ELDERS’ ARTICLES
The Elders of Vicenza Bible Church are publishing their writings on this blog to bring a contextualization of the gospel to their readers.
As Truth and Grace Go Forth
Due to this pile of rubbish, our culture has come to a boiling point in which relativism has given way to a form of self-absolutism. The air of the culture is no longer filled with an acceptance of all beliefs (though even that was a farce) but now is described by the term "cancel culture". People can’t find joy and peace among the trash of human philosophy. People can’t find grace in our culture. Though the world tries to earn it, all of its efforts are vanity. Our presence begins to clean the filth of the culture as truth and grace go forth.
Pride and Glory
When we look at Ancient Rome, one of the characteristics that define it is pride. You can go down to Rome today and see the remains of their pride. All Roman men's statues depict handsome, muscled-up, courageous, and dignified men. The figure of Caesar Augustus doesn't simply proclaim pride, but it makes a declaration of his supposed deity. They sought glory and prided themselves upon their own perceived strength.
Feeding the Sheep vs. Feeding the Sheep to the Wolves
The Bible is not optional for the Christian. It’s as vital as oxygen! The command to shepherd also involves not feeding the sheep to the wolves, but protecting the flock. Recently, a well-known pastor has demonstrated what it looks like to feed the sheep to the wolves. Andy Stanley recently hosted a conference at his church entitled “The Unconditional Conference.”
The Raging War of Absolute Truth
The war rages in Israel. As report after report comes out from the horrors and atrocities of Hamas and their surprise attack began on October 7th, the levels of depravity towards the Jewish people have not been seen on this scale since the Holocaust. In the age of smart phones, almost every person has a camera at hand ready to record every evil act committed. The depraved human heart shines forth as Hamas clearly does not care about Just War Theory or the Geneva Conventions. Read more about the The Raging War of Absolute Truth.
Suffering Well
We get a glimpse of Paul’s sufferings in the Scriptures. He was not naïve, he knew the Christian’s call was to suffer as our Lord has suffered. He also recognized that a minister of the Word will suffer greater, for ministers suffer also for the sake of the church. But then he makes an interesting statement by writing, “…in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.” Is he saying something is missing from what Christ suffered?
The World is Watching
The representative spoke at a prayer breakfast. In her introduction, she bragged about being on time to the prayer because she turned down sex with her fiancée. She then stated that it would happen that night. Later, she posted on the tweet machine that she goes to church because she is a sinner and not a saint while also noting that this was a joke. Many problems surround this now infamous speech.
The Priesthood of the Christian
Every culture bows its knee to a religion. Every religion influences customs and activities in culture. Holidays, traditions, acceptable speech, the clothing of a society, and many more outward elements point to the inward truths that society functions under. Because religion and culture are married, each society has a select group of priests and priestesses that point people to the religion.
The Throne of Majesty
Leaders lead, rulers rule, and governors govern. While the nation, circumstance, and situation clarifies what exercising authority looks like, the Christian doesn’t blindly live to the Kingship of Jesus. His authority is real, tangible, and applicable. Not to mention, Scripture interfuses Jesus’ Kingship throughout its pages.
God's Holiness: The Sinner's Dread and the Saint's Delight
It takes guts to walk with the Lord. I wish guts and backbones were issued at conversion, but sadly, they aren’t. They have to be grown through the difficult process of learning to see the holiness of God from a new perspective. Here’s what I mean:
The Glory of the Not-Yet
Even though Christmas time has passed, certain Christmas songs continue to be sung around our house. One such song joyfully sung is Joy to the World! I don’t mind too much though, because this song ought to be sung all year. The beauty and truth wrapped together lead us to worship the Lord! Have you ever considered this song before?
Worship Through Marriage
Each year allows us to reflect on our marriage to one another but also causes us to praise God for what he has done through us. God is the designer of marriage and is the one that has defined it.
The True Worship of the Triune God
Moving every 2-3 years takes a toll on an individual, a couple, and a family. It drains the tank quickly, and if that tank is not filled with the fuel of worship towards the Triune God, then you are burning the ethanol of self, corroding away the engine of your body and soul through each transition.
The Word of God as Primary
The greatest way we can love you is by making the Word of God primary.
The Apathetic Christian Man
We are living in a time when men, across all spectrums, are falling into the trap of apathy. In this post we discover the reasons for apathy and then lay out a biblical solution for the apathetic Christian man.
Same Sex Attraction
This issue is one that has blown up to significant proportions in the last 15 years. It is an urgent issue that must be biblically investigated not only because our culture has, as a whole, embraced this as a “good” and “acceptable” ethic, but also because the Church is divided severely over the issue.
Jesus and Women
“I read a few social media posts saying that since Jesus first appeared to Mary and she was the first to announce His resurrection, this is evidence that women should be pastors.” Read Anthony’s responses to social media posts on this topic.
God’s Glory Through Zelenskyy
Certain leaders during certain periods of the world shine through the pages of history, and a person could very well live a lifetime and not see such a leader. I would argue that right now, we are seeing such a leader through the life of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian President.
The Glory of God in Counseling
Biblical counseling is a mission, a work, an endeavor, a labor to see the glorious radiance of the Creator restored to the one who is created in the image of God.
Shaped By His Very Presence
Our liturgy should contain 3 main guiding principles. In these three principles the mind, heart, and will are evoked with the majesty and beauty of God... We are thus “Shaped.” In this article, you find out what those principles are and how it impacts your worship and beliefs.
The Conversion Therapy of the Gospel
We face a world that rejects the gospel in a more outward manner than we have seen for many generations. This week, Canadian bill C-4 went into effect. This bill prevents “conversion therapy” for people who are homosexual or wanting to change genders.