As I write this article, Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett have just died. The press is rabid with specials to capture the impact these two people made on our culture and world. In many ways, it is sad to consider Michael Jackson's life, arguably the most talented entertainer of our generation. With his strange behavior he gave the press and the late night shows fodder for their jokes. Michael Jackson was a professed Jehovah's Witness. Farrah Fawcett, a Roman Catholic, was a star who captured the hearts of young Americans in the 70's and 80's with her hairdo and smile. She posed twice for Playboy and birthed a son, Redman, whom she loved but is now in jail. She lived with Ryan O'Neal for close to 17 years but never married him, even though he asked her many times.

What does this have to do with us? If I heard it once I heard it a thousand times today that both of these stars were "good people" who are now dancing with the angels, that they are in a better place, that their legacies will live on forever, and that as one newsman said, "heaven is having a great big party with Ed McMahon (who also died this week) as God's "side-kick." I do not dare judge the accuracy of where these people are now. That, as our president has said on another matter, is above my pay grade. I merely entrust both of these talented people into the hands of a merciful and loving God Who does all things well.

Our heartstrings are touched with stories about how Farrah Fawcett died, how brave she was, how much she suffered, and how many lives she touched as an American sex symbol. Her death was a public matter for over one year. She suffered long and hard from a painful and rare cancer. Her doctor spoke of her last moments saying "she was pain-free and having a beautiful time in her transition." Michael Jackson died suddenly of cardiac arrest. It is suspected that the myriad of medications he took may have caused his heart to give out. We will see in due time.

Fans from around the world now line the streets with single gloved hands, blaring music from "Thriller," holding umbrellas, posters, and doing "moon walks." Like Elvis, the King of Pop Rock is dead. I am sure many 50 and 60 something women will whip out their yearbooks to show their grandkids how they copied (or should I say tried to copy) Farrah Fawcett's 70's hairdo. Many 50 and 60 something men will search the attic for that famous poster of her in that red one piece bathing suit that sold more copies than any other poster in history. (For the record, I never had one and do not now have one). But now they are both now dead. Although I did not know either of them personally, I do know the most dramatic moment they ever had in their entire lives. It was the exact moment they died and stood before a Holy God Who asked them both one very simple question, "What have you done with my Son, Jesus, and the glorious salvation He came to provide?" Depending on their truthful answers to this question, we can either rejoice in the salvation of their souls or weep over their loss.

In my 40 years of ministry, I have held the hand of many saints who slipped away into eternity quietly and without public fanfare. No one lined the streets. Many died without anyone knowing or caring. But, when God commissions His angels to "go get my child," when they who know Christ stand before God, and He asks them the same question, there is a great celebration in heaven as one more of His redeemed come home professing their faith in the Savior and His work on the cross. This is why the Bible says, "Precious in the sight of God are the deaths of His children." I pray they knew Him.

On June 28th, 2009 I will have preached a message on John 14:1-6 where Jesus says,

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

In His Grip,
Dr. Chuck Betters

MARKINC Ministries, its staff, or volunteers accepts no liability for the content of this blog, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided, unless that information is subsequently confirmed in writing. Any views or opinions presented in this blog are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of MARKINC Ministries.

In this blog since the election, I have tried to give our new president every benefit of the doubt to fulfill his many campaign promises. I did so with the hope that his ideas will work, even though I believed they would not. It is thought that one will campaign from the extremes of his party but then, if elected, governs from the center. Not so for Obama. He campaigned from the left and has governed beyond even the extreme left of his own party. He is making Ted Kennedy look like a conservative.

His answer to our economic woes - we can spend our way out! We now have a debt that is beyond comprehension with no end in sight. Socialism is right around the corner if not here already. His plan for health care reform - nationalized medicine with the certain net result that all of us will eventually be mired in a Canadian-like model where the government makes the decisions on your care. Ask any Canadian if he likes his health plan. They don't and that is why they come to America when they are really sick. His answer to Iran's totalitarian regime and its slaughter of young people in the streets over a rigged election - let's talk and reason together. Check out this site and tell me if these jihadists are even remotely reasonable.

Click here for video.

His laxity in condemning this joke of an election is appalling. Congress had to pass a bill to condemn the slaughter going on in Iran because our president would not. He even went as far as to take credit for what he calls the "debate in Iran" attributing the revolt to his speech in Egypt. This is narcissism at its worst. Only after his own party urged him to be tougher in his condemnation did he do so. When Ronald Reagan stood before the Berlin wall what did he say? "Oh, please Mr. Gorbachev let's talk about how we can learn to respect each others' ideas." No, he said, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall." That is leadership. That is decisiveness.

Obama has lost an incredible opportunity to effect change in an enemy country, an axis of evil state. I am sure he thought that if only he could talk to their Ayatollah he could use his power of oratory to convince them to hold a new election. Instead, men and women in Iran looking to the U.S.A. for encouragement and support are being brutally suppressed while our president bows to his own immaturity. His solution to the North Korean threat - we will follow your boat and ask for permission to board, but we must say, "Please." And if they say, "No?" "Pretty please with molasses on it."

I am convinced Mr. Obama is too inexperienced and immature to lead this great nation. The hope is that he will not do too much damage before the next election when hopefully someone with greater wisdom can be elected. Until then, we must pray that our nation will not sink into the abyss of the dangerous left-wing agenda.

In His Grip,
Dr. Chuck Betters

MARKINC Ministries, its staff, or volunteers accepts no liability for the content of this blog, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided, unless that information is subsequently confirmed in writing. Any views or opinions presented in this blog are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of MARKINC Ministries.

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Have you ever seen those pictures of the so called "beautiful people" sans makeup? It is quite an eye opener isn't it? They look just like everyone else. Without a mask or altered body parts, many of them are not at all that impressive to look at. Women, I think are more vulnerable to this overt prejudice than men. (This is not to say that men are without their vanity. Check out any weight room in the local health club. Those mirrors are there for a reason.) Women fret over their hair, their weight, their skin, and their figures. In our culture, beauty, wealth, and power seem to define one's identity. The "beautiful people" and the wealthy are treated differently than the homely or the simple. Many behavioral studies have been conducted proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is true.

This is one of the reasons James addresses prejudice in the church when he says...

My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. (James 2:1-10)

We are all guilty of cryptic prejudice. Men, do you treat a homely woman the same way you do a stunningly beautiful woman? Women, are you more prone to pay greater attention to a man with "six pack abs" than one whose chest has fallen below his belly button? Do we treat the rich or the powerful with a greater respect than the poor and the helpless? Are we more likely to return a call (or even answer the phone) when we know someone who is physically or socially more appealing is on the other end?

I recently came across a video that illustrates this in a profound way. Please take the time to watch it. It is quite revealing. At center stage is one of those not so pretty, or should I say, homely women, the laughing stock of the audience. She is by most entertainment standards an old woman (47) in a young woman's ballgame. As you watch, ask yourself if that audience is representative of how you view people. It might be quite convicting.

MARKINC Ministries, its staff, or volunteers accepts no liability for the content of this blog, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided, unless that information is subsequently confirmed in writing. Any views or opinions presented in this blog are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of MARKINC Ministries.

Over thirty years ago I had the privilege of helping lay the foundation for a local Crisis Pregnancy Center. Sharon and I picketed hospitals that performed late term abortions that resulted in live births of babies who were then left to die alone. I've debated pro-death candidates on their pro-abortion positions and preached from a pro-life worldview all of my ministry life. I share the discouragement of pro-life people who are watching our new President dismantle every brick of the pro-life protection afforded children by our laws. No matter how much pro-death people try to paint us as unfeeling and uncaring for the woman facing a crisis pregnancy, we must continue to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Who knows if God will move through these words to turn a woman's heart toward Him as she faces the frightening prospect of bringing a baby into the world that she didn't expect. There are crisis pregnancy centers all over our country, ready to offer help and hope to hurting women.

Abortion is not a new concept. Listen as our early church fathers plead with listeners to protect the child growing within.

Augustine of Hippo (354-430) also known as St. Augustine was a philosopher and theologian. Augustine, a Latin Church father, is one of the most important figures in the development of Western Christianity. Augustine was heavily influenced by the Neo-Platonism of Plotinus. He framed the concepts of original sin and just war. When the Roman Empire in the West was starting to disintegrate, Augustine developed the concept of the Church as a spiritual City of God (in a book of the same name) distinct from the material City of Man. His thought profoundly influenced the medieval worldview. Augustine's City of God was closely identified with the church, and was the community which worshiped God.

"Sometimes, indeed, this lustful cruelty, or if you please, cruel lust, resorts to such extravagant methods as to use poisonous drugs to secure barrenness; or else, if unsuccessful in this, to destroy the conceived seed by some means previous to birth, preferring that its offspring should rather perish than receive vitality; or if it was advancing to life within the womb, should be slain before it was born." (De Nube et Concupiscentia 1.17)

On the undeveloped fetus:

"Hence in the first place arises a question about abortive conceptions, which have indeed been born in the mother's womb, but not so born that they could be born again. For if we shall decide that these are to rise again, we cannot object to any conclusion that may be drawn in regard to those which are fully formed. Now who is there that is not rather disposed to think that unformed abortions perish, like seeds that have never fructified? But who will dare to deny, though he may not dare to affirm, that at the resurrection every defect in the form shall be supplied, and that thus the perfection which time would have brought shall not be wanting, any more than the blemishes which time did bring shall be present: so that the nature shall neither want anything suitable and in harmony with it that length of days would have added, nor be debased by the presence of anything of an opposite kind that length of days has added; but that what is not yet complete shall be completed, just as what has been injured shall be renewed." (Enchiridion 23.85.4)

On therapeutic abortion:

"And therefore the following question may be very carefully inquired into and discussed by learned men, though I do not know whether it is in man's power to resolve it: At what time the infant begins to live in the womb: whether life exists in a latent form before it manifests itself in the motions of the living being. To deny that the young, who are cut out limb by limb from the womb, lest if they were left there dead the mother should die too, have never been alive seems too audacious. Now, from the time that a man begins to live, from that time it is possible for him to die. And if he die, wheresoever death may overtake him, I cannot discover on what principle he can be denied an interest in the resurrection of the dead." (Enchiridion 23.86)

"Therefore brothers, you see how perverse they are and hastening wickedness, who are immature, they seek abortion of the conception before the birth; they are those who tell us, 'I do not see that which you say must be believed.'" (Sermon 126, line 12)

Apocalypse of Paul - This document is without date and has been proven to be a falsification, but it is included for its historical value and influence.

"And I saw women wearing white robes, being blind, and standing upon obelisks of fire; and an angel was mercilessly beating them, saying: Now you know where you are; you did not attend when the Scriptures were read to you. And the angel said to me: These are they who corrupted themselves and killed their infants. Their infants therefore came crying out: Avenge us of our mothers. And they were given to an angel to be carried away into a spacious place, but their parents into everlasting fire." (40)

Vision of Paul

"I asked and said: 'Who are these men and women who are strangled in fire and pay their penalties?' And he answered me: 'These are women who defiled the image of God when bringing forth infants out of the womb, and these are the men who lay with them.' And their infants addressed the Lord God and the angels who were set over the punishments, saying: 'Cursed be the hour to our parents, for they defiled the image of God, having the name of God but not observing His precepts: they gave us for food to dogs and to be trodden down of swine: others they threw into the river. But their infants were handed over to the angels of Tartarus who were set over the punishments, that they might lead them to a wide place of mercy: but their fathers and mothers were tortured in a perpetual punishment.'" (40)

The Apostolic Constitutions

"Thou shalt not use magic. Thou shalt not use witchcraft; for he says, 'You shall not suffer a witch to live' [Ex. 22:18]. Thou shall not slay thy child by causing abortion, nor kill that which is begotten. If it be slain, it shall be avenged, as being unjustly destroyed." (Apostolic Constitutions 7:3 [A.D. 400)

The Letter of Barnabas (AD 74) is a Greek treatise with some features of an epistle containing twenty-one chapters, preserved complete in the 4th century Codex Sinaiticus where it appears at the end of the New Testament. It is traditionally ascribed to Barnabas who is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, though some ascribe it to another apostolic father of the same name, a "Barnabas of Alexandria," or simply attribute it to an unknown early Christian teacher.

"The way of light, then, is as follows. Thou shalt not slay the child by procuring abortion; nor, again, shalt thou destroy it after it is born" (Letter of Barnabas 19)

Hippolytus wrote the Refutation of All Heresies a Christian polemical work of the early third century. It catalogues both pagan beliefs and 33 Gnostic Christian systems deemed heretical.

"Women who were reputed to be believers began to take drugs to render themselves sterile, and to bind themselves tightly so as to expel what was being conceived, since they would not, on account of relatives and excess wealth, want to have a child by a slave or by any insignificant person. See, then, into what great impiety that lawless one has proceeded, by teaching adultery and murder at the same time!" (Refutation of All Heresies)

If you are considering an abortion, please do not go forward with that decision. Give God the opportunity to bring beauty from the ashes of your dreams, to give you treasures in the darkness and most of all, to bring your child into this world.

In His Grip,
Pastor Betters

MARKINC Ministries, its staff, or volunteers accepts no liability for the content of this blog, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided, unless that information is subsequently confirmed in writing. Any views or opinions presented in this blog are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of MARKINC Ministries.

Some have exhorted me to give up the fight, that abortion has always been with us and always will. I understand their discouragement but I cannot keep silent when whole generations of children are wiped out. We must keep declaring truth with the hope that God will open ears and hearts to His purposes. As a very young pastor I preached a strong pro-life abortion, perhaps not realized the conflict that could arise from my position. But all of that turmoil was worth it when a young woman shared her story. Unbeknownst to her parents she was scheduled for an abortion the next day. She heard the message but fought against God's truth and kept her appointment. She cried as she lay on the abortionist's table, prepared to end the life of her baby. God's Word rang in her ears and she suddenly sat up and exclaimed, "I can't do this. I can't kill my baby." The doctor and nurses tried to convince her that she was just emotional and would "get over it" when she got on with her life without the burden of a child. But this young woman stayed firm. She confessed her pregnancy to her parents (church leaders) who immediately embraced her and encouraged her to bring her baby into the world. Which she did. Perhaps, dear reader, you have bought into the world's view of life and you are ready to end your child's life. I plead with you to consider the fact that from the beginning of time, God created life and this pregnancy is part of His plan for your life and the life of your child. But don't take my word for it. Read on and ask God to open your heart to His truth. Listen to the voices of ancient history, crying out to you.

The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles recorded in The Didache (1st Century AD)

"The Lord's Teaching to the Heathen by the Twelve Apostles:

"1 There are two ways, one of life and one of death; and between the two ways there is a great difference. 2 Now, this is the way of life:...The second commandment of the Teaching: 'Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not corrupt boys; do not fornicate; do not steal; do not practice magic; do not go in for sorcery; do not murder a child by abortion or kill a newborn infant.'" (d.177)

"What reason would we have to commit murder when we say that women who induce abortions are murderers, and will have to give account of it to God? For the same person would not regard the fetus in the womb as a living thing and therefore an object of God's care [and then kill it]....But we are altogether consistent in our conduct. We obey reason and do not override it." (Legatio 35)

"How, then, when we do not even look on, lest we should contract guilt and pollution, can we put people to death? And when we say that those women who use drugs to bring on abortion commit murder, and will have to give an account to God for the abortion, on what principle should we commit murder? For it does not belong to the same person to regard the very fetus in the womb as a created being, and therefore an object of God's care, and when it has passed into life, to kill it; and not to expose an infant, because those who expose them are chargeable with child-murder, and on the other hand, when it has been reared to destroy it. But we are in all things always alike and the same, submitting ourselves to reason, and not ruling over it." (A Plea for the Christians 35.4)

"There are some women who, by drinking medical preparations, extinguish the source of the future man in their very bowels, and thus commit a parricide before they bring forth. And these things assuredly come down from the teaching of your gods." (Octavius 30)

To Anfilochius, Bishop of Iconia:

"She who has intentionally destroyed [the fetus] is subject to the penalty corresponding to a homicide. For us, there is no scrutinizing between the formed and unformed [fetus]; here truly justice is made not only for the unborn but also with reference to the person who is attentive only to himself/herself since so many women generally die for this very reason." (First Letter 2)

Ambrose (c.340-397) was a bishop of Milan who became one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the fourth century. He is counted as one of the four original doctors of the Church.

"Indeed there are those women who cut off the word prematurely born/aborted, before they give birth, there are those who have Christ in the womb but they will not yet have formed (him), to whom it is said: my children, whom I desire to bring forth again and again until Christ be formed in you." (Expositio evangelii secundum Lucam, lib. 10, line 252)

"But why the eye or the hand, since the aborted child has both a hand and an eye which has already been formed?" (Ambrose, Expositio evangelii secundum Lucam, lib. 10, line 283)

"And elsewhere the same Ecclesiastes, being an old man, guarded him better whom his mother had cast out by abortion, because he did not see these bad things which they make in this world, he neither came into these shadows nor walked in vanity, and for that reason he who did not come into this life will have more of a rest than he who came." (De bono mortis, cap 2, par. 4, line 11)

Jerome (347-420) was a Christian apologist best known for translating the Vulgate.

"You may see many women who go so far as to take potions that they may insure barrenness, and thus murder human beings almost before their conception. Some, when they find themselves with child through their sin, use drugs to procure abortion, and when (as often happens) they die with their offspring, they enter the lower world laden with the guilt not only of adultery against Christ but also of suicide and child murder. (Epistula 22)

John Chrysostom (347-407) bishop of Constantinople, was an important Early Church Father known for his eloquence in preaching and public speaking, his denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders, the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, and his asceticism.

"Why sow where the ground makes it its care to destroy the fruit where there are many efforts at abortion, where there is murder before the birth? For even the harlot thou dost not let continue a mere harlot, but makes her a murderer also. You see how drunkenness leads to whoredom, whoredom to adultery, adultery to murder; or rather something even worse than murder. For I have no name to give it, since it does not take off the thing born, but prevents its being born. Why then dost thou abuse the gift of God, and fight with His laws, and follow after what is a curse as if a blessing, and make the chamber of procreation a chamber for murder, and arm the woman that was given for childbearing unto slaughter?" (Homily 24 on Romans)

But that's not all from early Church Fathers. If you are still wondering about when life begins, tune in tomorrow to hear from Augustine of Hippo and others.

In His Grip,
Pastor Betters

MARKINC Ministries, its staff, or volunteers accepts no liability for the content of this blog, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided, unless that information is subsequently confirmed in writing. Any views or opinions presented in this blog are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of MARKINC Ministries.

It is not uncommon to hear the pro-abortion crowd refer to pro-lifers as right-wing religious extremists. Along with that name-calling, there always seems to be tagging along close behind a polemic that we who are pro-life take Bible verses out of context. They accuse us of not being able to defend our position without a few out of context verses from the Bible that suit our arguments. I beg to differ. Over the next few days I will trace what early Church leaders believed about a woman's right to an abortion.

I certainly maintain that the teaching of the Old Testament and the New Testament is clearly anti-abortion. I can prove that in a scholarly way. But for the sake of argument, allow me to lay out for you the thought of the extra-Biblical material especially in the afterglow of the Apostles' ministry, that is, after the Apostles died off. Why should we bother to look at this material? Extra-Biblical literature, although it does not have the weight of Scripture does represent the cultural and theological mindset of the early Church thinkers and leaders. What did the early Church leaders believe about a woman's right to an abortion? Let me illustrate.

Let's start with a second century document (circa 135 AD) written under the pseudo-authorship of someone named Peter. It was not written by the Apostle Peter, thus one reason it is not in the New Testament Canon. It is called The Apocalypse of Peter. Below is a passage from this short letter describing a scene at the Judgment seat of Christ:

"I saw a gorge in which the discharge and excrement of the tortured ran down and became like a lake. There sat women, and the discharge came up to their throats; and opposite them sat many children, who were born prematurely, weeping. And from them went forth rays of fire and smote the women on the eyes. These were those who produced children outside of marriage and who procured abortions. Those who slew the unborn children will be tortured forever, for God wills it to so." The Apocalypse of Peter 2:26;64

Tertullian (c. 160 - 240) was one of the most influential and prolific early Christian authors, and the first to write Christian literature in Latin. He was a great apologist (defender of the faith) and a polemicist against unorthodox heresy. He was the first to coin the term "Trinity" to describe the Godhead. Below are excerpts of his teaching on abortion from two of his books, De Anima and Apologia.

"That the unborn child is alive: How are they dead unless they were first alive? But still in the womb an infant by necessary cruelty is killed when lying twisted at the womb's mouth he prevents birth and is a matricide unless he dies. Therefore there is among the arms of physicians an instrument by which with a rotary movement the genital parts are first opened, then with a cervical instrument the interior members are slaughtered with careful judgment by a blunt barb, so that the whole criminal deed is extracted with a violent delivery. There is also the bronze needle by which the throat - cutting is carried out by a robbery in the dark; this instrument is called an embryo knife from its function of infanticide, as it is deadly for the living infant..

They [John and Jesus] were both alive while still in the womb. Elizabeth rejoiced as the infant leaped in her womb; Mary glorifies the Lord because Christ within inspired her. Each mother recognizes her child and each is known by her child who is alive, being not merely souls but also spirits." (De Anima 26.4)

"Thus, you read the word of God, spoken to Jeremiah: 'Before I formed thee in the womb, I knew thee.' If God forms us in the womb, He also breathes on us as He did in the beginning: 'And God formed man and breathed into him the breath of life.' Nor could God have known man in the womb unless he were a whole man. 'And before thou came forth from the womb, I sanctified thee.' Was it, then, a dead body at that stage? Surely it was not, for 'God is the God of the living and not the dead.'" (De Anima 26.5) "It is not permissible for us to destroy the seed by means of illicit manslaughter once it has been conceived in the womb, so long as blood remains in the person." (Apologia, cap 25, line 42)

"In our case, murder being once for all forbidden, we may not destroy even the fetus in the womb, while as yet the human being derives blood from other parts of the body for its sustenance. To hinder a birth is man-killing; nor does it matter whether you take away a life that is born, or destroy one that is coming to the birth. That is a man which is going to be one; you have the fruit already in the seed." (Apologia 9.6)

"Give us your testimony, then, ye mothers, whether yet pregnant, or after delivery (let barren women and men keep silence), - whether you feel in the embryo within you any vital force other than your own, with which your bowels tremble, your sides shake, your entire womb throbs, and the burden which oppresses you constantly changes its position?" (De Anima 25)

"Now we allow that life begins with conception because we contend that the soul also begins from conception; life taking its commencement at the same moment and place that the soul does" (De Anima, 27)

"The Law of Moses, indeed, punishes with due penalties the man who shall cause abortion - Exodus 21:22-24" (De Anima., 37)

These statements are startling, but there is more. Check back tomorrow or sign up for the RSS feed to be alerted to my next post.

In His Grip,
Pastor Betters

MARKINC Ministries, its staff, or volunteers accepts no liability for the content of this blog, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided, unless that information is subsequently confirmed in writing. Any views or opinions presented in this blog are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of MARKINC Ministries.

Before your child becomes a teenager he or she must be taught what it means to fear God if you want to increase the likelihood that they will come to truly trust Christ as Savior and Lord. This is not to say that one cannot learn to fear God after they reach the teen years. But statistics prove that the older we get the rate of conversion decreases.

Solomon spends ample time and energy in both Proverbs and Ecclesiastes instructing his child concerning the critical importance of the fear of God. It is the very foundation of the first nine chapters of Proverbs that were written to his young son, thus the title of the book, Teaching Them Young: The Hidden Treasures Of The Proverbs. Here is a sampling:

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 1:29-32 Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord, since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;

Proverbs 2:5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

Proverbs 3:7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.

Proverbs 8:13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 10:27 The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.

Proverbs 14:26 He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.

Proverbs 14:27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

Proverbs 15:16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.

Proverbs 16:6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil.

Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the Lord leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

Proverbs 22:4 Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.

Proverbs 23:17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.

Proverbs 24:21 Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with the rebellious,

Ecclesiastes 3:14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.

Ecclesiastes 5:7 Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God.

Ecclesiastes 8:12 Although a wicked man commits a hundred crimes and still lives a long time, I know that it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

In the first chapter of Teaching Them Young: The Hidden Treasures Of The Proverbs this foundation for successful parenting is developed. I think you will find it very sound and practical.

In His Grip,
Pastor Betters

My new book, based on my sermon series by the same title, will be released hopefully in mid-March. Each week until then I want to introduce you to the message of this book. In this blog I will consider the basic premise of the book, that is, the Book of the Proverbs was written for the purpose of raising children to become men and women who know, love, and fear God. In the first nine chapters, specific core principles are outlined for kids to learn before they reach the age of thirteen; thus, the title of the book - Teaching Them Young: The Hidden Treasures of The Proverbs.

There are a variety of words in Hebrew that parallel their English equivalents. In English, we speak of infants, toddlers, pre-adolescents, teenagers, and adults. There are similar Hebrew words throughout the Book of Proverbs. Specifically, in the first nine chapters of Proverbs, Solomon, the author of most of the Proverbs, uses the word for the pre-teen. In Hebrew tradition, a child was expected to memorize scripture and certain core principles before he or she became a teenager. By the time he was eighteen, he was expected to learn a trade and be ready to enter adulthood.

So what are the core principles a pre-teen must learn? They are spelled out in the first nine chapters of Proverbs and are the focus of Teaching Them Young. Each chapter contains a key parenting principle rooted in one of the first nine chapters of Proverbs, a pointed story illustrating the principle, a scriptural analysis of the principle (there are loads of scriptures in this book), and practical teaching tools to help you apply the principle to your pre-teen. Over the next few weeks prior to publication I will take you on a little journey through these chapters. Have you visited the web site for this book - www.teachingthemyoung.com? There you can preorder your copy. It would make a great gift for young mothers and young dads on Mother's Day and Father's Day. Here are the titles of the chapters.

Teaching Them Young Chapter Titles

Introduction

1. The Fear of God and a Bucket Load of God-Esteem
   
2. Raising a Spiritual Dropout
   
3. The Myth of the Greener Grass
   
4. How the Mighty are Fallen
   
5. Is Your Child a Darth Vader?
   
6. Raising Kids who Stand Out in the Crowd
   
7. Your Child's Spiritual Birth Line
   
8. The Octagonal Gospel
   
9. Teach Your Children to Love the Church
   
10. Pearls, Pigs, Scorners and Mockers
    

Send me your parenting questions and I'll try to answer them in future posts.

In His Grip,
Pastor Betters