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Word Foundations in 2018

Exposing Dangerous Lies with the Light of Biblical Truth

I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
—the apostle Paul to the Christians at Corinth in 2 Corinthians 11:3, NIV—

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
—the apostle John in 3 John 4, NIV—

Dear Readers,

In his insightful book, The Truth about Spiritual Warfare, Dr. C. Mark Corts, long-time pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, calls deception Satan’s favorite tool.1 

Dr. Corts is not alone in his assessment. A number of years ago, in an article in which he challenged a well-known pastor who has contended that Satan’s greatest weapon is disunity, Christian news journalist Joseph Farah wrote,

No, Satan’s greatest weapon is hardly disunity. His greatest weapon since his fall and since the Garden of Eden has been deception. In fact, Satan loves unity – as long as those unified are knowingly or unknowingly serving him. He’d love for all of us to “go to hell in a handbasket.”

Farah cited Acts 20:29-30. He also cited Galatians 2:11-14, where Paul referred to his having directly corrected Peter when Peter was wrong. The Bible repeatedly warns against being deceived by false teachings and false teachers. This is why believers must be armed with the truth.

It’s also why Dr. Adrian Rogers, long-time pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee, declared,

It is better to be divided by truth than to be united in error. It is better to speak the truth that hurts and then heals, then falsehood that comforts and then kills. It is not love and it is not friendship if we fail to declare the whole counsel of God. It is better to be hated for telling the truth than to be loved for telling a lie. It is impossible to find anyone in the Bible who was a power for God who did not have enemies and was not hated. It’s better to stand alone with the truth than to be wrong with a multitude. It is better to ultimately succeed with truth than to temporarily succeed with a lie.

For all these reasons and more, I seek to write regularly from a biblical perspective on cultural and contemporary issues and post my work at www.wordfoundations.com.

In 2018, I added 52 articles to the Word Foundations library. While a few may feel “dated” several months after they initially appeared because people’s focus on specific events often is short-lived, I believe that most of the articles are timeless—and that all reflect timeless wisdom and principles.

I hope these features will benefit you in your walk with Christ…
…and aid you in your battles against the lies of Satan and hell.

Practically nothing would thrill me more!

B. Nathaniel Sullivan
January 1, 2019

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  1. America, Where Are You? Part 1: A Sobering Assessment
    1/5/18—article 148
    Here is a summary of the series.
    After Adam and Eve had disobeyed God and eaten of the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden, God approached Adam with a searing question: Adam, where are you? Today, Americans—and American Christians in particular—also need to assess where they are in relationship to God and His commands. This article poses the question and begins to offer an answer.
  2. America, Where Are You? Part 2: The Attack on Voluntary Prayer
    1/12/18—article 149
    Here is a summary of the series.
    America, where are you? You’ve come a long way from a Supreme Court decision in 1962 that deprived American school children of the opportunity to acknowledge God in a brief, 22-word prayer. The decision of seven Justices officially and effectively cut off future generations from voluntarily acknowledging the same God so readily affirmed in the Declaration of Independence. Therefore, in the intervening years, you have moved further and further away from Him—and are paying an extremely high price for doing so.
  3. America, Where Are You? Part 3: The Attack on Innocent Human Life
    1/19/18—article 150
    Here is a summary of the series.
    Now unable to freely acknowledge God in a public setting, America began to drift downward until, a mere decade later, it landed in the place of being able to legally eliminate the most innocent and vulnerable members of the human family. Why? It could no longer recognize unborn children as members of the human family! Talk about having a distorted picture of reality!
  4. America, Where Are You? Part 4: The Attack on Marriage
    1/23/18—article 151
    Here is a summary of the series.
    Just when you think it can’t get worse, it does. On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States declared that marriage is something it never can be. In redefining the millennia-old institution to include same-sex couples, the Court attempted to divorce marriage from the differences between the sexes in the husband-wife relationship, procreation, and motherhood and fatherhood. Male-female differences, however, are inherent in these elements of marriage. Eliminate them, and you eliminate marriage altogether, or at least you place yourself on a path that will lead you to that place. America is indeed on a dangerous path! Warnings are not just appropriate; they’re necessary!
  5. America, Where Are You? Part 5: The State of the Church
    2/2/18—article 152
    Here is a summary of the series.
    Where is the church in the midst of the moral quicksand that has swallowed up our culture? It stands at a crossroads and can either point the way out or go along with the crowd. Some churches already have chosen the latter option, but it isn’t too late for others to choose the former. Point the way to liberty and true freedom by upholding God’s truth! He will empower you and bless your efforts!
  6. Myths that Led to the Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage in the United States, Part 3
    2/9/18—article 153
    Here is a summary of the series.
    Myth: Marriage has more to do with sexual pleasure and emotional ties than producing children.
  7. Myths that Led to the Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage in the United States, Part 4
    2/16/18—article 154
    Here is a summary of the series.
    Myths About Race And Racism
  8. Billy Graham’s Critical Hour of Decision—And How God Used It to Change the World
    2/23/18—article 155
    Why has God used Billy Graham to reach millions for Christ? What is the secret to Dr. Graham’s effectiveness. A little known episode in Graham’s early ministry provides insights that help us to answer these questions.
  9. Myths that Led to the Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage in the United States, Part 5
    3/2/18—article 156
    Here is a summary of the series.
    Myths About Discrimination and Equality
  10. Myths that Led to the Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage in the United States, Part 6
    3/9/18—article 157
    Here is a summary of the series.
    Myth: Same-sex marriage has implications for the same-sex couple only, and not for others. “If don’t agree with same-sex marriage,” we were told, “don’t worry. “Changing the definition of marriage won’t affect you!” This article explains how society at large is being affected.
  11. Myths that Led to the Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage in the United States, Part 7
    3/16/18—article 158
    Here is a summary of the series.
    Myth: Same-sex marriage has implications for the same-sex couple only, and not for others. “If don’t agree with same-sex marriage,” we were told, “don’t worry. “Changing the definition of marriage won’t affect you!” This article explains how institutions are being affected, especially the church.
  12. Myths that Led to the Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage in the United States, Part 8
    3/23/18—article 159
    Here is a summary of the series.
    Myth: Same-sex marriage has implications for the same-sex couple only, and not for others. “If don’t agree with same-sex marriage,” we were told, “don’t worry. “Changing the definition of marriage won’t affect you!” This article explains how marriage redefined is upending the family.
  13. An Easter Surprise
    3/30/18—article 160
    Even many folks who think they’re familiar with the Easter story will be surprised at the unexpected sight Peter and John saw in Jesus’ tomb right after Mary had discovered His body was missing! Peter and John didn’t yet fully understand from the Scriptures that Jesus had to rise from the dead, but after seeing what they saw, they knew something supernatural had taken place! Keep in mind that this was the first of many surprises.
  14. Myths that Led to the Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage in the United States, Part 9
    4/06/18—article 161
    Here is a summary of the series.
    Myths About Homosexuality
  15. Myths that Led to the Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage in the United States: Part 10
    4/13/18—article 162
    Here is a summary of the series.
    Myths About Absolute Truth and the Resulting Responsibility of Government
  • What Needs to Happen: An Excerpt from “Misinformed and Misled: How a Distorted Perspective of Rights Is Leading America into Tyranny, Part 8”

Series: Equipping Members of the Next Generation of Christians to Defend Their Faith and to Embrace a Biblical Worldview

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  1. Responding Biblically to a “Tolerant” World
    4/20/18—article 163
    This post is the introductory article in a series on equipping the next generation to defend their faith and to embrace a biblical worldview.
  2. An Open Letter to Pastors and Student Pastors in America’s Churches
    4/27/18—article 164
    Note: This letter is part 1 of a series on equipping the next generation of Christians to defend their faith and to embrace a biblical worldview.
  3. Upholding Prayer for Future Generations: The Legacy of Vonette Bright
    5/3/18—article 165
    The annual National Day of Prayer in America has a rich heritage that includes prayer warriors like Vonette Bright.
  4. The Value—and Limitations—of a Testimony
    5/11/18—article 166
    This article is part 2 of a series titled “Equipping Members of the Next Generation of Christians to Defend Their Faith and to Embrace a Biblical Worldview.”
  5. The Drawing Power of Biblical Apologetics
    5/18/18—article 167
    This article is part 3 of a series titled “Equipping Members of the Next Generation of Christians to Defend Their Faith and to Embrace a Biblical Worldview.”
  6. The Benefits of Studying Apologetics
    5/25/18—article 168
    This article is part 4 of a series titled “Equipping Members of the Next Generation of Christians to Defend Their Faith and to Embrace a Biblical Worldview.”
  7. The Staying Power of Biblical Apologetics
    6/1/18—article 169
    This article is part 5 of a series titled “Equipping Members of the Next Generation of Christians to Defend Their Faith and to Embrace a Biblical Worldview.”
  8. Religious Liberty and the Meaning of Marriage, Part 1
    6/9/18—article 170
    While we can be thankful that Jack Phillips prevailed at the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court’s ruling does not recognize First Amendment religious liberty for all Americans. What does the ruling really mean?
  9. Religious Liberty and the Meaning of Marriage, Part 2
    6/16/18—article 171
    How should Christians and others who are concerned about religious liberty respond to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Jack Phillips’s case? What are some of the implications for churches and for pastors. This post explores these questions.
  10. One Way to Heaven: Why Jesus Is the Only Way to God
    6/23/18—article 172
    This article is part 6 of a series titled “Equipping Members of the Next Generation of Christians to Defend Their Faith and to Embrace a Biblical Worldview.”
  11. Christianity Never Could Have Originated in the Human Imagination
    6/30/18—article 173
    This article is part 7 of a series titled “Equipping Members of the Next Generation of Christians to Defend Their Faith and to Embrace a Biblical Worldview.”
  12. Necessarily Offensive: Understanding the Gospel’s Inherent Capacity to Incite Resistance
    7/7/18—article 174
    This article is part 8 of a series titled “Equipping Members of the Next Generation of Christians to Defend Their Faith and to Embrace a Biblical Worldview.”
  13. The Difference a Worldview Makes
    7/13/18—article 175
    This article is part 9 of a series titled “Equipping Members of the Next Generation of Christians to Defend Their Faith and to Embrace a Biblical Worldview.”
  14. Biblical Underpinnings of a Christian Worldview
    7/20/18—article 176
    This article is part 10 of a series titled “Equipping Members of the Next Generation of Christians to Defend Their Faith and to Embrace a Biblical Worldview.”
  15. The Dangers of Being Thrown off Course: Beware of Revoice!
    7/28/18—article 177
    The Revoice Conference, which was held at the Memorial Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, Missouri July 26-28, 2018, aims to become a movement, and it probably will. What do Christians need to know about it? Why are numerous evangelical leaders raising yellow and red flags? As you will see, this matter is of the utmost urgency!
  16. Two Distinctive Elements of the Christian Worldview
    God Exists.
    8/4/18—article 178
    This article is part 11a in a series titled “Equipping Members of the Next Generation of Christians to Defend Their Faith and to Embrace a Biblical Worldview.”
  17. Two Distinctive Elements of the Christian Worldview, continued
    8/11/18—article 179
    God made, and makes, human beings in His own image.
    This article is part 11b in a series titled “Equipping Members of the Next Generation of Christians to Defend Their Faith and to Embrace a Biblical Worldview.”
  18. The Impact of Worldview Christianity
    8/17/18—article 180
    What happens when Christians take their faith seriously and apply it to every area of life? History tells us. This article is part 12 in a series titled “Equipping Members of the Next Generation of Christians to Defend Their Faith and to Embrace a Biblical Worldview.”
  19. Photo by Dominik Scythe on Unsplash

    The Cultural Commission
    8/24/18—article 181
    Christians aren’t only to concern themselves with evangelism, winning the lost to Christ, and other “spiritual” endeavors. They also are to glorify God in every sphere of influence He has placed them. The cultural mandate of Genesis 2:28 still applies today. This article is part 13 in a series titled “Equipping Members of the Next Generation of Christians to Defend Their Faith and to Embrace a Biblical Worldview.”

    Jeremiah Thomas
  20. The Life and Death of Jeremiah Thomas: Worldview Christianity on Display
    8/31/18—article 182
    Does biblical Christianity have substantive answers to for the questions life throws at us? Jeremiah Thomas believed it does. He knew Christianity was and is real and applied it to every aspect of his life. He lived his life, and faced his death, according to a biblical worldview. Jeremiah gives us all an example to follow. This article is part 14 in a series titled “Equipping Members of the Next Generation of Christians to Defend Their Faith and to Embrace a Biblical Worldview.”
  21. A New Low? A Look at Bans on Pro-Heterosexual Therapy and the Threats They Pose to Religious Liberty and Client Autonomy
    Clients’ Rights and Government Wrongs, Introductory Article
    9/8/18—article 183
    All the articles in this series are available here.
    At the last minute, California Assemblyman Evan Low pulled AB 2943 from consideration in this year’s legislative session. Had it become law, this bill would have made it illegal to counsel or provide therapy for anyone wanting help to overcome unwanted same-sex attraction, in every instance where money was involved, such as counseling fees and the sale of books. In this post, we explore the threat of similar legislation against the backdrop of legislative bans against pro-heterosexual therapy for minors.
  22. Engage!
    Clients’ Rights and Government Wrongs, Part 1
    9/15/18—article 184
    All the articles in this series are available here.
    Parts 1–5 of this series explore five ways Christians and other concerned citizens should respond in the coming months, as therapy-ban-supporters will be back.
  23. Expect Additional Therapy Ban Efforts
    Clients’ Rights and Government Wrongs, Part 2
    9/22/18—article 185
    All the articles in this series are available here.
    Parts 1–5 of this series explore five ways Christians and other concerned citizens should respond in the coming months, as therapy-ban-supporters will be back.
  24. Don’t Compromise!
    Clients’ Rights and Government Wrongs, Part 3
    9/28/18—article 186
    All the articles in this series are available here.
    Parts 1–5 of this series explore five ways Christians and other concerned citizens should respond in the coming months, as therapy-ban-supporters will be back.
  25. The Radicalization of America: Are We Losing Liberty?
    10/7/18—article 187
    An abbreviated version of this article is available here.
    The Kavanaugh hearings unmasked the Democrat party and their plans for America. This article reveals why Democrats must be defeated at the ballot box in November.
  26. Photo by Alex Wigan on Unsplash

    Support Therapy for Those Who Want It
    Clients’ Rights and Government Wrongs, Part 4
    10/13/18—article 188
    All the articles in this series are available here.
    Parts 1–5 of this series explore five ways Christians and other concerned citizens should respond in the coming months, as therapy-ban-supporters will be back.

    NASB
  27. Know and Uphold What the Bible Says About Homosexuality
    Clients’ Rights and Government Wrongs, Part 5
    10/19/18—article 189
    All the articles in this series are available here.
    Parts 1–5 of this series explore five ways Christians and other concerned citizens should respond in the coming months, as therapy-ban-supporters will be back.
  28. A Lesson from WWII for 2018
    Every Vote Matters
    10/24/18—article 190
  29. What You Need to Know About So-Called “Conversion Therapy” and Efforts to Ban It
    Clients’ Rights and Government Wrongs, Epilogue
    11/02/18—article 191
  30. The Hypocrisy of the Left, Part 1
    Indoctrination in the Name of Tolerance
    11/11/18—article 192
    This article examines the state of higher education in America.
  31. The Hypocrisy of the Left, Part 2
    High Sounding, Emotional Rhetoric that Lacks Sufficient Biblical Grounding
    11/17/18—article 193
    This article examines the social justice movement within the Southern Baptist Convention.
  32. The First Thanksgiving Proclamation in the United States—11/21/18—article 194
    What it Teaches Us About Our Heritage, What it Reveals About Liberty, and How it Can Enrich Our Thanksgiving Holiday in 2018
  33. Just How Serious a Sin Is Homosexuality? Part 1—12/1/18—article 195
  34. Just How Serious a Sin Is Homosexuality? Part 2—12/7/18—article 196
  35. Just How Serious a Sin Is Homosexuality? Part 3—12/13/18—article 197

  • On Christmas Eve Fifty Years Ago…—12/24/18—The biblical account of creation has a special place in American history, even recent American history. And it has a special connection to Christmas, too. On Christmas Eve in 1968—50 years ago this year—the crew of Apollo 8 was orbiting the moon when it broadcast a special message to America and to the rest of the world.
  1. Five Bible Passages We Don’t Typically Consider to Be Christmas Passages—but that Still Are—12/23/18—article 198
  2. The Way Ahead—12/28/18—article 199

 

Copyright © 2019 by B. Nathaniel Sullivan. All rights reserved.

Note:

1C. Mark Corts, The Truth About Spiritual Warfare, (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2006), 61-74. The title of chapter 5 is “Deception: Satan’s Favorite Tool.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture passages cited on this page have been taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

credit for the photo that heads this article: Susie Clay