A Lamp In the Dark

This morning, it was our privilege as a group of men to hold a mini-conference from 7:00 - 12:00 noon. The subject was centered around being a/o becoming godlier men in the face of attacks against our faith. Paul closed his first letter with “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13) In light of an impending economic collapse, increasing natural phenomena (earthquakes, volcanoes, flooding in unusual places, etc.), along with increased religious persecution around the world and even being threatened in the US, we need to stand firm in Christ (Eph. 6:10ff). 

We watched "A Lamp in the Dark" a nearly 3 hour DVD on the battle for the authority of Jesus Christ and His Word over the forces of darkness down through the centuries, most notably, certain Caesars, Constantine and the Roman Catholic church along with the Jesuits (15th C). 

Our minds and hearts were convicted by those who willingly laid down their lives so that no established church (esp. the Roman church) would dictate to them what only God has the right to declare. Men like John Wycliffe, Martin Luther, William Tyndale, and Myles Coverdale stood toe to toe with Roman audacity, affirming the inspiration of the Scriptures by their great labors to translate the Bible into the common vernacular. If only people would consider the truth of what truly did occur down through the centuries in the "supposed" name of Christ, they would be mortified. At one point, with careful calculations, it was estimated that the Roman church in their pogrom (Inquisition) against non-compliant Christians, killed upwards of 50 million men, women and children! 

The central watershed issue was and is the battle over authority and inspiration. Who is the Lord of the Church? Is it Jesus Christ alone, or the Pope? Is the Bible our sole authority for faith and practice? The Popes view themselves as Christ replacements (Vicars), and in some cases they say of themselves that they supersede even Christ himself! I've no doubt that the vast majority of Roman Catholics do not know and would not agree with their history. Nevertheless, the hierarchy has a lot to answer for before Him who is the Judge of all the earth. 

The bottom line for us protestants is that we must stand against error on any front. Paul urged, "Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you” (2 Tim. 1:13-14).