Friday Church News Notes
September 6, 2024 - Volume 25, Issue 36
The Friday Church News Notes is designed for use in churches and is published by Way of Life Literature. Unless otherwise stated, the Notes are written by David Cloud. Of necessity we quote from a wide variety of sources, though this does not imply an endorsement.
Rare stone seal with an Assyrian genie and
paleo-Hebrew writing. Courtesy Elyahu Yanai, City of David
paleo-Hebrew writing. Courtesy Elyahu Yanai, City of David
ANCIENT SEAL DISCOVERED IN JERUSALEM SUPPORTS BIBLICAL RECORD (Friday Church News Notes, September 6, 2024, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - Last week, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced the discovery of an ancient black stone seal at the City of David National park archaeological site south of the Temple Mount. The seal features the image of a pagan Assyrian “genie” plus the name “LeYeho’ezer ben Hosh’ayahu” (Yeho’ezer son of Hosh’ayhu) inscribed in Hebrew. It has been dated to the 8th century BC, which is the very time that the Assyrians were on a rampage throughout Israel. In 732 Tiglath-pileser destroyed large portions of northern Israel (2 Ki. 15:29) and entered Judah in about 728 (2 Ch. 28:20). In 721 Sargon II captured Samaria and deported the northern tribes (2 Ki. 17:1-6). In 701 Sennacherib attacked Judah, destroyed Lachish, and threatened Jerusalem. The genie, a winged man (sometimes with a bird’s head) representing a supernatural creature, appeared frequently on Assyrian palace walls. Images of the mythological creature were used as protective amulets, and such superstitious practices appealed to a large portion of apostate Israel in that day, including those in high positions. In fact, some of Judah’s kings were idolaters, and their courts would have been permeated with paganism. These included Ahaz (742-726), who sacrificed his sons to idols in the Hinnom Valley (2 Ch. 28:2-4), and Manasseh (697-642), who worshipped Baal, sacrificed his son to pagan gods, communed with spirits through witchcraft, and set up idols in the temple itself (2 Kings 21:3-9). Archaeology has filled museums with artifacts supporting the biblical record and providing excellent background information to assist in understanding the biblical text. Numerous books and tours highlight the biblical artifacts in the British Museum. Biblical Treasures in the Israel Museum is available in print and eBook editions from www.wayoflife.org. Bible Times & Ancient Kingdoms is a Bible course packed with the findings from archaeology. It is accompanied by 35 PowerPoint presentations with 6,100 high quality color photos, drawings, historic reconstructions, and video clips. See www.wayoflife.org.
NEW BJU PRESIDENT HOSTS ECUMENICAL PRAYER MEETING (Friday Church News Notes, September 6, 2024, www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - Joshua Crockett, pastor of Morningside Baptist Church, Greenville, and the new president of Bob Jones University, hosted an ecumenical prayer meeting in May with the Southern Baptist Convention’s Greenville association. Attendees included independent Baptists, Southern Baptists, and Presbyterians. Participating Southern Baptist pastors included Al Phillips, Matt Wireman, Will Broadus, Michael Bayne, and Matt Rogers. Crockett’s close association with the Southern Baptist Convention is a loud message. Almost without exception SBC congregations are worldly, rock & roll, “non-judgmental,” multi-version churches where biblical modesty is not an issue. In fact, the Southern Baptist Convention is deeply compromised today at every level, including growing support for receiving non-repentant homosexuals as members, and many churches have left in recent decades by way of protest. For example, when Shelbyville Mills Baptist Church of Shelbyville, Tennessee, left the convention in July 2021, Pastor Jonathan Sims described SBC congregations as “weak, sick, and unhealthy” and said, “my conscience will no longer allow me to even be loosely affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.” Thus Joshua Crockett is moving toward the Convention even when more discerning men are moving away. It is obvious that Pastor Crockett will continue the path trod by BJU’s previous president, Steve Pettit, which is that of non-separatist evangelicalism, Reformed theology, and contemporary worship. In October 2019, Pettit participated in the “Greenville Conference on Reformed Theology” at the Second Presbyterian Church. Under Pettit’s leadership, BJU capitulated to the siren song of contemporary worship music. This was a rejection of the school’s former position. Speaking at a BJU chapel service on March 12, 2001, Dr. Frank Garlock of Majesty Music warned, “If a church starts using CCM it will eventually lose all other standards.” Note that he said that if a church even STARTS to use CCM, it is on an inevitable slide away from its founding standards. At the time, that was still the prevailing view at BJU, but this has been replaced with the view that CCM can be used with discretion. This dramatic change in philosophy will produce an ever-increasing acceptance of CCM. Twenty-nine Getty Townend Music (GTM) songs are featured in Hymns Modern and Ancient, published by Heart Publications, a Steve Pettit ministry, and compiled by Fred Coleman who heads up Bob Jones University’s Department of Church Music. At least 10 GTM contemporary hymns are included in Majesty Music’s new Rejoice hymnal. Getty-Townend are out-and-out contemporary rockers with no boundaries either in musical styles or associations. Getty is new Reformed Calvinist, while Townend is a “gibberish tongues-speaking, prophesying is for today, apostles are among us, kingdom now” charismatic. The Gettys partner with Roman Catholics such as Matt Maher, Margaret Becker, and Máire Brennan. GTM is a bridge to the one world church as surely as Hillsong. We have documented this extensively in the report “The Gettys--Pied Pipers of Contemporary Worship Music,” www.wayoflife.org, and in the video presentation “Bob Jones, Majesty Music, the New Calvinism, and the Gettys,” which is a part of The Satanic Attack on Sacred Music video series (2020), available for free viewing and downloading at wayoflife.org.
PASTOR’S TESTIMONY OF THE WAY OF LIFE BIBLE COLLEGE MATERIAL (Friday Church News Notes, September 6, 2024, www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - “Dr. David Cloud’s Bible courses offer an exceptional educational experience for those seeking to deepen their understanding of Scripture while remaining rooted in sound doctrine. His courses (and in-person conferences) are meticulously crafted, providing a rich depth of content that explores Bible truths thoroughly. Each course is designed to be both doctrinally robust and highly practical, ensuring that the principles taught can be effectively applied in everyday life and ministry. These courses have been of immense help in strengthening our church in Chicago. The practical nature of the video courses makes it feel like bringing Bible college directly to your church, allowing our people to benefit from high-quality theological training without leaving their local church!!! Whether you are a pastor, a teacher, or a layperson, Dr. Cloud’s courses are an invaluable resource for enhancing Biblical knowledge and strengthening one’s faith” (Pastor Courtney Lewis, Cornerstone Baptist Church, Chicago).
WHY ISRAEL HAS NO PEACE (Friday Church News Notes, September 6, 2024, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - A large number of Jews returned to their land in the 20th century and established the state of Israel in 1948, but Israel has had no peace. She has been on a war footing at all times. Why can’t Israel have peace? The answer is clearly stated in Deuteronomy 28, which addresses Israel directly and promises blessing for obedience to God (De. 28:1-14) and curse for disobedience (De. 28:15-68). Israel has no peace because Israel is not right with God. Israel had peace during the early reign of Solomon (1 Ki. 4:20-21, 24-25), but the peace was taken away when Solomon sinned (1 Ki. 11:9-40). After that, Israel had peace for brief times when her kings honored God (2 Ch. 14:5-6; 15:15; 20:30). Israel was removed from the land for her sin against God (Deuteronomy 28:63-67) and even on her returns (after the Babylonian Captivity and in the 20th century), she has not had peace, and she will not have peace until she is right with God. Israel was created by God and is owned by God and has no purpose other than serving God. “For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth” (Deuteronomy 14:2). Israel’s attempt to exist as a secular nation has led her into a quagmire of danger and confusion. No matter how powerful her military, how clever her scientists, and how successful her secret agents, Israel will not have peace until she repents of rejecting her own Messiah. That day is rapidly approaching, but it will be preceded by a time of unprecedented global trouble and the rise of the Antichrist.
BIBLE NEGLECTED IN ENGLAND (Friday Church News Notes, September 6, 2024, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - “The Word of God is not loved and studied, either privately or publicly. ... Thousands will flock to hear music, and pay for admission, but how few care for a meeting to read the holy Scriptures! These are facts, and facts are powerful arguments. We cannot get over them. There is a growing thirst for religious excitement, and a growing distaste for the calm study of holy Scripture and the spiritual exercises of the Christian assembly. It is perfectly useless to deny it. We cannot shut our eyes to it. The evidence of it meets us on every hand” (C.H. Mackintosh, c. 1880).
WHAT THE UNBORN TELLS THE MOTHER (Friday Church News Notes, September 6, 2024, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The following is from CreationMoments.com, July 31, 2024: “When talking about a baby’s expected time of birth, we have all heard someone say, ‘The baby will come when it’s ready.’ While that might not sound very scientific, new research shows that the statement is probably scientifically accurate. The infant, not the mother, seems to control the start of the birth process for mother and infant. Medical researchers are doing more research to confirm their theories. They believe that the brain of the unborn child monitors the infant’s development so that it knows when the infant is ready for birth. As the time for birth approaches, a pea-sized part of the fetal brain signals the adrenal and pituitary glands that it is soon time to be born. These glands respond by producing two hormones. These hormones build up in the infant’s blood. As they build up, they create changes in the mother’s hormones that begin the process of giving birth. A complete understanding of this amazing sequence may help medicine treat the problem of premature labor. What is more important, we see how exquisitely God has designed the process of giving birth. How wise of God to design the process so that when the baby is ready to be born, the mother’s convenience must give way to the baby’s need. Nor does the baby’s birth time depend on the mother’s limited understanding of the developing infant. Perhaps these realities offer some lessons to an age that places so much less value on the unborn child than God clearly does. Notes: Fackelmann, K. ‘A Fetus Tells Mother: It’s Time for Labor,’ Science News, Vol. 140. p. 182.”
CONCLUSION: The Friday Church News Notes is designed for use in churches and is published by Way of Life Literature’s Fundamental Baptist Information Service. Unless otherwise stated, the Notes are written by David Cloud. Of necessity we quote from a wide variety of sources, but this obviously does not imply an endorsement. We trust that our readers will not be discouraged. It is God’s will that we know the times (1 Ch. 12:32; Mat. 16:3) and that we be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves. The News Notes remind us that the hour is very late, and we need to be ready for the Lord’s coming. Are you sure that you are born again? Are you living for Christ? “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Rom. 13:11-14).
NEW BJU PRESIDENT HOSTS ECUMENICAL PRAYER MEETING (Friday Church News Notes, September 6, 2024, www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - Joshua Crockett, pastor of Morningside Baptist Church, Greenville, and the new president of Bob Jones University, hosted an ecumenical prayer meeting in May with the Southern Baptist Convention’s Greenville association. Attendees included independent Baptists, Southern Baptists, and Presbyterians. Participating Southern Baptist pastors included Al Phillips, Matt Wireman, Will Broadus, Michael Bayne, and Matt Rogers. Crockett’s close association with the Southern Baptist Convention is a loud message. Almost without exception SBC congregations are worldly, rock & roll, “non-judgmental,” multi-version churches where biblical modesty is not an issue. In fact, the Southern Baptist Convention is deeply compromised today at every level, including growing support for receiving non-repentant homosexuals as members, and many churches have left in recent decades by way of protest. For example, when Shelbyville Mills Baptist Church of Shelbyville, Tennessee, left the convention in July 2021, Pastor Jonathan Sims described SBC congregations as “weak, sick, and unhealthy” and said, “my conscience will no longer allow me to even be loosely affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.” Thus Joshua Crockett is moving toward the Convention even when more discerning men are moving away. It is obvious that Pastor Crockett will continue the path trod by BJU’s previous president, Steve Pettit, which is that of non-separatist evangelicalism, Reformed theology, and contemporary worship. In October 2019, Pettit participated in the “Greenville Conference on Reformed Theology” at the Second Presbyterian Church. Under Pettit’s leadership, BJU capitulated to the siren song of contemporary worship music. This was a rejection of the school’s former position. Speaking at a BJU chapel service on March 12, 2001, Dr. Frank Garlock of Majesty Music warned, “If a church starts using CCM it will eventually lose all other standards.” Note that he said that if a church even STARTS to use CCM, it is on an inevitable slide away from its founding standards. At the time, that was still the prevailing view at BJU, but this has been replaced with the view that CCM can be used with discretion. This dramatic change in philosophy will produce an ever-increasing acceptance of CCM. Twenty-nine Getty Townend Music (GTM) songs are featured in Hymns Modern and Ancient, published by Heart Publications, a Steve Pettit ministry, and compiled by Fred Coleman who heads up Bob Jones University’s Department of Church Music. At least 10 GTM contemporary hymns are included in Majesty Music’s new Rejoice hymnal. Getty-Townend are out-and-out contemporary rockers with no boundaries either in musical styles or associations. Getty is new Reformed Calvinist, while Townend is a “gibberish tongues-speaking, prophesying is for today, apostles are among us, kingdom now” charismatic. The Gettys partner with Roman Catholics such as Matt Maher, Margaret Becker, and Máire Brennan. GTM is a bridge to the one world church as surely as Hillsong. We have documented this extensively in the report “The Gettys--Pied Pipers of Contemporary Worship Music,” www.wayoflife.org, and in the video presentation “Bob Jones, Majesty Music, the New Calvinism, and the Gettys,” which is a part of The Satanic Attack on Sacred Music video series (2020), available for free viewing and downloading at wayoflife.org.
PASTOR’S TESTIMONY OF THE WAY OF LIFE BIBLE COLLEGE MATERIAL (Friday Church News Notes, September 6, 2024, www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - “Dr. David Cloud’s Bible courses offer an exceptional educational experience for those seeking to deepen their understanding of Scripture while remaining rooted in sound doctrine. His courses (and in-person conferences) are meticulously crafted, providing a rich depth of content that explores Bible truths thoroughly. Each course is designed to be both doctrinally robust and highly practical, ensuring that the principles taught can be effectively applied in everyday life and ministry. These courses have been of immense help in strengthening our church in Chicago. The practical nature of the video courses makes it feel like bringing Bible college directly to your church, allowing our people to benefit from high-quality theological training without leaving their local church!!! Whether you are a pastor, a teacher, or a layperson, Dr. Cloud’s courses are an invaluable resource for enhancing Biblical knowledge and strengthening one’s faith” (Pastor Courtney Lewis, Cornerstone Baptist Church, Chicago).
WHY ISRAEL HAS NO PEACE (Friday Church News Notes, September 6, 2024, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - A large number of Jews returned to their land in the 20th century and established the state of Israel in 1948, but Israel has had no peace. She has been on a war footing at all times. Why can’t Israel have peace? The answer is clearly stated in Deuteronomy 28, which addresses Israel directly and promises blessing for obedience to God (De. 28:1-14) and curse for disobedience (De. 28:15-68). Israel has no peace because Israel is not right with God. Israel had peace during the early reign of Solomon (1 Ki. 4:20-21, 24-25), but the peace was taken away when Solomon sinned (1 Ki. 11:9-40). After that, Israel had peace for brief times when her kings honored God (2 Ch. 14:5-6; 15:15; 20:30). Israel was removed from the land for her sin against God (Deuteronomy 28:63-67) and even on her returns (after the Babylonian Captivity and in the 20th century), she has not had peace, and she will not have peace until she is right with God. Israel was created by God and is owned by God and has no purpose other than serving God. “For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth” (Deuteronomy 14:2). Israel’s attempt to exist as a secular nation has led her into a quagmire of danger and confusion. No matter how powerful her military, how clever her scientists, and how successful her secret agents, Israel will not have peace until she repents of rejecting her own Messiah. That day is rapidly approaching, but it will be preceded by a time of unprecedented global trouble and the rise of the Antichrist.
BIBLE NEGLECTED IN ENGLAND (Friday Church News Notes, September 6, 2024, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - “The Word of God is not loved and studied, either privately or publicly. ... Thousands will flock to hear music, and pay for admission, but how few care for a meeting to read the holy Scriptures! These are facts, and facts are powerful arguments. We cannot get over them. There is a growing thirst for religious excitement, and a growing distaste for the calm study of holy Scripture and the spiritual exercises of the Christian assembly. It is perfectly useless to deny it. We cannot shut our eyes to it. The evidence of it meets us on every hand” (C.H. Mackintosh, c. 1880).
WHAT THE UNBORN TELLS THE MOTHER (Friday Church News Notes, September 6, 2024, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The following is from CreationMoments.com, July 31, 2024: “When talking about a baby’s expected time of birth, we have all heard someone say, ‘The baby will come when it’s ready.’ While that might not sound very scientific, new research shows that the statement is probably scientifically accurate. The infant, not the mother, seems to control the start of the birth process for mother and infant. Medical researchers are doing more research to confirm their theories. They believe that the brain of the unborn child monitors the infant’s development so that it knows when the infant is ready for birth. As the time for birth approaches, a pea-sized part of the fetal brain signals the adrenal and pituitary glands that it is soon time to be born. These glands respond by producing two hormones. These hormones build up in the infant’s blood. As they build up, they create changes in the mother’s hormones that begin the process of giving birth. A complete understanding of this amazing sequence may help medicine treat the problem of premature labor. What is more important, we see how exquisitely God has designed the process of giving birth. How wise of God to design the process so that when the baby is ready to be born, the mother’s convenience must give way to the baby’s need. Nor does the baby’s birth time depend on the mother’s limited understanding of the developing infant. Perhaps these realities offer some lessons to an age that places so much less value on the unborn child than God clearly does. Notes: Fackelmann, K. ‘A Fetus Tells Mother: It’s Time for Labor,’ Science News, Vol. 140. p. 182.”
CONCLUSION: The Friday Church News Notes is designed for use in churches and is published by Way of Life Literature’s Fundamental Baptist Information Service. Unless otherwise stated, the Notes are written by David Cloud. Of necessity we quote from a wide variety of sources, but this obviously does not imply an endorsement. We trust that our readers will not be discouraged. It is God’s will that we know the times (1 Ch. 12:32; Mat. 16:3) and that we be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves. The News Notes remind us that the hour is very late, and we need to be ready for the Lord’s coming. Are you sure that you are born again? Are you living for Christ? “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Rom. 13:11-14).
_____
Distributed by Way of Life Literature., publisher of Bible Study Materials and reports for Fundamental Baptists and other fundamentalist, Bible-believing Christians. Established in 1974, Way of Life Literature is a fundamental Baptist preaching and publishing ministry based in Bethel Baptist Church, London, Ontario, of which Wilbert Unger is the founding Pastor. Brother Cloud lives in South Asia where he has been a church planting missionary since 1979. OUR GOAL IN THIS PARTICULAR ASPECT OF OUR MINISTRY (REPORTS AND FRIDAY NEWS) IS NOT DEVOTIONAL. IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO ASSIST PREACHERS IN THE PROTECTION OF THE CHURCHES IN THIS APOSTATE HOUR.
David Cloud, Way of Life Literature, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org
The Way of Life Literature preaching and publishing ministry is based at Bethel Baptist Church, London, Ontario, of which Wilbert Unger is the founding Pastor. A mail stop is maintained in Port Huron, Michigan.
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