Over the 1800s, Christians worked hard to turn cannibals into Christians. Now Christians are moving in the other direction. It's not hard to understand the elements of pagan culture. Pagans eat blood, get tattoos, mutilate their bodies, take their clothes off, cremate bodies at death, and commit infanticides and abortions. Sadly, Christians have been slowly incorporating these pagan rites into their own cultural practices.
Kevin Swanson goes back to some of the basic elements of Christian belief and practice. Why do Christians convocate on the first day of the week? Why have Christians been pro-life from the beginning? Why do Christians refuse to get tattoos or mutilate their bodies? Why do Christians insist on modest clothing? Why do Christians refuse to drink blood? Why do Christians believe in justification by faith alone? Why do we as Christians refuse to separate God's forgiveness from our love and obedience to His commands?
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“ Jots and tittles ” Speaking of the law, I can't help but wonder if your clothes are made of mixed fibers, or if you've ever enjoyed a nice, juicy pork chop... Maybe you coukd explain why those jots and tittles are no longer important?
Jeremy Boyce (2/28/2012)
from Dallas
“ Good topic! ” Your show was good. It's hard to find anyone addressing these topics today - largely because of the postmodern "If it's okay for you then it's okay" attitude that is overthrowing true authority in the church. And, taken together, they point in a very dark direction.
I just have one comment, though, about cremation. The scriptures don't appear to address this topic directly. Certainly you can point to historical attitudes about burial vs. cremation, but this issue (on its own) isn't quite so straightforward. Yes, any true Christian is looking forward to the redemption of the body - but Paul speaks about "giving the body to be burned" in the same breath as faith, prophecy and giving away all one has. In other words, the destruction of the flesh is important in the context of intent. If I mark myself in ritual or brand myself or drink blood etc..., that is a form of abomination. But if someone can't afford a burial (just as an example) and cremation is the option, how is that demonic? Isn't God the God of the living? Wycliffe's bones were burned - many martyrs gladly gave themselves to be burned for the furtherance of the gospel. In essence, they were voluntarily cremated.
I Cor 3:17 says those that DEFILE the body are destroyed. Isn't that different from cremation?
lady day (1/21/2012)
from los angeles CA
“ Great Sermon! ” Finally someone is talking about this: I've always known when cultures becsme Christian they would STOP THE NONSENSE. this is the mutilation of the body. I dont like them on men but HATE THEM ON WOMEN. Women are supposed to look PRETTY and there is NOTHING PRETTY about tattoos and piercings. Only women should pierce one hole in each lobe. period. I know of a pastor whos under 30 that have tats....ugh...
Kevin Swanson has served as elder and pastor of Reformation Church, OPC since its inception. Kevin was raised on the mission field in Japan in the 1960's and 1970's. Together with his wife Brenda, they are bringing up five children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord....
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