Author: Grant

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Rapture prediction: the effect on Christian Faith

Grant Swart

What follows here is another perspective on the possible effects, of giving heed to individuals like Harold Camping, could have on the perception of unbelievers regarding the Christian faith.

In South Africa, an advocate of Camping’s thinking, a certain Johannes Coetzee, received much radio and media coverage, in the days prior to 21 May 2011. In a society wherein a large majority of people are suffering from the devastating effects of the economic low and the falling away from true Faith, due to the ecumenical, secular and pagan beliefs of the majority of local society and government, the added result of Johannes Coetzee’s false predictions, has yet to be determined.

Taken from the article, James Boyett effectively states:

“What Harold Camping does, he gives people on the outside … it gives them ammunition to say ‘This man is a nut job; he’s a Christian. Christians are nut jobs. If you’re Christian, why should I listen to what you’re saying”

“My advice would be anytime you put too much faith in a fellow human, you’re going to be let down.”

“What Harold Camping said and what Harold Camping has taught is not the essence of Christianity.” Continue reading →

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Resurrection: Circumstantial Evidence

Grant Swart

For those doubters and unbelievers who prefer to seek the answers to life, the universe and everything from the scientific world, this short article may provide some simple but indispensable information.  The following contains a few easy to understand, and difficult to refute, points on how circumstantial evidence (for those who may need practical convincing) surely proves the truth of the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. In particular it takes a quick look at the events and changes of a Jewish nature, which took place in the direct vicinity of Jerusalem, shortly after the resurrection.

The Resurrection: Does Circumstantial Evidence Confirm It? Continue reading →

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Osama Bin Laden killed: Moral Confusion

Grant Swart

Following on that which I posted a few days ago, “Osama Bin Laden killed, Why we should rejoice (but not gloat)”, here is another article regarding the West’s conscientious attitude and moral confusion on the same subject.

We should guard against adopting an attitude wherein we place social acceptance and tolerance of falsehood at the expense of God’s Truth, blessings and Grace. Like a thick blinding mist, the blizzard of affected opinions in the media, among political and religious leaders and other public commentators, prohibits us from simply doing what is right, by appealing to popular social morals. Continue reading →

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Osama Bin Laden killed: Why it’s OK to rejoice, (but not gloat)

Grant Swart

In the light of developments earlier today in the international war on terror, I thought it appropriate to re-post this article by Pastor Bill Randles, himself a citizen of theUSA. Hundreds of secular articles written under the guise of Christian opinion, have been placed on the internet by proponents of the ecumenical church such as Brian McLaren, following the merciful removal of the threat of the terrorist, Osama Bin Laden. Those articles are mostly in keeping with the immensely popular social gospel of tolerance above truth, which discredits the Christian position rather than represents it. The article by Bill Randles, which I have added at the bottom, offers a Christian perspective an is certainly worth reading again.

Shortly after the international incident, President Obama of the USA, in his televised address, missed yet another great opportunity to thank, (or at the very least mention), the Lord God for assisting their armed forces efforts in protecting the freedom of Christians. Continue reading →

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The 95 Theses

Grant Swart

As Protestants, we are often referred to the 95 Theses (disputations, protestations) written by Martin Luther, which were famously nailed to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany in 1517. This event is widely regarded as the primary catalyst of the Reformation. Here is the translated list.

It remains quite an amazing feat of deception and fraud, how the Roman Catholic Church has succeeded in side-stepping the issue regarding their plethora of unbiblical practices it still promotes and passes off as Christian truth.  It further poses the question as to how they could ever have accomplished it, had they not been in control of such a vast wealthy financial empire. Papal wealth and influence has been, and continues to be, largely responsible for the decline of the Christian faith in the Western world.

(Mat 6:24)  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Martin Luther

Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences Commonly Known

as the 95 Theses Continue reading →

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Bells Hell Sells

Grant Swart

In keeping with our intended purpose, and as mentioned on our About page, we attempt to maintain a positive slant to the content of 4TheLoveOfTheTruth. There are certainly sufficient blogs which effectively highlight the negative deception and falsehood in the what the world sees as the Christian church.

In certain instances I feel it is warranted that attention be given to events which could have a “worse than usual” negative impact on the Christian. The recent book by Rob Bell is one of those instances. Another recent posting on this blog, in which John MacArthur addresses this issue, ties in with this short but thought-provokingly powerful piece by Ray Comfort.

Continue reading →

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Faith and the Gospel (Part 3)

Horatius Bonar (The prince of Scottish hymn writers)

For ease of reading, I have divided this article into 3 parts. Please see further on this blog Parts 1 and 2. – Grant Swart

FAITH AND THE GOSPEL (PART 3)

“Shall we tell men that unless they are holy they must not believe on Jesus Christ; that they must not venture on Christ for salvation until they are qualified and fit to be received and welcomed by Him? This would be a forbearing to preach the gospel at all, or to forbid all men to come to Christ. He is well qualified to come to us, but a sinner out of Christ has no qualifications for Christ but sin and misery…. Shall we tell people that they should not believe on Christ too soon? It is impossible that they should do it too soon. Can a man obey the command of the gospel too soon or do the work of God too soon?… Continue reading →

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Faith and the Gospel (Part 2)

Horatius Bonar (The prince of Scottish hymn writers)

For ease of reading, I have divided this article into 3 parts. Please see further on this blog Parts 1 and 3. – Grant Swart

FAITH AND THE GOSPEL (PART 2)

But whatever view of faith we take, one thing is obvious; that it is from first to last “the gift of God.” Make it as simple as you please, still it is the result of the Holy Spirit’s direct, immediate, all-quickening power. Never attempt to make faith simple, with the view of getting rid of the Spirit to produce it. This is one of the most wretched devices of Satan in the present evil day. By all means correct every mistake in regard to faith, by which hindrances are thrown in the sinners way, or darkness thrown around the soul. Show him that it is the object of faith, even with Christ and His cross, that he has to do, not with his own actions of faith; that it is not the virtue of merit that is in his faith that saved him, but the virtue and merit that are in Christ Jesus alone. Tell him to look outward, not inward for his peace. Beat him off from his self-righteous efforts to get up a particular kind of faith or particular acts of faith in order to obtain something for himself — something short of Christ to rest upon. Simplify, explain and illustrate faith to such an one, but never imagine that you are going to make the Spirit’s help less absolutely necessary.

Continue reading →

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Faith and the Gospel (Part 1)

Horatius Bonar (The prince of Scottish hymn writers)

For ease of reading, I have divided this article into 3 parts. Please see further on this blog Parts 2 and 3. – Grant Swart

FAITH AND THE GOSPEL (PART 1)

“For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8).
“Being justified by faith, we have peace with God” (Rom. 5:1).

Scripture presents faith to us in more aspects than one. It is sometimes called hearing, sometimes knowing, sometimes believing, or receiving, or trusting. Strictly speaking, it is simply the belief of the truth, yet it is referred to throughout Scripture under these different names. These may be said to be its different stages, and it is useful oftentimes to lay hold of it at each of these and contemplate it under each of these views. They are not in reality the same thing, yet they illustrate the same thing, they point to one object. The things we hear, the truth we know, the tidings we believe, the gift we receive, the Being we trust may be different in one sense — yet in another they are the same.

Continue reading →

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If God is good, why is there so much suffering in the world?

Robert Passantino

If God Is Good, Why Is There So Much Suffering in the World?

Each of us has watched a loved one die, been the victim of a crime, lived among the poverty-stricken, or in some way been confronted with the reality of suffering. Human history sometimes seems like one long chronicle of suffering and despair. In the midst of suffering we cry out,

Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter of the soul, to those who long for death that does not come, who search for it more than for hidden treasure. . . . For sighing comes to me instead of food; my groans pour out like water. What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil. [Job 3:20-21, 24-26]

Why is there suffering? Why are the innocent victimized? Is there purpose in pain? Is there any escape? For the Christian, who believes that God is all-good and all-powerful, answers to these questions are especially important. Continue reading →

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Tsunami, Japan, March 2011: Why the suffering?

Grant Swart

The past week’s catastrophic events in Japan, brought about by the massive earthquake and resultant tsunami, has no doubt once again caused many unbelievers to pose the question as to why, if God exists and is an all loving God, He would allow suffering on such an enormous scale. It is a popular question which is often posed to apologists and to those who contend Biblically for true Christian faith.

This question has received some wonderful answers through the years, as the subject of numerous good books, articles and discussions. I certainly do not wish to emulate these great intellectual works by offering a new way of answering the question, but merely to address the subject in the light of recent events of global interest.

On a foremost TV channel, an American commentator asked of an unbelieving world, while reporting on the tsunami in Japan: “Now, where is Godzilla in all of this?” Continue reading →

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8 Values of a True Disciple

Grant Swart

Yesterday, we posted a short piece by J. C. Ryle which illustrates 8 symptoms regarding false doctrine. In other words, it provides some points which assist us in discerning and recognizing some of the  negative aspects which can be encountered, to lesser or greater degree, in false church(es), or among the deceived.

The following are 8 values which point to some of the  positive aspects of the life of the true believer, which will be encountered, to a lesser or greater degree, in the true church and among those who are being saved.

Continue reading →

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8 Symptoms of False Doctrine

J. C. Ryle

Here are a few symptoms which are clearly visible in much of the Charismatic and Emergent church of today, as summarized in this short piece by J. C. Ryle

– Grant Swart

Many things combine to make the present inroad of false doctrine peculiarly dangerous.

Continue reading →

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Rethinking Milk Buying

Grant Swart

As Christians we have often heard it said that we serve an awesome God, a great God, or a faithful God. I am sure that at times throughout each Christian’s walk with the Lord in this life, whether the walk has been but a short hop or whether it has been around the world innumerable times, a little niggling doubt arises in the mind of the believer as to the authenticity of their faith. The Apostle Paul expected us to be troubled by doubt at times as he told us in 2 Corinthians 13:5 ” Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith..” A little doubt might just stand us in good stead.

Continue reading →

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Why I Believe in God

Grant Swart

This is imperative reading for any true Christian believer who encounters the need to contend for the faith. It is presented as if it were a conversation or debate with a known unbeliever and is done with great care, yet with an undeniable conviction of the Truth as correctly understood by one whose sight God has chosen to restore.

Furthermore, it effectively addresses and puts shame on many of the grossly erroneous messages which issue forth from the publications and pulpits of the modern and post-modern church. It is a potent refutation of the evil message of the evolutionary ‘church’ by Christian means and through simple application of the fact that God has revealed sufficient and overwhelming evidence of His Almighty sovereignty in creation.

This is certainly worth setting aside the time to read, irrespective of your theistic position. It is a remarkable piece.

Why I Believe in God

By: The Rev. Cornelius Van Til, Ph.D.

You have noticed, haven’t you, that in recent times certain scientists like Dr. James Jeans and Sir Arthur Eddington, as well as some outstanding philosophers like Dr. C.E.M. Joad, have had a good deal to say about religion and God? Scientists Jeans and Eddington are ready to admit that there may be something to the claims of men who say they have had an experience of God, while Philosopher Joad says that the “obtrusiveness of evil” has virtually compelled him to look into the argument for God’s existence afresh. Much like modernist theologian Dr. Reinhold Niebuhr who talks about original sin, Philosopher Joad speaks about evil as being ineradicable from the human mind.

Then, too, you have on occasion asked yourself whether death ends all. You have recalled, perhaps, how Socrates the great Greek philosopher, struggled with that problem Continue reading →