stament, that
ing unforgivable?
ll?
Bonus: Who said, The Spirit of God has made me, andthe H
uestions
Who found the book of the Law in the house of the
Lord?
2) Where is it mentioned, in the New Te
David was a prophet?
3) Which sin is expressed by Jesus as be
4) What word means the place of a sku
5) What does Jesus say defiles a man?
breath of the Almighty gives me life? int: O.T.
Felix Acerra
August Bible Quiz Answers
1) Bethany (NASB) or B
2) His being told tha
captured by the P
3) Rainbow (Gen 9:
4) Abihail (Esth 2:15).
5) Melchizedek, kin
High (Gen 14:18-
Bonus: 1 Cor 15:45.
ble
ethabara (KJV) (John 1:28).
t the Ark of God had been
hilistines (1 Sam 4:17-18).
13-15).
g of Salem and priest of God Most
20, Heb 7:1-2).
reference and correct answers to:Submit the Bi
office@wr
annou
bc.
nced in the next newsletter!
us. The correct answers will be
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