PTM WEEKLY UPDATE -- MAY 5, 2008
What our readers and listeners say
Worship Wars
A few thoughts from a grandma that experienced Armstrongism. I find that I tend to relate the best to the music of my youth. I love the old country western music and some of it was born from the old hymns popular in the early 1900s. I really like many of the old hymns. My church currently sings mostly contemporary "worship" music. I have learned to like a lot of the new songs, but I can do without all of the repetitions some have. The church my sister and brother-in-law attend has a great mixture of both old and new---something for everyone. When I consider the words in both new and old songs, there are some statements I don't find Biblical, but I assume they meant something to the author. I always hope and pray that when I start a "war" it won't be over the songs we sing at church. -- Sally Armstrong (no relation to Herbert W.)Is it sin or is it just stupid?
Thanks for your wonderful article, "Is it sin or is it just stupid?" in the April 21 PTM Weekly Update. You have nailed it down. Here I truly say, Amen. We have to get over elementary teaching or doctrinal arguments like "what sin is." We see lots of our time and attention spent on arguing about these questions. In theology, there are numerous specialized areas of study: "christology" (Christ), "pneumatology" (Holy Spirit), "soteriology" (salvation), "eschatology" (the end time), "ecclesiology" (Church), "anthropology" (human beings), etc, but I do not remember anything called "hamartology" (my own neologism for the study of sin). Why we don't need a new term is obvious from your writing. Appreciating the wonderful work of PTM. -- CanadaIs religion wrong?
I just finished the April 28, 2008 article "Which religion is "right"? Are Christians the only ones going to heaven?" You say religion is wrong -- and I agree with you -- but James 1:27 seems to speak of a religion that God accepts. Want to delve a bit deeper and comment on this? Also, I really appreciate PTM and all you do to further the Gospel. -- Email
• Briefly, the answer is this:
1) James speaks of "pure and faultless" religion (James 1:27).
2) The presence of "pure and faultless" as adjectives modify the use of religion in this context. They are disclaimers, modifying what kind of religion James is talking about.
3) By deduction, since there is such a thing as "pure and faultless" religion, there is such a thing as the opposite, adulterated and defiled (the opposite of pure), imperfect and flawed (antonyms for faultless). Our society has placed an additional layer of meaning on the word religion -- pronouncing this generic word to be the catch all phrase that describes all human efforts, efforts that cut across not only the denominations of Christendom, but across the Buddhist, Islamic, Jewish, Hindu (among other religions). In one sense, our societal affirmation is correct -- all religions are just alike. They all concur in this belief -- that humans please and appease God on the basis of human effort and performance.
However, the New Testament clearly takes exception with such a definition. Therefore, authentic Christianity is different -- authentic Christianity is irreligious -- authentic Christianity teaches that our relationship with God is based on his goodness, on his grace, which does for us what we can never do for ourselves. Therefore, all religion, whatever its name and title, is inherently flawed, in terms of the gospel of Jesus Christ.RETURN TO PTM WEEKLY UPDATE CONTENTS PAGE
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