Ben Zornes

Living and Dying to Show the Preciousness of Christ

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A New Chapter for the Zornes

A New Chapter for the Zornes

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A little over five years ago, I began an adventure with Ellerslie that has now (formally) come to an end. IMG_8890 smallElsje and I have determined that the next chapter of life that God has for us leads us away from our dear friends and spiritual family here at Ellerslie. Our main goal and aim for this next season is for me to pursue my Masters of Divinity, to more fully equip me to feed the flock of God, and invest more effectively in the lives of young men who will be the next generation of Christian Pastors and Missionaries. We have a few options on the table for this next step (none of them certain), and we would greatly appreciate your prayers and support during this transition.

I would be remiss if I did not express my gratitude to everyone at Ellerslie: staff, alumni, church families. You’ve made my time here an extremely rich season, and it has been a real blessing to serve you and be served by you. Though our paths now must diverge, I am grateful to have trod this pathway with you thus far and am certain we will have cause to walk alongside of each other again in some capacity or another. My prayers for you remain the same: “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power (Eph. 1:17-19).” [Read more…] about A New Chapter for the Zornes

The Suicide of Justifying Suicide

The Suicide of Justifying Suicide

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I recently was asked what the Bible teaches on suicide. This question is obviously not one to play with, or lightstock_81661_xsmall_user_5740715give glib answers to. I thought it may be helpful to unpack a few things in regards to how we ought to think Biblically about this issue.

First off, contrary to our “the Bible is all warm and fuzzy” brethren, the Bible does make allowance for lawfully taking a life. The Pentateuch makes it clear that if someone murders another, the entire nation of Israel must not pity the murderer, but has the civic and even religious duty to “not pity him, but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee (Deu. 19:11-13).” Thus it is lawful to take a life, if that life is judged by God’s law to be deserving of death; “Thou shalt not murder” is not a command to be lightly passed over, and the New Testament doesn’t soften the edges of this command (see especially Rom. 13:4 & 1 Pt. 2:14).

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Calvin on Our Enemy

Calvin on Our Enemy

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Some helpful words from Calvin regarding our Lord’s Enemy, and the Enemy of our soul, Satan.

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calvin quote 06-12-15Wherefore, let this be the use to which we turn all these statements. Being forewarned of the constant presence of an enemy the most daring, the most powerful, the most crafty, the most indefatigable, the most completely equipped with all the engines and the most expert in the science of war, let us not allow ourselves to be overtaken by sloth or cowardice, but, on the contrary, with minds aroused and ever on the alert, let us stand ready to resist; and, knowing that this warfare is terminated only by death, let us study to persevere. Above all, fully conscious of our weakness and want of skill, let us invoke the help of God, and attempt nothing without trusting in him, since it is his alone to supply co
unsel, and strength, and courage, and arms.
John Calvin, Institutes, Book 1, Chapter 14, Section 13

A Brief Eschatological Foray

A Brief Eschatological Foray

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While here in South Africa, my in-law’s house-keeper (a precious black woman, Sylvia), asked me to help her understand “everything the Bible has to say on Christ’s return!” No small task there!! So, I spent a bit of time summarizing (hopefully in a concise and simple manner) the basics of Biblical eschatology! I thought it good enough that I ought to share it with you all!

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One of the foundational truths of the Christian faith is the fact that Christ promised His church that He will15596124673_9801862a6e return in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven (Acts 1:11)”. As the ancient Apostle’s Creed affirms: “[Christ] ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.” Thus, as Christians we must live with a mindset of readiness for either our death or His return, and we must warn this careless world the danger of neglecting “so great salvation (Heb. 2:3)” offered to us through Christ’s saving work on the cross.

As with any topic, the Scripture alone must be our source for truth; many people have come up with fancy, and imaginative theories about Christ’s return, and many of these ideas (though certainly creative) have no basis in the Word of God. Since we are in the Kingdom of God, King Jesus’ Word must be the lone authority for us in matters of doctrine; and the doctrine of Christ’s return is no different. [Read more…] about A Brief Eschatological Foray

He Will Answer

He Will Answer

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One of the most troubling things a believer faces during trials of the soul or circumstance, is the sense that lightstock_57761_xsmall_user_5740715all their prayers, petitions and cries aren’t making it past the roof. We know that this experience is one that is universal for all believers throughout all the ages. This can be an incredible burden on the soul, and I think this is one of the most revealing ways which God uses to show the genuineness of our faith.

It is easy to praise God when the answer to our prayer comes swiftly. But what about when He tarries? What about when the circumstances grow darker, rather than lighter? What about when prayer seem useless? What about when heaven seems silent? I believe this is where true faith shines, and where the real genuineness of one’s devotion to Christ and His Word is proven. [Read more…] about He Will Answer

Judging Judgmentalism

Judging Judgmentalism

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The recent flurry of current pop culture events has given rise to another chorus of a tired old refrain.

Sort of like navigating current events!
Sort of like navigating current events!

Remember the song that doesn’t end, for it goes on and on again? It is sort of like that. “Doesn’t the Bible teach that you shouldn’t judge, but you Christians are so judgmental?” Josh Dugger is a hypocritical scoundrel according to some because he is a child molester and yet was fighting against homosexual mirage. The Dugger’s are so full of judgmentalism and double standards, how dare they push their viewpoints on the rest of us when their house is a petrie dish for sexual molestation, and evil patriarchalism!

Christians who have the wits to recognize that a celebrated male athlete who has decided to become an old granny (via silicon and photoshop) is really a sad wreck of humanity to be pitied, rather than a courageous individual to be applauded are quickly told that we Christians are always “sooo, like, judgmental!” One passing comment in regards to the Bruce Jenner issue, our culture is now celebrating a man leaving his children and grandchildren fatherless and grandfather-less. We are calling this action “courageous”. I think the term we are actually looking for is “selfish”. [Read more…] about Judging Judgmentalism

The Question Before Us

The Question Before Us

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The real question before the church of the 21st century is this: Will we acknowledge Jesus Christ as head of Ironic._My_stupid_attempt_at_a_new_meme._I_tried_4bafa6_3552920His church and His Word as her binding charter? The flurry of controversial news stories (albeit mostly about reality TV stars), has exposed how successful the Enemy has been in convincing many Christians that Christ is merely a love and hugs sort of guy; rather than as scripture teaches: King, Lord, Sovereign, Judge, High Priest, Shepherd, etc.

We have surrendered the authority and headship of Christ and His Word, and we are content to let the feelings of someone “out there” ––who might possibly be offended that the Bible calls their behavior sinful, abominable, and wicked––dictate the behavior of the Church. Ironically, when you scroll through the comments you continually see people using the Bible as an authority as to why Christians shouldn’t use the Bible as an authority. We are told the Bible teaches us to love people and not judge; this is using the Bible as an authority; but, how dare we use the Bible the same way they just did! [Read more…] about The Question Before Us

Ben Zornes