In a just a few hours, untold millions will don costumes as Indiana Jones, Batman, Snow White, the Incredible Hulk or a plethora of other possibilities and travel from door to door inviting a "trick or treat." Indeed, another generation will be raised thinking October 31^st is a special day in that it is the occasion to receive copious candies and other assorted goodies. But for me, the final day of October will be celebrated because of what happened almost five centuries ago. I will be sure to teach my children the real importance of this day–Reformation day. 

Historians mark October 31, 1517 as the start of the Protestant Reformation. It was on this day that the German Monk, Martin Luther, nailed his 95 Theses to the door at the church in Wittenberg. This was not seen as an act of defiance, nor were his actions provocative. We know this because Luther wrote his Theses in Latin–a language known only to the learned. By not writing in the common vernacular, and instead, choosing to write in the language of scholars, he wanted a serious discussion concerning the abuses he witnessed concerning the practice of indulgences.

Nonetheless, when several students took Luther’s Theses and had them translated into the German language and mass-produced by the printing press, a firestorm of controversy ensued. What originated as a condemnation of indulgences rapidly expanded into a critique of Roman Catholic doctrine. Luther dared to speak against the corruption that infiltrated the church and by so doing, garnered a large following. His supporters grew in number over the course of the next three years until Luther and his followers were excommunicated in 1520, officially ending any attempt to reform the church from within.

The simple act of nailing a list of grievances to a church door in 1517 was the catalyst that gave the world the Reformed tradition. So the next time you think that you are too insignificant to change the world for good, just remember that an Augustinian monk in a small German town changed the course of history by daring to speak the truth. You never know how the Lord might use you for his purpose -- perhaps you might be the next Martin Luther to set the world ablaze with a zeal for God and truth.

And that is the real importance of October 31. 

While ministering in Russia I was asked if churches in America used musical instruments during the worship service. "We are not allowed to use instruments here," I was told in one church despite there being a piano in the sanctuary. It was explained to me that the pastor would strike a single key to start the congregation on tune then and sing acappella.

When asked my opinion on the matter, I volunteered the thought that I do not think it is a sin or is it unpleasing to God to use musical instruments. With that said, neither is it wrong to conduct singing acappella. It is a matter of individual and congregational preference.

What I do find disturbing is when someone chooses to make such matters a test of Christian fellowship or spirituality. Several families left the congregation when a new policy of not allowing instruments in the worship service was implemented after years of allowing instruments. I was told the pastoral insistence of non-instrumental music created division in the body of Christ. I find that tragic.

The strongest argument I have heard to date for not using instruments in worship is that the issue is not addressed in the New Testament; therefore, musical instruments must be wrong. Such an argument from silence is logically inconsistent as it is built upon a false premise that goes something like this:

But wait. Why is this line of reasoning not applied to other items used in contemporary worship services? For example.

Should the average church that does not use musical instruments also give up microphones, hymnbooks and song directors? The truth of the matter is that a faulty major premise will lead to a faulty conclusion.

Certainly in the Old Testament dispensation musical instruments were used to praise God and were even commanded to be used. Psalms 33:2 Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. 3 Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise. A person has to wonder why musical instruments would suddenly become taboo in the New Testament expression of worship after centuries of being used.

In the New Testament we do find this principle: 1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. The New Testament Christian is to do all things to the glory of God. I would take that to include the playing of a musical instrument.

As I thought on this matter the following thoughts came to my mind.

First, much needless division has been brought to the body of Christ as God’s people divide over this issue. Even if people do not leave the fellowship they are left with a sense of guilt for wanting musical instruments or resentment they are not allowed.

Second, a non-instrumental approach to music does not allow God’s people to use their talents for the Lord’s glory as an act of worship.

Third, there is a tendency to be hypocritical. If a non-instrumental approach to worship is deemed most spiritual then why strike a single note on a piano or touch one’s lips to a tuning fork? If six different songs are sung in a worship service that means that six different tuning notes might be needed. And if six different notes can be played on an instrument then why not sixteen or sixty or six thousand?

Fourth, a false sense of spirituality can be developed. "We do not use instruments in worship" says a pastor or a person as if such a practice is a picture of true spirituality. More likely what is being demonstrated is a spirit of legalism.

Fifth, a congregation that gives up musical instruments might be challenged to give up gospel hymns for the next level is to say, "We sing only the psalms in our services." Now that does sound spiritual, singing only the psalms. But wait. Many of these psalms have been set to the tune of great hymns. The musical notes leading to the tunes that God put into the hearts of the authors are taken and given to the psalms all the while dismissing the original words and tunes. Is that true spirituality? Is that even ethical? It is a matter to consider.

Sixth, insistence on a non-instrumental worship service forgets at least one musical instrument that is found in the New Testament in the service of God. I think of the trumpet.

While in an act of worship John heard a trumpet sounding. Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

At the second advent of Christ the trumpet will be used. What a glorious moment of worship that will be. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

When the great resurrection takes place the trumpet will be present. 1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

The conclusion of the matter must be Christian liberty. Because the New Testament does not address this issue Christian liberty and charity should be expressed by all.  

1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

 

Earlier this week Ben Stein’s Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed was released on DVD. After 7 months and 3 days of waiting I finally had the opportunity to see the documentary that confronted the issue over whether or not an academician could legitimately challenge "Big Science’s" orthodoxy of Darwinian evolution without persecution. I'm sure you can guess how that turned out...

Needless to say, what was poignantly revealed was open hostility and forthright persecution of anyone among the intelligentsia who dared challenge the accepted norms. Professors who made the mistake of mentioning ‘Intelligent Design’ in the classroom soon found themselves out of work, black-listed and unable to find teaching positions in respected schools.

In his inimitible movie, Stein unabashedly confronts the thorny problem with evolution in that the "truth is that a staggering amount of new scientific evidence has emerged since Darwin’s 150-year-old theory of life’s origins. Darwin had no concept of DNA, microbiology, The Big Bang, Einstein’s Theory of Relativity or of the human genome."

In spite of recounting the new scientific evidence contradicting aspects of Darwinian thinking, the movie's most powerful question is the most fundamental one in this whole debate. How did life begin? That is the question that is oftentimes glossed over but is never satisfactorily answered by the evolutionists. Scientists have no formidable answer for this elementary question. They can only postulate about hydrogen and helium forming clouds but even that is a failure to address the issue which still remains. From whence did these elements derive? Evolution is a woefully inadequate system to answer this question. Yet, scientists would have us believe that the question has already been solved, but the truth is that evolution offers no answer at all if we were to be intellectually honest.

Beyond drawing attention to this simple fact, Expelled seeks to answer the three following questions: 

Question #1:

Should our government be engaged in official, de facto promotion of the exclusively secular, materialist worldview inherent in neo-Darwinian theory in our nation’s public schools, universities and research institutions? Why? 

Question #2:

There is growing support among scientists that there is evidence of intelligent design operating in nature. Yet these scientists, researchers and educators are being routinely persecuted for their scientific views. Who is behind this persecution? Why is this happening in America? How did this situation develop?  

Question #3:

Should the enterprise of science somehow be treated differently from all other forms of human knowledge, and accorded a special privilege that exempts it from robust debate or inquiry, especially when such debate or inquiry may alter viewpoints that raise important questions concerning larger issues that extend beyond the limits of science itself?

Expelled does a masterful job of exposing the liberal bias and anti-theistic agenda of the far left. It is one of the best productions in recent years that takes on the evolutionary movement and shows just where it can lead in societies when carried to its logical conclusion -- i.e., Nazism, Totalitarianism, Communism, etc.  

I received a letter from a lady while I was ministering in Siberia. She wanted to help me understand God’s healing power. The brief letter communicated the following points:

First, I should read more carefully Isaiah 53:3-5. And so I did. Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Second, according to Matthew 8:17 Jesus bore not only our sins but our diseases as well. Matthew 8:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

Third, everyone who came to Jesus was healed. Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

Fourth, God wants to give us healing. He calls healing "children’s bread" in Matthew 15:26. "But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs."

Fifth, we have been healed by the cross of Jesus and should oppose the sickness as we oppose sin by the Word of God.

Sixth, in the book of Deuteronomy, I should remember that tumors and every disease was part of a curse and Christ came to redeem us from the curse of the law. Christ redeemed us to give us the blessing of Abraham. Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Seventh, I should read attentively the blessing. It belongs to me if I believe Jesus.

Eighth, everything is possible for the person who believes. Mark 9:29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

While there is some truth in what was written, there is much misunderstanding of some important biblical teachings.

Why did this lady write? Because I had shared with her my own battle with cancer.

Why did she write the way she did? Because she is being taught that God wants to heal everyone – and she needs healing. I found out in private that she has cancer and unless she is healed by God she will soon leave behind a beautiful five year old daughter. Is it any wonder she is desperately placing her hope in the teachings of the Word of Faith movement?

When I read a letter like this and know the desperate hope which drives it my heart is broken and the teardrops fall. I want to hug my sister in Christ and whisper in her ear, "God loves you. And, whether in life or in death you will glorify Him by faith. The Lord will love you in life and He will love you in death as He brings you to your heavenly home. Perhaps you should prepare to die if that is the clear and final verdict of God’s revealed will."

While I do not want to take away anyone’s hope for healing neither do I want to be part of religious cruelty by giving false hope of healing based upon selected passages of Scriptures ripped out of context.

When this Christian lady is ready I would want to minister to her for God has entrusted to me in part the ministry of helping people who will not be healed. I want to help those who are victims of the cruelty of the Word of Faith movement.

Eventually, every advocate of a misguided presentation of divine healing will die, apart from the Second Coming of Christ. Until then, many of the Word of Faith people are guilty of deceiving God’s people and making merchandise of the same. When they do this they are part of prophecy being fulfilled. 2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. Because this is true, consider again the major points being made by the Word of Faith advocates and taught to sincere and desperate people.

First, it is said, "God wants to give us healing." The obvious inquiry is this. If God truly wants to heal all people then why does He not do it for surely He can.

That not everyone is healed is a testimony to the revealed will of God. God has many truths to teach through pain and suffering. There is a place for pain and suffering in the plan of God.

Second, it was said that everyone that came to Jesus was healed. The implication is that anyone who comes to Christ today in prayer and with great faith will also be healed, but that is not true or fair. It is a false analogy.

It is true that Jesus performed many miracles and those who came to Christ were healed. Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But here is the major difference between modern healing meetings and biblical ones. In biblical healings the people were healed immediately. The Word of Faith offers to most only the hope of a progressive healing. If a person is not healed they are led to believe it is because they do not have enough faith to be cured. Such a teaching is not only cruel; it is evil clothed in religious garb. What is forgotten is that God says He is the one who makes the blind eye and the deaf ear. Exodus 4:11 And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? Or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Have not I the Lord? Why? Because of His own sovereign will and in order to glorify Himself. Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

One day, every person shall be made perfectly well and thus is fulfilled ultimately the provision for healing in the redemptive work of Christ at Calvary. One day it will be said of all that "with his stripes we are healed" (Isa. 53:5). The Christian does have the hope of the resurrection, the hope of heaven and the hope of eternal life. That is in eternity. But for now, in time, suffering is part of God’s will in order to learn the lessons of life that can only be learned through suffering.

Should we not pray for healing for ourselves and for others? Indeed we should. Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Should we not ask for anointing when we are sick? Indeed we should. James 5:14 Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

Should we not believe in a miracle working God? Indeed we must believe. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

But then, after we have prayed and been anointed and believed, if God says no to our being healed then we can kiss the hand that strikes the blow and submit to the sovereignty of God. We can hear God say to us as He said to Paul, "My grace is sufficient." 2 Corinthians 12:9 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

And we can do something else. We can learn to comfort others through whatever tribulation we have experienced. 2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

If you are sick and if God has not been pleased to heal you, it does not mean you are loved less. It does not mean you are children of a lesser God. It does mean that God is God and that He has a special will for your life that can only be discovered by "kissing the hand that strikes the blow".

As I was saying goodbye to Lena, my Russian translator in Siberia when I visited last week, she surprised me by saying, "Pastor Stan, you are a very kind preacher. The pastors here in Russia can be harsh but you are kind." Lena was in a position of knowledge to speak on this matter. I appreciated her kind comment.

As I reflected upon Lena’s words and thirty-two years of my own local pastoral ministries here in America I realized how one word could characterize God’s people when individuals in the church disagreed. That word is anger, not love, but anger. I remember all too clearly and painfully people would immediately, violently and continually become angery over something that someone said or did not say, that someone did or did not do. This anger would be like a verbal bomb going off in some while in others hide their anger in the form of a slowly burning pot of water. In time they always boiled over.

The Word of God has much to say about this particular emotion of anger. God knows how self destructive and other destructive anger can be which is why we read the following.

One of the great foundational principles of the Reformation is sola fide, which is Latin is for "faith alone". The doctrine of sola fide argues that it is solely on the basis of God's grace through an individual’s faith alone that believers are forgiven their transgressions of the Law of God. Sola fide contends that, although all people have disobeyed God's commands, God declares those people righteous who place their confidence, their faith, in what God has done through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ because of His atoning work of redemption at Calvary. The obedience of Christ is appropriated by faith because it is the only meritorious basis of salvation. God's work in Christ is the true commendation for acceptance by God. The doctrine of sola fide can be found in St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians.

Ephesians 2: 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

The gracious words of Christ to a sinful woman also establishes this doctrine.

Luke 7:50 And he [Jesus] said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

A legitimate growing concern among some thoughtful Christians is that some that profess Christ as Lord and Savior do not act as if they have been born again. There seems to be no discernable difference between those who profess to be a Christian and those who do not. The infighting in the churches, the absence of grace and mercy, the unholy but bold attempts to dismiss pastors over disagreements, the constant threats to discredit ministries, the vicious maligning tongue of deacon’s wives, the demand for a lot of money before continuing in the ministry, the need for recognition, the willingness to write libelous letters, the deliberate mischaracterization of good works, the questioning of sincere gospel motives all begs the question being addressed: "Have you repented of your dead works?"

This is a good question to ask for the Protestants have historically summarized their view of sola fide with the formula: "Justification is by faith alone, but not by the faith that is alone". In other words, true saving faith is always accompanied by good works and not dead works.

Where there is disagreement, preference is to be given to others provided no biblical principle is violated.

Where the tongue of the deacon’s wife once secretly turned women against the pastor it is now seasoned with grace.

Where non gospel motives were ascribed in the face of good works, they are replaced with love which does not think the worse of others.

Professing Christian, "Have you repented of your dead works"? It is a valid question to ask of oneself for this is a foundational principle of being truly converted.

Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God .