“Amen," a Biblical word, and TBN, Pentecostalists, Emergents, Liberals, Arminians, Church Growthers, and Contemporary Evangelicals

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Also posted on our Facebook Wall entitled “Exposing the False Prophets—Reformation Christians Against TBN” found at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=308173344359

1. “Amen," a Biblical word, and TBN, Pentecostalists, Emergents, Liberals, Arminians, Church Growthers, Contemporary Evangelicals. A few miscellaneous afterthoughts on “Amen” as a biblical word with help from “The Evangelical Dictionary of Theology” (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1992), 39.

2. Ever hear a Baptist or Pentecostalist preacher say, “Can I get an Aaaay-men?” (long vowel) Anglicans, Lutherans and Reformed Churchmen say “Amen” at the end of prayers. What does it mean? When should we use it?

3. The Hebrew word means “reliable, sure, true.” As a verb, “to support, sustain.” In the niphil verb form, “to prove oneself steady, reliable, loyal.” In the hiphil verb stem: “to regard someone as reliable, trustworthy, or truthful.”

4. As such, it has come to mean, “Surely! In the very truth.” “Yes, may it be!“ As an Anglican and Prayer Book man, this is why I like the book. In the interests of truth, I have reviewed the prayers, know them, and can say “Amen” at the end. I am sure that liturgical Lutherans and Reformed Churchmen affirm similarly.

5. It is significant that Jesus used the word often, “Verily, verily, I say unto you.” (KJV). The Greek is "Amen, amen." We suspect, without checking the other versions, that it is rendered, “Surely, surely, I say unto you.” The full import of the Hebrew sense is before us. This reflects clearly Jesus’ “divine Self-consciousness.” While not developing Trinitarianism here, Jesus was Co-Author of the Old Testament. His high view of the Old Testament and its witness to Him is everywhere and His Majesty pointed that out in his Bible Exposition work, e.g. Luke 24. Jesus did not need a Council to ratify His Word. We say "Amen" to the Old Testament and the Apostolic Word in the New Testament. We never say "Amen" to those adding to God's Word.

6. When we look at “TBN, Pentecostalists, Emergents, Liberals, Arminians, Church Growthers, Contemporary Evangelicals” can we say “Amen?” To revivalist Arminianism throughout the Baptist and Southern Baptist world? To the Emergents neo-liberalism and hermeneutics? To the TBN-reading of the Bible? (there is none) To Protestant liberalism? To non-Confessional evangelicalism? To non-liturgical worship?

7. As men and women seeking truth, let us be careful to what, where and when we say “Amen.” Now, where's my Bible? And my trusty companion, the old Book of Common Prayer?