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Six Convictions I hold today, on Inauguration Day, which are all true at once, all at the same time:

Six Convictions I hold today, on Inauguration Day, which are all true at once, all at the same time:

by Pastor Eric Anderson

1. Joe Biden is now President Biden, and I will refer to him by this Title. This is important for me do so, and for my witness. I honor the office which is God ordained, even if I am less-than-optimistic regarding the one who holds the office. (I Timothy 2:2, Romans 13).

2. Joe Biden as US President is God’s secret will revealed (Daniel 2:21). I opposed his election, for many reasons. I have serious question regarding election integrity. I also understand now that, above all this, it is God’s will revealed that Joe Biden is President. I can rest in this because God alone is the Sovereign, and President Biden’s heart is like water in the Lord’s Hand (Proverbs 21:1), to turn as He so wills.

3. This does not mean I agree with his Platform and positions and that I will go along with them, cart blanch. We should work for election reform, and for courageous leaders to elect in the next election. We should oppose, resist, and speak against evil. (I am against almost everything, both as written and unwritten, on Biblical grounds, which the DFL stands for today)

4. The election of President Biden and all of the destruction which, (predictably) will probably come from his administration is what we deserve, not what we should or do want (Romans 1:17-31)

5. This is a great time for the church, as both an heavenly and earthly reality. There is much we can do, many things to teach, to speak, to practice, which are the will of God for our lives, regardless of our nation or circumstances, whether in the the promised land, or back in Egypt (Colossians 3:23).I hope we appreciate anew each and ever freedom and opportunity we have beforehand taken for granted, and get to work.

6. God’s Providence, of which He is the first cause, using secondary causes, both human and natural, is surprising at every turn. Under God’s Providence, we should be specifically thankful for any good that happens during this Administration while speaking against the bad. Practicing discernment is good, making and listening to acute and specific prophetic predictions is unwise.

“All Things will work for the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28)

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Podcast: The Law of God: The foundational authority and abiding ethic for all of life

Here is an Audio Link to the podcast from the December Zoom Conversation on our series called “A Place for Truth.”

In the first part we covered foundational topics of the Law of God in Creation, the organic unity of the Bible, and the pitfalls of the Law/Gospel distinction. For the final 45 minutes we covered application of God’s law to cultural issues/controversies, such as mask mandates in church, COVID-19 responses, legalism, virtue signaling; ultimately with the assurance and hope that we have in obeying God, believing the Gospel, and loving his Law. We hope and pray this is of great benefit to you, as you seek to think as a Christian to the glory of God.

Speakers:

David Smith

Ardel Caneday

P. Andrew Sandlin

Bob Dalberg

Host: Eric Anderson | Producer: David Gonzales

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“A Place for Truth” Zoom Conversation this Tuesday Evening, December 8

Please join us online for another “A Place for Truth,” a live Christian conversation with experienced theologians and pastors, Ardel Candeday, Bob Dalberg, David Smith, and Andrew Sandlin. Tuesday Evening, December 8, 7:30-9:00 CST The Law of God: The foundational authority and abiding ethic for all of life.

www.zoom.us Meeting ID: 882 0017 9743

Here are some of the questions: What is God’s Law? What is it not? How do we see a continuation of God’s law in the New Covenant? What is the danger of not acknowledging the Law of God, or faulty systems which functionally or actually deny the law of God (dispensationalism/pietism, etc.) How is the law in effect in civil society? How is the law a liberty? how is it freeing and assuring to understand the law of God? Is there a way to go too far with the law? (new legalism/straight theonomy/theocratic tendencies, etc.)

Our previous five zoom conversations, covering the topics of social justice, Marxism, worship, government COVID responses, and Christian citizenship, are all available on audio podcast: “A Place for Truth.”

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Playing Heaven

Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Revelation 19:9

Deep in every soul is an instinctive yearning to be in a world we don’t yet inhabit. The yearning for this world is so inescapable and so powerful that, from time to time, we can’t help but pretend that we do live in it.

Puppies appear to lead a pretty happy, fun life, so it’s not surprising little kids like to enter the puppy world, bouncing around the house on all fours, barking, panting, clawing their way up your legs, or, if you’re caught unprepared, clawing your pants down. In any case, these precious little ones look up at you in their best puppy face and eagerly, shamelessly, joyously beg for attention. Kids play house, they play castles, princesses, and Robin Hood, they create and inhabit imaginary worlds built from Legos or maybe some sticks, scrap lumber, and crooked, rusty nails.

Continue reading “Playing Heaven” →
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Rights ’n Stuff

I have received several kindly criticisms of my previous article, good and responsible criticisms deserving a good and responsible response. I’m thankful for the pushback. Dangling a sword in the still waters of a quiet lagoon will never make it sharp, you gotta heat the thing up and give it a good smiting with a hammer. A good friend wounds, but faithfully. So yay for getting a loving thump and a friendly wound.

Continue reading “Rights ’n Stuff” →
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Long-term Neighbor Loving

And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Mark 12:28-31, ESV

Whenever a biblical phrase goes viral across the Christian landscape, I get a little suspicious. And when that phrase is employed in a moment of confusion to help Christians reach the exact same conclusion as those who hate Christ, I add some natural crotchetiness and unnatural cantankerosity to my suspicion and this, quite naturally makes me a very pleasant person.

Continue reading “Long-term Neighbor Loving” →
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Fall Conference Recordings Now Available

The audio for the Common Slaves Fall Conference “Let us Run With Endurance” is now available under the Conference Audio tab. I’m hoping the videos will be up shortly, and will let you know. Thanks again to Dr. Ardel B. Caneday for this significant presentation.

Also, be sure to subscribe to our podcast, “A Place for Truth,” where you’ll find cultural conversations with Drs. P. Andrew Sandlin and Ardel B. Caneday, and hopefully we’ll get the conference sessions up on there too. Look for it wherever you find your podcasts. If you’re an Apple snob like me, you can find it here.

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Poor Little Ol’ What’s-His-Name

A little while ago, a little ways away, sits a sleepy little town. Little happens in this little town, little chance it will. The little baker bakes his little bread, and the cobbler cobbles his little shoes. The little river turns a little wheel for the little miller’s mill. 

In the middle of this little town you’ll see a little hill. On the little hill stands a little castle and a little flag flying overhead. Inside, on a little golden throne sits a little king with a little golden crown. His Little Majesty barks little orders to his little soldiers, who pick up their little swords and take their little stations on the little walls around the little town. They watch and they guard, but there’s little to see. Little happens in this little town, little chance it will.

Continue reading “Poor Little Ol’ What’s-His-Name” →
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Witness Protection

note: At Eric’s request I’m experimenting with making an audio recording of some of these articles. So if you want to listen to me read it (and I don’t know why you would), you can do so below.

Witness Protection

I’ve been somewhat bothered by a phrase I’ve heard repeatedly as churches wrestle their way through the Covid era, so I thought I’d try to process it out loud. Here’s the offending line: Protect our witness.

The idea is something like this: Stuff Christians do, like gathering together in large groups, sitting in close proximity for an hour, singing so heartily spit flies at least twice the magical six feet, sharing meals, engaging in holy kissin’, and all with unveiled face before God and each other is dangerous, reckless, and destructive. It’s spreading disease, sorrow, and death. And who likes death-spreaders? Not I.

Continue reading “Witness Protection” →
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