WHAT IS THE REQUIREMENT FOR SALVATION?
Part Two
SO IS THERE A GOSPEL THAT IS A FALSE GOSPEL?
‘‘‘‘
The John MacArthur’s Lordship Position vs
The Lou Martuineac’s Position

MY SYNOPSIS CHRONOLOGY OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE GOSPEL,
{A brief outline or general view and a record of events in the order of their occurrence}

PRESENTING THE GOSPEL WITH A VIEW TO CHRIST’S LORDSHIP

What changed in my teaching was to present the text in its context as clearly as I could. To give as clear an interpretation of the portion of scripture as I could, and then I stepped back as it were, and said "Lord, I have done my best in presenting the Word, now it’s your turn." That was my invitation.

So the Lordship position combined with the Doctrine of Grace, known as Calvinism:

• Calvinism teaches that salvation is initiated by God, not by man (John 6:44). It is wholly a work of God in which He imparts new life to the spiritually dead sinner (Eph. 2:1-10). Conversion––which includes regeneration, faith, and repentance––occurs in a moment of time, in which God creates a new spiritual life. Thus, according to the reformed ordo salutis, regeneration has causal priority over faith and repentance. This is simply a way of showing that God initiates salvation, enabling and empowering the sinner to believe and repent. Like Jesus told Nicodemus, "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).

So the evolution was:

• A gospel Roman Road presentation sermon and invitation and inviting people to come to Jesus and receive Him by faith. Every service was ended by giving a "invitation for someone to be saved." Whether the message was on salvation or not. (1964-1982)
• In teaching expositionally, verse by verse, the passage of Scripture set before me. And then at the end of the message, we had prayer, and generally a brief time that anyone could respond. I did not give any appeal at all for any response. (1983-presently).

So the question to me is in the method of preaching and the appeal for someone to respond to the Word of God.

• First method of "preaching the Gospel of Salvation and then giving an appeal for the lost to be saved.. Secondly, the method of teaching the Word of God expositionally and within the message give an appeal to be obedient to the teaching of the Word.

Now my concern has become this, did those who sat under my ministry in those first years receive adequate teaching of the Gospel that would have brought them to a true conversion to Jesus Christ? And the identical question is on the other hand, when you simply teach the scripture as it is before you, and then you simply trust the Lord, that He in His sovereignty will bring to Himself those whom He will.

Several observations from these two methods of preaching or teaching and the "invitation."

• There certainly was no reference to "Lordship Salvation" position in the first method of presenting the Gospel.
• And the second method was decisive in the manner when referring to the Gospel of Salvation of making Christ your Lord and Savior. Coming to Him in personal trust to worship, love and serve Him.

Now again I ask, were people saved in using both methods? If in either case, people were saved, why would I prefer the second method versus the first method?

1. No altar call at the end of the services vs. five verses of Just As I Am.
2. Expositional preaching versus topical.
3. Preaching the content of the text only , i.e. without necessarily always bringing in a salvation message versus hitting sin every sermon.
4. Teaching the scripture, rather than an emotional, theatrical preaching style.
5. Teaching the idea of the sola’s. Rather than "you made a decision for Christ."

Yet I would hope that neither approach is "false gospel," and that God has the ability of saving His elect in either format.

Now we come to the present 2006. What do I understand now about:

• The presenting of the Gospel message.
• In giving an invitation to receive Christ as Savior, and Lord.

AN EXAMPLE OF PRESENTING THE GOSPEL:

• I heard Paul Harper preach at Bigelow Church several times. He is from England, and he is very theatrical in his preaching. His preaching is topical in form. But what I learned is that within the message he would insert and gave an invitation to receive the gospel into their lives. He would do this several times, "open your heart to the voice God." That was the invitation.
• Frank, the pastor at Bigelow Church, here in Portsmouth, is an expositional preacher. He teaches from the Old and the New Testament books. He will address what the chapter and verses are teaching. And there is no invitation given at the end of the services. What I have noticed of late is that in the messages Christ will become a part of the message itself. Every message will bring in Christ at some point.

Part Three Next

Drafted by Charles E. Whisnant Proof-Checked by Charity 11-15 06 #92

‘WHAT IS THE REQUIREMENT FOR SALVATION?
Part One
SO IS THERE A GOSPEL THAT IS A FALSE GOSPEL?
‘‘‘‘
The John MacArthur’s Lordship Position
vs
The Lou Martuineac’s Position
‘‘‘
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JESUS CHRIST
OR
in defense of the gospel
‘‘‘‘
Both sides tend to believe that the other is a "false gospel."

MY SYNOPSIS CHRONOLOGY OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE GOSPEL,

{A brief outline or general view and a record of events in the order of their occurrence}

If I introduce the gospel to a lost, unsaved person at church, in my home, or somewhere else, what am I going to tell him how to be saved. Could I use any of the more popular material to show a person how to be saved?
Should I be concerned about how I present the gospel to him, or more concerned to see the result of presenting the gospel?

WHAT IS TRUE CONVERSION?
Having preached for some forty years, you believe you have correctly presented the Word of God in a truthful manner, and you have not preached a false gospel.

It seems if your position theologically is based upon the sovereignty of God, and that God in His sovereignty has the final say as to who has been born again, and that He in His wisdom has chosen those who will be saved then that is a comfortable belief. That is, in the end, it’s the Lord’s decision as to who comes to be saved.

On the other hand, if you believe that man has the final word as to his own fate and salvation, it could be a little unsettling. If one’s salvation hinges upon a right understanding of the Word of God as he hears the Word preached, that too is a little unsettling.

Also, if the presentation of the Gospel has to be perfectly presented for one to be saved, that too could be a little unsettling.

From my early years in ministry and preaching as a teenager in youth revivals, and my own church, the method of presenting the Gospel was rather simple. In the process I gave little thought of the results of the preaching, and did little follow up on those who "made a decision" for Christ in a revival.

My first church I pastored for three and half years, I presented the Word of God in a manner that I believed was correct biblically, and there were those who came and "were saved." I certainly did not question their salvation. For the most part those who "made decisions" were believed to be genuine conversions. The conclusion was that they were born again. Based upon what I presented as the gospel, they were saved.
Then ten years later at our second church I was pastoring, our focus on preaching/teaching became expositional in nature. As we taught through the book of Romans for five years, our understanding of salvation and the means where by one was "saved," changed.

• We began to look upon the result of ones "decision" to be saved. We started to view one’s attitude and thinking, and behavior in relationship to his desire to be a Christian.
• What changed was, we didn’t seem to accept someone’s "decision" to become a Christian, at face value. We might have at the moment accepted the decision that they were making to become a Christian, based upon our presentation of the gospel of being born again.

Based upon what we preached and presented to them, the "how" to be born again was what we believed to be correct. As I remember (1980-1996), I didn’t mention that salvation was by the "five "solas". Grace alone, faith alone..... the alone’s were never a part of the presentation. In the sixteen years I was the pastor/teacher, I don’t think I mentioned those terms. But I taught those ideas.

What I did was to teach verse by verse the book of Romans in 1984 and then in First Peter in 1995-96 . One of the opening statements I made from I Peter chapter One.

• Reading 1 Peter 1:1.... that is to say, God has chosen us, sovereignly, by His unaffected, divine will. Strictly on the basis of His own free sovereign grace.
• He predetermined to set love on certain people, from all the world, and they are the elect. That is the nature of our election. {Sermon 60.4 page 46 from my manuscript.}

I also addressed this "Election" when I preached from Ephesians: When you teach word by word, you are going to have to deal with this sovereignty issue.

• Then upon reading John MacArthur’s "The Gospel According to Jesus Christ" in 1989, the Lordship position became a factor in my thinking.

"The gospel call to faith presupposes that sinners must repent of their sin and yield to Christ’s authority."

That, in a sentence, is what "lordship salvation" teaches"

Drafted by Charles E. Whisnant, Proof Read by Charity 11-14-06 #91

SO WHAT ARE SOME LESSONS WE COULD LEARN FROM THIS TRAGEDY?
The lesson we need to learn is:

Bloggers have their idea of lessons needed to be learned from this sinfulness behavior of Ted Haggard: (and many others)

1. That we are every inch as sinful and imperfect and intentional and depraved as Haggard; perhaps more so.
2. A CHRISTLIKE MAN WILL HAVE A CHRISTLIKE FAITH.
3. If ANYONE says they are above this kind of sin, may God grant him/her a tiny view of their heart that they may see their need for Christ Jesus on a daily basis.
4. The fear we should have is NOT that we would fall into the same sin, Tim.
5. The fear that we should have is that you are correct, that whether that sin manifests itself or not we are really still just as sinful in the core of our hearts as Rev. Haggard
6. While we are always to be growing in grace, we are always to be reminded of the presence of and battle with indwelling sin.
7. Who said "simul justus et peccator" i.e. simultaneously justified and sinful.
8. The church, New Life Church, did not cover up or make excuses, acted swiftly and honestly and has not made light of the scandal.
9. We shouldn’t conclude that church members should expect anything different from their pastor, since we’re all sinners.
10. I think churches should consider hiring godly men who lead holy lives, rather than looking for good men who have oratorical gifts. Too often the godly men are run out of their pulpits so some cool, media personalities can be put in their place.
11. I have read a lot about the "grace principle." Grace does forgive us.
    But grace is something more. Grace is what provides us with the power for godliness.
12. I read this statement: "We are all just like Ted." Then we are all in trouble. My comment is the salvation that is given to us by Christ does not leave us "just like Ted." Romans 8:3-4
13. We need to check what kind of faith we think we have that we believe will keep us from sinful behavior. Many have a misconstrued faith.
14. "Within each of us there is a herd of wild horses all wanting to run loose." Wallace Hamilton wrote.
15. "Like a river that breaks its levy, that drive that leaders have, often strays into areas of excitement and risk that can be dangerous and destructive. Gordon MacDonald
16. Have you noted that the truth of a person’s life, comes out little at a time.
17. There always seems to be a series of disclosures, and admissions are slowly coming. Why? Maybe he is lying to himself, or cannot face the truth of his behavior.
    
18. Even though you are a power leader, you are just as lowly as the person who cleans the very church you started. Perks and privileges, the honor, have all gone. Because you might think you deserved them.
    
19. A lovely wife, and five children. They will suffer as much.
    
20. Sexual temptation is where we are held least accountable and where we can fall fastest.

1. I had a rule while I pastored: Under no circumstances, to ride alone in a car with a female other than my wife or an immediate family member
2. I did not counsel a woman in a closed room . And Charity generally did this.
   I would not hug women, or put my arms around them. I did not hug.
3. I would not focus on the external looks, or read anything into behavior toward me.
   
   What would I do if Ted Haggard walked into First Baptist Church and I was the pastor and was preaching that Sunday?
   I would be rather surprised. I would not publicly humiliate him. (That has already been done.) I would teach the message that I had already planned to preach. I would trust the sovereignty of God that the message would be the one God planned for Ted to hear.
   

What would I say to Ted Haggard if he came to Charles E. Whisnant for counseling? Or any one else.

Many times in my father's church, fallen preachers came to our church, there were five to seven preachers and their family in our church. They came for healing, physical, and spiritual.

You might ask "Why would those who say they are believers, get caught up in this kind of behavior? Why didn’t their faith prevent their crimes and sinfulness? I don’t want to write a sermon here, but we as preachers certainly have preached on this topic a number of times.


Drafted by Charles E. Whisnant 11-09-06 Proof Check by Charity 11-13-06 and Posted 11-14-06

THE TED HAGGARD STORY or SCANDAL

The lesson we need to learn is:
I hope to provide some lessons we need to learn in this blog.... read on.

What bloggers have done, almost the instant that an event happens, they will post it. They will make comments For example: Posted by fundyreformed.wordpress

• "I was saddened to hear of the Ted Haggard fall this past week. And I must confess that when it became apparent that he was guilty, for a short while I may have sneered at him. But before long God gave me a prayer that Christ would be exalted in all of this. I believe that prayer is being answered, and Christ’s glory is being seen even in this sad scandal"
  P.S. What I have learned, if you write something, you better be ready to be quoted.
  Then there are responses to the article. So you get several perspectives and viewpoints.
  Now after reading several articles on the blog. For example: Albert Mohler’s blog or his web site, you get another perspective I can trust .

Also what I have found very beneficial are those blogs that link you to other articles that speak to the issues. For example: John Piper had an article: "Ten Potential Pitfalls and Proposed Ten Protections against them:" now that was very helpful.

The Ted Haggard’s exposure has been one that a pastor/ teacher/ and a minister should personally look upon with great observation.

Rather than judge Ted (whom I have never met), I should examine my own life and behavior.
As a minister it is our charge to call sinners to repentance. It is our charge to call believers to holiness and sanctification. Too often there are secret life styles of preachers, that go un- detected for years. I would think that would certainly be disruptive with his call and discredit his ability to lead others. But I am afraid this occurs too often.

• He quotes these verses:
  Ps 32:1 ¶ <<[A Psalm] of David. Maschil.>>. 3 When I kept silence, my bones wasted away Through my groaning all the day long.4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: My moisture was changed [as] with the drought of summer. [[Selah:5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, And mine iniquity did I not hide: I said, I will confess my transgressions unto Jehovah; And thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. [[Selah 6 For this let every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: Surely when the great waters overflow they shall not reach unto him"

This behavior, you would think, would not happen to evangelical or fundamental preachers, would you? Sadly this kind of behavior happens every day. We only hear of the big time guys. I always said "I am glad I am a little guy. If I fall, it won’t make the national media. Local media would be bad enough."

And generally this kind of life-style happens to those whom you would least expect. I personally can name a few. I was totally shocked.

What this does for me? A quick check up of my own behavior. Some of the very preachers that I would not suspect are the very preachers that are living a secret life of sinfulness.

As you read the blogs you certainly get different points of view: For example:

• "It's time for evangelicals to rethink their priorities, re-examine the evil fruits of pragmatic and market-driven "spirituality," and retool their own movement. Better yet, Christians with a concern for the glory of God and the authority of Scripture should renounce the latitudinarian-style movement contemporary "evangelicalism" has morphed into. It is a hopelessly mixed and muddled multitude. The fashionable brand of NAE/Christianity Today-style "evangelicalism" actually abandoned historic evangelical principles long ago, and hasn't taken a firm stand for biblical and evangelical doctrine for some time. The current scandal is only a symptom of that much deeper problem" Phil Johnson http://teampyro.blogspot.com/2006/11/thoughts-on-todays-scandal.html
  And there were 82 Responses to Phil’s post. Here is an example:
• Assuming he is guilty, I guess we throw out the baby with the bath water and all evangelicals are heretics because of this one man's fault. For that matter all fundamentalists are equally heretics because of the recent downfall of Dr. Bob Gray at Trinity in Jacksonville. When will we all stop this nonsense and understand that this man's sin or the sin of others is not a valid argument for their church or denominational strategy. I expect better arguments from team pyro against market driven strategies.
• This is a great exchange of views. The Poster will risk what the Postee will say in response.
  
  
  Tim Challies remarked on his .com Titled "THE SCANDAL"
• "And then realize that, as we explored earlier this week in a discussion about total depravity, there is really no difference between you and Haggard or between myself and Haggard. We are all totally depraved with our sin extending to every aspect of our being. There but for the grace of God go I. There but for the grace of God go you."
• I can only imagine the pain of having to sit in front of my children, my wife, and answer questions about whether or not I have had sex with a man or admitting that I purchased illegal drugs. It's horrible. It's terrifying.
• 
  And there were 148 comments from his readers.... here is an example:
  "...um, tears are the first reaction to your post. Not for Mr. Haggard, but for me. I can search a dark heart as well my brother. I'm sickened as your are, and over joyed at the reality that my destiny (and Haggards) depends on the Holiness of another! Praise God! . And praise God for this line in your post, "that I would continue to fill my heart with His Words of life". Oh that news like this would only drive us all harder into the word."
• And who and what are ministers themselves? Frail men, fallible, sinning men, exposed to every snare, to temptation in every form; and, from the very post of observation they occupy, they are an easier target for the fiery darts of the foe. They are not trite victims the great Adversary is seeking, when he would wound and cripple Christ's ministers. One such victim is worth more to the kingdom of darkness than a number of common men; and for this very reason their temptations are probably more subtle and severe than those encountered by ordinary Christians. If this subtle Deceiver fails to destroy them, he cunningly aims at neutralizing their influence by quenching the fervor of their piety, lulling them into negligence, and doing all in his power to render their work burdensome. How perilous is the condition of that minister then, whose heart is not encouraged, whose hands are not strengthened, and who is not upheld by the prayers of his people! It is not in his own closet and on his own knees alone, that he finds security and comfort, and ennobling, humbling, and purifying thoughts and joys; but it is when they also seek them in his behalf, that he becomes a better and happier man, and a more useful minister of the everlasting Gospel! --Gardiner Spring

What should we do about all of this? PRAY FOR OUR PASTORS!!!
SO WHAT ARE SOME LESSONS WE COULD LEARN FROM THIS TRAGEDY?

Drafted Charles Whisnant, Check by Charity

SO I HAVE DISCOVERED THE BLOG
Part Three in this Series

Each day in a twenty four hour interval, with billions of people all over the world, think of all the happenings that take place! Many of us may think, "I may well be inconsequential in the scheme of things." But is that true?

We might get up in the morning and say, "This day is going to be another insignificant day in the overall design of things."

1. When John Piper asked Shai Linne hip hop artist to sing at Bethlehem Baptist Church one Sunday Morning, what was he thinking at the time?
2. When Ted Haggard, pastor of the church he started, New Life Church, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with over 14,000 in membership, gradually admitted to purchasing methamphetamine and the services of a male prostitute.... What was he thinking? Did he think that his behavior would be "inconsequential in the scheme of things?
3. When John MacArthur, long time pastor of Grace Community Church in Van Nuys, California wrote the book "The Gospel According To Jesus Christ" in 1988, what was he thinking? Did he think that the book would have little importance in the Christian realm. "

"And it’s true that "I may well be inconsequential in the scheme of things", but in the predetermined thought and plan of God, none of us IS "beside the point" individuals." Charity said, "Who said this?" I said "me." She said, "I like ‘none of us is beside the point." charles e. whisnant

These three occurrences over the last several weeks have made the headlines. One has made the national media spotlight. All three events have made the blogsphere, and the web sites.

So do any of these I have mention have any real significant meaning in the life of individuals? Are they going to affect our churches as to how they will worship? Are they going to change opinions of individuals about pastors and ministers? Are they going to have any effect on what pastors/elders will think about their own ministry?

Should pastors/teachers/ministers even address these issues? What if a member of our church would say, "Pastor Charles, would you approve if Shai Linne would come and perform in our worship services?" What would I even say? Michele what would I have said?

Would I want to address the Ted Haggard situation? It’s been on the news. I would say many of our members have heard about this. They certainly have heard about Jimmy Swaggart.

What if a member picks up the book "The Gospel According to Jesus Christ" and reads this by John MacArthur:

• "Salvation is by grace and has nothing to do with human works. But the only possible response to God’s grace is broken humility that causes the sinner to turn from his old life to Christ. The evidence of such a turning is the willingness to submit and obey. If disobedience and rebellion continue unabated, there is reason to doubt the reality of a person’s faith" (TGATJ, page 113)

Pastor, do you believe that my husband is saved? How are you going to answer the wife?

What if a member comes and asks, "Pastor, how can we know if your personal life is truly right with the Lord? And how should we as believers respond to those who are accused of actions that are sinful?"

When I was pastor at FBC in Altoona, and when a national Baptist TV pastor was divorced from his wife, the church he was pastoring said he could continue to pastor the church. Several members asked me, "Pastor Charles, would you resign if you were divorced from Charity?" And I said kidding, "No, I wouldn’t have to. She would kill me." "Divorce never, murder, maybe," she is always saying. Right dear?

I am not necessarily fundamentally reformed, but I am not necessarily the same fundamentalist I once was either. (Quick to make judgments and to make statements instantaneously without thinking it through.) I understand that I can’t undo forty years of ministry, and for the most part I wouldn’t anyway.

I have opinions, and I normally express them. Over the years they have been rather clear.

I love to read, and there are enough resources that will address all these issues. Of course, a book will soon come out on these subjects. Christian periodicals will also address these issues, and they have been a part of my reading for years. Also preachers will address these issues, and I will listen to their tapes. Then there are those who are on radio, CDR for example that will address these issues. Of course there is the Bible. And then there is Ron Brown. (He is a long time good friend)

I will address Ted Haggard next, then Piper, and then Lordship Salvation.

Written by Charles E. Whisnant 11-09-06 Proof-read by Charity 11-09 and posted 11-10-06

SO I HAVE DISCOVERED THE BLOG.... I LIKE TO THINK, THUS I BLOG
SHAI LINNE, TED HAGGARD, AND LORDSHIP SALVATION,
JOHN PIPER

Daily you can get up-to-the-moment opinions, comments, news and thoughts from a number of Christian bloggers. They are excellent sources of good information. At the moment of an event, or happening, there is a current blogger who will comment on the event.
Get a good cup of coffee, and you are ready to read and write.

On most of these blogs you can post a comment on the post’s subject. And the dialog that can occur in one post provides an excellent source of learning as well.
So if I want to know what John MacArthur thinks on an issue, I can learn that by going to Pulpit Magazine. And if I want to learn what others are thinking about what John MacArthur is thinking I can go to Pulpit Magazine. Blogspot. . If I want what the Christian community is saying about "Lordship Salvation" or "Fundamentalism" I can click on a site and learn. If I want a theologian’s opinion on a current cultural issue I can go to Al Mohler.

NOW WITH ALL THIS INFORMATION
As a pastor/teacher, my objective was always to teach. I enjoyed keeping the membership informed on the current issues of the time. Of course, I loved reading. Now I can read blogs, as well as books; but books usually are out of date on issues once the book is printed. What I would do with all this information if I were a pastor/teacher would be entertaining for sure.

WELL TODAY I AM NOT IN A PASTORAL/TEACHING POSITION

To a degree this could be an advantage, because I don’t have as many people to please. I can address any issue without worrying about losing members. Currently I am writing a journal of our ministry experiences. I can be honest as to what I believe were the events surrounding the ministry. Charity is saying, "Do you really want to say that?" And I will say, "Yes."

Certainly there are those men whose voice is much greater them mine, that is for sure.. There are those who write 100% better than I., but this blogging has been a personal endeavor. It’s been a personal journal that I have been willing to put on the Blogger.. I didn’t know at the time when I started that all you blog and post is on the www. That could be interesting. Just put in my name in the SEARCH-Goggle and you will find where I have commented on other weblogs. That is scary

"And its true "I may well be inconsequential in the scheme of things." But in the predetermined thought and plan of God, none of us are "beside the point" individuals." Charity said, "Who said this?" I said "me." She said, "I like ‘none of us are beside the point."

So what have I learned about Christian Hip Hopper (if that is possible) and "LORDSHIP SALVATION," and Ted Haggard?
The question
Should Bethlehem Baptist Church, John Piper pastor, have invited a Hip Hopper to sing in the worship service?
Should Ted Haggard of New Life Church, which he founded, agree to resign as pastor because of "sexually immoral conduct"?
The issue of salvation: is it "faith alone" and "repentance"?

What I discover by reading others keeps me in a balanced view of my own opinion. Next time let’s talk about these matters.

What would I say to our membership at First Baptist Church today?

Drafted by Charles E. Whisnant November 06, 2006 Checked by Charity 11/08
Posted 11/09/06

SHAI LINNE, TED HAGGARD, AND LORDSHIP SALVATION, JOHN PIPER
WEBLOGS, BLOGGERS
Part One

There are a few who might be saying, "what does Pastor Charles think about the current trend in our Christian Church Culture." I did say a few! But they are very important people.

I said to Charity, "I might be dangerous today, if I were the pastor/.teacher at some Fundamentalist, or Evangelical church." It’s been ten years since I was at FBC, five years since I was at my last pastorate, and a few years since my last staff position. And all this was before my experience of the Internet, and before blogging or weblog.

How would I today use blogging as a means of communicating with the membership and the community?

WHAT IS A BLOGGER?
Blogger.(someone who maintains a weblog) A blog is a website where entries are made in journal style and displayed in a reverse chronological order. Which is why if you were to go to my first posts, or thread, you would have to go back to August 07, 2006, some seventy posts back.

Online diaries and journals went from 100 in 1997 to 50 million in December 2005.
The term "blog" is a contraction of "Web log." "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog. Thus in August 07 2006 I started my first blog "GROW BY LEARNING."

The modern blog evolved from the online diary where people would keep a running account of their personal lives. Most such writers called themselves diarists, journalists, or journalers. A few called themselves escribitionists.

The term "weblog" was coined by Jorn Barger on 17 December 1997. The short form, "blog," was coined by Peter Merholz, who jokingly broke the word weblog into the phrase we blog in the sidebar of his blog Peterme.com in April or May of 1999. This was quickly adopted as both a noun and verb ("to blog," meaning "to edit one's weblog or to post to one's weblog").
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog

Blogging combined the personal web page with tools to make linking to other pages easier —— specifically permalinks, blogrolls and TrackBacks. This, together with weblog search engines enabled bloggers to track the threads that connected them to others with similar interests.

Bloggers began to provide nearly-instant commentary on televised events, creating a secondary meaning of the word "blogging": to simultaneously transcribe and editorialize speeches and events shown on television. (For example: Tim C is blogging live from the 4theGospel event . Real time commentary. It’s sometimes referred to as "liveblogging." You can learn live how the conference is going and what the speakers are teaching.

THE BENEFIT OF BLOGGERS

• Today I log on the Internet and hit a number of good blogs: Kinds of blogs:.
• Theological Bloggers: These are articles about theological positions "Lordship Salvation versus "Free Grace." "Doctrines of Grace."
• Personal Opinion Bloggers: Those who are not pastors but have a theological background
• Pastor/Teachers Bloogers: Those who deal with pastoral issues, preaching/teaching points of view.
• Various Bloggers: Political, Music, News
• Fundamentalist, Evangelistic, Church Ministry Bloggers.
  

EXAMPLE::

• "Old Testament scholar Dr. Eugene Merrill has written a new book that belongs on every pastor's bookshelf. In today's blog, Dr. Albert Mohler reviews "Everlasting Dominion: A Theology of the Old Testament." This came by way of e mail, and I just click over to the blog. Great.
• By now you have heard of the scandal involving Ted Haggard. Reaction to the news has ranged from sympathy to disgust, from support to condemnation. The media has dedicated a lot of attention to this story, though they seem to be writing about it as just another news story rather than something that is somehow bigger or more significant than any other story. Watchbloggers are out in force, like homeschool moms at a book sale, swarming and trampling. To this point I have refrained from mentioning the issue for reasons related primarily to my own lack of sanctification. But I feel now that I can speak out with some legitimacy
• "A Rugged Cross, a Glorious Gospel, and the Ted Haggard Scandal"
• Arminianism: Semi-Pelagianism? Phil Johnson’s web site
• The People Clapped, He Sat Down, and the Fundamentalists Went Wild. For those who have been following this, I want to provide a brief update. You others, read the original post first and then come up here for more!

Drafted by Charles E. Whisnant November 06 Proof-read by Charity 11 -7 Posted 11-07