MS wrote: @John UK- A helpful e-doc written by Pastor Mark Fitzpatrick of Dublin, Ireland can be found at his SA church web page. "Ten Reasons for Exclusive Psalmody". - Back to rejoicing in the Lord.
Thanks for the link MS. It is a wonderful thing when slotting in to God's will and obeying him, that things begin to happen, spiritual life reaches for the skies, spiritual warfare increases, and blessings abound. When Jesus talked about "life more abundantly" in John 10:10, he wasn't speaking about a happy-clappy humanistic religion, but a close relationship with Father, walking with him and talking with him, glorifying him and enjoying him for ever.
Thanks IE, bookmarked also.
Sister P, me too. That is why I have begun teaching others to sing psalms to God, even though there is not one constituted church in my county which does so. It is proving to be a great source of blessing. The TBS are still publishing both the KJV and The Psalms of David in Metre (1650). Both are the word of God and so helpful, because God honours them both, being the inspired word.
MS wrote: @John UK- A helpful e-doc written by Pastor Mark Fitzpatrick of Dublin, Ireland can be found at his SA church web page. "Ten Reasons for Exclusive Psalmody". - Back to rejoicing in the Lord.
MS wrote: @John UK- A helpful e-doc written by Pastor Mark Fitzpatrick of Dublin, Ireland can be found at his SA church web page. "Ten Reasons for Exclusive Psalmody". - Back to rejoicing in the Lord.
@John UK- A helpful e-doc written by Pastor Mark Fitzpatrick of Dublin, Ireland can be found at his SA church web page. "Ten Reasons for Exclusive Psalmody". - Back to rejoicing in the Lord.
Well, thank you, Rodney! I never could make out the LaSalle ran great line. I feel like an enormous weight has been lifted off of me after all these years? The grass is greener, everything tastes better, and my frown just turned upside down. Haha...the line really was a mystery until now though. : )
MS wrote: John UK and Christopher, greetings to you both.
Thank you sister.
I do have some news for you, as we have talked about singing the psalms in praise and worship before; and you said that it is your practice to do so at home in family worship.
I have been looking into it, showing a great interest in what God says concerning this, and I have been greatly helped by an essay which has been republished recently, called "Hymns Most Perfect - An Essay on Psalmody".
The essay was written by Rev William Romaine and first printed in 1775. This recent book is edited by Abigail Fox, first printed in 2012.
Most eye-opening and helpful. The subject is gone into in a very practical and devotional way - no cold theology. Even the gospel is permeated throughout.
Anyway, I am now most convinced that singing psalms is ordained of God, and most importantly, they are appointed as a Means of Grace to whoever sings them. This I can now testify to myself. And I've no doubt you would heartily agree.
It is quite a revolution in my life. I got some copies of the 1650 Scottish Psalter from the TBS, to sing them at home and abroad.
Sister LB, We are well. Especially since I left off with my 2 cents comments on this site Trust all is well with you and yours. Remembering you and others in prayer. --- John UK and Christopher, greetings to you both.
SteveR wrote: Are you implying Solomon was a Male Prostitute? And Bathsheba a female one?
This might help you? The definition of a generalization is below:
the process of formulating general concepts by abstracting common properties of instances
I did not even imply that every instance of an attractive woman marrying a rich/famous man was a form of prostitution, but that it would be true in a general sense. And, remember I said "In our culture".
As you know I ignore those who nitpick or set up strawman arguments, so I will ignore any response you have.
Mike wrote: Being counter-culture generally fits the Christian life well. But culture is constantly changing. Do we then say fixed opposition to everything in culture, whatever it is, is the mark of the Christian? Seems like more a reflex than Christian thoughtfulness. When we oppose something in the culture for no other reason than "I'm a Christian, that's the culture, so I can't do that, or wear that, or sing that, etc.," we've lost our way.
Principle always finds a way to overcome ungodly culture, but personal pretexts are overcome by, or sucumb to ungodly culture in no time
Trying to define Christian dress within our cultures will mostly fail because the culture is evil. Notice I said mostly. But, if I am a Christian woman and live in a culture that bans jeans, like a Muslim country, then I shouldn’t wear jeans. If they live in a country that encourages immodesty, they should separate. In our culture, an attractive carnal woman will behave as if she is an object, but when confronted they will fight against that thought. Proof; how many famous male athletes/entertainers don’t have beautiful wives/girl friends. Carnal women buy wealth/fame with their bodies, men buy beauty with their wealth and fame. A form of prostitution.
Now, I will agree with sister Ladybug here and say the modesty issue is primarily a conscience issue. If a woman is dressed immodestly and for some reason she doesn’t understand that; IMO she has not sinned.
But, here is a practical thought that can work in our Christian communities. A father/mother should not allow their young daughters to dress immodestly. A husband should not allow his wife to dress immodestly and a pastor should not allow immodesty among his membership. If my wife and I were getting ready to go out and I thought she was dressed improperly, I would tell her to change or turn on the TV.
ladybug wrote: Rather than attempt to 'show' our Christianity by opposing the culture, it should be manifest in our actions and words, and in walking as Christ walked. Love and humility are the 'dress' we should adorn. Outward appearances are what the Pharisees considered important. ---
Outward appearances- an easy trap we all need be careful to avoid. That love and humility will result in the necessary modesty.
I consider and follow the arguments when this topic comes up because we should always strive to be Christ-like in all of our ways, and I always arrive at one word...modesty.
Rather than attempt to 'show' our Christianity by opposing the culture, it should be manifest in our actions and words, and in walking as Christ walked. Love and humility are the 'dress' we should adorn. Outward appearances are what the Pharisees considered important.
Yes, we walk contrary to the world. We do not condone what the world condones. However, that doesn't mean all clothing is forbidden. The legalistic Pharisees who come here repeatedly lording over others and spewing out their nonsense wears very, very thin.
Once again, let me remind all the narcissism is a huge problem in Christianity, and it affects both men and women. " Here are more 'signs' of a narcissist, "The narcissist is never, ever wrong, and he likes to present “proof” that he is correct. The narcissist cannot accept responsibility for making a mistake and he is expert at diverting the blame to others. A narcissist will never admit even horrendous mistakes and when confronted, he will deflect, delay and tell more lies. He believes he is invincible and perfect." from http://thenarcissisticlife.com/the-narcissist-is-never-wrong/
Being counter-culture generally fits the Christian life well. But culture is constantly changing. Do we then say fixed opposition to everything in culture, whatever it is, is the mark of the Christian? Seems like more a reflex than Christian thoughtfulness. When we oppose something in the culture for no other reason than "I'm a Christian, that's the culture, so I can't do that, or wear that, or sing that, etc.," we've lost our way.
John UK wrote: If Christianity is not a counter-culture, coming under the authority of God and his kingdom, it is no more than a secular religious way of thinking.
Yes, the church has been afraid for some decades to owe their own distinctiveness.
Some follow the quimera of exclusive internal accountability to justify 'free-willed' patterns of conduct in the externals, ignoring how often external pictures speak of internal realities in God's language, see for instance the language and meaning of baptism, circumcision, OT sacrifices and patterns, head covering, the Lord's supper, etc..
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Mike
The issue of the victorians was not about precised/exact measurements of skirt length, but as always has been the issue, the instance of rebellion. Any woman breaking the status quo of modesty in that particular context was seen as one doing away with principle. The same has happened since then, especially regarding the breaking away of standards of which America has led the way during the last century. The sad reality is that we've got used to the breaking of the limits that signalise rebellion, and worse, we've got used, to the point of justifying such attitudes as the acceptable norm
For those women who insist upon dresses only, good for them. This is another one of those 'matters of conscience issues'. There isn't a verse in all of the bible that forbids women from wearing a pair of jeans designed for women. Again, discernment must be used. Some jeans are a no no, such as 'skinny' jeans. However, God doesn't bind us to a legalistic religion. If what you wear is modest and does not violate your conscience, there isn't a person here who should condemn you.
It's beyond ridiculous how Christians will argue over such matters. Again, the command from the New Testament is to dress modestly.
John UK wrote: Thanks Christopher, and I agree with your post wholeheartedly. If Christianity is not a counter-culture, coming under the authority of God and his kingdom, it is no more than a secular religious way of thinking.
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