Psalms Hymns Spiritual Songs

by Mike Ratliff

¹⁸ And do not become drunk with wine in which is dissipation, but be filled by the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking among yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord, (Ephesians 5:18-19 Possessing the Treasure New Testament v1)

In our last post, Be Filled By the Spirit, we studied exegetically what Paul meant by commanding Christians to be filled by the Holy Spirit. Joy is one of the primary evidences of the Spirit-filled life and how that is often expressed is in song as Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:19 (above). The Spirit-filled Christian is a singing Christian regardless of talent. In this post we will look a few aspects of what is often called “church music” using the terms Paul used in this verse. I believe if you compare this study with what goes on in the name of “worship” in many churches nowadays there will be big difference. 

Christian Unity

by Mike Ratliff

¹ Therefore, I, the prisoner of the Lord, encourage you to walk worthy of the calling by which you were called, ² with all humility of mind and meekness with long-suffering forbearing one another in love,  ³ being eager to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the uniting bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3 Possessing the Treasure New Testament v1)

About the time  I completed my exegetical study of Ephesians 1-2, which was titled “God’s Purpose for the Church,” we learned that my nephew Travis, who had had a brain tumor removed about 4 years ago and had been declared cancer free earlier this year, had begun to have severe headaches and seizure-like symptoms again. Tests showed that he had another tumor in a different part of his brain that was growing rapidly. His surgeon was able to remove most of it and utilized some very new treatments that will, hopefully, kill it. We thank all of you for your prayers for Travis and his family as well as my sister and her family. I learned a great deal from this in the matters of grace and the working of the Spirit in the body of Christ. Genuine Christian faith is genuine Christian faith regardless of whether everyone who possesses it agrees completely on matters of religiosity or not. We do not determine that, God does. 

The Great American Worldview Test

The following is from Dr. Al Mohler: American presidential elections are the world’s most public display of the democratic process. The global media follow the American elections with a fervor that is easily understood — what happens in an American presidential election matters all over the world. Our presidential campaigns are political pageants and electoral dynamos. But, as any honest thoughtful observer will understand, our elections are also great worldview exercises. We reveal our worldview by our vote.

To read the rest of the article go here.

Christ & Islam part 3

In the July/August issue of Modern Reformation Magazine, Dr. Michael Horton posted a very insightful article titled Christ & Islam. For clarification he has also released three videos in which he compares the theology of true Christianity and Islam. Below is part 3.

For parts 1 & 2 go here.

Soli Deo Gloria!