Thursday, March 31, 2011

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Peter Jones: Creation or the Creator: Who Do You Worship?: Theology, Spirituality, Sexuality & the New Paganism Analyzed (Encore)

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Peter R. Jones, Scholar in Residence and Adjunct Professor of New Testament at Westminster Seminary California, Director of truthXchange, and author of the new book One or Two: Seeing a World of Difference, will address the theme: "Creation or the Creator: Who Do You Worship?: Theology, Spirituality, Sexuality & the New Paganism Analyzed".

Our guest tonight, Dr. Peter R. Jones, believes there are only two worldviews: the worship of the creation and the worship of the Creator. His new book One or Two: Seeing a World of Difference, classifies these two opposing worldviews as "One-ism" (creation worship) and "Two-ism" (Creator worship).

"One or Two offers a provocative, accessible, and urgent message that we ignore to our peril - and that of our non-Christian neighbors." -- Michael Horton, Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary, CA

As the publishers describe Dr. Jones' book:

"Walking around in a blur? Afraid to talk about Jesus? Not sure how Christians fit with other religions? One or Two will help you see a world of difference... Using the apostle Paul's structure in Romans 1, Peter Jones shows why your choice affects everything you think and do: how you think about God (theology), what you worship (spirituality) and how you live your sexuality. Seeing a world of difference and distinctions will help you in making a world of difference."

See Review from Reformation Theology.
Dr. Jones received his B.A. from the University of Wales, his B.D. from Gordon Divinity School, his Th.M. from Harvard Divinity School and his Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary.
Dr. Jones was born in Liverpool, England, where he would buy fish and chips on Penny Lane with John Lennon, a high school friend with whom he shared a desk for five years. He and his family came to the U.S. in 1991, after 18 years of cross-cultural mission work on behalf of the Presbyterian Church in America, assisting the theological training of Reformed pastors and church planters in France. He taught Greek and New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary, and was Professeur de Nouveau Testament and Director of the Master’s Programme, Faculté de Théologie Réformée d’Aix-en-Provence. Among his writings are: A Second Moses According to 2 Corinthians 2:14-4:6; God’s Inerrant Word (contributor); “1 Corinthians 15:8—Paul the Last Apostle” Tyndale Bulletin; The Gnostic Empire Strikes Back; La deuxième épître de Paul aux Corinthiens; Spirit Wars; Gospel Truth & Pagan Lies; Capturing the Pagan Mind; Cracking Da Vinci’s Code; Stolen Identity; The God of Sex, and articles in La Revue Réformée, Etudes Evangéliques, Ichthus, and Hokhma.


In January 2003, Dr. Jones was named Scholar in Residence and Adjunct Professor at Westminster Seminary California. He is director of Christian Witness to a Pagan Planet, now truthXchange, a national and international teaching, preaching, and writing ministry for the church and the campus. Dr. Jones is also an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America and serves on the executive committee of the World Reformed Fellowship. He and his wife, Rebecca, live in Escondido, CA.

Co-hosting tonight's broadcast are Pastor Al Stein,
Neighborhood Assembly of God, Bellmore, Long Island, NY, and Pastor Drew Eeningenburg, West Sayville Reformed Bible Church, West Sayville, Long Island, NY.

Monday, March 28, 2011

JAMES WHITE: Review of the "Did the Bible Misquote Jesus" Debate (Encore)

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JAMES R. WHITE, founder & director of Alpha & Omega Ministries , a theologically Reformed Christian apologetics ministry based in Phoenix, AZ, will review his recent debate with BART D. EHRMAN on the theme: "DID THE BIBLE MISQUOTE JESUS?"

On January 21st, 2009, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, our guest Dr. James R. White participated in a public, moderated debate with Bart D. Ehrman, the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor at the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and author of "Misquoting Jesus" (an overview of the changes found in the surviving copies of the New Testament and of the scribes who produced them), on the above mentioned theme. Ehrman believes that if God had put forth the effort to inspire the words of the Bible, then he would have surely preserved those words. According to Ehrman, God simply would not have allowed any textual variation to exist in the transmission of the New Testament if He had inspired it in the first place.Dr. James R. White's goal in this recent debate was to do the following:

Demonstrate that one who holds to the highest view of Scripture and its inspiration can look at the very same data and still present a strong, compelling case for the preservation of the text of Scripture over time.

Expose the presuppositional nature of Ehrman’s insistence that we must possess the originals for inspiration to be true. This would include making sure it is clear that when Ehrman says “We don’t know what the NT said” he means “We do not have photographic reproductions of the originals.” I desired to make sure the listener would see that the NT manuscript tradition is more than sufficient to provide the original readings, even in the toughest of variants.

Reverse Ehrman’s “spin” on the state of the text, which involved putting a context to his constant repetition of the claim, “There are more variants than there are words in the New Testament.”

Present a strong case for the providential preservation of the text through the explosion of early manuscripts and the lack of editorial “control” in contrast with the Islamic theory of preservation. Given that the majority of attacks upon the NT today come from those alleging some kind of controlled editing of the text, this element is vital.

Finally, expose the radical skepticism of Bart Ehrman’s position, which leads to an abandonment of any meaningful knowledge of history itself. I needed to contrast Ehrman’s post-modernism with the viewpoints of the past, including contrasting his position with the great names in the field of the past like Tischendorf or Aland.

During today's broadcast, Dr. White will provide an assessment of how adequately he believes he succeeded in his mission.

In addition to his labors for the furtherance of the Kingdom of Christ with Alpha & Omega Ministries, Dr. James R. White is a professor, having taught Greek, Systematic Theology, and various topics in the field of apologetics. He has authored or contributed to more than twenty books, including "The King James Only Controversy", "The Forgotten Trinity", "The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation & A Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's 'Chosen But Free'", "Dangerous Airwaves: Harold Camping Refuted & Christ's Church Defended" and "The God Who Justifies" (
see a complete list of Dr. White's books here ).He is an accomplished debater, having engaged in more than fifty moderated, public debates with leading proponents of Roman Catholicism, Liberal Protestantism, Homosexual Activism, Oneness Pentecostalism, Islam, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Mormonism, in addition to having collegial, "in-house" debates with friends & brothers in Christ over issues ranging from the biblical subjects of baptism to the doctrines of Calvinism.

He is an elder of the Phoenix
Reformed Baptist Church, has been married to Kelli for more than twenty-two years, and has two children, Joshua and Summer. Listen to Dr. White's live, call-in Internet program "The Dividing Line" at http://www.aomin.org/.

The audio MP3 of the debate (including a Quicktime video that contains Dr. White's overhead presentation) may be purchased here:
http://www.aomin.org/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=868

Our co-host during today's interview with Dr. White is Pastor Jim Capo of the
Massapequa Church of God on Long Island, NY.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

BARUCH MAOZ: "JUDAISM IS NOT JEWISH: A Friendly Critique of the Messianic Movement" (Encore)

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BARUCH MAOZ, pastor of a Reformed Baptist assembly in Israel called Grace & Truth Christian Congregation, will address the theme of his controversial book: "JUDAISM IS NOT JEWISH: A Friendly Critique of the Messianic Movement".


Baruch was born into a Jewish family in Boston, MA, in 1943 and after the divorce of his parents he immigrated with his mother and brother to Israel at the age of 10. He concluded there was no God at an early age and remained a bitter and agressive atheist through young adulthood. While serving in the Israeli army he met and befriended a Christian family. After rejecting and resisting the Christian teaching of these friends for two years, Baruch was finally saved by our merciful, Sovereign Christ at the age of 20.


At the age of 30, following the October 1973 War, Baruch joined with Christian Witness to Israel (CWI). His desire was to help produce and promote Christian literature that is clearly Reformed in its theology. To that end HaGefen Publishing was founded. Baruch participated in the translation and editing of the International Bible Society's Annotated New Testament project in Hebrew, the founding and editing of an International Journal on Jewish Evangelism and in various national Christian bodies which are now part of the local Christian scene. HaGefen now produces Israel’s one and only Modern Hebrew Bible, of which Genesis to II Kings has been produced and work on the remainder of the Bible continues.


In 1976, separate from CWI but with their blessing, a local church was founded, Grace & Truth Christian Congregation. Its Affirmation of Faith and by-laws are distinctively Reformed and Baptist. Baruch remains in Israel to this day pastoring this congregation, and proclaiming the glorious Gospel of Christ's Sovereign Grace to Jew and Gentile alike. Baruch and his wife Bracha have 3 children, now adults, Avital, Shlomit and Tamar.


In 2003 Baruch's 400-page book, "Judaism Is Not Jewish", was published as a theologically Reformed response (from a Jewish Christian's perspective) to the Messianic a movement which today is predominantly Dispensational, Arminian and Charismatic. People from a Jewish background face difficult choices when they trust in Jesus as the Jewish Messiah. Baruch Maoz believes that to be Jewish is a blessing from God. The strong Jewish cultural identity impacts on worship and life so how does a Jewish Christian worship with his Gentile brothers and sisters? If they join churches will they be assimilated? If they establish synagogues will their fellow Christians feel excluded?


The response that some Jewish Christians have decided upon is to establish a fourth branch of Judaism called Messianic Judaism (the others are Orthodox, Conservative and Reform). Baruch accepts there are fine Christians within the Messianic movement but shows how Jewish life is not the same as synagogue life. He enables Jewish Christians to retain a cultural identity without losing fellowship with other Christians.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

PASTOR CLENARD HOWARD CHILDRESS, JR: "ABORTION: A BLUEPRINT FOR BLACK GENOCIDE" (ENCORE PRESENTATION)

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PASTOR CLENARD HOWARD CHILDRESS, JR., Northeast Region President and Assistant to the National Director of Life Education And Resource Network (LEARN), will address the theme: "ABORTION: A BLUEPRINT FOR BLACK GENOCIDE."

During this interview, Pastor Childress will surprise many by exposing the racist roots of Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in America. 78% of their clinics are in minority communities. Blacks make up 12% of the population, but 35% of the abortions in America. Blacks are the only minority in America that is on the decline in population.

Did you know that the founder of Planned Parenthood, Margaret Sanger, was a devout racist who created the Negro Project designed to sterilize unknowing black women and others she deemed as undesirables of society? In Sanger's own words:

"We should hire three or four colored ministers, preferably with social-service backgrounds, and with engaging personalities. The most successful educational approach to the Negro is through a religious appeal. We don't want the word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population, and the minister is the man who can straighten out that idea if it ever occurs to any of their more rebellious members." (Margaret Sanger's December 19, 1939 letter to Dr. Clarence Gamble, 255 Adams Street, Milton, Massachusetts)

"Always to me any aroused group was a good group, and therefore I accepted an invitation to talk to the women's branch of the Ku Klux Klan at Silver Lake, NJ...In the end, through simple illustrations I believed I had accomplished my purpose. A dozen invitations to speak to similar groups were proffered." (Margaret Sanger: An Autobiography, P.366-367 )

"Everywhere we see poverty and large families going hand in hand. Those least fit to carry on the race are increasing most rapidly. People who cannot support their own offspring are encouraged by Church and State to produce large families. Many of the children thus begotten are diseased or feeble-minded; many become criminals. The burden of supporting these unwanted types has to be borne by the healthy elements of the nation. Funds that should be used to raise the standard of our civilization are diverted to the maintenance of those who should never have been born." (Margaret Sanger: The Pivot of Civilization, P. 279).

***Watch & listen to this startling investigation of Planned Parenthood's racism on YouTube. Part 1...and this related video.

LEARN was officially established in 1993 at the African American Pro-Life Planning Conference in Houston, TX. One of the primary goals of LEARN is to facilitate a strong and viable network of African American and minority pro-life/pro-family advocates. Therefore, LEARN welcomes into the network all communities who support Christian values and with to ensure the survival of all races of people, and improve our quality of life without sacrificing our children.

Pastor Childress also founded the Pro-life website: http://www.blackgenocide.org/, a website designed to reach the African American Community with the truth about abortion . He is also a member of the National Pro-Life Religious Council of Washington, DC and a Board member of the Center For Bio Ethical Reform , which is dedicated to educating the nation and foreign countries on the rights of the unborn. In addition to his tireless labors to rescue children in the womb from slaughter, he serves as Senior Pastor of New Calvary Baptist Deliverance Outreach Church in Montclair, NJ and is the author of No Shepherd's Cry .

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

James S. Spiegel: The Making of an Atheist: How Immorality Leads to Unbelief (Encore)

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James S. Spiegel, who teaches courses in philosophy and apologetics at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, will address the theme of his book: "The Making of an Atheist: How Immorality Leads to Unbelief".

As Dr. Spiegel's web site describes his book:


"Sigmund Freud famously dismissed belief in God as a psychological projection caused by wishful thinking. Today many of the 'new atheists'—including Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens—make a similar claim, insisting that believers are delusional. Faith is a kind of cognitive disease, according to them. And they are doing all they can to rid the world of all religious belief and practice.

"Christian apologists, from Dinesh D’Souza to Ravi Zacharias, have been quick to respond to the new atheists, revealing holes in their arguments and showing why theistic belief, and the Christian worldview in particular, is reasonable. In fact, the evidence for God is overwhelming, confirming the Apostle Paul’s point in Romans 1 that the reality of God is 'clearly seen, being understood from what has been made so that men are without excuse' (Rom. 1:20, NIV).

"So if the evidence for God is so plain to see, then why are there atheists? That is the question that prompted The Making of an Atheist. The answer I propose turns the tables on the new atheists, as I show that unbelief is a psychological projection, a cognitive disorder arising from willful resistance to the evidence for God. In short, it is atheists who are the delusional ones.

"Unlike Dawkins and his ilk, I give an account as to how the delusion occurs, showing that atheistic rejection of God is precipitated by immoral indulgences, usually combined with some deep psychological disturbances, such as a broken relationship with one’s father. I also show how atheists suffer from what I call “paradigm-induced blindness,” as their worldview inhibits their ability to recognize the reality of God manifest in creation. These and other factors I discuss are among the various dimensions of sin’s corrupting influence on the mind.

"I’ve been told that The Making of an Atheist is a provocative book, but I didn’t write it to provoke anyone. I simply wanted to tell the truth about this issue. Anyway, since the new atheists are bold enough to trumpet their claim that theists are delusional, it seems appropriate that someone should be willing to propose that the opposite is true. As they say, turnabout is fair play..."

James Spiegel earned a B.S. in Biology at Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi (1985). From there he turned his interests to Philosophy, earning two graduate degrees in the field, an M.A. at University of Southern Mississippi (1988) and a Ph.D. at Michigan State University (1993).

After teaching for a year at Moorhead State University in Minnesota, he went to Taylor University where he continues to teach a range of courses in philosophy, including ethics, history of philosophy, aesthetics, epistemology, philosophy of religion, and apologetics.

Over the years, Dr. Spiegel has authored numerous books and articles on issues in ethics, aesthetics, philosophy of religion, and popular culture, including the award-winning
How to Be Good in a World Gone Bad. In addition to teaching and writing, Dr. Spiegel speaks at colleges, professional conferences, and churches and is frequently interviewed for radio programs.

Dr. Spiegel is an active member of several professional scholarly societies and serves on the executive board of the Evangelical Philosophical Society. He has refereed for numerous philosophical journals and served as editor of the Berkeley Briefs, the newsletter of the International Berkeley Society.

Co-hosting this broadcast is Pastor Ron Glass of
Wading River Baptist Church in Suffolk County, Long Island, NY, who has done his own thorough research on the writings of contemporary Atheists and Agnostics.

Monday, March 21, 2011

RAVI ZACHARIAS: "NEW BIRTH OR REBIRTH? JESUS TALKS WITH KRISHNA" (Encore)

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RAVI ZACHARIAS, internationally renowned Evangelical Christian apologist, author, radio evangelist and founder and chairman of the board of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries will address the theme of his book NEW BIRTH Or REBIRTH? JESUS TALKS WITH KRISHNA .

Co-hosting today's broadcast will be DANIEL P. BUTTAFUOCO, ESQ., of the Law Firm of Buttafuoco & Associates , and founder and director of The Historical Bible Society , the premier sponsors of the "Iron Sharpens Iron" program.

Currently residing in Atlanta, GA, Ravi Zacharias was born in 1946 in India, where he was raised and where he lived until the age of 20 before immigrating to Canada with his family. In Dr. Zacharias's book, which is the latest volume in his "Great Conversation Series," you will take a journey into India's holy city of Mathura. This is the birthplace of Krishna, the name revered and worshiped by millions of Hindus. The teachings of Krishna in the Gita are often referred to as being closest to those of Jesus. But as you walk through the streets and visit the temples, in this imaginary conversation between Jesus and Krishna you will soon see where the message comes close but where the differences lie. Questions of human dignity, Karma, and reincarnation are faced head-on. What is the teaching of this most popular of Hindu books? How does the Gospel differ? New Birth or Rebirth gets to the heart through the mind of these two, both of whom claimed to give the ultimate answers. Jesus and Krishna will engage your intellect and emotions in life's soul- searching struggles. Test for yourself and see where the real answers lie.

For 35 years Ravi Zacharias has spoken all over the world and in numerous universities, notably Harvard, Princeton, and Oxford University. He has addressed writers of the peace accord in South Africa, the president's cabinet and parliament in Peru, and military officers at the Lenin Military Academy and the Center for Geopolitical Strategy in Moscow. At the invitation of the President of Nigeria, he addressed delegates at the First Annual Prayer Breakfast for African Leaders held in Mozambique.

Dr. Zacharias has direct contact with key leaders, senators, congressmen, and governors who consult him on an ongoing basis. He has addressed the Florida Legislature and the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast in Texas, and has twice spoken at the Annual Prayer Breakfast at the United Nations in New York, which marks the beginning of the UN General Assembly each year. As the 2008 Honorary Chairman of the National Day of Prayer, he gave addresses at the White House, the Pentagon, and The Cannon House.

Dr. Zacharias has been a visiting scholar at Cambridge University , where he studied moralist philosophers and literature of the Romantic era. While at Cambridge he also authored his first book, A Shattered Visage: The Real Face of Atheism, updated and republished in 2004 by Baker as The Real Face of Atheism. His second book, Can Man Live without God (Word, 1994), was awarded the Gold Medallion for best book in the category of doctrine and theology, and Jesus Among Other Gods (Word, 2000) was nominated for a Gold Medallion. In all, Mr. Zacharias has authored or edited twenty books, including Walking from East to West: (Zondervan, 2006), The Grand Weaver (Zondervan, 2007), and Beyond Opinion (Thomas Nelson, 2008), which includes contributions from Ravi Zacharias International Ministries’ global team. His latest books are The End of Reason: A Response to the New Atheists (Zondervan, 2008) and the book being discussed during this interview, New Birth or Rebirth: Jesus Talks to Krishna (Multnomah, 2008). Several of his books have been translated into Russian, Chinese, Korean, Thai, and other languages. To see a complete list of books available from Dr. Zacharias' ministry click here.

Well-versed in the disciplines of comparative religions, cults, and philosophy, he held the chair of Evangelism and Contemporary Thought at Alliance Theological Seminary for three and a half years. Mr. Zacharias has been honored by the conferring of a Doctor of Divinity degree both from Houghton College, NY, and from Tyndale College and Seminary, Toronto, and a Doctor of Laws degree from Asbury College in Kentucky. He is presently Visiting Lecturer at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University in Oxford, England.

Friday, March 18, 2011

William Boekestein: Faithfulness Under Fire: The Story of Guido de Bres (Encore)

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William Boekestein, pastor of Covenant Reformed Church in Carbondale, PA, will address the theme of his new book: "Faithfulness Under Fire: The Story of Guido de Bres”, a fully-illustrated childrens book on the author of the Belgic Confession (see http://www.heritagebooks.org/products/Faithfulness-Under-Fire%3A-The-Story-of-Guido-de-Bres.html).

This Sunday, October 31st, is the 493rd "birthday" of the Protestant Reformation. This year, Pastor Drew Eeningenburg and West Sayville Reformed Bible Church, West Sayville, Long Island, NY, will be paying tribute to the above mentioned 16th century martyr, Guido de Bres, during their all-day Reformation Sunday celebration, starting at 9:30am. Pastor Drew is also tonight's co-host.

Reformation Heritage Books' Description: The life of Guido de Bres teaches us that we can find enduring hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ, even during persecution. Author William Boekestein sensitively tells the story of de Bres for children, guiding them through his turbulent life and times- from his birth in 1522 in a small Belgium town, to his call to the ministry and study under Reformers such as John Calvin and Theodore Beza, to his authorship of the Belgic Confession and a life of suffering, to his martyr's death in 1567. Skillfully crafted illustrations and an easy-to-understand narrative combine to capture the interests-and admiration-of the entire family for this amazing Reformation hero.

Pastor Boekestein received his B.A. at Kuyper College and his M.Div. at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He has worked in residential construction and taught at a Christian school for several years. He and his wife have three children. In addition to the book we are discussing this evening, Pastor Boekeste has authored “Life Lessons from a Calloused Christian: A Study of Jonah with Questions” (see http://lifereformation.org/?page_id=54).

Thursday, March 17, 2011

RICHARD BENNETT: SAINT PATRICK: The Man Behind the Myth (Encore Presentation)

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MP3 Available Here

RICHARD BENNETT, a native of Ireland and a former Roman Catholic priest for over 20 years who is now a believer in the Gospel of Free and Sovereign Grace and a Bible-believing Christian apologist, author and popular conference speaker, will address the theme: "SAINT PATRICK: The Man Behind the Myth".

Ireland has a very distinctive history. It was an island untouched by the Roman legions, and Patrick, the Evangelist, brought to it the Gospel of grace. Patrick was himself descended from a family that had been, for two generations at least, in Christ Jesus. His father, he tells us was “the deacon Calpurnius, son of the late Potitus, a presbyter, of the settlement of Ban*naven Tab*ur*niae.” These facts are recorded in Patrick’s own testimony of faith. This authentic document is preserved in five manuscripts. This authenticated document is the main source of both the person and the mission of Patrick, and also his clear statement of the Gospel of grace.

Patrick was born in the year 373 in a town on the River Clyde in Roman Britain, now a part of Scotland. When he was sixteen years old, Patrick was captured by a band of pirates who sold him to a chieftain in what is now county Antrim in Northern Ireland. For six years he tended flocks. In his testimony he tells us, “I was taken captive before I knew what I should desire and what I should shun.” It was during the time of his captivity that he turned from his careless ways and came to a saving knowledge of Christ Jesus. He was convicted that he was a sinner. In his own words,

“before I was humbled I was like a stone lying in deep mire, and He that is mighty came and in His mercy raised me up and, indeed, lifted me high up and placed me on top of the wall. And from there I ought to shout out in gratitude to the Lord for His great favours in this world and for ever, that the mind of man cannot measure.”

Patrick, like so many of the godly men of history, found God’s favor in the riches of the grace of Christ. This was the theme echoing throughout the testimony of Patrick, in his own words “I am greatly God’s debtor, because he granted me so much grace.”

He then grew in the grace of God. Having believed on “the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth,” he directly received “of his fullness…grace for grace.” In his own words,

“More and more did the love of God, and my fear of Him and faith increase, and my spirit was moved so that in a day [I said] from one up to a hundred prayers, and in the night a like number; besides I used to stay out in the forests and on the mountain and I would wake up before daylight to pray in the snow, in icy coldness, in rain, and I used to feel neither ill nor any slothfulness, because, , as I now see, the Spirit was burning in me at that time.”

Patrick knew himself as a sinner and found salvation where only sinners find it, “in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The first words of his testimony read, “I, Patrick, a sinner, a most simple countryman, the least of all the faithful and most contemptible to many.”

Likewise, in the beginning of his letter to Coroticus he states, “I, Patrick, a sinner, unlearned, resident in Ireland”.

Quite clearly Patrick saw himself as a sinner. He did not look to some spark of life from within himself or to some ritual; rather, he looked unto Christ Jesus. Patrick’s words: “unspeakable glory of life everlasting which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” shows his distinct and personal comfort and courage in Christ.

Totally unlike religion that looks to rituals, Patrick had his eyes set on the Lord. Patrick saw himself only as a sinner saved by grace in Christ Jesus. Patrick’s message is that salvation is totally in Christ alone--a message utterly diverse from that of Roman Catholicism then and now.

Listen to today's fascinating interview with former Roman Catholic priest Richard Bennett as he reveals the true history and legacy of the one we now call "Saint Patrick", and how he brought the Gospel of Free Grace to the Irish people.

Richard Bennett hails from Ireland, where he was trained by Jesuits in his early years. He then received eight years of theological instruction and preparation for the priesthood with the Dominicans, completing his education at the Angelicum University in Rome in 1964. He spent twenty-one years as a Roman Catholic parish priest in Trinidad W. I. He had, therefore, the best of academic training in things Catholic, plus twenty-one years of being a parish priest applying Catholic teachings to everyday life. After a serious accident in 1972, in which he nearly lost his life, he began to study seriously the Bible. After fourteen years of contrasting Catholicism to Biblical truth, he was convicted by the Gospel message in 1986. He was then saved by God’s grace alone, and formally left the Roman Catholic Church and its priesthood. He has founded an evangelistic ministry to Catholics called “Berean Beacon” (
http://www.bereanbeacon.org/).

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

TurretinFan: Formal Sufficiency of scripture: Stated & Examined From scripture & the Fathers, with Scholarly Confirmation Regarding the Fathers' Views (Encore)

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"TurretinFan" (a pseudonym used in order to separate his secular career from his apologetics ministry), a contributor to Dr. James R. White's blog on the Alpha & Omega Ministries web site (http://www.aomin.org/), will address: "Formal Sufficiency of scripture: Stated & Examined From scripture & the Fathers, with Scholarly Confirmation Regarding the Fathers' Views".

Roman Catholics these days like to try to claim that the Bible has all the information needed for salvation, but this information is placed in there in such a way that the Bible requires tradition or a living magisterium to be properly understood. Patristic scholar Pastor David King and our guest have been responding to this contention in a series of posts at http://turretinfan.blogspot.com/.

The first post deals with explaining what the Reformed churches actually believe. The second post proves the Reformed doctrines fromsc-ripture. There is a brief aside talking about a sort of "partim-partim" sufficiency that's not popular among Roman Catholics today, though it was more popular previously. Then the third post starts to get into the patristic evidence, really focusing on the earliest Christian writings that address the subject. We will discuss these posts during tonight's broadcast.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Jim Harrison: God, the Gospel & Glenn Beck (Encore Presentation)

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Jim Harrison, pastor of Red Mills Baptist Church, Mahopac Falls, NY, and Chairman of the CB Spurgeon Fellowship will address the topic: "God, the Gospel & Glenn Beck".

Glenn Beck is a New York Times bestselling author and is one of the most popular radio and television hosts in the United States (his radio program is currently # 3 in the ratings behind Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, and as of September 2009, Beck's television program drew more viewers than all three of the competing time-slot shows on CNN, MSNBC and HLN combined). In spite of his being a Mormon, Mr. Beck continues to attract a growng, loyal fan base from the Evangelical Christian community. According to tonight's guest:

"About a month ago, there was a rally on the Mall in Washington D. C., called the 'Restoring Honor' rally. It was hosted by Glenn Beck, a popular conservative radio and television commentator. I watched the events of that day and listened to those who spoke. I also listened to the comments of many who attended the rally, of which there were clearly many evangelical Christians. And as I did so, I found myself becoming more and more uncomfortable...

"... My concern revolves around what this rally says about the Christian Church in this country. And I believe that what this rally says about the Christian Church in this country is that it has lost some things that are very precious and very valuable...

I. Statement #1: Neither Liberal Nor Conservative Nor Libertarian, Nor any other Political Label you wish to offer is Equal to Christianity.

II. Statement #2: “God Talk” is Not Necessarily “Good Talk”.

III. Statement #3: The Gospel is Non-negotiable (Garlow article; The “Black Robed Regiment”).

IV. Statement #4: We Have Lost Sight of the Real Problem and the Real Solution (Sin and the Gospel).

V. Statement #5: The Apocalyptic Vision of Contemporary Politics is an Instrument of Fear.

VI. Statement #6: When the Church Puts Its Trust in the Utopian Promise of the Political Process, It Falls Right Into Satan’s Snare.

VII. Statement #7: It is Idolatry for The American Evangelical Church to Trade the Truth of God for American Civil Religion.

Pastor Harrison is a graduate of Philadelphia College of Bible, now Philadelphia Biblical University (see http://www.pbu.edu/) and Denver Conservative Baptist Seminary (see www.DenverSeminary.edu). Prior to coming to Red Mills Baptist Church in 1994, Pastor Harrison served in various capacities on the pastoral staff of churches in NJ, Denver, CO, and Southfield, MI. He is devoted to the Solas of the Protestant Reformation and the doctrines of God's sovereign grace. His ministry is characterized by a commitment to strong doctrinal and expository preaching which stems from an unswerving conviction that the word of God is the sole and sufficient rule for faith and practice.The ministry of Red Mills Baptist Church and Pastor Harrison is extended beyond the Mahopac area through the publishing of various articles and booklets, Red Mills' sermon tape ministry, seminars and conferences, and occasional radio appearances. Pastor Harrison also serves on the Executive Committee of the CB Spurgeon Fellowship , a group of Conservative Baptist pastors who are committed to the doctrines of grace and seek to act as a voice calling the church back from its love affair with the church growth movement to a renewed confidence in the sufficiency of Scripture.Since 1984, Pastor Harrison has had the great privilege of being known as the husband of Fran. In addition to being an invaluable co-worker in the gospel, Fran is the mother of their sons Chris and Ben, and has recently completed her Master's degree in Library Science.

You can hear a recent sermon Pastor Harrison preached on this theme here: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1024102204710

Pastor Harrison's Weblog can be read at: www.spurgeonitetabernacle.blogspot.com

Friday, March 11, 2011

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Sam Shamoun: The Jesus of the Qur'an vs. the Jesus of the Bible (Encore)

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MP3 Available Here

Sam Shamoun, one of the main contributors to a prominent Web site dedicated to challenging the teachings of Islam called Answering Islam (www.answering-islam.org), will address the theme "The Jesus of the Qur'an vs. the Jesus of the Bible".

Co-hosting tonight's program is Pastor Jack Thomas of
Massapequa Bible Ministries, Massapequa, Long Island, NY.

Sam Shamoun was born in Kuwait to an Iraqi Assyrian Christian Family. Sam moved to the United States with his family at an early age. His family belong to the "Church of the East," also know as the Nestorian Church.Years later Shamoun's faith often came under fire. His Christian beliefs were frequently challenged by those who maintained Islam as the "one true religion." From these unsettling encounters, he began to dig deeply into the basics of the Christian faith he confessed but wanted to know more about. After a thorough and critical examination of the Scriptures, his ability to share the Gospel and his capacity to answer skeptics' questions -- specifically Muslim objections -- increased dramatically.

Today, Sam often lectures and engages in debates as an informed apologist refuting accusations and attacks leveled by proponents of Islam against Christianity. He comes highly recommended by James White of Alpha & Omega Ministries , and David Wood and Nabeel Qureshi of www.Acts17.net.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

David Wood: The Islamic Dilemma (Encore)

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MP3 Available Here

David Wood, Evangelical Christian apologist to the Muslims, will address the theme: "The Islamic Dilemma".

David is a Teaching Fellow in Philosophy at Fordham University. A former atheist, David converted to Christianity based on the historical evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus. David now debates both atheists and Muslims and is co-director of Acts 17 Apologetics Ministries, an organization he founded with Nabeel Qureshi, a convert from Islam to Christianity. David also contributes to http://www.answering-islam.org/, which he considers to be the very best resource available anywhere, bar none, to discover and learn the true history and teachings of Islam. He personally operates the blog site http://www.answeringmuslims.com/.

David's ministry comes very highly recommended by frequent "Iron Sharpens Iron" guest, renowned Christian apologist and biblical scholar Dr. James R. White of Alpha & Omega Ministries. You can listen to other interviews with David Wood on "Iron Sharpens Iron" on free downloadable MP3 format by clicking here.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Monday, March 7, 2011

James R. White: The Qur'anic Test of Muhammad as a Prophet (Encore Presentation)

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MP3 Available Here

James R. White, founder & director of Alpha & Omega Ministries , a theologically Reformed Christian apologetics ministry based in Phoenix, AZ, will address the theme: "The Qur'anic Test of Muhammad as a Prophet."

The media makes much of the fact that there are some similarities between the two largest religions in the world, Christianity and Islam. It is true that both religions are Monotheistic. Both religions believe that Jesus actually did exist, and that he was born of the virgin Mary, that he performed miracles, that he will return in the future, and that he is the Messiah. Both religions believe that angels, devils and Satan exist. Both share many of the same rules of morality and conduct. Both believe there is an eternal afterlife for humans. A number of other similarities could be cited. But do these similarities confirm that Muhammed, believed by Muslims to be the greatest prophet of all, is truly a prophet of God? While Christians agree that Muhammed does not pass the biblical test for a prophet, does he even truly pass the Qur'anic test? Listen to tonight's fascinating interview to find out!


James White is the director of Alpha and Omega Ministries, a Christian apologetics organization based in Phoenix, Arizona. He is a professor, having taught Greek, Systematic Theology, and various topics in the field of apologetics. He has authored or contributed to more than twenty books, including The King James Only Controversy, The Forgotten Trinity, The Potter's Freedom, and The God Who Justifies. He is an accomplished debater, having engaged in more than one-hundred moderated, public debates with leading proponents of Islam, Roman Catholicism, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Mormonism, as well as critics such as Bart Ehrman, John Dominic Crossan, Marcus Borg, and John Shelby Spong. He is an elder of the Phoenix Reformed Baptist Church, has been married to Kelli for more than twenty-eight years, and has two children, Joshua and Summer.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Friday, March 4, 2011

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Ray Yungen: Raiki & the Dark Side of Therapy (Encore Presentation)

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MP3 Available Here

Ray Yungen, author, speaker, research analyst, will address: "Raiki & the Dark Side of Therapy".

The Medical Dictionary defines Raiki as "a form of therapy that uses simple hands-on, no-touch, and visualization techniques, with the goal of improving the flow of life energy in a person. Reiki (pronounced ray-key) means "universal life energy" in Japanese, and Reiki practitioners are trained to detect and alleviate problems of energy flow on the physical, emotional, and spiritual level. Reiki touch therapy is used in much the same way to achieve similar effects that traditional massage therapy is used—to relieve stress and pain, and to improve the symptoms of various health conditions."

The Medical Dictionary continues: "Reiki was developed in the mid-1800s by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese scholar of religion. According to the story that has been passed down among reiki teachers, Usui was a Christian who was intrigued by the idea that Christ could heal sick people by touching them with his hands. Searching for clues that would explain the secrets of healing with hands, Usui made a long pilgrimage around the world, visiting many ancient religious sects and studying ancient books. Some reiki teachers claim that Usui found clues leading back nearly 10,000 years to healing arts that originated in ancient Tibet. During his intense studies, Usui claimed he had a spiritual experience, which enabled him to heal with his own hands by becoming aware of and tapping into the universal life force. After that, he dedicated his life to helping the sick and poor. His reputation grew as he healed sick people for many years in Kyoto, Japan. Before his death, Usui passed on his healing insights using universal life energy to Dr. Chujiru Hayashi, a close acquaintance. Hayashi, in turn, passed on the healing techniques in 1938 to Hawayo Takata, a Japanese woman from Hawaii, whom he had cured of life-threatening illness using reiki methods. Takata became a firm believer and proponent of reiki, and during the 1970s formed an initiation program for training reiki masters to preserve Usui's teachings. Before she died, she prepared her granddaughter, Phyllis Lei Furumoto, to continue the lineage. Takata had personally trained 21 practitioners before she died at the age of 80 in 1980. Along with other reiki masters authorized by Takata, Furumoto formed the reiki Alliance. A faction led by Barbara Ray, formed the American Reiki Association, which was known as Radiance Technique Association International. Today, there are over 1,000 reiki masters practicing around the world, whose methods can all be traced back directly to Dr. Usui."

Our guest tonight, Ray Yungen, has studied religious movements for 26 years. He is the author of A Time of Departing(see
http://www.amazon.com/Time-Departing-Ray-Yungen/dp/0972151273) and For Many Shall Come In My Name (see http://www.amazon.com/Many-Shall-Come-My-Name/dp/097215129X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1296518092&sr=1-1). His love for Jesus Christ, for people and his exuberance for life is reflected in his writing. A new book on the subject of Raiki by Ray is in the works.

Tonight Ray will discuss such issues as:
How popular is Raiki?
What is the Chakra System?
Spirit guides.
Is Reiki compatible with Christianity?
What should Christians do?


You can purchase Ray’s books at the LighthouseTrails webstore. The toll free order line is 866-876-3910 and their website is www.lighthousetrails.com.
Iron Sharpens Iron 30 Day Archive

"As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend"- Proverbs 27:17