George Kreger

Christmas on Sunday? What to do?

Several weeks ago, I was asked if we would consider canceling our Sunday morning services at New Hope since Christmas was falling on a Sunday this year.  It did not take long for me to answer that question as the very idea of canceling a religious service because of a religious holiday seemed prepostorous to me.  And so this year at New Hope we are hosting three identical Christmas Services, two on Christmas Eve and one on Christmas morning. 

The Wall Street Journal had this article describing how the same issue has been being processed by churches around our country.  I was especially struck by this sentence from within the article:  "But it's also self-defeating to complain about keeping Christmas holy when churches close on Dec. 25."  The writer makes a great point with that statement!

I do hope to see you either on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning for one of our services as we celebrate "the Word made Flesh"!

 

Life and Death

"Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death."

Jonathan Edwards, Resolutions

John Piper On the Prosperity Gospel

Back in 1993 I picked up a book entited "Christianity in Crisis" by Hank Handgraaff.  It was a large book that methodically and meticulously documented the teaching of the "Word of Faith" movement by many of its most famous purveyors. One of the most familiar tenets of the "Word of Faith" movement is what is often referred to as "The Prosperity Gospel".  I remember being amazed at what was being taught by so many, and equally amazed at the crowds of people buying into such teaching.  I also remember assuming this movement was doomed because it was so far away from the truth of Scripture.

Now 18 years later I see how wrong I was.  More and more, at "Christian" bookstores, and "Christian Conferences" like Catalyst, and at events like "The Elephant Room", the Prosperity Gospel seems to be going mainstream.  The warning of the Apostle Paul from Acts 20 seems more and more disregarded by many who seem to be able teach so well.

"Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears."  (Acts 20:28-31)

This afternoon I found this short video from John Piper.  I could not be more in agreement with him.