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Bah Humbug: How Christians Should Think About the Christmas Holiday

Author : C. Matthew McMahon

Publisher : Puritan Publications

Page : 121 pages

File Size : 49,26 MB

Release : 2012-10-20

Category : Religion

ISBN : 1938721640

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Book Description

When it comes to the Christmas Holiday, Christians fall on one of two sides: either they abandon it altogether as pagan and idolatrous, or they celebrate it all together as the most wonderful time of the year. Some have nothing to do with Christmas at all, and others invite Christmas into sermons, Sunday worship, family gatherings and the like. People who believe Christmas is idolatrous quote church history and expound the Regulative Principle of worship. Those who want to celebrate Christmas want to reclaim Christmas as eminently Christian since “Jesus is the Reason for the Season.” What is the biblical view? Is it one or the other, or is there a view more accommodating to both sides? What if both of those extreme views are wrong, and there is another option that is less thought about but more biblically based? Can Christians partake in Christmas…or not? This is not a scan or facsimile, has been updated in modern English for easy reading and has an active table of contents for electronic versions.



The Christian's Duty to Reject Christmas

Author : Thomas Mockett

Publisher : Puritan Publications

Page : 102 pages

File Size : 23,95 MB

Release : 2015-11-09

Category : Religion

ISBN : 1626631603

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Book Description

Mockett’s argument in this work is directed to well-meaning Christians who are defiling the Regulative Principle – that God alone determines the manner and time in which sinners are to approach him. Writing against the, “observation of Christ’s nativity,” Mockett shows the Christian how he is to reject, whole-heartily, adding Christ into Christmas as a religious or worship observance. Mr. Mockett is not going to deal with taking Christ out of Christmas. Instead, he is going to painstakingly demonstrate the ill-use of trying to reclaim Christ for Christmas as an unholy venture. He will show that it is a detestable, sinful practice to put Christ back into Christmas since men have no warrant from God to do so. Though they do this in pretense of honoring Christ in a day of worship, and do so with a sincere heart, as Mockett shows, “Good intentions and well meanings cannot justify any unwarrantable practice.” Mockett’s treatment of this issue is clear and well documented. The student of Scripture and historical theology cannot but come away with believing that reclaiming Christ in Christmas is truly a violation of God’s word, and a sinful practice which has harmed the church throughout its history.



Love Came Down at Christmas

Author : Sinclair Ferguson

Publisher : The Good Book Company

Page : 146 pages

File Size : 44,61 MB

Release : 2018-10-01

Category : Religion

ISBN : 1784983543

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Book Description

Advent devotional on 1 Corinthians 13, reflecting on the source of authentic, divine, transforming love. Advent devotional on 1 Corinthians 13, reflecting on the source of authentic, divine, transforming love. Everyone seems to say that Christmas is about love. It’s in the songs we hear as we shop for presents and in the adverts we see on TV. It’s in the cards we send and on the gift tags we write. And Christians can agree. Christmas really is about love, because love came down at Christmas in the person of Jesus Christ. This Advent devotional contains 24 daily readings from 1 Corinthians 13. Sinclair B Ferguson brings the rich theology of the incarnation to life with his trademark warmth and clarity. We'll see what “love” looked like in the life of Christ and be challenged to love like him. Each day's reading finishes with a question for reflection and a prayer. However you're feeling, your heart will be refreshed as you wonder again at the truth that love came down at Christmas.



Christ Commanding His Coronavirus to Covenant Breakers

Author : C. Matthew McMahon

Publisher : Puritan Publications

Page : 283 pages

File Size : 13,79 MB

Release : 2020-08-03

Category : Religion

ISBN : 1626633665

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Book Description

This work expounds on Scripture, and outlines, from a biblical point of view, why Christ has sent his coronavirus to covenant breakers in his church. The thesis is that the world-wide virus (and other calamities which are building and exploding in our day) are here primarily for Christ’s church; his disobedient, covenant breaking church. This is a difficult and saddening time for many people. At the time this work was written, almost 689,000 people have died worldwide from the coronavirus, (158,000 in the US) and the Lord is adding more and more calamity to our country on top of the horrors of prolonged and disease-ridden death. All of it is calamity upon calamity. It’s actually “calamity” that God promises his covenant breaking church if they do not repent. What will the church do in a time like this? Since the calamity is growing and not subsiding, it doesn’t seem like the church is doing much of anything collectively to stop the plague by way of reform, much less those things that have not layered on top of that. The church needs to repent of its idolatry, its lack of scriptural precision, its confessional dismissiveness, its abominable worldliness in the sanctuary of God, and the dishonor they are continually bringing King Jesus, the one they "profess" to serve. God deals very harshly yet tenderly with his people when they break covenant with him. Taken from Leviticus 26, this work expounds and describes the following: that pestilence is a sign from Christ to his church, Christ’s remedies against the plague are sovereign prescriptions he alone commands, Christian humility is needed during times of occasional repentance (and what occasional repentance is), humility in prayer and fasting with godly zeal is required, what the nature of Christ’s afflicting providences are, and a number of other subjects related to the plague, especially if the church does not repent, that they are daring Christ to do his worst against them in their spiritual indifference.



Christian Minimalism

Author : Becca Ehrlich

Publisher : Church Publishing, Inc.

Page : 161 pages

File Size : 19,66 MB

Release : 2021-05-17

Category : Religion

ISBN : 1640653899

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Book Description

"Ehrlich’s insightful self-help guide will resonate with Christians wishing to streamline an overstuffed life."—Publishers Weekly Logically, we all know our purpose in life is not wrapped up in accumulating possessions, wealth, power, and prestige—Jesus is very clear about that—but society tells us otherwise. Christian Minimalism attempts to cut through our assumptions and society’s lies about what life should look like and invites readers into a life that Jesus calls us to live: one lived intentionally, free of physical, spiritual, and emotional clutter. Written by a woman who simplified her own life and practices these principles daily, this book gives readers a fresh perspective on how to live out God’s grace for us in new and exciting ways and live out our faith in a way that is deeply satisfying.



Unmasking Self-Flattery in the Church

Author : C. Matthew McMahon

Publisher : Puritan Publications

Page : 146 pages

File Size : 29,26 MB

Release : 2024-02-02

Category : Religion

ISBN : 162663484X

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Book Description

Self-deception is inherent in everyone, even born-again Christians, those who have much biblical light and knowledge. And whatever degree of holiness they are currently at, they are satisfied with where they are. In this satisfaction, they often flatter themselves, believing that God is as pleased with them as they are of themselves. Many people in the church flatter themselves, believing they have discovered an easier path in the Christian walk, and in the eternal salvation which brings them to heaven, than Paul was aware of. They assume they will achieve victory and receive the crown not by battling and mortifying their own sins, but by deluding themselves into thinking they are something rather than nothing and engaging in cleverly crafted self-talk full of gracious words and empty persuasiveness. This only serves to disguise their own hypocrisy and unfaithfulness to Christ’s covenant, leading to the deception and ruin of themselves, and even other people they infect. The Christian church is filled with people like this. Are you one of them? Self-flattery is a sin against the ninth commandment which must be unmasked. In this work, McMahon seeks to uncover this very pervasive sin, showing what self-flattery is, how one comes to flatter themselves in their daily walk, and the motives to shun self-flattery in order to mortify it by the power of the Spirit. People often like to hear from the preacher, just tell me Jesus loves me and leave it at that. This delusion is the cornerstone of a self-flattering person. People always say, “I’m a Christian!” The question revolves around whether they act like it as well; do they have a life answerable to the profession they make when they say it? Or are they hiding behind the mask of smooth words they tell themselves about their spiritual condition?



Practical Observations on the Lord's Supper

Author : C. Matthew McMahon

Publisher : Puritan Publications

Page : 277 pages

File Size : 47,74 MB

Release : 2024-05-20

Category : Religion

ISBN : 1626634866

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Book Description

"Practical Observations on the Lord's Supper" offers an in-depth exploration into the significant spiritual act of participating in the Lord’s Supper, going beyond mere ritual to reveal a deep, spiritual communion with Christ. This book does not engage in theological debates or critique differing perspectives; instead, it focuses on the experiential aspects of the Supper, emphasizing the personal and communal relationship with Christ that is nurtured through this sacred practice. McMahon explores the essence of the Lord's Supper, presenting it as more than just a ceremonial partaking of bread and wine; more than a memorial. It is depicted as an intimate dialogue with Christ, a moment of joyful and comforting communion that has the potential to elevate the believer's spiritual life. McMahon explains the Apostle Paul’s concept of "worthy participation," drawing from 1 Corinthians 11, to highlight how such engagement with the Supper can lead to a spiritual exchange of divine grace and blessings. Through participation in the Lord's Supper, believers are invited to a deeper understanding and connection with Christ. It is an occasion for Christ to impart His spiritual grace, fostering the believer's sanctification and growth in faith. The Supper is portrayed as a pivotal expression of fellowship with Christ, allowing believers to partake in His benefits and merits and by faith, grow in their walk before him. This work encourages readers to reflect on their personal approach to the Lord's Supper, urging them to seek a more meaningful and enriching experience that strengthens their bond with Christ. It is a call to recognize the Supper as a vital expression of spiritual fellowship, a sacred sign of unity with Christ that demands reverence and thoughtful engagement. "Practical Observations on the Lord's Supper" is an essential read for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of this central Christian sacrament and to enhance their spiritual journey through a more purposeful and fulfilling participation in the Lord’s Supper.



Walking Victoriously in the Power of the Spirit

Author : C. Matthew McMahon

Publisher : Puritan Publications

Page : 308 pages

File Size : 37,97 MB

Release : 2019-10-25

Category : Religion

ISBN : 1626633452

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Book Description

One of the more neglected theological topics over the past 500 years of church history is a practical theology of the Holy Spirit; how the Holy Spirit works in your life as a believer every single second of every single minute of every single day in the grace of Christ Jesus. There are some very good systematic theology books that deal in their respective chapters with the Holy Spirit as they cover the doctrine of God, and there are even some very well written single volumes on the Spirit compiled in a systematic fashion by divines looking to give us a “theological overview of the Spirit.” But there are relatively no books on the Holy Spirit that take a biblical and historic-confessional approach and marry that with a theology of victoriously walking in the Spirit, as it relates to the abundant life that Jesus Christ has promised to his church. Jesus did not come merely to give life, but to give believers abundant life in the Spirit! Is this what you experience in your daily walk? Every Christian desires spiritual victory in Christ, and to walk victoriously in the Spirit as outlined by Scripture, but how would you explain that daily reliance, and how would you as a believer experience the fullness of the Spirit in your own course of life? Well, that is what this little volume is about. It is to arm you with the necessary biblical ideas surrounding a victorious and abundant life of walking in the Spirit day by day in order to please King Jesus, and experience true happiness as Christ promises. It covers what abundant life is, who the Spirit is in Scripture as it relates to his work in a believer, what it means to be baptized in the Spirit, indwelt by the Spirit, anointed by the Spirit, illuminated by the Spirit, filled by the Spirit, empowered by the Spirit, and led by the Spirit. It also covers what it means to pray in the Spirit, how to exemplify the fruit of the Spirit, how to exercise your gifts in the Spirit, and how to walk in the Spirit victoriously. It concludes with a chapter on rejoicing in Christ in the Spirit, which ought to be a culmination of this abundant life for you as a born-again believer. Christians should be walking in abundance in Christ right now through the work of the Spirit. Are you?



The Lord's Voice Cries to the City

Author : C. Matthew McMahon

Publisher : Puritan Publications

Page : 192 pages

File Size : 25,23 MB

Release : 2017-10-26

Category : Religion

ISBN : 162663243X

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Book Description

This book is about hearing the Word of God preached boldly, plainly and faithfully. It is particularly aimed at the Christian sitting in the pew who is required by God to hear the Word of God preached with spiritual profit to their soul. However, many pastors today would also do well to hear the contents of these chapters since their performance allows, or not, the ability for the Christian to accomplish the intended ends when they hear the Word preached. If they are negligent in preaching, the hearer can never do his commanded duty. One might think that a book about “preaching” concerns hermeneutics or exegesis, or more especially, homiletics, and not particularly directed towards the Christian. This work, however, is neither about hermeneutics, or homiletics, per se. It is primarily directed at the Christian hearer, though much will be said about the minister and his pulpit ability. Many good books have dealt with being called to the ministry, or being faithful in study for preaching, or for aid in sermon preparation. Though this work may touch on all these things, and much more, it is really directed at what Christians ought to expect when the minister stands up to preach in the pulpit. If the minister is not fulfilling his office as it should be intended, what is the final result? What should the congregation see, hear and expect in this regard, biblically speaking? Reader, what do you expect?



The Secular Paradox

Author : Joseph Blankholm

Publisher : NYU Press

Page : 312 pages

File Size : 31,2 MB

Release : 2022-06-07

Category : Religion

ISBN : 1479809527

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Book Description

A radically new way of understanding secularism which explains why being secular can seem so strangely religious For much of America’s rapidly growing secular population, religion is an inescapable source of skepticism and discomfort. It shows up in politics and in holidays, but also in common events like weddings and funerals. In The Secular Paradox, Joseph Blankholm argues that, despite their desire to avoid religion, nonbelievers often seem religious because Christianity influences the culture around them so deeply. Relying on several years of ethnographic research among secular activists and organized nonbelievers in the United States, the volume explores how very secular people are ambivalent toward belief, community, ritual, conversion, and tradition. As they try to embrace what they share, secular people encounter, again and again, that they are becoming too religious. And as they reject religion, they feel they have lost too much. Trying to strike the right balance, secular people alternate between the two sides of their ambiguous condition: absolutely not religious and part of a religion-like secular tradition. Blankholm relies heavily on the voices of women and people of color to understand what it means to live with the secular paradox. The struggles of secular misfits—the people who mis-fit normative secularism in the United States—show that becoming secular means rejecting parts of life that resemble Christianity and embracing a European tradition that emphasizes reason and avoids emotion. Women, people of color, and secular people who have left non-Christian religions work against the limits and contradictions of secularism to create new ways of being secular that are transforming the American religious landscape. They are pioneering the most interesting and important forms of secular “religiosity” in America today.



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