Election and Presdestination & Iran? Christianity Fastest Growing Religion in Iran

Reformed Anglicanism, old Prayer Book Calvinists that we are, continues to watch Iran and other Muslim nations, including Sharia Allah-cracies.  Is this report below true?  We always stand in wonder as God's electing purposes produce, without fail, without question, their design---the justification and ingathering of people to His one true, holy and catholic church.  Are the predestinating purposes of His Majesty indicating a widened scope in an entirely repressive country?  If so, who would have thought about this?  We are reminded of the Westminster Confession, Chapter 3.3-7: 

"3. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life; and others foreordained to everlasting death.

"4. These angels and men, thus predestinated, and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished.

"5. Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen, in Christ, unto everlasting glory, out of his mere free grace and love, without any foresight of faith, or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving him thereunto; and all to the praise of his glorious grace.

"6. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so hath he, by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, foreordained all the means thereunto. Wherefore, they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ, are effectually called unto faith in Christ by his Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by his power, through faith, unto salvation. Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.

"7. The rest of mankind God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of his own will, whereby he extendeth or withholdeth mercy, as he pleaseth, for the glory of his sovereign power over his creatures, to pass by; and to ordain them to dishonor and wrath for their sin, to the praise of his glorious justice."

http://gnli.christianpost.com/video/christianity-the-fastest-growing-religion-in-iran-2570

Christianity: The Fastest Growing Religion in Iran

A news report about the Christians of Iran:

Christianity in Iran has a long and rich history, dating back to the birth of faith itself. It has always been a minority religion, however, these days - Christians of Iran are getting a lot more attention and credit for their bravery. Representing 2% of the total population, Christianity is also the fastest growing religion in Iran. To this day, there are over 500+ Churches in Iran some with thousands of registered members.

 

 

What are the non-negotiables for the Gospel? Ligon Duncan

Does Dr. Duncan say anything say anything here that a Romanist or Eastern Orthodox could affirm? Or, a Baptist? As far as it goes, it is a fair start on the Gospel. "Imputation," of Christ's righteousness to us, is mentioned such that the Romanist and Orthodox would flee. Actually, a bit shabby by Ligon. Can he not do better or is this a sop to "American evangelicals?" Have we not had enough of THEM?

The Misery of Eternal Punishment « J.C. Ryle Quotes

The Misery of Eternal Punishment « J.C. Ryle Quotes

Who shall describe the misery of eternal punishment? It is something utterly indescribable and inconceivable. The eternal pain of body, – the eternal sting of an accusing conscience – the eternal society of none but the wicked, the devils and his angels – the eternal remembrance of opportunities neglected and Christ despised – the eternal prospect of a weary, hopeless future – all this is misery indeed. It is enough to make our ears tingle, and our blood run cold. Yet this picture is nothing, compared to the reality.

Let us close these verses with serious self-inquiry. Let us ask ourselves on which side of Christ we are likely to be at that last day. Shall we be on the right hand, or shall we be on the left? Happy is he who never rests till he can give a satisfactory answer to this question.

~ J.C. Ryle

Schaff’s “History of the Christian Church, Vol.2,” Persecutions, Joel Osteen, Paula White, Benny Hinn and Other TBN-ers, 20-40

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=16099&post=94961&uid=308173344359#post94961

1. Schaff’s “History of the Christian Church, Vol.2,” Persecutions, and miscellaneous after-thoughts including Joel Osteen (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1996), 20-40.

2. We argued that history is important to the practitioner of systematic theology at:
http://reformationanglicanism.blogspot.com/2010/03/hodges-systematic-theology-and-tbn.html Further, we critiqued TBN and Pentecostals as having no sense of history or systematics.

3. In the apostolic age and immediate post-apostolic age, the Gospel spread over Palestine, Syria, Asia Minor, north Africa, and to the east, Edessa, Mesopotamia, Persia, Media, Bactria, Parthia, Armenia and Arabia.

4. Christianity in northern Africa flourished before the Vandals and Moslem invasions in the 7th century. Alexandria, with the largest library in the ancient world, was home to a vibrant Christian community. The Gospel spread to Lower and Upper Egypt and as far as Nubia, Ethiopia and Abyssinia. Egypt gave us Arianism, Athanasius and desert monks like Antony and Pachomius. We offered comments on Alexandrian Theology and TBN at: http://reformationanglicanism.blogspot.com/2010/03/alexandrian-theology-and-tbn.html
We also have that on file in the discussion section here.

5. As to heresies and necessary products (“necessary” we’re told), Paula White espouses her Christological heresy at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_NHV1tBIhI In reading the early Christian literature, you won’t find stuff like this. Or Benny Hinn’s lunacies and anti-Trinitarianism at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_a4Z1PKGXc&NR=1&feature=fvwp

6. We by-pass Schaff’s comments on the extension of Christendom to Spain, Germany, Gaul and England. A general survey is offered. This is quite a story too.

7. We do call attention to Roman Imperial persecutions: Nero, Domitian, Trajan, Marcus Aurelius, Septimius Severus, Maximinius, Decius, Valerian, Aurelian, and Diocletian, two of which were imperial wide. We refer you to Eusebius’ “Ecclesiastical History.” Persecutions were serious and severe.

8. Regrettably, Joel Osteen has no room in his mind for this. After all, he hasn’t finished one semester of college. We refer you to “Your Best Life Begins Each Morning" for a tour of depth, balance and wizardry at: http://www.amazon.com/Your-Best-Life-Begins-Morning/dp/0446545090/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268988427&sr=8-3
He is a Word of Faith preacher (lite-variety).

9. We call attention to some modern persecutions. Just a few are noted. We might have added the reports about Nigeria also.
Planned attack on Christians in India:
http://heidelblog.wordpress.com/2010/03/18/reporta-of-a-planned-attack-on-christians-in-india/
Pakistan:
http://heidelblog.wordpress.com/2009/08/02/pray-for-pakistani-christians/
Islamo-fascists:
http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2009/08/pakistan_christ.html

10. TBN Health, Wealth and Prosperity preachers are pimps, profiteers and men and women who are ignorant of history, confessions, theologians, writers, liturgies or hymns. People need to preach the Gospel and warn others about these loons. And we're not going to relax on these points. They are dangerous to the health of the Church of Jesus Christ. Why are they dangerous? Because they pose as Christian leaders and people, unlettered ones, follow them. They are a cancer and must be opposed. Sleep if you wish. We at this forum won't be sleeping.

11. We close with a prayer and an hymn:

Almighty God, the Supreme Governor of all things, whose power no creature can resist, to Whom it belongeth justly to punish sinners, be merciful to those being persecuted for the name of Jesus Christ throughout the earth. We give thanks for the steadfast train of witnesses who did not yield in persecutions like Polycarp and all the English Reformers. Save and deliver us from people like Paul Crouch, Benny Hinn, Paula White and Joel Osteen. Save and deliver us and others still in the Babylonian Captivity: Grant that we, being armed with Thy strong defense, we may advance and tear down bold and arrogant arguments that insult Thy name, through the merits of Thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

12. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH2UcunPAR0




For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For the Apostles’ glorious company,
Who bearing forth the Cross o’er land and sea,
Shook all the mighty world, we sing to Thee:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For the Evangelists, by whose blest word,
Like fourfold streams, the garden of the Lord,
Is fair and fruitful, be Thy Name adored.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For Martyrs, who with rapture kindled eye,
Saw the bright crown descending from the sky,
And seeing, grasped it, Thee we glorify.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
All are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
And singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Hell, Annihilation and Human Destiny by J.I. Packer

http://against-heresies.blogspot.com/2009/11/hell-annihilation-and-human-destiny.html

Hell, Annihilation and Human Destiny: audio lecture by J. I. Packer

In 1991 J. I. Packer delivered a lecture in Cardiff on "Human Destiny." In that lecture he gave a survey of the New Testament teaching on hell and responded to the annihilationist position advocated by John Stott, Phillip E. Hughes and Michael Green.I sat in the audience, a theologically lightweight sixteen year old, and was far too clueless to take in the significance of what, and who, I was listening to. Since then I have listened to the cassette recording many, many times. I trust that you will find it informative, sobering, and a means of grace to motivate you in your love for God and commitment to evangelism.The audio file can be downloaded here.

The lecture begins with some very warm words about Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones and post-war Welsh Evangelicalism before Packer "bites the bullet" on the big issues of human destiny.My thanks to Glenn Smethurst for his techie work. I also want to thank the Evangelical Movement of Wales for the use of the recording.

The EMW site has a number of audio sermons available to listen to, including those by Ted Donnelly, Don Carson, Geoff Thomas, Doug Kelly, Hywel Jones, and Sinclair Ferguson.They also have a sermon by Douglas MacMillan (1933-1991), Free Church of Scotland minister and professor of Church History at the Free Church College, "My Spirit shall not always strive with man" from Genesis 6:3 which you can listen to here.