Monday, November 26, 2012

Support Israel; Buy Their Products

I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.  -Genesis 12:3
I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.  -Romans 11:1

Holy Scripture says the Jews are God’s chosen people (Deuteronomy 7:6; Romans 11:1). It says to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6). My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is a Jew (Matthew 1-2; Luke 1-2). Christians are to love all people, but we should especially love and support Israel.

This does not mean everything Israel does is right. Like any other group, there are good Jews and bad Jews. But God has placed His hand on them. God said He would bless those who bless them, and curse those who curse them (Genesis 12:3).

One of the reasons God has blessed America is because we have been a friend to Israel. Thank God that the USA continues to support Israel.

One way we can be supportive of Israel is to buy their products. Purchasing products made in Israel helps support their economy and their country.

The question then comes, But how can I find products made in Israel?
Simple. Just go to:

buyisraelgoods.org
shopinisrael.com
Israeli Hardware, Tools

Christian Merchandise
Maybe you need a Mezuzah (Scripture to put on your doorpost), or a Shofar (ram’s horn, trumpet; used to call the Israelites to worship or to battle).

Did you know Lowes, J. C. Penney, Walmart, K-Mart, and Macy’s sell Israeli products?

Obviously, I would not support or buy every product made in Israel. So use your good judgment. But start supporting Israel not just in words, but in tangible ways.

-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, November 26, AD 2012.

Related Article:
Israel, May They Prosper Who Love You
Many other articles in lower right margin. 

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Dr. Boyd Hunt on the Atonement, Calvinism

Dr. W. Boyd Hunt (AD 1916-2007) was pastor of First Baptist Church, Houston, Texas, and theology professor (1953-1999) at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He shares some interesting views on the Atonement, Limited Atonement, modified Calvinism, and Hyper-Calvinism. 
 
“In the post-Reformation period the views of the Reformers were often interpreted with extreme legalism. Hyper-Calvinism, with its view of a literal substitution and limited atonement (i.e., that Christ died for the elect only), developed in this period.

According to hyper-Calvinism, if Christ had died for the nonelect, their suffering eternally in hell would mean the exacting of the penalty twice, once from Christ on the cross and once from the sinner in hell. This, it was charged, would be unjust.

The most virile group of English Baptists in the 18th century were infected with this hyper-Calvinism. Holding to a limited atonement, they were called Particular Baptists, as opposed to General Baptists, who viewed the atonement as unlimited (i.e., that Christ died for all men).

Hyper-Calvinism persisted among Baptists in America longer than in England. It was dominant in the theology of James P. Boyce. The main stream of orthodox thought, however, has followed a modified Calvinism which interprets Christ’s substitutionary death in ethical and non-legalistic terms…It was the view of Edgar Y. Mullins and W. T. Conner.” 
-Dr. W. Boyd Hunt, Encyclopedia of Southern Baptists, Broadman Press, Nashville; 1958.

-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, November14, AD 2012.

Other articles:
Romans 9, Calvinism, Traditionalism
Calvinism and Being Dead in Sins
Books on Calvinism, Predestination
More articles in lower right margin.