April 2009 Resource of the Month | "Christless Christianity" by Michael Horton

[witchcerridwen]

so many christians never read the bible.just parts of it.

[Pdrummer2]

No, we will be judged by what we know, and if we don't know what love is then how can you say we are being loving hmmmm?

[oxfordtimes]

Thanks, Lane. I appreciate where you are coming from. As you rightly point out, every interpretation of your response is subjective. Only God knows the heart! I just thought it might be helpful for you to know how you may (unintentionally) come across. Jesus says that they will know we are Christians by our love-not by our knowledge, as important as that is! Please understand, I am not trying to criticize. If someone suspected me of insensitivity, I would want them to gently admonish me too : )

[LaneCh]

Well, thanks for sharing the knowledge of your criticism here. :)

[oxfordtimes]

Hey Lane! Thanks so much for your ministry here on YouTube. I greatly appreciate all of the fantastic videos you contribute. I do have a little beef, though, and I'm hoping you will graciously bear with me....I've noticed that you can be quite harsh and seemingly arrogant in some of your reponses to video postings. I'm not accusing you of being proud, but your 'tone' can sometimes be quite obnoxious. Please understand that I am trying to say this in Christian love! Thanks again for all you do.

[LaneCh]

Other people have told me that I sound humble in those responses. To each his own, I guess, when it comes to something only being evidenced by one's own subjectivism.

[GPLeague]

This is a great book. Eye-opening in many ways.

[jbooks888]

looking good there brother - did you do your eyebrows?

[MackLeeGreen]

This is a great book and one that every pastor needs to read. Sadly though too many of them are too bogged down reading Marcus Borg or Dominic Crossan or Rick Warren.

[bygoish]

bought it, am in chapter 3 and love it. God help us stay on mission and gospel, rather than to the comfort of our flesh.

[wachteropdemuur]

Just bought this book from Michael Horton last week and started to read today...

[multiwebinc]

haha you said that you are in law school. It just reminded me of a bar I used to go to back in my home town called the "Honest Lawyer". Maybe you can be the first real one!

[bygoish]

good stuff, but ot would be alot les distracting if you worked on your speaking skills' too many 'um's' You will like your work if you eliminate those. Ittakes work and concentration.

[LaneCh]

Um... ok.  :)

[bberchin]

Excellent, Lane. I've heard of this book and have wanted to read it for some time. That quote was powerful. God bless, brother.

[i2zion]

Thanks Lane! God bless you!

[fruitofspirit]

I'm getting this book!

The description of what would happen if satan took over is very true. There are MANY good churches who are true to Christ - but I've been in some where all the matters is the next big parade to draw in new members. The pastor equates "church growth" with speading the Gospel. They have every luxury imaginable. They do little-to-no outreach, but that's okay cuz no one EVER has a bad day - & everyone ALWAYS smiles. They're like GOD'S STEPFORD WIVES. They're just not real.

[soychidoese]

hey, i have a question Lane,i was researching japan and the high level of suicides so a church wants to go and bring the gospel but the problem is that they are using the typical relationship evangelism thing that is an incomplete gospel. So should we reach the Japanese with preaching such as that of Paul Washer with the doctrine of total human depravity or should we adapt our message with the issues of the people who struggle though a lot of society's pressures?

thanks for these videos

[LaneCh]

Paul the Apostle adapted only in so far as he didn't compromise the message of the Gospel. Sadly, much today compromises the message in the name of adaptation. A balance is certainly in order. However, keep in mind that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The message about him will not change. It's the same today, and it needs to be preached as truth. If you're going to win these people with gimmicks, you'll have to keep them with gimmicks. (cont...)

[LaneCh]

If they really love them, they'll share the truth with them. If they decide not to share the truth with them about their depravity, their need for a savior, etc. my advice is to stay home and listen to some more convicting sermons. If they go over there with just the idea to win them, in all likelihood, theyll forget and neglect Who they're supposed to win them to.

Thanks for your question. I hope that helped. Take care.

[soychidoese]

thanks for the response......

so in reality, what will you teach a person struggling with suicidal thoughts in other words?

[LaneCh]

I'll have to get to this in a bit because I'm tied up right now, but I did see this and want to reply briefly. The last thing I'd do is build up their self esteem. Let me get back to this sometime later tonight, though. brb

[LaneCh]

One thing that I believe they might be struggling with is an inaccurate assessment of their life. I would argue that anyone who is contemplating suicide is struggling with that. The best thing to do would be to share the law with them. Show them that they have sinned against God. This will bring them back to reality. When they have come to realize that they are under God's wrath, then provide them the comfort of the Gospel. If they embrace it, truly embrace it, they won't let go.

[soychidoese]

well, although you a correct about the inaccurate assessment of their life, i kinda dont see how sharing the law of God to them as sucessful, let me explain.

It was sucessful to preach the Law to those who were familiar with the Law, which were the Hebraic Jews. today, this can be preached because almost everyone has heard of at least the ten commandments....

however, in a society that has sedolmly heard the law, such as Japan, how then shall we speak to them?

maybe testimony is key

[LaneCh]

What better place to give the law and Gospel than to a place that hasn't heard it yet? Besides, the law of God is written on each of our hearts. They know what is right and wrong. That's why they're condemned for not believing. Bringing to light reality using the law, however, would serve them most profitably, imo. Just make sure that you give them the Gospel afterward, though. Law without Gospel is always fatal. (cont...)

[LaneCh]

In fact, I believe that a lot of them might be dealing with life in a sort of law way. In other words, they say, "Hey, I HAVE TO live." In other words, life for them is an imperative, and not something that they consider a gift. Why else would someone want to be out of it? For these people, showing them the true law and not this other "law" would serve them very well, imo. They would realize their need for a savior and also realize that this life is worth living when they hear the Gospel.

[soychidoese]

well, the law may be written in the hearts of men, as written in Romans, but of course, the real question is that they have a very strong Confucius mindset , which may explain their I HAVE TO LIVE attitude... which is why they are committing these suicides because they cant take all these pressures given to them by such a society yet, besides prayer, i feel as if testimony can also be included into the preaching, offering evidence of God's true power to save desperately wicked men.

[LaneCh]

Testimony can definitely be incorporated in the presentation. Look at the Apostle Paul for example. Over and over in the NT, he gave personal testimony regarding himself. However, he didn't make that the basis of his presentation. If his life was the basis of his presentation and not Christ's lived for him and completing the law, he wouldn't have been a Gospel preacher no matter how it could have been spun. As long as law and Gospel is your basis, including testimony would be fine even helpful.

[soychidoese]

thanks for clearing that up

he gave a personal testimony, but he may know that is audience already knew about the law...

where do relationships with people come in?

[kr5501]

Thanks again

[imlivn4him]

This is an excellent book. Eyeopening.

[youratm]

Funny thing this happen to me.... Oh well Who needs god when you have a Great preacher, a great choir, a great sunday school program.....

sign TM in NC aka called the devil from the pulpit

[TheLawman104]

I've read it. It is a MUST read. He nails our present-day "evangelical" Christ-less culture. Horton clearly and accurately asserts that much of what is called "Christian" today is not.

[nlspears02]

I have the dvd. It is great!

[DonnaLOVESGOD]

thanks for sharing Lane...I will have to check it out...Shalom and God Bless

[October31st1517]

Michael Horton is such a great preacher of the word. Great job Lane. Keep 'em coming.

[rosey4exclaim]

Cool. I've heard of that before, and it's good to hear someone actually recommend it.

[Coyne1988]

did u use a green screen. good resource btw.

[ProclaimHisWord]

God bless you Lane for telling us about these very important and much needed books.

[boganlewis]

sounds like it's worth reading and i'll definatly check it out but i will be very interested to see if my local "christian" bookshop stocks it, they stock Joel Olsteen and Rick Warren

[FillTheirVoid]

It would appear that your local "christian" bookshop is run by unbelievers.

[boganlewis]

LOL probably! more likely they just stock whatever sells and don't care about doctrine or truth