by Bret Capranica | Aug 26, 2009 | Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Southern Baptist Issues
Much has been said and written about the recent Great Commission Resurgence in the Southern Baptist Convention. Some of the key leaders of our denomination have prayed for, planned for, spoken to, written about, advocated, and lobbied for this present movement. I respect and trust many of the men who have so far provided GCR leadership. I have no doubt in my mind that without some significant changes in approaches and emphasis, the SBC is in for some difficult days ahead; some suggest extinction. I am no influential voice within the SBC. I am an ordinary SBC pastor. My church is not significant and we have many weak areas of ministry. My thoughts are limited. Obviously, I have not been in any back room discussions or present for any significant open discussions about the details of where the GCR plans to take us. But, like any and every Southern Baptist, I have a few thoughts. For the sake of my own conscience, to stimulate my own thinking a bit more, and to conduct this discussion within my own circles, I offer the following thoughts. What Concerns Me About the Future of the SBC. Character. I met Adrian Rodgers once. He was gracious to conduct an informal question and answer session while at The Master’s Seminary in the late 90’s. I had an opportunity to ask a question of the one who was the first president of the Conservative Resurgence and the first SBC president I sat under (1988). I asked Dr. Rodgers, “What do you see as the most pressing issue facing the future of the SBC?” He didn’t even pause to consider it. He quickly...
by Bret Capranica | Aug 20, 2009 | Biblical Studies, Eschatology, Featured Articles
Final thoughts on the antichrist from 2 Thessalonians 2. Intro & Part 1 His Revealing Brings His Undoing (v 8 ) Only when the restrainer is removed will the “mystery of lawlessness” or the man of lawlessness be revealed. The removal of the restrainer brings the revelation of the antichrist. Paul did not believe that his day was that day. In fact, whoever this man of lawlessness is, he will be personally undone by the coming of Jesus Christ who “will slay [him] with the breath of His mouth” (Revelation 19:15, 19-21 – the terminology is very similar). His Deception is Energized by Satan (v 9a) The coming of the man of lawlessness is connected directly to the activity of Satan. His actions are not merely parallel to those of Satan’s. The terminology suggests that his actions are the working, energy, power, and very activity of Satan himself. Satan runs the show with this man as his puppet (Revelation 13:2). His Deception is Exalted by Signs (v 9b). The primary tools of the antichrist are signs and false wonders; two elements connected together: miraculous displays of supernatural power (Matthew 24:24). These are truly supernatural abilities. His miracles and supernatural signs are reminiscent of those performed by Jesus and the apostles of the 1st century. This is far more than world-wide influence or electoral skill. This man publicly appears to be supernatural. His Deception is Embraced by Sinners (v 10) This man of lawlessness will possess the power to be overtly wicked and still convince people that his actions are God-centered. What is fascinating is that the text indicates that...
by Bret Capranica | Aug 19, 2009 | Biblical Studies, Eschatology, Featured Articles
Continuing my thoughts from yesterday’s post: What are the characteritics that comprise the man of lawlessness, or the one we would commonly refer to as the Anti-Christ? He Comes with Apostasy 2 Thess 2:3 says, “Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction” (italics in in the NAS). The apostasy here appears to be something quite definite, not merely a period where some are deliberately abandoning the faith, but a definite time where such abandonment tends to characterize the culture so significantlythat it is “the apostasy.” The construction of verse 3 gives the indication that the apostasy and the revelation of the man of lawlessness are closely related to one another. While we may live in a climate ripe for apostasy – while Paul no doubt saw examples of apostasy, the apostasy spoken of here is directly connected to the revelation of the man of lawlessness and is a reason Paul gives for why his own era was not connected to the day of the Lord – the day of God’s wrath. He is Characterized by Disobedience and Destruction His title is a man of “lawlessness;” he is disobedient to God’s instructions. He refuses to be ruled by God (1 John 3:4). “Son of destruction” is a Hebrew idiom to speak of the chief characteristic of this man: destruction. Not that he merely produces destruction, but I think this really describes his ultimate future. Destruction is his doom. He is the one who will be given over to...
by Bret Capranica | Aug 18, 2009 | Biblical Studies, Eschatology, Featured Articles
In spite of the hermeneutical difficulties of the recent Obama-Antichrist video, I am still one who believes in a futuristic coming of a man who we could describe as “The Antichrist.” Perhaps in some circles, such a notion is worthy only of matching historical events with a 1st century villian. I still believe the world will see such a person. Let me also state before going any further. The issue of eschatology is not foundational to fellowship with me. In fact, someone could hold a very different view from mine and still be a member of our church, assuming they would be respectful of the position our leadership holds and not divisive. I have good friends (some of whom were in fact members of churches I have pastored) who think the Anti-Christ was a Roman General (Titus) or a Roman Emperor (Nero) of long ago. I disagree – and I still enjoy their company and fellowship over the gospel. Also I do not intend this blog to be a place that hounds others about their eschatological position. I’m currently preaching through a book of the Bible (Zephaniah) that I think has a lot to say in a futuristic way about eschatology, so I’m going to post a few of my own personal positions on the biblical issues surrounding the Antichrist and eschatology. If that doesn’t suit you or you are not interested in any more premillennial perspectives on what others have made millions of dollars fictionalizing, feel free to move along and read something more appealing. 2 Thessalonins 2:3-12 is perhaps one of the best descriptions of the Antichrist in Scripture. I...
by Bret Capranica | Aug 11, 2009 | Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Prayer
Here again are a few notes I took while on a recent planning retreat from John Piper’s Brothers We Are Not Professionals. This time on how ministry itself can quickly become an enemy to our primary priorities, namely, prayer: Chapter 9 – Brothers, Beware of Sacred Substitutes 59 – Ministry is its own worst enemy. It is not destroyed by the big, bad wolf of the world. It destroys itself. 60 – Charles Spurgeon put it like this: “Those incessant knocks at our door, and perpetual visits from idle persons, are so many buckets of cold water thrown upon our devout zeal. We must by some means secure uninterrupted meditation, or we shall lose power.” Without extended and consecrated prayer, the ministry of the Word withers up and bears no fruit. Without extended, concentrated prayer, the ministry of the Word withers. And when the ministry of the Word declines, faith (Rom. 10:17; Gal 3:2, 5) and holiness (John 17:7) decline. Activity may continue, but life and power and fruitfulness fade away. Therefore, whatever opposes prayer opposes the whole work of ministry. 61 – But the apostles would not yield to the temptation. This must mean that prayer demanded a large part of their uninterrupted time. If they had thought of prayer as something you do while washing dishes or cooking (or driving a car between hospitals), they would not have seen table-serving as a threat to prayer. Prayer was a time-consuming labor during which other duties had to be set aside. 62 – So the apostles were saying: No Matter how urgent the pressures upon us to spend our time...
by Bret Capranica | Aug 7, 2009 | Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Prayer
While away on a personal planning retreat, I re-read some sections from John Piper’s excellent book Brothers, We Are Not Professionals. I cannot begin to express how convicted I am over the chapters I read, particularly his comments on prayer: From chapter 8: “Brothers, Let Us Pray” 53 – He ordains to fulfill His plans by being asked to do so by us. God loves to bless His people. But even more He loves to do it in answer to prayer. 54 – A pastor who feels competent in himself to produce eternal fruit – which is the only kind that matters – knows neither God nor himself. A pastor who does not know the rhythm of desperation and deliverance must have his sights only on what man can achieve. But brothers, the proper goals of the life of a pastor are unquestionably beyond our reach. The changes we long for in the he arts of our people can happen only by a sovereign work of grace. 55 – The essence of the Christian ministry is that its success is not within our reach. A cry for help from the heart of a childlike pastor is sweet praise in the ears of God. Nothing exalts Him more than the collapse of self-reliance which issues in passionate prayer for help. 56 – The reason so few conversions are happening through my church is not because we lack a program or staff. It is because we do not love the lost and yearn for their salvation the way we should. And the reason we do not love them as we ought...
